Books The BOOK thread

Just finished 'Seven Ancient Wonders' by Matthew Reilly. Completely over-the-top, start-to-finish gung-ho action novel that reads like a Hollywood screenplay, something like Dan Brown meets Indiana Jones. Its got everything from the Freemasons, the cult of Amun Ra, The Church, The Seven Ancient Wonders, Ancient Egyptian mythology, the CIA, Nazis and eternal world domination thrown in the mix.
If you want a break from some serious reading and kick back with an entertaining pulpy page turner, its not so bad.


Now reading 'Hocus Pocus' by Kurt Vonnegut. Its a fictional autobiography of a Vietnam vet, who became the principal of a college for slightly challenged children of the filthy rich, and is now awaiting incarceration for aiding in the prison break of the local penitentiary. And just like the other Vonnegut novels I've read, each line is a gem.
 
I just read No Country For Old Men by Conor McCarthy. I enjoyed the story and now Im off to get the dvd. Currently reading Atonement by Ian McEwan. Fantastically written and the only other book I've read by this author was Saturday which was a good read. Enjoying this one at the moment too.
 
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Douglas Adams.

A thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic. Well, thats how DA described it and I couldn't agree more. Almost as good as H2G2.
 
I'm reading World without End by Ken Follett. It's a sequel to Pillars of the Earth.

I might be wrong, but I think it's more of a girl's story, which is surprising for Ken Follett.
 
Just finished Atonement by Ian McKewan and thought it was a good read. Now onto KPAX by Gene Brewer and its gas.
 
Reading Raymond Feist's - Magician. The first of the Riftwar series. Very simple, very entertaining fantasy. The easiest to read book that i've read in the genre for ages. Good change from some fantasy books that that almost become a chore to read.
 
The_Red_Hope said:
Reading Raymond Feist's - Magician. The first of the Riftwar series. Very simple, very entertaining fantasy. The easiest to read book that i've read in the genre for ages. Good change from some fantasy books that that almost become a chore to read.
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first ever fantasy book i read, and still my favourite.
 
Just finished Fall of Kings, the last book in David Gemmel's Troy series. Smashed was right, you can not tell where he stopped writing and his wife picked up. I prefered this take of the story to the movie, i have to say. It's a real shame he passed away.
 
just finished killing pablo just found out there making a filim bout it and next year with Christian Bale.
 
uae said:
Just finished Fall of Kings, the last book in David Gemmel's Troy series. Smashed was right, you can not tell where he stopped writing and his wife picked up. I prefered this take of the story to the movie, i have to say. It's a real shame he passed away.
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Will put it on my reading list. Never read any Gemmel.
 
The_Red_Hope said:
Would you recommend reading the other two books from the Riftwar series, or is Magician good enough as a stand alone book ?
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Definitely worth reading the other two as they are a continuation of the story. I'd also recommend you read the Empire series he did with Jen(?) Wuurts.
 
Finished the K-PAX trilogy along with Prots report and found it an excellent read. Currently reading the Godfather by Mario Puzo.
 
On holiday I started reading the series of Emperor book by Conn Iggulden.

The first one in the series: Emperor: The Gates of Rome, was excellent, and on returning from holiday I went out and bought the next two in the series.
 
Bilbo said:
I've tried to read this twice now, and given up 50 or so pages in. Is it really worth the effort, do you think? It just seems to ramble.
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Oh yes. Most definitely worth the effort. Keep at it man !!
 
uae said:
Definitely worth reading the other two as they are a continuation of the story. I'd also recommend you read the Empire series he did with Jen(?) Wuurts.
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Oh allright then. Will get my hands on the other two also. But after finishing Riftwar, I think i'll move onto reading 'The Road'. Its been on my reading list for ages now.
 
Anyone, aside me, from read/reading the 'Wheel of Time' series by the late Robert Jordan?
 
The_Red_Hope said:
All done. Besides "A Memory of Light" ofcourse (which is due out early next year).
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Excellent.

I'm midway through 'A Crown of Swords' at the moment. Had to give it a brief break when the latest from Raymond E. Feist came out, but am jumping back into it now.

Apparently his wife will be finishing his last book(s)?
 
cesc's_mullet said:
Excellent.

