What is East Dulwich reading today?

[TillieTrotter]

Have just finished a mammoth reading marathon (5 books in week and a half). It takes me forever to decide what to buy so would like any suggestions. No particular genre, just something to get your teeth into!! Also does anyone know of any good book clubs going on in ED?

[mockney piers]

On a london theme:

If you enjoy the literary equivalent of having your fingernails pulled out then I'd recommend Iain Sinclair's London Orbital.

Will Self's How The Dead Live was terrific.

Neal Stephenson's Quicksilver is a lot of fun and set in 17th century london for great swathes.

Groundwater Diaries is an oddball psychogeography book. WG Sebald on carlsberg Special Brew.

I can bring any of these tonight if you drop in and you like the sound of any of them (really, don't bother with London Orbital)

[Ant]

I think there's one at the library. No idea whether it's any good though.

Last thing I read was Michael Moorcock, Behold The Man. It was OK... quite good actually. First of his that I've read. Classed as sci-fi because it involves time-travel, but really that's only a small part of it. Explores the reality/myth of Jesus and the crucifixion.

[Huguenot]

Just reading the latest Iain Banks - A Steep Approach to Garbadale. Vintage stuf, we're back in the 'Crow Road' territory.

[TillieTrotter]

Cheers guys, keep them coming! My recommendation from my recent reads is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun, very emotive, good second novel by her, the first being the Purple Hibiscus. Didnt think too much of the one being raved about at the mo called The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld. The author obviously studied Psychoanalysis and was flexing his muscle overmuch in this area although Freud's theories are always worth abit of a read!

[TillieTrotter]

Dont mind Iain Banks although the Crow Road was very dark.

[Keef]

Stephen Clarke's books about life in France are a laugh. If you've never read them and you like thrillers, then all the Hannabal Lecter books are good, especially Red Dragon! Also really enjoyed a book recently called Captain Alatriste, but can't remember the author. It's recently been translated from Spanish to English. At first I thought it would be a rubbish swash buckling adventure, but there's a lou more to it, and it was a good read... Would just like to say that most of my reading is done on the journey to and from work, so that's why mine are the type you can escape in for a while and forget reality ;-)

[Huguenot]

This one's quite light hearted so far, but I'm about a third of the way in and things are starting to get a bit wierd...

I'm hoping it doesn't go all 'Complicity' on me ;-)

[mockney piers]

I thought his Iain Banks books have gone whishy washier as time's gone on and his Iain M Banks have gone from strength to strength. An indication where his heart lies I guess.

[SimonM]

I recommend "Animal's People" by Indra Sinha, recently published and available cheap from Amazon. He is a mate and would kill me for not taking up such a blatant plugging opportunity, but it is nonetheless one to get your teeth into!

For a laugh, anything by Carl Hiassen

For superior crime novels anything by Val McDermid

[dulwichmum]

I have been reading the SLP this evening, I am horrified. Afraid to leave my home for fear of being set upon by angry Dulwich doggers!

DM

[ben]

Currently ploughing my way through this tome www.recordingthebeatles.com

[Jah Lush]

I'd just like to unashamedly plug my mate Steve Overbury's book: Guns, Cash and Rock 'n' Roll - The Managers. Out this week, it's about managers in the music business. I subbed the first draft and was the first to read it and highly recommend it.

www.gunscashandrocknroll.co.uk

[David Mc]

Just finished Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides which was brilliant. Currently very much enjoying Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.

[capt_birdseye]

I can currently be seen on the train to London Bridge reading a copy of The Kite Runner. It's very enjoyable (the book, not the train).

[SeanMacGabhann]

Agree with the trend on Banks' novels although I thought Garbdale was a big step in the right direction. Although I felt it suffered slightly by trying to hard to be back in "Crow Road" territory

As for latest reads "Never let me go" by Kazuo Ishiguro and "This book will " oh can't quite remember the title. Fiction, empty lives in LA, white cover with fruit on the cover I think

Very different books but both terrific reads

[Keef]

I'm reading Microserfs by Douglas Coupland.... It's about a group of guys working for Microsoft. Thing is, it was published in 1995, and it's amazing how dated it seems!!!! Quite funny though.

[SeanMacGabhann]

showing my age Keef but I read that when it came out - I worked for a smaller company in Devon but it was in IT and it was on an industrial/office park on edge of town so I related to it ...

[Nero]

Readers, do any of you Bookcross? I've been doing it for a few years, with some success. Dulwich Fair is doing it in May, apparently. Nero

[blinder999]

Nice one Keef, Coupland's my favourite - Girlfriend in a Coma is the best IMO

[Keef]

Cool, this is the first one of his I've read, but Mrs Keef has a few in the huge book collection, so I'll work through them :))

[Ant]

I liked Microserfs, and Generation X; the rest weren't anywhere near as good imo. A bit disappointing.

[Polly D]

Recently I read 'Gifted' by Nikita Lalwani and I have to say it now sits in my top 10 best books ever (cross-referencing here Keef). It's not actually published yet but will be in June. Read all about it here:

http://www.penguincatalogue.co.uk/lo/general/title.html?titleId=3170&catalogueId=210

Heartily recommended for a good summer read.

[TillieTrotter]

Brilliant jah, been waiting for the release of that. Can Steve hold his head up?

[Jah Lush]

Have you Tillie? That's great. What do you mean by whether Steve can hold his head up? Have you got a copy yet? I've just finished reading it again. Have you checked out the website? Sorry, this must seem like the Spanish inquisition.