What are you reading?

I've become very addicted to RJ Robbs aka Nora Roberts, crime/death series, set in the future.

Prior to that I was reading her romance novels under her name: Nora Roberts... 

J.K. Rowling, The Casual Vacancy.

She's a brilliant writer.

Also have Ben Elton's latest on the bedside table.

The Golden Ass by Apuleius, the Robert Graves translation, Penguin 1950 edition.

I know, I know, it sounds like a w*nk fest. However, it is one of the earliest complete surviving stories from the Latin era. As an adjunct, I studied Latin at school as a young'un so such books as McCullough's 'First man in Rome' are also favourites because I still have a basic understanding of Latin (which is a great help). The Golden Ass is also quite risque and offers great insights into an earlier culture that is far removed from our own ideas of 'civilisation'.

BTW, a basic knowledge of Latin also stands you in good stead when dealing with either the law or medicine. Both professions are rife with pretentious w@nkers.

Recently re-acquired the Complete Works of Paterson and still seeking the Complete Works of Lawson to replace the originals eaten by white-ants while in storage.

Interested in anything, ranging from archaeology to zoology.

I really enjoyed King's 'Gunslinger' series. A break from his usual horror genre. Ben Elton is a modern Tom Sharpe, love his stuff.

Reading - my favourite non-contact sport.  :)

I must have a read of her latest book. 

Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson?

Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read.

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 5:59pm:

I really enjoyed King's 'Gunslinger' series. A break from his usual horror genre. Ben Elton is a modern Tom Sharpe, love his stuff.

Took me a while to get into that but , once I did , it was amazing.

I love all of King's work.

Elton is wonderful (and a fellow Perth resident now).

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:08pm:

Took me a while to get into that but , once I did , it was amazing. I love all of King's work. ...

You just gotta love a bloke who buys the van that ran him over - then compacts it and uses it as a coffee-table.  8-)

I must confess that I am a lazy reader, by that I mean I read only to be entertained and not educated! lol Reading for me is a way to escape the reality of life and enjoy a good laugh, suspense, romance etc...

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:17pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 6:08pm: Took me a while to get into that but , once I did , it was amazing. I love all of King's work. ... You just gotta love a bloke who buys the van that ran him over - then compacts it and uses it as a coffee-table.  8-)

I hadn't heard that story.

That's cool :)

I love the story of when he was here in Australia once (he comes often): he went into a book store in Alice Springs and pulled one of his novels off the shelf.  Then, to give a reader a thrill, he signed his name inside the front cover.  The shop assistant saw him doing it and called the cops to report "an old guy damaging our books".

:)

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:29pm:

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 6:17pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 6:08pm: Took me a while to get into that but , once I did , it was amazing. I love all of King's work. ... You just gotta love a bloke who buys the van that ran him over - then compacts it and uses it as a coffee-table.  8-) I hadn't heard that story. That's cool :) I love the story of when he was here in Australia once (he comes often): he went into a book store in Alice Springs and pulled one of his novels off the shelf.  Then, to give a reader a thrill, he signed his name inside the front cover.  The shop assistant saw him doing it and called the cops to report "an old guy damaging our books". :)

Classic!  That's brilliant.  Bet the shop assistant took some time to get over that!!! Shame!

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:06pm:

Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson? Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read.

I've read them a couple of times, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, but couldn't get interested in the Last Chronicles.

While interesting, I also had trouble coming to grips with "The One Tree". Book 2, 2nd Chron.

There was no correlation with what was happening in 'The Land'.
Not to me, anyway.

:)

@ Jaqs

Did you also know that he had a cameo role in one episode of the tv series "the Sons of Anarchy" where he appears as Bachman, the twisted body-disposal expert?

'Bachman'.  ;D ;D ;D

I'm a Fantasy Freak though will read just about anything.

I have recently finished Markus Heitz' Dwarves series.
Translated from German.

I think you would enjoy them, Lionel.

:)

Lobo wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:54pm:

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 6:06pm: Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson? Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read. I've read them a couple of times, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, but couldn't get interested in the Last Chronicles. While interesting, I also had trouble coming to grips with "The One Tree". Book 2, 2nd Chron. There was no correlation with what was happening in 'The Land'. Not to me, anyway. :)

There are the "Last Chronicles", the end of the series, but it's been so long since I've read the first two, I've little interest in a follow-up.

I know how you feel.

Lobo wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 7:08pm:

I'm a Fantasy Freak though will read just about anything. I have recently finished Markus Heitz' Dwarves series. Translated from German. I think you would enjoy them, Lionel. :)

Ta, very much! I'll have a look into them.

In the interim - anyone a fan of Terry Pratchett?

Jaqs wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 4:26pm:

What are you reading?

Julian Barnes. Proust. Jung. Edward Enfield. Kierkegaard. Robert Dessaix on Turgenev. More Proust. Spengler. The Psalms. Freud. Goethe. Ted Hughes. Dumas, Dante, Cervantes. Proust.

Blogs. OzPolitic posts.

