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Glue by Irvin Welsh - still offends in places but being Scottish, I can't not read his offerings - his best to date - though I was partial to The Marabou Stork Nightmares.

 

East of Eden by John Steinback - an oldie, but definately a goodie - can't believe it by-passed me for so long.

 

Why men don't listen and women can't read maps (or vice versa) by forward thinking new age couple. Hilarious!!! Now I understand the world!!!

 

Currently reading - but yet to form an opinion on One for my baby by Tony Parsons (he wrote Man and Boy if that helps). As always, some Calvin and Hobbes or Mafalda (Spanish female Calvin type cartoon by Quintas). Oh that and all these Rich Dad, Poor Dad, The Millionaire Next Door and Investing for Dummies type books my husband keeps thrusting my way - for some reason he thinks I don't take money seriously.

 

Don't anyone ask for favourite books - then I'd be here all night!

 

I'd love to know what you're all reading, have read, enjoy reading etc etc etc.

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Eichmann in Jerusalem - Hannah Arendt

2nd reading. Remarkable book. Oddly humourous.

 

The Apocalypse At Dresden - David Irving

Yes, that David Irving. Read this one as an eBook on my Pocket PC as nobody wants to publish him. Actually, a very engaging writer, in spite of his misplaced sympathies. I'm going to read his eBook 'Goebbels' next. I'Ll be reading eBooks on chairlifts next year to beat the boredom.

 

The State of Europe - Granta Anthology

Writers and personages saying what they think about the death of socialism in Europe in the 80s. Hard to believe all that happened now.

 

Yeah, I like reading history. Not much of a novels person having had a surfeit of them as an Eng Lit grad. Actually if I'm to be totally honest, the last book I read was 'Madeline' by Ludwig Bemelmans. Always got time for Ludwig. For commentaries on recent affairs Christopher Hitchens is always interesting.

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"Are You Experienced" by William Sutcliffe.

 

Short, easy read. Very perceptive book about year-off British students going to India for spiritual revelations. Hilarious in parts. Much better travel fiction than "The Beach".

 

"From Babylon to Rastafari" by Douglas (er, don't remember)

 

Almost personal account of the Jamaican Rastas' African repatriation movement in the 1960s. No evidence of editing or proofreading and some sentences end mid-word. Only if you're really interested in Jamaica and reggae, I suppose.

 

"Don Quixote" by Cervantes

 

Very long. Much repetition of the basic themes and many similar escapades that could have been omitted. Only stuck with it due to the irresistable appeal of the central characters Don and Sancho. "Wise man blinded by tales of chivalry" theme echoes with contemporary "kids influenced by tv violence, video games" question. In the "adult books usually thought of as kids' books" category, I would recommend "Gullivers Travels" over this one.

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Two words, 'nerdy' and 'school' stand out as good reasons to save this book (Lord of the Rings) 'til that day you're cycling through the Andes, just finished yer last book, and the only foreigner you've met in three weeks wants ta trade ya his. (or am I being a snob) LiquidX, book report please, along with age, academic credentials and computer gaming habits.

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Hey, not a nerd at all.

 

Like I said, this is the first time I'm reading, and actually just about started so I can't really comment as yet.

 

I remember the nerd group at school talking about hobbits etc all the time and it put me off reading it.

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Remains of the day-Kazuo Ishiguro

Falling off the Map-Pico Iyer

Rotton-John Lydon

All good reads with differing merits. All provide interesting snapshots into past times either fictional or based on fact.

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Rotton - John Lydon - reading that one too.

 

FIFA World Cup Guide - in Japanese. Taking a huge amount of effort to read and understand, a joint effort with the lady.

 

Simple Japanese books for children - for study.

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The Restaurant at the end of the Universe - Douglas Adams

Equal rites - Terry Pratchett

Exchange Server 5.5 and Outlook complete (OK, I haven't read it all quite yet)

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my fav book is The Lord of the Rings.

