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  1. #1
    DF VIP Member headsortails's Avatar
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    Default Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    I'm not into fiction books, I prefer travel/adventure/accounts of everyday life non-fiction; books like Long Way Round, Round Island with a Fridge, Playing the Moldovans at Tennis, and Gerald Durrell books.

    I saw A Year on the Bog in a discount book shop, and after reading about half (giving it a fair go) realised why it was in a discount shop.

    Pic of Cover:-
    Spoiler:


    Synopsis:-
    Spoiler:
    In 2002 while in Japan, Andy McBean set out on a remarkable adventure. His mission: to record every single visit to the toilet made over a year. Every visit. Not just the bizarre ones involving attacks with fire extinguishers or suffering from hypothermia. Every single visit. It was a grand vision encompassing not just the minutiae of bowel movements but the broad social sweep of environment, society - the people and the places, the act of getting to and getting from - as he puts it so eloquently in his foreword 'the whole flipping rigmarole of toileting'...The Japanese Experiment ended in disaster, crashing and burning on a cold night in Tokyo. But Andy was undeterred and when he had recovered sufficiently he took up the challenge again. This is a record of a year in the life of one man. Some say a brave man, some say foolhardy. Others call him a halfwit. And through this record you can share with him his pain, his pleasure; the tears of laughter, the cries of despair - a moving experience like no other.

    When the author actually describes what's going in his life and the events surrounding the toilet activity it is quite an interesting book but, more often than not, he will just list the time, duration and description like 'piss before bed' or 'shit in the disabled toilet at work'

    It could have been so much better if he had used the need to urinate and defecate as a vehicle to log (excuse the pun) his life rather than the other way round.

    In an attempt to use all available tags, here is a video into to the book from youtube:-
    Spoiler:
    <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q39xcJ9Owvk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q39xcJ9Owvk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>


    So what are you reading at the moment, what do you think of it and have you got and recommendations?

    Especially looking for recommendations for me based on my likes above.

    Edit: I haven't completely missed that we have a book section have I?
    Last edited by headsortails; 20th August 2007 at 11:48 AM.

  2. #2
    DF VIP Member Ganty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Great post mate, and no, we don't have a book section - hopefully this thread can alter that!

    I'm a big fan of crime fiction, so quite different from your tastes, lol, but am currently reading "Thriller" which is 30 short stories, edited by James "Once I was awesome but now I'm rushing and my latest work has been shit" Patterson.

    The compendium is awesome, I'm about half way through, Lee Child's story "James Penny's New Identity" is a stand out at the moment, there was also an excellent short story by James Seagal (sp?), the guy responsible for "Derailed" (a great book, if he haven't read it, do so now - a film has been made of it but I haven't seen it yet).

    I think I'm overly biased towards Lee Childs work, he is outstanding, if you haven't read his Jack Reacher series PM me and I'll send you them, providing you post them back when you're finsihed

  3. #3
    DF VIP Member BertRoot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Read Tony Hawks book, Occupation Skateboarder. Good read and I would recommend it. Bezs book is also a good one, Freaky Dancing if you were into any of the Madchester scene.

    edit: Oh and I am reading Watchmen again cos it is the fucking nuts.


  4. #4
    DF VIP Member maverick_15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Non-fiction, I'm working my way through a box set of the late Stephen Ambrose's WWII books (D-Day, Citizen Soldiers, Wild Blue, Pegasus Bridge and Band of Brothers). Exceptionally good books.

    Fiction, I've just finished Terry Pratchett's Wintersmith, a Discworld novel (but aimed at young adults). If you have a slightly odd sense of humour any Discworld book is a good read.

    Ganty, I know what you mean about Patterson. These days he seems to be just relying on his name and not really caring about the standard of book. Not the only author to suffer from this though...

    My favoured authors are John Grisham, Tom Clancy, and Bernard Cornwell. Highly recommend most books by these three.
    "There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking." - Alfred Korzybski

    "Alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems" - Homer J. Simpson

  5. #5
    DF VIP Member BBK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Just finished reading Roots by Alex Haley. Its one of the most emotionally moving books I've ever read. I thought it was going to be a very hard read, one that was very critical and full of racial hatred, but it wasn't, it was a beautiful book that genuinely had me in tears in places. I will never understand how human beings can be so horrible to others, and how some people have the strength to get through their adversity. A real eye-opener.

