What Book Are You Currently Reading?

Posted by: u5227470736789439 on 22 October 2005

Among all the diversions of modern life, I reckon that print still provides something unique, and also free of pressure from others...

Currently I am half way through the first volume (of six) of Churchill's 'The Second World War.' And for fun I am also reading Geoffrey Trease's 'Poppinjay Staires.'

Sincerely, Fredrik
Posted on: 01 November 2005 by Lomo
Has anyone read " The Dumas Club" by Arturo Perez- Reverte
Not finished as yet, very well constructed and gripping read.
Posted on: 03 November 2005 by Richard Dane
One of the joys of travelling, waiting around in Airports etc.. is the chance to sit quietly and really get immersed in a book.

Some years ago, thanks to a rapturous article in The Wall Street Journal, I was introduced to Patrick O'Brian and read about 6 of his Aubrey/Maturin series on the trot. I have to admit I rather overdosed and laid off for about 10 years. A few months back I picked up where I left off with "Far Side of the World" and am currently ashore with "The Letter of the Marque".

If you have never read any O'Brian you owe it to yourself to do so. Don't blame me if you get addicted.
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by Nuno Baptista
Dan Brown
Da Vince Code
very intersting book,with lots of research about the catholic church
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by Rasher
I've recently finished John Grisham's A Painted House, which is a departure from his usual crime/lawyer/courtroom drama type stuff, and is a slow charming story of a small boy growing up with his family in the deep south. One of the best books I have ever read and if it had the name Truman Capote on the cover, I would have believed it. A career peak. I'm now coming to the end of another of his; The Chamber. Still excellent, but A Painted House will stay with me for a very long time.
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by Misguided Fool
quote:
Originally posted by Yeldarb:
In such august company I am wary of saying Terry Pratchett's "Thud".

Brad


What's wrong with reading Pratchett?

I'm just enjoying "Going Postal".

It winds me up when people adopt that elitist attitude towards popular fiction. I honestly belive that the majority of critics have never read any of Pratchetts books. The more recent ones really do resonante with the real world.

Sorry - rant over...

Smile
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by David McN
Lomo - all the Arturo Perez- Reverte books are excellent, especially the Nautical Chart.
David
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by BobPaterso
"Food for the Heart" - the Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah
Bob
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by MichaelC
I do not generally read a great deal. However, during August I read three of Dan Brown's books - they were ok. I read The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchet and thoroughly enjoyed it. So what if it is not the trendy or right on thing to read.

I am reading The Witches by Roald Dahl with my daughter at the moment - and am thoroughly enjoying it.

Might ask Father Christmas for the new Clive Cussler book now.
Posted on: 04 November 2005 by joe90
I scored a copy of Len Deighton's 'Blitzkrieg' (non fiction) seconda hand for 50p. An excellent read - a real dummies guide to the battle of France 1940. Surprising to read how unfairly lopsided the battle was - the French and BEF could have really smacked the whole thing down had they pulled finger at the appropriate times...
Posted on: 05 November 2005 by alex95
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova a very good update on the Dracula story.
The Devil In The White City by Erik Larson a history of the The Chicago World Fair of the 1890s where the architects of the Fair intermingle with the appearance of a serial killer which is excellent.
Various Flashman by George Macdonald Fraser always funny, he also wrote a book called Quartered Out Of Here about his time in Burma during the war which is interesting and quite funny.
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by HR
The Brothers Karamazov/Fyodor Dostoevsky, the latest translation by Richard Pevear @ Larissa Volokbonsky.

It takes me so long to read it (776 pages) that I feel I am becoming part of the Karamazov family.

Haim
Posted on: 08 November 2005 by HR
[QUOTE]Originally posted by joe90:
I scored a copy of Len Deighton's 'Blitzkrieg' (non fiction) seconda hand for 50p.

Joe,

Deighton's 'Bomber' is one of the best books of World War II That I read (twice). It is a tale of one bombing mission covering the events in the air and on the ground on both sides: the British and the German. Highly recommanded.
Regards,
Haim
Posted on: 09 November 2005 by Jeff North
Dean Koontz - Life Expectancy.

Don't normally do horror (and so far, it isn't), but it sounded good on the back cover.

