What are you reading at the moment?

15622 Views 203 Replies 12 Participants Last post by jiwawa, 4 d ago

GMJ

Discussion Starter · Feb 23, 2022

Aside from the news, are you a reader? Avid or occasional?

I have just finished the new John Grisham novel - The Judges List - and it was excellent; well up to his normal standard. I will need to start a new afternoon book today.

At night I am currently reading Ian Fleming's Dr No on my kindle. Always a good read the Bond books (Im trying to do them in order) and around 200 pages too. How they manage to make 3 hour films out of them I don't know!

What about you folks?

Reactions: 2

181 - 200 of 204 Posts

GMJ

Discussion Starter · #181 · 3 mo ago

I finished The Spy who loved me the other day and realised that I couldn't remember the film version at all.

I started Centennial by James A Mitchener which is interesting to say the least. It's also very long!

jiwawa

· #182 · 3 mo ago

After weeks of no reading I decided I was never going to get interested in Miss Salander in the 2nd of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books. So I gave it up n started the 2nd in Jean Auel's trilogy, the Valley of Horses. They're children's books apparently but fascinating.

Pudsey_Bear

· #183 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Brilliant series Jean, (not a trilogy though) it does get a bit weak and confused and quite a lot of repetition in the later ones, I read them about 20 years ago in paperback then when I got my Kindle I got them for that and read them again.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_M._Auel#Bibliography

I started this one yesterday, talk about a titter, very naughty with lots of swearing but hugely funny, guffaw away in this sample (or not)

Written partially by the dog.

The last dog on earth

www.google.co.uk

The Last Dog on Earth

Every dog has its day...And for Lineker, a happy go lucky mongrel from Peckham, the day the world ends is his: finally a chance to prove to his owner just how loyal he can be. Reg, an agoraphobic writer with an obsession for nineties football, plans to wait out the impending doom in his second...

www.google.co.uk

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

jiwawa

· #184 · 2 mo ago

Pudsey_Bear said:
Brilliant series Jean, (not a trilogy though)

Ah, that's good to know Kev, tho I'm sure I'll be dead n gone by the time I get anywhere near the end of the 6 books! My idea that it was a children's series might have been a misread of the blurb 'Auel's first three books in her Earth's Children series'. Actually, that's good to hear cos there was a pretty hot sex scene in the current book 😂

Reactions: 1

Pudsey_Bear

· #185 · 2 mo ago

Yes it does get a bit that way several times and extremely violent too in places, obviously intelligent guesswork but quite believable.

Earth children is a reference to the earliest pre humans the "flatheads" and then what I think she is a **** sapiens blue eyed blond Scandinavian child.

It's all very much pre civilisation, 2m years ago I think.

It starts to get really good when the Wolf and the horses come in.

I'm not normally into book series but that was a good one.

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

jiwawa

· #186 · 2 mo ago

Pudsey_Bear said:
she is a **** sapiens blue eyed blond Scandinavian child.

😂😂 Don't talk dirty Kev!

Reactions: 2

GMJ

Discussion Starter · #187 · 2 mo ago

I finished Centennial by James A Mitchener last night. A real epic tale of the taming of the wild west in the USA. I can recall it was serialised for TV in the late 70's so I think I'll get the DVD's to watch. It's a long book: well over 1200 pages.

I started Shock Wave by Clive Cussler last night as a replacement.

GMJ

Discussion Starter · #188 · 1 mo ago

For my latest afternoon book I have started Peaky Blinders: The Real Story by Carl Chinn. It explodes the myths about the TV series but also reinforces the truths.

erneboy

· #189 · 1 mo ago

Just finished Held in Contempt by Hannah White, informative, and moved on to Ship of Fools by Fintan O'Toole which covers the bursting of the Celtic Tiger bubble. I though I knew a good deal about that. Turns out there was loads I didn't know. It's a story of horrifically stupid behaviour and the deliberate absence of regulation.

