recommend a book thread

corkgsxr

Throw up the books you like.

I love the donavan creed books at the mo. Very entertaining.

The jack reacher series are very good too

ancapailldorcha

On mobile so can't put up a link. Google "Zoklet required reading for humanity". First result is a pretty decent list.

eh i dunno

Love Peter James 'Dead' series myself

corkgsxr

corkgsxr wrote: »

Throw up the books you like.

Crikey do not get me started.

Actually I never seem to like any one book. As much as I love reading - and I really do - I have never closed a single book that ever really changed me or moved me that much. Rather - I read books in threads. Reading one - then a connected one - or one that influenced the author of the first one - and so on in a long chain until I hit a dead end.

Fact books - I guess Bad Science by Ben Goldacre had the most effect on me. In terms of life the universe and everything "Wherever you go there you are" had its good parts (tinged with a side of nonsense - but each reader should weed that out him or her self). And when it comes to fiction then aside from Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy I think the only books I keep coming back to would be Heinleins Stranger in a Strange world and his book I can not remember the name of right now about the moon colony.

If you have any doubts about your own humanity - or in fact if you think you are secure in your own humanity - then "Naked Lunch" is a must read.

The Dark Materials series were also so much better than that one failed film might let you know. If you saw the movie, delete it from your brain, and get the books.

Alas as much I love reading - a lot - I do not remember being moved by any one single book since I was in the Rhoald Dahl phase. As I said I tend to just get pulled into a thread or stream of books and come out of THAT changed. But I can never pin point a single book.

KyussBishop

Deleted User wrote: »

...
If you have any doubts about your own humanity - or in fact if you think you are secure in your own humanity - then "Naked Lunch" is a must read.
...

Have to say, that was one of the most mind-bending books I've ever read - could not figure out what was happening the majority of the time, but it also had probably some of the funniest things I've ever read in a book as well, at parts. (recommend the Red Dwarf books - such as 'Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers', for fans of this and Hitch-Hikers)


I've read Ben Goldacre's articles in the Guardian a long time, without reading his book - and yes, recommended.

I read so much online, that it's been a long time since I've had time to spare for a book, but I'd recommend the Dune series, and (topical for the time) Nelson Mandela's biography 'Long Walk to Freedom', and (similarly) Brian Keenans 'An Evil Cradling'.

I'm a big fan of fact-based books like the latter two, which are based on real (and very raw) events - and can add to that, John Hersey's 'Hiroshima' - but that can be quite tough reading.

awec

This post has been deleted.

boobar

corkgsxr wrote: »

Throw up the books you like.

I love the donavan creed books at the mo. Very entertaining.

The jack reacher series are very good too

Plus one on the jack reacher books...I've read them all and they never fail to disappoint.

Fancied something light to read over the Christmas...so I'm reading I, Partridge...Alan Patridge's autobiography....it's top notch so far with Partridge describing his childhood, adolescence and career in cringe inducing detail

D'Agger

Reading 1984 by George Orwell at the moment, I'm poor to read and I take ages to finish a book but the last few I've read have been classics

The Great Gatsby
The Old Man and the Sea
Animal Farm

Would recommend all I've mentioned and, despite only being a third of the way through 1984, it's brilliant - especially given ye society we live in today with the recent NSA revelations

TouchingVirus

I'm generally a poor reader, I read about two books a year and it's something I'm trying to change but never quite manage to get there. That said here's a few that stick out

For fantasy I just read the first of the Mistborn books The Fallon Empire and loved it. I also enjoyed The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko.

Some others that I've read that I would recommend:

Sebastian Faulks - Birdsong
Bill Bryson - A short history of nearly everything
Richard English - Irish Freedom (The History of Nationalism in Ireland)
Martin Dillon - The Shankill Butchers (A Case Study in Mass Murder)

dastardly00

awec wrote: »

Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series is good IMO.

I'm reading Ronan O'Gara's latest book at the moment for a bit of a change from fiction - decent enough.

+1 for the Jo Nesbo Harry Hole series.