 

Last three:

 

1) some crap by Banana Yoshimoto - the worst book I have ever read.

2) A biography of J.R.R Tolkein

3) A analysis of Tolkeins books. (`Tolkein: author of the century`)

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I like biogs.

 

A friend of mine lent me the Marc Almond (Soft Cell) biog. Interesting read.

 

Marc Almond, from SOUTHPORT! Who'd have guessed Southport could make something like him.

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Don't seem to get time to read books recently.

 

Any good "airport" crime thrillers to recommend? All this high brow stuff don't suit me.

 

Wizz - Marc Almond!?!!?!

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Don't they have a soul weekender in Southport every year? The original Tainted Love was a big Northern Soul track, so I suppose that adds up.

 

Julian Cope's autobig was good. The drug bits are a bit boring, but he reveals all his jealous feelings about the Bunnymen, which are quite funny. Bez's wasn't as good as it could have been, and doesn't mention Karl Denver, the single most inspired move made by the Mondays. Motley Crue's autobiog "The Dirt" is supposed to be very funny, but I've not got hold of it yet.

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"Good in Bed" by Jennifer Weiner

 

The title sounds really XXXX but actually it really funny paperback. The story of 'large'(i.e. FXt)lady. This book is in between 'Ally McBeal' and ' Brigit Jones'. I really enjoyed. It was really fab!

 

"Mr. Maybe" by Jane Green

It's funny book!

 

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling

Am big Harry Potter fun.

 

.... It seems like I have not read any serious book lately....

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Finally some female funny books. (Except for Harry Potter). And I think you're the first person who has listed 3 books which I've read all of them.

Have you read all the Marian Keyes books? Watermelon, Rachel's holiday, Lucy Sullivan is getting married, sushi for beginners. Funny, easy reading but don't really fall into the trashy category. None of which would be suitable reading matter for Ocean 11 though (despite the choice of handle - I thought ocean 11 was a really crappy movie, so I was a mite surprised by the choice of reading material).

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If that's me you're talking about Sharon, this is all a bit of a problem. I've been using the handle Ocean11 for years, since before most people of our generation (20-30) probably knew there was a film of similar name. I got it from a Desmond Dekker song, 'Shanty Town', where it's a place. Then the remake of the film came out, widely and reliably reported to be crap, and the brand equity of my handle took a big hit. I'm thinking of dumping it in favour of something else. 'Kretek' and 'bse' are high on the list.

 

The last book I read was 'Ferdinand' about the bull who wouldn't fight, preferring instead to smell the flowers under his favourite cork tree.

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You're wrong there Ocean11.

 

The remake of the movie last year was almost universally highly praised as being a really good entertaining movie romp - and not trying to be more than it is.

 

It was the original movie that got slammed as being a pile of puu. And rightly so.

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Didn't mean to offend Ocean. Glad we got to the bottom of your handle. As for dumping the name, that would be a shame but I did automatically assume you were a fan of the film. Excuse my ignorance.

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  • 2 months later...

My lady, being the new-Beckham-fan she has become, has the Beckham book - that red one that he wrote (yeah, right!). Its actually quite interesting.

 

I will be flying on Wednesday of next week, and hot tips on good airport books?

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Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain

If you have ever worked in a commercial kitchen you should read this.

 

bad seed, the biography of Nick Cave

The bad boy of Australian music

 

The complete book of Locks and Locksmithing - Bill Phillips

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Sharon,

 

Great topic idea! Something interesting wink.gif

 

Gao Xingjian: Soul Mountain

 

Miyuki Miyabe: All She Was Worth

 

Travis Hugh Culley: The Immortal Class

 

Murakami Haruki: South of the Border, West of the Sun

 

Wei Hui: Shanghai Baby

 

Pacific War Research Society: Japan's Longest Day

 

Murakami Haruki: Dance, Dance, Dance

 

Sorry its not just three.

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