I have just started to read Sanctus by Simon toyne, so far so good but has anyone else read it.
Sorry Mr P not read that one.
Some kindly soul ( who frankly does not know me too well) bought me "The Gaffer " by Neil Warnock for Christmas.
Didn't take four pages before it was cast aside as pure shite.
Do recommend Alan Johnston's ( ex postie and cabinet minister in Blairs government) autobiography "This Boy"
No silver spoons in his childhood, very little food as it happens.
I've read Sanctus and it's good.
Bit strange, which I won't explain as it will ruin it.
I've got the second book 'The Key' ready for my next holiday.
While on the subject - I'm thinking about getting the 'Emporer' series (5 books) by Conn Iggulden.
It's apparently 'an internationally acclaimed historical five-novel series by British author Conn Iggulden about the life of Roman statesman and general Gaius Julius Caesar'
Anyone read them and if so are they any good, please?
I'm into stuff about Rome - like Ben Kane etc
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 11:55:18 AM
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Dune is a tough read the first time around as you need to spend a lot of time flicking through to the glossary to understand what everything means. I read it the first time when I was about 14, I've read it twice more since then and can safely say that it is an excellent book.
That reading selection for The Dark Tower is quite accurate actually, although I'd be tempted to just avoid Rose Madder and Bag of Bones as they're both crap. The amount of references in the Dark Tower series to the wider King universe is quite staggering, loads of characters popping up left, right and centre throughout. Fortunately, I read it about 5 years ago, having previously read pretty much every other Stephen King book.
Quote from: The Equalizer on January 08, 2014, 12:57:33 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 11:55:18 AM
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Dune is a tough read the first time around as you need to spend a lot of time flicking through to the glossary to understand what everything means. I read it the first time when I was about 14, I've read it twice more since then and can safely say that it is an excellent book.
That reading selection for The Dark Tower is quite accurate actually, although I'd be tempted to just avoid Rose Madder and Bag of Bones as they're both crap. The amount of references in the Dark Tower series to the wider King universe is quite staggering, loads of characters popping up left, right and centre throughout. Fortunately, I read it about 5 years ago, having previously read pretty much every other Stephen King book.
Looking forward to it! My friend is enduring 'The Stand' at the moment but he's really not enjoying it, long haul if thats the case!!!
Dune is the one im unsure about but it seems highly regarded. Haven't tried my hand at Sci Fi before so thought it was time I gave it some time.
In case anyone does an order of books like me (Classic, Fantasy, Sci Fi or anything I fancy/History/educational) my next history novel is 1759: The Year Britain become master of the world.
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 01:15:45 PM
Quote from: The Equalizer on January 08, 2014, 12:57:33 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 11:55:18 AM
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Dune is a tough read the first time around as you need to spend a lot of time flicking through to the glossary to understand what everything means. I read it the first time when I was about 14, I've read it twice more since then and can safely say that it is an excellent book.
That reading selection for The Dark Tower is quite accurate actually, although I'd be tempted to just avoid Rose Madder and Bag of Bones as they're both crap. The amount of references in the Dark Tower series to the wider King universe is quite staggering, loads of characters popping up left, right and centre throughout. Fortunately, I read it about 5 years ago, having previously read pretty much every other Stephen King book.
Looking forward to it! My friend is enduring 'The Stand' at the moment but he's really not enjoying it, long haul if thats the case!!!
Dune is the one im unsure about but it seems highly regarded. Haven't tried my hand at Sci Fi before so thought it was time I gave it some time.
In case anyone does an order of books like me (Classic, Fantasy, Sci Fi or anything I fancy/History/educational) my next history novel is 1759: The Year Britain become master of the world.
Both The Stand and IT are behemoths of books, but both of them are very well worth putting the effort in. I'd say that they are both in his top 3 greatest books.
Dune is also tough work, getting used to terms like "Kwizatz Hadderach", "Muad'dib" and "Bene Gesserit". It's also highly political. Still it is a stunning book to read.
If this is your first foray into the world of Sci-Fi (and a world that I've not really explored much other than in film), then I'd recommend a series called 'The Wool Trilogy' by Hugh Howey. Excellent books.
If you fancy a bit of fantasy, and trying something other than Game of Thrones (which is also excellent), then I'd recommend two series of books: 1, The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (starting with The Assassin's Apprentice) and 2, The Kingkiller Chronicals by Patrick Rothfuss. Seriously excellent reading.
