Bookworms: What are you reading at the moment? - Page 25

Stumped · 21-02-2010, 14:53

Have exhausted all Lee Child's enjoyable 'Jack Reacher' thrillers to date and have embarked on the first of several 'Charlie -Bird-Parker' novels by John Connelly. Somewhat darker than the Reacher novels and less simplistic in content, but nonetheless readable.

Eric · 21-02-2010, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

'Revelation' by C J Sansome....a lovely read. A hunchback lawyer turned detective on the trail of a serial killer in Tudor London...plot, suspense, description...all suberb. Fourth book so far in the series.

This sounds good .... will give it a read, and the rest of the series .... seems like it might be like the "Brother Cadfael" series, and that was great reading.

Tealeaf · 21-02-2010, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric

This sounds good .... will give it a read, and the rest of the series .... seems like it might be like the "Brother Cadfael" series, and that was great reading.

Start with 'Dissolution', then 'Dark Fire', 'Sovereign' and then 'Revelation'.

It's Cadfael with brains....an English 'Name of the Rose'.

Tealeaf · 21-02-2010, 21:58

Oh, it's Sansom (without the 'e').

Eric · 22-02-2010, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Oh, it's Sansom (without the 'e').

Ta .... found that out ... the local Chapters has the books in stock .... will take a trip out today.

Tealeaf · 23-02-2010, 00:03

Well, enjoy the read, Eric. I would not normally post my preferred reading matter on this site - in fact, this is the first time I have done so - had it not been for a peculiar meeting about 10 days ago. So here is the tale.

I was at a party over the other side of London - the usual stuff - canapés, Pinot Grigio, the occasional F-word just to shock - typically, very middle-class southern liberal, with a fair sprinkling of academia in there. I was just about to swap telephone numbers with this very tasty, divorced, tall and very curvy Polish wench, when I was interrupted by this American character more under the influence of alcohol than I was.

The reason for the interruption was someone had mentioned that I was from Accy and he wanted to know if that had any connection with 'Old Accrington in Lanca-Shire'.

'Aye', I replied, almost choking on my green olive 'Why do you ask....you a Stanley fan?'

Now I must admit that at this point I was somewhat distracted my female companion putting her hand where she should not have; However, this gentleman then proceeded to tell me that although he had been involved in verifying manuscript extracts which may or may not (and I can't remember the exact story) have originated from Mary Shelley's papers deposited at the Bodlian in Oxford.

From what I recall - and I do wish I had had less to drink - these manuscripts amounted to the best part of two missing chapters of Shelley's 'The Modern Prometheus' - better known, of course, as 'Frankenstein'. Now, while it is many years since I read that book - I am much more familiar with Boris Karloff or the Hammer interpretation - I do know that it can be readily interpreted as an allegory to the evils of industrialisation.

What then, were these chapters supposedly about? Well, about two thirds of the way through the published book, Frankenstein - followed closely by his monster - arrives in England and then proceeds to Matlock, in Derbyshire. That stay, in the original text involves little mention and neither does the stay in the Lakes. But these extracts, - according to my confidant, amounting to some 4000 words - describe Frankenstein’s stay in Old Accrington.

I would normally have had a good laugh over this, but then by friend pulled out of his pocket a photocopied A4 sheet...just about 500 words, in great, flowing script, and sure enough, there was 'Old Accy' in there.

Eric · 23-02-2010, 01:09

Just started "Dissolution" .... C J Sansom ....

DaveinGermany · 26-02-2010, 23:55

Pirate King finished (R.A.Salvatore) about to start "The Ether Zone" about U.S. Army special forces Det B 52 Project Delta (Recon teams) by R.C.Morris

sparkie · 27-02-2010, 20:16

well, just finished Julie walters autobiography which was very interesting, now onto Dawn French - Dear Fatty its a strange way of writing an autobiography is writing a series of letters to people but its humourous and touching and so far its a good read.

Grange · 01-03-2010, 09:18

I have just picked up the book The Biography of Susan Boyle from Asda...easy reading but a good read I think

MargaretR · 01-03-2010, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grange

I have just picked up the book The Biography of Susan Boyle from Asda...easy reading but a good read I think

I hope you didn't pay much.
I imagine it will be smaller than the book of Italian war heroes.
We are told she has led a 'sheltered life'

Margaret Pilkington · 01-03-2010, 21:39

Bill Bryson......A Short History of Almost Everything.

groove · 02-03-2010, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumped

Have exhausted all Lee Child's enjoyable 'Jack Reacher' thrillers to date and have embarked on the first of several 'Charlie -Bird-Parker' novels by John Connelly. Somewhat darker than the Reacher novels and less simplistic in content, but nonetheless readable.

I have only recently discovered the Reacher thrillers and agree they are most enjoyable

shakermaker · 02-03-2010, 15:42

Charles Bukowski - Factotum

Stumped · 02-03-2010, 19:41

Not neccessary to read the Jack Reacher novels in order, but advisable as individual plots tend to hark back to specific characters and experiences as featured in previous outings. Have finished my first Charlie 'Bird' Parker novel which tended to skip about between plots, but am well into the second one which is just as 'dark' but much easier to follow. His gay associates, Angel and Louie are brilliantly characterised as both have plenty of skeletons in their own cupboards, hence their extraordinary ties with Parker.

Peter James 'Roy Grace' detective novels set in the south-east of England have been recommended to me. Have picked up a couple which I have put on hold for the time being.