What book are you reading...

Steampunk · 12 Jul 2016 at 17:53

Some of Bank's Culture books are more Culture than others. Some pay a little lip service, others properly immerse themselves into the Culture environment. Consider Phlebas has a main character that isn't actually Culture, so it's more a background thing.

I'd suggest "Player Of Games" and "Excession" are the most Culture-laden books.

Meridian · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:38

Steampunk said:
Consider Phlebas has a main character that isn't actually Culture

If you notice, the majority of main characters in the Culture books are not actually Culture. Culture characters feature (and in at least one case we only guess they are culture, because the planet in question doesn't know they exist) but as bit parts - the main characters mostly view the Culture from outside. That's why it takes a while to understand the true nature of the Culture.

Steampunk · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:44

Meridian said:
If you notice, the majority of main characters in the Culture books are not actually Culture. Culture characters feature (and in at least one case we only guess they are culture, because the planet in question doesn't know they exist) but as bit parts - the main characters mostly view the Culture from outside. That's why it takes a while to understand the true nature of the Culture.

Exactly, and that's my gripe about many of the Culture books - the Culture is hardly in them!

Alz_D · 21 Jul 2016 at 18:36

Currently reading "The Lies Of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch" after seeing it mentioned a lot on here. have to say I am about 130 pages in and really enjoying it

On another note - The Rainforest has kindle editions of some of the witcher books for £1.99 each today in their daily deals. Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, Time of Contempt and Baptism of fire are all there.

Name · 22 Jul 2016 at 23:27

Also reading Andrezej Saprowski - The Last Wish

Book that spawned "The Witcher" game series BUT I PAID £8.99 :'(

leemk · 24 Jul 2016 at 23:30

Max Hastings : All Hell Let Loose.
very comprehensive account of WW2 , actually felt sorry for the German civilians , never really thought about them before as civilians only as Nazi sympathizers that deserved the pounding they got off bomber Harris.
Definitely going to get more of his books.

joey1211 · 26 Jul 2016 at 10:37

Slow Horses - Mick Herron

Enjoyed it so have ordered the second in the series

Bickaxe · 26 Jul 2016 at 13:17

Ben Aaronovitch's Whispers Under Ground (book 3 of Rivers of London)

So far an enjoyable series (London cop finds out there is magic, and supernatural things/people happen). Bits of humour scattered throughout and some nice action pieces.

Glaucus · 26 Jul 2016 at 13:31

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Some interesting points I hadn't thought about, but not relay aimed at me.
More for those that are religious or tipping away from religion.

RobDogDog · 26 Jul 2016 at 13:54

Finally up to date with GOT - I didn't realise that I had bought book five in one giant installment so I have no need for the part 2 book I also have haha! Reading all of the series back to back has definitely made it easier to follow and thus more enjoyable.

Moved on to Life of Pi now. I like how the guy writes. I seem to be flying through it but then I have just read thousands of GOT pages haha.

No1newts · 27 Jul 2016 at 07:45

Black Sails, Disco Inferno - Andrez Bergen

Think modem day retelling of Tristan & Isolde but flipped and landed in a murky noir puddle with floating disco and gangster era references. Love this author, such a shame he isn't better known over here.

RobDogDog · 27 Jul 2016 at 19:11

Finished 'Life of Pi' and I got progressively more bored as it went on.

Moving on to 'The Tournament' by Matthew Reilly.

ThePainBarrier · 27 Jul 2016 at 19:32

I love Matthew Reilly books but the Tournament was a bit of a drag for me.
Ironically I really enjoyed the short story he released introducing the characters for the Tournament (called Roger Ascham and The King’s Lost Girl which is free on his website).

Spacedeck · 27 Jul 2016 at 20:16

Just looking to keep updated. Anyone still reading and using Goodreads? I'd like to add some more friends.

I struggle to read most of the time. Too many other distractions around me. I've found a way to combat this though

. I've decided that I'm going to read at least one chapter of a book per day. Almost finished the 6th book in the Skulduggery Pleasant serie and this way has helped to stay focused.

No1newts · 28 Jul 2016 at 08:53

I'm on goodreads really useful little community.

checjb · 28 Jul 2016 at 09:33

ThePainBarrier said:
I love Matthew Reilly books but the Tournament was a bit of a drag for me.
Ironically I really enjoyed the short story he released introducing the characters for the Tournament (called Roger Ascham and The King’s Lost Girl which is free on his website).

Thanks for this. I didn't realise that book was a scene setter for Tournament.

Spacedeck · 28 Jul 2016 at 13:10

No1newts said:
I'm on goodreads really useful little community.

Awesome! What does GR's require to add friends? Do you just find them by name, username or email address?

dannyjo22 · 31 Jul 2016 at 16:04

leemk said:
Max Hastings : All Hell Let Loose.
very comprehensive account of WW2 , actually felt sorry for the German civilians , never really thought about them before as civilians only as Nazi sympathizers that deserved the pounding they got off bomber Harris.
Definitely going to get more of his books.

I felt for the Chinese and had a greater sympathy for what they now are after what they suffered from the Japanese. It was refreshing to read a book that wasn't UK propaganda about two world wars and one world cup. A book that challenged how much we actually did to win WW2 and the moral issues with the countries we sold down the river with promises we never had any intention of keeping. I too loved the book and in 12 months will read it all over again. Fantastic book that I could talk about all day.

Destination · 31 Jul 2016 at 16:10

Steampunk said:
Exactly, and that's my gripe about many of the Culture books - the Culture is hardly in them!

That is what I utterly love, even the feersum enjinn one, culture in parts, and showing from all points. I loved 'use of weapons' as it showed the ideals and had a certain thing that anyone who has read the book will get.
Excession, best ship based book certainly, showing SC in their full element and flow.

Love Banks work, shame the guy is dead, utter shame, will miss that we do not get any additional Culture works, shame shame shame.

izzop · 1 Aug 2016 at 19:04

Lee Child - Make Me

Currently around half way through and then have John Grisham - Rouge Lawyer ready and waiting on the coffee table.