Read a good book lately?

**Blakamin** · 24th September 2004, 09:37

Originally Posted by jrandom

I just finished reading The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie (yes, as in Bertie Wooster).

Great book. Very British in its narratory diversions to, for example, explain that when a female character engaged in the hackneyed action of "turning a pair of grey eyes in his direction" they were, of course, her own eyes, since there weren't exactly boxes of spare eyes on the table, ready for picking up and turning in people's directions, you know.

Also, the protagonist rides a ZZR1100, and no inaccurate statements regarding firearms were made throughout the book, with the exception of the inclusion of a magical telescopic sight that could be disguised as an SLR lens, carried in one's pocket, affixed to a stockless rifle and used for a single-shot assassination without any intermediate boresighting or zeroing whatsoever.

In any case, well recommended.

Definately a good read! I got it out of the library a couple of months ago

**Ms Piggy** · 16th November 2004, 07:17

Just thought I'd revive this thread b/c I've just about finished reading a really good book.

It's by Celia Lashlie, she was the 1st woman prison officer in N.Z and caused a huge stir back in 2001 when she made a comment a little blonde haired, blue eyed boy who she knew would end up in prison.

Her book is called The jouney to Prison, who goes and why.

The reason I liked it was b/c it was practical and real, this woman is not some flowery bleeding heart liberal, she has written to book from her own experiences of the prison system and observations she has made. She also challenges us as a community that we're responsible as well.

It's an easy read as well.

**Jase W** · 16th November 2004, 13:10

I'm currently reading the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis... Bloody brilliant series. They are a series of mystery novels set in Vespasian's rome (beginning after the Judean wars A.D 70). Theres about 16 books in the series so far, starting with "The Silver Pigs". If you ever come across any of these books at a library, I suggest you pick one up... a good thing about this series is that you can pretty much pick up any of them and not feel like you have no idea whats going on. I started with "Time to Depart" which is about the 7th book in the series... got me hooked

I'm also a scifi/fantasy buff, but I havent really read many books in those genre... only the likes of The Hobbit/LotR/Silmarillion, The time machine etc...

**RiderInBlack** · 27th November 2004, 16:55

Not my normal type of read, but really enjoy this one. Picked it up from a 2nd hand bookshop for $39

It covers the histroy of motorbikes from the first steam powered bike in 1868 through to the modern bikes of 2004. I've only got as far as 1914 so far but it has been very interesting. After reading about what these old boys (and girls) rode, I think they would think our modern bike were for pussies. The book is full of info like:
Board Racing around 1911-13 done on Excelsiors, Flying Merkels, Indians and HD's reaching speeds over 161KMP (100MPH) on wooden velodromes. Many of these bikes had no brakes, no silencing, no throttle (ran flat-out and only slowed by a kill switch). The rider themselves didn't ride with much in the way of protective gear (f*ck they had huge balls back then).
Glenn Curtiss on his 4.4L Curtiss V8 shaft-dive MBike became the fastest man on earth in 1907 after riding his machine at 219.4KPH (136.36MPH) on sand (not bad if you look at what he was riding on).

**Indiana_Jones** · 27th November 2004, 18:12

"Enemy at the gates" - though I read it a while ago, it's a great read, Stalingrad is my favourite battle (in hindsight). 1st hand accounts from both sides and the civs in the middle, Right from the start to the end. Great read.

-Indy

**Skyryder** · 27th November 2004, 18:51

Just finishing Magician for the second time. Needed to read this again as I am going to start Silverthorn and the rest in the Riftwar series.

Anyone read the Hounds of God by Rafael Sabatini??

Skyryder

**Skyryder** · 27th November 2004, 19:09

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

"Enemy at the gates" - though I read it a while ago, it's a great read, Stalingrad is my favourite battle (in hindsight). 1st hand accounts from both sides and the civs in the middle, Right from the start to the end. Great read.

-Indy

There's a piece on the Battle of Stalingrad on the History channel at paresent. Will make a point of reading this.

You might be interested in Peking by Athony Grey. Saigon by the same author worth a look if you are interested in historical novels of recent history. Topaz in much the same vein deals with the Cuban missile crisis. Could give heaps of others. The Word can't remember who wrote it deals with the Bible publication industry. Facsinating book even if only a novel.

