690 replies to this topic

[Barmy Army]

Sorry but I'm bored waiting for score updates and I thought I start this thread going again. Being a bookseller I'm always nosey and wonder what other people are reading and enjoying.

As usual I have a few on the go at once.

I'm re-reading two books that are very different in style. One is Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson. It's a travel writing book with Bryson wandering around Britain commenting on the quirky things he finds on his journey around the country that had been his home for many years. This book was written just before he returned to American. I had just finished Lost Continent (which is a cracker) on Friday and decided to read all his books again.

The other one I'm re-reading is a children's book by Anthony Horowitz called Stormbreaker. The reason I'm re-reading this is that I just bought the latest book in the Alex Rider series yesterday and I thought I'd start at the beginning and blitz the collection before I read the new one. It's a teenage novel about a reluctant 14 year old who when his uncle dies suddenly gets roped into working for MI6.

I've also started another kids book by Diana Wynne Jones called Charmed Life. I'm not too sure about this one but I'm going to stick with it as it might turn out okay. It is a book were promoting in store as an exclusive 99p edition. So if I hate it I ddin't pay much.

The other book I'm in the middle of is the second Skinner book by Quintin Jardine. It's a crime fiction series based in Edinburgh.

So over to you guys. What are you reading?

[Fez]

One is Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson

My dad loves that author, quite funny apparently

Im currently hooked on the Wheel Of Time series by Robert Jordan, on book 10 "Crossroads of Twilight"

Cant wait for the new Harry Potter book

[MrsBevo]

I read a lot to Jeremy, so I am definitely up to date on kids books. I finally finished Hillary Clinton's autobiography. I picked up a continuation of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. I love Jane Austin, but I didn't look thoroughly before purchase. I won't even share the name of the book, but the author apparently decided to use the characters from P & P to write a period romance novel without much story and an awful lot of sex (but using early 19th century terms) and more sex. I keep reading it wondering if she can go an entire chapter without mentioning sex once. So far, haven't found it. Oh well, it is a diversion, just not well done.

I'm also looking forward to the next Harry Potter. And I have another Margaret Atwood book after I'm done with the smutty thing. I've always loved Margaret Atwood - she's brilliant.

[Barmy Army]

One is Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson

My dad loves that author, quite funny apparently

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm with your Dad, Bill Bryson is brilliant. My favourite is probably Lost Continent but his others are still worth a read.

I wasn't in mood of the books I was in the middle of last week and decided to find something that would make my laugh, Bryson manages that with the first line in The Lost Continent. I'm a big fan.

I have a very large pile of books on the bookcase that I'm planning on reading, some are for work and some are for pleasure. Thankfully I enjoy reading so it's not a chore but fun. Most of these are kids books but I'm sure that won't suprise you guys. Like most people around the world I'm desperate to read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. My next blitzing project is going to be the Roald Dahl books. I only read some of them when I was wee and I don't like reading some books by and other, I try to read them all.

[Veca]

Sex??? Something wrong with sex??? Start the boys early I say MrsB!!! Then they won't be asking a million questions later......

I'm back to trying to do some reading...One of my favorites, "Horns,Hogs,& Nixon Coming" by Terry Frei. It's very good about Dixies Last Stand, Texas vs. Arkansas.
Then it's the books going back to my childhood, "DPs. Europes Displaced Persons, 1945-1951." This always makes me cry and feel lost. I'm a masochist so sue me.
The other book I want to get back to as I couldn't finish before is, "Walking Since Daybreak" by Modris Eksteins. Two of the books I use to remind me of who I am, where I came from, what I've survived and how I can overcome whatever life throws at me now!!

[MrsBevo]

Barmy - I absolutely love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I could read that over and over again.

Veca - I have already tormented my poor boys. They are absolutely embarassed when mom talks about that sort of thing (at least the teenagers are). The youngest doesn't have much grasp of that yet, but we still have discussions.

[Veca]

Barmy - I absolutely love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I could read that over and over again. 

Veca - I have already tormented my poor boys.  They are absolutely embarassed when mom talks about that sort of thing (at least the teenagers are).  The youngest doesn't have much grasp of that yet, but we still have discussions.

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[fedorov-fan91]

I'm currently reading a book entitled "The Night Stalker; The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez" by Philip Carlo, "Ted Bundy Conversation With A Killer" by Michaud & Aynesworth, and "A Father's Story" by Lionel Dahmer (a story about Jeffrey Dahmer).

My sister recently said I was the true crime library.

[DropThePuck]

In The Bin: Reckless and Rude Stories from the Penalty Boxes of the NHL by Lloyd Freeberg <thread link>

[Veca]

In The Bin: Reckless and Rude Stories from the Penalty Boxes of the NHL by Lloyd Freeberg  <thread link>

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That's a book I'd like to read. Maybe I'll get to if Baltic ever gets the hint......

[Fez]

I'm with your Dad, Bill Bryson is brilliant. smile.gif My favourite is probably Lost Continent but his others are still worth a read.

He also likes books by Micheal Palin for the same reasons,

[Barmy Army]

I've never read any of Michael Palin's books though I've said hi to him a few times. He's done about 4 book events in our shop. My Dad love his TV programmes though.

