Books

Livvie · 12th May 2007, 09:17

There are often book threads starting, so I thought I'd make a sticky one.

I'm going to the library to look for some Kelley Armstrong books - they've been recommended. No idea what they're like.

I'm not a great one for biographical books, but I'm reading Mustn't Grumble, by Terry Wogan - appropriate as today is Eurovision Song Contest day.

It's one of the funniest reads I've ever had - laugh out loud funny.

topper · 12th May 2007, 09:30

Try Deane Koonz books - one of his best is Watchers

Salvation · 12th May 2007, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livvie

There are often book threads starting, so I thought I'd make a sticky one.

I'm going to the library to look for some Kelley Armstrong books - they've been recommended. No idea what they're like.

I'm not a great one for biographical books, but I'm reading Mustn't Grumble, by Terry Wogan - appropriate as today is Eurovision Song Contest day.

It's one of the funniest reads I've ever had - laugh out loud funny.

Going to head to the book store myself today

Will be one of Martian Chronicles/Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury or The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

Livvie · 12th May 2007, 09:36

I like Dean Koontz.

The first one I ever read was Lightning - really good. My favourite is Strangers

I used to like Leigh Nicholls, and thought how similar "she" was to Dean Koontz. (I assumed it was a she). Then I found out that it actually was Dean Koontz, and I think all the books have now been published under the DK name.

McCool · 12th May 2007, 10:55

I've almost finished Tryptich, by Karin Slaughter.

Though frankly I might not bother with the last few chapters.

Meh.

topper · 12th May 2007, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livvie

I like Dean Koontz.

The first one I ever read was Lightning - really good. My favourite is Strangers

I used to like Leigh Nicholls, and thought how similar "she" was to Dean Koontz. (I assumed it was a she). Then I found out that it actually was Dean Koontz, and I think all the books have now been published under the DK name.

you're rght Livvie from Wikipedia

Koontz grew up in desperate poverty under the tyranny of a violent alcoholic father. Despite his traumatic childhood, Koontz put himself through Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (then known as Shippensburg State College). While in college Koontz converted to the Catholic faith. In November 1967 went to work as an English teacher at Mechanicsburg High School. In his spare time he wrote his first novel, Star Quest, which was published in 1968. From there he went on to write over a dozen more science fiction novels.

In the 1970s, Koontz began publishing mainstream suspense and horror fiction, under his own name as well as several pseudonyms. Koontz has stated that he began using pen names after several editors convinced him that authors who switched back and forth between different genres invariably fell victim to negative crossover (alienating established fans and simultaneously failing to pick up any new ones). Known pseudonyms used by Koontz during his career include Deanna Dwyer, K. R. Dwyer, Aaron Wolfe, David Axton, Brian Coffey, John Hill, Leigh Nichols, Owen West, Richard Paige, Leonard Chris, and Anthony North. As of 2006, many of Koontz's pseudonymous novels are now available under his real name.

Koontz's acknowledged breakthrough novel was Whispers, published in 1980. Since then, ten hardcovers and thirteen paperbacks written by Koontz have reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List.

My favourite fiction writer - I have most of his books and read and reread them over and over

cinc · 12th May 2007, 12:33

Right now, I'm reading Shalimar the Clown from Salman Rushdie, it is quite fantastic.

Fred the bin dipper · 13th May 2007, 00:44

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a cracking book. just finished it, and its the best book i've read ina a while.

GiggsysGirl · 13th May 2007, 01:37

read a Dean Koontz novel once...about a bloke who kept having fugues then turned out to have a doppelganger or something.

rubbish it was.

ciderman9000000 · 13th May 2007, 01:41

Right now i'm reading 'Spot's Helpful Day', it's quite good and far better than the clichéd 'Spot's Noisy Walk' which i thought used far too many gimmicky story arcs and never quite emulated the thrill and mystery of 'Where's Spot'. In 'Spot's Helpful Day' you really get to see more of the darker side of Spot and you also get some interesting insights into what motivates him on a personal level. Spot comes accross somewhat morose at times in what is often a tale of unbridled hatred directed towards those that sought to persecute him in 'Spots Noisy Toybox', for example; on the first page we find spot plotting to murder the creator of the toybox that was so intollerably noisy in the previous book, some of the imagery cunjoured up can at once be both sickening and beautiful. The climax of the story on page eight is simply unputdownable, i wont go into details but lets just say i am eagerly awaiting the next installment with baited breath!

