Books

[pintsofguinness]

Who read it for you?

Your wife! 

[oakleafer]

Life of Pi - agree with the other lads, stick with it, it's a fantastic read.

Other books which I've read recently worthy of recommendation:

Vernon God Little - it's a great read once you get into it. A satire on American culture as a small town in Texas looks for a scapegoat after a school shooting.

Last Man Standing - a year in the life of Hurling Goalkeepers - written by Christy O'Connor, he gets up close and personal with all the key hurling goalkeepers for one summer of championship hurling (2004 I think). It gives a great insight into the dedication these lads show, and even moreso into the isolation that a hurling goalkeeper can feel if mistakes are made - some of the abuse these lads get from 'fans' is unreal.

Any Irvine Welsh book - not everyones cup of tea, but if you can get to grips with the writing style (completely scottish dialogue, 'ya ken wha ay mean') his stories are first rate. Most people have seen trainspotting, so if you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy reading Glue, Porno or Filth.

[Billys Boots]

"Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic" by Tom Holland

J70, I read that a few years ago on holidays, it was great.  I've his newer one about Persian history lined up for this year, and Anthony Beevor's book on the Spanish Civil War too.

[thejuice]

Just finished, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, the storey of the demise of Native Americans in the face of the European invasion. Its a harrowing storey told from the Native Americans point of view which can make it biased at times as it doesnt really account for the atrocities that they themselves commited against the Europeans but it definatley accounts for the hardship and abuse they got. Hard to read at times as some of the cruelty would sicken you, but its informative and shows that what it really boiled down to, to quote from "Cool Hand Luke", failure to communicate.

At the moment reading Moby Dick, its a great book, only at the beginning, still yet to meet Ahab.

[guy crouchback]

was in the book shop on saturday just looking aroung when i spotted  ''for whom the bells toll'' by hemmingway and i realised i had never read it. so i bought it and went home and starting reading.

Jesus Christ, what a book and what a writer. for anyone who has not read it put it on the holiday book list.

[Fishead_Sam]

Last Man Standing - a year in the life of Hurling Goalkeepers - written by Christy O'Connor, he gets up close and personal with all the key hurling goalkeepers for one summer of championship hurling (2004 I think). It gives a great insight into the dedication these lads show, and even moreso into the isolation that a hurling goalkeeper can feel if mistakes are made - some of the abuse these lads get from 'fans' is unreal.

Good book Oakleaf, read it too.

[mouview]

Just finished "A secret life"  - an account of Rychard Kuklinski, a high-ranking Polish army officer who passed Warsaw Pact secrets to the CIA at the height of the Cold War in the hope that it would help prevent invasion and annihilation of his country and possibly WWIII in Europe. His ideals were noble but many former colleagues thought him a traitor, something which hurt him in later years.

[Declan]

Just started "Until i find You" by John Irving. first couple of chapters have whetted the appetite

[Billys Boots]

Keep us posted on the John Irving book Declan - do you not find his form has seriously disimproved over the past five or so books?

[Declan]

do you not find his form has seriously disimproved over the past five or so books?

Did a bit alright Billy. Couldn't get into Son of the Circus at all but the Widow for One Year was OK. I think he was always going to struggle to reproduce a work similar to "A Prayer for Owen Meany" but the reviews of this one are good but I'll hold my judgement until I finish it.

[Billys Boots]

I've been struggling since 'Hotel New Hampshire' myself. 

[Main Street]

I have just finished "Tarry Flynn". It's uncanny but Tarry's mother is the spittin image of my own.

I have just started  "Why Men don't listen and women can't read maps".
I'm inspired to move to Australia because in that book I read that in a survey conducted anon (no spoofing), men in their 40's have sex on average 78 times a year. Though it doesnt say with what. Maybe I would have put in an extra few q's in that survey.

[stephenite]

Agree with the comments re Irving - but as Dec said the chances of him ever writing anything better than A Prayer for Owen Meaney are slim

[The Iceman]

Tuesdays with Morrie

Check it out - one of the best books I ever read

Ireland by Frank Delaney - classic

[Yer Ma]

Just read 'Damned United' about Brian Clough's ill fated spell at Leeds and also his rise through management - it's an excellent read, part fact and fiction, highly recommended.

I'd also recommend 'Stuart: A Life Backwards' a true story about a homeless man and how he came to be on the streets - a moving and funny story.

Life of Pi is good, though I'd be interested to hear what people think of the ending and what it means in relation to the comment on the cover about making you believe in God.