Topic: Books You're Currently Reading?

@QualityGeezer The best book I’ve read recently was an autobiography called Barbarian Days by a guy called William Finnegan.

He’s now a staff writer for The New Yorker and won the Pulitzer Prize for the book. It’s actually nothing to do with his career but all about his love for surfing and follows him through his life focusing on that aspect.

If you’re into surfing it’s a must read. If you’re not, it’s still a fantastic read.

@Xianders Dracula is a wonderful book. There's nothing else I've ever read that pays so much attention to people washing and peeing!

@KALofKRYPTON Is that the Bram Stoker version? Did you ever read Jekyll & Hyde?

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Yeah. Van Helsing is pretty hot on making sure everyone has 'made toilet'

I have read J&H - also a very good book.

@JoeBlogs You mean the BBC one?

if so, yes I've seen it - it's terrible.

@JoeBlogs I absolutely hated the first episode of Dracula but the second was brilliant. The third was ok but didn’t quite live up to the second. Claes Bang was fantastic as Dracula, probably the best I’ve seen in a long time.

@nessisonett I found it almost insultingly self-indulgent. Episode 3 is one of the worst bits of TV I've ever seen, the second was a close second to that. Dolly Wells as Agatha was the only saving Grace.

@JoeBlogs Despite the casting, the Bram Stoker's Dracula 90's film isn't too far off. It maintains most elements from the from the book and handles the overall story very well.

I recently finished The Hobbit, I mentioned that I was reading it in The Creative Writing/Literature thread, I have just started The Fellowship of the Ring (first volume of The Lord of the Rings novel) and aim to get through that over the next few months.

Generally read a book per week - particularly when in bed, read and thoroughly enjoy any books written by 3 particular authors: Harlan Coben
Linwood Barclay
Shari Lapena
All write in an easy on the eye/brain format and all generally have a twist or surprise ending. I have a pre-order on Amazon for each author.
Try any of these authors, guarantee you will not be disappointed...

My big problem with books is that I just never get around to reading them. It's too easy for me to play games or do other things instead. These days, I can go months at a time without reading, which means that it could take me years to finish a book. I'm trying to change that though, as I would like to read more regularly.

Currently I'm enjoying 1984 by George Orwell, getting towards the end of that now.

Almost done with City of Brass. It's quite good and it's a trilogy to boot so I get to keep going. Unless of course Doors of Stone comes out then all other life stops, sorry wife, kids, and work it's time to see what Kvothe has gotten himself into.

I'm up to the final (written by Fleming) Bond book 'Octopussy and the Living Daylights' - which is a collection of 4 shorter stories.

I finished 'The Man With The Golden Gun' last week, which was an enjoyable read and once again, quite the departure from what ended up on film.

I must say that I've enjoyed the series immensely and, should be able to appreciate the era appropriate language and attitudes, offers a brilliant insight in to one of pop cultures most recognisable characters.

@Draco_V_Ecliptic I’m replying to your other inquiry here — as far as other high fantasy you might enjoy after Tolkien, it depends what you didn’t like about GRR Martin, but you might try Robin Hobb or Brandon Sanderson. Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy is a good starting point. Sanderson’s Mystborn trilogy or his Stormlight Archive (not complete yet) are good fantasy based books. Neither are classic high fantasy - elves, dwarfs, wizards, etc, but do have magic, swords and kings, dragons, etc.
I’ve not read them but Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is pretty popular high fantasy if you’ve not read it. It’s insanely long (12 books or so?) and apparently drags a bit in the middle, but ends well.
Another shout would be for Patrick Rothfuss who has a fantasy / magic based series Kingkiller Chronicles which is quite enjoyable, but I have trouble recommending it because he hasn’t released the last book and shows no signs of ever finishing it, so I’ve all but given up on it.

@Th3solution Oh don’t remind me about Kingkiller 3 taking so long, now I feel the need to cry in a corner 😂

@nessisonett Lol, Sanderson has pumped out like 20 books in the time Rothfuss has been working on 1. In his defense, he did release The Slow Regard for Silent Things in that time period, which was charming, but really just a short novella.
Apparently he made some deals for a Kingkiller Chronicles TV show, video game, and other things, but I haven’t heard anything lately.

@Draco_V_Ecliptic
I've done The Wheel of Time.
Good, but as @Th3solution points out, books 5-7 do drag. Jordan was quite the master of not allowing his cast of protagonists to have much in the way of success and happiness; and this really manifests itself mid-way through.

The main series is 14 books as well as a single prequel novel (which I didn't read, but might someday). Brandon Sanderson finished the series after Jordan's death, writing/completing the final 3 books based on detailed outlines and some complete parts by Jordan.

Overall, it is a very satisfying ride. I would recommend it.

Today I finished the Ian Fleming written Bond books, which again, have been very satisfying reads. I've read many critics of Fleming's prose - and indeed the man himself, largely seeming to conflate the character to the author. Whether that's accurate or not, I don't know. Brilliant nooks though, most quite different from their celluloid namesakes and the depth of Bond's character has never been accurately depicted on screen.

@KALofKRYPTON I listened to a Bond story on Radio 4 a few years ago, quite enjoyable. Which would be a good Bond book to start with?

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Go from the start, Casino Royale. Fleming wrote 14, a couple of which are collected shorts from varying publications and commissions.
I must say, there aren't any of them I didn't like. The lowest point I'd say, was the character Dr. No, and that's only because he skirts being a little cartoonish and like something from the films. There is on the whole a credulity and verisimilitude to the books that, despite the amazing feats and good fortune - is thrown off a little bit by Dr. No.

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Yeah, I agree that starting with Casino Royale is best. As long as you keep an open mind and acknowledge that the books were written during a different time, with different attitudes, they’re great books to read. Live and Let Die can make for some rather uncomfortable reading at times but that was the attitude back in the day.

Let's see... I myself have just finished up reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and Impulse by Ellen Hopkins.

When it comes to the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo I've read the comic before give the first three books over Christmas. All I gotta say the book was so much better and set a more darker tone than the comic. But of course it's a book so way more detail and all.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins focus on 3 teens who all in some way tried to end their lives. Ending up in a mental hospital all facing their own demons. You got Connor, the image of perfection yet tried to end it all with a bullet to the chest. Tony, a boy with a terrible childhood and did what he could to survive on the streets. Finally, Vanessa whose secrets make her turn to the blade for comfort. The book touches on different mental issues and how forgiveness and connecting to others can help. The books poem format makes the book quick to read through despite being over 600 pages.