10/10

ExcuseMeFrench · 13th May 2007, 01:44

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spots-Helpfu.../dp/0723248354

good recommendation cider

narnar · 13th May 2007, 01:46

Spot the dog I take it cider?

What type of books are you into? I think you like your sci-fi, do you know any good LOTR-esque books?

RedCanadian · 13th May 2007, 03:26

Currently reading the third installment of Robert Ludlum's "Covert-One" series called The Paris Option. The others are The Hades Factor, The Cassandra Compact, The Altman Code, ,The Lazarus Vendetta and The Moscow Vector.

The books are medical/military thrillers revolving around a covert agent and his team. Very good read if you like the genre.

mehro · 13th May 2007, 06:34

Am currently reading One Up On Wall Street.

ciderman9000000 · 13th May 2007, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by narnar1369

Spot the dog I take it cider?

What type of books are you into? I think you like your sci-fi, do you know any good LOTR-esque books?

Yeah, Lord Of The Rings is quite good, I'd say that was LOTR-esque, so that's what i'm going with, Lord Of The Rings.

topper · 13th May 2007, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiggsysGirl

read a Dean Koontz novel once...about a bloke who kept having fugues then turned out to have a doppelganger or something.

rubbish it was.

doesn't surprise me GG

you reading does

ILBB15 · 13th May 2007, 13:39

The day of the jackal, written by Frederick Forsyth.

One of my favourite books.

Wibble · 13th May 2007, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiggsysGirl

read a Dean Koontz novel once...about a bloke who kept having fugues then turned out to have a doppelganger or something.

rubbish it was.

I read a few Koontz novels. All utter rubbish. Poor high school English and about as scary as playschool. He makes Stephen King (who I like) seem like the poet laureate.

Wibble · 13th May 2007, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILBB15

The day of the jackal, written by Frederick Forsyth.

One of my favourite books.

I haven't read it for years but when I did i loved it. Brilliant thriller.

ILBB15 · 13th May 2007, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

I haven't read it for years but when I did i loved it. Brilliant thriller.

That book is so good that I actually believed everything in it was true the first time I read it.

Wibble · 13th May 2007, 14:17

Elements are based on a real assassination attempt on De Gaul but I think that for many years Forsyth played on that hinting that the whole thing was real.

golden_blunder · 13th May 2007, 14:28

big fan of travel logs, so anything by Bill Bryson, Pete McCarthy, Tim Moore, Peter Moore

story wise, ive always been a big fan of Andy McNabb and Chris Ryan's work

topper · 13th May 2007, 14:54

Terry Pratchett is good also like the Hornblower series of books - ones I don't like are Dan Brown and Stephen King who are crap IMO

GiggsysGirl · 13th May 2007, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

doesn't surprise me GG

you reading does

yeah, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to get a BA in English Literature without reading a single book.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

I read a few Koontz novels. All utter rubbish. Poor high school English and about as scary as playschool. He makes Stephen King (who I like) seem like the poet laureate.

i used to love Stephen King as a teen...i remember Misery the book scaring me a heck of a lot more than the movie ever did.

also used to read anything by Peter Benchley. thrillers set on the ocean...perfect!

Wibble · 14th May 2007, 00:54

King is a brilliant natural writer. Although I wish he would write more stuff like Misery and less like that rubbish Dreamcatcher one. His ending are also often rubbish because he lets the plot go where it will.

ole_gunner · 14th May 2007, 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

doesn't surprise me GG

you reading does

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiggsysGirl

yeah, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to get a BA in English Literature without reading a single book.

ZOMG PWnage!!!!!!

