Books for the Summer

[Goalkeeper]

What book or books do you recommend for this summer?

[The Shire Claret]

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - George R R Martin

Joyland - Steven King (Published by Hard Case Crime) shorter stories

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

[Woodleyclaret]

From The City,From The Plough
Alexander Baron
One of the best WW2 books written

[Selby Claret]

At the risk of blowing my own trumpet, my first novel has just been launched on all platforms if interested.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonderground-W ... 027&sr=8-1

[HB Claret]

Another one to blow his own trumpet - I had a book published last year based on our work as student organisers for foreign kids on short stay holidays. Fairly easy reading with a few football references.
Thank You For The Fahrt: The life and times of a foreign student local organiser https://amzn.eu/d/hen8Yke https://amzn.eu/d/hen8Yke

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

And another!
My books are for children ages 8 to 12, and are selling like 'hot cakes'.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Brian-Be ... BBeresford

Mine are the first three on the page, the 'spiritual' ones are by another person with the same name.

Burnley season ticket holder and fan for a lifetime!

[Quicknick]

I might as well join in. It's been out a few months but, as a few reviews have suggested, it's not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. It features a male protagonist who was sacked from his job as a vice detective in the London Met for kerb crawling, and a femme fatale who is the daughter of a convicted child killer. Their paths collide in the long, hot Tokyo summer of 1990. Neon Identity is currently being professionally reviewed and is the first of an early-'90s Tokyo noir crime trilogy; the second and third novels are due out later this year and in spring 2026 repectively.

If interested, I suggest reading the 'Look inside' section on Amazon.


https://books2read.com/u/bMqwXG

[ClaretOfMancunia]

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/343.Perfume

[Quicknick]

An old one. American Tabloid: James Ellroy. My vote for the best crime novel ever.

[Bigvince]

For any history lovers, just read Unruly by David Mitchell, really entertaining history of English king and queens. Very humorous read.

[Zom Zom]

I’m roughly half way through Joseph Delaney’s Wardstone Chronicles, the first book being The Spook’s Apprentice.

Witchcraft, the summoning of demons and the ‘Fiend’, pretty much based quite locally, Pendle and the surrounding areas.It’s a very good read and I’m currently on book 6, The Spook’s Sacrifice and it’s very difficult to put down.

There’s 13 books in total, the 14th unfinished as Delaney died before he could complete it.

Ignore the film that it spawned though, Seventh Son. It’s so far removed from the book and ruined by the Hollywood approach.

[billyhamilton82]

For any history lovers, just read Unruly by David Mitchell, really entertaining history of English king and queens. Very humorous read.

Just about to put the same. Listened on audible. Very informative/educational and funny at the same time.

[Volvoclaret]

Bosscat recommended the classic "Mog". The first chapter is riveting;
My name is Mog
I am a cat
I sleep on a mat.
It gets very dark after that so I won't spoil the ending.

[Quicknick]

Bosscat recommended the classic "Mog". The first chapter is riveting;
My name is Mog
I am a cat
I sleep on a mat.
It gets very dark after that so I won't spoil the ending.

I've tried looking this up. Who is the author, please?

[Cooclaret]

Anthony Chew: Broadwater

[fatboy47]

As a serial masochist I'm just having another crack at Ulysses...not sure why I do this to myself every 5 years or so.

I'm convinced I'll get it one of these days.

[Clovius Boofus]

A Company of Liars by Karen Maitland is a real page turner.

The year is 1348 and the first plague victim has reached English shores. Panic erupts around the country and a small band of travellers comes together to outrun the deadly disease, unaware that something far more deadly is - in fact - travelling with them.

The ill-assorted company - a scarred trader in holy relics, a conjurer, two musicians, a healer and a deformed storyteller - are all concealing secrets and lies. And at their heart is the strange, cold child - Narigorm - who reads the runes.

[Quicknick]

A Company of Liars by Karen Maitland is a real page turner.

The year is 1348 and the first plague victim has reached English shores. Panic erupts around the country and a small band of travellers comes together to outrun the deadly disease, unaware that something far more deadly is - in fact - travelling with them.

