Since I went mad on Amazon.co.uk last week I am reading the Harry Potter series. Very much in the vain of Terry Prachett. I am only on book one and there are seven in the series the 4th one is due out in a couple of weeks.

I don't really go for the wizzard and lost land books but I am really enjoying this one.

So what are you lot currently reading?

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Answers

My CV!

Seriously though I've just read the Godfather (about two months ago) and it's every bit as good as the film, which is quite reare with books and films.

I'm sure that the film was based on it as opposed to the other way round and the reason why the film is so good is that it copies the film, almost word for word.
An excellent read.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Funnily enough, I've just finished re-reading "The Fifth Elephant" - Terry Pratchett.

Before that I re-read the Robert Rankin "Book of Ultimate Truths" Series.

My parcel from Amazon arrives tomorrow according to my email. No fantasy stuff this time - The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver (excellent crime writer)!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Poseidon's Gold by Lindsey Davis. It's fifth in the Falco series about a private investigator in Imperial Rome. I find them very readable. Written by a lass, they have a rather better take on the relationships between the characters than is usual with the genre.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

My favourite quote from the Fifth Elephant.

Captain Carrot talking about Uberwald (A bit like Salford):

"Things are different here, sir. It wasn't until ten years ago that they replaced trial by ordeal here with trial by lawyer, and that was only because they found that lawyers were nastier."

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Just finished a book about the sinking of a British submarine, The Thetis in Liverpool Bay.......cheers pilgrim.

Currently on Don't know much about History...an American history book.

I do a bit of Mayfair and Whitehouse now and again...only a bit though...I can control it....it's not a problem:-)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

I can't read.....

Well actually I can but I just can't find anything decent to read at the moment....

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Just about to finish the BBs recomended Birdsong by Seb Faulks and about to start Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

The Wasp Factory(SR *) has arrived and I'll be reading that over the next week when not walking up mountains.

SR
Softie Recommended

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Fu**&*g HTML .....

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Check out Waterstones online - www.waterstones.co.uk - to order the new Harry Potter at a bargain #7.50, RRP #14.99 and pick it up at your nearest branch. If you ring up a shop and try to pre-order they'll only knock a couple of quid off 'because it's different' - figure that one out!

Anyway my money's on Gryffindor for this year's Quidditch Cup.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Flashman and the mountain of light, by George MacDonald Fraser. Second time round and still marvelous.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Its #8.99 on Amazon.co.uk

I was in Waterstones on Saturday they have the other 3 books at #2 off.

My others are in hardback so I am bound to pay more.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

This month`s eclectic reading material: Genetics for Dog Breeders - By Dr. Malcom Willis (head of Genetics at Newcastle Uni, I believe). Why we Buy - by Paco Underhill, a book about the science of shopping. In Trouble Again - by Redmond O`Hanlon, about a journey betwen the Orinoco and Amazon, very amusing. The Martian Race - by Gregory Benford. Excess Baggage - by Judy Astley, about a three generation family holiday, which sadly pales against the real life adventures of our last similar holiday on the Costa Blanca! And, I continue to try to read Underworld by Don DeLillo, I am finding it excruciatingly hard work, still haven`t got to grips with what it`s all about, and would be very grateful if any of you with more literary stamina than I could possibly read it for me!!!!(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Flashman! Bloody marvellous idea TM, haven't read one for a couple of years but they are tremendous value. Flashman at the Charge is probably my favourite: trumpeting through the Valley of Death :-)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Softie, don't worry if you've read 'em, read 'em again!!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

TM, I don't, I have!

Always loved that bit about the Allied force marching to Sevastapol and how the French and the Highlanders were fraternising: "Ever notice how the Froggies and the Jocks always gravitate towards one another? Damned suspicious!" Could even give Tyldsely and Motson a run for the money on the jingoism stakes.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Wasp Factory is superb, blackest book I've ever read. With such a sting in the tail !!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Good time to ask as I've just spent two weeks reading by the pool in Cyprus (at least when not being distracted by bliddy footballers).

My War Gone by, I Miss it so - Anthony Loyd. Deeply flawed but gripping autobiographical account of a deeply flawed but gripping character's time in Bosnia.

