What are you reading tonight?

[Gary the Enfield]

I thought her real name was Kate Mosse anyway.

And you can blame her and Brown for all that Pays Cathare nonsense that Enfield thought was so touristy. (On a random note if you are reading btw Enfield, have you seen the Ronde des Vendange in Carcassone? -I thought it'd be right up your street )

I haven't, but a quick search, and my best Franglais tells me this is a long distance race (12km?) around the wine growing region culminating in a grandstand finish in Carcassonne? I may well give that a shot.

[Lord Kangana]

Is that the book that spawned the film of the same name? Because the film is a reet duffer.

Can't find any film entitled Ghostwritten.

Are you thinking of The Ghost Writer?

Yes. Its rubbish. Stick to your book.

[William the White]

I'm reading The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds. Based on the life of the crazed poet, John Clare, in his Victorian madhouse, with his poems and memories of his women.

I heard the writer read sections (and some of his poetry) at the Octagon two years ago - since then the novel was Booker shortlisted (2009) and has won other awards.

I've finished the first section. It's engaging. Lyrical. Slow paced. A huge contrast to my last book, Ghostwritten - good, long live the imagination, in all its variety...

[Harry Genshaw]

I'm really enjoying 'Searching for Robert Millar' on the Scottish cyclist. I knew nothing about him beforehand, a great read so far.

[General Mannerheim]

Is that the book that spawned the film of the same name? Because the film is a reet duffer.

Can't find any film entitled Ghostwritten.

Are you thinking of The Ghost Writer?

Yes. Its rubbish. Stick to your book.

thats a bit harsh - but it is hard to like anything with Pierce Brosnan in!

[HMX]

'I am Legend' by Richard Matheson. Brilliant so far.

Just promise me you won't watch the film, or if you do, at least watch the old one

I saw it before I picked up the book and wasn't too impressed.

[Dujon]

Well, I've just finished reading a collection titled Detours into the Macabre. It is a collection of short stories, edited by Peter Haining (Pan Books Ltd, 1974), which squeezes 12 British and 12 American authors into one small paperback. The difference between this particular anthology and others of the same genre is that all the included stories are by authors usually recognised for their endeavours in somewhat different literary fields. I shall not list all the authors but the names John Updike, Raymond Chandler, F.Scott Fitzgerald and Graham Greene will undoubtedly be familiar to you. Not one of the 24 contributions are the stereotypical ghost story, nor even of the typical horror bent.

Highly recommended should you be in need of a rather entertaining and not too serious hour or two of reading.

[William the White]

Have now finished The Quickening Maze which, at one stage, about one third in, looked to be developing into a nice morality tale of a good man falls into temptation. Instead it continued as a story where momentous events are outlined but you are rarely made to feel they have any consequence and it remains very difficult to care about the characters.

This didn't stop the novel being Booker shortlisted and gathering a goodly load of exceptional reviews. it didn't, imo, deserve them.

It wasn't difficult to continue reading and finish. But it won't be difficult to give away either.

[Lofthouse Lower]

'Back from the Brink' by Paul McGrath. Not bad. Depressing.

[Gary the Enfield]

'Back from the Brink' by Paul McGrath. Not bad. Depressing.

I heard his interview the other day on Talksport. He spoke about how he can't leave the house because he knows someone will offer to buy him a drink (they always do), and he won't say no.

True case of 'one drink's too many and fifty's not enough'

[Bruce Rioja]

I heard his interview the other day on Talksport

You'll be changing your name again next to Terry the Romford.

[Gary the Enfield]

I heard his interview the other day on Talksport

You'll be changing your name again next to Terry the Romford.

I was thinking more like Jelly the Eel!

[William the White]

My latest was this year's Booker shortlisted In a Strange Room by South African novelist Damon Galgut.

It's short - 180 pages, just three chapters, each of which could stand freely as a short story - and turned out to be a-read-in-a-day. It's gloomy. It's sad. And it's gripping, taking a stronger and stronger hold on the reader as it progresses.

