Books

[Amir]

I recommend any book by Mark Steel (of 'The Mark Steel Lectures' which is sometimes shown late night BBC2/BBC4 show). Very very funny.

I think that they are called

"It's not a runner bean"
"Reasons to be cheerful"
"Vive la revolution"

I've read Reasons To Be Cheerful which charts his experiences with socialism from his schooldays to the present government.  For some reason I can't stand him on the tv, but the book is superb.

If anyone wants to read it I'll send it to them.

[el duque]

I recommend any book by Mark Steel (of 'The Mark Steel Lectures' which is sometimes shown late night BBC2/BBC4 show). Very very funny.

I think that they are called

"It's not a runner bean"
"Reasons to be cheerful"
"Vive la revolution"

I've read Reasons To Be Cheerful which charts his experiences with socialism from his schooldays to the present government.  For some reason I can't stand him on the tv, but the book is superb.

If anyone wants to read it I'll send it to them.

It's not a runner bean is about trying to make it as a stand up comedian in the 80's. It is currently doing the rounds at my work and is very popular.

Vive la revolution is "a stand up take on the French revolution" or something like that. Sounds odd, but somehow it works.

I agree that the TV show is not as good as his books (I think the earlier, lower budget ones are better shows though). However, it is still a lot better than most of the drivel on TV these days.

[Amir]

I'll look up It's not a runner bean then, cheers.

With the TV show I think strangely(given he's a stand-up comic) his delivery isn't as good.  I'd like to see The Mark Thomas Project back, it's been a while since the last one.

[el duque]

I'll look up It's not a runner bean then, cheers.

With the TV show I think strangely(given he's a stand-up comic) his delivery isn't as good.  I'd like to see The Mark Thomas Project back, it's been a while since the last one.

Mark Thomas is on a big tour at the moment. I miss all the London shows though, the first set due to a work trip, and the second set due to a vacation.

[Simon Pieman]

Has anyone read The Dice Man. That was a strange book!

[Amir]

I bought The Dice Man because Mex recommended it, then he changed his mind and said it was okay  I got quite far into it and then gave up, which is unusual as I normally persist with things if I've got that far.  For instance I read the whole of London Fields by Martin Amis.  Terrible book, yet some people love his writing.

[larwood]

I have just finished reading the World According to Jeremy Clarkson - worth a giggle, now I am about to start reading the Historian, which is supposed to be good.

The Historian,is that the one about the vampires,i tried to read that recently,couldn't be arsed,wouldn't Dracula just kill them not go around killing off librarians and pets :roll: IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE

I'm reading The warrior queens by Antonia Fraser,bit hard to get into but i'm really enjoying it now,i do love history

[STFCBird]

I have just finished reading the World According to Jeremy Clarkson - worth a giggle, now I am about to start reading the Historian, which is supposed to be good.

The Historian,is that the one about the vampires,i tried to read that recently,couldn't be arsed,wouldn't Dracula just kill them not go around killing off librarians and pets :roll: IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE

I'm reading The warrior queens by Antonia Fraser,bit hard to get into but i'm really enjoying it now,i do love history

I don't know I haven't read it yet   I'll start it when sussex falls asleep at the weekend  

[McLovin]

Despite some of his international hype, i cannot recommend Henning Mankell books at all. Doesn't help that they are translated from Swedish and so don't always read well either. Battling that, and a pretty shit storyline makes them less than enjoyable.

[Scot Munroe]

I am reading A Season in Verona by Tim Parks. It is really good and i would recommend it.

[Simon Pieman]

I bought The Dice Man because Mex recommended it, then he changed his mind and said it was okay  I got quite far into it and then gave up, which is unusual as I normally persist with things if I've got that far.  For instance I read the whole of London Fields by Martin Amis.  Terrible book, yet some people love his writing.

I got it for a quid with the Financial Times. It was a difficult read and I did feel it dragged on quite a bit, but it came together well enough in the end. I think it could have been made more satire than it actually was as well. But it was a novel (excuse the pun) idea.

That said I wouldn't mind reading the sequel, just because it's an interesting concept

[BB12]

Im looking for something decent to read, can anyone suggest something good?  I have read and enjoyed books by Dan Brown, John Grisham,

In the same vein, you'd probably like anything by :

Michael Connelly  (try 'The Poet')

David Baldacci  (try 'Absolute Power')

Harlan Coben  (try 'No Second Chance')

Lee Child  (try 'Killing Floor')

 :thumbs:

[Simon Pieman]

I'd very much agree with BB12 there in terms of similar style authors. You might like James Patterson also come to think of it.

[manc red]

Thanks for all the suggestions people, ive bought a few off ebay and will try to get a few more to see which writers i prefer.  Always hate looking for new books as i seem to buy shite ones if i buy randomly in book shops.