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Post by Karo on Jan 18, 2012 20:29:01 GMT -1
I only read the understudy because a girl from my course at university translated it. I thought it was quite funny, but then drugs and pissed men in costumes are more fun than spotty teenagers... I think the thing that annoyed me most about Starter for Ten was that there was FUCK ALL about University Challenge in it. I love that show so much, I would have gladly read 200 pages of transcripts
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Post by Kez on Jan 30, 2012 9:53:46 GMT -1
I only read the understudy because a girl from my course at university translated it. I thought it was quite funny, but then drugs and pissed men in costumes are more fun than spotty teenagers... I think the thing that annoyed me most about Starter for Ten was that there was FUCK ALL about University Challenge in it. I love that show so much, I would have gladly read 200 pages of transcripts Hehehe. I seem to remember the film had a bit more of University Challenge in it although its been quite a while since I've seen it.... Just finished The Tenderness of Wolves. Shite shite title but actually a very good book. Set in Canada in the 19th century in a settlement of scottish immigrants. Really well written. I don't normally like mysteries but this was very good.
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Post by birch on Feb 19, 2012 9:54:26 GMT -1
Am reading George R.R. Martin at the moment. Can't believe I've not read his books before, seeing as I've been a reader of fantasy for more than 30 years...
Anyhow. Still on the first of five books in the "A song of ice and fire" series. Some of you may have watched the TV version of this first book; "A game of thrones". The book is better!
Probably no fellow fantasy fans around here, but if there are and you haven't read Martin, I highly recommend this writer.
Maybe it's the R.R. that does it?
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 19, 2012 15:54:22 GMT -1
Am reading George R.R. Martin at the moment. Can't believe I've not read his books before, seeing as I've been a reader of fantasy for more than 30 years... Anyhow. Still on the first of five books in the "A song of ice and fire" series. Some of you may have watched the TV version of this first book; "A game of thrones". The book is better! Probably no fellow fantasy fans around here, but if there are and you haven't read Martin, I highly recommend this writer. Maybe it's the R.R. that does it? I've just finished the fifth book 'A Dance with Dragons' and now I'm gonna have to wait until the next one is published. I LOVED them all. The TV series got me into them, and I just had to find out more. Also love how George RR Martin holds almost nothing sacred! That favourite character? The one you think might be the hero? Don't get too attached!
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Post by birch on Feb 19, 2012 16:18:17 GMT -1
Am reading George R.R. Martin at the moment. Can't believe I've not read his books before, seeing as I've been a reader of fantasy for more than 30 years... Anyhow. Still on the first of five books in the "A song of ice and fire" series. Some of you may have watched the TV version of this first book; "A game of thrones". The book is better! Probably no fellow fantasy fans around here, but if there are and you haven't read Martin, I highly recommend this writer. Maybe it's the R.R. that does it? *** I've just finished the fifth book 'A Dance with Dragons' and now I'm gonna have to wait until the next one is published. I LOVED them all. The TV series got me into them, and I just had to find out more. Also love how George RR Martin holds almost nothing sacred! That favourite character? The one you think might be the hero? Don't get too attached! I believe you, Sam! The Guardian critic quoted on the cover of the book says: 'Characters so venomous they could eat the Borgias.' I expect hours&hours of good reading here.
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 21, 2012 13:05:52 GMT -1
And you'll get it! I think the fourth book does dip slightly, but you'll see why. Book Five is back with a bang!
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 21, 2012 13:08:21 GMT -1
Anyway, since finishing those books I've started reading Stephen Fry's novels. Read The Liar yesterday, and starting Making History today.
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Post by Karo on Feb 21, 2012 13:50:53 GMT -1
That Tennis Balls one is so weird. Love Stephen, but the novels... hm.
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 21, 2012 18:04:04 GMT -1
I was gonna read that one next. I liked The Liar, and am enjoying Making History (200 pages in already!)
already read the autobiographies (Moab and Chronicles, which I loved as well)
Also piquing my interest is Mrs Fry's Diary. Have you read that?
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Post by Karo on Feb 22, 2012 20:19:10 GMT -1
No, but I really want to now! Just remembered I have a collection of his newspaper articles and stuff, it was my bedside bible for a few years, he is a brilliant writer. I just found the novels a bit over the top.