Quote from: The Equalizer on January 08, 2014, 12:57:33 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 11:55:18 AM
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Dune is a tough read the first time around as you need to spend a lot of time flicking through to the glossary to understand what everything means. I read it the first time when I was about 14, I've read it twice more since then and can safely say that it is an excellent book.
That reading selection for The Dark Tower is quite accurate actually, although I'd be tempted to just avoid Rose Madder and Bag of Bones as they're both crap. The amount of references in the Dark Tower series to the wider King universe is quite staggering, loads of characters popping up left, right and centre throughout. Fortunately, I read it about 5 years ago, having previously read pretty much every other Stephen King book.
You've read Dune 3 times!!! Flippin' heck Eq - you need to do me a Dune related top five.
I've read a lot of King's regular horror books but never got round to The Dark Tower series. I might work on that sometime, though I also wanted to try the Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen Donaldson. Not sure I could cope with these behemoth book titles until the kids are a bit older though.
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 02:19:09 PM
Quote from: The Equalizer on January 08, 2014, 12:57:33 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 11:55:18 AM
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Dune is a tough read the first time around as you need to spend a lot of time flicking through to the glossary to understand what everything means. I read it the first time when I was about 14, I've read it twice more since then and can safely say that it is an excellent book.
That reading selection for The Dark Tower is quite accurate actually, although I'd be tempted to just avoid Rose Madder and Bag of Bones as they're both crap. The amount of references in the Dark Tower series to the wider King universe is quite staggering, loads of characters popping up left, right and centre throughout. Fortunately, I read it about 5 years ago, having previously read pretty much every other Stephen King book.
You've read Dune 3 times!!! Flippin' heck Eq - you need to do me a Dune related top five.
I've read a lot of King's regular horror books but never got round to The Dark Tower series. I might work on that sometime, though I also wanted to try the Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen Donaldson. Not sure I could cope with these behemoth book titles until the kids are a bit older though.
The thing is, of the 5 original Frank Herbert books, I only read the first two. All the others were shite. I might do you a Stephen King one when I have a think about it. Maybe a top 5 Stephen King characters.
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 02:19:09 PM
Quote from: The Equalizer on January 08, 2014, 12:57:33 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 11:55:18 AM
Quote from: Chopper on January 08, 2014, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 08, 2014, 09:17:46 AM
Next venture is 'Dune' anyone read it?
I read Dune back in my teens. It's a big old book, the scope is huge covering many years and many characters but I remember really enjoying it.
Cool. Cheers. Im embarressing finishing the Harry Potter series after promising a friend I would read them to end an age old argument we have!
After them I think Im doing the Stephen King series using this blog/advice of another:
http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html (http://honkmahfah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dark-tower-suggested-reading-order-for.html)
Apparently its the best way to really acknowledge everything hes put into all of his books.
Dune is a tough read the first time around as you need to spend a lot of time flicking through to the glossary to understand what everything means. I read it the first time when I was about 14, I've read it twice more since then and can safely say that it is an excellent book.
That reading selection for The Dark Tower is quite accurate actually, although I'd be tempted to just avoid Rose Madder and Bag of Bones as they're both crap. The amount of references in the Dark Tower series to the wider King universe is quite staggering, loads of characters popping up left, right and centre throughout. Fortunately, I read it about 5 years ago, having previously read pretty much every other Stephen King book.
You've read Dune 3 times!!! Flippin' heck Eq - you need to do me a Dune related top five.
I've read a lot of King's regular horror books but never got round to The Dark Tower series. I might work on that sometime, though I also wanted to try the Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen Donaldson. Not sure I could cope with these behemoth book titles until the kids are a bit older though.
The Thomas Covenant books are superb. Especially the first six books, the first and second chronicles. Also the Gap Series by the same author, which is less fantasy and more Sci Fi. Well worth the effort.
Quote from: BestOfBrede on January 08, 2014, 08:27:12 AM
I've read Sanctus and it's good.
Bit strange, which I won't explain as it will ruin it.
I've got the second book 'The Key' ready for my next holiday.
While on the subject - I'm thinking about getting the 'Emporer' series (5 books) by Conn Iggulden.
It's apparently 'an internationally acclaimed historical five-novel series by British author Conn Iggulden about the life of Roman statesman and general Gaius Julius Caesar'
Anyone read them and if so are they any good, please?
