What book are you reading atm?? CHAPTER TWO

Doctor Roast · 03-01-2021 12:03pm

mustang shelly wrote: »

Troy by Stephen Fry.

This is the third installment of his retelling of the Greek myths and although I was most looking forward to this one, I didn't particularly like it from some reason.

I kinda find it hard to get into his style of writing, I've the first 2 here but have left them down and picked up Homers the Odyssey and the Iliad ahead of them, next up will probably be the Aeneid by Virgil.

gmisk · 03-01-2021 12:14pm

I just finished Richard Osmond's book The Thursday Murder Club.
It is a really easy, enjoyable read, not earth shattering.
I see it being classified as cozy mystery, that about sums it up.
Its already being made into a film.

03-01-2021 2:29pm

Just finished the three body problem trilogy. Very good although drags a bit in places when it gets too philosophical/ physicsy.

TheRepentent · 03-01-2021 6:19pm

Have added King Leopolds Ghost (recommended above) and have to stop buying books as my too read pile is getting unweildy (good complaint in fairness).

King Leopolds Ghost
The Final Frontier (sci-fi short story collection)
Monks Guide To Happiness (buddhist meditation)
2 x copies of Interzone (bi monthly sci-fi magazine)
Slaine the Horned God (graphic novel)
The Templars (history of said holy order)
The Stone in The Skull (Great/odd fantasy from Elizebeth Bear)

Sheep Shagger · 03-01-2021 6:22pm

Beyond the tape - by former state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy.

Fascinating read, really enjoying it and she even throws in some humour.

TheRepentent · 03-01-2021 6:24pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Just finished the three body problem trilogy. Very good although drags a bit in places when it gets too philosophical/ physicsy.

There's loads of good Chinese Sci-fi over the last while. One reason I read sci-fi short stories as you sometimes get a heads up of upcoming authors.

appledrop · 03-01-2021 6:34pm

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Beyond the tape - by former state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy.

Fascinating read, really enjoying it and she even throws in some humour.

I'm going to start this one this week. Sounds good!

Sheep Shagger · 03-01-2021 7:58pm

appledrop wrote: »

I'm going to start this one this week. Sounds good!

It's really good, very interesting...enjoy!

Thargor · 05-01-2021 5:17pm

Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer, never read one of his books before, always had them down as mass market trash in my mind for some reason but Im totally sucked in by this, read it until 3am last night, it wont last until the weekend.

chops018 · 07-01-2021 11:14am

The Stand - Stephen King.

The girlfriend got me a Kindle for Christmas. Surprisingly enjoyable to read on.

I've read a few Stephen King novels, mostly enjoyed them, so thought I'd give this a go!

ILoveYourVibes · 07-01-2021 11:25am

chops018 wrote: »

The Stand - Stephen King.

The girlfriend got me a Kindle for Christmas. Surprisingly enjoyable to read on.

I've read a few Stephen King novels, mostly enjoyed them, so thought I'd give this a go!

im thinking of getting a kindle ..but worried it will give me headaches as my phone does when i read on it.

Do you like it?

fixXxer · 07-01-2021 11:38am

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

im thinking of getting a kindle ..but worried it will give me headaches as my phone does when i read on it.

Do you like it?

If its a paper-white then you can read it for as long as you would a normal book. It doesn't shine in your eyes the same way a phone does.

Nigel Fairservice · 07-01-2021 11:47am

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

im thinking of getting a kindle ..but worried it will give me headaches as my phone does when i read on it.

Do you like it?

It's completely fine. You'd nearly forget you're reading from an electronic device.

chops018 · 07-01-2021 11:56am

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

im thinking of getting a kindle ..but worried it will give me headaches as my phone does when i read on it.

Do you like it?

I love it so far. I actually find it easier to read than a book, in my opinion. No issues with light. The light is not like a phone or computer light in any way whatsoever.

07-01-2021 1:10pm

' you shot my dog and I love you'
anonymous author.

supposed to be a story written about the author's abusive childhood, set between England and Ireland in the 70s & 80s.
I'm doubting now if it is actually true, maybe some parts. Has anyone here read it?

