jojo Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 A false start in africa - great book. It was written 40 years ago and I find it quite astonishing that despite knowing the reasons for the situation in africa, things are only getting worse for the people at the bottom. As the book stated, africa could be fully developed in 20 years but 40 years on, the lives of most people have either got worse, stayed the same or imroved very little. And a lot of the blame lies on our shoulders unfortunately. Also reading a book about the isreal and palastine war - After reading it , i struggle to understand how so many people, especially jews agree with the isreali state. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mighty meadow Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 SMALL ISLAND by ANDREA LEVY Based mainly on four characters, 2 Londoners and 2 Jamaicans this book is set around the time of World War 2 with flashbacks to the characters' lifes pre-war. At times this book is very funny, at times sad and very disturbing in parts but throughout the writing is superb and quite unique. It would probably spoil the book if I was to get into too much detail but the general synopsis is '2 Jamaicans looking to reach Motherland England looking to find 'streets paved with gold' only to find on arrival a dirty, run down capital city which has been destroyed by enemy bombs during the war'. This is one of the few books I have ever read where I have slowed down halfway through as I really didn't want it to end. Although it was published in 2004 it is still widely available and well worth reading. 9/10 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICTJohnboy Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 The author, John Boyle tells the story of his school days growing up in Ferguslie Park, Paisley. At school he is ashamed of where he lives but at home he is thought of as a snob because he wears a school uniform. His loneliness and alienation is tempered when he meets a new friend, Laff who is in exactly the same position. They become the best of friends just as Rock n Roll hits Scotland and the boys become old enough to discover girls, alcohol and .... dancing. Pretty funny in places and sad in others but an easy book to read. I must look out for that one. One of my first jobs was in Paisley delivering and installing TVs. I had a delivery to do once in Ferguslie Park at a block of flats. The street was deserted as I parked the van - not a soul in sight. I took the TV up 3 flights of stairs to the top flat and exchanged it for their old model after changing the plug, etc. Everything worked okay so I uplifted the old TV and staggered back down 3 flights of stairs to the van. I distinctly remember thinking the van seemed to be sitting in a very low position as I opened the back door to deposit the old TV. Closer examination revealed that all four wheels had disappeared and the van was now resting on its wheel hubs! There was still no one in sight on that street. That delivery/installation took approximately 5 minutes - 40 years later I'm still trying to work out how anyone could remove 4 wheels from a van in broad daylight in less than 5 minutes and make off without being seen. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 - 40 years later I'm still trying to work out how anyone could remove 4 wheels from a van in broad daylight in less than 5 minutes and make off without being seen. McLaren use that area as a training ground for their F1 mechanics. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oht Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) Finished 'And the land lay still' by James Robertson over Xmas. Based in Scotland and stretching across the last 50 years, it tracks the lives of a few seemingly unconnected individuals from different backgrounds. It's almost like an 'our friends in the north' for, well, the true north. Just as it had a heavy socialist slant, i'd say this has a heavy pro-independence slant. Well worth a read. 8.5/10. Finished 'World without end' by Ken Follett last night. Set in 14th century England, it's a good read but not as good as the epic 'Pillars of the earth'. As Private Eye's review pointed out, he can often labour the point a bit for the historically-challenged and by the end (1200 pages) he occasionally spends half a page re-capping earlier events so the reader knows why the next bit's important. So, basically saying that it's annoying in patches but a good yarn that I raced through nonetheless. 7/10. Holiday season over. Prob wont get another read until Summer holidays now. Edited January 6, 2012 by oht 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madwullie Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Trying to work my way through the latest Terry Pratchett, "Snuff", more for old times' sake than anything. Finding it pretty hard going, but I've read everything else he's produced and he won't be writing many more so feel I should 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrison Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. An excellent piece of writing, and as long as you're able to come to terms with the outlandish language used, a thoroughly enjoyable read. The novel follows a teenage Alex, leading his gang into acts of "ultra violence" to get their kicks. A dystopian tale that I'm wary to say more about because it's likely to contain spoilers. Give it a go if you haven't already. Porno by Irvine Welsh. From one colourfully written novel to another. This sees the return of the crewe from Trainspotting, and has Welsh in top form. The story is told from the perspectives of "Sick Boy", Renton, Begbie, "Spud" and a new character in Nikki. Sick Boy's a detestable character, and then it's impossible not to like Spud. Begbie is hilariously written, and while he's obviously a plank that makes him great. If you loved Trainspotting (which you really should read before this, being a sequel after all) you're going to get a lot out of this. Time to go high brow again - about 200 pages into The Count of Monte Cristo. