The Twelve by Stuart Neville. Terrific thriller set in post Good Friday Agreement Northern Ireland. A former enforcer with the IRA is haunted by the ghosts of those whose deaths he was involved in, in order to free himself from their presence he has to kill the people that ordered the murders he commited. Sounds like a right load of old claptrap doesn't it? But it is so well written and with characters so believable it works. Very bloody and violent the story whips along at a frantic pace. I loved it.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, it's the third one of his (after 'How to Stop Time' and 'Humans') where I've got sucked in by the concept being really good, and then it's been... fine. Not bad, not that great, just fine.
It's a shame as I feel in other hands the concepts he comes up with could be amazing.
Praying for Sleep - Jeffrey Deaver. One of his earlier novels, a standalone thriller featuring an escaped murderous psychiatric patient on the hunt for revenge. The characters are well drawn, the plot is clever and ultimately the book becomes a page turner, but the start is very slow. I am glad I ploughed through the first 150 or so pages as the reward is a breathless ending with a great twist which you only partially see coming. I can't say anymore for fear of spoilers.
Gone - by Mo Hayder. The fifth Jack Caffery novel. Not quite as bloody as some of the previous novels in the series, but very harrowing as it involves kidnapped children. As always Caffrey's past is a big part of the story, and his relationship with the tramp known as "the walking man", who shares similar past experiences, develops further in this book. His colleague from the underwater unit, Flea Marley features heavily once again. You can read it as a standalone, but in my opinion it is better if you have read at least the previous book in the series - "Skin".
I'm not normally a big one for autobiographies but picked it up from a book swap thing at the station pre-lockdown and thought it might be worth a go as he's quite a character.
It's the story of Robert Moses who built a huge amount of New York. The highways, the expressways, bridges, the waterfronts, the beaches, the parks, residencies, Shea Stadium, Lincoln Centre, the United Nations, Triborough... He was a power unto himself, nobody could stop him, practically had his own private police force. An incredible book so far, won the Pulitzer Prize.
It's the story of Robert Moses who built a huge amount of New York. The highways, the expressways, bridges, the waterfronts, the beaches, the parks, residencies, Triborough... He was a power unto himself, nobody could stop him, he even had his own private police force. An incredible book so far, won the Pulitzer Prize.
Amazing book. Eagerly awaiting his final volume on LBJ
It's the story of Robert Moses who built a huge amount of New York. The highways, the expressways, bridges, the waterfronts, the beaches, the parks, residencies, Triborough... He was a power unto himself, nobody could stop him, he even had his own private police force. An incredible book so far, won the Pulitzer Prize.
Amazing book. Eagerly awaiting his final volume on LBJ
I've just bought the first one. Look forward to reading it.
Just finished What If? by Randall Munroe. Very entertaining piece of popular science, even though there was probably a little too much about acceleration and friction as a result of gravity for my personal liking.
I'm now a couple of chapters into Bill Bryson's The Body - An Occupants Guide. I always love a bit of Bryson, and this one doesn't look like it's about to disappoint.
Gone - by Mo Hayder. The fifth Jack Caffery novel. Not quite as bloody as some of the previous novels in the series, but very harrowing as it involves kidnapped children. As always Caffrey's past is a big part of the story, and his relationship with the tramp known as "the walking man", who shares similar past experiences, develops further in this book. His colleague from the underwater unit, Flea Marley features heavily once again. You can read it as a standalone, but in my opinion it is better if you have read at least the previous book in the series - "Skin".
So long since I read this series. I recall them all being good and the last one Wolf was my favourite. Her stand alone books were also good. Not sure what happened to Mo Hayder as nothing by her for ages
I got suggested a free book on my kindle ages ago so downloaded it, read it in about 3 evenings last week
Invasion by DC Aldren. Not particularly high brow compared to some of the stuff you big hitters are reading but am interesting concept, a well played out plot, proper beginning middle and ending. And I'll look out for the other books in the series now
Its set about 10 years in the future and the middle east including Turkey and large parts of Africa are now a singular Islamic state, a caliphate and they decide now is the time to invade Europe. Like I say, it isn't Tolstoy but its a good read and easy to keep up with and has some well placed humour especially with the caliphate troops back biting
Just finished, The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton.
Losing yourself in a good book sometimes means suspending 'normal' and allowing your imagination to take over. However, this well reviewed book was a step too far for me. There is no historical accuracy achieved - or even aimed for - as admitted by the author in his notes. Basically, the devil (referred to as 'Old Tom') goes about wrecking the lives and settling old scores of those aboard the Saardam in 1634 as it sails from Batavia to Amsterdam.
The plot line gets sillier and sillier and climaxes in a spectacularly silly fashion, but hey don't let me put you off, I may just be suffering from the lockdown blues.
Just finished What If? by Randall Munroe. Very entertaining piece of popular science, even though there was probably a little too much about acceleration and friction as a result of gravity for my personal liking.
I'm now a couple of chapters into Bill Bryson's The Body - An Occupants Guide. I always love a bit of Bryson, and this one doesn't look like it's about to disappoint.
I started Bill Bryson's The Body but found the number of facts crammed into each page rather overwhelming.