Pawwed Rig

For those of us that like Anne Rice vampire books I have been reading the 'Oldest Living Vampire' series by Rod Redux on the kindle. Very worthwhile reading. Reminds me of Anne Rice early novels.

corkgsxr

D'Agger wrote: »

Reading 1984 by George Orwell at the moment, I'm poor to read and I take ages to finish a book but the last few I've read have been classics

The Great Gatsby
The Old Man and the Sea
Animal Farm

Would recommend all I've mentioned and, despite only being a third of the way through 1984, it's brilliant - especially given ye society we live in today with the recent NSA revelations

Couldn't get into the great gatsby myself tryed to read it 3 times nd keep leaving it

MrStuffins

For anyone into their sport, Tyson's auotbiography is a really good read. Halfway through it now and enjoying it muchly!

If This is a Man by Primo Levi. Rough stuff but everyone should read it.

D'Agger

corkgsxr wrote: »

Couldn't get into the great gatsby myself tryed to read it 3 times nd keep leaving it

Didn't find it too hard going, it can be overly descriptive of simple things at times alright but I figured it's a short enough book so ploughed on which isn't like me I have to say

MrStuffins wrote: »

For anyone into their sport, Tyson's auotbiography is a really good read. Halfway through it now and enjoying it muchly!

Love a good autobiography, must check that out

old gregg

Probably the most wonderful book I've read in years is The Infinite Tides by Christian Kiefer. Some info if interested: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13000877-the-infinite-tides

rodie1990

The Count of Monte Cristo is a brilliantly written book

Pawwed Rig

D'Agger wrote: »

Love a good autobiography, must check that out

Please tell me it is a biography rather than an autobiography! I can't imagine Mike Tyson expresses himself too well through the medium of literature.

xiankiefer

old gregg wrote: »

Probably the most wonderful book I've read in years is The Infinite Tides by Christian Kiefer. Some info if interested: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13000877-the-infinite-tides

Many thanks for your very kind endorsement of my book. Much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

-CK

Jimmy Iovine

D'Agger wrote: »

Reading 1984 by George Orwell at the moment, I'm poor to read and I take ages to finish a book but the last few I've read have been classics

The Great Gatsby
The Old Man and the Sea
Animal Farm

Would recommend all I've mentioned and, despite only being a third of the way through 1984, it's brilliant - especially given ye society we live in today with the recent NSA revelations

I've started and failed to finish The Old Man and the Sea three times now.

I think I'm approaching it with the wrong mindset because of how short it is - I want to finish it in one sitting. If I feel I'm not going to get through it then I just leave it and go off and do something else.

I might chop it in two or three and I'll get through it.

I bought The Great Gatsby on Amazon for £1 or something. I still have to get around to that as well.

If I get into a book then I can devour it. I read The Client by John Grisham (500+ pages) in about two days. It is meant to be a page-turner but I really became immersed in it. It's a fantastic read. I'd heartily recommend it.

Jimmy Iovine

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Please tell me it is a biography rather than an autobiography! I can't imagine Mike Tyson expresses himself too well through the medium of literature.

On the issue of Mike Tyson, another book I'd recommend is The Playboy Interviews: They Played The Game.

It's a bit of a cliché at this stage to say that you read Playboy for the interviews/articles but the interviews in this book are superb.

The Mike Tyson one is really interesting. You get a great sense of the complexity of his personality from reading the interviewers notes about Tysons demeanour and actions during the time they spent together.

He was (and, in some ways, still is) a very troubled guy.

mfceiling

I think i've done all the Bill Bryson books now - very good.

Tried 1984 and got side tracked with other books - need to finish it.

Read Animal Farm at least once a year. Down and out in Paris and London was excellent.

Alan Partridge's new book had me in stitches. Also have Stephen Fry's autobiography to get through. Not enough hours in the day.

The Black Oil

I've read one of the Jo Nesbo Harry Hole series - got a couple more as presents. Certainly better than James Patterson, but that's not difficult.

Currently on the Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart, which is enjoyable, if a little frustrating.

keane2097

I liked Diceman for a while but ended up quitting it before the end.

DuckSlice

Enders game by Orson Scott Card is a very good book.

The bourne identity is also a great read.

Pawwed Rig

etxp wrote: »

Enders game by Orson Scott Card is a very good book.

