NSC Book Club

[Barrel of Fun]

Entirely fairy nuff, I wasn't criticising and I certainly enjoyed it. I've also read Gorman's Googlewhack book which is in a similar vein however Wallace is easily a better writer.

Have you read Yes Man too?

I have been recommended to read it by a good friend. Plenty of my buddies have told me I am a 'Yes Man' and reading it might change my life.

The one that recommended it promptly asked me to cat sit, despite having plans, and I said yes.

 

[Colossal Squid]

I've not seen the film and I thought it was a decent read but like Join Me you have to be aware that the writer is no genius HOWEVER what comes across is a decent message and I thought it was well worthy of the few hours it took me.

Danny Wallace seems a likeable guy but he's no Kingsley Amis

 

[Stat Brother]

I've ordered my copy of 'Cycling Home from Siberia', on your recommendation BoF, hopefully I'll get it tomorrow.

Well thank you very much, BoF.
I've just finished 'Cycling', and really enjoyed it.
The fact that I've read it in 'just' 2 weeks while surrounded in general family madness, shows how much I enjoyed it.

Thanks again.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

A Week In December - Sebastian Faulks (paperback edition picked up at Gatwick) - 8.7

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Well thank you very much, BoF.
I've just finished 'Cycling', and really enjoyed it.
The fact that I've read it in 'just' 2 weeks while surrounded in general family madness, shows how much I enjoyed it.

Thanks again.

Good stuff!

I've got a bit behind on my reading...

Those that I can remember:

Dead Simple - Peter James - 8.3
Twilight - Peter James - 7.2
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - Brian Mealer - 9.4
A Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger - 8.8 (again!)
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale - 6.8


Really looking forward to the release of 'Days with My Father' - Stephen Toledano

Phillip Toledano - Days with My Father

 

[Stat Brother]

Is Dead Simple your 1st Roy Grace novel?
If it is then IMHO that will be the highest mark he will receive.

I thought they were great books with the added bonus of being local, but he fills each new novel with more and more back story, from all the previous ones.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Danny Wallace seems a likeable guy but he's no Kingsley Amis

Agreed. You do feel like you are reading a glossy magazine (FHM/Maxim) through most of his books.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Is Dead Simple your 1st Roy Grace novel?
If it is then IMHO that will be the highest mark he will receive.

I thought they were great books with the added bonus of being local, but he fills each new novel with more and more back story, from all the previous ones.

It is. He is a family friend and gave me the Alchemist a long time ago. Never really got into that, so ignored the rest of his books.

I liked the plot, the settings (obviously) and I am a bit of a crime fiction fanatic. The mark is a little too high as I don't think it was particularly well written. I will definitely give some more of them a go as I did enjoy it on the whole.

 

[Stat Brother]

Talking of Sebastian Faulks, I've had Engleby by my side of the bed, since at least christmas. To date I've always looked at it a little cautiously, is it worth getting through the 1st page?

 

[Stat Brother]

I liked the plot, the settings (obviously) and I am a bit of a crime fiction fanatic. The mark is a little too high as I don't think it was particularly well written. I will definitely give some more of them a go as I did enjoy it on the whole.

Good I'd like to know what you think, as to whether I'm being a little harsh.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Talking of Sebastian Faulks, I've had Engleby by my side of the bed, since at least christmas. To date I've always looked at it a little cautiously, is it worth getting through the 1st page?

I can't help you on that front, but it is a book I have been eyeing up. You'll have to let me know!

I have really enjoyed all of his books I have read so far...The Girl at the Lion d'Or, Birdsong, Charlotte Gray, On Green Dolphin Street and Devil May Care.

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm glad this has popped up again, as it's reminded me of an idea I've been mulling over.

How about an NSC paperback book share scheme?
Either someone puts up a title and the 1st to reply has it sent to them (hence the paperback bit!)

Or perhaps, 'i'll swap crime fiction for humour'.

The only condition being, once a book enters the scheme, it never sits on a shelf, again.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I like that idea.

Perhaps we can eventually save on postage and ask the Project Office if there is space for a book stall at Falmer.

 

[The Merry Prankster]

Talking of Sebastian Faulks, I've had Engleby by my side of the bed, since at least christmas. To date I've always looked at it a little cautiously, is it worth getting through the 1st page?

Mrs MP says yes.

 

[Trufflehound]

Talking of Sebastian Faulks, I've had Engleby by my side of the bed, since at least christmas. To date I've always looked at it a little cautiously, is it worth getting through the 1st page?

It's not one of SF's best, and it's certainly different from his others. But it's not bad. Worth persevering with, as I didn't like it at first, but grew into it.

The main drawback is it's very hard to sympathise with the lead character.

 

[Stat Brother]

It's not one of SF's best, and it's certainly different from his others. But it's not bad. Worth persevering with, as I didn't like it at first, but grew into it.

The main drawback is it's very hard to sympathise with the lead character.

Well I finished it.
As a rule I dip in and out of a book until such time as it draws me in, the lack of sympathy made it a tricky read.
I found I could only read when I had nothing else, so I took it camping a few weeks ago!.
I certainly won't give it a glowing recommendation but there were aspects I did enjoy, and since finishing I've given the book some thought, so it couldn't have been all bad!.

I can't help thinking in x amount of years time, I might go at it again.
Bizarrely, knowing the end might actually improve the rest of the book.