I'm into stuff about Rome - like Ben Kane etc
I've read the Conn Iggulden books, very good, also he wrote a number of books, 3 I think, on Ghenghis Khan also very good
Quote from: WhiteJC on January 08, 2014, 04:38:23 PM
Quote from: BestOfBrede on January 08, 2014, 08:27:12 AM
I've read Sanctus and it's good.
Bit strange, which I won't explain as it will ruin it.
I've got the second book 'The Key' ready for my next holiday.
While on the subject - I'm thinking about getting the 'Emporer' series (5 books) by Conn Iggulden.
It's apparently 'an internationally acclaimed historical five-novel series by British author Conn Iggulden about the life of Roman statesman and general Gaius Julius Caesar'
Anyone read them and if so are they any good, please?
I'm into stuff about Rome - like Ben Kane etc
I've read the Conn Iggulden books, very good, also he wrote a number of books, 3 I think, on Ghenghis Khan also very good
I concur. Iggulden tells an entertaining story and I liked the Khan series better than the Emperor series (but the Emperor series was good also).
I thoroughly enjoyed JK Rowling's first adult book, "The Casual Vacancy." As an ex-pat, I found the dissection of Middle England entrancingly vicious.
Nogood "no Pottery going on there, isit" Boyo
Quote from: FFCJag on January 08, 2014, 04:46:42 PM
Quote from: WhiteJC on January 08, 2014, 04:38:23 PM
Quote from: BestOfBrede on January 08, 2014, 08:27:12 AM
I've read Sanctus and it's good.
Bit strange, which I won't explain as it will ruin it.
I've got the second book 'The Key' ready for my next holiday.
While on the subject - I'm thinking about getting the 'Emporer' series (5 books) by Conn Iggulden.
It's apparently 'an internationally acclaimed historical five-novel series by British author Conn Iggulden about the life of Roman statesman and general Gaius Julius Caesar'
Anyone read them and if so are they any good, please?
I'm into stuff about Rome - like Ben Kane etc
I've read the Conn Iggulden books, very good, also he wrote a number of books, 3 I think, on Ghenghis Khan also very good
I concur. Iggulden tells an entertaining story and I liked the Khan series better than the Emperor series (but the Emperor series was good also).
Thanks WhiteJC & FFC Jag - I've I ordered the series.
Quote from: The Equalizer on January 08, 2014, 02:31:43 PM
The thing is, of the 5 original Frank Herbert books, I only read the first two. All the others were shite. I might do you a Stephen King one when I have a think about it. Maybe a top 5 Stephen King characters.
That would be most appreciated :54:
Quote from: Lighthouse on January 08, 2014, 02:35:39 PM
The Thomas Covenant books are superb. Especially the first six books, the first and second chronicles. Also the Gap Series by the same author, which is less fantasy and more Sci Fi. Well worth the effort.
Cheers Lighthouse, I'll definitely take the plunge sometime.
Quote from: Chopper on January 10, 2014, 01:11:36 PM
Quote from: Lighthouse on January 08, 2014, 02:35:39 PM
The Thomas Covenant books are superb. Especially the first six books, the first and second chronicles. Also the Gap Series by the same author, which is less fantasy and more Sci Fi. Well worth the effort.
Cheers Lighthouse, I'll definitely take the plunge sometime.
I've just started reading it based on Beamer's recommendation.
Quote from: Chopper on January 10, 2014, 01:11:36 PM
Quote from: Lighthouse on January 08, 2014, 02:35:39 PM
The Thomas Covenant books are superb. Especially the first six books, the first and second chronicles. Also the Gap Series by the same author, which is less fantasy and more Sci Fi. Well worth the effort.
Cheers Lighthouse, I'll definitely take the plunge sometime.
I've just read the first 3 Thomas Covenant chronicles based upon Beambonce's recommendation, and am about halfway through the first book of the second series.
Excellent reading I have to say. The guy has clearly taken a lot of inspiration from Lord of The Rings and has created a wonderful world full of interesting characters and a real anti-hero.
Donaldson must have also swallowed a Thesaurus as you're almost guaranteed to read a word you've never heard of on every single page!
Oh yes I was fortunate enough to read the first Chronicles of Thomas Covenant when they first came out and remember the frustration of having to wait for the next one to be published as there was about an eighteen month delay in release dates. Strangely, I could'nt get into the second chronicles. Will try again.
I am a sucker for all things WW2 and am currently reading The Monuments Men... A good read.
Haven't seen the film though. Is it any good?