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banterman86 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Porno by Irvine Welsh. From one colourfully written novel to another. This sees the return of the crewe from Trainspotting, and has Welsh in top form. The story is told from the perspectives of "Sick Boy", Renton, Begbie, "Spud" and a new character in Nikki. Sick Boy's a detestable character, and then it's impossible not to like Spud. Begbie is hilariously written, and while he's obviously a plank that makes him great. If you loved Trainspotting (which you really should read before this, being a sequel after all) you're going to get a lot out of this. Time to go high brow again - about 200 pages into The Count of Monte Cristo. Porno is a strange book I thought, I both simultaneously enjoyed it, and lso realised it wasn't a patch on trainspotting, perhpas i just enjoyed it because it was interesting to see the characters again. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightswoodBear Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Porno is a strange book I thought, I both simultaneously enjoyed it, and lso realised it wasn't a patch on trainspotting, perhpas i just enjoyed it because it was interesting to see the characters again. By "strange", do you mean "utter shite"? I love how Danny Boyle keeps saying that they need to wait for the actors to grow old enough to play the parts in Porno. Nothing to do with it being an absolute turd of a book. Oh no. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 By "strange", do you mean "utter shite"? I love how Danny Boyle keeps saying that they need to wait for the actors to grow old enough to play the parts in Porno. Nothing to do with it being an absolute turd of a book. Oh no. I read it a few years ago now and didn't enjoy it at all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banterman86 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 As I said, I enjoyed it, but it's not in the same league as Trainspotting but then, very few books are. It was a few years ago mind, i might find it rotten now 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie guevara Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) I'm currently reading Skippy Dies by Paul Murray, which was Booker longlisted and I'm struggling to understand why. Halfway through a cliche ridden pseudo-intellectual wankfest about a public school in Dublin. Does it get better? Edited January 6, 2012 by archie guevara 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert Raccoon Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Must say I quite enjoyed Porno, certainly not a patch on Trainspotting but good none the less. I think it's missing the grit that Trainspotting had, it's all a bit light and soft. IMO Glue is Welsh's best piece of work. As it goes I'm starting to read Crime for the second time. Quite enjoying it so far but it's a big departure from Welsh's normal work. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossC93 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 The author, John Boyle tells the story of his school days growing up in Ferguslie Park, Paisley. At school he is ashamed of where he lives but at home he is thought of as a snob because he wears a school uniform. His loneliness and alienation is tempered when he meets a new friend, Laff who is in exactly the same position. They become the best of friends just as Rock n Roll hits Scotland and the boys become old enough to discover girls, alcohol and .... dancing. Pretty funny in places and sad in others but an easy book to read. Anyone know if I can somehow get this on my Kindle? Cheers in advance 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar P Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Bounce by Matthew Syed. Times journalist and ex British No.1 table-tennis player. Basic premise is that if you seriously practice anything you will become brilliant at it. There are lots of fascinating sporting scenarios and scientific studies quoted. I disagreed with loads of his arguments but still found it a great read. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_S_A_R Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Bounce by Matthew Syed. Times journalist and ex British No.1 table-tennis player. Basic premise is that if you seriously practice anything you will become brilliant at it. There are lots of fascinating sporting scenarios and scientific studies quoted. I disagreed with loads of his arguments but still found it a great read. here's a response to syed from a south african sports scientist. science of sport response to bounce they pretty much shred it to pieces. i get the impression syed has took this on as 'his theory' more for the money that can be made through motivational speaking at corporate events than the veracity of the concept. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninja82 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I'm halfway through " Hillsborough the truth" by Phil Scraton at the moment. Absolutely tragic and can also get you in quite a rage. Anybody read this book? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninja82 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I'm halfway through " Hillsborough the truth" by Phil Scraton at the moment. Absolutely tragic and can also get you in quite a rage. Anybody read this book? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagfox Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 The slang used by Burgess in Clockwork Orange is actually Russian. Droog is friend, moloko is milk. The other stuff is just him messing about I reckon 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StewartyMac Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Time to go high brow again - about 200 pages into The Count of Monte Cristo. Is it the full 1100+ page version? If so, one of the greatest books ever written. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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