What's the best book you've ever read?
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Of mice and men. Small community where nothing happens yet everything happens, the perfect book.
For whom the bell tolls: Hemmingway, another must.
For whom the bell tolls: Hemmingway, another must.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
It depends what you are looking for; enlightenment, inspiration or entertainment. But at the moment I'm ploughing through Jerusalem the Biography which chronicles the thousands of years of battling between the three major religions of the region. You could not make it up.
For inspiration it has to be the true story of Violette Szabo in Carve Her Name with Pride.
For a laugh I re-read Bill Bryson's Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.
For inspiration it has to be the true story of Violette Szabo in Carve Her Name with Pride.
For a laugh I re-read Bill Bryson's Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
A Storm of Swords - George. R.R. Martin. My favourite of the Song of Ice & Fire books
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks. His first novel. Dark, sinister and brilliantly bizarre.
Last edited by Dressinggown on Sun Mar 05, 2017 8:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Not much of a reader to be honest, would rather be doing something, but did read
the series of Jennings books when I was a lad (boys own adventure stuff)
As an adult, I have read all Sven Hassel's books - a great insight into life in
a German panzer division. Link to his website http://www.svenhassel.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Sven Hassel's books are a testament to
the brutality of war and the singular
fight of the lone soldier for his life."
Finally, I really enjoyed The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (Alan Sillitoe)
and The Carpetbaggers (Harold Robbins)
the series of Jennings books when I was a lad (boys own adventure stuff)
As an adult, I have read all Sven Hassel's books - a great insight into life in
a German panzer division. Link to his website http://www.svenhassel.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Sven Hassel's books are a testament to
the brutality of war and the singular
fight of the lone soldier for his life."
Finally, I really enjoyed The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (Alan Sillitoe)
and The Carpetbaggers (Harold Robbins)
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Hard question but the one I return to a lot is Lord of the Rings (and usually followed by the Silmarillion.
Aside from "fantasy" I'd have to say 1984, Lord of the Flies, of Mice and Men. Brave New World is good too.
Final thought - Use of Weapons - Iain M Banks (dark and brooding Sci Fi)
Aside from "fantasy" I'd have to say 1984, Lord of the Flies, of Mice and Men. Brave New World is good too.
Final thought - Use of Weapons - Iain M Banks (dark and brooding Sci Fi)
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Very difficult question - as a kid around 10 years old I used to read nothing but ghost stories and there was a great compilation called 'Ghost Stories From Around The World' I got repeatedly from our local library.
But if I had to choose my favourite book it would be The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe.
But if I had to choose my favourite book it would be The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera.
UTC!
UTC!
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
HEMINGWAY. 1 m please.boiledclaret wrote:Of mice and men. Small community where nothing happens yet everything happens, the perfect book.
For whom the bell tolls: Hemmingway, another must.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
HEMINGWAY. 1 m please.halfmanhalfbiscuit wrote:This is a tough one for me.
I've enjoyed the works of Wilde, Hemmingway, Philip k.Dick, plus more contemporary writers like Welsh, Ellis and Hornby.
But if I had to choose one book I think it would be George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Feel free to add other favorites but it would be nice to hear people's outright winner.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Count Belisarius, Robert Graves.
The Threepenny Novel, Bertolt Brecht.
Black Mischief, Evelyn Waugh.
A Handful of Dust, Evelyn Waugh, the only book that I ever read in one sitting as I just HAD to know how it ended.
The Threepenny Novel, Bertolt Brecht.
Black Mischief, Evelyn Waugh.
A Handful of Dust, Evelyn Waugh, the only book that I ever read in one sitting as I just HAD to know how it ended.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Bought this from a Jumble Sale for 15 Pence when I was aged about 9.
Had sleeping problems for months afterwards.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Best Non-Fiction book.
