A 'right riveting read'... please....
08 April 2003, 09:08 AM
#1
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luke
those type of books are easy reading - chris ryan and andy mcnab.
if im in need for them to get deeper and explain every aspect of the story, i would read a tom clancy book.
kind of narrow minded of you to slate someones taste in books, they are only books after all.
would you not agree that if everyone enjoyed the same things that life would be boring?
Oh on a side note, i had a read of a robert ludlum book earlier this year, to me it wasnt very good. but each to their own.
[Edited by fitzscoob - 8/4/2003 9:09:53 AM]
those type of books are easy reading - chris ryan and andy mcnab.
if im in need for them to get deeper and explain every aspect of the story, i would read a tom clancy book.
kind of narrow minded of you to slate someones taste in books, they are only books after all.
would you not agree that if everyone enjoyed the same things that life would be boring?
Oh on a side note, i had a read of a robert ludlum book earlier this year, to me it wasnt very good. but each to their own.
[Edited by fitzscoob - 8/4/2003 9:09:53 AM]
31 July 2003, 03:49 PM
#2
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So what holiday books you all been reading ?
Looking for a few real good titles to pass away those lazy holiday hours
I read anything (apart from historical war pap, mills and boon/bridget jones p1sh and note a huge fan of sci-fi
)
Biographies, travel writing, general weirdo stuff, crime
Tell me what ya recommend
Cheers in advance
Si
Looking for a few real good titles to pass away those lazy holiday hours
I read anything (apart from historical war pap, mills and boon/bridget jones p1sh and note a huge fan of sci-fi
)Biographies, travel writing, general weirdo stuff, crime
Tell me what ya recommend
Cheers in advance
Si
31 July 2003, 03:56 PM
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Si,
I'd suggest any of the earlier Andy McNab books, Murray Walker's or Richard Branson's auto/biographies, or the Steve Matchett "A Mechanic's tale". I've also read Enigma by Robert Harris from which the recent film was made.
Cheers,
Darren.
I'd suggest any of the earlier Andy McNab books, Murray Walker's or Richard Branson's auto/biographies, or the Steve Matchett "A Mechanic's tale". I've also read Enigma by Robert Harris from which the recent film was made.
Cheers,
Darren.
31 July 2003, 03:57 PM
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Iain Banks has always been a holiday fave for me.
Pretty much everything I've read by him has been great - Wasp Factory, The Bridge, The Crow Road, Espedair Street are probably my favourites.
I read Song of Stone in Japan at Xmas though and it left me feeling really odd - cold and bleak and just a bit uncomfortable - I wouldn't recommend that as an introduction to Banks.
He also does Sci-Fi as Iain M Banks but as you dont like Sci-Fi I'd stick to the books without the M in his name (!)
http://www.iainbanks.net/fiction.htm - this link to his site gives you a couple of samples from each book plus various reviews etc.
Enjoy!
Ben
Pretty much everything I've read by him has been great - Wasp Factory, The Bridge, The Crow Road, Espedair Street are probably my favourites.
I read Song of Stone in Japan at Xmas though and it left me feeling really odd - cold and bleak and just a bit uncomfortable - I wouldn't recommend that as an introduction to Banks.
He also does Sci-Fi as Iain M Banks but as you dont like Sci-Fi I'd stick to the books without the M in his name (!)
http://www.iainbanks.net/fiction.htm - this link to his site gives you a couple of samples from each book plus various reviews etc.
Enjoy!
Ben
31 July 2003, 03:58 PM
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Some good mountaineering books would be one of my choices. If you haven't read it already, Touching the Void or The Beckoning Silence by Joe Simpson as both very good.
Stefan
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31 July 2003, 03:59 PM
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Is Harry On The Boat - Colin Butts. A couple of years old now but very funny. Basically a story of 18-30s type reps in Ibiza. Very apropriate considering the recent stories in Falaraki
31 July 2003, 04:00 PM
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"I am Legend" - Richard Matheson
"Guerrilla Warfare" or "The Motorcycle Diaries" - Che Guevara
"Do androids dream of electric sheep?" - Philip K Dick (OK, it's sci-fi, but good sci-fi)
"Guerrilla Warfare" or "The Motorcycle Diaries" - Che Guevara
"Do androids dream of electric sheep?" - Philip K Dick (OK, it's sci-fi, but good sci-fi)
31 July 2003, 04:11 PM
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If you're going to tackle Tony Hawkes then 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis' is way funnier than 'Around Ireland with a Fridge' (which was bloody funny as well). "One hit Wonder" is the third one to round off the set and jolly funny too!