The ill-assorted company - a scarred trader in holy relics, a conjurer, two musicians, a healer and a deformed storyteller - are all concealing secrets and lies. And at their heart is the strange, cold child - Narigorm - who reads the runes.

That sounds good. I love edgy historical fiction.

[Clovius Boofus]

That sounds good. I love edgy historical fiction.

One of those books you don't want to end.

[Taffy on the wing]

Murphy......Samuel Beckett

[Exsus]

From The City,From The Plough
Alexander Baron
One of the best WW2 books written

Just borrowed this from the library and enjoying it so far, thanks.

[Holtyclaret]

The men from the boys by Phillip Collins.

Tale of two brothers from Bury, very good (quite cheap on e bay).

[Longsidebovril]

If you like factual books.. i highly recommend Killing Thatcher. A book about the Brighton bomb and the before and after. One of the best I’ve read.
My left field suggestion .. and hear me out… is Timmy Mallet’s autobiography. It’s one of the most lovely and uplifting books I’ve ever read.

[Volvoclaret]

I've tried looking this up. Who is the author, please?

Judith Kerr

[Dazzler]

The Strange Death Of Europe - Douglas Murray

[Dressinggown]

The Talisman by Stephen King / Peter Straub is a complete journey in itself.

I cannot provide any real summary of this novel. Just that it is incredibly engaging.

[Quicknick]

Judith Kerr

Thanks.

[JohnMcGreal]

If you like factual books.. i highly recommend Killing Thatcher. A book about the Brighton bomb and the before and after. One of the best I’ve read.

I took this on holiday last year and finished it in a few days. Couldn't put it down. Fantastic read.

[Ptgclaret]

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Both great sci-fi books.

Mother of God by Paul Rosolie - great book about a bloke trying his best to help the Amazon from within it.

Apache by Ed Macy. Great story written by a real Apache pilot - the military service in him comes across well in the book.

[Big Vinny K]

If you like Bob Mortimer and his type of humour then I’d recommend the 2 books he’s written. Read them in order as even though they are different stories the characters run through both books.

Good autobiography which was not what I expected but very interesting was Gene Wilders.

If you enjoy sports books then Four Kings is excellent. It’s written about one of the best eras of boxing and quality of divisions in the history of boxing. The book is about Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran and their respective lives and fights against each other. Fantastic read and I doubt we will ever see 4 boxers of this quality in the same division ever again.

[Dressinggown]

If you like Bob Mortimer and his type of humour then I’d recommend the 2 books he’s written. Read them in order as even though they are different stories the characters run through both books.

Good autobiography which was not what I expected but very interesting was Gene Wilders.

If you enjoy sports books then Four Kings is excellent. It’s written about one of the best eras of boxing and quality of divisions in the history of boxing. The book is about Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran and their respective lives and fights against each other. Fantastic read and I doubt we will ever see 4 boxers of this quality in the same division ever again.

There's also a great documentary online.

[TonbridgeClaret]

The Claret Pals by Evan Baldock.

A crime thriller about a group of Burnley fans travelling to away games.

[Taffyfan]

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne. In fact anything by John Boyne.

[bfcmik]

Another old one, though quite formulaic, is Thomas Armstrong's "King Cotton". Tells the story of the effects of the American Civil War on Lancashire's cotton manufacturing though the eyes of a young man working in the cotton industry, though more in a brokerage in Liverpool than a mill worker. Half the fun is working out where the changed locations are in reality.

[Dark Cloud]

"The Immortalists" by Chloe Benjamin is a brilliant and clever book
Anything by Amor Towles, but especially "A Gentleman in Moscow"
And another shout out for "The Satsuma Complex" by Bob Mortimer which is good, if somewhat "light" entertainment.

[Tricky Trevor]

There are a few on here need this.
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-go ... wsandrules

[appleton]

Lenny Johnrose "Finding a Way" might be a bit old but it's still one of the best biographies written by a footballer and it's available on Lancashire libraries Borrowbox.

[The Hung Juror]

Just started the third of the Stieg Larsson trilogy, The Girl That Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.

