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[Will]

Just started The haunting of Hill House.

Anyone who complains about the number of commas I use will be referred to this in future

[Jud]

I haven't posted in here for ages but I won't list every book I've read since my last post.

I finished The Lady of the Rivers and Murder is Easy last night and I started Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I'm also reading Partners in Crime just now.

[Michael]

I've just finished Auto which I enjoyed a lot:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

I'm now onto The Only Genuine Jones

[Jim]

Just struck a run of PG Wodehouse and enjoying them :-)

[Nigel]

I've recently finished Fahrenheit 451, the bonus being that I can now spell Fahrenheit. It's a wonderful book and I'd recommend it.

Fahrenheit 451

If you're up for my thoughts, here they are:

One of the good things about books is that there are so many of them and that there will always be a gem out there to discover, no matter who you are or how much you read.
Fahrenheit 451 is one of the diamonds I’ve recently unearthed.
I saw the film of this a very long time ago and it made a strong impression, but I’d forgotten much of the plot and was left with a series of powerful images, mainly of burning.
The book’s tremendous on so many levels. Most importantly for me, it was engaging and dramatic from the beginning and the unfolding of the story was perfectly paced and gripping enough when it needed to be.
Montag is Fahrenheit 451. He’s a fireman. A book burner. He’s identical to all the other firemen he works with and he’s coming to something akin to a mid-life crisis.
He meets a young girl who helps to open his eyes. She’s special. She isn’t like most of the human race in this place because she appreciates conversation and nature and feelings. She’s also, I think, attractive enough to play hell with Montag’s desires. She acts as a mirror to his own life – a stale, loveless survival where things come too easily and where TV and ‘products’ act like anaesthetics against the human condition.
Montag has had enough of things, but has no idea why or what he’d like to replace them with.
As he explores his thoughts and feelings, he encounters or come up against a variety of characters. For example, Faber’s a book lover and his boss is an all-knowing weapon of society. His own wife and the community she lives in is dominated by wall-to-wall televisions and small talk.
There’s also a bizarre war on the horizon. It happens away from the citizens, but they know it’s coming. It’s a hugely disturbing element to the book, the cold and sinister inevitability of this conflict, I guess brought more to the fore with talk of attacking and killing Syrians who are also attacking and killing Syrians. Chilling.
I’m sure there are a huge variety of ways that one might unpick the various aspects of this book.
My take is that it got me thinking about the communication age of computers and apps. I suspect I let too much of my time be absorbed in these things and have to remember that on my doorstep there is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and that I have a wonderful family around me who mostly benefit from attention.
More unnervingly, I’ve recently found myself making mistakes with something in life and momentarily reassuring myself that it’s OK because I can press the undo button. That’s a bizarre feeling when it happens while you’re putting furniture together or have just smashed a vase or similar.
It’s interesting to see that some of the ideas of the story have been surpassed in terms of technology and yet the book suggests there’s more to come in terms of the way society evolves.
My other take was to remember just how well a story can be written. This one unfolds superbly and finishes with a dramatic flourish when things reach an inevitable crunch point.
I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to you if you haven’t paid a visit before.

[Natasha]

Just finished The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley, an account of taking mescaline as a controlled experiment. My review.

Just started Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson. I was intrigued to learn that it is written in the second person. 10% in so far. It's beautiful, easy love poetry.

[Elle]

i finally finished the last 3% of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

[Nigel]

I had a friend who was a psychonaut and he read The Doors of Perception and we spent many times enjoying a few experiments of our own. I'm pretty sure it wasn't just the blood sugar, not that I've read it. Perception is totally altered - colours sharpen, the mind plays with visual images in a way that makes halucinations as real as any other experience.
My friend's sadly no longer with us - maybe he had a bit too much fun on his journeys.
It's a reminder of him and a reminder that I always meant to read it. My only worry is that it might seem a little academic and dry. Before I try that one, I'm going to pull The Electric Kool Aid Acid test down and have a flick.

[Jud]

Elle wrote: "i finally finished the last 3% of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"

w00t!!!

GO ELLE!

[Elle]

it was getting embarrassing how long it was taking me to finish that last 10% or so

[Karen]

Finished The Holy Thief, which was entertaining and well written. Now going to start Elegy for April

[Stuart]

Just finished Butterfly Winter - incredible! Here is my review: http://stuartayrisblog.org/2013/09/04...

Just about to start Hunger - recommended by a great mate of mine (Ray in my books) so really looking forward to it!

[[deleted user]]

I haven't updated this thread for ages! I won't list everything I've read but just the highlights.

I've read two very good indie books which I would recommend:-

Sibel Hodge's The See-Through Leopard- http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-See-Throu... and Nigel Bird's How To Choose A Sweetheart - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

I've also finally got around to reading Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden- http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Forgotten... which I enjoyed, read my first book by E V Thompson God's Highlander- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gods-Highland... and a couple of Daisy Dalrymple books.

Although I am not getting much time to come online these days, I'm getting lots of reading done on the long journeys and waiting around that we seem to do for work!

[Michael]

Just finished Spitfire Women Of World War II

Fascinating stuff, I simply had no idea that so many female pilots were flying Spitfire and Lancasters around for the RAF. The prejudice they suffered with was appalling.

Will be starting Bomb Girls: Britain's Secret Army: The Munitions Women of World War II next.

[Elle]

finished The Walking Dead, Book One

[Natasha]

Nigel wrote: "My only worry is that it might seem a little academic and dry."

It is a tad, Nigel, yes. But there are some gems, and it's quite short (100 pages). Hadn't heard of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Have marked it to read :-) I also intend to re-read shortly The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge.

[Stuart]

I love The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and am one of those weird people that found Sometimes a Great Notion just as impressive as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

[Nigel]

A big thank you Karen.
And I'll take a look at Sometimes A Great Notion.

[Nigel]

Natasha (Diarist) wrote: "Nigel wrote: "My only worry is that it might seem a little academic and dry."

It is a tad, Nigel, yes. But there are some gems, and it's quite short (100 pages). Hadn't heard of The Electric Kool-..."

And I've just had a look at Yaqui, which looks very interesting - I'd like to know what you thought before taking a leap though.

[Kath]

Just finished Nigel Bird's How To Choose A Sweetheart. it's a lovely read - I had it recommended by our Karen (Kew) and I thoroughly enjoyed it -0 review to follow soon.

Just started Simon Jenner's Ethan Justice: Origins. Only 6% in but it's shaping up.

[Nigel]

I'm delighted by that Ignite. It's rare for one of my books to be called 'lovely', but it's a wonderful word to see here. Many thanks.

[Will]

Neverwhere is brilliant, twelvejan.

Try Gaiman's new one, The Ocean at the End of The lane. That's a candidate for his best ever in my book

[Jud]

I just finished Partners in Crime, The Mysterious Mr. Quin is up next.

[Steven]

I'm deffo going to try Nigels book, which such good recommendations how can it fail? Currently reading Black Friday the new release by Robert Mustamore. ;the are ya books really but i love his books and this one is shaping up nicely at 20 percent.

[Tim]

Michael wrote: "Just finished Spitfire Women Of World War II

Fascinating stuff, I simply had no idea that so many female pilots were flying Spitfire and Lancasters around for the RAF. The prejudice they suffered..."

I have that in my DTB pile... sounds like it's a worthwhile read.

[Michael]

It's a very worthwhile read, Tim!

[Jud]

I just finished chamber of secrets

[Simon]

Ignite wrote: "Just started Simon Jenner's Ethan Justice: Origins. Only 6% in but it's shaping up..."

Wow, thanks for giving it a try Ignite.

I've just finished The List - an enjoyable technothriller.

[Pat ()]

The See-Through LeopardExcellent read.

The Showing creepy

If Your Dream Doesnt Scare You, It Isnt Big Enough: A Solo Journey Around the World Interesting tale of a once in a lifetime trip.

[Karen]

Abandoned Elegy for April at 15 percent, as it's just too boring - they're still wittering on about has she gone away, is she really missing... this is crime fiction, for goodness sake! And I'd no idea where or when it was set for the first ten percent.
Now started The Woman Before Me and so far so good - a nice crisp style.

[Kath]

Simon wrote: "Ignite wrote: "Just started Simon Jenner's Ethan Justice: Origins. Only 6% in but it's shaping up..."

