Books - What are you reading?

Started reading Fight Club really good so far. Very similar to the film in dialogue so far

No idea.

#deletefacebook

I didn't get the book at all. I finished it thinking "how did that awesome film come from this?"

Interesting. I’m only 50 pages in so time will tell. I’m looking forward to reading some more Chuck Palahniuk but they look pretty dark

I remember reading a short story of his about someone wanking in a swimming pool and getting prolapsed by an outflow pipe.

I really didn't see the point of it beyond trying to shock or repulse. It seemed a bit try-hard and teenage.

But I didn't really like Fight Club either, film or book.

I remember reading that when I was a teenager and thinking "this is ever so edgy".

I had that feeling about Dennis Cooper!

American Gods arrived today. It's quite a hefty tome! My attention span with books tends to be quite short, I tend to prefer books under about 300 pages. Surprisingly I've not got a fat lot on at the minute, what with being furloughed and all so should probably get stuck in to this as soon as possible!

I'm currently reading Butcher's Crossing by John Williams. I'm enjoying it a lot. It sort of reads like a Cormac McCarthy book (rugged cowboys undergoing hardships etc) but really beautifully written. I read Stoner by Williams a couple of weeks ago and he's fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Ha, yeah me too, I bought Gravity's Rainbow and was distressed by its doorstop quality.

I find Gaiman quite a breezy read, though. I don't remember how long it took, but I do remember that it was finished much faster than I thought it would be, and that I wished there was more of it. Good luck!

It seemed a bit try-hard and teenage.

Chuckled at this. I loved Fight Club when I read it. I think I was about 17, and I was absolutely a gargantuan try-hard (and still am, I hear you cry!). I saw it at the cinema at least 9 times. Bought the soundtrack and everything.

No desire to ever read anything else by palahniuk ever again now that I'm getting into middle age, thank god.

Yeah I'm sure it's an easier longer read than a lot of things! Looking forward to getting in to it.

I think I liked Gravity's Rainbow, but it was a long time ago and I might just be remembering my relief at finishing it.

I bounced off the first page a couple of times until I figured out the rhythm. I certainly haven't re-read it.

Vineland, V and Inherent Vice are all shorter and more approachable, and I have re-read those. Vineland in particular I think works as a regular novel, as well as a Pynchon-with-a-capital-P one.

That sounds great, need to look for a copy.

3/4 of the way through and finding it superb -

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I finally got around to reading this, 2/3 done and really enjoying it

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The Ginger Man, by him, is a damn good book.

Thank you. Knew the author was familiar, couldn't remember title of the book though I'd read at uni, when book shops open I may have to go looking for a 2nd hand copy.

My father in law recommended this author to me recently

I'm currently reading Butcher's Crossing by John Williams

Ha! So am I. Unlike you I can't say I am getting a lot out of it. But I am determined to finish it seeing as it is a highly regarded book.
Just can't see what else there is to it but descriptions, descriptions, descriptions.... A man's life basically being summed up by a series of habits and skills slowly acquired over time.
I think it is sincerely meant from the author though, some sort of statement on American pragmatism perhaps?

Did you finish Butcher's Crossing in the end?

Verso are offering 50% off if you sign up to their mailing list at the minute (it takes a couple of weeks for the code to come through though). They've also got some interesting sounding free e-books about police abolition/ reform if that's of interest to anyone!

Please read some other Jean Rhys though. Ahh it seems @WillMelling said the same thing.

I enjoy the backlisted podcast, and they have an episode about Good Morning Midnight. A good place to start.

I have found backlisted quite a good way to find out about books I wouldn't otherwise have read. I'm currently reading the world accoring to garp, as there is an episode about that and I wanted something fairly light after the miror and light

Started reading this this morning. Absolutely belting so far, really simply but beautifully written. The premise sort of reminds me of The Stranger by Camus.
I think it might be the first book I've ever read by an Indonesian author actually.

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Anyone recommend an online secondhand book shop? Abebooks is owned by Amazon so would like to avoid.

Edit: Nevermind, found a few results by searching the thread ...