Books - What are you reading?

Finished that The Game of Thrones set. Tbh, I'm a bit disappointed as it kinda goes nowhere. I feel as though I'm still at the start getting to the middle but nowhere near a conclusion. Anyone else feel that way?

Just started War and Peace - fuck it's long.

Reading Independent People by Halldór Laxness whilst in Iceland.
Beautifully written book. Can see why it one a Nobel prize.

Totally agree about GoT series. I was like "bring the fricking stories together already". Much disappoint.

Thanks for the recommendation on here for American Tabloid. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Ellroy's writing and world.

Having stumbled upon the new BBC War & Peace mini series (and quite enjoying the first episode) I'm inclined to give the book ago once and for all. It's been sitting on my to-read pile for ages. I was put off russian lit for a bit after struggling through The Brothers Karamazov.

Great book that. Simon got me Under the Glacier for Christmas which I will pick up next.

I'm reading Ham on Rye at the minute, finished most of it in a couple of days. It's the first novel of Bukowski's I've read, would Factotum be a good one to go for next? Also, recommendations for similar authors would be great, I tend to fall into a trap of reading nothing but books by the same for a while once I realise I'll probably enjoy it.

Just finishing up "The Yiddish Policeman's Union" by Michael Chabon, read a few of his books but this is the best, real sharp, noir thriller stuff

Factotum is excellent but I'd read Post Office next, @ltc. It was the first proper book he wrote and is important with regards to all the other books he wrote afterwards.
I hear Dan Fante is good, and a similar writer to Bukowski. John Fante, his father, was an inspiration to Bukowski and is often quoted as his favourite writer. I quite like John Fante myself - it's quite 'beat'. I'm getting Chump Change by Dan Fante, it's meant to be excellent.

Fante's Ask the dusk for sure also Knut Hamsun's Hunger.

+1 for Ask the Dust. One of my favourite books.

ust finishing up "The Yiddish Policeman's Union" by Michael Chabon, read a few of his books but this is the best, real sharp, noir thriller stuff

That's a great book, also try Kavalier and Klay, which is also brilliant. That's reminded me I need to read some more of his stuff.

Just finished Bad Vibes, Luke Haines' autobiography of the Auteurs in the time of Britpop. He's a funny writer, very knowing about his own bitter, deluded arrogance and pleasingly bitchy about the other no-marks of the era.

I'm almost at the end of Haruki Murakami's The Wild Sheep Chase, absolutely loving it. I'll be reading more of his, for sure. But up next is Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita.

I'm trying to broaden my horizon by reading books from different cultures. Albert Camus' The Rebel is on the list as well, I'm still looking for South-American and African books to read. The reason I started this was Italo Calvino's If on a winter's night a traveler, which might be my most favourite book ever.

Have you read Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun?

I'm a bit fed up of crime fiction and fancy some real crime writings along the lines of dogged determination of an investigation, if that makes sense. Any recommendations? Preferably ebook.

@bluebikerider - Truman Capote's In Cold Blood is great once you get into it

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Utterly compelling and brilliantly written.

Ridiculous question, but how did you pronounce Kavalier in your head when you were reading it? I've got it sat on my shelf and am itching to read it, but I can't bring myself to start it until I know whether it's meant to be Kavalier like 'cavalier', or Kavalier like 'Chevalier'. I feel it'll have an impact on the character either way, and it's been bugging me for ages!

Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets http://www.amazon.co.uk/Homicide-Year-The-Killing-Streets-ebook/dp/B002RI9SAQ/
Part of the books that inspired the Wire and Homicide: Life on the Street

yep, they are next on my list. It's such a fine line between writing a pastiche of Ellroy, Chandler etc and instead writing something fresh but completely of a style....

not strictly this.. but "The strange last voyage of Donald Crowhurst" is an investigative story to try and put together what happened to Donald's attempt to sail round the world. Really recommend it.

Um, well, didn't think about it deeply, but the characters are from central Europe, so I just read it with the Germanic pronunciation. Also assumed the title was to be read alliteratively. Don't let it put you off starting the book, it's brilliant!

Thanks. I'll go with that, and get it started!

read these in Jan. the Cox was engagingly sciencey, the Fuller was really interesting and well written, about her life growing up in southern African nations in the 60s-80s. funny and sad.

still reading Infinite Jest

attached?. ah yes.

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the Blood and Oil was interesting, although a bit out of date (2005ish)

I'd like to buy petrol refined from oil that doesnt come from Saudi Arabia, but I can't find out if this is even possible.