An account of the 1996 Everest disaster.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Rusty Bedsprings by I.P. Nightly.
also Pale Fire by Nabokov
100 yrs of solitude Garcia Marquez
Molloy, Molone dies, and the unnamable..... although the Unnamable is a difficult read.
also Pale Fire by Nabokov
100 yrs of solitude Garcia Marquez
Molloy, Molone dies, and the unnamable..... although the Unnamable is a difficult read.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Tough one, I tend to like epic stories so:
Battlefield Earth by L Ron Hubbard. A shite film but a brilliant book.
Papillion, as said above, the fact it's a true story is astonishing.
Shogun by James Clavell. A wonderful delve into early 17th century samurai.
Battlefield Earth by L Ron Hubbard. A shite film but a brilliant book.
Papillion, as said above, the fact it's a true story is astonishing.
Shogun by James Clavell. A wonderful delve into early 17th century samurai.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
At the risk (certainty) of feeling like low brow illiterate compared to you all, my favourite books are always my 'go to every year' . They hold many memories of my life as its gone along.
Stephen King - The Stand
Harry Potter - all
Jeffery Archer - Kane and Able, Prodigal Daughter
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
My many history books (especially Tudor)
Stephen King - The Stand
Harry Potter - all
Jeffery Archer - Kane and Able, Prodigal Daughter
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
My many history books (especially Tudor)
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
East of Eden, John Steinbeck. Truly epic. The film, although good, only covers a small section.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Scoop, Evelyn Waugh.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
The Sword of Honour Trilogy, Evelyn Waugh.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Yes Man.
Everyone should read it. Not only will you laugh out loud, it will change your whole approach to life.
Don't watch the film.
Everyone should read it. Not only will you laugh out loud, it will change your whole approach to life.
Don't watch the film.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
The Sett by Ranulph Fiennes. He tells the story of a man who approches him to write his story.
Incredible story where you are asked to decide whether it is truth or fiction. Some of it set around Blackburn with the murdered Paul Blackledge a central character.
Incredible story where you are asked to decide whether it is truth or fiction. Some of it set around Blackburn with the murdered Paul Blackledge a central character.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
As a teenager for me it was "The Dark is Rising" series by Susan Cooper, it resonated with me because of the settings described in Cornwall and it has the magic of Arthurian legend. More recently I enjoyed Angels and Demons (much more than the Da Vinci Code), and a certain Mr Joseph Barton autobiography.
Of all the over hyped books I was forced to read - "Of Mice and Men" (George kills Lenny synopsis).
Of all the over hyped books I was forced to read - "Of Mice and Men" (George kills Lenny synopsis).
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
I recently read Siddartha by Hermann Hesse and enjoyed that and have just moved on to Machiavelli's The Prince
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
morpheus2 wrote:Wow, for those who don't know the story behind the story, I imagine The Satanic Verses would be an extremely difficult read, very difficult to understand.
For those who know of the story behind the original satanic verses with the knowledge of the 'real' historical characters such as the scribe Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh, little Aisha, Muhammad, the angel Jibreel, the goddesses Al'Uzza, Allat, and Manat - it is a fantastic read! Truly gripping!
But I would recommend a lot of historical (or mythical if you like) study into early Islamic history before you embark on this journey.
Dont let Morpheus put you off reading this book. hes trying to make out you need to be Einsteen to understand this book but he is coming accross as a bit of a smart a rse. it is completely worth the read it and it flows beautifully once you get in tune with the book. you do not need to understand the story behind it, not one bit.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Crikey, probably easier if I name ten or so
Lord of the the Rings - Tolkien
Consider Phelbas - Iain M Banks (all his sci-fi is really good, but this is exceptional)
South by Java Head - Alistair McInnes
The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan (series too long, bu the first seven books are great)
A Game of Thrones - George RR Martin ( tv series in excellent, but the first five books are superb)
Dunkirk - Hugh Sebag-Montifeiore (great account of an utterly amazing and still hard to believe British defeat and recovery)
Red Storm - Tom Clancy (dated now, but terrifyingly realistic when it came out)
The Winter King Trilogy - Bernard Cornwell (best Arthurian series out there)
Persian Fire - Tom Holland (great history books)
Shattered Sword - Marshall and Tully (Battle of Midway, compelling read if its your sort of thing)
There are miles more, but those are ones I can read time and time again.