Kristjan · 14th May 2007, 10:22

Just starting Dan Simmons - Ilium

His Hyperion trilogy was good.. hopefully the same with this one, it's based in parts on the Iliad by Homer

SmashedHombre · 15th May 2007, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by narnar1369

Spot the dog I take it cider?

What type of books are you into? I think you like your sci-fi, do you know any good LOTR-esque books?

Lord of the Rings Schmord of the Rings. Gemmell >>>>>>>>>>>>> Tolkein

FreakyJim · 15th May 2007, 12:48

Last book I bought was American Gods by Neil Gaiman

now that's something

The only thing I've ever read from Dean Koontz is "Life Expectancy" and hated it.
Prefer the good ol' Stephen King.

Bury Red · 15th May 2007, 13:02

Reading a shedload due to the number of flights I'm taking at the moment. Currently going back through a lot of the old classics like Cuckoos Nest and Catch 22. Of the newer stuff I've read, I went through all the Gaiman novels and was impressed at how well he wove his modern fantasies, particularly American Gods and Anansi Boys. Also enjoyed a Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island) that the missus recommended, despite normally finding thrillers about as thrilling as watching City play.

Bury Red · 15th May 2007, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreakyJim

Last book I bought was American Gods by Neil Gaiman

now that's something

The only thing I've ever read from Dean Koontz is "Life Expectancy" and hated it.
Prefer the good ol' Stephen King.

Spooky, took a phone call and then had to rattle out a couple of mails and a bollocking in mid reply only to finally post and see you've listed American Gods as well.

Definitely go for Anansi Boys if you've not read it as it is basically a continuation of Mr Nancy's story from American Gods.

12th May 2007, 09:17	#1 (permalink)
Livvie Executive Manager being kept sane only by her madness Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Someone said that half of Caf members were thick. It's not true. Half of you aren't thick at all. Posts: 27,390	Books There are often book threads starting, so I thought I'd make a sticky one. I'm going to the library to look for some Kelley Armstrong books - they've been recommended. No idea what they're like. I'm not a great one for biographical books, but I'm reading Mustn't Grumble, by Terry Wogan - appropriate as today is Eurovision Song Contest day. It's one of the funniest reads I've ever had - laugh out loud funny.

12th May 2007, 09:30	#2 (permalink)
topper Pooper Trooper Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 10,864	Try Deane Koonz books - one of his best is Watchers

12th May 2007, 09:36	#4 (permalink)
Livvie Executive Manager being kept sane only by her madness Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Someone said that half of Caf members were thick. It's not true. Half of you aren't thick at all. Posts: 27,390	I like Dean Koontz. The first one I ever read was Lightning - really good. My favourite is Strangers I used to like Leigh Nicholls, and thought how similar "she" was to Dean Koontz. (I assumed it was a she). Then I found out that it actually was Dean Koontz, and I think all the books have now been published under the DK name.

12th May 2007, 10:55	#5 (permalink)
McCool Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Land of Wit and Irony Posts: 1,570	I've almost finished Tryptich, by Karin Slaughter. Though frankly I might not bother with the last few chapters. Meh.

12th May 2007, 12:33	#7 (permalink)
cinc The Hungriest kind of man Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Budapest Posts: 3,134	Right now, I'm reading Shalimar the Clown from Salman Rushdie, it is quite fantastic.

13th May 2007, 00:44	#8 (permalink)
Fred the bin dipper Don't blame me mate, it's everyone else's fault. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Merseyside Posts: 3,737	The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a cracking book. just finished it, and its the best book i've read ina a while.

13th May 2007, 01:37	#9 (permalink)
GiggsysGirl I boned a mod and all I got was this lousy tagline! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The 'Stock Posts: 19,019	read a Dean Koontz novel once...about a bloke who kept having fugues then turned out to have a doppelganger or something. rubbish it was.

