View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
|
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished "Second Glance" by Jodi Picoult. It's not like her usual stuff which generally has a strong legal theme to it, this one is about the supernatural and the Vermont Eugenics Project of the 20's and 30's (where they tried "breeding out" undesirables). Very good read but one of her earlier works, first published in USA in 2003 and only recently here in the UK.
Now I'm struggling with Adam Williams' "The Palace of Heavenly Pleasures" about the Boxer uprising in China. A graphic tale, well worth the read but very ghoulish and I'm not sure how much more violence and depravity I'll be able to take. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
aviddiva
Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 1135 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
|
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: What are you reading at the moment? |
|
|
Peter Kay's 'The Sound Of Laughter'. Johnny Dee's 'That Peter Kay Book' delves more into his work on Phoenix Nights, but the Kay biog says a lot about his early life and work experiences.
I love the way he ties events in with what was on TV at the time and what songs were out - he relates his time as a Manchester Evening News arena steward to when 'Highway To Heaven' was on in the afternoons, for instance, and talks about getting the'Buster' soundtrack on cassette. _________________ We are loonies and we are proud!
- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
marietta honeybun
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 915 Location: Holland
|
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Have read loads of books since I last posted but forgot to keep track of the titles ... I am halfway through Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" where he treks the Appalachian Trail. It's very interesting and funny too. _________________ Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies tend to accumulate. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
|
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Wasn't sure that I would enjoy the setting (Afghanistan) but it was a gripping and very moving read. So much so that I've just started A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author. His books can be quite shocking but they certainly make you think. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6855
|
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Minx wrote: | Just finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Wasn't sure that I would enjoy the setting (Afghanistan) but it was a gripping and very moving read. So much so that I've just started A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author. His books can be quite shocking but they certainly make you think. |
I read both of these books last year and would heartily recommend them to one and all.....they're wonderful books. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
|
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:54 pm Post subject: Books and more books..... |
|
|
I am reading 'More time for politics' by Tony Benn, his most recent diaries.
'Heaven and Hell' by Don Felder. A former member of the Eagles gives his take on the band and its members.
'I'll sleep when I'm dead' a book about Warren Zevon. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 381 Location: At Home
|
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm reading Parky's autobiography.
"Fruit of the Lemon" by Andrea Levy (who wrote Small Island)
and "The Outcast" by Sadie Jones, her debut novel and I can't put it down! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6855
|
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT wrote: | by Andrea Levy (who wrote Small Island)
|
Hi Fly...I read the other day that there is to be an adaptation of this book, later in the year, on BBC TV....i've just got it and will be reading it after i finish The Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd...my current read. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Behind Geddon's Wall
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 1553 Location: Kingston Upon Hull/ The Cloud Factory
|
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have just finished the "Star Risk" set of 4 by Chris Bunch, and havw just started The Accidental Sorcerer by K E Mills
Both Cracking stories. _________________ Geddon
You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Terrific read. Wasn't a great fan of Da Vinci Code, thought it grossly overrated, but this was quite a compelling story with some quite thought provoking undertones. Can't imagine he would be the Vatican's most popular author as he pushes the envelope just a bit too far for them, I would have thought, but nevertheless an extremely well researched and rivetting read. I would recommend it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Behind Geddon's Wall
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 1553 Location: Kingston Upon Hull/ The Cloud Factory
|
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Minx wrote: | Just finished Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Terrific read. Wasn't a great fan of Da Vinci Code, thought it grossly overrated, but this was quite a compelling story with some quite thought provoking undertones. Can't imagine he would be the Vatican's most popular author as he pushes the envelope just a bit too far for them, I would have thought, but nevertheless an extremely well researched and rivetting read. I would recommend it. |
I think that the Vatican will have collective apoplexy when the film comes out. I agree with you minx that A&D is a better read than the Da Vinci Code _________________ Geddon
You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Rachel Guest
|
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I liked A & D, probably the best of all the Dan Brown books- maybe( D F is good too), pitty about the helicopter scene though - too far fetched. I did think the female lead was going to cop for it but as in all his books she survives. If you like A & D there's a great book called Lucifer by Michael Cordy , he writes in the same way as Dan Brown- the story is really scary too- and not just any scary,I mean keep you awake at night scary, it's about trying to capture souls on thier way to the afterlife. Blimey it makes you think. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6855
|
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT wrote: | Small Island) |
Loved this book ...and think i'm a little in love with Gilbert... hope the BBC adaptation measures up to the book. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558
|
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
John Peel - Olivetti Chronicles
some good comments about Timmy Bannockburn etc |
|
Back to top |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 381 Location: At Home
|
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
becky sharp wrote: | FLYBYNIGHT wrote: | by Andrea Levy (who wrote Small Island)
|
Hi Fly...I read the other day that there is to be an adaptation of this book, later in the year, on BBC TV....i've just got it and will be reading it after i finish The Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd...my current read. |
Hi Becky,
Keep forgetting to look in here.
I really liked The Secret Life of Bees. Quite different to what one maight imagine from the title.
Am reading: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" by Winifred Watson".
Quaint! But I don't know why they made it into a film.