    Also been reading the Meg Gardiner books of late. Found them to be quite tame but enjoyable crime fiction. Nothing too strong in these, though one of them (sorry, cant remember which!) is seemingly based loosely around the Westboro Baptist Church ( or at least what they represent), and is interesting, with some good little plot twists that you don't necessarily see coming.

    The book I'm reading now is Relentless by Simon Kernick. If you like your crime fiction then I reckon you will love Simon Kernick. I've read two others by this guy, and both have been excellent, wonderful plot twists, set in the UK (mainly London). So far this one has me desperate to know what is going to happen, and that for me is the mark of a really good book!

    One to stay very clear of is "The Velvet Rooms" by Sam North. Total and utter garbage. Sounds good on the back cover (especially if you are into crime fiction and you frequent web forums ......) but I just couldn't read it. Got to about p20 and just gave up, and I cannot remember the last book I stopped reading. The way it is written is atrocious IMO.

  6. #6
    DF VIP Member koola2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Enjoyed both Round Island with a Fridge and Playing the Moldovans at Tennis. At the moment I am enjoying "Are you Dave Gorman?"

  7. #7
    DF VIP Member maverick_15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Just to add also Bill Bryson's books are a good read. Well known for his travel books (rightly so because they're good) but if you get the chance also read A Short History of Nearly Everything.
    "There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking." - Alfred Korzybski

    "Alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems" - Homer J. Simpson

  8. #8
    DF VIP Member Ganty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by BBK View Post

    The book I'm reading now is Relentless by Simon Kernick. If you like your crime fiction then I reckon you will love Simon Kernick. I've read two others by this guy, and both have been excellent, wonderful plot twists, set in the UK (mainly London). So far this one has me desperate to know what is going to happen, and that for me is the mark of a really good book!
    On that note have you read anything by Peter Robinson? His Det. Alan Banks series is wonderful, set in the UK, great stuff all round. He falls behind Lee Child though

    I think "Cold is the Grave" is my favourite; I've read that many that the titles seem to get muddled lol, but it's about one of his superior's daughter who gets dragged into the soho porn scene, a very enjoyable read.

  9. #9
    DF VIP Member funkyg's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Reading Hannibal Rising at the mo'.
    Saw the film and was really disappointed with it, someone said (as always) that the book was much better. Am about a third of the way through and so far it's much better. Much better insught into his feelings and reasons for being as sick as he is. In the film you just see him kill people with little insight into why, the book is loads better.
    Ooh, ooh, ooh, the funky gibbon.


  10. #10
    DF VIP Member gunner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    I have recently read, Shogun / Noble House, Tai Pan - all by James Clavell. Each one a fantastic read. All about the far east, beginning with Shogun where the first British sailor reached its shores - and the wonder of their different culture that was totally alien to the British in the 18th Century. Then it is followed up by Tai Pan, which tells the story of the creation of Hong Kong - and the opium smuggling in the mid 18th Century. Tai Pan charts the life and times of the 'Noble House' which is the first Anglo-Chinese trading company - and the companies rivalry. Then on to Noble House, which is set in the 1960's in Hong Kong, and charts the same company in Hong Kong in the 1960's. Lots of espionage and other forces trying to do over the next.
    Shogun and Tai Pan are both up there with my favorite books - and Noble House is also a captivating read.
    I am due to read Whirlwind next, which is set in the middle east - again, by James Clavell.

    I have been recently side tracked by Wilbur Smith's books, and have read Bird of Prey and am currently reading Monsoon. Very much like Shogun/Tai Pan - but it is set in the 18th Century, off the coast of south east Africa. It charts the events and fortunes of the Courtney's - and is pretty brutal, but very well written. I understand there is a third to the series, and will read that next before hitting Whirlwind (and then King Rat).
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  11. #11
    DF VIP Member DJ OD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Get three on the go at the mo... lol

    Jeremy Clarkson - Born to Be Riled
    Carlos Castenada - The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge
    John Grisham - The Street Lawyer

    JC is an easy read, very much in line with his newspaper columns. Short stories that are funny and generally car realted!

    John Grisham is an annoying writer I find, but the story is quite good in The Street Lawyer.