Canis Lupus · 07-01-2021 2:32pm

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

im thinking of getting a kindle ..but worried it will give me headaches as my phone does when i read on it.

Do you like it?

Kindle is great. It's not like a phone screen at all. Do get the backlit one, it's as subtle as you want it to be and it's just handy for low/night reading. Genuinely couldn't be arsed with books for years since I made the swap. When you go on holiday one device, multiple books and the battery can last for weeks.

If you're into not paying.....books are easy to get as well from the bay of pirates as well....

nialler1978 · 07-01-2021 9:32pm

I got Marie Cassidy’s book as a present, I can only describe it as utter sh*te. A post retirement passion/cash project á la Seán O Rourke’s RTE project work before his golf outing and so many others who are on massive state pensions but feel the need to cash in some more. This is garbage.

07-01-2021 9:36pm

nialler1978 wrote: »

I got Marie Cassidy’s book as a present, I can only describe it as utter sh*te. A post retirement passion/cash project á la Seán O Rourke’s RTE project work before his golf outing and so many others who are on massive state pensions but feel the need to cash in some more. This is garbage.

Friend of mine actually bought it himself and literally ****ed it into the fire haha.

Foweva Awone · 09-01-2021 8:05pm

I'm a big fan of medical memoirs. Currently I'm devouring Reaching Down The Rabbithole by neurologist Allan Ropper. Pretty sure it's free on Kindle Unlimited. It's exceptionally good. All very accessible and understandable even if you don't have a medical background. Just the right balance between the science and the human side of it all ... He has great empathy and compassion. Some very funny anecdotes in there too. Would definitely recommend.

mariaalice · 09-01-2021 9:37pm

For Christmas, two different members of my family got me the same book: John Banville, Snow. I am about halfway through not particularly enjoying it.

eh i dunno · 09-01-2021 11:47pm

mariaalice wrote: »

For Christmas, two different members of my family got me the same book: John Banville, Snow. I am about halfway through not particularly enjoying it.

Read it recently and didn't enjoy it either. Very slow

appledrop · 09-01-2021 11:53pm

nialler1978 wrote: »

I got Marie Cassidy’s book as a present, I can only describe it as utter sh*te. A post retirement passion/cash project á la Seán O Rourke’s RTE project work before his golf outing and so many others who are on massive state pensions but feel the need to cash in some more. This is garbage.

I'm really enjoying it. I think she is very witty.

Thelonious Monk · 09-01-2021 11:53pm

A book about how the brain works called Mindsight, and how the author has applied the workings of the brain to therapy, very interesting. Also about to finish Bring up the bodies by Hilary Mantel, very good.
I read everything on kindle, they are great, although I find myself having too many books going at once as they're so easy to get.
Also I don't get to have a fancy bookcase behind me when on video calls.

Kalimah · 09-01-2021 11:54pm

Three quarters of the way through Shuggie Bain. Really excellent though gritty - the deprivation in 1970s Glasgow is unbelievable.
Read the Marie Cassidy one - waste of time but thankfully I hadn’t bought it.
Unorthodox is next - got it for 99p on the kindle. I’ve forgotten who wrote it - Deborah something. The film was on Netflix last year.

appledrop · 09-01-2021 11:59pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

A book about how the brain works called Mindsight, and how the author has applied the workings of the brain to therapy, very interesting. Also about to finish Bring up the bodies by Hilary Mantel, very good.
I read everything on kindle, they are great, although I find myself having too many books going at once as they're so easy to get.
Also I don't get to have a fancy bookcase behind me when on video calls.

Bringing up Bodies is definitely the best of three. The Mirror and Light was a let down after waiting so long for it to come out.

Don't get me wrong still good read but dragged a lit in places compared to other two. No need for it to be 900 pages.

appledrop · 10-01-2021 12:01am

Can I ask for those who hated Marie Cassidy book are you male?

Just wondering if people see if from differently perspective if male/ female.

Thelonious Monk · 10-01-2021 12:03am

appledrop wrote: »

Bringing up Bodies is definitely the best of three. The Mirror and Light was a let down after waiting so long for it to come out.

Don't get me wrong still good read but dragged a lit in places compared to other two. No need for it to be 900 pages.