Special mention for Peter F Hamiltons "Pandoras star" and "Judas Unchained"
Lord of the the Rings - Tolkien
Consider Phelbas - Iain M Banks (all his sci-fi is really good, but this is exceptional)
South by Java Head - Alistair McInnes
The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan (series too long, bu the first seven books are great)
A Game of Thrones - George RR Martin ( tv series in excellent, but the first five books are superb)
Dunkirk - Hugh Sebag-Montifeiore (great account of an utterly amazing and still hard to believe British defeat and recovery)
Red Storm - Tom Clancy (dated now, but terrifyingly realistic when it came out)
The Winter King Trilogy - Bernard Cornwell (best Arthurian series out there)
Persian Fire - Tom Holland (great history books)
Shattered Sword - Marshall and Tully (Battle of Midway, compelling read if its your sort of thing)
There are miles more, but those are ones I can read time and time again.
Special mention for Peter F Hamiltons "Pandoras star" and "Judas Unchained"
Last edited by Lancasterclaret on Mon Mar 06, 2017 12:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
I felt the same, the thing is though, I researched Papillon a little bit, seemingly it is no more than a fanciful tale by the author.bobinho wrote:Papillon by Henri Charriere.
Awesome. Couldn't put it down. It's a good film, but the book is something else. True story of a mans absolute refusal to give in and accept incarceration.
Disappointingly, the follow up 'Banco' (what happened after freedom was attained) isn't a patch on it.
I was saddened to read that having believed it to be a true story. Film was on tv last night, still pretty good.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Johnny got his gun,Dalton trumbo.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Of Kosher did.halfmanhalfbiscuit wrote:That almost made me choke on my bacon butty.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Not at all old bean, just trying to be helpful, I'm impressed that you found it so easy and enjoyable.pushpinpussy wrote:Dont let Morpheus put you off reading this book. hes trying to make out you need to be Einsteen to understand this book but he is coming accross as a bit of a smart a rse. it is completely worth the read it and it flows beautifully once you get in tune with the book. you do not need to understand the story behind it, not one bit.
I found that there are more metaphors involved in Rushdie's impression of the Satanic tale than there are in the original sources that served as the inspiration. Having said that, in the Islamic world to the non Muslims and potential reverts, we pretend that most of our scriptures are metaphorical, this is our attempt to try hide the fact that there are so many embarrassing instructions, contradictions and scientific errors in the sources. Unfortunately the exegesis of the early scholars, tafsir writers and other commentators tell a different story, most of the scriptures are meant to be taken very literally.
So I'm very sorry, but I do still think it's a good idea to get a bit of background information to help get the general gist of things, the original Satanic verses is afterall a fascinating story in itself, you should look it up, you'll be able to relate to it really well seeing as you understood Rushdie's book.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
The Qu'ran and 'What is Sufism' Martin Lings.
Life changers.
Life changers.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
" La Peste" by Albert Camus: existential philosophy tempered by harsh reality.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
TheTime Travellers Wife, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Cartel. Audrey Niffenegger, Ken Kesey and Don Winslow.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett, or in fact anything by the master of fantasy mirth.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
A million little pieces by James Frey.Absolutely outstanding account of one man's struggle with addiction and attempt at rehab. The only book that's brought a year to my eye.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
I was made to read the Bible. At first it was a bit of a chore, but I got into it, a great read despite the outdated grammar.conyoviejo wrote:The Bible,its absolutely full of crazy tales of doom and gloom..
