Bairnardo Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 On a re read of trainspotting. I really liked Glue, Skagboys and slightly less so Porno. But trainspotting is peak Welsh for me. In the likes of Porno I think even despite the vile antics they get up to, he loses the down to earth, relatable scumminess of the characters. In trainspotting you can really imagine the state they are in, the hovels they frequent etc. There isnt really any silliness in it. Its all raw as f**k. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) On 27/09/2021 at 12:51, Bairnardo said: On a re read of trainspotting. I really liked Glue, Skagboys and slightly less so Porno. But trainspotting is peak Welsh for me. In the likes of Porno I think even despite the vile antics they get up to, he loses the down to earth, relatable scumminess of the characters. In trainspotting you can really imagine the state they are in, the hovels they frequent etc. There isnt really any silliness in it. Its all raw as f**k. It's the difference between Welsh writing as someone who witnessed those kind of characters in real life up close every day and later when he was viewing it all from a position of great wealth. The latter is far less real feeling than the former. Most writers write what they see/know. That's why Porno has Spud researching a book and a film festival in the South of France. Edited October 14, 2021 by Detournement 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteRoseKillie Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) On 22/09/2021 at 14:19, scottsdad said: The River of Diamonds by Geoffrey Jenkins. Recommended to me by the old boy across the road, how have I never come across his books before? Fabulous adventure. Shades of Wilbur Smith except shorter and without the extended graphic sex scenes. Couldn't get one in the library or as an ebook, so went to abebooks to get this. Will be ordering more. I loved Jenkins' books when I was younger, and have always preferred his depiction of Africa to Smith's overtly colonial view. Particular favourites included the above River of Diamonds, A Ravel of Waters and A Grue of Ice. Cracking adventures which fair rattle along. If you like his work, I can also recommend Duncan Kyle for quality thrillers written around the same time. (I obviously don't live across the road from you, but am verging on "old boy") ETA: From a quick swatch at Amazon, Jenkins' books will cost you a fair bit, but there are a few Kyle books available on Kindle for 99p. Edited September 27, 2021 by WhiteRoseKillie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteRoseKillie Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 I've recently re-read Nation by Terry Pratchett, as it was going on Kindle for less than a quid. A Stand-alone set in an alternative Victorian era, it shows the true genius of the man, being a love story, an adventure, a political treatise, and more - all without a whiff of the Disc. It's a beautiful piece of work which, while uplifting, actually brought a tear to my eye during the final pages. How much of that was due to the fortunes of Mau and Ermintrude Daphne, and how much due to the underlying reminder that we will never experience more of Sir Terry's work is arguable, but I could not recommend this more. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaboz Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 1 minute ago, WhiteRoseKillie said: I've recently re-read Nation by Terry Pratchett, as it was going on Kindle for less than a quid. A Stand-alone set in an alternative Victorian era, it shows the true genius of the man, being a love story, an adventure, a political treatise, and more - all without a whiff of the Disc. It's a beautiful piece of work which, while uplifting, actually brought a tear to my eye during the final pages. How much of that was due to the fortunes of Mau and Ermintrude Daphne, and how much due to the underlying reminder that we will never experience more of Sir Terry's work is arguable, but I could not recommend this more. Thanks for that. I'm a huge fan of the Discworld and have been temped by this a few times but never given it a go. Will definitely put it on my list of must reads now. The man was a literal genius, we're lucky to have lived to experience it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suspect Device Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell. Pretty decent but not as good as Cloud Atlas. About a fictional band formed in the late 60s. Lot of famous names dropped in and he harks back to some characters from his previous books. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kersey Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 I'm currently working my way through The Second World War by Anthony Beevor. Very readable. Beevor is probably the best history writer out there, at least for someone like myself who is reading for my own interest and entertainment. Max Hastings is pretty good too. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteRoseKillie Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 18 hours ago, Suspect Device said: Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell. Pretty decent but not as good as Cloud Atlas. About a fictional band formed in the late 60s. Lot of famous names dropped in and he harks back to some characters from his previous books. In a similar vein to Utopia Avenue, Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, is a decent wee entry in the Rise and Fall of a Band genre. Apparently coming out as a miniseries on Prime soon, as well. The author cites Fleetwood Mac as an inspiration, which makes sense when you see the relationship issues in the band.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig fae the Vale Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 On 28/09/2021 at 10:33, WhiteRoseKillie said: In a similar vein to Utopia Avenue, Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, is a decent wee entry in the Rise and Fall of a Band genre. Apparently coming out as a miniseries on Prime soon, as well. The author cites Fleetwood Mac as an inspiration, which makes sense when you see the relationship issues in the band.. Absolutely loved Daisy Jones and the Six. Just finished Star Wars Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland. Much like the rest of the High Republic series so far it's a fun, fast paced adventure. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kersey Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 On 24/07/2018 at 12:39, topcat(The most tip top) said: Would you like to know more about Germany? Enough to read more than about 220 Pages to more about Germany? If your answers were "Yes" and "f**k that" in that order then I can recommend "The Shortest History of Germany" by James Hawes I just picked up a copy of this in a second hand bookshop for a couple of quid. I'm a bit of a history buff and I'm generally drawn towards central and eastern Europe. I find the history and culture of that part of the world fascinating. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH33 Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 On 07/09/2021 at 21:37, MSU said: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. Been meaning to read this for years but was finally spurred on by the Roadrunner documentary about his life. The book won't be much of an eye-opener to anyone who's ever worked in a restaurant but Bourdain's writing style is very appealing and engaging and just when you think he's getting a bit too ladsy and full of himself, the chapter on Scott Bryan near the end really grounds everything. There are plenty of throwaway remarks about suicide that now come across as far more solemn given what happened to him. It's a brilliant book, will need to look out the documentary. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottsdad Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 The Golden Keel by Desmond Bagley. Fantastic 60s caper about a heist stealing Mussolini's hidden treasure chests. It has the lot - stereotypical Mafia bad guys, a madcap plot, adventure and action. Why have I never come across this guy before? With Geoffrey Jenkins, I have my next few months of reading sorted out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig fae the Vale Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Just finished Neil Gaiman's The Sandman Act I on audio. Really enjoyable full cast audio production. I'll give Act II a listen in the near future. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottsdad Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 A Ravel of Waters by Geoffrey Jenkins. Great wee thriller, set in and around the Falklands. Written in 1981, before the war, it captured the tensions in the place at that time. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotThePars Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Had a giftcard for Waterstones my last work gave me when I left so I finally jumped on the Sally Rooney hype train. I blasted through Normal People in a couple of days and I get the hype. It's exactly as people describe (or caricature) it: two millennial socialists from Ireland who constantly misunderstand or can't communicate with each other because of their personalities, social dynamics or economic class but are nevertheless intertwined. I couldn't put it down though. My favourite parts are wherever Rooney roasts her own politics (which I broadly share) by putting them in the mouths of Connell or Marianne and lightly (but not unkindly) criticises them and the people around them for being poseurs and ponces. Great book. Will need to check the series after I finish Conversations With Friends. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oystercatcher Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Do audiobooks count? At work, I've went from listening to the radio to podcasts and now onto audiobooks. Love it, especially when it's the person that wrote the book, reading it. In the last 2 months I've listened to Shuggie Bain At home, a short history of everything by Bill Bryson Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson ( he wasn't reading it) The midnight library by Matt Haig And away Bob Mortimer The templars Dan Jones Currently listening to The story teller by Dave grohl, thoroughly enjoying it 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oystercatcher Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 My current bedside table book is this. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotThePars Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 2 hours ago, ThatBoyRonaldo said: What do you make of Conversations with Friends so far? I had mixed thoughts tbh - on the one hand there were some memorable moments and good turns of phrase etc but on the other, and maybe it's shallow of me, I found it very difficult to enjoy a book when all of the characters were so unlikeable - poseurs and ponces as you say. Haven't read Normal People yet but other folk have told me it is better, will no doubt get to it at some point. Haven't actually started lol. From reading the blurb it doesn't sound as good. Felt there was something relatable and human about the two in NP. Will see how I get on tho! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteRoseKillie Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 On 06/10/2021 at 15:24, scottsdad said: The Golden Keel by Desmond Bagley. Fantastic 60s caper about a heist stealing Mussolini's hidden treasure chests. It has the lot - stereotypical Mafia bad guys, a madcap plot, adventure and action. Why have I never come across this guy before? With Geoffrey Jenkins, I have my next few months of reading sorted out. Oh yes - another on the list of authors which I grew up on. Alistair McLean is another, as is Hammond Innes. Uncomplicated, exciting stories. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteRoseKillie Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 The latest Stephen King - Billy Summers - is worth a look. As with most King in recent years, the quality goes up in inverse proportion to the supernatural element, so you'll be glad to hear there's not so much as a haunted tricycle present. Not his best*, but a good yarn nonetheless. *He has given us The Body, The Green Mile, The Long Walk, Misery, and so many others, so this is not a major criticism. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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