Am just reading a fab one - English Passengers (Matthew Kneale) - it's a novel but a really funny one all about transporting criminals to Tasmania in the first half of the 1800's. Wasn't sure myself before I started it but very *very* good book. Won the Whitbread prize and shortliseted fot the Booker in 2000.
Sort of a novel that's also a bit of a travel book...
Have a fab hols btw!
Edited to say that Ozzy's right - the Joe Simpson books are excellent!!
[Edited by Drunken Bungle ***** - 7/31/2003 4:12:20 PM]
Am just reading a fab one - English Passengers (Matthew Kneale) - it's a novel but a really funny one all about transporting criminals to Tasmania in the first half of the 1800's. Wasn't sure myself before I started it but very *very* good book. Won the Whitbread prize and shortliseted fot the Booker in 2000.
Sort of a novel that's also a bit of a travel book...
Have a fab hols btw!
Edited to say that Ozzy's right - the Joe Simpson books are excellent!!
[Edited by Drunken Bungle ***** - 7/31/2003 4:12:20 PM]
31 July 2003, 04:25 PM
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I'm a bit of a John Grisham fan. They're great books usually with a good twist and are very realistic. The way they are written really gives you a good opportunity to put yourself in the position of the main character....usually a lawyer.
Another great book i read recently was 'Snow falling on Cedars' although the author's name escapes me at the minute.
I suppose there's also the usual plethera of motoring magazines to choose from too......mmmmmmm Max Power.....what a great read
James
[Edited by RS2 JIM - 7/31/2003 4:26:48 PM]
Another great book i read recently was 'Snow falling on Cedars' although the author's name escapes me at the minute.
I suppose there's also the usual plethera of motoring magazines to choose from too......mmmmmmm Max Power.....what a great read
James
[Edited by RS2 JIM - 7/31/2003 4:26:48 PM]
31 July 2003, 04:34 PM
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Anything by Christpher Brookmyre is very entertaining and right riveting. I second the Iain Banks (without the "M") nomonations - some similarities between the two, especially early Banks like Wasp Factory and Complicity.
A good holiday duo are Driving Over Lemons and Parrot in the pepper Tree by Chris Stewart.
A good holiday duo are Driving Over Lemons and Parrot in the pepper Tree by Chris Stewart.
31 July 2003, 04:35 PM
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"The Hitman Diaries" by Danny King
A proper laugh out loud read!
Might be worth trying his other books as well "The Bank Robber Diaries" and "The Burglar Diaries"
"The Best a Man Can Get" by John O'Farrell is also very funny. As is "This Is Your Life", although his first book "Things Can Only Get Better" is ok, but I think you have to understand Labour party politics to really enjoy it (I don't, so I really didn't enjoy it!)
A proper laugh out loud read!
Might be worth trying his other books as well "The Bank Robber Diaries" and "The Burglar Diaries"
"The Best a Man Can Get" by John O'Farrell is also very funny. As is "This Is Your Life", although his first book "Things Can Only Get Better" is ok, but I think you have to understand Labour party politics to really enjoy it (I don't, so I really didn't enjoy it!)
31 July 2003, 04:37 PM
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apparently Michael J Fox's autobiography is very good.
im not into reading....but id give that one a go.
last book i read on holiday was Bidget Jones's Diary. Had me in stitches the whole time and made me forget id gone on holiday with my **** of an ex.
im not into reading....but id give that one a go.
last book i read on holiday was Bidget Jones's Diary. Had me in stitches the whole time and made me forget id gone on holiday with my **** of an ex.
31 July 2003, 04:43 PM
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andy mcnab is a cracking writer, similar with chris ryan.
if you want more detail try some tom clancy books, my favourite one of his has to be "without remorse" cracking read - nice and violent in the good sort of way.
jack higgins is pretty good, also, stephen leather all good books.
if you want more detail try some tom clancy books, my favourite one of his has to be "without remorse" cracking read - nice and violent in the good sort of way.
jack higgins is pretty good, also, stephen leather all good books.
31 July 2003, 04:49 PM
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I second the Enigma book. But some of the chapters that go into details about the mathematics were done are very heavy going !!!
Frank Skinners book is also very good.
Frank Skinners book is also very good.
31 July 2003, 04:53 PM
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Jeremy Clarkson's "Born to be Riled" is a hoot.
Branson's autobiography is too.
Rogue Trader (Nick Leeson)
Dyson's autobiography.
This one was great: Cocky,Curtis Warren the drug baron story.
Branson's autobiography is too.
Rogue Trader (Nick Leeson)
Dyson's autobiography.
This one was great: Cocky,Curtis Warren the drug baron story.