Not dissapointed yet (pg 474 of 549).
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by Huwge
Sick at home - nothing better than the Complete Saki, even if terribly politically incorrect these days. Very dark.
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by Richard Dane
quote:
Originally posted by alex95:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova a very good update on the Dracula story.
The Devil In The White City by Erik Larson a history of the The Chicago World Fair of the 1890s where the architects of the Fair intermingle with the appearance of a serial killer which is excellent.
Various Flashman by George Macdonald Fraser always funny, he also wrote a book called Quartered Out Of Here about his time in Burma during the war which is interesting and quite funny.


The Title is "Quartered Safe Out Here". Hysterically funny yet very poignant. One of the most enjoyable memoirs I have read. Hardly suprising from the creator of the Flashman Papers. George Macdonald Fraser mustn't be missed.

Another Author to look out for: Kyril Bonfiglioli. He wrote a triology of books with the main character Charlie Mortdecai, a shady Art dealer - black comedy at it's best. The true masterpiece though is a book titled "All the Tea in China". If you find it, just buy it. You won't regret it. Shame he was cut off in his prime and this is the full extent of his literary legacy....
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by nodrog
Leave it to Psmith by P.G.Wodehouse, yet again.

I'm also a big fan of the O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin series and have just finished The Commodore. Only three more to go.
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by Steve Bull
Previously A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Fat bloke decides to walk Appalachian Trail because... well, because he thinks he should. Very funny, all the usual descriptions; amusing anecdotes, meanderings and descent into wild exaggeration that you'll love if you've enjoyed any other Bryson. This one's probably my favourite, no idea why - but I do remember the first time I read it, I was laughing out loud pretty much all the way from Paris to London on the Eurostar Smile

Another vote for Thud! by Teryy Pratchett.

Also Untold Stories by Alan Bennett - part diary, part miscellaneous writings covering the last ten years or so. I'm only just reading the introduction at the moment, but it should be an enjoyable read.

Last but by no means least, The Rough Guide to Barcelona because Mrs Steve and I are off there for a break en famille early next year.

S
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by Steve Bull
quote:
Originally posted by Steve Bull:
Previously A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Fat bloke decides to walk Appalachian Trail because... well, because he thinks he should. Very funny, all the usual descriptions; amusing anecdotes, meanderings and descent into wild exaggeration that you'll love if you've enjoyed any other Bryson. This one's probably my favourite, no idea why - but I do remember the first time I read it, I was laughing out loud pretty much all the way from Paris to London on the Eurostar Smile

Part-way through - another vote for Thud! by Terry Pratchett.

Also Untold Stories by Alan Bennett - part diary, part miscellaneous writings covering the last ten years or so. I'm only just reading the introduction at the moment, but it should be an enjoyable read.

Last but by no means least, The Rough Guide to Barcelona because Mrs Steve and I are off there for a break en famille early next year.

S
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by Deane F
"Olympos" by Dan Simmons.
Posted on: 10 November 2005 by Jim Lawson
Our Sister Killjoy
by Ama Ata Aidoo
Posted on: 14 November 2005 by joe90
Finished 'Blitzkrieg', now onto 'A Bridge Too Far' by Cornelius Ryan.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card will be re-read shortly (for the twentieth time).
Posted on: 15 January 2006 by u5227470736789439
Just had two weeks off, and got into a nice long spell of reading including The Cruel Sea (N Monserat), and The Interpretation of Early Music by Robert Donington. The Cruel Sea is even more poigniant in print than the splendid Jack Hawkins film, while the Donington is as dry as dust and yet I read it, spellbound, over forty-eight hours! Gripping stuff for a nutter!

Fredrik
Posted on: 15 January 2006 by ClaudeP
I just finished "Bounty" by Caroline Alexander. She's asking the question, "Has History been wrong for 200 years?" and answers, "Yes."

One of the best naval history books I've read.
Posted on: 15 January 2006 by ClaudeP
quote:
Originally posted by nodrog:
I'm also a big fan of the O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin series and have just finished The Commodore. Only three more to go.


Nodrog,

I want to start reading this series - Where should I start?
Posted on: 15 January 2006 by BigH47
Having another try at The Hobbit. I had to give up on The Silmarillion.

Howard