Top Books ..
#1
Posted 08 November 2023 - 11:28 AM
Don’t have to be classics, critically acclaimed, popular or even ones read recently. Just books that you’ve enjoyed and have a special meaning.
Christine-Stephen King. The book that really got me in to reading in my early teens.
French Revolutions/ Tim Moore. A genuine LOL book that ignited my love of cycling and travel.
Danny Champion of the World- Roald Dahl a magical book from childhood that I recently reread.
Brave New World-Aldous Huxley. My first classic I read of my own choosing. Really recommend reading.
Deadkidsongs-Toby Litt. Well constructed story on many levels
I’ll happily read classics (struggled through some tbh), Grisham, King (sorry not Lee Child…I found him too cynical a marketeer) to NF books on The Holocaust, sports (A Life too Short is excellent too) and adventures.
#2
Posted 08 November 2023 - 11:29 AM
s42blue, on 08 November 2023 - 11:28 AM, said:
Don’t have to be classics, critically acclaimed, popular or even ones read recently. Just books that you’ve enjoyed and have a special meaning.
Christine-Stephen King. The book that really got me in to reading in my early teens.
French Revolutions/ Tim Moore. A genuine LOL book that ignited my love of cycling and travel.
Danny Champion of the World- Roald Dahl a magical book from childhood that I recently reread.
Brave New World-Aldous Huxley. My first classic I read of my own choosing. Really recommend reading.
Deadkidsongs-Toby Litt. Well constructed story on many levels
I’ll happily read classics (struggled through some tbh), Grisham, King (sorry not Lee Child…I found him too cynical a marketeer) to NF books on The Holocaust, sports (A Life too Short is excellent too) and adventures.
Danny Champion of the world is my fav too as it happens
#3
Posted 08 November 2023 - 12:16 PM
These were then followed by spy hook, spy line and spy sinker - lastly faith hope and charity.
There’s also a book called winter, written after these but is a prequel
#4 Guest_Quaker_*
Posted 08 November 2023 - 12:35 PM
I used to read a lot but now I find audio books much better, I listen whilst walking the dog and when I drive to work. This morning I finished "The Road to London Bridge" By Steve Gallant. He was the guy who was on day release from prison when he tackled a terrorist in London with a tusk.
Another good audio book I listened to was "Step by Step" by Simon Reeve, that was a belter.
#5
Posted 08 November 2023 - 01:15 PM
I’m not an audiobook fan. I’m more a visual learner and either drift or drop off! Thanks again.
#7 Guest_Quaker_*
Posted 09 November 2023 - 07:34 PM
#8
Posted 09 November 2023 - 07:50 PM
Quaker, on 09 November 2023 - 07:34 PM, said:
>raises hand<
#9
Posted 09 November 2023 - 08:15 PM
Quaker, on 09 November 2023 - 07:34 PM, said:
Yes I remember them. Legion of the damned
Set as a penal company in the German army
#11
Posted 09 November 2023 - 08:28 PM
#12
Posted 09 November 2023 - 08:38 PM
Quaker, on 09 November 2023 - 08:23 PM, said:
I probably did as well, but as I recall legion of the damned was head and shoulder the best.
Turns out he was a bit of “criminal” with a dubious service history
#13 Guest_Quaker_*
Posted 09 November 2023 - 09:20 PM
Wooden Spoon, on 09 November 2023 - 08:38 PM, said:
Turns out he was a bit of “criminal” with a dubious service history
Yep you’re right, he was a bit of a lad, I’ve just read his wiki page.
I never realised Legion of the Damned was written in 1953 I thought it was much later than that.
I may give it another spin when I go away in a couple of weeks.
#14
Posted 09 November 2023 - 11:17 PM
My favourite football book is The Far Corner by Harry Pearson- a magical, funny portrayal of football in the northeast at all levels.
The most stunning thing I’ve read recently is Peter F Hamilton’s Commonwealth Saga. Mind-blowing, thought-provoking, epic.
This post has been edited by Siberian Spireite: 09 November 2023 - 11:19 PM
#15
Posted 09 November 2023 - 11:23 PM
Siberian Spireite, on 09 November 2023 - 11:17 PM, said:
My favourite football book is The Far Corner by Harry Pearson- a magical, funny portrayal of football in the northeast at all levels.
The most stunning thing I’ve read recently is Peter F Hamilton’s Commonwealth Saga. Mind-blowing, thought-provoking, epic.
Will definitely take a look. Haven’t tried a AC Clarke book for years!
#16
Posted 09 November 2023 - 11:44 PM
Quaker, on 09 November 2023 - 09:20 PM, said:
I never realised Legion of the Damned was written in 1953 I thought it was much later than that.
I may give it another spin when I go away in a couple of weeks.
As far as I read he talked with some of the SS Viking brigade after the war, got their experiences and then created the character of Sven Hassel and used these first hand accounts to write legion of the damned.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that his first book was his best. He used first hand acounts and after that had to “fill in-gaps himself”
But legion of the damned is probably a reasonable account of discontent within the Viking regiments of the Nazi forces and its ppm
This post has been edited by Wooden Spoon: 10 November 2023 - 12:03 AM
#17 Guest_Quaker_*
Posted 10 November 2023 - 08:14 AM
Wooden Spoon, on 09 November 2023 - 11:44 PM, said:
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that his first book was his best. He used first hand acounts and after that had to “fill in-gaps himself”
But legion of the damned is probably a reasonable account of discontent within the Viking regiments of the Nazi forces and its ppm
Downloaded it last night and started listening to it on this morning’s walk. Its obvious to me I have little recollection of its content from reading it 40 years ago so I can enjoy it from scratch once again. 😁
#18
Posted 10 November 2023 - 08:22 PM
s42blue, on 09 November 2023 - 11:23 PM, said:
Try his 'Time Odyssey' series co-written with Stephen Baxter.
And if you're a Sci-fi fan I'd also recommend Harry Harrison's 'West of Eden' trilogy.
Meanwhile the televised series doesn't even begin to reflect the depth of Dick's 'The Man in the High Castle'.
Superb...
#19
Posted 11 November 2023 - 09:03 AM
The Earl of Chesterfield, on 10 November 2023 - 08:22 PM, said:
And if you're a Sci-fi fan I'd also recommend Harry Harrison's 'West of Eden' trilogy.
Meanwhile the televised series doesn't even begin to reflect the depth of Dick's 'The Man in the High Castle'.
Superb...
Will do thanks. I’d probably say Fantasy is my least favourite with sci fi second but always willing to try again. Some of the Si fi I read seemed to spend too much time on the tech, or the back story of how the World or universe has changed or is different. That said i did get into PK Dick (you can obviously work out why being an 80s teen.
Thanks again. Keep em coming
#20
Posted 11 November 2023 - 09:15 AM
That said my favourite books tend to be historical fiction, so Conn Igguldens Emperor and Conqueror series about Julius Ceaser and Ghengis Khan are near the top of my list. C J Sansom Shardlake books are always decent as are Simon Scarrow and Stephen MacKay. Roman history and the Viking sagas have always fascinated me!
I've also read all the LJ Ross DCI Ryan series which if you like murder mystery are a great read. Oh and Val Mcdermind and Peter James work is always good too if detective novels are your thing!
Football autobiographies and the secret footballer books are always on the list but my favourite book of all time is still the lion the witch and the wardrobe... closely followed by stig of the dump!
Currently reading Nelson Mandela long walk home and just finished Drug War by Peter Walsh.
This post has been edited by Middle East: 11 November 2023 - 09:32 AM