Suggest a book (recreational reading)

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Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:

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Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Something modern that everyone I have ever lent my copy to always enjoys is William Boyd: Any Human Heart.

Bruce


My recommendation too. A wonderful book.

Ok Gents I'll buy that...and I have,thanks.

Let us know what you think. It grows on you rather than being an instant grabber.

How correct you are Bruce, loved it!
Emotionally gripping but I almost doubled with laughter, then felt ever so slightly bad during Mr Monstuarts 'dogfood days'.
If I was to recommend something of a similar ilk it would have to be 'The book of Ebeneezer Le Page' by G.B.Edwards (possibly out of print). Not as easily accessable as Boyd but the life of a Guernseyman taken over a similar timespan.
I curiously came upon this book obliquely following a recommendation of Voltaires to read the 'Magus' by John Fowles. I followed that by reading all of Fowles novels and found an introduction written by Fowles to Ebeneezer Le Page. Recommended.
H.H.D.[/QUOTE]

Glad you liked it. I loved the old age sections, full of warmth. Have you read 'Kavalier and Clay' by Michael Chabron? Bursting with humour but a surprising amount of emotional power too.

Thanks for your tip. I'll seek it out. I'm just finishing Dostoevsky 'The Idiot' and could do with something different to follow that!

Bruce

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Glad you liked it. I loved the old age sections, full of warmth. Have you read 'Kavalier and Clay' by Michael Chabron? Bursting with humour but a surprising amount of emotional power too.

Thanks Bruce , I will follow this up.
regards
Charlie.

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Originally posted by Jono 13:
"Kill your friends" by John Niven to take you back to a pre-internet music industry of 1997, tons of drugs, world-class swearing and much, much more.

Very funny and no doubt based on real people.

Jono

Jono's right. It's a totally hilarious read, and I reckon you'd get through it in one sitting, it's that funny.

They're making a film of it, and Goldie is up for the part of Blade, completely unaware that the character in the book was based on him in the first place!

Regards,

Mickey

A little out of fashion I fear - but The Barchester Chronicles by Trollope are classic to me.

I don't know many of you are Crime fans (iykwim!) but I have just found and started reading the Martin Beck series by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo. Wonderful stories remarkably written (and translated too).
james

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Originally posted by Chief Chirpa:
Ian Fleming - Casino Royale

"James Bond suddenly knew that he was tired. He always knew when his body or his mind had had enough and he always acted on the knowledge. This helped him to avoid staleness and the sensual bluntness that breeds mistakes." (From the first page of Bond's first outing.)

I think Fleming's Bond books are totally underrated. I find them evocative of both times and places in in the way that the best travel writing is. That they are also spy thrillers is a bonus.

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Anthony Burgess - Earthly Powers

best opening sentence ever:

"It was the afternoon of my eighty-first birthday, and I was in bed with my catamite when Ali announced that the archbishop had come to see me.

I'd also recommend the "Enderby" novels.

Just read Peter Carey's "Parrot and Olivier in America". A real return to form - will delight fans of Illywhacker and Oscar and Lucinda.

What about Stieg Larson's Millennium Trilogy - "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", "Girl Who Played with Fire" and "Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". These are thrillers which have a literary bent and appeal to those who wouldn't normally pick up a thriller - highly recommended.

Tim

just another thought. This is what we were reading in the shop in July - I'm a bit slack and don't have the more recent lists on the website yet.

Please just accept them as they are meant - they are recommendations - don't buy them from us - support your local bookseller just like you support your local Naim dealer!!!

What We Are Reading - July 2009

Moderators: If this is inappropriate please delete it.

Tim

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What about Stieg Larson's Millennium Trilogy - "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", "Girl Who Played with Fire" and "Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". These are thrillers which have a literary bent and appeal to those who wouldn't normally pick up a thriller - highly recommended

Halfway through the last one now Tim, all excellent reads IMHO
I have to take issue about the best opening line in a book though, my vote goes for Iain Banks in the Crow Road
'It was the day my grandmother blew up'

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'It was the day my grandmother blew up'

Excellent! I read it many years ago and hadn't remembered the opening line - definitely a contender.

Tim