Re: What are you reading?
 

kiss the girls,much better than the film its easy to get into and hard to put down :tu:

Re: What are you reading?
 

Venus Equilateral - George O. Smith

Classic sci-fi from the '40s

Re: What are you reading?
 

Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius, by Robert E. Iannini.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just finished Idlewild - Nick Sagan.

Now reading Man-Kzin Wars XI - Larry Niven and others

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just read
Hilldiggers - Neil Asher
Blue Screen - Robert B. Parker
Freakonomics - Steven D Levitt & Stephen J Dubner (recommended)
The Foresight War - Anthony G Williams

Reading
Tipping Point -Malcolm Gladwell
Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks - Christopher Brookmyre

Reading next
The Dreaming Void - Peter F Hamilton
Rainbows End - Vernor Vinge
The Jennifer Morgue - Charles Stross (I read (and loved) the previous book (The Atrocity Archives)with the same premise, which is about a UK Intelligence Agency using hackers/technology/mathematics to combat demons and terrorist - think of it as HP Lovecraft meets Len Deighton).

Re: What are you reading?
 

Four on the go at the minute

Fast food nation
Of mice and men
Small Gods (one of my all time faves)
Holy Blood, Holy Grail

Re: What are you reading?
 

just read :
Witches of Cheswick (Robert Rankin)
Market Forces (Richard Morgan)
The Final Detail (Harlan Coben)

Now on 'Knees up Mother Earth' - Robert Rankin

Re: What are you reading?
 

Elaine Cunningham - Changeling Detective Agency 1 - Shadows in the Darkness

Re: What are you reading?
 

Elaine Cunningham - Changeling Detective Agency 2 - Shadows in the Starlight

Re: What are you reading?
 

Lusting over some guitar porn - http://tinyurl.com/yutl76 :D Excellent book for £5.00

Re: What are you reading?
 

I just read freakonomics.....very good! :tu: :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

I just finished Terry Pratchett's Making Money.Excellent with a terrific twist or two.:)

Also just finished The Islamist..The true story of a British Muslim who so nearly went down the terrorist road...a very interesting read.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Waiting for my signed copy to arrive to enjoy the latest TP :D

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just started my copy last night - looking good so far......

Re: What are you reading?
 

"I am Legend", by Richard Matheson.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just about finished listening to The Stand (Now that was a hell of a long audiobook ;))

Going to start on Ben Bova's Mars and Return to Mars, neither of which I've read in any format before.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Started reading the set of nine Babylon 5 novels I found on E-Bay last week. :D

Re: What are you reading?
 

I am reading a book called Dealing with Death it is all about the law and what different religions do and don't allow, makes very interesting reading.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Finished 'The Prefect' by Alastair Reynolds - now starting 'Century Rain' also by him

Re: What are you reading?
 

Re: What are you reading?
 

Is that like the 'A' Team then?

Re: What are you reading?
 

Currently reading Readers Wives. Just finished Knave.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Finished Cities in Flight by James Blish - four books in one volume (a tetralogy?).

The idea of a whole city lifting off from Earth and travelling in space may sound a bit hard to swallow, but the author really pulls it off. Anyway, I see that Stargate: Atlantis stole his idea.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Quadrilogy?

I'm re-reading all the Terry Pratchett books to remind myself how entertaining they can be in comparison to the tedious mess his latest book is.

Re: What are you reading?
 

No, unless you are being non-standard: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tetralogy

Re: What are you reading?
 

My latest reads are

(1) Wasting Police time-serious but also humourous

(2) Fast food nation

Both excellent and engaging reads. If anyone wants to buy them second hand, do let me know :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Blink:The power of thinking without thinking...........an interesting read and it ties in nicely with other stuff I have read by Paul Ekman and his work on facial expressions and microexpressions....:tu:

Re: What are you reading?
 

The hollow People by Brian Keaney, (The Promises of Dr Sigmunuds series) Bought this book for my niece and couldn't resist having a quick look. I have ended up reading the whole book and am hooked. Pity the next book in the series isn't due out till late next year.

Re: What are you reading?
 

along came a spider,james patterson brilliant !! :D

Re: What are you reading?
 

