• Good Reads

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 1:04 pm**

I have just finished reading a book that I would like to recommend-

Take It Back by Kia Abdullah

It is not a nice subject - without giving too much away I will simply say, 'rape' - but it has left me feeling 'Wow!' It is a long time since a book has had such an impact on me.

Give it a try.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:14 pm**

On your recommendation, spades, I' m going to order it from Waterstones.
I'll report back when I've read it.
I've looked at a three line plot summary, sounds similar to one of my favourite books, " To Kill A Mockingbird".

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:35 pm**

Good thread. Long time since we’ve had a books thread.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:58 pm**

The Elena Ferrante 4 book series set in Naples is excellent and very different.
Also reading some of Walter Mosley's earlier novels. If you want to know what it is like being poor and black in the States, then these are the standout books. Crime writing at its best. Totally different to McCarthy or Ellroy, but equally as good.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:58 pm**

I have been working my way through my Dean R Koontz collection over the past few months.

I hadn't looked at them for 20+ years and am thoroughly enjoying them

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:19 pm**

I started reading again more regularly midway through last year. I am trying (again) to read Bring Up the Bodies, having started twice and given up.

Always looking for different kinds of books to read.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:36 pm**

Keep at it. Excellent book.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:39 pm**

A Man with one of those faces - Ciamh McDonnell.

It’s a thriller but it’s very very funny as well. There’s a few more in the series too

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:59 pm**

Because of all the hype, I paused reading The Devil All The Time to read The Thursday Murder Club, blimey I'm not impressed unfortunately, so now I'm back on the first book and almost finished it, I can thoroughly recommend it. I heard of this book off here on a previous book thread, so thank you whoever that was.
Next read is already lined up, Shuggie Baine.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 4:23 pm**

I'm going through box sets of fictional Murders by various Authors that have been set in the Fens, Snowdonia and North Yorkshire.

All areas I know fairly well so they are easy to 'get into'. Good light reading with each set having principal characters each with their own peculiar problems.

Just a few of the authors..
Bill Kitson
Helen H Durrant
Joy Ellis
Simon McCleave
JM Dalgliesh

I find them relaxing and easy going

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 4:29 pm**

I've read "The Thursday Murder Club".

It held my attention, and there are some amusing passages, but I don't think I'll bother with his planned follow-ups.

Posted: **Wed Feb 03, 2021 8:33 pm**

Go dog go by p d eastman.
Part of the plot was used in oceans eleven but it was a pity that they had to dumb down the script especially for people who like that sort of film.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:04 am**

I'm halfway through reading the bible: it's a hard read, boring in fact, and the story lines and plot are pure fantasy. The films are much better.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 3:23 am**

ceborame wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:59 pm
Because of all the hype, I paused reading The Devil All The Time to read The Thursday Murder Club, blimey I'm not impressed unfortunately, so now I'm back on the first book and almost finished it, I can thoroughly recommend it. I heard of this book off here on a previous book thread, so thank you whoever that was.
Next read is already lined up, Shuggie Baine.

Just got Shuggie Baine myself........it's highly recommended.

I have to finish Murphy first....Samuel Beckett..fantastic book!

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:37 am**

Anything by C J Sansom...particularly the Shardlake series.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 7:58 am**

The Liberal Politics of Adolf Hitler by John King. Outstanding writer.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:04 am**

Just read The Fortnight in September by RC Sheriff (of Journey's End fame) which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Very simple premise (a family's 2 week holiday) but very humane and contemplative.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:42 am**

Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump. An insight, by Donald's only niece, into a fractious family unit and their dark history. No doubting Fred Snr.'s role in the whole sorry mess.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:18 am**

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:42 am
Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump. An insight, by Donald's only niece, into a fractious family unit and their dark history. No doubting Fred Snr.'s role in the whole sorry mess.

I'll jump in at that one when it has had a price cut on Kindle.

Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn by Gabriel Pogrund is a good read.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:20 am**

"All the best bits from Mrs Browns Boys and Not Going out"

Just been released on a Post It note...

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:24 am**

Just reading "The Nickel Boys" which is actually more than decent. Really enjoyed "The Women of the Castle" recently. "Pine" was quite good too. "Shuggie Bain" is waiting for me, so I'm looking forward to that!

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:34 am**

If you want to read some dark and disturbing historical fiction, then read The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell. The book is about a former SS officer who helped to carry out the Holocaust. It's a grim and weighty tome, both physically and mentally, at nearly 1000 page.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:35 am**

Read a few of the rail travel books by Paul Theroux (yes he is). Really enjoyable reads

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:41 am**

Currently reading V2 Robert Harris. Not bad so far.

He wrote Munich which was also a good read.

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:54 pm**

I won't claim to be the biggest reader in the world, far from it. I probably read 2 books a year and they are exclusively none fiction. This year I've made it a bit of a resolution to read more and I've nearly finished my first ever fictional book and I've absolutely loved it. It's called Swan Song written back in the 80s about a nuclear holocaust, its obviously pretty dark so I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a pick me up

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:14 pm**

Just re read 11 22 63 by Stephen King. Great book and not what you may normally expect from King. If you can suspend belief and accept time travel is possible you'll love it.

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:06 pm**

Just finished Shuggie Bain and I can honestly say it's every bit as good as people claim. A great read.