Indeed, the whole Ender series was excellent. You should also check out the Alvin Maker series by OSC.

If you like sci fi I would have to recommend the Well World series by Jack L Chalker

Liam McPoyle

Currently hooked on The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson. It was made into a movie a year or two ago with Scarlett Johannsen (sp). Havnt seen it but have heard good things. Cons odeon the novel was written 61 years ago, it's a staggering piece of work IMO.

GalwayGuy2

Currently hooked on The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson. It was made into a movie a year or two ago with Scarlett Johannsen (sp). Havnt seen it but have heard good things. Cons odeon the novel was written 61 years ago, it's a staggering piece of work IMO.

Interesting,I'll give that a go.

American Murder fiction was way ahead of its time in the 60s to 80s, IMO.

If you liked that, you should give Truman Capotes In Cold Blood a go.

beano345

Norwegian by night - Derek b.miller

Halfway through this and have to say its fairly good,draws you in,although I'm not really a fan of crime novels.

source

boobar wrote: »

Plus one on the jack reacher books...I've read them all and they never fail to disappoint.

Fancied something light to read over the Christmas...so I'm reading I, Partridge...Alan Patridge's autobiography....it's top notch so far with Partridge describing his childhood, adolescence and career in cringe inducing detail

You have to listen to the I partridge audio book, Coogan reads it and it makes it 100 times better.

Military books - biographical
Legionnaire - Simon Murray
One bullet away - Nathaniel Flick
Immediate action - Andy McNab
Barefoot soldier - Johnson Beharry
Heroes of Jadotville - Rose Doyle

Comedy
The hitch hikers guide to the galaxy - Douglas Adams
The gun seller - Hugh Laurie

Fiction/fantasy
Song of fire and ice series - GRR Martin
Dracula - Bram Stoker

Biography
Mud sweat and tears - Bear Grylls
Blood sweat and tea - Tom Reynolds
Stephen Fry's autobiographies were brilliant
On the edge - Richard Hammond

There are many many more that I can't think of right now, but I whole heartedly recommend every book above.

Paranoid Mandroid

3 recent good reads:

Currently reading 'Open', an autobiography by Andre Agassi.

I haven't read many autobiographies, I'm not a big tennis fan but I'm finding this a great read.

Another one that I really enjoyed, and I'm sure lots of people have read is 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts.

A fraction of the whole by Steve Toltz is hilarious. I'll definitely be reading this one again. There are some great characters in it.

Knex*

xiankiefer wrote: »

Many thanks for your very kind endorsement of my book. Much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

-CK

How awesome is that

Randy Shafter

The Keith Richards autobiography 'Life' is a very entertaining read.

I find the books by Michael Connolly very well written. If you like crime you'll most likely enjoy his books.

'The Shock Doctrine' by Naomi Klein is a well researched, if not a bit one sided book about foreign countries economic policies being enforced by outside influences such as the World Bank, IMF etc.

Knex*

Anyone looking for a trilogy, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series is one of the best I have ever read.

Has everything, is extremely well written, and the level of depth to his story I found amazing.

Couldn't possibly do it justice, so I'm just going to leave it at that. Read it

brinty

If ye like the Jack reacher books (which i do myself but getting formulaic now) try David Baldacci...he has a range of characters and has maybe done 4 books per character/pairing so theres a new ness about them all..

Sports - i'd dread any auyto/biographies but find them to be very blasse and not much detail. My wife got me a book over christmas on the 91-95 Dallas Cowboys, its very good and got another Cowboys history on the Kindle as a sample and will purchase it..

If you'd be into the religious/ templar wars try readinf Kate Mosse, might be a bit girly bit was very good. think i have something called teh Atlantis Gene on my Kindle too that i must get into

I have a long backlog to clear...

If you don't have one i'd recommend a Kindle download samples and you can see if ye like a book before buying it..

Slattsy

The Count of Monte Cristo is the best book you'll ever read. FACT

Catch 22 is hilarious (Second World War satire) - brilliant.

raze_them_all_

Fantasy Fan. The name of the wind is excellent. Anything by Sanderson is also good(the fella who finished the wheel of time series) and of course any of david Gemmells books apart from troy where his wife took over when he died

Knex*

Agree with The Name of The Wind. Kingkiller chronicals, I think they're called.

