| Books: what's everyone reading? 11:38 - Mar 21 with 26976 views | thedrownedman |
Just about to stay Shirley Jackson's 'Wer Have Always Lived in the Castle'.
The last book I read was The Killing Lessons, which was a fantastic read. | | | |  |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 22:25 - Apr 17 with 3619 views | Ebo |
Disgusting Bliss - The Brass Eye of Chris Morris. It's ok. | |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 18:23 - Jul 29 with 3462 views | Witneyjack |
Riding the Retreat by the late Richard Holmes. All about the British Expeditionary Force and their retreat from Mons in 1914. Quality. | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 13:37 - Jul 30 with 3382 views | Lohengrin |
That's a good few years old now, Witney. Are you re-reading it or have you just picked up a copy?
I'd like to recommend this to you, mate. It's an excellent partial biography of an extraordinary man. Right up your street, this.
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| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 13:45 - Jul 30 with 3375 views | Witneyjack |
I picked up a copy at the Library and realised I hadn't ever got round to reading it. Also in the pile is Nick Lloyd's 'Hundred Days' which has been recommended to me.
Thanks for the recommendation Loh, I'll put it on my list and look out for it. | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 14:09 - Jul 30 with 3363 views | Clinton |
Trolley Bus Pilot by Sketty's own Alun Richards
Alun recounts his time as a second world war trainee pilot. Slim volume, easy read. Decent chap too, I bought it after he gave a talk recently.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trolleybus-Pilot-Alun-John-Richards/dp/1784612421 | |
| If you can fill the unforgiving minute.
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 23:28 - Aug 6 with 3283 views | Jack_Meoff |
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Treasure-Islands-Havens-Stole-World/dp/0099541726
If anyone has an interest in international finance and the sleight of hand involved this is highly recommended.
The chapter about the City of London (the square mile) is the longest in the book and eye opening. An ancient theft mechanism on an astonishingly efficient level. Its relationship to Parliament is discussed within, as is the apparent 'nationisation' of the Bank of England.
I'm also aware of the irony of posting a link to Amazon on this subject too... | |
| If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--forever. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 04:21 - Aug 7 with 3255 views | Loyal |
I love educational books me ...
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| Nolan sympathiser, clout expert, personal friend of Leigh Dineen, advocate and enforcer of porridge swallows.
The official inventor of the tit w@nk. | | Poll: | Who should be Swansea number 1 |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 05:11 - Aug 7 with 3253 views | phact0rri |
Started up Salmon of Doubt which is a collection of stories that were started but never finished/published by Douglas Adams
Just finished Toradora Vol 6 (Japanese Language) by Yuyuko Takemiya.. which is a bit of a guilty pleasure. | |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 08:35 - Aug 7 with 3229 views | Dr_Winston |
Am in the middle of re-reading Game of Thrones. Also just started the Tom Thorne series by Mark Billingham, AKA Gary the Guard from Maid Marian and her Merry Men. | |
| Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 08:55 - Aug 7 with 3216 views | Phaedrus |
Re-reading Terry Pratchett discworld from the beginning. Currently reading Interesting Times. Whilst I find moments of humour and am managing to get through the books, its a testament to the ravages of time that I cannot now understand quite why I liked them so much. Maybe its because I have read a good deal of Douglas Adams since then, and I cannot read Pratchet without thinking that Adams did the same thing both better and earlier. [Post edited 7 Aug 2016 8:55]
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| And what is good Phaedrus, and what is not good. Need we ask anyone to tell us these things? |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 09:13 - Aug 7 with 3208 views | Dr_Winston |
I started on the Pratchett's. Gave up about 4/5 books in. You're right. They're nowhere near as funny as their reputation suggests. | |
| Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 16:00 - Aug 11 with 3129 views | FieryJack |
Selected Essays by Montaigne (paying particular attention to On Some Lines Of Virgil) - a bit chewy and dense, but worthwhile.
Dead Men Risen by Tony Harnden (Welsh Regiment's harrowing experiences in Iraq - a bit too dauntingly over-detailed for me).
Selected Essays of George Orwell (useful for those who'd like to improve their prose style).
As I Walked Out One Midsummers Morning by Laurie Lee (will give you a completely different perspective on Spain; written well before hordes of British descended there for package holidays).
