Books: Book(s) you are Currently Reading

[LarKing]

I read Dawkins’ first book, “The Selfish Gene”, a while back and got into this one recently. Dawkins absolutely bends over religion in this one.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Recent travels to Boston and Washington DC had me revisiting Dennis Lehane and George Pelecanos.

Always found Lehane to be solid if a tad overrated, but the Kenzie-Gennaro series delivers. Went back to book one, A Drink Before the War, which is a twisty ride.

Pelecanos is a king though. Went back to King Suckerman (Clay/Karras #1) and picked up A Firing Offense (Nick Stefanos #1) for the first time. Tight plotting, well drawn characters, great sense of place and dialogue that pops. Really propulsive reads.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Train ride to Toronto this afternoon. Have got Johnno by David Malouf and The Stranger by Albert Camus as companions. Will probably read the latter for the umpteeth time first. With that said, does it surprise anyone else that it still hasn't been made in an actual movie? Feels like it would translate well.

 

[GB]

 

[Thucydides]

 

[kihei]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This light reading bender that you have been on really has to stop.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Got an english copy of Hear/Pinball by Murakami for 8 dollars while strolling at Chapters so figured I’d re-read them in english.

 

[robertmac43]

Anyone got some good Dark Fantasy/Horror recommendations that is not from Stephen King?

 

[GB]

 

[Thucydides]

Took your advice Kihei

Although “a mans search for meaning” is a great book if you haven’t yet read it. Short enough to read over a day .

 

[ngc_5128]

Anyone got some good Dark Fantasy/Horror recommendations that is not from Stephen King?

Joe Hill. As good (or better IMO) as King in his prime, but actually knows how to end a story. NOS4A2 is his best. Cherie Priest is great too, if you are looking for Southern Gothic Horror (or steampunk, she does that too and it's even better).

 

[Babe Ruth]

The stretch of the Atlantic (off of Virginia Beach) was treacherous before technological advances in water rescue, etc. Chewning documents some of the historic shipwrecks, combined with his own personal connection to, (and interest in) Virginia Beach history..

 

[GB]

I've read a couple of Joe Hill novels. They never quite live up to the potential in them but I do think he has a masterpiece in him.

 

[Thucydides]

You ever read any John le carre, GB?

If so, what should I read ?

 

[GB]

I've read a few and definitely intend to read more. The Spy Who Came In from the Cold is very good and well worth reading. I'd also recommend The Looking Glass War. It's brilliant, I'm not sure how it isn't among his most well known books.

 

[kihei]

My two cents on le Carre. If you stay away for Little Drummer Girl, you can hardly go wrong. With that exception, I loved all of his first dozen novels, and though he drops a notch late in his career, his batting average remains stupendously high.

The world of England that he creates in the process takes hold of the imagination every bit as indelibly as those worlds created by Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie. Some fine movies came from these books as well.

 

[robertmac43]

You guys seem to know what your talking about and I appreciate that:

Thoughts and recommendations on books by John Grisham? Have been meaning to read him but I don't know where to start.

 

[GB]

While we're talking about Joe Hill and John Le Carre I'd like to recommend the novel Tigerman by Le Carre's son Nick Harkaway/

I've never read anything by John Grisham.

I read Paper Lion a decade+ ago and came across this in the library today

 

[Thucydides]

 

[Thucydides]

 

[Thucydides]

How have I not read Saul Bellow until now? This is a masterpiece and I’m only 35% into it.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Wow, really? I actually stumbled upon that book at the book store a couple days ago, thought of buying but didn't go through with it. My only experience with Bellows was The Theft and I loathed it. Might go back to get this one then. Hopefully it's still there.

 

[Thucydides]

It’s very , very good . Bellows is a heck of a writer . Highly recommend. I’m about 50% into it. Taking my time with it. This is my first book by Bellows , so don’t know about his other work but put both Herzog and The adventures of Augie March on my list to read soon.

I’ll post my thoughts on this one after I finish.

 

[Thucydides]

 

[Datsyukian Deke]

Part 1 of 3.

The first part is primarily addressing from 1871 to 1933 and the politics of the day that led to everything pretty much collapsing and paving the way for those to take power.