Soren wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 9:10pm:

Jaqs wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 4:26pm: What are you reading? Julian Barnes. Proust. Jung. Edward Enfield. Kierkegaard. Robert Dessaix on Turgenev. More Proust. Spengler. The Psalms. Freud. Goethe. Ted Hughes. Dumas, Dante, Cervantes. Proust. Blogs. OzPolitic posts.

Bloody hell!

After all that, why don't you read the Quran?

Then you can go to war with yourself!  8-)

When Harold Fry leaves home one morning to post a letter, with his wife hoovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of England to the other.  From Kingsbridge to Berwick.

He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof or mobile phone.

All he knows is that he must keep walking.

To save someone else's life.

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1342254652l/15718691.jpg

I bought these two last week:

http://images.angusrobertson.com.au/images/ar/97807181/9780718157807/0/0/plain/jamies-15-minute-meals.jpg http://images.angusrobertson.com.au/images/ar/97807181/9780718154776/0/0/plain/jamies-30-minute-meals.jpg

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Japanese-Devil-Fish-Girl-Robert-Rankin.jpg

Just ordered the last 3 robert rankin books and the last ben elton one.

My mother just moved and sent me a box of larry niven books. I like larry niven.

SOB

Don't be shy Miss Borg, most here know this is your favourite.

---

Soren wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 9:10pm:

Jaqs wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 4:26pm: What are you reading? Julian Barnes. Proust. Jung. Edward Enfield. Kierkegaard. Robert Dessaix on Turgenev. More Proust. Spengler. The Psalms. Freud. Goethe. Ted Hughes. Dumas, Dante, Cervantes. Proust. Blogs. OzPolitic posts.

Spengler should be read more. He had some very good ideas.

Read this again last week.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWgWcU4YgMQ/TWQGqKCmx3I/AAAAAAAACNU/KDPucSKt_Ho/s1600/HamOnRye2.jpg


Along with:

http://tcboyletortillacurtain.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/tortillacurtain.jpg

Both great reads.

......Oh No - its wafted through the Book Club

Is there no limit to this man's sense of worthlessness?

KJT1981 wrote on Apr 14^th, 2013 at 8:41am:

Don't be shy Miss Borg, most here know this is your favourite.

Go away troll

SOB

Memoirs 1773-93, by Louis-Phillipe, a young prince during the French Revolution and later (1830-48) King of France.

I am something of an addict to the history of the Revolutionary & Napoleonic period.
This book of memoirs (never finished, sadly) gives perhaps the most inside view of the events of the earlier years of the revolution.
Although an aristocrat, he was at the same time a supporter of the revolution and a member of the radical Jacobin Club, and also a successful general in the revolutionary army. Thus he was in a position to know the personalities and see the events happening in both the pro- and counter-revolutionary parties.

Not everybody's cup of tea I realise.

The story of Tom Kruse "Mailman of the Birdsville track".

One of my young blokes once read The Bible from cover to cover.
Purely because one of his mates said he couldn't do it.

Took him approx 2 weeks and he was able to answer questions.

Didn't become a life-changing experience though....

:)

Lobo wrote on Apr 14^th, 2013 at 8:04pm:

One of my young blokes once read The Bible from cover to cover. Purely because one of his mates said he couldn't do it. Took him approx 2 weeks and he was able to answer questions. Didn't become a life-changing experience though.... :)

I've read both the Bible and the Koran, cover to cover, twice.

I have to say that I prefer the Bible.  It's really quite an interesting book to read.

Neither changed my life though.

Norman Vincent Peale's book probably did more to change my life.

I tend to read 'thrillers' interspersed with some more literary novels. Favourites in order of 'worthy' Martin Cruz Smith, Henning Mankell, Reginals Hill, Michael Conelly, Ian Rankin. Lee Childs

Dostoevsky, Tim Winton, Ursula Le Guin, Salman Rushdie, Dickens, (in no order.)

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 14^th, 2013 at 8:33pm:

Lobo wrote on Apr 14th, 2013 at 8:04pm: One of my young blokes once read The Bible from cover to cover. Purely because one of his mates said he couldn't do it. Took him approx 2 weeks and he was able to answer questions. Didn't become a life-changing experience though.... :) I've read both the Bible and the Koran, cover to cover, twice. I have to say that I prefer the Bible.  It's really quite an interesting book to read. Neither changed my life though. Norman Vincent Peale's book probably did more to change my life.

At 15 years old?

:)

Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney?

dam hilarious.

;) ;D ;D

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:06pm:

Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson? Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read.

Have you read the new Covenant series? "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant"?

I'm re-reading the Wheel of Time series (have to catch up, so I can get the last few books), also, I love the Necroscope series by Brian Lumley.

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 12:32pm:

Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D

I read one of those many years ago.

Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 2:38pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life.

Yes, yes, not books for sanctimonious bigots that only have university educated people as friends.

:)

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 2:46pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:38pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life. Yes, yes, not books for sanctimonious bigots that only have university educated people as friends. :)

Not books for anyone with anything higher than an 8th grade level of education.

Puerile "writing" at its finest (worst).

Different strokes ...

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 2:52pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:46pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:38pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life. Yes, yes, not books for sanctimonious bigots that only have university educated people as friends. :) Not books for anyone with anything higher than an 8th grade level of education. Puerile "writing" at its finest (worst). Different strokes ...