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 23, 2012 12:23:48 GMT -1
if you have an iphone or ipad, or any e-reader capable of playing .epub files then I could send it over?
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Post by Karo on Feb 24, 2012 6:05:16 GMT -1
Errrrr... I have a kindle?
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 24, 2012 13:17:19 GMT -1
well lucky for you I have the mobi version as well!
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Post by kwacky on Mar 3, 2012 23:51:52 GMT -1
I just finished Steve Jobs biography, it was really interesting!
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Post by mkk on Mar 30, 2012 18:20:16 GMT -1
Just finished reading "this beautiful life" by Helen Schumann. Great book, very captivating similar to we need to talk about Kevin.
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Post by Kez on May 4, 2012 9:34:08 GMT -1
Finished Patti Smith's autobiography last night. Really loved it. An account of her life living in New York in the 60s where she met her lifelong friend and inspiration for much of her poetry and songs, Robert Mapplethorpe. Really inspiring and very moving. Was in tears by the last pages. A real reminder about the musicians and artists who actually work hard to achieve their goals in life rather than this instantaneous reality tv overnight meaningless flash in the pan fame.
I found myself reading it wondering "when's the point she MAKES it in the music business! Where are the hedonistic rock tales!" when you realise that's not the point of the book. It's more about her friendships and her inspirations, her thoughts and feelings on the universe in general (some a bit far out for me but beautifully told all the same) and a very interesting insight into New York at the time when it was transforming from one scene to another - and although she doesn't admit it herself - her pivotal role in it.
Hadn't realised it was only written a couple of years ago as well. Well worth a read.
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Post by bluey on May 20, 2012 2:10:10 GMT -1
Patti's supposedly working on another memoir, maybe the sordid tales will be in this one I loved Just Kids too - it's amazing how both of them have such wild reputations and created such controversial and groundbreaking work, yet in the book, they come across as so normal - truly just kids. I really look forward to reading more of her writing.
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Post by Kez on Aug 1, 2012 6:57:25 GMT -1
Have started reading Wolf Hall on Karo's recommendation.
Weirdly enough I hadn't realised before I started it that when I went to visit my brother in Ireland last year he recommended it to me, I started reading it but was only there for a day and had to leave it behind as I couldn't take it in my luggage!
Only 3 chapters in but enjoying it so far! Sets the scene very nicely and very descriptive so you can visualise everything really well even though it takes place in the 16th Century.
I do enjoy a nice fictionalised history book I have to say. The Finn MaCool one by Morgan Llewelyn I read about 3 times I loved it so much.
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Post by Kez on Aug 1, 2012 7:05:09 GMT -1
Patti's supposedly working on another memoir, maybe the sordid tales will be in this one I loved Just Kids too - it's amazing how both of them have such wild reputations and created such controversial and groundbreaking work, yet in the book, they come across as so normal - truly just kids. I really look forward to reading more of her writing. Totally missed this bluey! Yes, I loved the way she told it, she always seemed to not feel like something special which is contrary to a lot of biographies you read where the teller is always "I always knew they would make it" cliche running through it and this is what makes it such a good read. What really stands out is her admiration for Robert though, the way she expresses it, is so heartbreaking but beautifully written and the way she paints New York at that time, it must have been so exciting and they were right in the middle of it but not really conscious that they part of changing it really.
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Post by mkk on Feb 19, 2013 12:43:54 GMT -1
just finished 'the last runaway' by tracey chevalier (she also wrote 'girl with the pearl earring'). it was pretty good, little weak at the end but generally entertaining.
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Post by Sam7 on Feb 25, 2013 18:19:00 GMT -1
Finally got around to reading The Stars' Tennis Balls by Stephen Fry, almost a year after first acquiring it. I loved it, it's the third novel I've read of Fry's and he's three for three as far as I'm concerned. On to Mrs Fry's Diary I went, not really sure what to expect, and it is actually a delight! Any of you here who are on my Facebook and have noticed that my statuses have been funnier than usual can rest in the knowledge that I've been lifting them ad verbatim from this book. Hilarious stuff!
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