What book are you reading atm?? CHAPTER TWO

Last night I finished Coetzee’s ‘Waiting for the Barabrians.’ It’s my favourite of his works that I’ve read so far. Subtle but profound. Tonight I am starting Philip Roth’s alternative history ‘The Plot Against America.’ I’m looking forward to checking out the HBO adaptation when I’m finished.

Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall. It's reducing the foreign policy of various powers (Russia, China, US, so far) to a race to secure mountains, coasts, and navigable sea channels so they can't easily be attacked. Somewhat interesting, but feels a bit reductive.

Getting through Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel in anticipation of the new one. Read Wolf Hall last week. I'd forgotten how good they are, and I recall liking Bring Up the Bodies even more than Wolf Hall when I read it first, so let's see if it stands up to that...

Mort is a good place to start - I think it's the first of the books that focus on the anthropomorphic Death.

I'm fond of Guards! Guards! too, which is the start of the Night Watch stories, which are my favourite of the strands that run through the series. In a city where crime has been legalised (and given quotas - the city's dictator is delightfully Machiavellian), the Night Watch is a defunct organisation, staffed by imbeciles and run by a jaded if capable alcoholic. The boss is always depicted in the cover art as a sort of Clint Eastwood type - possibly in reaction to the watch motto - Fabricas Diem, Pvnk. Their idealistic new recruit may be the rightful heir to the throne, and there's a plot to overthrow the dictator and install someone worse. Pratchett wrote it after thinking about the guys they always yelled for in the old movies - "Guards! Guards!"

Of the relatively stand-alone books, I adored Thief of Time. Just to give you a flavour, the lead character is a monk who practices "deja fu", which is a martial art that leaves one with the impression that one has been kicked in the head that way before. His order seems to be modelled on the Buddhists, but they worship, protect, and manipulate time. In spite of that, he derives his philosophy in life from the aphorisms of his old landlady, which he has collected in a little notebook. Lines like, "If you keep picking at that, it'll never heal" are treated with reverence. It's simultaneously sweet and funny, and a great send-up of religion. It's a fun adventure too.

I finished I Know A Secret today by Tess Gerritsen and thus the Rizzoli & Isles series. I quite enjoyed it and a bit sad that this is the end for the crime fighting duo.

Night Boat to Tangier, Kevin Barry.

not quite City of Bohane, but really good

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

I'm reading State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America. It's an interesting anthology piece where authors talk bout their impressions of one of the 50 US states, try to give us a sense of place and give context to what each state means to them on a personal level. It's a mixed bag with some contributors doing it better than others. There's some nice contributions from Rick Moody and Dave Eggers.

Eggers has a interesting autobiography called A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. He lost both parents to cancer and wound up a twenty-something-year-old guardian of his little brother, 13 years his junior. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer.

I've just finished The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury and really enjoyed this first of five novels in the Sean Reilly series.

The Vatican lend some of their prized artifacts, which are normally hidden deep within the Vatican vaults, to the Met in New York for display. On the opening night, four horseman raid the Met leaving a trail of destruction and death in their wake.

In comes FBI agent Sean Reilly to investigate the case alongside an archaeologist that was in attendance at the raid and a Vatican representative. Soon it becomes clear that the motive behind the raid is not a straightforward robbery but something much more sinister, that the Catholic Church would kill to keep secret.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.

Another one of the books recommended by the Auschwitz Memorial that I decided to read. Unfortunately this particular book wasn't my cup of tea, I couldn't wait to finish it.

I've started into "An Astronaut's Guide To Life", a memoir by Chris Hadfield. He mentions that his earnestness is a bit of a joke to his children. And he really does come across as very earnest, idealistic, on the verge of preachy. That aside, it's a good read - he's an astronaut, how could it not be interesting!

Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi. Picked it randomly in a charity shop.

You'd think a book with so many geographical references would include a map or two... Nope.

Barna77 wrote: »

Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi. Picked it randomly in a charity shop.

You'd think a book with so many geographical references would include a map or two... Nope.

It's out of copyright. You could make a version with handy maps.

Stasi Child - David Young

first in a series of tormented detective in cold war east berlin gets sucked into investigations with distinct political overtones. the series was reduced on kindle books a couple of weeks ago so bought them all.

edit : actually still £0.98 or free on kindle unlimited, which is on a 30 day rather than 7 day trial

Finished
Sam Harris - Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Disappointed overall in this book. Left a 3 star review on Goodreads. I'm a fan of Harris. I've listened to every single episode where he appeared on the JRE podcast and become absolutely engrossed hearing him speak. I bought this book immediately after, and suffice it to say, it probably wasn't the best introduction to Harris' books. I do intend of delving into some of his other materials despite my feelings toward this one as I'm confident the others won't disappoint.

Currently Reading:
Cibola Burn (The Expanse, #4) - James S.A. Corey
Enjoying this one so far. Was not a fan of #3 in the series. This seems like an improvement but time will tell as the book progresses (I've about 25% read).

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Going to start ‘American Gods’ by Neil Gaiman next, on the recommendation of an esteemed “contributor“ to this very thread, no less. The fact it’s not set during World War 2, in a concentration camp or some godawful drivel set in “Roman times“ already stands to it.

It's a good read, though I liked Anansi Boys better.

Started The Encahted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. Only on chapter three but it seems fun.