Wow, thanks for giving it a try Ignite.

I've just finished The List - an enjoyable technothri..."

Not just trying it - at 35% and gripped! (no, not griped!)

[Lexie]

Just whizzed through Dick Francis' Odds Against - bought it twenty years ago and have read it several times but not having read them for a while am now trying to go through them once more before consigning them to the attic. A great, action-packed quick read, and always something new to learn (how boilers work, in this one!)

[Simon]

Ignite wrote: "Not just trying it - at 35% and gripped! (no, not griped!) ..."

Great, fab - you've made my morning. Off to celebrate with a bacon sarnie! Have you got any of that jam tart left for afters??!!

[Kath]

I have! Shall I cut you a slice?

[Simon]

Ooh yes please. I can see I'm going to have to run further on the treadmill today just thinking about it though!

[Jamie]

The Twelve. Very good so far. I'm about 100 pages in so there's still a long way to go. But The Passage was great so I was keen to get into this. Assuming you like barren wastelands, end of the world, conspiracy, vampire stuff, this is right up your street.

[Nigel]

I'm back on with Derek Raymond's I Was Dora Suarez. The police here are something else, like the team from The Sweeney in some Absurdist theartre. It's completely engaging.

[Michael]

Today I am happy because, due to a post in a fantasy group I am in, I remembered one of my favourite books from primary school: Redwall

I can't really believe I forgot about this series, must be the alcohol, because I'm sure it's what got me down the library reading on a Saturday morning. Just bought Redwall, will aim to buy the complete series to read to my future family.

[Lorraine]

Finished Children of the Revolution,a bit slow to start,but soon found it's pace.Starting Io uccido for some reason the description is in italian,but it's i kill by giorgio faletti.

[Jim]

Michael wrote: "Today I am happy because, due to a post in a fantasy group I am in, I remembered one of my favourite books from primary school: Redwall

I can't really believe I forgot about this series, must be t..."

My daughter likes/liked them so I've read them all :-)

[Pat ()]

I read this after the Duncton wood ones I think or maybe the Stoner Eagles

[Will]

Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "The See-Through LeopardExcellent read.

The Showing creepy

If Your Dream Doesnt Scare You, It Isnt Big Enough: A Solo Journey Around the World Interesting tale of a once in a lifetime trip."

Thanks for looking at The Showing, Pat.

[Will]

Just feeling like a Nick Hornby marathon.

Starting with A Long Way Down

[Jim]

Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "I read this after the Duncton wood ones I think or maybe the Stoner Eagles"

I actually met the guy who wrote those books, he was on the same walking tour that I was on in Iceland

[Lance]

Just finished The Art Forger . It's a mystery, art procedural, historical quasi-romance, inside-the-art-world dish, and the well-rendered portrait of a young artist involved in shady doings. Four stars.

Read my review here.


Now starting Poison Pill , a corporate thriller.

[Mark]

Finished Emperor of Thornsa little while ago, A great end to a fab trilogy. Gave it 5 stars.
Then I just finished Deep Down: A Tale of the Cornish Mines. Not much in the way of a story but really, really interesting.
Not figured out what to start now. Maybe Three Men in a Boator something in the classic horror vein.

[Pat ()]

Will wrote: "Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "The See-Through LeopardExcellent read.

The Showing creepy

If Your Dream Doesnt Scare You, It Isnt Big Enough: A Solo Journey Around the World Interesting tale of a once in ..."

No, Thank you Will. I really enjoyed it.

[Pat ()]

Jim wrote: "Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "I read this after the Duncton wood ones I think or maybe the Stoner Eagles"

I actually met the guy who wrote those books, he was on the same walking tour that I was on in Ic..."

That is amazing, bet you had great chats around the camp fire so to speak.

[Stuart]

Mark wrote: "Finished Emperor of Thornsa little while ago, A great end to a fab trilogy. Gave it 5 stars.
Then I just finished Deep Down: A Tale of the Cornish Mines. Not much in the way of a story but really..."

I highly recommend Three Men in a Boat!

[Lexie]

Three Men in a Boat is one of my favourites! Read it so many times the paperback's falling apart.