TheLip69 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 treasure island, was one of the 3 free books on the S3 hadnt read it before and i must admit i really enjoyed it, excellent read now i have alice in wonderland and the three musketeers to get through Treasure Island is the book that got me hooked on reading, I got it for Christmas when I was about 8 and I loved it. there was a whole list of books on the back cover and I went through them all, Kidnapped, Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Ivanhoe, The Coral island, Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn (probably my favourite book of all time). Currently, I am reading Wolf Hall and it's superb, on the back of that I bought Bring up the Bodies at the weekend and will dive into that as soon as I finish Wolf Hall. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLip69 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 I need help here, I have heard nothing but good things about Terry Pratchett but I have never actually read any of his stuff. I have to admit I have been meaning to get round to it but I keep putting it off. I dont know why, but when i look at the titles in Waterstones or somewhere there are just so many of them that I really dont know where to start. Cany anyone advise what's the best starting point in the Pratchett library? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckles Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Treasure Island is the book that got me hooked on reading, I got it for Christmas when I was about 8 and I loved it. there was a whole list of books on the back cover and I went through them all, Kidnapped, Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Ivanhoe, The Coral island, Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn (probably my favourite book of all time). Currently, I am reading Wolf Hall and it's superb, on the back of that I bought Bring up the Bodies at the weekend and will dive into that as soon as I finish Wolf Hall. If you enjoyed Kidnapped then you might want to follow the further adventures of David Balfour and Alan Breck in the sequel, Catriona. Another great read and rated by Stevenson as one of his best. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyarabnuts Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 "Hunting Grounds"-a fans one season journey (2006) around every senior football ground in Scotland 8/10 pretty good stuff although, on a personal note, he seems to have jinxed United, 4 games he watched them in( in different grounds) 3 defeats,5-0,5-0 4-0 and a 0-0 draw Am now reading "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut gonna be followed by "Slaughterhouse 5" 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyarabnuts Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I need help here, I have heard nothing but good things about Terry Pratchett but I have never actually read any of his stuff. I have to admit I have been meaning to get round to it but I keep putting it off. I dont know why, but when i look at the titles in Waterstones or somewhere there are just so many of them that I really dont know where to start. Cany anyone advise what's the best starting point in the Pratchett library? I started reading Pratchett when my old boss handed me a copy of "guards guards", the first of the Watch novels it is feckin hilarious, reminded me of monty python! I would start with the first novel, "The Colour of Magic" although, I must admit, Ive never read it (yet) Or the first book with DEATH as a major part,"Mort", its easy to know when DEATH is speaking because "HE SPEAKS LIKE THIS,IN UPPER CASE ALL OF THE TIME" 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrison Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I need help here, I have heard nothing but good things about Terry Pratchett but I have never actually read any of his stuff. I have to admit I have been meaning to get round to it but I keep putting it off. I dont know why, but when i look at the titles in Waterstones or somewhere there are just so many of them that I really dont know where to start. Can anyone advise what's the best starting point in the Pratchett library? I'd normally answer Colour of Magic here, but considering the time of year, I'll change that to The Hogfather. It's a Christmas effort of sorts, and brilliant (as a lot of them are). Recently finished The Book Thief and From Russia With Love. I absolutely understand why The Book Thief has become the big deal it is; I loved the writing from the prologue almost right the way through. The suspense is spoiled a bit in that the end result is revealed during the course of the telling, but the story is engaging and the characters interesting. There are a few beautiful moments too. 9/10. From Russia With Love was my first Bond novel. Have I missed out by skipping? I thought probably not. It's part of an omnibus edition, including Dr No and Goldfinger. At a little over 200 pages, the first 70-odd were scene-setting pages on the Russian side, but it felt necessary. Bond, when eventually introduced, wasn't painted as the invincible individual most of the films lead us to believe he is, even the way it ended showing a much more vulnerable 007. Quite enjoyed this, I'll be reading more. 8/10. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peasy23 Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 From Russia With Love was my first Bond novel. Have I missed out by skipping? I thought probably not. It's part of an omnibus edition, including Dr No and Goldfinger. At a little over 200 pages, the first 70-odd were scene-setting pages on the Russian side, but it felt necessary. Bond, when eventually introduced, wasn't painted as the invincible individual most of the films lead us to believe he is, even the way it ended showing a much more vulnerable 007. Quite enjoyed this, I'll be reading more. 8/10. IIRC Dr. No was the book after From Russia with Love? Certainly by the time Fleming wrote FRWL he was getting fed up with the character of Bond and that was why it ended as it did, a bit of a public clamour saw him change his mind and carry on after all. Just finished In Search of Alan Gilzean by James Morgan, quite different from the normal football biography and an excellent read. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 tut tut it's a motorcycle club not a gang. Best book about the Hells Angels would be by Sonny Barger in my opinion. Hunters is ok but set in a particular time and place whereas Sonny's book gives us short stories over the last 40 years up to the present. You could argue they are two different types of book. Hunters is about the club whereas Sonnys is about being in the club as a member. The outsider vs insider view. Quite clearly there was nothing legitimate about the gang presented by Thompson. They were, at least in Thompson's time, definitely a gang, albeit a gang with regional chapters. Not read Barger's book, no real interest in it, but he comes across as an utter cretin. For those interested in the Doc though, Hell's Angels is not the place to start. He's still to find his voice as a writer. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djchapsticks Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 1984. This has been on my 'to do' list since first year in school when our teacher sat in English one day and spoke of 1984 and it's general content and based a lesson around the concept of 'newspeak', which as a 12 year old I'd never heard of but was fascinated in. I'm glad I never read it as a child with very limited understand of the world, as I'd have no doubt found it boring and my train of thought wouldn't have allowed me to enjoy it. As an adult though? I was blown away. Chilling read, absolutely fantastic. The last three chapters in particular sent chills down my spine. Completely bleak from start to finish, but always gives you that tiny sense of optimism that his love will conquer all and he'll die with dignity. Orwell was a genius and in a world where we are being increasingly monitored at all times, scarily accurate. The sheer insanity of The Party and their policies is frustrating in the extreme to take in. 10/10 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Currently reading "Homage to Caledonia - Scotland and the Spanish Civil War." Only a couple of chapters in so far but it's remarkable how many folk left Scotland to join the international brigades fight against Franco. Very interested in history, particularly around the First and Second World Wars.Interesting comparison with British Asians going to fight in Syria. Did they know what they were getting into, was there really a "good" side, and did them being there make things worse, better or was it just more blood wasted in someone else's proxy war? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny Danger Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 1984. This has been on my 'to do' list since first year in school when our teacher sat in English one day and spoke of 1984 and it's general content and based a lesson around the concept of 'newspeak', which as a 12 year old I'd never heard of but was fascinated in. I'm glad I never read it as a child with very limited understand of the world, as I'd have no doubt found it boring and my train of thought wouldn't have allowed me to enjoy it. As an adult though? I was blown away. Chilling read, absolutely fantastic. The last three chapters in particular sent chills down my spine. Completely bleak from start to finish, but always gives you that tiny sense of optimism that his love will conquer all and he'll die with dignity. Orwell was a genius and in a world where we are being increasingly monitored at all times, scarily accurate. The sheer insanity of The Party and their policies is frustrating in the extreme to take in. 10/10 Orwell is a brilliant writer. The Road to Wigan Pier, Down and Out in Paris and London, and Keep the Aspidestra Flying are all worth a read; though the last of these was made into a terrible film. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reynard Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 (edited) Telling Stories by Tim Burgess decent bio, funny in places and a good insight into his lifestyle especially during the height of his excesses. 8/10 Forgot to mention that I expect the book to be getting a second edition pretty swiftly especially as Burgess describes Jimmy Savile as one of "the good guys" Ooops! Edited December 31, 2012 by Reynard 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundermonkey Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I just finished re-reading American Pyscho. Tremendous. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy1970 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 A Scots Quair - a trilogy of books set up in Aberdeenshire and covering the period from the 1st World War until the mid 1930's. First book is Sunset Song, next is Cloud Howe and the concluding part is Grey Granite. I'd been meaning to read it for years as I'd heard it was one of the most highly rated works in Scottish literature but never got round to it, but with all the time off over Xmas hols I managed to get round to reading it and I agree with the critics, it is utterly superb stuff, if a wee bit depressing. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpy Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Kind of borrowed the wife's kindle for a few days to see if its worth me getting one for myself, I've downloaded some football stuff and some other books about Edinburgh history so far. Anyone recommend any good books about Scottish football? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckles Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 A Scots Quair - a trilogy of books set up in Aberdeenshire and covering the period from the 1st World War until the mid 1930's. First book is Sunset Song, next is Cloud Howe and the concluding part is Grey Granite. I'd been meaning to read it for years as I'd heard it was one of the most highly rated works in Scottish literature but never got round to it, but with all the time off over Xmas hols I managed to get round to reading it and I agree with the critics, it is utterly superb stuff, if a wee bit depressing. If you're enjoying A Scots Quair...and who wouldn't ?....put The Land of the Leal ,by James Barke on your books to read list. It's an epic and highly regarded story that's certainly comparable to the Gibbon's classic. Incidentally, although this is the only Barke book listed by Kindle ( if that's your thing), he wrote a quintet of books about Robert Burns...the first two volumes are, The Wind that shakes the Barley and The Song in the Green Thorn Tree...that.for me are a must read for anyone interested in an in-depth and realistic portrayal of Rabbie. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebanda's Handyman Services Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 1356739364[/url]' post='6928886']Kind of borrowed the wife's kindle for a few days to see if its worth me getting one for myself, I've downloaded some football stuff and some other books about Edinburgh history so far. Anyone recommend any good books about Scottish football? Kevin Twaddle's Life on the Line was a good read, Neilly. I'm currently reading Porno by Irvine Welsh and I'm moving on to Dave Grohl's biography after that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Cuddy Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Based on my love of Chris Brookmyre, I've been getting recommendations for Colin Bateman regularly appearing in my, er, recommendations for as long as I've had an Amazon account. After getting a Kindle for Christmas (and seeing his books at a reduced price) I decided to finally take the plunge and started out with Divorcing Jack. Absolutely loved it, a very easy read, entertaining, sarcastic in parts. I had a brief search of this thread and saw about 3 mentions of him. I think they were all by H_B, which is a shame because anyone who loves that kind of criminal/investigation/satirical comedy should love this. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Bezzer! Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 May have already mentioned this but I'm trying to read a book published in every year from 1700 to 2012. The aim is to get one a week finished. In the month since I started I've managed the following.... 1764 - Horace Walpole 'The Castle of Otranto' 1771 - Henry MacKenzie 'The Man of Feeling' 1891 - Karl Jorisl Huysman 'The Damned' 1938 - Evelyn Waugh 'Scoop' 1964 - Saul Bellow 'Herzog' Currently reading E. T. A Hoffman's 'The Life and Opinions of Tomcat Murr' (1819). Have a blog reviewing the books as I read them, although I've not updated over the Christmas period, will do so tomorrow. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Bezzer! Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Orwell is a brilliant writer. I've always loved Keep The Aspidistra Flying because I'm basically Gordon Comstock. Coming Up For Air is probably one of Orwell's least know novels but I think it is underrated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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