In fact they are roughly equivalent to the number of facts leaving my brain each day as the ageing process takes affect. I then considered the value of a book where my retention levels are so low. Would it be a complete waste of time? I mean I could hardly go on Mastermind and use this book as my specialist subject - no matter how recently I'd read it. It could be down to (as above) my general lockdown malaise, but in this case, I actually fear the worst.
Just finished What If? by Randall Munroe. Very entertaining piece of popular science, even though there was probably a little too much about acceleration and friction as a result of gravity for my personal liking.
I'm now a couple of chapters into Bill Bryson's The Body - An Occupants Guide. I always love a bit of Bryson, and this one doesn't look like it's about to disappoint.
I started Bill Bryson's The Body but found the number of facts crammed into each page rather overwhelming.
In fact they are roughly equivalent to the number of facts leaving my brain each day as the ageing process takes affect. I then considered the value of a book where my retention levels are so low. Would it be a complete waste of time? I mean I could hardly go on Mastermind and use this book as my specialist subject - no matter how recently I'd read it. It could be down to (as above) my general lockdown malaise, but in this case, I actually fear the worst.
I know what you mean, it is a bit rammed with forgettable facts. So far, the only fact that I know is going to stick with me is the only foolproof cure for male hair loss (castration, if anyone's wondering). I was thinking of putting a quiz round together (well, impossible guessing game really) with stuff like how many viruses can live in a litre of seawater? but there's no why I'll be remembering it myself.
Just finished His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrame Burnet. Superb book about a triple murder in the Highlands by a young crofter. It's part written testimony by the murderer (there was never any question that he did it), a criminologist and the trial transcript set in about 1860. Definitely recommend it
Just finished His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrame Burnet. Superb book about a triple murder in the Highlands by a young crofter. It's part written testimony by the murderer (there was never any question that he did it), a criminologist and the trial transcript set in about 1860. Definitely recommend it
Seconded, really good novel. Unbelievable how badly the crofters were treated.
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo. The third of the Harry Hole novels and so far the least enjoyable. It is one of those books where you could do with a "cast list" as there are not only a lot of characters, but the timeline jumps between WWII, the aftermath of WWII and present day. It is hard to follow at times, and to recall who is who. The plot is not bad, but the idea would probably work better on screen than on paper.
If you're looking for something a bit light-hearted and cheery, I've just finished The Diary Of A Nobody by brothers George and Weedon Grossmith. It's a comic novel - think Dad's Army style humour.
Finishing 'Angle of Repose' by Wallace Stegner. Beautiful writing. Don't want it to end. Gets people, relationships, the natural world. A great writer. Born in Canada, of course.
Comments
Nearly finished it, superb!
It's a shame as I feel in other hands the concepts he comes up with could be amazing.
Now onto Penelope Lively’s Consequences - 100 pages in, it’s excellent so far.
I'm not normally a big one for autobiographies but picked it up from a book swap thing at the station pre-lockdown and thought it might be worth a go as he's quite a character.
It's surprisingly dull.
A history of drugs in warfare
Lukasz Kamienski
A real eye opener for readers of military history.
It's the story of Robert Moses who built a huge amount of New York. The highways, the expressways, bridges, the waterfronts, the beaches, the parks, residencies, Shea Stadium, Lincoln Centre, the United Nations, Triborough... He was a power unto himself, nobody could stop him, practically had his own private police force. An incredible book so far, won the Pulitzer Prize.
I'm now a couple of chapters into Bill Bryson's The Body - An Occupants Guide. I always love a bit of Bryson, and this one doesn't look like it's about to disappoint.
Funnily enough reading his Last Picture Show at the moment.
Invasion by DC Aldren. Not particularly high brow compared to some of the stuff you big hitters are reading but am interesting concept, a well played out plot, proper beginning middle and ending. And I'll look out for the other books in the series now
Its set about 10 years in the future and the middle east including Turkey and large parts of Africa are now a singular Islamic state, a caliphate and they decide now is the time to invade Europe. Like I say, it isn't Tolstoy but its a good read and easy to keep up with and has some well placed humour especially with the caliphate troops back biting
Losing yourself in a good book sometimes means suspending 'normal' and allowing your imagination to take over. However, this well reviewed book was a step too far for me. There is no historical accuracy achieved - or even aimed for - as admitted by the author in his notes. Basically, the devil (referred to as 'Old Tom') goes about wrecking the lives and settling old scores of those aboard the Saardam in 1634 as it sails from Batavia to Amsterdam.
The plot line gets sillier and sillier and climaxes in a spectacularly silly fashion, but hey don't let me put you off, I may just be suffering from the lockdown blues.
In fact they are roughly equivalent to the number of facts leaving my brain each day as the ageing process takes affect. I then considered the value of a book where my retention levels are so low. Would it be a complete waste of time? I mean I could hardly go on Mastermind and use this book as my specialist subject - no matter how recently I'd read it. It could be down to (as above) my general lockdown malaise, but in this case, I actually fear the worst.
Enjoyed the first one, more gentle and familiar rather than dramatic, but not bad.
This one is OK but definitely a dip from the first.
I'm on a bit of a bad run with books, nothing amazing in a while!
Heard it was very dark and funny.
It's a bit dark and a bit funny. The premise promised a lot more.
My run of pretty average books continues....