Kosovo - Julie A Mertus. Account of the recent history from 1988 to the start of the war. What do you mean I'm obsessed with the Balkans, it'll pass I tell you.

Inconceivable - Ben Elton. Overrated; even the 'female' contributions just sound like Elton in, er, full flow... I'll get me coat.

The Recollections of Rifleman Harris. Been meaning to read it again for ages, it's a good antidote to any feeling that the horrors of war are a modern invention. His account of campaigning with Wellington and Moore in Portugal and Spain is as strong as any description of 20th century stuff.

Sharpe's Fortress - Bernard Cornwell. The fictional version of Rifleman Harris, sort of, but good escapism I find.

The Horse Whisperer - Nicholas Evans. Just to show I'm a really sad case. As is the book - reading the last page in company is not recommended for those of a sensitive or emotional disposition.

There were a couple of other cr@p thrillers/cop stories, but so bad I can't remember names or authors. Now if only you'd started this thread before June, I could have saved a fortune in Smiths!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Loved The Horse Whisperer! Also though it translated very well to film - I loved the slow pace and the intensity.(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Billion Dollar Brain - Len Deighton.

I LURVE all his fiction. The ultimate in spy thriller cool. A very young Michael Caine did an excellent job in 'The Ipcress File', but the books are twice as good again. The blackest of humour. Plots that have you twisting and turning while you remain at least a couple of steps behind, however hard you try.

Rather than buying re-released copies in paperback I'm trying to collect older versions in hardback, so if anyone comes across any I'd be eternally grateful ...... ??

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

I read a book once - It was green.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

I've got a book called 'Dark Secret' its one of these American cop 'thriller' books but am finidn it even harder to get into than Gorky Park. I've started the book five times and put it away again each time.

One of my daughters bought me 'Hannibal' the sequel to Silnce of the Lambs and Red Dragon by Thomas Harris last week, so will keep that one for the holiday, especially useful if I have to spend as much time in the shade again this year as I did last.

My ten year old daughter is well into the Harry Potter books....I must get her to lend me them some day!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

I stopped reading, I am waiting for a book at the minute. I think Loonys pigeon (ref Corinthian League thread) is dropping it off on its way home to loony.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Gus - will you kindly stop confusing my pigeon by tempting it with yet another detour. It only just made it to the window ledge of Softie's garret in time for me to be registered for this season's Corinthian League. Gawd only knows where it went via, though reports have it that the other pigeons in Toon were admiring its suntan. Try TNT instead - I hear they have an explosively fast delivery service. Chin chin.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Hiro, enjoy "Memoirs of a Geisha", I read it about a year ago (a v. good read), mind you, don't expect any smut (= the reason why I bought it!)

;-)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Bill Schiller's "A Hand In the Water - The Many Lies of Albert Walker". Trust me, the money involved here is nothing compared to what some top footballers make these days.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Loony, have you found your particulars yet? I said on the "Your help needed" thread that I did not have them!!

TNT may be quicker, but the pigeon is cheaper. Ken is sure to have tied it to its leg!

Besides Perth will be stopover on the way back to you for some R & R!

BTW, we had our second win in a row on Sunday. Our LB again showed his versatility by playing on the right of a 3 man defence. He still managed to set up the opening goal, also for the second straight week!!! He also came close with a header of his own.

If anyone has contacts with YBR tell him to get rid of Pistone, Domi and Griffin. I tell you this lad is good!!!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Bud Weiser

Didn't the end of Memoirs of a Geisher piss you off?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Tre I'm just about to start it. Don't give anything away!!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Tre, no.

P.S. I note your schpelling hasnot immproved mutch!

;-)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Nah it never will at this rate. Actually it's getting worse by the month.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Is that cos you're left handed and you've almost successfully managed to destroy your left hand over the years? ;))

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

No! it's becuase the left side of my brain controlls my spelling and some of it leaked out when ma head hit a rock. ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Harry Potter - top stuff.

Reading John King's 'Human Punk' - Fantastic. This was the guy who wrote the Headhunters, Football Factory, England Away trilogy. This is even better - though kinda brutal as well.

Read a good book called 'The Loing Firm' by Jake Arnott last week. Worth a shout.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000