Just finished Little Dorritt. A big rambling story that holds the attention despite some typical sentimental tosh from Dickens - Little Dorritt herself is such a winsome goody-goody you want to kick her. But what is great is the savage social satire about wealth and class and, above all, the incompetence of government which, in this case, hides behind the Circumlocution Office whose role is to stop anything useful getting done. It's brilliant. Nothing has changed
I actually think she's worse than Little Nell. The circumlocution office is basically a Victorian version of Jim Hacker's Ministry for Administrative Affairs
Just read "The savage detectives" by roberto bolano and it's incredible. Definitely not for everyone but i'm a stickler for non linear, seemingly individual stories that eventually all piece together.
Need to read that. Nazi Literature In The Americas is hilarious
And speaking of hilarious, I just read The Restraint Of Beasts by Magnus Mills. He pretty much invents Ben Wheatley. It's so weird and funny. Such a shame the film had to be abandoned
Started 'Kafka on the Shore' by Haruki Murakami a few days ago and am completely engrossed in it. First book I've read of his but if this one is anything to go by I will probably become a big fan of his. Anyone else read much Murakami?
Almost all of them. Hard Boiled Wonderland, A Wild Sheep's Chase and The Wind Up Bird Chronicles are my favourites - Kafka is up there too though.
Once you've read a couple, try David Mitchell's homage to Murakami - No 9 Dream.
I love Murakami, read everything apart from the latest two.
Spent most of this year in the company of Henry Green. His “Living” and “Loving” are probably his best known but his last two “Nothing” and “Doting “ absolutely superb. All of his books are subtly modernist, slightly experimental but nothing to frighten the horses.
Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novel from last year - Two Kinds of Truth. Excellent as ever, two and a half stories running alongside each other. Definitely influenced by the format of the TV series.
I have just started Strangers and Brothers by CP Snow. If is an 11 novel sequence. In about 1983 Anthony Burgess published a book listing his 99 favourite novels since WW2 and this collection is included. I have almost completed the 99 although Finnegan's Wake is one of them and that is unreadable.
I Just finished the new Barbara Kingsolver novel 'Unsheltered' I really love her novels and this did not disappoint . Two America's are juxtaposed, one of a time when the christians were fighting against the evil of science and darwinism, following the ideal of Man at the top of the tree and everything and everyone else being subservant, the other of modern day America, the anti immigrant stance of the older population and the growing dark shadow of climate change. Kingsolver writes brilliantly about everyday life in American households and communities and the intricate link to these and the environment.
The third in the Harry Hole detective series. Set in Norway near the turn of the millennium, but with non-linear narrative sections from the Second World War, Harry embarks upon a complex investigation against a backcloth of neo-nazis and the illegal arms trade. Very good.
Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor
A 13 year old girl disappears while on holiday in the Peak District and the novel explores how the lives of the locals are haunted by her family's loss. A very soulful and poetic novel, with a highly distinctive style. It has been widely acclaimed although I’m afraid that I couldn’t get on with this one.
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
Beginning in 1947, the five year old Gustav lives in a small Swiss town with his widowed and emotionally stilted mother. It is a lonely and, at times, tough existence for him until he befriends a young Jewish boy from a wealthy family, Anton. Thereafter, the novel traces their intense, lifelong friendship and gradually reveals the backstory of the other protagonists, including Gustav’s parents.
I found this a tender, insightful and beautifully written novel - highly recommended.
Who is your #1 thriller writer (if you read thrillers). I'm reading another David Baldacci "Deliver Us From Evil". He never disappoints.
Really like RJ Ellory. Very well written and generally unpredictable stories
Yes he's very good, I have read three of his and have "A Quiet Belief in Angels" lined up to read soon, also read Baldacci's "The Fix" and "Stone Cold". I enjoy Linwood Barclay's stuff. The Steig Larsson/David Lagercrantz Millenium Series are entertaining.
Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Jeffrey Deaver, Mo Hayder and Steve Berry are other favourites, among many others.
I would add to that Karin Slaughter, Chris Carter, MJ Arlidge, JT Ellison, Chelsea Cain and Peter James
Just finished Karin Slaughter's first novel - Blindsighted. Thanks for the recommendation BA. Great read, though a bit graphic with the murders at times.
Spent most of this year in the company of Henry Green. His “Living” and “Loving” are probably his best known but his last two “Nothing” and “Doting “ absolutely superb. All of his books are subtly modernist, slightly experimental but nothing to frighten the horses.
I'm two thirds of the way through a book called 'in the shadow of the high king'
Its mental, a bit game of thronesey and long. Worth it though, some horrible characters which always make a book easier to read and I have no idea where the story is going. It's the first book in a series or proposed series
I Just finished the new Barbara Kingsolver novel 'Unsheltered' I really love her novels and this did not disappoint . Two America's are juxtaposed, one of a time when the christians were fighting against the evil of science and darwinism, following the ideal of Man at the top of the tree and everything and everyone else being subservant, the other of modern day America, the anti immigrant stance of the older population and the growing dark shadow of climate change. Kingsolver writes brilliantly about everyday life in American households and communities and the intricate link to these and the environment.
I'll keep an eye out for this. I loved poisonwood Bible, and I've got flight behaviour on my groaning pile of books to read
I have just started Strangers and Brothers by CP Snow. If is an 11 novel sequence. In about 1983 Anthony Burgess published a book listing his 99 favourite novels since WW2 and this collection is included. I have almost completed the 99 although Finnegan's Wake is one of them and that is unreadable.
Interesting . I remember the Burgess book and nice to see Henry Green’s “Party Going “ made the 99.
