Knowledge is Power

BossArky · 02-01-2009 4:10pm

25) Thunderball - Ian Flemming

This is the first 007 James Bond that I've read. Nice pacey story with simple catchy writing. I'll read a few more.

BossArky · 02-01-2009 4:12pm

26) Back from the Brink - Paul McGrath

The Irish central defender of yesteryear tells his story. It's a sad one. The book had me wondering if it was only written to fund his next binge.

BossArky · 02-01-2009 4:14pm

So, I managed 26 books in 2008, only half of the 52 I had aimed for. I was pretty busy with other stuff.

I enjoyed the historical books most. Roll on 2009 where I'll again aim for 52.

BossArky · 04-01-2009 10:12pm

2009 :

1) The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming

Another James Bond novel. This one was told from the perspective of the main female character. I found it a bit girly to be honest! :pac: Thunderball was much better.

BossArky · 08-01-2009 12:42pm

2) State of the Art - Iain M.Banks

Excellent collection of short stories. Highly recommended. Some are sci-fi, some not.

BossArky · 31-01-2009 6:09pm

3) How to fossilize your hamster & other amazing experiments for the armchair scientist - Mick O'Hare

Pop science. Some interesting nuggets of info.

BossArky · 21-02-2009 4:29pm

4) Against A Dark Background - Iain M.Banks.

Rubbish. Avoid this book. Terrible plot, bland characters. Had to spent ages forcing myself through the 500 pages.

BossArky · 26-02-2009 2:05pm

5) How Long Is a Piece of String? - Rob Eastaway & Jeremy Wyndham

Interesting analysis of mathematics in everyday situations. I liked this.

BossArky · 27-02-2009 1:01pm

6) Starting Strength (2nd edition) - Mark Rippetoe

Great book on barbell training. I read the first edition last year.

BossArky · 14-03-2009 8:59pm

7) Living and Working in Australia - David Hampshire

Skim read this. Way to detailed for what I wanted. This would be a great reference if actually in Australia for day to day issues. I was looking for more of a general overview.

BossArky · 22-03-2009 8:51pm

8) A short history of tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka

Enjoyed this. An easy, funny & quick 300 page read. The main character, an auld fellow, falls in love with a Ukrainian divorcee less than half his age. The book goes on to outline the conflict between the family and new found glamour/gold-digging wife.

"She exploded into our lives like a pinky fluffy hand-grenade". Lol :pac:

The bit about tractors is an interesting factual history of agriculture and the rise of the tractor interwoven with the fictional family feud.

7/10. I docked a few points as sometimes the story seemed to go around in circles e.g. everyone getting on far too well over meals directly after bitter court battles.

BossArky · 02-04-2009 1:30pm

9) On her Majesty's Secret Service (a James Bond 007 novel) - Ian Flemming

Enjoyed this.

I was shocked with the following:

He got married!

BossArky · 17-04-2009 2:29pm

10) The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (a trilogoly in 5 parts) - Douglas Adams.

The first two books (from a trilogoy of 5

) were both laugh out loud hilarious. I found the last three dragged a bit. I wasn't really expecting the ending!

It had been sitting on my shelf for the past few years so glad I got around to reading it.

BossArky · 07-07-2009 12:39pm

11) Origin of Species - Charles Darwin.

How many times can he say the one thing? I seriously struggled getting through this. I read the first half properly, then started skimming.

BossArky · 25-07-2009 6:04pm

12) 5/3/1 The simplest & most effective training system for Raw Strength - Jim Wendler

I'll report back in 6 months as to the claim in the title.

BossArky · 25-07-2009 6:05pm

13) Night Train - Martin Amis

Fictional novel about a suicide being investigated by a female cop called Mike. Quick read.

BossArky · 02-08-2009 5:04pm

14) Steve & Me. My life with Steve Irwin - Terri Irwin.

An interesting account of the man and his life. I found the ending pretty sad where the young son is crying in the bath asking where his Daddy is.

BossArky · 02-08-2009 5:05pm

15) The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition - Anita Bean

Great book. Just what I was looking for.

BossArky · 07-08-2009 12:58am

16) Mindstar Rising - Peter F.Hamilton

This guy is my favourite sci-fi author. Much better than Iain Banks. Mindstar Rising is his very first book, written when he was 27.

Enjoyable sci-fi.

BossArky · 19-08-2009 11:10pm

17) Shakespeare - Bill Bryson.

A good overview. Enjoyed it.

BossArky · 19-08-2009 11:12pm

18) Ronnie - Laurie O'Neill.

A bio of Ronnie Kray, one of the infamous Kray Twins of East London back in the 50s/60s. Found it interesting as I know a lot of the places referred to.

BossArky · 06-09-2009 3:41pm

19) Chocolat - Johanne Harris.

I did not enjoy this as I'm not a big fan of magic realism.

BossArky · 13-10-2009 11:48am

20) A Quantum Murder - Peter F.Hamilton.

My favourite sci-fi writer delivers again! This was written in 1994. Some of his thoughts on what the future would be like in 2005 and 2040 are interesting.

I smiled when the butler came to tell the rich mogul that there was a phone call coming through on the house phone. It is 2040. She should have a mobile hardwired in to her brain!

BossArky · 03-11-2009 12:53pm

21) Flashman - George MacDonald Fraser.

"Flashman" is the first in the Flashman series. About a year ago I read "Flashman in the Great Game". "Flashman" was better and a great intro to the series. Hoping to find more of these.

These books are historical novels putting Flashman, a fictional coward and bully, in various situations where he comes out looking the hero. The books are written from his point of view as a 90+ year old looking back unashamedly on what he did. He brushes shoulders with various historical figures so these can be taken as a history lesson as well as a humorous read.

BossArky · 16-11-2009 1:16pm

22) Notes from a big country - Bill Byrson

A collection of columns which Byrson wrote for an English paper over 3 years following his move back to the USA. He provides witty observations on everday life and much comparison between life in the UK vs the USA.

A good fun read.

BossArky · 07-12-2009 4:15pm

23) Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle - Tom Venuto.

BossArky · 07-12-2009 4:16pm

24) Cityboy - Geraint Anderson

BossArky · 16-01-2010 9:45pm

25) The Complete Book of Dreams - Julia & Derek Parker

BossArky · 16-01-2010 9:45pm

26) 50 Facts that should change the World - Jessica Williams

BossArky · 16-01-2010 9:46pm

So, I managed 26 books in 2009 - exactly half of what I was aiming for. Now, on to 2010.

Knowledge is Power

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