31 July 2003, 04:58 PM
#20
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Magic
I'm off to Waterstones and then off to buy an even bigger suitcase
Gussie Cup
Read all the Ian Banks books... brilliant although admittedly struggled with Wilt but have never liked his sci fi Ian M Banks stuff
Stefan
Sounds right up my street
SexyWrx69
Just finished reading Michael J Fox's autobiography as my dad has suffered from 'young onset Parkinson's disease' for over 20 years and I thought this may help him ... very humorous read and really warmed to the guy having read it.
Thanks to all others Going to print this thread out and take it along to the book shop tomorrow....
Cheers
Si
[Edited by SiPie - 7/31/2003 4:58:45 PM]
I'm off to Waterstones and then off to buy an even bigger suitcase
Gussie Cup
Read all the Ian Banks books... brilliant
although admittedly struggled with Wilt but have never liked his sci fi Ian M Banks stuff Stefan
Sounds right up my street
SexyWrx69
Just finished reading Michael J Fox's autobiography as my dad has suffered from 'young onset Parkinson's disease' for over 20 years and I thought this may help him ... very humorous read and really warmed to the guy having read it.
Thanks to all others
Going to print this thread out and take it along to the book shop tomorrow....Cheers
Si
[Edited by SiPie - 7/31/2003 4:58:45 PM]
03 August 2003, 09:40 PM
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Technothrillers are a bit out of fashion these days, but whenever I pick up "Red Storm Rising" by Tom Clancy I have to finish it.
03 August 2003, 09:54 PM
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"Snow Falling on Cedars" is by David Guterson.
Try "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt. Totally justifies the hype.
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S Thompson" for a true classic drug-fuelled romp.
Last year on holiday the house we were in had a book called "The Waterworks" by E.L. Doctorow. Never read any of his stuff before but it kept me hooked. Bit of an odd book, though.
Try "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt. Totally justifies the hype.
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S Thompson" for a true classic drug-fuelled romp.
Last year on holiday the house we were in had a book called "The Waterworks" by E.L. Doctorow. Never read any of his stuff before but it kept me hooked. Bit of an odd book, though.
03 August 2003, 10:24 PM
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My two fave non-sci fi books are -
Clive Cussler - 'Treasure'
Mark Joseph - 'To Kill The Potemkin'
Both IMO are utter masterpieces.
Currently going through an Ian M Banks phase - stunning stuff IMO if you where into SF.
Clive Cussler - 'Treasure'
Mark Joseph - 'To Kill The Potemkin'
Both IMO are utter masterpieces.
Currently going through an Ian M Banks phase - stunning stuff IMO if you where into SF.
04 August 2003, 08:14 AM
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"Most the way through Tony Hawks - Round Ireland with a Fridge. Rather good. "
Just about to start it ...
And to think it all started with a £100.00 bet!!
Just about to start it ...
And to think it all started with a £100.00 bet!!
04 August 2003, 08:48 AM
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"andy mcnab is a cracking writer, similar with chris ryan."
O for gods sake ...get real!!!
They write a load of krap. Yes I have read some.. Its all little boys stuff. Very distant from the real story . They make money for sure.. but its mainly fairy tales.
You want drama and facts then god did right books... He used the Name "Robert Ludlum"
O for gods sake ...get real!!!
They write a load of krap. Yes I have read some.. Its all little boys stuff. Very distant from the real story . They make money for sure.. but its mainly fairy tales.
You want drama and facts then god did right books... He used the Name "Robert Ludlum"
04 August 2003, 09:02 AM
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Luke,
Does it matter if McNab's books are now so far removed from "reality"?
I did suggest that the earlier books were the better read, but the question was about "reveting reads", that doesn't have to mean factual, does it?
Darren.
Does it matter if McNab's books are now so far removed from "reality"?
I did suggest that the earlier books were the better read, but the question was about "reveting reads", that doesn't have to mean factual, does it?
Darren.
04 August 2003, 10:04 AM
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White Merc With Fins by James Hawes -- one of the best modern crime novels I've read.
Elmore Leonard is always good -- Freaky Deaky is his best (even he says so) but all of his late 80s / early 90s ones are good. Rum Punch (filmed as Jackie Brown), Maximum Bob, Pronto, City Primeval etc etc.
F*cked by Rock -- Zodiac Mindwarp. Great on-the-road tales from the best third-rate rock band on the planet.
Elmore Leonard is always good -- Freaky Deaky is his best (even he says so) but all of his late 80s / early 90s ones are good. Rum Punch (filmed as Jackie Brown), Maximum Bob, Pronto, City Primeval etc etc.
F*cked by Rock -- Zodiac Mindwarp. Great on-the-road tales from the best third-rate rock band on the planet.