I'm midway through 'A Crown of Swords' at the moment. Had to give it a brief break when the latest from Raymond E. Feist came out, but am jumping back into it now.
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I found it really difficult to keep a hold on to focus on the latter books, especially as he kept adding a million new insignificant characters in the latter books , that led to hardly any plot progression.

Reading my first ever Feist book - "Magician". Loving it so far, great simple read, compared to WoT.

Apparently his wife will be finishing his last book(s)?
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Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series) is supposed to finish the series working on notes, audio recordings that Jordan gave his wife. Have high hopes for a good ending to the series.
 
The_Red_Hope said:
I found it really difficult to keep a hold on to focus on the latter books, especially as he kept adding a million new insignificant characters in the latter books , that led to hardly any plot progression.

Reading my first ever Feist book - "Magician". Loving it so far, great simple read, compared to WoT.

Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series) is supposed to finish the series working on notes, audio recordings that Jordan gave his wife. Have high hopes for a good ending to the series.
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Aah 'Magician,' my single favourite book ever. I won't let on about his massive series though, but they're worthy of a good read.

And my dad (and my physio) said the same thing about the latter Jordan books, I assume he knew his days were numbered and decided to cram in as much as he could, as quick as he could. And TBH I'm finding it a little hard ATM (I think this is the seventh of the series), especially when he's continuously re-introducing everything all over again.
 
What's the new Feist book out cesc's mullet?
 
Nvm just checked i'm guessing it's Wrath of a Mad God? bout fecking time he released something new! Will have to go to the shops and look for this.
 
Bilbo said:
I've tried to read this twice now, and given up 50 or so pages in. Is it really worth the effort, do you think? It just seems to ramble.
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A couple of my friends reached about 50 pages and gave up on it as well, said pretty much the same thing, but it is definitely worth it. Give it another go, turned out to be one of my favorite books.
 
Hectic said:
A couple of my friends reached about 50 pages and gave up on it as well, said pretty much the same thing, but it is definitely worth it. Give it another go, turned out to be one of my favorite books.
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Echoed, i think you have to go all or nothing with that book. I tried and failed on a few occasions, but restarted and finished it in Crete last year - took me a little over 4 days. I have forgotten most of the story already.
 
I read Fear and Loathing again, quite recently; there is something about that book, i have craved grammar lessons immediately after reading it, both times. I am in awe of Hunters delivery.

I am currently ploughing through My Life - Fidel Castro, and have to get back to The Gambler (Dostoyevsky). I started on a biography of John Keats the other day, but it was painstakingly boring, no doubt he was an interesting man, but all the talk of horses and carriages and inns made me want to drink mead, chew corn and make crop circles, i still can't explain why.

I wanted to know whether it was worth reading The Brothers of Karamazov, si ti?

I read The Godfather (Puzo) absolutely years ago, i remember enjoying reading it, i'm sure whoever is, will enjoy reading it.
 
just fnished Patty Boyd autobigraphy - she was married to George Harrison and Clapton - some interesting bits about life with a pop star. I´ve now started on Clapton´s autobiography - never knew he was illegitimate. His father was a Canadian Air Force Captain and he was brought up by his grandparents who he thought were his parents
 
I'm reading "Dream Brother: The Lives And Music Of Jeff And Tim Buckley" by David Browne, absolutely fantastic. Incredible amount of detail and research gone into it to depict the respective stories of father and son - a great read. Two brilliant solo artists, truly great...especially Jeff Buckley who is my favourite of all time, I should get a hold of some more of Tim's albums too.
 
topper said:
just fnished Patty Boyd autobigraphy - she was married to George Harrison and Clapton - some interesting bits about life with a pop star. I´ve now started on Clapton´s autobiography - never knew he was illegitimate. His father was a Canadian Air Force Captain and he was brought up by his grandparents who he thought were his parents
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i was gonna get that book as well.. is it good so far?
 
Younited.7 said:
I wanted to know whether it was worth reading The Brothers of Karamazov, si ti?
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fecking hell yes it is. amazing book. Dostoevsky's ability to slowly increase the tempo of the story is amazing. he does it in almost all of his later works. They are like a steam train leaving the station and building up to top speed.

Be sure to pick up the version translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.
 
Just finished Birdsong by Sebastian Faulkes. Brilliant WWI novel which demonstrates the harrowing nature of a bitter war.

I'm sure many have read it. But to those who haven't I recommend it as it is a thoroughly compelling read. Worthy of the cliched 'un-put-downable' tag.
 
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