Good books you've read recently.

[Chris Sirrus]

Re read Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams before the BBC program recreating it starts tomorrow. I've also got The Greatest Show on Earth whizzing to me through the post as we speak.

 

[Piemaster]

My holiday read last week was Bernard Cornwells 'Azincourt'. A fiction based on the actual events that happened on the day the french got thoroughly trounced. I shoot a few arrows myself from time to time so it attracted me.
I also like a quote from a character in one of his other books "Foreigners. Can't see the point of 'em."

 

[Gerry Attrick]

On the history topic, I am attending a Trafalgar Day dinner come October, so I thought it good to read up on Nelson's life and achievements and bought "The Pursuit of Victory, the Life and Achievement of Horatio Nelson" by Roger Knight. It has surprisingly proved to be one of those un-put-downable books despite its small print and 700 odd pages. Superb.

 

[another_dave_b]

I also like a quote from a character in one of his other books "Foreigners. Can't see the point of 'em."

Reminds me of the Krikket spacemen, seeing the universe beyond their galaxy for the first time:

"It'll have to go."

 

[tordis]

Wally Lamb - I Know this much is True

This one left me quite disappointed. It made the problem of mental illness look less serious than it really is. But maybe it's just me.
I'm in love with Haruki Murakami's books. I've finally read "Kafka on the shore" and found it absolutely brilliant. Also, if you like all those real life stories bound to make you cry, you should read "A thousand splendid suns" by Khaled Hosseini. It's a very sad one, but beautifully executed. Oh, and let's not forget Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Both "The shadow of the wind" and "Angel's game" are what I could easily call modern masterpieces. Just when I lost faith in proper old-school storytelling in literature, these two books showed up and proved me wrong.

 

[PaulB]

Has anyone read Will Self's "The Book of Dave"? I read this about two years ago and haven't spoken to anyone else who's ever had the pleasure since. It's an amazing book from a writer at the top of his form. I won't spoil it for those yet to experience it but again, it is strongly recommended.

 

[Crankarm]

Has anyone read Will Self's "The Book of Dave"? I read this about two years ago and haven't spoken to anyone else who's ever had the pleasure since. It's an amazing book from a writer at the top of his form. I won't spoil it for those yet to experience it but again, it is strongly recommended.

I used to like Will Self when he wrote in the Observer but that was years ago. But then he fell from grace. I dunno sometimes he comes across as an extremely philosophically cool and intelligent individual but others as just a pretentious git. He's on the radio every now and again. I've read a few pages of some of his books but have never felt the need to read them all (the pages).

 

[karen.488walker]

Birdsong is a great book, im reading "A drink with Shane Macgowan" Scary !! i dont know how he is still alive !!!

I'm a faulkes fan too. Reading devil may care at the mo. Written by hi
in the style of ian Fleming. It's ok.

 

[newbiebiker]

Never read a book for a long time now.

Might try some of those ...

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Has anyone read Will Self's "The Book of Dave"? I read this about two years ago and haven't spoken to anyone else who's ever had the pleasure since. It's an amazing book from a writer at the top of his form. I won't spoil it for those yet to experience it but again, it is strongly recommended.

I went to one of his 'gigs' a few years ago - very very entertaining.

 

[XmisterIS]

The Shack, by William Young.

 

[John the Monkey]

Has anyone read Will Self's "The Book of Dave"? I read this about two years ago and haven't spoken to anyone else who's ever had the pleasure since.

I keep meaning to.

I think Will Self had been getting better and better, with more of an emotional element in his writing since Great Apes, and particularly How the Dead Live (his earlier work seemed good, just a bit "cold" and detached to me). I'd meant to read "the Book of Dave" to see whether that trend was continuing, but some how have never got round to it.

 

[Perfect Virgo]

re: I Know This Much is True

This one left me quite disappointed. It made the problem of mental illness look less serious than it really is. But maybe it's just me.
I'm in love with Haruki Murakami's books. I've finally read "Kafka on the shore" and found it absolutely brilliant. Also, if you like all those real life stories bound to make you cry, you should read "A thousand splendid suns" by Khaled Hosseini. It's a very sad one, but beautifully executed. Oh, and let's not forget Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Both "The shadow of the wind" and "Angel's game" are what I could easily call modern masterpieces. Just when I lost faith in proper old-school storytelling in literature, these two books showed up and proved me wrong.

I actually found his treatment of mental illness pretty plausible, though of course everyone's experience varies. Lamb is a true master of language, his style is so precise yet unpretentious. Have you tried his earlier "She's Come Undone?" I found that a deep and absorbing read. He seemed to get realistically inside a woman's mind. I'd really recommend it if you haven't tried it yet.

 

[bicyclerubber]

I just finished We Might as well win - the Johan Bruyneel book about trying to win the TdeF 8 times.

Quite good and an easy enough read.

 

[another_dave_b]

Has anyone read Will Self's "The Book of Dave"? I read this about two years ago and haven't spoken to anyone else who's ever had the pleasure since. It's an amazing book from a writer at the top of his form. I won't spoil it for those yet to experience it but again, it is strongly recommended.

No, but it's a great title. I can recommend I Am David, or if you're read out, the Dave channel has some good stuff.