Jump to content

Recommended Posts

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?

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)

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.

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!
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 ;-)

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

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

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

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.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Per Cllr McAsh, as quoted above: “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution. " Is anyone au fait with the Clean Air Act 1993, and  particularly with the state of 'Smoke Control' law and practice generally?  I've just been looking  through some of it for the first time and, afaics, the civil penalties mentioned  were introduced into the Clean Air Act, at Schedule 1A, in May 2022.  So it seems that, in this particular,  it's a matter of the enforcement policy trailing well behind the legislation.  I'm not criticising that at all, but am curious.  
    • Here's the part of march46's linked-to Southwark News article pertaining to Southwark Council. "Southwark Council were also contacted for a response. "Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste said: “One of Southwark’s key priorities is to create a healthy environment for our residents. “To achieve this we closely monitor legislation and measures that influence air pollution – our entire borough apart from inland waterways is designated as a Smoke Control Area, and we also offer substantial provision for electric vehicles to promote alternative fuel travel options and our Streets for People strategy. “We as a council support the work of Mums for Lungs and recognise the health and environmental impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, particularly from wood-burning appliances. “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution.  “This work is being undertaken in collaboration with other London boroughs as part of the pan-London Wood Burning Project, which aims to harmonise enforcement approaches and share best practice across the capital.” ETA: And here's a post I made a few years ago, with tangential relevance.  https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/278140-early-morning-drone-flying/?do=findComment&comment=1493274  
    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...