[Misc] What Book are you Currently Reading?

[Sweeney Todd]

Sailing By, a novel by Darren John Wilson…It is set in Lancing and is well worth reading.

 

[Megazone]

The secret.

The book is working wonders. Recommend it to anyone.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

"Coaching Confidential: Inside the fraternity of NFL Coaches" by Gary Myers. Great look at some of the games best ever Head Coaches & their most (in)famous moments in the league. Really interesting read if you are an American Football fan.

Also reading "My Family and other Animals" by Gerald Durrell again. I've read it most summers since I left school in 1991....my favourite ever book to read on a sunny day & balmy evening....Superb.

 

[blue'n'white]

Just finished "The Silk Road" by Colin Falconer

It's a really good read (as are most of his books). Inspired by this I've just bought the first two books of the "Brethren " trilogy by Robyn Young dealing with the similar period in history. The best part was obtaining good quality second hand copies for 1p from Amazon !

 

[tinycowboy]

"Coaching Confidential: Inside the fraternity of NFL Coaches" by Gary Myers. Great look at some of the games best ever Head Coaches & their most (in)famous moments in the league. Really interesting read if you are an American Football fan.

Also reading "My Family and other Animals" by Gerald Durrell again. I've read it most summers since I left school in 1991....my favourite ever book to read on a sunny day & balmy evening....Superb.

You've reminded me that I missed the last two episodes of The Durrells on ITV. Shame, because I was enjoying it as good Sunday evening telly. Have to see if it's still on catch-up somewhere....

 

[Alba Badger]

I Am Pilgrim, Misogynistic, Unrealistic and very silly, apart from that its great!

 

[Marshy]

I Am Pilgrim, Misogynistic, Unrealistic and very silly, apart from that its great!

Yep, but would make a good film

 

[Buzzer]

Just finished reading the last of the six shortlisted Man Booker Internationals... Yan Lianke 'The Four Books'. It starts off as a highly satirical, kafkaesque tale of life inside a re-education camp during the Chinese cultural revolution - all the prisoners are hell-bent on collecting enough tokens to be able to return home. It reminded me of Catch-22 and the number of missions each pilot has to fly before getting leave. About 2/3rds through though, it stops being funny and is just so bleak - no wonder the book is banned by the Chinese authorities. In my completely amateur opinion this book shades the Han Kang book as my choice as winner from the shortlist.

 

[spence]

Anyone recommend a book on hostage survival, Something like Terry Waite or even surviving Auschwitz ? No formal soldiers please.

 

[Gwylan]

Anyone recommend a book on hostage survival ... or even surviving Auschwitz ?

Primo Levi was an Auschwitz survivor and wrote several books about his experiences. If this is a man is probably the best, but all are worth reading.

 

[spence]

Primo Levi was an Auschwitz survivor and wrote several books about his experiences. If this is a man is probably the best, but all are worth reading.

Have you read his books? I maybe over thinking here but why the need to write several books on the same subject ? Do you think he could be milking it a bit or is that unfair?

 

[HantsSeagull]

Stormbird Book 1 in War of the Roses trilogy (so far) by Conn Iggulden. Excellent if you like historical fiction

 

[Don Quixote]

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

 

[Gwylan]

Have you read his books? I maybe over thinking here but why the need to write several books on the same subject ? Do you think he could be milking it a bit or is that unfair?

I have read all his books. He was a fine writer and relates both how hellish it was and the humanity he found there. I don't think someone who had been through Auschwitz and who experienced the need to tell the world about it can really be accused of 'milking it'.

It profoundly affected Levi who, despite his success as a writer, couldn't cope with the guilt of survival and committed suicide 40 years after the end of the war. He was a fine writer though, one well worth reading

 

[basque seagull]

I have read all his books. He was a fine writer and relates both how hellish it was and the humanity he found there. I don't think someone who had been through Auschwitz and who experienced the need to tell the world about it can really be accused of 'milking it'.

It profoundly affected Levi who, despite his success as a writer, couldn't cope with the guilt of survival and committed suicide 40 years after the end of the war. He was a fine writer though, one well worth reading

I agree with all the above, great writer and was trying to help others, especially Jewish people, understand some of the ethical and logistical issues behind the Holocaust and the internment in concentration camps. He tried to explain the smaller details of how life was in a concentration camp and as you say does it very well. There seems to be some disagreement about whether he committed suicide or not. He never left a suicide note for example. His supposed suicide features in the Violent Femmes song Gone out the Window and in the Woody Allen film where he is making a documentary about a Holocaust survivor preaching optimism despite the Holocaust who then kills himself and leaves a note that he has "gone out the window". This note was fiction apparently and he fell down a stairwell from the third floor not out of a window.

 

[basque seagull]

Another vote for Primo Levi here, probably the best writer on the Holocaust. If this is a man is an excellent work.

 

[basque seagull]

Just finished reading the last of the six shortlisted Man Booker Internationals... Yan Lianke 'The Four Books'. It starts off as a highly satirical, kafkaesque tale of life inside a re-education camp during the Chinese cultural revolution - all the prisoners are hell-bent on collecting enough tokens to be able to return home. It reminded me of Catch-22 and the number of missions each pilot has to fly before getting leave. About 2/3rds through though, it stops being funny and is just so bleak - no wonder the book is banned by the Chinese authorities. In my completely amateur opinion this book shades the Han Kang book as my choice as winner from the shortlist.

Have read the winner, The Vegetarian, good book but very dark. Any others you recommend from the shortlist? Will have a read of the The Four Books. Thanks!

 

[Alba Badger]

Just finnished the Widow By Fiona Barton, Twas OK. Now on to Cujo by Stephen King.

 

[BBassic]

I'm nearing the end of Ringworld by Larry Niven. I've enjoyed it but the last fifty pages or so have been a bit of a chore.

 

[Whoislloydy]

Welcome to Hell: One man's fight for life inside the Bangkok Hilton by Colin Martin

Incredible story, strongly recommend!