• Dear Guest, Please note that adult content is not permitted on this forum. We have had our Google ads disabled at times due to some posts that were found from some time ago. Please do not post adult content and if you see any already on the forum, please report the post so that we can deal with it. Adult content is allowed in the glory hole - you will have to request permission to access it. Thanks, scara

*Official Book Thread*

holy-thread-resurrection-jpg.360154


Thought I'd get this back up and running.

Reading Fellowship of the Ring. Thought it seemed a bit silly how much time I've spent watching the films and chatting brick about LOTR without having actually read the books. Started yesterday and three chapters in already which is odd as I'm normally a properly slow reader, really enjoying it and not finding it a bit of a chore like some I've spoke to about the book have.

What are you folks reading these days?
 
I found the 3rd one (Return of the King, or whatever) to be a chore, I'd kept losing track because all the characters have about 10 names each. But then I am a bit fick.

I'm currently reading, and will still be reading when you next resurrect this thread, Jon Lee Anderson's biog of Che Guevara. Interesting but massive.
 
Finished Ham On Rye last week. Love Bukowski's writing, and have read Post Office and thought that was sensational, but young Henry Chinaski was so hard to have any sympathy for.

Reading Brave New World at the moment. Mesmerised by it, Huxley was a genius
 
Finished the 2nd Song of Ice and Fire book Clash of Kings (Game of Thrones 2nd series) the other day. On the third one now. Brillant books! Looking forward to watching the series 1 and 2 now without worryong bout it spoiling the books
 
currently reading a couple of books, 11.22.63 by Stephen King, which as usual for him has me completely hooked, excellent story nicely woven into historical events and dipping into previous novels

i'm also reading Jenna Jameson's biography which is pretty good, horrific in places, hilarious in others, she's had a hell of a life, some of it is in the form of a comic book which is quite cool as well, very interesting woman
 
finished off Tai-Pan before Christmas, which i thought was a thoroughly excellent read - got Gai-Jin next up in The Asian Saga, not much of a reader but think i'll see out the series
 
currently reading a couple of books, 11.22.63 by Stephen King, which as usual for him has me completely hooked, excellent story nicely woven into historical events and dipping into previous novels

I started to get into audio books a year ago, this was the first one I tried. Absolutely brilliant, the most absorbed I have ever been in a story. Missed the world he created when I finished it.
 
I found the 3rd one (Return of the King, or whatever) to be a chore, I'd kept losing track because all the characters have about 10 names each. But then I am a bit fick.

I'm currently reading, and will still be reading when you next resurrect this thread, Jon Lee Anderson's biog of Che Guevara. Interesting but massive.

Have you read the motorcycle diaries? One of my ambitions is to recreate that journey at some point, hopefully I'll get round to it
 
Finished the 2nd Song of Ice and Fire book Clash of Kings (Game of Thrones 2nd series) the other day. On the third one now. Brillant books! Looking forward to watching the series 1 and 2 now without worryong bout it spoiling the books

I think the books are better tbh. I only watch s.1 of the tv version, but the complexity of the numerous story lines between so many different characters made it hard to keep up with the tv version. Have now finished all 5 books and can't wait for the sixth to be published.

Currently reading "Steppenwolf" by Herman Hesse. One of my favourite authors when I'm in the mood for something a bit spiritual and introspective.
 
I think the books are better tbh. I only watch s.1 of the tv version, but the complexity of the numerous story lines between so many different characters made it hard to keep up with the tv version. Have now finished all 5 books and can't wait for the sixth to be published.

Currently reading "Steppenwolf" by Herman Hesse. One of my favourite authors when I'm in the mood for something a bit spiritual and introspective.

Yeah I have watched the first 3 eps of S 1 and I'm glad I've read the books first otherwise I wouldnt have a clue who's who or whats goimg on. The books fill in so much detail missed out by the TV series. Didnt realise he was making a 6th. Got all 5 volumes and on vol 3 pt 1 at the mo. Really enjoying them as it isnt my usual read. I tend to go for historical fiction like Bernard Cornwall stuff
 
Have you read the motorcycle diaries? One of my ambitions is to recreate that journey at some point, hopefully I'll get round to it
Yep, I read that a while back, would be a hell of a journey to make. Particularly if you can find a crappy old motorbike to do it on ;)
 
I started to get into audio books a year ago, this was the first one I tried. Absolutely brilliant, the most absorbed I have ever been in a story. Missed the world he created when I finished it.

Finished 11.22.63 last night, I felt the same way, I was a little sad when I finished it, both for the ending and the fact that there was no more, I've not read everything he's written but I have read a lot and I think that's possibly his finest ever novel.
 
I tend to read books of epic scale, often series, not stand-alone books, though I enjoy many of those too.
Some of my favourite series (not mentioned in this thread) include the Hyperion sereis by Dan Simmons (Sci Fi), the Lonesome Dove series by Larry McMurtry (western), the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie (fantasy), the Aubrey–Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian (nautical historical fiction) and the L.A. Quartet by James Ellroy (crime).

Currently in the process of compiling a to-buy list of non-fiction books (psychology, history, politics, science, philosophy etc.), has anybody got any recommendations?
 
I tend to read books of epic scale, often series, not stand-alone books, though I enjoy many of those too.
Some of my favourite series (not mentioned in this thread) include the Hyperion sereis by Dan Simmons (Sci Fi), the Lonesome Dove series by Larry McMurtry (western), the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie (fantasy), the Aubrey–Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian (nautical historical fiction) and the L.A. Quartet by James Ellroy (crime).

Currently in the process of compiling a to-buy list of non-fiction books (psychology, history, politics, science, philosophy etc.), has anybody got any recommendations?

Really depends on how much you already know about various topics.

For science I can recommend:

A short history of nearly everything by Bill Bryson. Clearly popular science and essentially a history of science, but well written and he explains everything in a very non-technical way and mixes in some good metaphors and fun stories to keep it interesting.

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre. Very good book focused on how science is reported (very poorly) in the media. Great read to get a bit more sceptical about what you see in the main stream media, but also some solid fundamental science in there.

59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman. Popular psychology, focused around the claims of the self help industry. Unlike that industry what he presents is actually based on scientific research and evidence, not just (flawed) common sense. Some real psychology and good skeptic approach in there too.

Most books by Carl Sagan. The demon haunted world. Very solid book essentially based around scientific skepticism.

I don't know if you listeneto podcasts. A lot of great non-fiction stuff out there presented by people who really know what they're talking about if you know where to look. One tip if you want history is to check out Hardcore History by Dan Carlin, start with his multi-part 'Fall of the Roman Empire', I found it both entertaining and informative. It essentially becomes an audio book because of the length and quality of content.
 
Back