Books - What are you reading?

Just into the 2nd book of the Broken Earth series by NK Jemisin. Very much enjoying a bit of slightly different sci-fi.

These are ace. I demolished the whole series in no time, I really enjoyed the whole lot.

75, but 2 is fairly close.

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Have you watched Magic trip, the 2011 edit of the journey across the US to the worlds fair?

No, will take a look at that. Where is it available?

I bought it as it was banned, and I think that is what made it so popular. All I remember of spycatcher is as you say the misbehaviour and rivalry between MI6.

I just bought it from amazon on line I think.

Part of me would like to see the complete footage but not sure that it is possible anymore, there is a part of me that thinks the film is probably the best bits.

Canticle for Liebowitz was a good book and I read it during my phase reading of books from World War 2 and the occupation of Italy so included catch22 and closing time by Heller.

Years later I listened to the BBC radio plays of the book, which are probably available on the radio archiv still worth a listen in my opinion.

Currently finished reading the night watch by Sergei Lukyanenko, and about to start day watch. It is a triology in four parts so that wins points in my book. It is a russian fantasy with witches and worlocks and great mages. The subtitle russian film nightwatch and day watch are based loosely on the books.

I recently read A Highly Civilised Man, Dane Kennedy's book on Burton. It's an interesting take on him - he's trying to situate Burton in Victorian society and explain how in lots of ways he's a product of his time rather than the outlier and pioneer he's made out to be.

He's a fascinating and contradictory character in so many ways, you can see why there's still so much fascination.

Anyone want girlfriend in a coma by copeland

Magnus Mills The Scheme for Full Employment next I think then back to sci-fi with A Canticle for Liebowitz. Unless the next book club book gets picked and I need to get stuck in to that ASAP.

Read the Magnus Mills, it was OK and I'll probably read more like him but it was a nice idea and easy to read but just felt under-developed as it lacked any real depth (or I'm too stupid to pick up on its hidden depth).

New book club book is The Vegetarian by Han Kang. Finished it in just three nights. Blimey.

Yeah I loved these too. Ploughed through the lot and was gutted to get to the end. Some really fresh ideas in there. Not got round to reading anything else by her yet, but I plan to.

@Greenbank If you enjoyed Scheme for Full employment in any way, I would try Restraint of Beasts. It felt to me a more well-rounded book, less reliant on the novel concept of SfFE perhaps.

On recommendation from here, I’m kinda enjoying the audiobook of the Salt Path.

It’s a really moving story. Unfortunately the author is reading it and she has trouble pronouncing the letter L. It’s getting excruciating. I feel cruel saying this but I’m praying the word “lullaby” doesn’t pop up.
Saying that, her voice does evoke a kind of Candice-Marie from Nuts in May vibe, which adds authenticity and humour.

I'm currently reading Valis by Philip K Dick. Fuck me it's hard going. So far it seems to be 95% twisting, turning philosophical babbling and 5% narrative.

Given that it's hard to find local shops selling English language books here, I'd be up for a care-package being sent to Spain if anyone has anything interesting to off-load?

Will happily pay postage! I'd rather do it here then pay Bezos.

Aye, his stuff can be like that. Sometimes he has a sardonic view on his own dippy mysticism, sometimes he's just away in it, sometimes he tips over from the wry self-awareness to the (very boring) seriousness and loses it. I can recall one bit in The Divine Invasion which went from very funny to yawn halfway through a sentence in one scene (and stayed yawn for some time).

I've read a fair bit of his but guess I've not delved into the weirder stuff much!

What sort of interesting is interesting for you? I might have some books to send. And where are you?

"RAW - my journey into the Wu-Tang" - by Lamont 'U-God' Hawkins - the most unintentionally funny book I've read in a long time

I read all sorts; just finished the latest in the Expanse series and now reading the third in the Wolf Hall trilogy, but I like anything. And very willing to be educated!

I use GoodReads, if that helps.

Currently reading the first game of thrones book. Really enjoying it so far. Lots going on. I haven't seen the tv series so I'm not 100% sure what's happening, but its coming together. Sex, incest and murder.

I've just finished Outline by Rachel Cusk, and started Transit straight away.

I really liked the style of Outline. It's a really interesting way to tell a story, with barely any narration or internal monologue. It really reminded me of arthouse French cinema or Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and a short story collection I read in German at uni that stayed with me by Peter Stamm (which I'd highly recommend to any German speakers).

Went to the library to stock up in case of lockdown; got the latest Ben Aaronovitch and a bunch of history, including this, which I've had recommended previously:

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Which one was that? I keep meaning to try Stamm, but haven't got around to it.

I just re-started Blindness by Jose Saramago. Started on it about a year ago and then I gave up half way through, as the idea of a fast spreading epidemic seemed like a bit of a forced metaphor.
Resonates a bit better now, so will probably manage to finish it.