Read a good book lately?

[deanohit]

In the non-fiction areas, I heartily recommend Lois on The Loose by Lois Pryce - riding her XT225 from Alaska to the bottom of South America. Delightfully and humorously written and a gripping read. Far easier going than Ted Simon's Jupiter's Travels.

You wouldn't be biased by the fact you both ride the same bikes?
She does tell a good story though, I have always enjoyed seeing whats happening on her website http://www.loisontheloose.com/ and where she is at the time.

[Wolf]

You wouldn't be biased by the fact you both ride the same bikes?
She does tell a good story though, I have always enjoyed seeing whats happening on her website http://www.loisontheloose.com/ and where she is at the time.

Nah, I did find her writing style a lot easier going. The same bike is just a bonus (besides, she went with the TTR225 for her African trip and I still found her writing on the website engaging.)

Loved her telling of her first night camping in bear country...

[Street Gerbil]

Has anyone yet mentioned Neil Gaiman? I am re-reading American Gods probably the third time and the magic is still there. Anansi Boys and Neverwhere is cool too.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Has anyone yet mentioned Neil Gaiman? I am re-reading American Gods probably the third time and the magic is still there. Anansi Boys and Neverwhere is cool too.

Gaiman is brilliant no question. You've obviously read William Gibson and Neal Stephenson as well? If not, check them both out.


I've just discovered Robert Crais. Its crime fiction which I really like. Turns out he has written a bunch of stuff: I am working my way backwards and forwards from a book called LA Requiem, which is one of the best crime books I have ever read.

ch ch ch ch check out www.robertcrais.com for a book list etc.

really highly rated.

[Swoop]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycling.

An oldie but a goodie. (No shoot-out or car chase at the end though).


Currently on "An Englishman and The Mafia".

[Usarka]

Ah the old Zen eh


I personally cannot recommend two authors enough:

Haruki Murikami

esp:
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle
After Dark
Hard-Boiled Wonderland at the End of the World
A Wild Sheep Chase

And

Victor Pelevin

esp:
The Clay Machine Gun
The Helmet of Horror (a version of The Labyrinth told via chat-room)
Oman Ra

Both from foriegn authors obviously, but quite surreal and choice auuuw.

[NOMIS]

Conn iggulden - Emperor Series ( 4 books but its a series ) all aout Juluis Ceasears life amazing read

Conn Iggulden - Wolves ?? - Ghenkhis khan 1st
Lords of the bow - sequeal to above

Francine Rivers - Mark of Lion series, all are very good especially the 1st
Son's of engouragement ( 5 small books in one ) famous people who had a huge influence on christianity but are not mentioned much in the bible.

[Dodger]

I'm Currently reading "The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead" It helps to be prepared

[hellkat]

Ah, the Reading Thread.
No good forum exists without one

I read everything and anything that looks interesting, always got my nose in a book, if I'm not on the internet But lately I've been trying to improve my knowledge of the classics, which is sadly lacking in content ... so recently I read Pride and Prejudice, the Pickwick Papers, War and Peace, and some other Victorian thing called Can You Forgive Her? by Trollope. I feel 'better read' now Still loads of classics I've not read.

To top off my 'classics' session, I have just trudged (literally) through The Magus, by John Fowles (who write the French Lieutenants Woman, which I also have not read, and based on this book, I am not likely to read it, either. I dunno why I read The Magus, I suppose I decided it was probably a classic. It was just weird, and I am still wondering why I bothered to take over three months to finish it.

For a little light relief, my mother has just encouraged me to read a book called Matthew Flinders Cat, by an Aussie guy called (I think) Bryce Courtenay. Only ten pages in, so still not sure . . .

I am very fond of James Lee Burke, who writes crime based in the Deep South USA: his anti-hero/detective, Dave Robicheaux, is very human - feels like he could be a member of my extremely dysfunctional extended family - the way Burke writes about life in Louisana in one of the most evocative I have ever read (and believe me, I've read a LOT), and puts me into a deep (but good) mood when I read his stuff. I found an old copy of his book Cimarron Rose for a dollar in a charity shop the other day, how happy I am, can't wait to read it

For laughs I currently like Joe R Lansdale and Carl Hiassen. Both very funny American comic authors, similar style to Christopher Brookmyre.

[Hitcher]

I'm currently working my way through the complete works of Edmund Wells.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycling.

An oldie but a goodie. (No shoot-out or car chase at the end though).


Currently on "An Englishman and The Mafia".

do you mean Robert Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"?

[007XX]

Devouring anything by David Gemmell at the moment...Just started Druss the Legend. Highly entertaining so far, especially with a hero built like a brick shit house and icy blue eyes (who needs Mills and Boons, eh?)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Wow, Lem is known and appreciated in this part of the globe? People who love Lem should really try reading Roadside Picnic (Careful, link contains spoilers!!!) and The Hexer series by Sapkowsky which at the moment, unfortunately are only available in rogue translations, but enjoyable nevertheless. Oh, did I mention that Goodkind's Phantom is out and it has *wink*wink* already leaked to the internet?

---- EDITED:
I was thinking about The Confessor and alas it is not due for another month.

I have a fair bit of Lem's stuff, and also Roadside Picnic. Also Mallworld which I enjoyed.

[Swoop]

do you mean Robert Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"?

Correct. There was f*ck all maintenance going on, and substantially more riding!

[Katman]

Well worth a read, if you can find it, is 'And the Ass saw the Angel' by Nick Cave. Written in the first person it follows the narrators gradual descent into insanity.