Kevin-W posted:

Mike, the author is a mate, so I'm a bit biased. I enjoyed it immensely, and the narrative isn't the usual one, and Stubbs, a real enthusiast for the form, makes an eloquent case for underrated acts such as the Young Gods. Retromania is very good and if you liked that, you should like this.

Cheers Kevin. Much appreciated. 

Just started - was long overdue..

Jeff VanDerMeer - Annihilation.

Sci-Fi at its best...

James Pogue  -  "Chosen Country: A Rebellion In The West" (2018)  About the 2016 militiamen/rancher/religious fundamentalist (god,guts and guns)  armed take-over of the Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon protesting federal land management policies in the Wild West of the 21st century.  

The King Of Sunlight: How William Lever Cleaned Up The World

Lets see what all the fuss is about.

Yardie by Victor Headley 

After reading about the film release of this book which is the directorial debut of the extremely and multi talented Idris Elba. I decided to read the book first and a chapter in it isn’t too bad. 

The film soundtrack looks very good too. 

TOBYJUG posted:

Lets see what all the fuss is about.

I struggled with this and couldn't manage to finish it.

I found the prose a bit turgid sometimes (I know it was written in Hebrew, and translated into English later); and many of the claims in the book dubious and sensationalist (some of the predictions were blood-curdling, and felt like a throwback to Gordon Rattray Taylor's 1960s/70s popular classics The Biological Time Bomb and The Doomsday Book).

While Harari's ideas are quite interesting as and in of themselves, they are luridly expressed and hobbled by a weird kind of political correctness; and there seem to be very few sources for his various assertions.

DJ Taylor - Orwell, A Life

I'm a huge fan of both.

Kevin-W posted:

TOBYJUG posted:

Lets see what all the fuss is about.

I struggled with this and couldn't manage to finish it.

I found the prose a bit turgid sometimes (I know it was written in Hebrew, and translated into English later); and many of the claims in the book dubious and sensationalist (some of the predictions were blood-curdling, and felt like a throwback to Gordon Rattray Taylor's 1960s/70s popular classics The Biological Time Bomb and The Doomsday Book).

While Harari's ideas are quite interesting as and in of themselves, they are luridly expressed and hobbled by a weird kind of political correctness; and there seem to be very few sources for his various assertions.

Interesting overview. This book was recommended by a family member who has led quite a considerable life getting to know people.   canvasing for liberals in the fifties. Political aid in the Middle East. Recently as a teacher for English in Italy.   He must have read those unbacked up assertions without source through his own knowledge of them. Bless him.

I’ve been waiting what seems like an eternity for the latest instalment and , thus far, it hasn’t disappointed ‼️

GregWPGibbs posted:

I’ve been waiting what seems like an eternity for the latest instalment and , thus far, it hasn’t disappointed ‼️

Mrs Plane awaits her copy from the River with baited breath...

steve

Arnhem by Anthony Beevor;

So far, about a quarter of the way through,  I'm not sure it adds much to Cornelius Ryan's earlier book on the same subject, A Bridge Too Far.  Beevor's writing style though makes for a relatively easy read. If you read and liked his previous books, you'll doubtless have little resistance to this one. 

Just finished Robert Gordon’s mostly excellent history of Stax. Totally fudges it at the end though as regards the finances. Clearly didn’t want to upset too many people. 

Re-reading: Matti Friedman  -  "Pumpkin Flowers: An Israeli Soldier's Story"  (2016)

The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture - Heather Mac Donald

That book probably won't get a favourable review in the Grauniad, Doug.

A birthday present; So far, an utterly compelling biography of a great - if flawed - figure. All those rave reviews have been spot on!

Kevin-W posted:

That book probably won't get a favourable review in the Grauniad, Doug.

It goes without saying, that is, unless they ask someone who is smart, honest, thoughtful and one who has an inquisitive mind such as yours truly to do a review.  

BTW, I haven't noticed any liberal typos yet ;-)

Richard Ford - Independence Day

The second in Ford’s Frank Bascombe trilogy (there’s a volume of shorter stories also). More nuanced than The Sportswriter, in this book the protagonist seems more awkward and less likeable than before. There’s still warmth and humanity, though. I’m not surprised this won a Pulitzer Prize. Highly recommended for lovers of great American fiction.

Second book by the outstanding Anthony Marra, highly recommended along his 'The Tsar of Love and Techno'.