Thread: What book are you reading right now?

Originally Posted by livelife

First post, right now I am reading "The Quiet American" which was actually posted already in this thread. I bought it in Vietnam. Its a small book so it should be a fairly quick read.

That made me laugh. My copy of The Quiet American was also bought during a trip to Vietnam. Must be one of those classic "pretentious tourist" things. Especially since I recall I was reading parts of it in The Majestic Hotel....

I am currently reading 'Feast Day Of Fools', by James Lee Burke. Burke is one of my very favorite fiction writers; he has written 32 books, of which this is the latest (published just weeks ago). Lyrical, almost poetic prose - an absolutely fantastic author. Center to his writing are the Dave Robicheaux novels, with several other novels starring Billy Bob Holland and Hackberry Holland. They are all rural lawmen, and the stories are tales of the good and bad people they encounter. I really like this guy - it's too bad he is in his 70's; I hope he still has many years and many more books in him. I had been looking forward to this new one for a year or two, and it certainly didn't disappoint! His heroes are flawed, and his criminals are truly evil personified. I encourage TD readers to check out his web page.

Originally Posted by jizzybloke

Currently reading a book I probably shouldn't mention on here so I wont.

hey, I am too

I also read some fools post who insisted that my posts were of no interest to him/her

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Originally Posted by livelife

First post, right now I am reading "The Quiet American" which was actually posted already in this thread. I bought it in Vietnam. Its a small book so it should be a fairly quick read.

That made me laugh. My copy of The Quiet American was also bought during a trip to Vietnam. Must be one of those classic "pretentious tourist" things. Especially since I recall I was reading parts of it in The Majestic Hotel....

HAHA yeah. Not only that though, but I paid literally nothing for it. Then I opened up the book and a few pages are literally unreadable. The ink is so faded. I guess you get what you pay for. LOL.

A bloody good read this one, and quite accessible.

Mac OS X for dummies oh well

Just finishing reading this:



It's too complicated a book to sum up briefly, but it is basically a satirical socialist diatribe against the poverty and deprivations endured by working class people in early 20th century Britain, told through the story of a firm of painters and decorators. It is, however, much more readable and funny than that description suggests, and is still very relevant in many ways today.

The author died of TB just after completing this book, his life's work, so never saw it published. He was a painter and decorator himself, and the main protagonist in the book is the instrument to voice the his socialist views.

Well worth a read, especially for anyone who has worked in construction for the easily recognisable charachter types, but is not short at over 700 pages and is maybe not to everyones taste.

Picked up this book a few days ago:




Engrossing and a page turner. A huge scope, the whole of the second word war. The book deftly weaves personal and political, strategies and stories, putting people first, but still managing to cover the sweep of the great events.

Only a quarter of the way through so far, but up to now, highly, highly recommended.

Thanks for that nidhogg. I'm going book shopping today, so good timing.

When it comes to military history anything by Max Hastings, Antony Beevor or John Keegan is worth reading.

'Undaunted Courage' by Stephen E. Ambrose (Band of Brothers). The story of Lewis and Clark and the opening of the American west.

Just starting this;




Good so far.

^ Well done.

On page 533 of 898... Quite an investment this one, but keeps me away from real work, so well worth it...

Anybody read this?

^ finished it. Short novel material really, don't know how they had the arrogance to sell it as a book in its own right... I don't like this writer or his work.

Next (another short and easy read that I read a few years ago, but as its hanging around thought I'd give it another go...)

Shocking.

Merry Christmas!

Just got it for Chrismas! Can't wait to read it.

A mate of mine bought me this recently.



He might be implying that I need to man-tfu but its a pretty good all round guide to how to be the perfect gent and regaining the lost art of manliness.
About 20% spoof and the rest a rivetting guide to grooming, manners, manly arts, and raising "resilient" kids, this is a must have item for the modern gent.

Glen Duncan - The Last Werewolf



Intelligently written 1st person narrative from the perspective of the last werewolf alive. He is 200 years old and the last one left since a virus stopped there reproduction.

There is love, lust, horror and sharp commentary on the state of things in this, very funny at times, blood curdler.