13th May 2007, 01:41	#10 (permalink)
ciderman9000000 Off his rocker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: KRAP Posts: 6,510	Right now i'm reading 'Spot's Helpful Day', it's quite good and far better than the clichéd 'Spot's Noisy Walk' which i thought used far too many gimmicky story arcs and never quite emulated the thrill and mystery of 'Where's Spot'. In 'Spot's Helpful Day' you really get to see more of the darker side of Spot and you also get some interesting insights into what motivates him on a personal level. Spot comes accross somewhat morose at times in what is often a tale of unbridled hatred directed towards those that sought to persecute him in 'Spots Noisy Toybox', for example; on the first page we find spot plotting to murder the creator of the toybox that was so intollerably noisy in the previous book, some of the imagery cunjoured up can at once be both sickening and beautiful. The climax of the story on page eight is simply unputdownable, i wont go into details but lets just say i am eagerly awaiting the next installment with baited breath! 10/10

13th May 2007, 01:44	#11 (permalink)
ExcuseMeFrench Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Room full of muppets and retards... Posts: 963	http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spots-Helpfu.../dp/0723248354 good recommendation cider

13th May 2007, 01:46	#12 (permalink)
narnar Needs Help Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: northern ireland Posts: 5,230	Spot the dog I take it cider? What type of books are you into? I think you like your sci-fi, do you know any good LOTR-esque books?

13th May 2007, 03:26	#13 (permalink)
RedCanadian RatCat freak Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: "In the offseason, my mustache drives the Firebird, I ride shotgun" - RATCAT Posts: 10,411	Currently reading the third installment of Robert Ludlum's "Covert-One" series called The Paris Option. The others are The Hades Factor, The Cassandra Compact, The Altman Code, ,The Lazarus Vendetta and The Moscow Vector. The books are medical/military thrillers revolving around a covert agent and his team. Very good read if you like the genre.

13th May 2007, 06:34	#14 (permalink)
mehro Has an arse for a face Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 18,187	Am currently reading One Up On Wall Street.

13th May 2007, 13:39	#17 (permalink)
ILBB15 Annoying Commie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: George Carlin Land Posts: 3,998	The day of the jackal, written by Frederick Forsyth. One of my favourite books.

13th May 2007, 14:17	#21 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 33,163	Elements are based on a real assassination attempt on De Gaul but I think that for many years Forsyth played on that hinting that the whole thing was real.

13th May 2007, 14:28	#22 (permalink)
golden_blunder Grumpy Admin Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Swimming against a tide of shite Posts: 41,703	big fan of travel logs, so anything by Bill Bryson, Pete McCarthy, Tim Moore, Peter Moore story wise, ive always been a big fan of Andy McNabb and Chris Ryan's work

13th May 2007, 14:54	#23 (permalink)
topper Pooper Trooper Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 10,864	Terry Pratchett is good also like the Hornblower series of books - ones I don't like are Dan Brown and Stephen King who are crap IMO

14th May 2007, 00:54	#25 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 33,163	King is a brilliant natural writer. Although I wish he would write more stuff like Misery and less like that rubbish Dreamcatcher one. His ending are also often rubbish because he lets the plot go where it will.

14th May 2007, 10:22	#27 (permalink)
Kristjan Disco Stu, will spin the right tune for you Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Cod Island Posts: 9,415	Just starting Dan Simmons - Ilium His Hyperion trilogy was good.. hopefully the same with this one, it's based in parts on the Iliad by Homer

15th May 2007, 12:48	#29 (permalink)
FreakyJim Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SolarX Posts: 1,412	Last book I bought was American Gods by Neil Gaiman now that's something The only thing I've ever read from Dean Koontz is "Life Expectancy" and hated it. Prefer the good ol' Stephen King.

15th May 2007, 13:02	#30 (permalink)
Bury Red Backs Fergie, Yells Giggs! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 7,347	Reading a shedload due to the number of flights I'm taking at the moment. Currently going back through a lot of the old classics like Cuckoos Nest and Catch 22. Of the newer stuff I've read, I went through all the Gaiman novels and was impressed at how well he wove his modern fantasies, particularly American Gods and Anansi Boys. Also enjoyed a Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island) that the missus recommended, despite normally finding thrillers about as thrilling as watching City play.