what are you reading (thread 4)

[jockosjungle]

Rereading the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett, not sure why exactly but I saw it on my Kindle, a very long read but the first one is superb, really good explanation of WWI, I can't remember enough about the 2nd which I'm just starting.

[SimonI]

Finally finished Martin Chuzzlewit while on holiday. Very enjoyable and nicely satiric... though at the end there is an apology of sorts to the Americans, whom he mostly rubbishes throughout (Have things changed that much since?)

Now onto Murakami's Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage which is a lovely looking hardback if nothing else (my copy even came with the exclusive Amazon stickers, that I dare not rip out); quite interesting so far though not as compelling as some of his earlier work.

[connormatchett]

Several books - Capital (marx), the sportswriter, a luce iragaray book, the bible and samuel johnson essays.

[douglasb]

You almost got away with it until you said 'the bible'.

[Rob]

Finally got around to reading the first two parts of Danny Baker's autobiography.
Great reads with plenty of interesting and laugh out loud anecdotes and Danny has a wonderful writing style. Looking forward to the final part, published in February next year.

[debby22]

I have just started the "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee.
Just because I loved "To Kill a Mocking Bird" too much and it is one of my all time favourite.

[Nige]

Originally Posted by debby22

I have just started the "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee.
Just because I loved "To Kill a Mocking Bird" too much and it is one of my all time favourite.

Don't do it! I love To Kill A Mockingbird and I wish I hadn't read Go Set A Watchman.

[Taq]

The bit with Dr. Manhattan was my favourite

[SimonI]

I found Murakami's Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage to be a bit of a disappointment (a bit like his previous novel 1Q84). It seemed to me a bit flat and forced, full of seemingly meaningless incidents. Perhaps I am missing something.

Now in the middle of Godard: A Portrait of the Artist at Seventy which is made more interesting by covering a lot of the Nouvelle Vague in general, although obviously the focus is on Jean-Luc's films. Very interesting.

[jockosjungle]

I'm reading "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" My favourite film of all time, and I was made up to find it was based on a book (and there are sequels). The book is excellent, same characters for the mostpart (Eddie, Roger and Jessica) but the plot is very different and mostly based on comic books rather than film. A really interesting world, that comes across as considerably more seedy and sinister than the film.

Only 43% through it, but loving it, was a couple of quid on kindle.

[w_n_s]

Wolves by DJ Molles.

[SimonI]

Finished Lisa St Aubin de Terán's first novel Keepers Of The House. Vivid and nicely told in the style of Latin American writers.

Still also ploughing through Godard: A Portrait of the Artist at Seventy - still interesting but you feel that the author, even though he knows and has met JLG, doesn't really reveal anything other than facts (and some dubious intentions).

[sleep4ever]

The Hanging Tree (Rivers of London 6)

Slightly disappointing after the numerous delays, seems more of a placeholder for future story lines rather than having one of its own. Not a lot particularly happens.

Shame as its well written as always, and amusing at times, but disappointing compared to the previous entries in the series.

[dunkle]

Finished "the alchemist secret" the first Ben Hope book, took me a couple of attempts to actually get into it, but just over half way it clicked and I enjoyed it and will continue with the series.

Now moved onto latest Jack Reacher "night school". It's another prequel as such to the main series and feels all the better for it as I've found the last few books a little samey and dull. Managed 30% in pretty much one setting I'm enjoying it that much

[SimonI]

Currently reading Russell Hoban's Come Dance With Me as part of my ongoing read of all of his work... thought it seemed familar then realised I'd already read it

Maybe I need to have a reading diary... will probably jump to whatever's next once I finish it

[Boink!]

I have the last two books of the Long Earth series by Stephen Baxter and Terry Pratchett. Just got to wait for long train journeys through work.

[dbilsborough]

Originally Posted by DuncanSWardle

Finished "the alchemist secret" the first Ben Hope book, took me a couple of attempts to actually get into it, but just over half way it clicked and I enjoyed it and will continue with the series.

Currently on book 10 in that series "The Forgotten Holocaust" - enjoyed them all so far

And like you the new Jack Reacher book is next on my list.

[TheCookieMonster]

Originally Posted by dbilsborough

Currently on book 10 in that series "The Forgotten Holocaust" - enjoyed them all so far

And like you the new Jack Reacher book is next on my list.

Just couldn't get into Ben Hope. Got as far as book 5 but gave up. Just found the writing poor and some of the plot points were unbelievable.

Ben Hope and John Milton series are a lot better writtten imo and in a similiarish vain (minus the history).

[recoil]

Originally Posted by DuncanSWardle

Finished "the alchemist secret" the first Ben Hope book, took me a couple of attempts to actually get into it, but just over half way it clicked and I enjoyed it and will continue with the series.

Book 14 has just appeared on my Kindle, cant wait to read it as its a continuation of the previous one... They are all quite similar and theres only been one of them so far that seemed overly far fetched to me and not quite in the vein of the others.

[dbilsborough]

Originally Posted by TheCookieMonster

Just couldn't get into Ben Hope. Got as far as book 5 but gave up. Just found the writing poor and some of the plot points were unbelievable.

Ben Hope and John Milton series are a lot better writtten imo and in a similiarish vain (minus the history).

I know what you mean, but that is the same for a lot of books, Jack Reacher always being in the wrong place and the right time. I think that you need to suspend belief in a lot of things (I'm looking at you The Walking Dead )

I can't really put my finger on why I enjoy the Ben Hope series so much, but I always want to read another chapter, and that is quite rare I find.

Will definitely have a look at the John Milton series.