GMJ

Discussion Starter · #190 · 1 mo ago

For my night time Kindle book I finished Shock Wave by Clive Cussler - standard, gripping Cussler stuff - and have continued my efforts to read some of the classics so have started Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

GMJ

Discussion Starter · #191 · 1 mo ago

I finished Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs last night and what a rip-snorter of a read it was! I can see why it spawned so many sequels and films etc as it was a really good read. Whilst it was certainly of it's time, the descriptive writing and fast moving pace made it compulsive.

Reactions: 1

Pudsey_Bear

· #192 · 29 d ago

Finished The Last Dog on Earth last night, a good read if a bit odd, he's written two others which I've ordered off eBay.

I started this this morning and it looks like it might be good, quite amusing in parts.

www.amazon.co.uk

Frankie: The Autobiography of Frankie Dettori: Amazon.co.uk: Dettori, Frankie: 9780007176878: Books

Buy Frankie: The Autobiography of Frankie Dettori 2nd Revised ed. by Dettori, Frankie (ISBN: 9780007176878) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

I normally get my books in charity shops or donate for them in garden centres or supermarkets.

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

GMJ

Discussion Starter · #193 · 25 d ago

I finished my afternoon book Peaky Blinders: The Real Story by Carl Chinn and swapped it at the on site book swap place for a John Grisham that I haven't read - The Last Juror - which is shaping up nicely.

erneboy

· #194 · 25 d ago

Blood and Iron, the story of the German Empire and the making of modern Germany by Kayja Hoyer.

A tale intrigue and deception, Bismarck's part and ambition, disconnection, nationalism, hubris and a degree of stupidity, Kaiser Wilhelm II's part.

jiwawa

· #195 · 25 d ago

I finished Valley of the Horses - a bit too much concentration on sex it seemed to me (there'll be a rush on sales now 😂) - but I'm not ready yet to take on the hugely long sequel.

Reactions: 1

Pudsey_Bear

· #196 · 16 d ago

I used to have it in hardback but gave it away, now have it all on Kindle, dunno if there is a way to copy it off.

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

dghr272

· #197 · 12 d ago

Just finished Alastair Campbell’s ‘But what can I do’, on Audible, yes I know he himself is often ridiculed, but his in-depth inside knowledge of politics is worth a listen/read. It covers varies campaigns and explains how and why the Leave camp won the EU referendum.

“Our politics is a mess. Leaders who can't or shouldn't be allowed to lead. Governments that lie, and seek to undermine our democratic values. Policies that serve the interests of the privileged few. It's no surprise that so many of us feel frustrated, let down and drawn to ask, 'But what can I do?”

Terry

PS his numerous podcasts ‘The Rest is Politics’ with Rory Stewart with various interesting guests are also well worth a listen.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

erneboy

· #198 · 11 d ago (Edited)

I'll give that a go thanks Terry.

Just listening to Tory Nation by Samuel Earle. Also well worth a listen.

Reactions: 1

jiwawa

· #199 · 11 d ago

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup is a nonfiction book by journalist John Carreyrou, released May 21, 2018. It covers the rise and fall of Theranos, the multibillion-dollar biotech startup headed by Elizabeth Holmes.

Recommended by my nephew in Graz who's in the chip business (not potatoes!) - he says the 'Fake it till you make it' ideology is still very much alive and well. What I've read so far, the original idea was commendable but it becomes merely an exercise in making money and hiding the fact that their technology is way below par; and being prepared to play with people's lives really, I pursuit of that wealth.

Reactions: 1

dghr272

· #200 · 10 d ago

erneboy said:
I'll give that a go thanks Terry.

Just listening to Tory Nation by Samuel Earle. Also well worth a listen.

Jeez Alan just finished chapter four, had to take a break as I could feel my BP rising. Have always realised that the Tories were for the elite and aristocracy, but hearing the detail and the involvement of the British monarchy was something else. They say the monarchy stays out of politics although their input in getting their distant relation David Cameron a leg up blows a hole in that thought.

It’s really is quite depressing how the Conservatives have continuously morphed to perpetuated their place amongst the elite and how the electorate still doff their caps to all these shysters.

Terry

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