Sometimes it’s good to just kick back and enjoy something without having to worry about what level of education you achieved.

I imagine Barrett never saw the books as classic literature.

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 3:03pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:52pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:46pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:38pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life. Yes, yes, not books for sanctimonious bigots that only have university educated people as friends. :) Not books for anyone with anything higher than an 8th grade level of education. Puerile "writing" at its finest (worst). Different strokes ... Sometimes it’s good to just kick back and enjoy something without having to worry about what level of education you achieved. I imagine Barrett never saw the books as classic literature.

"You Wouldn’t Be Dead for Quids" - that's the one I read.  Just awful.

Ironically, I just found out that he died last year (only in his 60s).

Not good.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 3:42pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 3:03pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:52pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:46pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:38pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life. Yes, yes, not books for sanctimonious bigots that only have university educated people as friends. :) Not books for anyone with anything higher than an 8th grade level of education. Puerile "writing" at its finest (worst). Different strokes ... Sometimes it’s good to just kick back and enjoy something without having to worry about what level of education you achieved. I imagine Barrett never saw the books as classic literature. "You Wouldn’t Be Dead for Quids" - that's the one I read.  Just awful. Ironically, I just found out that he died last year (only in his 60s). Not good.

You wouldn't be dead for quids!!!

One of my favorites  :)

Yes, gone too early.

:(

Books are for leftards. The only good book is a burnt one.

Doctor Jolly wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 4:41pm:

Books are for leftards. The only good book is a burnt one.

bugger off troll.

:)

gizmo_2655 wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 2:33pm:

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 6:06pm: Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson? Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read. Have you read the new Covenant series? "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant"? I'm re-reading the Wheel of Time series (have to catch up, so I can get the last few books), also, I love the Necroscope series by Brian Lumley.

No, I haven't read the latest Covenant series. It's been so long since I read the earlier series, I doubt I could catch up with the characters and the language.

Thanks for the tip on the other two, the price of new books these days has curbed my habit of impulse buying in order to discover new authors.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 3:42pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 3:03pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:52pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:46pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:38pm: FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life. Haha I remember seeing that one in an airport bookshop and deciding against it. Glad I didnt now :). Occasionally you find something good in an airport but usually not. SOB Yes, yes, not books for sanctimonious bigots that only have university educated people as friends. :) Not books for anyone with anything higher than an 8th grade level of education. Puerile "writing" at its finest (worst). Different strokes ... Sometimes it’s good to just kick back and enjoy something without having to worry about what level of education you achieved. I imagine Barrett never saw the books as classic literature. "You Wouldn’t Be Dead for Quids" - that's the one I read.  Just awful. Ironically, I just found out that he died last year (only in his 60s). Not good.

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 5:10pm:

gizmo_2655 wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 2:33pm: Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 6:06pm: Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson? Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read. Have you read the new Covenant series? "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant"? I'm re-reading the Wheel of Time series (have to catch up, so I can get the last few books), also, I love the Necroscope series by Brian Lumley. No, I haven't read the latest Covenant series. It's been so long since I read the earlier series, I doubt I could catch up with the characters and the language. Thanks for the tip on the other two, the price of new books these days has curbed my habit of impulse buying in order to discover new authors.

Yeah. That is a point. I wait for new books by authors i know now and dont try new ones much anymore. If you dont like it you didnt blow cook feed anymore.

SOB

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Apr 18^th, 2013 at 5:46am:

If you dont like it you didnt blow cook feed anymore

:D :D :D
:-? :-? :-?

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 17^th, 2013 at 2:38pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 17th, 2013 at 12:32pm: Anyone read the Robert G Barrett books about a bouncer, Les Norton, working at an illegal casino in Sydney? dam hilarious. ;) ;D ;D I read one of those many years ago. Without a doubt, the worst book I've read in my entire life.

I have to come close to agreeing  ;D It's saving grace is that it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Jeffrey Archer has to be the least gifted contemporary  author.

John Smith wrote on Apr 18^th, 2013 at 9:44am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Apr 18th, 2013 at 5:46am: If you dont like it you didnt blow cook feed anymore :D :D :D :-? :-? :-?

It was prolly the darn autocorrect but i dont remember what i was saying

SOB

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 10:39pm:

Soren wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 9:10pm: Jaqs wrote on Apr 13th, 2013 at 4:26pm: What are you reading? Julian Barnes. Proust. Jung. Edward Enfield. Kierkegaard. Robert Dessaix on Turgenev. More Proust. Spengler. The Psalms. Freud. Goethe. Ted Hughes. Dumas, Dante, Cervantes. Proust. Blogs. OzPolitic posts. Bloody hell! After all that, why don't you read the Quran? Then you can go to war with yourself!  8-)

lol. That was good.

***

Speak up John69, we don't bite . . .well only sometimes.

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:06pm:

Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson? Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read.

Yes. Really good story with the twist of the protagonist being something of an Anti-hero with his 'leprosy'. Pretty unique series and the second series being a comment on Climate Change as well. Can be a very tedious writing style, but at the time - it was comparable to Tolkien in its vastness.