I think that & Kiss the Girls are still his best.


Really didn't think much of most of his later stuff.


Bit like Patricia Cornwell IMO...early books :tu:, later books :td:

Re: What are you reading?
 

About to start Exit Music..by Ian Rankin.Rebus's finale.:erm:

Husband says it is good so I shall see.:)

Re: What are you reading?
 

i just brought the clive James book called north face of soho
I have no idea if it is any good or not but sounded ok!

Re: What are you reading?
 

"Revenge of the Fox" and "The Ultimate Betrayal" by Jack Jackson, a friend of ours and also the Manuscript for his 3rd book.
Just trying to help him find a publisher in the UK.
Both books are about the times of Gangland Britain in the 50`s 60`s and 70`s. Excellent Reading.:tu::)

Re: What are you reading?
 

The Trudeau Vector. by Juris Jurjevics.

I am about a third of the way through and contemplating throwing the book out of the window. Sheer cussidness is all that's driving me on to the finish. If any one else has read this book can you let me know whether it ever gets going?

Re: What are you reading?
 

Robert A. Heinlein - Space Cadet.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Good for you. Nice book.

Mind you it's been a fair few years since I read it. I recently git starship troopers and Starman Jones in audiobook.

The starship troopers is much better than the film.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows..

Re: What are you reading?
 

I've still got to listen to that..... Or get a large print one ;)

MMMmmm choices choices lol

Re: What are you reading?
 

The Ecolitan Operation and The Ecologic Succession by L.E.Modesitt, Jr.

A sort of cross between space opera hero and ecological freedom fighter.

Re: What are you reading?
 

I just stared listening to 'we can remember it for you wholesale'

Now trawling through audiobooks to see what I fancy listening to next.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just finished "3 Para" which was a very good read but also disturbing as well & now re-reading "Picking up the Brass" by Convoy C**k & The Rigger which is a fictionalised account of one lad doing Basic Army training in the mid 80's.Ironic thing is I can relate to a hell of a lot in the book!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/19...10#reader-link

Re: What are you reading?
 

Heroes - Nigel Cawthorne
Its the stories behind The Victoria Cross Winners since WWII

Just finished sniper one - Dan Mills, was a really good read

Re: What are you reading?
 

james pattersons jack and jill a fast paced read :D

Re: What are you reading?
 

The butler did it :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

I'm re-reading quite an old fantasy series, namely Julian May's 'Saga of the Exiles' trilogy, I'm just near the end of the first volume 'The Many-Coloured Land' & have been surprised how much I've enjoyed it, so far :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Soon by Jerry Jenkins

A futurist Earth where religion is banned after it is blamed for the outbreak of WW3.

Re: What are you reading?
 

I managed the first Julian May but found it such a chore I've never returned to him.I can't put my finger on why he doesn't appeal because he apparently writes the sort of fiction I like.:(

Re: What are you reading?
 

Julian May is female ;)

The follow on books seem to have a better pace and later works are much better.

Reading the revised version of The Gunslinger (Dark Tower Book 1) by Stephen King. Somewhat reminiscent of David Gemmel's Jerusalem Man crossed with a Spaghetti Western.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Perhaps that's the reason.;)

Re: What are you reading?
 

just finished "The Righteous Men" by Sam Bourne... was good alot better then say Da Vinci Code or even Angels and demons...

similar kind of story but I think better researched and brought over.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Check your email. ;)

Now there's a policy that would get my vote!

Re: What are you reading?
 

Yup, saw that, cheers :) :tu:

edit - in fact I'm converting it to an audiobook right now :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Android's Dream - John Scalzi
Orbital Decay - Allen Steele
The Difference Engine - William Gibson & Bruce Sterling
The Jennifer Morgue - Charles Stross
Fleet of Planets - Larry Niven
A Meeting at Corvallis - SM Stirling
Rainbows End -Vernon Vinge

and just re-read Guards Guards! by Terry Pratchett

Re: What are you reading?
 

The Nature of Space and Time and The Theory of Everything. Hawking.