For my Reader's Group I'm reading Patrick O'Brian's : "H.M.S. Surprise"
I don't think I'm enjoying it, as my mind keeps wandering off all the time, thinking of jobs I ought to be doing! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6855
|
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT wrote: |
Hi Becky,
Keep forgetting to look in here.
I really liked The Secret Life of Bees. Quite different to what one maight imagine from the title.
|
Hi Fly,
I would have liked the ending to The Secret Life Of Bees to have been a teensy bit different ..regarding her mother...
I have just started Spilling The Beans an autobiography by Clarissa Dickson Wright...one of the Two Fat Ladies..i've seen her on TV talking about her life and it sounds lively to say the least.... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 381 Location: At Home
|
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Becky,
"Spilling the Beans" must be fascinating. Clarissa has led a very interesting, colourful life, hasn't she? I must look out for that.
I'm relaxing with a bit of chick.lit. by Catherine Alliott at the moment, but "The Story of Edgar Sartelle" by David Wroblewski is on the way to me from Amazon. Have you read it? I've heard some glowing reports.
For my reading Club I'm halfway into "H.M.S.Surprise by Patrick O'Brian" and I so wish I liked it!!!! Have you read any of his books? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
davem
Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115
|
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
'Nation' by Terry Pratchett if the wife remembers to get it today i will follow this with 'adventures on the high teas' by Stuart Maconie for light relief i'm also browsing BS 1761 17th edition wiring regulations which is a real page page turner |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Angus McCoatup
Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 221 Location: , Location, Location
|
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That 17th edition thingy sounds a bit heavy Dave!! Why are you reading that? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216
|
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm currently on section 4 of "Brilliant Flash CS4" - some really useful stuff on how to embed metadata into MPEG4/H.264 tracks for playback on the web. Excellent! _________________ (signature and avatar removed, violated forum Rule 2.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
colby wrote: | I'm currently on section 4 of "Brilliant Flash CS4" - some really useful stuff on how to embed metadata into MPEG4/H.264 tracks for playback on the web. Excellent! |
Rivetting, I would say! _________________ Minx
To err is human, to forgive - canine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Minx wrote: | colby wrote: | I'm currently on section 4 of "Brilliant Flash CS4" - some really useful stuff on how to embed metadata into MPEG4/H.264 tracks for playback on the web. Excellent! |
Rivetting, I would say! |
Certainly is - and very useful when your livelihood depends on it! _________________ (signature and avatar removed, violated forum Rule 2.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am reading '101 poems about Childhood' Ed: Michael Donaghy (F&F) My favourite is 'To any reader' by Robert Louis Stevenson. A very poignant poem about how short childhood is, but as another child takes its turn playing in a garden somewhere, the cycle continues. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've just finished "The Tenderness of Wolves" by Stef Penney. It's a bit of a thin tale but beautifully written. I'd recommend it. _________________ Minx
To err is human, to forgive - canine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
davem
Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Angus McCoatup wrote: | That 17th edition thingy sounds a bit heavy Dave!! Why are you reading that? | Im an electrical engineer and yes its heavy going! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
davem wrote: | Angus McCoatup wrote: | That 17th edition thingy sounds a bit heavy Dave!! Why are you reading that? | Im an electrical engineer and yes its heavy going! |
Can I borrow it when you're finished with it?
_________________ (signature and avatar removed, violated forum Rule 2.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Angus McCoatup
Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 221 Location: , Location, Location
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
davem wrote: | Angus McCoatup wrote: | That 17th edition thingy sounds a bit heavy Dave!! Why are you reading that? | Im an electrical engineer and yes its heavy going! |
Being an NICEIC approved contractor I prefer just to use the On Site Guide. The 17th Edition Wiring Regs is more of a reference than a browsing manual. Also I think you typed the wrong BS number!! The one relating to the 17th Edition is BS7671.
BS1761 is something entirely different:
http://www.standardsdirect.org/standards/standards5/StandardsCatalogue24_view_696.html
Have you always been an electrical engineer or is this a career move from something like a civil servant for instance? They're always good at getting their numbers mixed up!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Angus McCoatup wrote: | BS1761 is something entirely different..... |
I reckon you might be right. I'm still confused about the ending. Did the butler do it? _________________ (signature and avatar removed, violated forum Rule 2.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6855
|
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
FLYBYNIGHT wrote: | Hi Becky,
"Spilling the Beans" must be fascinating. Clarissa has led a very interesting, colourful life, hasn't she? I must look out for that.
I'm relaxing with a bit of chick.lit. by Catherine Alliott at the moment, but "The Story of Edgar Sartelle" by David Wroblewski is on the way to me from Amazon. Have you read it? I've heard some glowing reports.
For my reading Club I'm halfway into "H.M.S.Surprise by Patrick O'Brian" and I so wish I liked it!!!! Have you read any of his books? |
Hi again Fly...have had a few busy days so haven't had time to even pick Clarissa's book up will hopefully remedy that soon..i got it from the library so had better get my skates on...
I haven't heard of "The Story of Edgar Sartelle" or it's author....you must let us know what you think....nor have i read any Patrick O'Brien... !!!......perhaps just as well .!!...