Spent most of this year in the company of Henry Green. His “Living” and “Loving” are probably his best known but his last two “Nothing” and “Doting “ absolutely superb. All of his books are subtly modernist, slightly experimental but nothing to frighten the horses.
I have just started Strangers and Brothers by CP Snow. If is an 11 novel sequence. In about 1983 Anthony Burgess published a book listing his 99 favourite novels since WW2 and this collection is included. I have almost completed the 99 although Finnegan's Wake is one of them and that is unreadable.
Interesting . I remember the Burgess book and nice to see Henry Green’s “Party Going “ made the 99.
Just finished The Anti-death League by Kingsley Amis which is one of the 99. It's not one of his best known novels and I read a lot of his stuff many years ago.
Second Life by S.J. Watson. The follow up to the very successful "Before I go to Sleep" (which I haven't read). A psychological thriller, bit steamy at times, with a murder mystery thrown in. I thought it was written by a woman as the author seems to get under the skin of the female character at the centre of the story really well. Had I known more about it before I read it, it probably would not have appealed. But I would have been wrong. A worthwhile read.
Second Life by S.J. Watson. The follow up to the very successful "Before I go to Sleep" (which I haven't read). A psychological thriller, bit steamy at times, with a murder mystery thrown in. I thought it was written by a woman as the author seems to get under the skin of the female character at the centre of the story really well. Had I known more about it before I read it, it probably would not have appealed. But I would have been wrong. A worthwhile read.
Who is your #1 thriller writer (if you read thrillers). I'm reading another David Baldacci "Deliver Us From Evil". He never disappoints.
Really like RJ Ellory. Very well written and generally unpredictable stories
Yes he's very good, I have read three of his and have "A Quiet Belief in Angels" lined up to read soon, also read Baldacci's "The Fix" and "Stone Cold". I enjoy Linwood Barclay's stuff. The Steig Larsson/David Lagercrantz Millenium Series are entertaining.
Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Jeffrey Deaver, Mo Hayder and Steve Berry are other favourites, among many others.
I would add to that Karin Slaughter, Chris Carter, MJ Arlidge, JT Ellison, Chelsea Cain and Peter James
Just finished Karin Slaughter's first novel - Blindsighted. Thanks for the recommendation BA. Great read, though a bit graphic with the murders at times.
If that was graphic for you, Chris Carter is in a different league
Just finished a Val McDermid - Beneath the Bleeding. Cracking read, one of the Tony "Wire in the Blood" Hills series.
I've never read his stuff but he and I have the same love for T.S. Eliot. I have the lines "The Trilling wire in the blood/Sings below inveterate scars/appeasing long forgotten wars" tattooed on my arm.
Also, been reading a script of a comic series a friend is working on, but about to start finally reading Mark Danielewski’s novelette "The 50 Year Sword)
Who is your #1 thriller writer (if you read thrillers). I'm reading another David Baldacci "Deliver Us From Evil". He never disappoints.
Really like RJ Ellory. Very well written and generally unpredictable stories
Yes he's very good, I have read three of his and have "A Quiet Belief in Angels" lined up to read soon, also read Baldacci's "The Fix" and "Stone Cold". I enjoy Linwood Barclay's stuff. The Steig Larsson/David Lagercrantz Millenium Series are entertaining.
Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Jeffrey Deaver, Mo Hayder and Steve Berry are other favourites, among many others.
I would add to that Karin Slaughter, Chris Carter, MJ Arlidge, JT Ellison, Chelsea Cain and Peter James
Just finished Karin Slaughter's first novel - Blindsighted. Thanks for the recommendation BA. Great read, though a bit graphic with the murders at times.
If that was graphic for you, Chris Carter is in a different league
Yes - his are pretty gruesome, but for some reason I found Karin Slaughter's worse. Probably the sexual assault on the knife wound...
Comments
And speaking of hilarious, I just read The Restraint Of Beasts by Magnus Mills. He pretty much invents Ben Wheatley. It's so weird and funny. Such a shame the film had to be abandoned
Ian McEwan The Children Act
Very good so far
12 hours in hell. The true story of a heroic last stand.
Clinton Romesha.
An American base overrun by the Taliban.
Very detailed, very well written, possibly one of the best war books I've ever read.
This book provides more insight into what really is going on in America than anything you will watch on the mainstream media.
“Washington is not a swamp, it’s a giant moat.”
In about 1983 Anthony Burgess published a book listing his 99 favourite novels since WW2 and this collection is included. I have almost completed the 99 although Finnegan's Wake is one of them and that is unreadable.
The third in the Harry Hole detective series. Set in Norway near the turn of the millennium, but with non-linear narrative sections from the Second World War, Harry embarks upon a complex investigation against a backcloth of neo-nazis and the illegal arms trade. Very good.
Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor
A 13 year old girl disappears while on holiday in the Peak District and the novel explores how the lives of the locals are haunted by her family's loss. A very soulful and poetic novel, with a highly distinctive style. It has been widely acclaimed although I’m afraid that I couldn’t get on with this one.
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
Beginning in 1947, the five year old Gustav lives in a small Swiss town with his widowed and emotionally stilted mother. It is a lonely and, at times, tough existence for him until he befriends a young Jewish boy from a wealthy family, Anton. Thereafter, the novel traces their intense, lifelong friendship and gradually reveals the backstory of the other protagonists, including Gustav’s parents.
I found this a tender, insightful and beautifully written novel - highly recommended.
Have moved onto Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.
Its mental, a bit game of thronesey and long. Worth it though, some horrible characters which always make a book easier to read and I have no idea where the story is going. It's the first book in a series or proposed series
I’d heartily recommend all of them.
Will look out for this one.
Also, been reading a script of a comic series a friend is working on, but about to start finally reading Mark Danielewski’s novelette "The 50 Year Sword)