Unfortunately the new testament didn't quite match up to the old.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Papillon is up there for me as well, but is pipped by The day after tomorrow by Allan Folsom
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
If push comes to shove, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins although I love all his work, much more than his friend and contemporary Charles Dickens who was no slouch.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
1984 by George Orwell
The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Stalingrad by Antony Beevor
The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Stalingrad by Antony Beevor
Last edited by JohnMcGreal on Mon Mar 06, 2017 8:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
I love Pratchett. Witches abroad is incredibly funny, as is guards guards!Claret&Green wrote:Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett, or in fact anything by the master of fantasy mirth.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
I agree with dermotdermot - "Scoop" by Evelyn Waugh. It is still laugh-out-loud funny, 40 years after I first read it.
"A Star Called Henry" by Roddy Doyle.
"Burmese Days" and "Down and Out in London and Paris" by George Orwell
"A Star Called Henry" by Roddy Doyle.
"Burmese Days" and "Down and Out in London and Paris" by George Orwell
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
D-Day by Stephen Ambrose. Read it in one day , unputdownable.
The pianist- Wladyslaw Szpilman , upsetting, brilliant, awe inspiring.
A hard life in football - Stan Ternent , hilarious.
The pianist- Wladyslaw Szpilman , upsetting, brilliant, awe inspiring.
A hard life in football - Stan Ternent , hilarious.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Middle-aged claret...totally agree about Scoop and Handful of Dust is another genius Evelyn Waugh novel.
Dressing gown..YES..Into Thin Air is a fantastic read and Jon Krakauer's other great book, Into The Wild, is equally brilliant .
Some tremendous books featured in this thread.
Dressing gown..YES..Into Thin Air is a fantastic read and Jon Krakauer's other great book, Into The Wild, is equally brilliant .
Some tremendous books featured in this thread.
Last edited by Stalbansclaret on Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Also voting for Pillars of the Earth too.Stevie2112 wrote:I too really enjoyed this,and also the trilogy that followed,The Century Trilogy.
I'm onto the third Century Trilogy book and just can't get into it.
Handful listed below...
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman (was superb when I was a kid)
Fight Club, Haunted and Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
The Stand by Stephen King
1984 and Animal Farm by George Orwell
A Song of Ice and Fire series
The Prosecution of George W Bush for Murder by Vincent Bugliosi for some real crime.
I tell what is a terrible book though. War of the worlds. Nothing really happens.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
So many great Evelyn Waugh books written in quick succession and just so funny.
Put Out More Flags is a good shout as well. I personally think that Brideshead Revisited is overrated though.
Black Mischief. Would/could that be published now?
Put Out More Flags is a good shout as well. I personally think that Brideshead Revisited is overrated though.
Black Mischief. Would/could that be published now?
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
D Day is a hard hitting but fantastic insight into that historic day and the build up and aftermath.karatekid wrote:D-Day by Stephen Ambrose. Read it in one day , unputdownable.
The pianist- Wladyslaw Szpilman , upsetting, brilliant, awe inspiring.
A hard life in football - Stan Ternent , hilarious.
On a similar vein, the Forgotten Voices series chronicling WW1, WW2 and the Falklands are chronological oral histories of each major battle of the conflicts, taken from British, American, Canadian, German and French perspectives for the WW versions and interesting insight from the Argentina pov with regards to the Falklands.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
"The Hyperion Omnibus" by Dan Simmons. It's better than "Dune".
"The KLF - Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds". I like the KLF.
Any of the "Modern Toss" books are good.
And if you haven't read anything by Don Winslow, why not? His drugs war books are astonishing.
"The KLF - Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds". I like the KLF.
Any of the "Modern Toss" books are good.
And if you haven't read anything by Don Winslow, why not? His drugs war books are astonishing.
Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
IT by Stephen King. Probably my favourite horror book,very creepy throughout with some top characters.
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson. Very humorous observations of an American wandering around Britain.
Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Takes a bit to get going,maybe a hundred pages or so but amazing once you get into it.
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson. Very humorous observations of an American wandering around Britain.
Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Takes a bit to get going,maybe a hundred pages or so but amazing once you get into it.
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Re: What's the best book you've ever read?
Wuthering Heights for its unique humour