HHHmmm

Re: What are you reading?
 

im currently reading "pathway to freedom" by dali llahma .... so funny :D

Re: What are you reading?
 

After just finishing listening to Journey Into Space - Operation Luna and Journey Into Space - The Red Planet, I'm just about to make a start on Journey Into Space - The World in Peril.

Class - sheer class :)

What book are you reading now
 

Hopefully this isnt a duplicate thread :D


I used to be an avid reader 2-3 a month but over the past 5-6 years it has dropped off to zero.
I have just started taking time away from the comp and other pastimes to start reading again so I thought I would start this thread to see if there's an intrest among the members for reading (other than CF and daily papers)

Anyway I'll start :)

The Cleaner, by Brett Battles.
Spent just over a week reading this fine first book by Brett Battles, intrigue, suspense and action spread over 3 continents see’s the main character Jonathan Quinn escape from being killed in his own home, fleeing to Ho Chi Min city and being chased out of town to spending freezing winter days uncovering why a member of the “office” was killed and why he was on a hit list.

Pretty good thriller that has gone a long way to get me back into reading, excellent descriptions got me totally immersed into the world of Jonathan Quinn.

Got this from Tesco 2 for £7.00

Re: What are you reading?
 

I added your post the end of the correct thread :tu:

I am currently reading 'Rendevous with Rana' by the way :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

- who is the real person behind the 'Bones' persona played so nicely by Emily Deschanel in the TV series of the same name :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Whilst on my honeymoon I read "Skin Privilege" by Karin Slaughter.

Last in the series of the Jeffrey Tolliver books and the fist I read in the series so I guess I bummed out a little there. Anywho a bit of blurb.

-------------------------------
Lena Adams has spent her life struggling to escape her past. She has only unhappy memories of Reece, the small town which nearly destroyed her. She’s made a new life for herself as a police detective in Heartsdale, a hundred miles away - but nothing could prepare her for the violence which explodes when she is forced to return. A vicious murder leaves a young woman incinerated beyond recognition. And Lena is the only suspect.

When Heartsdale police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, Lena’s boss, receives word that his detective has been arrested, he has no choice but to go to Lena’s aid – taking with him his wife, medical examiner Sara Linton. But soon after their arrival, a second victim is found. The town closes ranks. And both Jeffrey and Sara find themselves entangled in a horrifying underground world of bigotry and rage –- a violent world which shocks even them. A world which puts their own lives in jeopardy. [/font]
--------------------

An excellent book which I had trouble putting down, even threatened to read it again just in case I missed anything.

As a stand alone its a great read, now knowing there are more books in the series I shall get these and read them in order.
gets a great 8.5\10 from me.


Another book, although not read but listened to (audio book) is Duma Key by the master Stephen King.
Written in the first person Edgar Freemantle is our guide through his recovery from a near death accident and the subsequent painting he drew while in recovery on the small "key" off Florida's coast called Duma.
If I were to liken this book to others of his then there is a touch of the Shining where the darkness seeps in through the persona's of his paintings.

King describes this as a cross between the Shining and the Maltese Falcon.
I found it very engaging, dark, thoughtful and in places sad.

After listening to the book I'm going to buy it for what i know will be a great read.
9\10 :tu:

Re: What are you reading?
 

I've read this a few times, Heartbreak and Triumphs by Shawn Michaels.

Michaels is a WWE superstar wrestler whose life was going off the rails, he was addicted to painkillers and suffered a career-ending back injury however he found Jesus and became born-again. The Lord healed his back (defying doctors' opinions) and got him past his addiction. The book is all about his life, career and family.

Possibly the best wrestling autobiography ever.

Re: What are you reading?
 

World War Z.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just starting One Door Away From Heaven by Deen Koontz, and it better be good because the last book of his I read was a snoozefest!

Re: What are you reading?
 

reading Dragon by Clive Cussler feature Dirk Pitt.

It's completely OTT and far fecthed but it has great pace to it and is a good read if you just want to switch off and enjoy a good adventure

Re: What are you reading?
 

It's not - I'd give up now if I were you.

