Books - What are you reading?

Can anyone recommend a good book on the history of London? (big area I know) Particularly from an architectural/development point of view. East London & Docklands in particular...

Not a personal recommendation, but universal critical praise and Ackroyd's not to be sniffed at. It won't be disappointing.

Can anyone recommend a good book on the history of London? (big area I know) Particularly from an architectural/development point of view. East London & Docklands in particular...

The best publications tend to be those published by local civic societies. The Hackney Society has a lot of excellent ones, but I'm sure there are others.

http://www.londonforum.org.uk/boroughlist.php

I also like this very much, although it doesn't focus specifically on East London:

http://publishing.bl.uk/book/london-life-maps-paperback

That's the one I'd recommend for starters.

Not a personal recommendation, but universal critical praise and Ackroyd's not to be sniffed at. It won't be disappointing.

It's very basic. I read it (probably an earlier edition) quite a few years ago, but didn't find it that good. I think I still have it lying around somewhere.

Can anyone recommend me some good summer reading? Not looking for brainy stuff, but not Harlequin either. Something along the lines of 'the world according to Garp' or maybe Hurakami. Basically a nice easy read, a page turner, but with substance.

Work your way through some Graham Greene books

quick read of reviews tells me you're right. should I start with Brighton Rock?

Brighton Rock is great, the plot is good and twisty but it's still pretty easy to follow.

The End of the Affair is probably my favourite of his, but it's not really summery holiday reading.

The Power and the Glory is brilliantly tense.

The Quiet American definitely worth a read as well.

Because of his own life, he can make books set in Vietnam, Mexico, Cuba, Sierra Leone, Brighton and Wandsworth all completely plausible and gripping. There aren't many like him.

I'd also recommend reading Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, because it's clever and hilarious as well.

I loved Graham Greene's Travels with my Aunt.

Brighton Rock is incredible,

The Comedians is really great too, dripping with menace.

My favourite is The Ministry of Fear. Just incredible and sinister.

I loved The Power and the Glory, especially me being a lapsed ratcatcher.

A good short story is The Fallen Idol. Very powerful.

Not a personal recommendation, but universal critical praise and Ackroyd's not to be sniffed at. It won't be disappointing.

His biography of Blake is woeful.

I loved Graham Greene's Travels with my Aunt.

Brighton Rock is incredible,

The Comedians is really great too, dripping with menace.

My favourite is The Ministry of Fear. Just incredible and sinister.

I loved The Power and the Glory, especially me being a lapsed ratcatcher.

A good short story is The Fallen Idol. Very powerful.

Fallen Idol is horrible. I loved it.

Haven't read The Comedians, Travels with my Aunt or The Ministry of Fear yet. Looking through a list of Greene's works, there's still so much for me to get through. I can't wait.

Amazing book. As powerful as anything he's ever written.

Just in the middle of this now. Very beautiful.

Just bought it. Well done old chap!

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If you're stuck for toilet reading you could do much worse.

I thank you.

Amazing book. As powerful as anything he's ever written.

Hey Genial, have you tried James Salter? Nicely written american middle class gloom. Can recommend Light Years, Dusk, and the one he wrote about climbing that I've forgotten.

Never heard of the chap, but I'll investigate immediately! Ta for the tip!

Solo Faces is his climbing book - they're all on my amazon wish list, waiting for me to have monies.

Ah yes. Its good. He writes like velvet.

also:

Oooh, I like the sound of that!

Don Paterson is added too - looks like it'll be a big order come pay day!

Hooray for pay day!

I've worked overtime all week, therefore my little treats are:

Should last me a while!

Just started Child of God by Cormac McCarthy.

I love Cormac McCarthy

Careful with Ulysses Luci.. Once read all other books seem irrelevant. Hasn't stopped me from enjoying other literature but for me it's the greatest book I've ever read.