The first two, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire, I found brilliant and would highly recommend both. I love crime thrillers and I am a bit of a Scandophile.

I was wondering whether any posters had read any of the David Lagercrantz books which have continued the series after Larson’s untimely and tragic death.

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

Just started the third of the Stieg Larsson trilogy, The Girl That Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.

The first two, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire, I found brilliant and would highly recommend both. I love crime thrillers and I am a bit of a Scandophile.

I was wondering whether any posters had read any of the David Lagercrantz books which have continued the series after Larson’s untimely and tragic death.

Just started the third instalment after flying through the first two they certainly hold up to the originals

[Lu-tze]

Read The Ministry of Time- Kaliane Bradley over Christmas and really enjoyed it.
I’m quite into science-fiction but don’t be put off if you’re not- it’s not too heavy on the sci-fi, very readable and interesting historically-wise.
It reminded me a bit of the tv show Ghosts if anyone’s a fan of that.

[1fatclaret]

Can’t help but remember the sadly departed Spades Claret whenever there is a book choice topic on here. She had some amazing recommendations.

[Silkyskills1]

As a serial masochist I'm just having another crack at Ulysses...not sure why I do this to myself every 5 years or so.

I'm convinced I'll get it one of these days.

Similarly for me I'm tempted once more to have another go at Moby Dick. Stopped halfway through over a year ago and was told by a few people that I should have continued. Considering 'The Canterbury Tales' which I'm ashamed to say have never interested me. Anyone here with any advice for Moby Dick or 'Canterbury Tales'? Thanks in advance.

[helmclaret]

John and Paul - A love story in songs

By Ian Leslie

[fatboy47]

Similarly for me I'm tempted once more to have another go at Moby Dick. Stopped halfway through over a year ago and was told by a few people that I should have continued. Considering 'The Canterbury Tales' which I'm ashamed to say have never interested me. Anyone here with any advice for Moby Dick or 'Canterbury Tales'? Thanks in advance.

Can't help there silky....but let us know how you get on...respect!

[MrTopTier]

Similarly for me I'm tempted once more to have another go at Moby Dick. Stopped halfway through over a year ago and was told by a few people that I should have continued. Considering 'The Canterbury Tales' which I'm ashamed to say have never interested me. Anyone here with any advice for Moby Dick or 'Canterbury Tales'? Thanks in advance.

I read loads, but from time to time read things that are not necessarily my kind of thing. It requires extra effort and tends to be a more difficult approach to reading. If nothing else it’s an Education!

Moby Dick is one I haven’t read for a while and like you silky struggled with the early part of the book, however I would say the second half of the book is the story.

Canterbury tales haven’t read these since A levels.
The tales themselves are short stories.
The challenge is the language, written in old English. Think trying to decipher an Irvine Welsh book as a modern comparison.

[MrTopTier]

Jimmy Anderson’s autobiography Finding the edge.

Obviously a Burnley bias, but it is well written and relatable.

David Peace - Munichs

Also recommended by helmclaret John and Paul by Ian Leslie

Chris Whittaker We begin at the end and All the colours of the dark

[cmobfc]

At the risk of blowing my own trumpet, my first novel has just been launched on all platforms if interested.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonderground-W ... 027&sr=8-1

Really enjoying this Selby and love the regular nods to ex-Burnley players with the names! I'm a teacher and was hoping to use parts of it within English lessons (can't read the whole book as parts are little mature for the age I teach). Is there a way I can get in touch with you to discuss?

[cmobfc]

Oh and in the spirit of recommendations:
Born a Crime (autobiography) by Trevor Noah
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
All of the Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanagh
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Take it Back by Kia Abdullah

[Stalbansclaret]

Anything by Mick Herron ….author of the Slow Horses series of novels. A very clever , funny and entertaining author. Just finished his compilation of short stories , Dolphin Junction. Takes of the Unexpected came to mind.
I really like the series of detective novels set in Venice and featuring Commisario Brunetti written by Donna Leon. Start with Death at La Fenice and work forwards from there. Great characters and sense of place.

[karatekid]

Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov