• From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,614

Topic: Read any good books lately?

Don't know if this thread has been run before -apologies if it has. As we're all obviously well clued up on music (or we wouldn't be here....), a sporty bunch, set of petrol/gear heads etc. just wondered about giving the little grey cells a work-out and pass on any tips for a good read.

I've just put down Michael Palin's 1969 - 1979 Diaries; The Python Years. True it has been out for a while; one of those books I've wanted to read since it came out, and have to say, wasn't disappointed. Michael's very easy going style made very enjoyable reading; mixing personal events with the rise of Python against a backdrop of Britain in the 1970s. Tory governments, IRA bombings, strikes, suing ABC, praising PBS, family births and deaths, Fawlty Towers and Ripping Yarns; candid but never catty.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
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Re: Read any good books lately?

Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers  A fascinating look at successful people. The common circumstances and seemingly not just talent and drive but there are other reasons that no one ever has pointed out in his documentation of their formidable years and how being at the right place at the right time has played into their domination of certain fields. The book best known for the 10,000 hrs of practice phenomenon that contributes to mastery of a task. It also talks about the sociology of regional population and ancestry playing a role and contributes to the stereotypes we hold about ethnic groups.

If you have kids or grandkids it is a must read. I only wish I had read this 30 years ago.

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  • Kenny
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
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Re: Read any good books lately?

The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter in the Bob Lee Swagger series. What this man doesn't know about guns......

A work of fiction but could this be how JFK was killed? Fascinating book.

  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: Read any good books lately?

Hi Jim,

WOW, my hubby COULD NOT STOP talking about this book!! Every once in a while he reads something and he says...mandatory family reading!! That's how good he thought it was.

Even though he told me at least half the book, 'cause he wouldn't stop discussing it, its my next read. wink

jim m wrote:

Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers  A fascinating look at successful people. The common circumstances and seemingly not just talent and drive but there are other reasons that no one ever has pointed out in his documentation of their formidable years and how being at the right place at the right time has played into their domination of certain fields. The book best known for the 10,000 hrs of practice phenomenon that contributes to mastery of a task. It also talks about the sociology of regional population and ancestry playing a role and contributes to the stereotypes we hold about ethnic groups.

If you have kids or grandkids it is a must read. I only wish I had read this 30 years ago.

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
http://stringsforacure.com/

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  • Registered: 2014-01-28
  • Posts: 236

Re: Read any good books lately?

I'm fascinated by the Holocaust (even though I"m a lapsed Catholic) and I"m reading Rudolf and Hans about a German Jew who moves to London at the beginning of the war and spends most of his life looking for Rudolf Hoss. So interesting

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Berthold Auerbach

6 Reply by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2014-03-06 09:34:22)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,614

Re: Read any good books lately?

About 3/4s through my second Ken Follett historical fiction; World Without End.  In terms of timeline, up to the 1350s. At 1200 pages, these books are not only a great read, they give you a good work-out too!

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • Kenny
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
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Re: Read any good books lately?

If anyone likes a good old fashioned spy thriller with plenty double crossing I would recommend Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews, ex CIA officer.

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Read any good books lately?

I just finished "One Way Out", the story of the Allman Bros. A light, quick read, but if you're a fan there is some great insight into the history of the band and the various members....much of it pretty tragic.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: Read any good books lately?

Hi Banshee, I think there may be a couple of threads on here about books. I dug up this old one on Ken Follett when I read Pillars of the Earth. Also, Follett is a fan of the blues, he plays bass in a band. (as he said, he just does it and feels it...he doesn't have to think too hard-from an Oprah interview)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh51oy0dueA

https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=4044

BansheeUK wrote:

About 3/4s through my second Ken Follett historical fiction; World Without End.  In terms of timeline, up to the 1350s. At 1200 pages, these books are not only a great read, they give you a good work-out too!

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
http://stringsforacure.com/

Angela's Website

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,614

Re: Read any good books lately?

Angela wrote:

Hi Banshee, I think there may be a couple of threads on here about books. I dug up this old one on Ken Follett when I read Pillars of the Earth. Also, Follett is a fan of the blues, he plays bass in a band. (as he said, he just does it and feels it...he doesn't have to think too hard-from an Oprah interview)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh51oy0dueA

https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=4044

BansheeUK wrote:

About 3/4s through my second Ken Follett historical fiction; World Without End.  In terms of timeline, up to the 1350s. At 1200 pages, these books are not only a great read, they give you a good work-out too!

I thought there's be several other book threads, at least, but didn't have the time to chase them all down.

Thanks Angela,  for the info on Ken Follett, really cool to learn he's a Blues guy.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • Grey
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  • Registered: 2009-08-13
  • Posts: 193

Re: Read any good books lately?

Riding Rockets by Astronaut Mike Mullane. I have read a lot of books about the Apollo and earlier parts of the US space program but nothing about the Shuttle era. Really entertaining and laugh out loud funny in places. He really writer well about the terror of liftoff, and the sadness of losing friends.
Also 'Open' by Andre Agassi. One of the best biographies that I have read - and I am not a tennis fan.

  • Registered: 2010-12-28
  • Posts: 242

Re: Read any good books lately?

Halfway trough Sharon Lawrences Jimi Hendrix BIo, its great, also reading Greg Allman's - really entertaining. Also: Watermelon Wine!