Dean Koontz used to be good (back in the days of 'Whispers' and 'Strangers') - now he just writes page filling rubbish (IMO)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Oh dear, that's what I was afraid of. I suffered through The Taking and wondered what happened there. :erm: The only thing that was missing from that one was the "and then she woke up and realized it had all been a dream!" at the end. :td:

Homealone: How did you like the Kathy Reichs book?

Re: What are you reading?
 

Peter Tremayne - Dancing with Demons.

Re: What are you reading?
 

He's written very little recently that has been even remotely good (though to be fair I haven't read a lot of his stuff recently, because so much of it was rubbish).
The last one I read was 'The Husband' which was an enteraining read - but it could have been written by anyone - it had none of the typical Koontz style that made his books so good in 80's and early 90's.
I think he started to go down hill around the time that he wrote 'Seize the Night', that for me marked a down turn in quality, and an increase in quantity of pages

Re: What are you reading?
 

I enjoyed it, I'm a big fan of the 'Bones' tv series & it was really interesting to read a book by the real person the character is based on.

It might not be everyone's 'cup of tea', but the attention to detail, especially concerning the characterisation of people, was very well done & it wasn't any where near as dry or clinical as I might of expected.

I'm on a bit of a Dan Brown kick, at the moment, having just finished Angels & Demons, Deception Point & The Da Vinci Code - on the lookout for Digital Fortress, now ...

Re: What are you reading?
 

Re: What are you reading?
 

So - having listened to Ben Bova's MARS

I got hold of a series called 'Grand tour of the universe'

But rather than start it off (it's going to take a while) I was wondering if anyone has read this and if it's good?

---------- Post added at 20:18 ---------- Previous post was at 20:18 ----------

I'm in need of a really good sci fi (audio) book to read at the moment.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Read? Who has time to read these days?:erm:

Re: What are you reading?
 

Um - if there's one thing I have too much of, it's time :(

Re: What are you reading?
 

:sorry::hugs:

Re: What are you reading?
 

I wouldn't worry about it - I suspect when I move I'll be complaining I don't have enough time ;)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Still reading it..... :erm:

Re: What are you reading?
 

I haven't started it yet, but I popped in the charity shop & got Dan Brown's 'Digital Fortress' the other day . I'm quite looking forward to it, as I was so surprised how different 'Deception Point' was to 'Angels & Demons' & 'The Da-Vinci Code.

Re: What are you reading?
 

I'm currently reading:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/06/9.jpg

Synopsis
Since Victorian times, London's Underground has made an extraordinary contribution to the economy of the capital and has played a vital role in the daily life of generations of Londoners. This wide-ranging history of the Underground celebrates the vision and determination of the Victorian pioneers who conceived this revolutionary transport system and the men who tunnelled to make the Tube. From the early days of steam to electrification, via the Underground's contribution to twentieth-century industrial design and its role during two world wars, the story comes right up to the present with its sleek, driverless trains and the wrangles over the future of the system. The Subterranean Railway reveals London's hidden wonder and shows how the railway beneath the streets helped create the city we know today.

Re: What are you reading?
 

The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux.

Only a few chapters in but I'm enjoying it. Never saw the movie so there's no knowing what to expect. Might rent it once I've finished the book.

Re: What are you reading?
 

The film is great and well worth a watch with some great performances. Didn't even know this was from a book. Is it a true story ?

Reading The Brethren by John Grisham, seen loads of films based on his books but never read one until last year on hols that was left behind. This one is a great read too very easy to read and get into

Re: What are you reading?
 

Not a true story but could just as well have been. Definately written as though it's the childhood autobiography of Charlie Fox (the narrator) whose father decides it's a fine idea to leave civilisation for the Honduran jungle. Paul Theroux's an excellent writer. Grisham's good too, though for legal thrillers I prefer Scott Turow.

Re: What are you reading?
 

I'm reading the Palladin of Shadows series from John Ringo, it's pretty good, though can be a little graphic as can all military scifi. Basically I enjoy reading most of the works that come from baen books, not to mention that in MS Reader format they are quite portable (especially with an 8Gb card in my PDA phone) not to mention free (The fifth imperium site has permission from baen to host the CDs, plus baen books make some titles available for free in the baen free library)

As soon as I sort out the last of the paperwork to get to the US permanently I am going to try to buy most of those books, as I do like the feel of paper in my hands when reading, but for sheer portability, ebooks work for me.