If it's just Cremuel doing his thing I could prob read 900 pages of it.
I'll read it eventually but might need a break from that universe for a while when I finish BUTB.
I knew Anne B's fate but I've no idea what happened to Jane S or anything after that so at least there's an element of surprise in the next book.

KH25 · 10-01-2021 12:08am

Went through 2 Stephen King short stories this weekend: Blockade Billy and UR. Thought they were decent, Blockade Billy moreso. Moved on to B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton.

Kalimah · 10-01-2021 12:11am

appledrop wrote: »

Can I ask for those who hated Marie Cassidy book are you male?

Just wondering if people see if from differently perspective if male/ female.

No - female. I thought it wandered all over the place time wise and there was no structure to it either. Several comments re the murders of Brian Murphy (Annabels) and that lady and her daughters who were murdered in a fire in their house on Christmas Day didn’t sit well with me at all.

AndOne · 10-01-2021 12:12am

Allen Carr. Stop drinking now.

Finished it before Christmas. It has changed my life I'd recommend it to everyone. Absolutely everyone who's ever drank.

Kalimah · 10-01-2021 12:14am

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

If it's just Cremuel doing his thing I could prob read 900 pages of it.
I'll read it eventually but might need a break from that universe for a while when I finish BUTB.
I knew Anne B's fate but I've no idea what happened to Jane S or anything after that so at least there's an element of surprise in the next book.

I have it on my bookshelf still to read! I was champing at the bit to buy it when it was published but the sheer size of it precludes me from carrying it around on a bus so I’ll leave it a while longer!

appledrop · 10-01-2021 12:14am

AndOne wrote: »

Shop local. Buy some fruit and veg instead!!!

If anyone does want to shop locally I'd recommend the company of books in Ranleagh.

If you live near they actual deliver to you house, I'm in North County Dublin but just one set fee for postage so I got loads of books in one order during last lockdown.

The books arrived the next day!

You can keep amazon all you want especially now with brexit things taking weeks to arrive thats if they will even deliver here anymore!

appledrop · 10-01-2021 12:43am

Kalimah wrote: »

No - female. I thought it wandered all over the place time wise and there was no structure to it either. Several comments re the murders of Brian Murphy (Annabels) and that lady and her daughters who were murdered in a fire in their house on Christmas Day didn’t sit well with me at all.

Ah right, I was just wondering as I could see how male might not be as interested in parts when she was talking about what it is like being female in mainly male environment. I would agree it does wander a good bit but I didnt mind that.

Thats books for you very subjective each to their own.

AndOne · 10-01-2021 12:49am

appledrop wrote: »

If anyone does want to shop locally I'd recommend the company of books in Ranleagh.

If you live near they actual deliver to you house, I'm in North County Dublin but just one set fee for postage so I got loads of books in one order during last lockdown.

The books arrived the next day!

You can keep amazon all you want especially now with brexit things taking weeks to arrive thats if they will even deliver here anymore!

Charity book shops are the way to go. I've never walked by a shop without buying at least six top end books.

Rathmines charity shop is like easons every new top book 3 for 5 euro ðŸ‘Œ

megaten · 11-01-2021 11:30am

Started and finished Piranesi but Sussanah Clarke yesterday, was looking forward to it and it needed up bring pretty satisfying. Good book for the times considering the situation of the protagonist.

kildare lad · 11-01-2021 11:53am

I've just finished the Damian Seeker series of books written by S G MacLean.
They're about Damian , who'd be Oliver Cromwells top spy or agent in England. The books are very well written and have good plots , if anyone has any free time over the quarantine and likes historical fiction novels these are well worth it .

I'm nearly finished reading a Bernard Cornwall called The Archers Tale , it's another historical fiction book about an archer from England who goes to war in France in the 14th century . It's another excellent book from a great author

mariaalice · 11-01-2021 5:44pm

Given up on the John Banville book

https://www.easons.com/Rorys-Story-PB-en-us.aspx

Not something I would normally read, a really interesting book.

I actually think the content of the book would be a great thread on AH.