I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I was wee and I can't remember much about it, which is why I'm planning on blitzing the Dahl collection. I was ordering in some tie-in books for the upcoming movie and it dawned on me that I wasn't as famillar with the story as I should be. So that's going to be my next big project. It shouldn't take long as the Dahl books aren't that thick especially the ones that were written for younger readers.

Fedorov-fan91 my Gran is a big fan of the True Crime genre. We've always jokingly said that if anything happens to my Grandad the police would just take one look at their bookcases and arrest Gran. *giggles*

[lvsprt]

Barmy, thanks for starting this thread, next to family and hockey I love reading books.

My son (he's 11) really liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and read the one about the Glass Elevator too. He reads more slowly than most but is diligent about getting his reading time in. Maybe its because he sees his mom constantly reading something.

I have Strange Affair, the recent in the Peter Robinson detective series, which you know I have read all of. I'm waiting for my vacation in a couple of weeks to open it and savor the story. I just finished reading Nelson Demille's Plum Island and Nightfall which were very good. There is another one that took place in between those two with his character called Lions Game that I am ready to read but I've got to wrap up some work stuff before I go on vacation and then I can consume myself in it too.

[Dark Knight]

Currently reading Jim Wallis' "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." An excellent argument against religious fundamentalism of any shade and a call to social involvement.

[fedorov-fan91]

Fedorov-fan91 my Gran is a big fan of the True Crime genre. We've always jokingly said that if anything happens to my Grandad the police would just take one look at their bookcases and arrest Gran. *giggles*

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I wouldn't be surprised, those true crime books give you a lot more understanding into a criminal's mind. I'm pretty mad about reading like that because it will probably always be interesting on how someone begins killing maliciously, but it was always be an enigma.

[MrsBevo]

I'm currently reading a book entitled "The Night Stalker; The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez" by Philip Carlo, "Ted Bundy Conversation With A Killer" by Michaud & Aynesworth, and "A Father's Story" by Lionel Dahmer (a story about Jeffrey Dahmer). 

My sister recently said I was the true crime library. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

While I am sure they are probably very fascinating, I am quite susceptible to nightmares. I'd be most interested in the Dahmer book - as a parent of someone so heinous, what is their perspective? I know it certainly was not their intention to raise someone to grow up and commit such horrendous crimes (or any crimes at all). The Nightstalker stuff I went through and don't care to relive. I remember it being a heatwave in August without central air conditioning, yet we kept the doors and windows locked tight at night. It was a horrible time and absolutely frightening and I was grateful when they caught him. (Shudders.)

[fedorov-fan91]

Lionel Dahmer wrote one of the best books on his son, Jeffrey. There seems to be a few reasons that could have led to Jeff's horrible behavior. Lionel tells of how Jeff's mother took many prescriptions while pregnant with him, wouldn't even take care of him after his birth, etc.

If any book, I would say this is the best one to read to have a little insight into how Jeffrey grew up and how he transformed into a killer.

[Veca]

Not a book but I'm reading the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, the April 2005 issue. It has a lot of fascinating stories in it. Usually there may be one or two that catch my eye, but this is a packed issue. From the environment to tsunamis to possibly finding a new human species and a lot more. Anthropology is so fascinating and ever changing. Anyone who has any interest in any of this stuff, including SpaceShipOne found right next door to Veca, I would highly recommend getting this one.

federov-fan91, I'm going to have to look for the book on Dahmer. Ever since I worked in Atascadero State Hospital, I've been fascinated by antisocial behavior. I used to read all the patients charts and all the books I could get my hands on. More and more it seems that science is leaning toward the variances in the human brain that cause such horrific behavior. Mama doing drugs while or just before pregnancy sure would explain a lot.

[Marshy]

this post.
































































































and now so have you.

[Barmy Army]

Oh there's always one

[Veca]

[MrsBevo]

I think I'm going to put The Great Gatsby on my re-read list. Haven't read it in ages, but my son recently had to for high school English. I found a funny list of "Things to learn" from the book in one of his pants pockets while doing the laundry. It included things like - never run over your husband's mistress with your boyfriend's car. Sound advice, indeed! I love F. Scott Fitzgerald. I could never get into Hemingway, but I always enjoyed Fitzgerald. Good stuff. Now I'll read the book and get an extra good laugh out of it!

[Jezz]

I already have The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, but i just bought The Ultimate hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. it has the original, plus the 4 other followups in the series, and a little forward by douglas adams.

[Barmy Army]

I've only read the orginal trilogy, I keep meaning to read the others though. I orginally read Hitchhikers because it was it was recommended to me by my english teacher in High School. Fabulous books

[Just Duckie]

I'm re-reading "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" because I just watched the DVD and I wanted to compare the movie version to the book version. Neither version of the sequel is as good as the first book/movie, but after re-reading the second book, I'd have to say the movie is even more disappointing. If "Bridget Jones' Diary" was inspired by "Pride & Prejudice," "The Edge of Reason," novel took inspiration from "Persuasion." It's too bad the movie sequel didn't follow along the same lines. It would have been more interesting if it had, but as it was just a pretty boring continuation of the first movie.