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:16 pm**

Marney&Mee wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:35 am
Read a few of the rail travel books by Paul Theroux (yes he is). Really enjoyable reads

Theroux is a great writer of both travel and fiction.
The Mosquito Coast was probably his finest work of fiction with Milroy the Magician also recommended.

M&M.... If you enjoyed PTs travel stuff I'd give Jonathan Rabans stuff a try....particularly Coasting, Old Glory and Hunting Mr Heartbreak.

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:41 pm**

I’ll have a look at those Fatboy. Cheers

Sports biography wise, try The Mystery Spinner by Gideon Haigh

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:13 pm**

Mondsley wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:14 pm
Just re read 11 22 63 by Stephen King. Great book and not what you may normally expect from King. If you can suspend belief and accept time travel is possible you'll love it.

I read this after a recommendation on here. I must say I was left disappointed after an engaging start, as I am whenever I read a Stephen King book. Don’t know why, but I still keep giving them another chance.

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:38 pm**

Vino blanco wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:04 am
I'm halfway through reading the bible: it's a hard read, boring in fact, and the story lines and plot are pure fantasy. The films are much better.

The book of Mormon much better,and you might get a free season ticket thrown in.

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:58 pm**

Reading Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay
“When the doors close, he’s got you....”
Endorsement on the front from the man himself “A suspense master - Stephen King”

Posted: **Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:42 am**

fatboy47 wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:16 pm
Theroux is a great writer of both travel and fiction.
The Mosquito Coast was probably his finest work of fiction with Milroy the Magician also recommended.

M&M.... If you enjoyed PTs travel stuff I'd give Jonathan Rabans stuff a try....particularly Coasting, Old Glory and Hunting Mr Heartbreak.

Started on his Arabia book Fatboy. Very good read. Thanks. The Levison travel books are good as well

Posted: **Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:34 pm**

: s-l400.jpg (21.71 KiB) Viewed 3397 times

I've ordered Allison a copy.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 4:01 pm**

Spades, I've now read "Take It Back ", and thoroughly enjoyed it. Provides plenty of food for thought. There are plenty of twists, even if the very final twist is rather improbable.

Thanks for recommending it.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 5:23 pm**

WazzaClaret wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:54 pm
I won't claim to be the biggest reader in the world, far from it. I probably read 2 books a year and they are exclusively none fiction. This year I've made it a bit of a resolution to read more and I've nearly finished my first ever fictional book and I've absolutely loved it. It's called Swan Song written back in the 80s about a nuclear holocaust, its obviously pretty dark so I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a pick me up

Robert Mccammon wrote a couple of decent stories, but I would recommend you try to find a book called Mystery Walk by him. His best by a mile

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 5:34 pm**

Just finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. His debut book is an excellent read and a worthy winner of the 2020 Booker prize.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 5:56 pm**

Mondsley wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:14 pm
Just re read 11 22 63 by Stephen King. Great book and not what you may normally expect from King. If you can suspend belief and accept time travel is possible you'll love it.

Great book

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:16 pm**

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 27, 2021 4:01 pm
Spades, I've now read "Take It Back ", and thoroughly enjoyed it. Provides plenty of food for thought. There are plenty of twists, even if the very final twist is rather improbable.

Thanks for recommending it.

I'm so pleased you found it neither a waste of time nor money.

I wonder if you might like books by Samuel Bjork? He is Norwegian. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ones I've read.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:21 pm**

I' ll have a look, spades.
I got a letter yesterday telling me I won last Saturday's Times crossword, so I have a Waterstones voucher to spend.

I'll let you know what I think in due course.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:42 pm**

If we aren’t talking football, I’ve just finished a book on Kaizen, now reading one called ‘getting to yes’ and ‘talking to strangers’
Because I’m a loser

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:03 pm**

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks - a series of easy reading short stories which was very welcome coming off the back of James Holland’s Normandy ‘44, itself an excellent and outstanding feat of research and literary work.

Up next is Sicily ‘43 by James Holland and then the Arms of Krupp by William Manchester.

That should keep me busy until Q1, 2027.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 9:16 pm**

Just read David Copperfield again, last read it at last a decade or so ago, timeless classic,plot,characterisation twists and turns as with most Dickens's novels it has everything.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:32 pm**

I re read papillon recently and enjoyed it.

A brilliant football book is the miracle of castel di Sangro if that’s your type of thing

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 11:17 pm**

Bury my heart at wounded Knee by Dee Brown. The history of the native American tribes. It was a snap decision in W H Smiths at Manchester airport 25 years ago. Still don't know why I picked it up but I've never read better

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 11:31 pm**

spadesclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 03, 2021 1:04 pm
I have just finished reading a book that I would like to recommend-

Take It Back by Kia Abdullah

It is not a nice subject - without giving too much away I will simply say, 'rape' - but it has left me feeling 'Wow!' It is a long time since a book has had such an impact on me.

Give it a try.

I've been looking for a decent rape book that leaves you with a good Wow

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 11:41 pm**

bfcjg wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:34 pm
s-l400.jpg
I've ordered Allison a copy.

Best get Pitchfork one as well!

Posted: **Sun Feb 28, 2021 10:43 am**

Just finished The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. Not murder and war but an easy read, cleverly written, with quite a bit of
Egyptology in.

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