There is one astoundingly nasty review of the book on amazon. There seems to be something about anyone perceived as thick having the confidence to do something, it really seemss annoys people.

silliussoddius · 11-01-2021 6:11pm

kildare lad wrote: »

I've just finished the Damian Seeker series of books written by S G MacLean.
They're about Damian , who'd be Oliver Cromwells top spy or agent in England. The books are very well written and have good plots , if anyone has any free time over the quarantine and likes historical fiction novels these are well worth it .

I'm nearly finished reading a Bernard Cornwall called The Archers Tale , it's another historical fiction book about an archer from England who goes to war in France in the 14th century . It's another excellent book from a great author

That's a good series. Agincourt is also great.

fixXxer · 11-01-2021 6:22pm

I was given a copy of Old Ireland In Colour for christmas.

Not a story, but old photographs colourised and tidied up. Worth a look if you have an interest in Irish history.

breezy1985 · 11-01-2021 6:26pm

fixXxer wrote: »

I was given a copy of Old Ireland In Colour for christmas.

Not a story, but old photographs colourised and tidied up. Worth a look if you have an interest in Irish history.

Is it heavy on the Misty eyed ratch cottage stuff or does it also show that life for the hard dirty world it was ?

I love history and photography but am always weary of ye olde Ireland stuff

fixXxer · 11-01-2021 6:40pm

Nothing is romanticised, in my opinion just presented "as is". Some of the west of Ireland pictures look incredibly stark in colour, more real feeling than the black and white we're used to. I think I've said that right...

The instagram account is worth a look if you're on the fence about it.

Dial Hard · 11-01-2021 7:13pm

It's taking me forever to read The Mirror and the Light as it's so unportable. I do a lot of reading in the bath but it's not really an option with this. Raging I didn't bring my bath bridge with my when I moved home for lockdown.

I posted about Marie Cassidy's book when I read it. Interesting subject matter but all over the place. Her editor is more at fault than she is, imo. They're the professional.

breezy1985 · 11-01-2021 7:21pm

fixXxer wrote: »

Nothing is romanticised, in my opinion just presented "as is". Some of the west of Ireland pictures look incredibly stark in colour, more real feeling than the black and white we're used to. I think I've said that right...

The instagram account is worth a look if you're on the fence about it.

The instagram has sold me on it. I had seen a few pictures on Facebook but it was people fawning over the auld ones from the Aran islands and it put me off a bit but it looks really good judging by the other photos

gutenberg · 11-01-2021 7:46pm

Finished Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet and loved it, very moving.

About to start Barack Obama's autobiography A Promised Land. I got it for Christmas and it seems... topical?!

Collie D · 11-01-2021 8:01pm

When Nothing Else Matters by Michael Leahy

About Michael Jordan’s second comeback for the Washington Wizards. It was a present and to be honest I know nothing about basketball (didn’t even know he had multiple retirements or played for a team other than the Bulls). Interesting enough and doesn’t particularly paint him in a great light but probably more for basketball fans than the average reader. Will finish it though...still hoping for some sex and drugs.

kildare lad · 11-01-2021 8:02pm

silliussoddius wrote: »

That's a good series. Agincourt is also great.

Have it there, just havent got roubd to it yet. If you like historical fiction Conn iggulden did a great series on Genghis Khan.

silliussoddius · 11-01-2021 8:48pm

kildare lad wrote: »

Have it there, just havent got roubd to it yet. If you like historical fiction Conn iggulden did a great series on Genghis Khan.

Was thinking of reading that series, but went with his Wars of the Roses on instead. It's on my to read list.

Barna77 · 12-01-2021 10:47am

silliussoddius wrote: »

That's a good series. Agincourt is also great.

Is that part of a series too?

bladespin · 12-01-2021 11:54am

It's so easy - Duff McKagan, great storyteller I have to say, some life there.

Everlong1 · 12-01-2021 4:29pm

Just read Led By Donkeys, an enjoyable account of four British activists who started a guerilla poster campaign against Brexit where they put up billboards with quotes from the likes of Farage and Boris highlighting their stupidity.

https://twitter.com/bydonkeys/status/1113827097930280960

Reading Shane Ross's In Bed With the Blueshirts, a pleasant enough account of his time in Government.

What book are you reading atm?? CHAPTER TWO

Comments