What I Have Read: May/june

[AB Editor]

Hi All!

I thought it might be time to share a few of the books that have made it into our heads... and those still on the nightstand...

Here's some I've finished recently or have got a fair chunk through. Recommended:

Questionable Practices: Stories
Eileen Gunn
http://amzn.to/1m7CRUi
I've found it to be good fun, if the first story is written in what seems to be an irrtating tone of voice. Turns out that's the point. If you like short stories which get weird with really no warning, then this should go into your amazon basket.

Motorman
David Ohle
http://amzn.to/1kzyDs7
Another weird one. You know how Sci-Fi likes to explain itself all the time? If you're like me, and find it a bit dull, this might be a good one for you. Lots of language play and narrative fun amongst the general theme of a getaway. Truely engaging and funny, despite the sense of being a bit lost in what it's all about.

May We Be Forgiven
A. M. Homes
http://amzn.to/U8LHLi
A "family drama" where something terrible happens on every page, or every paragraph. Violence, death, adultery, terroism, medical distasters, depression, emotional breakdown and Richard Nixon all feature as bit parts. Probably a bit too long for me, though I did finish it.

So, what do you have been reading?

What are you looking forward to?

There's always this if you're lost of ideas :)

[AB Editor]

(These threads are often slow boilers, so please subscribe to stay updated)

[janbee]

I'm very much into David Baldacci at the moment although I hated The Finisher. Very weird subject.

[gness]

Afternoon, Ed......I have just finished Bloodline by Mark Billingham, one of my favourite authors.
Contrary to my calm, meek and sensitive nature I like gripping thrillers and this certainly is. Billingham can put a twist on the usual tale of murder and evil in a way that I love.
In this the victims are the children of the earlier victims of a serial killer....is the son of the killer continuing his father's deeds?......

I am now starting something different....Don't Hassle Me, I'm Local by Vaughn Balding.....Vaughn means Little Man it seems.....so Little Man Balding.....☺
It's set in Blakeney and Cley and tells of the turmoil those small communities face when lack of employment sees the locals having to leave and the vacuum filled by wealthy house hunters looking for a weekend bolt hole......Applies to lots of communities I suppose.....
There is a twist in the tale but I have yet to get there....Gx

[gettinblurry]

A couple for any history fans...

I'm about half way through 'Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain'

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Commander%3A+The+Life+and+Exploits+of+Britain%27s+Greatest+Frigate+Captain&rh=n%3A341677031%2Ck%3ACommander%3A+The+Life+and+Exploits+of+Britain%27s+Greatest+Frigate+Captain

If you're familiar with Hornblower, you'll recognise the name as his mentor. I'd call the book interesting rather than gripping, which I suspect is more to do with the author than Pellew himself.

In a similar vein 'Cochrane: The Story of Britannia's Sea Wolf ' is far more exciting, all the more so because it tells the story of an incredible life - the 'real' Hornblower.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Commander%3A+The+Life+and+Exploits+of+Britain%27s+Greatest+Frigate+Captain&rh=n%3A341677031%2Ck%3ACommander%3A+The+Life+and+Exploits+of+Britain%27s+Greatest+Frigate+Captain

[gettinblurry]

^ Sorry, dropped a clanger there. The second link should be...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cochrane-Britannias-CASSELL-MILITARY-PAPERBACKS/dp/030435659X

[Jeza]

Are you advertising for Amazon Ed? and everyone else by the other posters.

[DaisyNonna]

Have been rereading some of Barbara Erskine's books.
Read The Testament of Mary and did not enjoy it.

[kvalidir]

I've just re-read everything of Douglas Adam's recently and had a ferret in the charity shop earlier and came out with 'Straight on 'til morning' and Steven Runciman's ' History of the Crusades'.

[gettinblurry]

Jeza: I think it's taken as read (no pun intended!) that other bookshops are available. I picked up the Cochrane book quite by chance at a local charity shop, but I doubt a link would be helpful.

[askyourgran]

Been reading David Baldacci's books, almost finished 'Deliver us from Evil' not bad. My charity box 50p book this week was Ben Kane 'The Road to Rome' I like a bit of historic sword and sandals stuff. Assassins Creed books are good too. I also intend the buy another R R Martin 'Game of Thrones' series of books, I've read the first three of them but I've forgotten the title of the next one.

[Jeza]

I love a good read. Mainly about power, so politics and banking for me.
The money changers by Arthur Hailey is a gem. Available at all good book shops, and some charity shops.

[DaisyNonna]

My favourite bookshop is Oxfam

[knowabit]

I'm working my way thru Game of Thrones series... Half way thru book 3. Need to get the new Peter James now though.....

[askyourgran]

Mine bookshop is Scope charity, books are usually £1. Also at our Doctors surgery in the waiting area there is a community bookstall where you can donate books, Usually costing 50p which goes to a Charity that varies from week to week. My SIL and I also swap our legit (bookshop) purchases.

[pastafreak]

I'm currently reading Wonder by RJ Palacio...about the first year of formal schooling of Auggie, a ten year old boy born with a severe,craniofacial anomoly. Until now he's been home schooled while being in and out of hospital. Its sweet,uplifting,infuriating.
Other books read in the past 2 months include Barbara Erskine's Midnight is a Lonely Place...kept me awake at night... and Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell...a tale of magicians in 18th c England...an England where magic is part of life and history. A big,fun read!

[AB Editor]

"Are you advertising for Amazon Ed? and everyone else by the other posters."

We do get paid a slice if you buy using those links - but go to your local indie if you can!

Two of the books on that list are published by very small presses - so you're supporting the wider industry, if not the shop, when you buy these books.

Buy direct if you like - for example, http://www.calamaripress.com/ are very friendly.

[grasscarp]

Reading The Ghost of Flight 401 by John G Fuller. An extraordinary true story.
(and since other posts are mentioning Amazon, I purchased it for 1p on there)

[AB Editor]

Jordyboy9 - make sure your account isn't set to one-click purchasing to begin with.

I picked up a "chef's selection" from Calamari Press (mentioned above) and received 8 novellas. I've got a lot of time for short fiction at the moment - the standard 350+ page novel tends to wear on me these days. You usually understand the message being discussed by page 200, so I have no idea why they drag it on for another 200 :)