    The other one looks weird and I haven't really started much into it to tell!


    DJ OD

  12. #12
    DF VIP Member muttleymacclad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    I'm more into non fiction. Currently reading Sam Harris, "The End of Faith". Quite an interesting book but quite disturbing as well.

    "Freakonomics" is also a great book, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

    Muttley
    "When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butchers knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross." - 'Dirty' Harry

  13. #13
    DF VIP Member BM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Mr Nice is a very good read. It is Howard Marks autobiography.
    I am most of the way through the eagles series by Simon Scarrow. Its about 2 roman centurians. I am currently reading The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. I am enjoying it so far but am only 1/4 of the way through.

  14. #14
    DF VIP Member maverick_15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by BM View Post
    I am most of the way through the eagles series by Simon Scarrow. Its about 2 roman centurians.
    He's started a similar series on Napoleon and Wellington, there's only two so far but they're good.
    "There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking." - Alfred Korzybski

    "Alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems" - Homer J. Simpson

  15. #15
    DF VIP Member BBK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by gantybop View Post
    On that note have you read anything by Peter Robinson? His Det. Alan Banks series is wonderful, set in the UK, great stuff all round. He falls behind Lee Child though

    I think "Cold is the Grave" is my favourite; I've read that many that the titles seem to get muddled lol, but it's about one of his superior's daughter who gets dragged into the soho porn scene, a very enjoyable read.
    I've read a couple, but not many, did enjoy them though. And yes, I do like the Reacher novels!!!

  16. #16
    Argyll's Apprentice TwoPlAnKs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    have to agree on round ireland with a fridge and a short history of nearly everything. bill bryson is a fantastic author, he can make anything interesting. I really enjoyed his notes from a big country, which are all the articles he wrote on moving back to america after living in britain for years. his book about australia (down under i think it is) actually made me seriously think about going there too. I muchly prefer books like that over fiction for some reason

    another i really liked was one in three by... somebody. its about the history and science behind cancer, with the story of the authors father being diagnosed and dieing muddled in. its really well written and makes cancer a lot less frightening. its marketed towards people who are currently affected by cancer, and I think it would be great for this purpose. i wouldnt hesitate in giving my copy to anybody i knew who got diagnosed

    the QI book of general ignorance, full of facts from the TV show and a lot more, is also fantastic. loads of really interesting bits of information about a massive range of things

    i've ordered freakonomics from amazon too, after reading a few pages of a friends copy. it looks really interesting

    the origin of species is no where near as bad as people would expect either, i found it very interesting although i have to admit i've read a few other books without totally finishing it. i was also reading a bit of a brief history of time by stephen hawking but i didnt really have time to start it properly. the best possible introduction to how we all began definitly comes from a brief history of nearly everything though.

    on the note about the books section, DF should become an amazon.com affiliate and we could have a section like the films section, where the reviews are posted with the amazon referall link on the top so we can find the books easily and its a bit of cash for the server bills
    "The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

  17. #17
    DF VIP Member WalterPill's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Reading Richard Dawkins' God Delusion and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. Both are mint.

  18. #18
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    currently reading "From a Buick 8" by Stephen King. it's taking ages because i've lost interest half way through and isn't gripping enough. will struggle through it though!

  19. #19
    DF VIP Member Ganty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by willp2003 View Post
    currently reading "From a Buick 8" by Stephen King. it's taking ages because i've lost interest half way through and isn't gripping enough. will struggle through it though!
    I've found that with a lot of King's recent works. It went bad with Dreamcatcher and doesn't seem to have picked up again.

    I still think his best works have been the "novellettes" contained within the "different Season's" compilation.

    For those who are unaware that's where "The Shawshank Redemption" began it's life, titled "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption"

    It also contained another great story which was turned into a film - Apt Pupil - get involved.
    Last edited by Ganty; 20th August 2007 at 03:41 PM.

  20. #20
    DF VIP Member headsortails's Avatar
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    Default Re: Books - what are you reading and recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by willp2003 View Post
    currently reading "From a Buick 8" by Stephen King. it's taking ages because i've lost interest half way through and isn't gripping enough. will struggle through it though!
    I've got a huge collection of King books waiting to be read - the ideas for the stories appeal to me but never seem to be able to get into them.

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