Quote from: Burt on February 10, 2014, 12:02:00 PM
I am a sucker for all things WW2 and am currently reading The Monuments Men... A good read.
Haven't seen the film though. Is it any good?
Not read any reviews of it yet which is weird as it's out on Friday. Looks good though - anything with Bill Murray is going to be cracking!
Quote from: BestOfBrede on January 08, 2014, 08:27:12 AM
I've read Sanctus and it's good.
Bit strange, which I won't explain as it will ruin it.
I've got the second book 'The Key' ready for my next holiday.
While on the subject - I'm thinking about getting the 'Emporer' series (5 books) by Conn Iggulden.
It's apparently 'an internationally acclaimed historical five-novel series by British author Conn Iggulden about the life of Roman statesman and general Gaius Julius Caesar'
Anyone read them and if so are they any good, please?
I'm into stuff about Rome - like Ben Kane etc
Yes, the Rome series is brilliant but even better is his Mongol series as well, possibly the best historical fiction I've ever read.
Quote from: WhiteJC on January 08, 2014, 04:38:23 PM
Quote from: BestOfBrede on January 08, 2014, 08:27:12 AM
I've read Sanctus and it's good.
Bit strange, which I won't explain as it will ruin it.
I've got the second book 'The Key' ready for my next holiday.
While on the subject - I'm thinking about getting the 'Emporer' series (5 books) by Conn Iggulden.
It's apparently 'an internationally acclaimed historical five-novel series by British author Conn Iggulden about the life of Roman statesman and general Gaius Julius Caesar'
Anyone read them and if so are they any good, please?
I'm into stuff about Rome - like Ben Kane etc
I've read the Conn Iggulden books, very good, also he wrote a number of books, 3 I think, on Ghenghis Khan also very good
I think he's done 5 books on it now all the way to Genghis grandson Kublai Khan. Still unsure whether I've read the 5th one yet.
I just started reading 'War and Peace'. After that, I think I'm going to give 'Shogun' by James Clavell a go.
Quote from: Jack Fulham on April 17, 2014, 11:06:46 AM
I just started reading 'War and Peace'. After that, I think I'm going to give 'Shogun' by James Clavell a go.
I was also thinking of giving Shogun a crack a couple of days ago. I loved the TV show with Richard Chamberlain.
I've taken a bit of time out of reading epics as I needed to catch up on my WHSmiths top 40 throwaway books. I've just read the most recent Jack Reacher book, which I enjoyed, but it was quite same old same old. I'm now plowing through the Matt Drake series of books by David Leadbetter. I'm on book 6 now, having read the previous 5 last week. Tells you a bit about the books, although I'm thoroughly enjoying them.
Next up is going to be 'Blood Song', the first part of the 'Ravens Shadow' series by Anthony Ryan. A decent bit of fantasy again!
I'm reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals, the brilliant history of Abraham Lincoln's cabinet.
Quote from: HatterDon on April 17, 2014, 08:53:57 PM
I'm reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals, the brilliant history of Abraham Lincoln's cabinet.
Now that is a great read. I love historical books and Doris Kearns Goodwin does exhaustive research. Lincoln was such a great man. I think that any of you across the pond that reads this one will have a better sense of what makes a yank tick. He came from nothing and reached as high as any man of his time, all without a formal education.
At the moment, I'm reading "The Outpost" by Jake Taper. Its the story of the stupidity of government & military officials and the courage of the common man. In other words, a typical war story. It reminds me of certain LZ's, near the Laotian border.
The Jack Reacher series of books are quite good. If you aren't familiar with them, but if you saw the Tom Cruise film, then you didn't get the real flavor of the books. Terrible miscasting in Cruise as Reacher. Also, try some Dean Koontz. His technique is very impressive. The science fiction aspect of his plots are simply devices for character development, struggle, and metaphysical ruminations. Great stuff. Last week I pulled out The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski, to finally read. Contributors to this string have mentioned Stephen King. On the back jacket cover, Stephen King wrote of Sawtelle: "I flat-out loved The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I closed the book with that regret readers feel afeter experiencing the best stories: It's over, you think, and I won't read another one this good for a long, long time...In the end, this isn't a novel about dogs or heartland America--although it is a deeply American work of literature. It's a novel about the human heart, and the mysteries that live there, understood but impossible to articulate. Wonderful, mysterious, long, and satisfying: readers who pick up this novel are going to enter a richer world. I envy them the trip. I don't reread many books, because life is too short. I will be rereading this one."