In each chapter a South African (male, gay, though this is not central to the novel's events) protagonist takes a journey that in some way changes his life. He finds himself, unintentionally, in a different role each time as he interacts with his fellow-travellers - the chapters are entitled 'The Follower'; 'The Lover' and 'The Guardian'.

Its themes are the transience of human relationships, the bonds created and the fragility or strength of them and what is entailed in breaking them and, connected with this, loneliness (or, at least, alone-ness), desire unrequited and compassion abused.

It took a while to find myself committed to this book, but, by the end, I was turning the pages urgently and resenting the call to the table for herby omelette and macon-villages...

It's good. But not easy. I found the final chapter devastating (in a good way).

I may give the Booker novels a rest and follow thebish's example and give David Mitchell another outing. So... have just taken Black Swan Green off the shelf...

[Il Pirate]

I'm really enjoying 'Searching for Robert Millar' on the Scottish cyclist. I knew nothing about him beforehand, a great read so far.

Great choice Harry. If you know anything about the enigma that is Robert Millar, you'll thoroughly enjoy the book. My youngest son's french teacher was a pro ( in a minor team), at the same time as Robert and lived next door to him for quite a while near Troyes. He has nothing but praise for him, but adds that he could be your best friend and worst enemy in the same afternoon! If you can get a copy of the 'High life'; a documentary about RM and watch that, it puts a very clear perspective onto the book. I think there are clips on you tube, but not the whole doc. Enjoy! If you do enjoy reading cycling books, 'The Flying Scotsman' by Graeme Obree is a must read. Shows how fallable our sporting heroes can be, and what can be achieved with self belief and determination.

[thebish]

here's one I won't be reading - kind of the book version of the current thread about most disturbing films....

It was previewed in the Independent on Sunday a few weeks ago - and i've just got round to reading the article on the bog..



the Independent article is here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 17357.html

[boltonboris]

In fariness Bish, that sounds absolutely fascinating!

[Il Pirate]

My latest was this year's Booker shortlisted In a Strange Room by South African novelist Damon Galgut.

It's short - 180 pages, just three chapters, each of which could stand freely as a short story - and turned out to be a-read-in-a-day. It's gloomy. It's sad. And it's gripping, taking a stronger and stronger hold on the reader as it progresses.

In each chapter a South African (male, gay, though this is not central to the novel's events) protagonist takes a journey that in some way changes his life. He finds himself, unintentionally, in a different role each time as he interacts with his fellow-travellers - the chapters are entitled 'The Follower'; 'The Lover' and 'The Guardian'.

Its themes are the transience of human relationships, the bonds created and the fragility or strength of them and what is entailed in breaking them and, connected with this, loneliness (or, at least, alone-ness), desire unrequited and compassion abused.

It took a while to find myself committed to this book, but, by the end, I was turning the pages urgently and resenting the call to the table for herby omelette and macon-villages...

It's good. But not easy. I found the final chapter devastating (in a good way).

I may give the Booker novels a rest and follow thebish's example and give David Mitchell another outing. So... have just taken Black Swan Green off the shelf...

Sounds like an Anthony Sher Biography, William....

[Worthy4England]

Terry Pratchett's latest offering.

I shall wear midnight.

Wondering how long he'll keep on writing with the Alzheimers....

[Gary the Enfield]

Terry Pratchett's latest offering.

I shall wear midnight.

Wondering how long he'll keep on writing with the Alzheimers....

Is that the title?

Unseen Academicals was his usual brilliance but I suspect his books will become rarer.

[Worthy4England]

Terry Pratchett's latest offering.

I shall wear midnight.

Wondering how long he'll keep on writing with the Alzheimers....

Is that the title?

Unseen Academicals was his usual brilliance but I suspect his books will become rarer.

Yes - I shall wear midnight is the title - it's been out in hardback for about 4-6 weeks - can grab it for a tenner in some supermarkets.

Jury's still out on Unseen Academicals - still not finished it...in fact my laptop is currently parked on top of it...