Skyryder

**Skyryder** · 27th November 2004, 19:12

Originally Posted by liftback

I'm currently reading the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis... Bloody brilliant series. They are a series of mystery novels set in Vespasian's rome (beginning after the Judean wars A.D 70). Theres about 16 books in the series so far, starting with "The Silver Pigs". If you ever come across any of these books at a library, I suggest you pick one up... a good thing about this series is that you can pretty much pick up any of them and not feel like you have no idea whats going on. I started with "Time to Depart" which is about the 7th book in the series... got me hooked

I'm also a scifi/fantasy buff, but I havent really read many books in those genre... only the likes of The Hobbit/LotR/Silmarillion, The time machine etc...

Try Magician by Ramond E. Feist. So you are a Tolkein fan. Interesting. So am I.

Can't say I am a great Fantasy reader but some I do enjoy. Tend to get into historica novels like Pillars of the Earth. Big book.

Skyryder

**zadok** · 19th June 2005, 11:48

I was going to start a link like this one, until I found this one!
I love reading and thought that this thread could be revived to get some updated reviews.

By fluke I just read my first Richard Laymon book entitled 'Alarums' and thoroughly enjoyed it. Judging by some of his titles, I don't think I'll like all his books.

Other Authors I avidly read are:
Nelson De Mille
Lee Child
Michael Connelly
Harlan Coben
James Patterson

In particular I am looking for recommendations on the thriller genre.

**moko** · 19th June 2005, 12:19

Stephen Leather`s books are good though I prefer the earlier books before he became well-known."The Chinaman" is my favourite.Mark Billingham writes good crime thrillers,if you like James Patterson you`ll probably enjoy him as well,best to read in order though as they`re loosely a series.Ian Rankin`s "Inspector Rebus" novels are massively popular here,again best read in order,early ones are good crime yarns but you can see the guy`s writing talent building as the series progresses,good central character with plenty of flaws.
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks is a pretty awesome piece of writing whatever you`re into.
Everyone here`s raving about "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell,havn`t read it yet but apparently it`s a series of seemingly diverse short stories that all tie together,getting rave reviews that one.Current biggie,and tipped for cult status is "The People`s Act Of love" by James Meek based on real events just after the second world war,or rather unusual situations that actually existed.

**zadok** · 19th June 2005, 13:02

Thanksmoko. I' ll keep an eye out for those newies. I'm wih you on the Stephen Leather. The first I read of his was 'The chinaman' as well.
Forgot one as well: Jeffrey Deaver. Coffin Dancer, The Devils Teardrop & Speaking In Tongues, notable reads.

**Jase W** · 19th June 2005, 13:13

Lately i've been reading some very old histories (2000+ years old) for my classics papers, but also just out of interest. Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Plutarch, Tacitus, Polybius, Suetonius... Good stuff really.

**Indiana_Jones** · 19th June 2005, 13:43

Funny this should be dug up. I just brought myself a copy of "Sharpe's Eagle"

-Indy

**Skyryder** · 19th June 2005, 15:45

Finished the Da Code, Angels and Demons and Deception Point. All by Dan Brown. Dan Brown fans will like Angels and Demon. It deals with the Illuminati and is in a simular vein as the Code. Deception Point is equally as good as the Code and Angel. Just a different subject. Will make a start on Digital Fortress soon.

Into the third of the Merlin trilogy by Mary Stewart. The first of this series is the Crystal Cave, then followed by the Hollow Hills and the final is the Last Enchantment. You've got to be an Athurian buff for these novels as Mary Stewart prose is very descriptive and the story line is slow. Still she captures the spirit of Dark Age Britton.

Rosmary Suttcliff's Sword at Sunset is faster paced and deals with Arthur from his boyhood till death. Much the same genre as Mary Stewart.

Skyryder

**Skyryder** · 19th June 2005, 15:53

Originally Posted by Hooks

It's called The Road to Gandolfo ... I can't remember the psuedonem but it's a Robert Ludlum book ... really funny and the intro is worth a read as well. He had to wait to become famous before he dared to release it !!

Just checked the title with Amazon etc. Not the right book. The one I'm thinking of there is no kidnapping involved. But thanks anyway.

Skyryder