BWTK - What book are you currently reading

[CitizenD]

Leadbelly.

Covers the Melbourne underworld war in greater detail than the TV show. Especially the police corruption angle. And I think that's what it's really all about for us Aussies isn't it?

[bomber]

Leadbelly as well.................

[Bendito]

Just bought Fatal Revenant by Stephen Donaldson

Second of four books in The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

The "What has gone before" bit recaps the previous seven books I need it after so long between installments

[thro]

"Crude Interventions" by Garry Leech.


Non-fiction, it's a look into some of the political motivation behind various events driven by the USA and the world bank.

Some of the questions it raises blow massive holes in the US/world bank facade that they're acting in the best interests of the countries they are "liberating" or "helping", etc.

Won't go into the details here, but some of the facts presented (with regards to assistance for developing countries, etc) are rather interesting/apalling - as in some of the countries receiving the most aid have some of the worst human rights policies, for starters...

[~starfire~]

just finished Tom Cruise An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton

[barfridge]

Been on a big P G Wodehouse binge lately, and before that was Mil Millington.

[Lexy]

The Age of Turbulence - Alan Greenspan

A good read so far

[Moorby]

The dark tower series by stephen king... number 4 now, 3 to go

[Diesal]

Rush - Kim Wozencraft (very old but very good) and The Bretheran - John Grisham

[barfridge]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It's about a family in the early middle ages, and cathedrals and stuff. Read it years ago and fouind it again recently.

Plus I hear there is a sequel out as well. Anyone read it?

[Jedi]

'Rocket Boys' by Homer Hickam Jr.

If you've seen the movie October Sky, this is the book the movie is based on. Based on a true story, it's one of the most inspiring and moving stories you'll ever read, absolutely awesome. I probably liked the movie a bit better but I saw the movie first so it's hard to judge. It was a really good adaptation with all the major plot point included so if you're not a reader you aren't missing out much by not reading the book, but if you want to be really thorough then it's worth a read. Took me 9 hours straight, couldn't put it down.

[Teej]

Just finished off American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Will either re-read Neverwhere now, or go straight onto Stardust.

[Lozzle]

On a Jodi Picoult binge the past few months. Terrific literary fiction, she is an awesome storyteller.

[Captain Starfish]

Teej - I've only read the book Gaimann co-wrote with Terry Pratchett (Good Omens) but might have to take a peek at these.

Ebay sent me the 6 book set of Thomas Covenant a couple of weeks ago. Nearly finished... damn it's a depressing read.

[Orson]

Kinda spy novel by Ted Bell called 'Pirate'. Not too bad, don't need to think too much. A bit like Clive Cussler. Not long finished reading Duncan Falconer- 'The Protector'. I thought that was good.

[barfridge]

CS: is there anything redeeming about the Thomas Covenant series? Surely there has to be something good about them, people are still reading em. I just couldn't stay with it, too bleak and the never ending whinging and self-loathing bored the shit out of me.

[Flyboy]

Just finished reading 'Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer' by Patrick Suskind. Was an awesome read.

Now reading 'The Game' by Neil Strauss for the second time. Thoroughly entertaining.

[Ramjet]

I am now reading a book be none other that Jims favorite celebrity.

The world according to Jeremy Clarkson. I gotta say I'm really not that impressed.

[Captain Starfish]

Barfy - yeah, I reckon there is.

The language and imagery of the book is incredibly detailed, which makes it slow going if you're used to stories which focus on the plot and characters - but it paints such rich, vivid pictures in your mind if you give it a chance. I'm not used to that, and I like it.

The theme of the main conflict being internal to the hero, paralleled in the setting can be tiresome but it's a novel approach which makes a change from the usual knight-in-shining-armour-belts-stuffing-out-of-bad-guys storyline.

And Covenant's own despair and self loathing throws the "goodness" of the supporting cast into sharp relief.

I read Lord of the Rings just before I launched into this lot and I reckon, of the two, this one is harder to read. Yeah, we very quickly get angry at Covenant with a strong "Pull your finger out, you whining prick" thought. The rape scene at the start of the first book is obviously designed to kick this off and he goes downhill from there.

There's just so much to "see", so much going on in the development of characters and the soul of the Land around them, that if you can get past your urges to put Covenant out of his your misery it's a very rewarding read.

[Morgs]

'Red Dog' by Louis de Bernieres.

It is about a dog who lived in the North West during the late 70's early 80's, and apparently there is a statue dedicated to him in Dampier.

Short book, more a collection of anecdotal stories really.