In a book group do you take a vote on what you read?.... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
davem
Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115
|
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Angus McCoatup wrote: | Being an NICEIC approved contractor I prefer just to use the On Site Guide. The 17th Edition Wiring Regs is more of a reference than a browsing manual. Also I think you typed the wrong BS number!! The one relating to the 17th Edition is BS7671.
BS1761 is something entirely different: | ooooh mr picky! only joking im studying for the update course from 16th to 17th edition im a better sparky than i am a typist |
|
Back to top |
|
|
aviddiva
Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 1135 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
|
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject: What are you reading at the moment? |
|
|
I am currently reading 'Girls Like Us' by Sheila Weller, about the lives and times of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon.
The Carly Simon bits read like she's starring in a female version of 'Frasier' - rich girl grows up in a world of publishing. Carole King's bits show how hard it was to be working and a young mother in the early 60's, and Gerry Goffin comes across as a heel for playing away with another performer and fathering a child by her.
Said other performer has a song written for her - it's 'I'm Into Something Good' (later a UK hit for Herman's Hermits). You wonder if the child benefit was put in a Halifax account! _________________ We are loonies and we are proud!
- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
aviddiva
Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 1135 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
|
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject: What are you reading at the moment? |
|
|
Currently I'm reading Charlie Brooker's 'Screen Burn'. I got this and 'Dawn Of The Dumb' to read on holiday, and then I also got Stuart Maconie's 'Adventures On The High Teas', Mark Radcliffe's 'Thank you For The Days' and Andrew Collins's 'That's Me In the Corner'. _________________ We are loonies and we are proud!
- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216
|
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished reading Greg Dyke's 2006 memoirs, called "Inside Story". It gives a great insight into how, as BBC Director General, he was stitched up by both the BBC Governors and also 10 Downing Street after the publication of the work of fiction known as The Hutton Report (WMD, Dr. David Kelly, BBC Reporter Andrew Gilligan, a completely two-faced and gutless Tony Blair, arrogant Alastair Campbell, etc).
A superb read! _________________ (signature and avatar removed, violated forum Rule 2.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
aviddiva
Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 1135 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
|
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject: What are you reading at the moment? |
|
|
Andrew Collins's 'That's Me In the Corner' shows how the author's not had one particular career post-uni. It begins with a frustrating time stacking shelves in Sainsbury's, continues with his time at NME and collaborating with Stuart Maconie on radio, and now I'm up to him leaving Q magazine to work on Empire.
I'd love to see some of the people who rejected me having a look at what must be a huge CV for him! _________________ We are loonies and we are proud!
- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 4088 Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
|
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished the 4 edition Twilight saga. It was mega-rave in Australia. To be honest, without knowing anything about the Twilight stuff, I had read a later publication, "Host" by the same authoress, and thought it was terrific. So went and bought the 4 series of Twilight thinking it would be of similar pedigree. Sadly not so. They were a good read, good story but unevenly paced, at times you were willing her to simply get on with it. You could see how it's really attracted the younger readership, and it's not completely at odds with a more mature readership, but for me... the jury is out on the four edition saga.
No doubt there will be a follow up to "Host", and I will be first in line for that! _________________ Minx
To err is human, to forgive - canine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
aviddiva
Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 1135 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
|
Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject: What are you reading at the moment? |
|
|
'Pigs Might Fly', the Pink Floyd history. I have got to the point where Roger Waters loses it completely on the 'Animals' tour and spits in a fan's face.
In the run up to that incident, it was said he was shouting out random numbers onstage in relation to the amount of dates they played and how long it would be before they could go home. If this had happened in the National Lottery era, I'd have expected a little voice at the back of the hall to go 'I've won!' _________________ We are loonies and we are proud!
- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
|
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
'Dear Granny Smith' by Roy Mayall. A wonderfully descriptive book about the Royal Mail (hence the pen name) in the days when the postman was someone you could rely on, and not an agency worker as is more likely today. My review of the book is on Amazon, along with several others, all giving the book FIVE stars so far.
PS I declare an interest having been a postman before I retired recently. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
|
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think everyone should read that book. It is in their interests to! _________________ Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 964 Location: Liverpool England UK
|
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cheers, Phil Jr. aka LEE.
I'm now reading Tony Curtis' autobiography. Very interesting it is too! The chapters on his childhood, early career, failed marriages and his many lovers including Marilyn Monroe are bound to interest all film fans like myself. Tony has had another book out recently all about the making of 'Some Like It Hot', although the subject is well documented in his book here too. After this book I have others on Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper to read! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Angela W
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7229 Location: North Yorkshire
|
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Briant wrote: | 'Dear Granny Smith' by Roy Mayall. A wonderfully descriptive book about the Royal Mail (hence the pen name) in the days when the postman was someone you could rely on, and not an agency worker as is more likely today. My review of the book is on Amazon, along with several others, all giving the book FIVE stars so far.
PS I declare an interest having been a postman before I retired recently. |
I bought this having heard it on Radio 4's 'Book of the week' and am looking forward to reading it. Will have to wait until January though.
I know who I would rather have delivering my post! _________________ Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|