Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[Dr. Drib]

I'm currently reading one of my hardback First Editions of "The Eyes of the Interred," by Nobel winner Miguel Ángel Asturias

This is part of his 'Banana Trilogy.'

I enjoy magical realism and have enjoyed reading his works since having discovered him in 1973 - with this book, by the way.



Don

[WT Sharpe]

I just finished Indecent Exposure by the late Tom Sharpe; a ruthless no-holds-barred satire of the South African police and South African politics during Apartheid. It was quite funny and quite dark. No heroes in this tale; only some very unlovable but interesting characters. The only bad part is that not everyone dies in the end.

[BelleZora]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I just finished Indecent Exposure by the late Tom Sharpe; a ruthless no-holds-barred satire of the South African police and South African politics during Apartheid. It was quite funny and quite dark. No heroes in this tale; only some very unlovable but interesting characters. The only bad part is that not everyone dies in the end.

Oh no! Satire, dark, funny, South Africa -- can't pass this one up. Deon Meyer's Benny Griessel series enamored me with South African police stories. But it will have to get in line although it's moving to the front. Thanks, Tom.

Currently reading The Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherford, having enjoyed The Princes of Ireland earlier in the month. Also listening to the excellent Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs, but for that I need a box of tissue and a private place so as not to cry in public.

[CRussel]

Currently reading two books -- David Weber's In Enemy Hands, #7 of the mainline Honor Harrington series, and Rick Mercer's A Nation Worth Ranting About.

In Enemy Hands is a well known quantity, and I'm mostly listening to it. Not one of the best in the series, at least at the beginning.

The Rick Mercer book, on the other hand, is an absolute gem. This man is arguably the funniest Canadian ever, unarguably a Canadian Treasure, and the book is a collection of Rants from his weekly show, combined with some commentary and new material. Even though I've watched every edition of his show that these rants are pulled from, they are still fresh, incisive, witty and well worth reading. Highly recommended.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I just finished Indecent Exposure by the late Tom Sharpe; a ruthless no-holds-barred satire of the South African police and South African politics during Apartheid. It was quite funny and quite dark. No heroes in this tale; only some very unlovable but interesting characters. The only bad part is that not everyone dies in the end.

Have you tried any of his "Wilt" books? More dark humour, about a put-upon husband who decides to take drastic action to rid himself of his domineering wife.

Another great book of his is Blott on the Landscape, this time in an English country house setting. Very funny. Was made into an excellent TV series starring M. Hercule Poirot himself, David Suchet.

He has also written a number of other standalone and short series novels, including Porterhouse Blue, which is set in a fictional English University, again hilarious. There is a follow-up, Grantchester Grind, which I can't remember having read, so it's now on my TBRL, thanks to your reminder .

[orlok]

Originally Posted by jermychriston

I just completed reading “World War Z: An oral history of Zombie War”. This book covers the entire zombie war, beginning from early zombie outbreaks and sightings. This is basically a book about an author writing a book. I got this book from my iPhone app. This app also gives a brief description about the book. As I read it found interesting. Thanks to my iPhone app which helped me to read this wonderful book. If you are a “zombie fan” it is a must read book. I really enjoyed it.

I was great fun, I agree. If you are into zombie fiction, then this thread may be of interest.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by orlok

He has also written a number of other standalone and short series novels, including Porterhouse Blue, which is set in a fictional English University, again hilarious.

I agree that it's a wonderfully witty book, but just to note that it's set in a fictional College in Cambridge University. The university is very real .

[orlok]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I agree that it's a wonderfully witty book, but just to note that it's set in a fictional College in Cambridge University. The university is very real .

Quite right - I read the blurb after posting and realised my mistake. Thanks for the correction.

I have decided after all this revisiting of Tom Sharpe books to reread Wilt, as it is so long since I first read it, and then catch up with the latest instalments, Wilt in Nowhere (#4) and The Wilt Inheritance (#5), neither of which I can remember reading.

[Stitchawl]

I'm halfway through Stephen J. Cannell's "Prostitute's Ball," the first of his Shane Scully series, and it is typical SJC! Fast moving, light reading, with good plot twists and characters.


Stitchawl

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The latest issue of Asimov's Science Fiction, October/November 2013

Which was average. Nothing outstandingly good or bad.

Next: Analog SF/F, November 2013.

[Rumpelteazer]

I'm currently reading The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson, the last in the "proper" Mistborn trilogy. I know there is a fourth book and a fifth book will be released next year but those are set centuries later.

It's a very good read, not the usual end of a series where loose ends are tied up, a lot of new things are still introduced and I can't guess how it will end. It's very hard to put down.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by orlok

Have you tried any of his "Wilt" books? More dark humour, about a put-upon husband who decides to take drastic action to rid himself of his domineering wife.

Another great book of his is Blott on the Landscape, this time in an English country house setting. Very funny. Was made into an excellent TV series starring M. Hercule Poirot himself, David Suchet.

He has also written a number of other standalone and short series novels, including Porterhouse Blue, which is set in a fictional English University, again hilarious. There is a follow-up, Grantchester Grind, which I can't remember having read, so it's now on my TBRL, thanks to your reminder .

Thanks for those suggestions. Indecent Exposure was my first exposure to my namesake's work, and it took his recent death to get me off my backside and reading it. But it certainly won't be the last, unless a meteorite strikes me dead today or something else unforeseen happens.


— Tom Sharpe, now an official Tom Sharpe fan.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

— Tom Sharpe, now an official Tom Sharpe fan.

Ha! That didn't even occur to me until you just pointed it out. Well of course you have to read him .

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by alansplace

...I'm going to go with Benedisct Jacka's new one, Chosen (Alex Verus #4).

Reading Chosen was a real treat! Now on to another new release, Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews!

[mewmartigan]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I'm currently reading The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson, the last in the "proper" Mistborn trilogy. I know there is a fourth book and a fifth book will be released next year but those are set centuries later.

It's a very good read, not the usual end of a series where loose ends are tied up, a lot of new things are still introduced and I can't guess how it will end. It's very hard to put down.

The fourth book is quite good too, but as you mentioned its way far into the future. I knew there was going to be a 5th, glad to hear it will be here next year.