David Drake is another good author, 'The Far Side of the Stars' is a good read, available in audio book format here (34 chapters to download as mp3 unfortunately) and here in MS Reader, HTML, MobiPocket reader formats. (again, free)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Damn, this was hard to find.

I've just finished reading Dearly Devoted Dexter. A very good book, a lot of humour. Just as good as the first, may be better. I recommend it to anyone who has read the first.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Re-reading The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder.

It's the story of the development of the Data General Eclipse MV/8000 32 bit minicomputer.

Despite appearances, a fascinating human story which won the Pulitzer prize...

Re: What are you reading?
 

Ah, the age old story - boy meets girl, boy builds machine, boy leaves girl to spend more time with machine.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Hey, in my life I read only one book in English, it was Sidney Sheldon, mm, "Tell me your dreams". For me, there are about 15 unknown words on one page, but I understand whole idea :) And I happy :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

Iron Sunrise, by Charles Stross (sequel to Singularity Sky).

Just re-read Old Man's War, then Ghost Brigades, by John Scalzi.

Re: What are you reading?
 

"Fingerprints of the Gods" (revised edition) by Graham Hancock.


Spectacular yet legitimate ideas challenging the rigid orthodoxy of Egyptologists & ancient historians?

Or a load of nonsense, no better than tales of Atlantis, ancient astronauts, reptoid conspiracies, etc.?



I dunno, but it's very interesting, nonetheless. And I think he makes some good points.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Yeah, he does - and I do enjoy reading those sorts of books - but their reasoning is sometimes just a house of cards, usually based on what they 'proved' in a previous book - 'Because I proved x in my last book, that means y is also correct'
It's like all non fiction books, you just show the results that prove your argument...

Re: What are you reading?
 

Saturn's Children - Charles Stross

Re: What are you reading?
 

Long Walk To Freedom--Nelson Mandela.

Never got round to it before even though I love biographies. Reading it as part of my research for one of two books I'm working on at the moment but am involved in the story more than I expected. Well written in an easy style and very enjoyable. Will need to reread it to glean the required information as now I'm too immersed in the story as entertainment and I don't want to spoil it by having a clinical/academic approach to the man's life.

Re: What are you reading?
 

Nation by Terry Pratchett

An interesting discworld departure, looking at culture differences and how people handle disasters amongst other things. Also very funny in the usual Pratchett way.

Re: What are you reading?
 

I've just received Charles Stross' "The Atrocity Archives" & "The Jennifer Morgue" from Amazon :)

Re: What are you reading?
 

MARS - Ben Bova. But it looks like it'll take ages to listen to.

Re: What are you reading?
 

The Web Application Hackers Handbook:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Web-Applicat...0852919&sr=8-1

Then I'm going to read Nation by Terry Pratchett.

Re: What are you reading?
 

All Stories Are True by John Edgar Wideman

Brilliant stories written by one of the finest writers. I feel his short stories are better than his novels however as he plays more with language and the action is more immediate.

Re: What are you reading?
 

The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed

by

Diandra Leslie-Pelecky

Re: What are you reading?
 

Just re-reading a pile of Neil Asher books.
Prador Moon
Gridlinked
The Line of Polity
Hilldiggers
The Skinner
The Voyage of the Sable Keech

And just ordered from Amazon (using the CF click-thru) his other books
The Brass Man
The Line War
(and 10 other books by Charlie Stross, John Scalzi, and others).

I like my reading, me.......

Re: What are you reading?
 

Perverting the course of Justice. Essential reading if you wander why calls about prowlers get ignored and the 'victims' of crime end up getting the jail.

Plus the publisher also has a go at one of my more despised MP's for good measure. :tu:

Re: What are you reading?
 

I've got that 1, quite a good read, I think I must have read it 3 or 4 times.

LMAO. Have the Powers That Be "banned" it, like they did with Wasting Police Time?