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  • What have you read recently?

I loved The Shards and I don’t recognise your criticism of it literally being the same chapter over and over again. Total mindfuck of a book imo. It’s like being inside his head.

  • gcw replied to this.

    gcw Shards

    This passed me by, big fan, will have a look.

    C_J let me revise that it; is the same themes over and over again. I just got a little bored with the repetition I think.

    This is probably his 3rd best book though (American Psycho is 1, Less Than Zero is 2) however I shoud caveat that by saying Glamourama and Lunar Park were absolutely dreadful so I can’t even rank them

      vinnyt77 I had to check back, but no I have not. Looks like that one, Imperial Bedrooms and White ane the 3 works of his that I havent read. I may check it out as its one of his early ones isnt it.

        gcw Yeah - second book I think. First to feature the Bateman brothers… Give it a go. One of my favourite of Easton Ellis’ works.

        gcw fair enough. I do remember thinking “this book is so fucked up and long, I reckon most people will fucking hate it”.

        Definitely not for everyone and not the sort of thing you’d recommend to your dad but I absolutely loved it.

        I’m nearly finished Playground by Richard Powers.

        Really good 9/10

          Halfway through Man Alive by Dr Jeff Foster.

          An informitive take on men’s health.

          C_J
          This put me off from the blurb - “ Rafi and Todd are two polar opposites at an elite high school where they bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game”

          No real reason, just a reaction to.

          Worth picking up?

          C_J
          This put me off from the blurb - “ Rafi and Todd are two polar opposites at an elite high school where they bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game”

          No real reason, just a reaction to.

          Worth picking up?

          • C_J replied to this.

            Mad_Cyril I’m not sure I’d give it a full recommendation. It’s one of those “popular/critically acclaimed” books that often land on “best of the year” list which can be a red flag for me. It reminded me a bit of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, last year’s big hit that I strongly disliked despite its popularity.

            That said, I really liked this one. It’s deep and thoughtful, with multiple points of view, and explores themes like the ocean, life, friendship, and the human condition. It’s not just light entertainment, but if that’s your thing, it might float your boat.

            Ok, cheers.

            Recently enjoyed In Ascension, which prompted me to dip back into the Booker Lists.

            Came up with There There and Orbital, which are up next after wading through Killing Commendantore (a serious trek)

            • C_J replied to this.

              Mad_Cyril Recently enjoyed In Ascension

              I loved that one! ☝️

              C_J

              ☝️

              His first book, not so much.

              you should give Playground a go

              It has some interesting stuff to say about AI and it’s the sort of book that took ages to read cos I was constantly having to google stuff. I liked how it wasn’t in the slightest bit finger-waggy or preachy about the environment.

              Recently I’ve been reading Peter May crime books, the Enzo series, stumbled across him by accident, turns out they are pretty good!

              I’m currently reading a book about anti-gravity lads.

              It’s so good I can’t put it down.

              TAKE MY WIFE!

                Is this how it’s going to be through 2025, Ed?

                Top drawer bants delivered with panache?

                It is Millsy!

                Smallman1 I’m currently reading a book about anti-gravity lads

                When Ed says “anti-gravity lads”, he means “men with erections”.

                Finished rereading all of Joe Hill’s books. That guy sure has no problems with an unhappy ending, especially in his shorter fiction. The novella Loaded on the collection Strange Weather is particularly cruel. Felt like a book version of Michael Haneke’s Funny Games-movies.