Can't wait for the next one.

Stuck on book 5 of The Wheel of Time, after enjoying the previous 4 despite their annoyances. This one seems to have gotten the better of me, however. Picked up the new Terry Pratchett one and have that almost finished, but not sure I can go back to WoT series.

Did you read them, raze_them_all?

raze_them_all_

Knex. wrote: »

Agree with The Name of The Wind. Kingkiller chronicals, I think they're called.

Can't wait for the next one.

Stuck on book 5 of The Wheel of Time, after enjoying the previous 4 despite their annoyances. This one seems to have gotten the better of me, however. Picked up the new Terry Pratchett one and have that almost finished, but not sure I can go back to WoT series.

Did you read them, raze_them_all?

Yeah Kingkiller chronicles, march is the next release I think, Never got into the WOT. Have all the books in the house but never actually got around to reading them. must give it a lash at some stage, but from what I have been told the mid point is the lowest point in the series but it comes good again around book 7? could be wrong though

keane2097

Knex. wrote: »

Agree with The Name of The Wind. Kingkiller chronicals, I think they're called.

Can't wait for the next one.

Stuck on book 5 of The Wheel of Time, after enjoying the previous 4 despite their annoyances. This one seems to have gotten the better of me, however. Picked up the new Terry Pratchett one and have that almost finished, but not sure I can go back to WoT series.

Did you read them, raze_them_all?

Quit, quit right now. The amount of time I wasted on that Wheel of Time garbage!

astonaidan

Just finished Zlatans autobiography, one off the best books Ive read in a while.

I disagree about people dissing WOT, it finishes really strongly he just got caught up in the world he was writing for, something I feel might also happen to GRR Martin

wallycharlo

'The Third Policeman' by Flann O'Brien.

You will genuinely never look on the world the same way again once you've read it.

TouchingVirus

TouchingVirus wrote: »

...
For fantasy I just read the first of the Mistborn books The Fallen Empire and loved it.

Knex. wrote: »

Anyone looking for a trilogy, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series is one of the best I have ever read.

Has everything, is extremely well written, and the level of depth to his story I found amazing.

Couldn't possibly do it justice, so I'm just going to leave it at that. Read it

Hello friend. I actually finished the second book (The Well of Ascension) on Saturday and I'm already stuck into the Hero of Ages. I reckon I'll have it wrapped up in the next week. They are amazing books, can't recommend them enough either

corkgsxr

Never got into wheel of time myself

Call Me Jimmy

Revolutionary Road, don't mind the film it's pants. Anyone 20 something right into 30 somethings it will really resonate with. Straightforward prose. Probably my favourite book of all time.

The subtleties and fundamentals of a relationship between two people are brilliantly portrayed as part of a damning indictment of suburban idealism.

That's my attempted 'reviewer' sentence.

dmire

"The Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" by Ken Follett, two excellent books and both made in to mini-TV series. The Century of Giants Trilogy is also very good, book 3 is out later in the year.

Slattsy

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

Revolutionary Road, don't mind the film it's pants. Anyone 20 something right into 30 somethings it will really resonate with. Straightforward prose. Probably my favourite book of all time.

The subtleties and fundamentals of a relationship between two people are brilliantly portrayed as part of a damning indictment of suburban idealism.

That's my attempted 'reviewer' sentence.

Sounds like this should be in The Ladies Lounge :pac:

Call Me Jimmy

Ah just for you I recommend Tom Clancy's posthumously released 'An Exactly Point Three Five Seven Caliber Bullet' :pac:

Oleta

Slattsy wrote: »

Sounds like this should be in The Ladies Lounge :pac:

Most of the imaginary exchanges take place in Frank's head - his viewpoint is given more agency in the novel so it's suitable for the lads....

Pawwed Rig

Knex. wrote: »

How awesome is that

Just coz the author commented here I bought his book 'The Infinite Tides' for my kindle tonight.:)

Paranoid Mandroid

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Just coz the author commented here I bought his book 'The Infinite Tides' for my kindle tonight.:)

Same here. Really enjoying it so far, thanks to the person that recommended it.