No Harm Done - Henry Marsh (reminiscences of a top brain surgeon - bleak, wry, haunting, comical & tragical - 100% recommended).
Glad to see David Jones mentioned above. Plan to have another go at his "In Parenthesis" - apt enough in this centenary year of the Battle of the Somme. Much of this prose-poem is taken up with the ghastly Battle of Mametz wood, in which mainly inexperienced south Walian volunteers were involved in vicious and horrific close quarters fighting (bayonets in throats, limbs hanging from branches etc.) with huge professional Prussian guards amongst the trees.
And,in between, a bit of Chaucer for sauce and laughter. | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 16:41 - Aug 11 with 3122 views | Lohengrin |
Toby Harnden writes of The Welsh Guards, not the Welsh Regt. I think you may have lost your way up to Mametz! 
As a bit of guidance for anybody about to read In Parenthesis it would be a good idea to briefly familiarise yourself with The Song of Roland, Le Morte d' Arthur, The Mabinogion, Bunyan and Chaucer first; assuming you're not already. Jones's generation benefitted from a depth and fullness of education that today's curriculum simply doesn't allow. Without prior knowledge of the well Jones is drawing from much of the allusion and allegory that gives In Parenthesis its power won't make sense and it needs to because this is much more than literature it's artistry of the highest form.
If you've got a few bob to spare try and pick up a copy of The Folio Society's centenary edition. It is well worth the extra outlay as not only is it unquestionably the finest work to emerge from The Great War it is also arguably one of the most important works that exist in the English language.
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| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 18:44 - Aug 11 with 3100 views | phact0rri |
are you going through the whole Song Series for a re-read? I have some mates that went through the series one after the other. I mainly read another book in the series annually, book four is next. But it tends to be such a commitment I have to heal up before I return to the world. | |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 21:06 - Aug 11 with 3073 views | FieryJack |
Thanks for that, Lohengrin. That Folio Society edition looks just the job. I'll add it to my already overlong list of books to buy! | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 08:35 - Sep 2 with 2875 views | Lohengrin |
I bought that set as a present a few years back when it came out... and paid the full whack!!   | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 10:09 - Sep 2 with 2852 views | LeonisGod |
Bit of escapism over the summer holiday. Good too.
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 10:14 - Sep 2 with 2850 views | Lohengrin |
If I was sat next to you on the plane and saw that I'd poke you in the eye with the plastic spoon to save you from yourself.  | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 10:18 - Sep 2 with 2849 views | LeonisGod |
If you liked that, then I'd suggest having a look at Feet in the Clouds, by Richard Askwith. It's one of the earlier books that helped kick off the proliferation of running books that are now out there, but is so much more than a simple running book. Part personal story, part historical examination of the strange and weird fell running community in the UK. You certainly don't need to be a runner to enjoy it. He's a journalist , so it's also well written compared to many of the 'personal challenge' books around nowadays.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feet-Clouds-Tale-Fell-running-Obsession-ebook/dp/B0077F | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 10:19 - Sep 2 with 2864 views | LeonisGod |
I guessed you'd say as much. We could have a book swap! | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 10:46 - Sep 2 with 2851 views | Lohengrin |
If that were to happen you'd suddenly metamorphose. Your jacket would magically transform into the finest tweed. In the blink of an eye your tie, handkerchief and cuff- links would draw looks of admiration and envy from all seated nearby while the air hostesses would be falling over themselves to bring you fresh ice and a whisky refill. What would I get? Some bloke with acne and a turn in his eye wanting to talk to me about Dungeons and Dragons?
It's hardly a fair trade. | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 18:02 - Sep 2 with 2815 views | CopperJack |
Reading two at the moment. Great expectations, a very slow burner, and on her majesty's secret service, which is excellent. Recommend the former to anyone interested in classic literature, the latter to anyone who likes the Bond films. Many of the books are far better | |
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| Books: what's everyone reading? on 18:17 - Sep 2 with 2812 views | londonlisa2001 |
Oh brilliant - thanks for that - sounds just the sort of thing I enjoy. I'll add it to my kindle list for holiday. | | | |
| Books: what's everyone reading? on 19:00 - Sep 2 with 2803 views | Lohengrin |
You may want to add this as well, love, it's very good. Right up your street given what you've been saying.
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| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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