George Orwell-Homage to Catalonia

First time I've read this and I'm really enjoying it, haven't read an Orwell book yet that I've disliked!

Nice ones Looper and khmen.

I'm now reading Karin Slaughter's Skin Priviledge. I read Faithless a little while back, and I had bought Broken at a book sale. On the back cover of Broken, they mention someone's death. I really wanted to read the book in which this death happens, but unfortunately, Karin Slaughter has decided to add a lot of empty text with far too long descriptions of place or events.

I just want to get through it, to the death, and get on to Broken.

Here are the synopses:

Faithless:
Book Description Publication Date: August 30, 2005
“Brilliant plotting, relentless suspense,” raved the Washington Post. “A new synonym for terror,” crowned the Detroit Free Press. The critics agree: no one writes suspense like Karin Slaughter, whose thrillers featuring medical examiner Sara Linton and her ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, have propelled her to the top of bestseller lists the world over. Now Slaughter fuses her unmatched grasp of forensic science and a mastery of complex relationships in a riveting tale of faith, doubt, and murder.

The victim was buried alive in the Georgia woods—then killed in a horrifying fashion. When Sara Linton and Jeffrey Tolliver stumble upon the body, both become consumed with finding out who killed the pretty, impeccably dressed young woman. And for Sara and Jeffrey, a harrowing journey begins, one that will test their own turbulent relationship and draw dozens of lives into the case.



Lena Adams is one of them. A Grant County detective for years, she has her own reasons for being drawn to this case and a fierce drive to see justice done. For these three people, who have each seen the darkest side of human nature, the body of the murdered girl is but the first in a series of shocking and sordid revelations.

Now, as Jeffrey and Sara narrow the field of suspects, they must confront their own doubts and indiscretions, while Lena Adams sees herself reflected in the frightened eyes of a battered woman who may be the key figure in the case. As Faithless builds to a stunning and unforgettable climax, Karin Slaughter masterfully brings together strands of interlocking lives, family secrets, and hidden passions with one astounding truth: the identity of a killer who is more evil and dangerous than anyone could have guessed.

Skin Priviledge
Read an excerpt of Skin Privilege/Beyond Reach
IT’S NO SIMPLE CASE OF MURDER

Lena Adams has spent her life struggling to escape her past. She has only unhappy memories of Reece, the small town which nearly destroyed her. She’s made a new life for herself as a police detective in Heartsdale, a hundred miles away - but nothing could prepare her for the violence which explodes when she is forced to return. A vicious murder leaves a young woman incinerated beyond recognition. And Lena is the only suspect.

When Heartsdale police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, Lena’s boss, receives word that his detective has been arrested, he has no choice but to go to Lena’s aid – taking with him his wife, medical examiner Sara Linton. But soon after their arrival, a second victim is found. The town closes ranks. And both Jeffrey and Sara find themselves entangled in a horrifying underground world of bigotry and rage –- a violent world which shocks even them. A world which puts their own lives in jeopardy.

Only Jeffrey and Sara can free Lena from the web of lies, betrayal and brutality that has trapped her. But can they discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

And finally Broken, which I'll start once I get through this one:

When the body of a young woman is discovered deep beneath the icy waters of Lake Grant, a note left under a rock by the shore points to suicide. But within minutes, it becomes clear that this is no suicide. It's a brutal, cold-blooded murder. All too soon former Grant County medical examiner Sara Linton - home for Thanksgiving after a long absence -- finds herself unwittingly drawn into the case. The chief suspect is desperate to see her but when she arrives at the local police station she is met with a horrifying sight -- he lies dead in his cell, the words 'Not me' scrawled across the walls. Something about his confession doesn't add up and deeply suspicious of the detective in charge, Lena Adams, Sara immediately calls the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Shortly afterwards, Special Agent Will Trent is brought in from his vacation to investigate. But he is immediately confronted with a wall of silence. Grant County is a close-knit community with loyalties and ties that run deep. And the only person who can tell the truth about what really happened is dead.

Originally Posted by khmen

Shocking.

Merry Christmas!

Very good book. As hard to read as it is good. Really haunting.

not bad, till the end where he reackons he put a gps tracking bug in her head, supposed to be a true story though....6/10

Is he a brain surgeon?