Motherfucking book thread.......right here.
In the middle of reading The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell. I think Amberl recommeded it on here and it's definitley riviting. It's sci-fi mixed with religion and full of questions about what relevance God has when an alien life form is discovered far away.

I also read a book called Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. I found it by accident when I was googling random words, (boring afternoon), and it was fantastic. The prose was a bit flowery for my tastes but an excellent read nontheless. It's about a circus owner who gives his wife different drugs and chemicals to make her bear deformed children for his circus.
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:05, 189 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Girls don't write good sci fi.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:07, Reply)

Anne McCaffrey has written some decent stuff

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:08, Reply)

I was trying to be controvertial.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:10, Reply)

you are almost right
it's like stand up comedy. There aren't many women who are any good, and it's still fairly lame observational stuff
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:13, Reply)

Bloody Gina Yashere
and her nigerian mum jokes. God, I want to punch her.
(berk, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:14, Reply)

she is fucking awful

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:16, Reply)

And she looks fucking horrible these days too.
She's got The Scrawn.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:17, Reply)

I saw a female Muslim standup a year ago
She was... alright. She made a joke about her being a good Muslim girl and not having sex before marriage, but anal totally doesn't count.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

Fairly bad, yeah
I'm not sure if she's worse than Shappi Khorshandi though.
(berk, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

saw her live at a comedy club a few years back
before she was on tv, she was the worst of the 4 then.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:19, Reply)

the last half of this article was writen whilst stoned
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11287130
(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

how on earth have they managed to write it twice?
that's just daft
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

Also Ursula LeGuin.
And Elizabeth Moon.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:17, Reply)

Does Margaret Atwood count?
I thought The Handmaid's Tale was bloody good.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:24, Reply)

I didn't get on too well with it, but I plan on giving it another try one of these days.

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:26, Reply)

a bit late
but I'm compelled to reply. You are wrong. Anne McCaffrey should be shot for disservice to literature
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 13:15, Reply)

Well I disagree.
So there.
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:11, Reply)

I read The Sparrow a few months ago
on the recommendation of a girl I'd met at a wedding. She'd been rapturous in her praise so I'd made a note of it. I didn't get it, it had some nice ideas in it but overall a bit meh. Funnily enough all the good reports I have heard about it are from women.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:16, Reply)

Maybe women like their sci-fi a bit more deep than flashing lazers and robots.

( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

try reading Alastair Reynolds or Iain M Banks
that's what sci fi should be like.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:19, Reply)

I've read one of Ian M Banks books.
Alastair Reynolds I've not come across.
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:20, Reply)

Reynolds is like sci fi film noir in some of the books
it's good shit.

Revelation Space is a good one to start with, or Diamond Dogs and Turquoise Days (I think)
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

He's brilliant! Spectacular gothic space-opera.
And if you like your sci-fi political, Ken McLeod.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:24, Reply)

I really enjoyed The Sparrow and thought Consider Phlebas by Banks was a wanky mess of a book,
and I like lasers and robots in my books.
( Undulating Tentacles of Love getting fun down to acceptable levels, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:32, Reply)

I reread Consider Phlebas the other week
and it wasn't quite as good as I thought the previous few times I read it.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:34, Reply)

Excession is still utterly fantastic though.

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:40, Reply)

that's my favourite
it's outrageously good
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:46, Reply)

That wasn't what I was hoping for though
the person who recommended it to me said that she fell in love with the characters and was moved to tears, that it had really blown her away. That was why I bought it, no book had really grabbed me like that in yonks. I don't think she even mentioned that it was sci fi.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:23, Reply)

The Sparrow is at the top of one my lists to buy
unfortunately I haven't even got enough money for secondhand books at the moment, so I'm having to reread some of my library.

I've made a start on a 13 book series, but unfortunately my mrs is halfway through book 2 and I'm a much much faster reader.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:07, Reply)

is there anything you are not smug about?
fast reader smugs
drug smugs
beard smugs
band smugs

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:11, Reply)

I'm not smug about it
it means it costs me more in books.

I'm not particularly smug about my band or drug habit either

I can't help it if you are envious that I have things to be smug about
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:12, Reply)

Good man on beard smugness though
keep it up.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:13, Reply)

Surfing, he's smug about that.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:12, Reply)

that's true

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:14, Reply)

And cooking
Don't forget food smugs.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:17, Reply)

oh yeah
the other day I had some nice chicken thigh and leg bits (still joined together) and I stuffed slices of chorizo under the skin all over and then roasted it. Fucking lovely.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

I can't eat meat off the bone (insert cock gag here)
And I don't like chicken skin...

I do however have venison burgers for tea. Fuck yeah
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:23, Reply)

fair enough
mmm, venison. I've got a hankering for some game.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:24, Reply)

I like chicken skin, lovely lovely cripsy chicken skin, full of flavour... it's the best bit.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:32, Reply)

putting the chorizo under it made the skin really crisp and tasty
nom!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:35, Reply)

you two are making me hungry
and I do have chicken thighs and chorizo in the fridge at home. Sexy dinner, spliffs and champions league football. This is gonna be a good tuesday.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:39, Reply)

Hmmmm, I'm tempted, I'm thinking about it.
What did you have with it?
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:40, Reply)

mashed potato
and I stir-fried some courgette (from the garden) and mushrooms, with garlic and some butter and a liberal dose of salt
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:45, Reply)

GROWING MY OWN VEG SMUGS

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:49, Reply)

nothing to do with me
it's the mrs who grows it
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:52, Reply)

I'M IN A RELATIONSHIP SMUGS

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:53, Reply)

I'm sorry if my happiness offends you

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:56, Reply)

I'M HAPPY SMUGS

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:58, Reply)

I don't see that that is anything to be ashamed of

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:09, Reply)

I HAVE NO SHAME SMUGS

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:11, Reply)

thank you for planning my dinner this evening
I have all of these at home. I also grow veg. I don't fucking eat a lot of it but I grow it none the less.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:51, Reply)

Sounds good !
I have a new fridge, which is new, and is a fridge. I'm going to Marks'n'Sparks later to fill it up. I've not had a whole shelf in over a year, I hope I don't go over the top and end up buying something rediculous like an entire chicken that I don't have to cook on the day I bought it 'cus I have no room in the fridge.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:31, Reply)

Did you copy and paste that?

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:38, Reply)

Nope, why?

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:39, Reply)

Because I feel like I've read it before
find me a job in London gonzaroo
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:44, Reply)

London Bristol/Newport
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:51, Reply)

Put that back, put it back right this instant.
Bristol/Newport - London.

There, that's better, now leave it alone.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:55, Reply)

I'll duel you for her

( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:08, Reply)

Choose your battles, B'chomp.
TGB has been lusting after me for over a year now, only reason I turned down her constant advancements towards me was 'cus I wanted her to think with her head as well as her heart and other body parts.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:33, Reply)

Hummmm..... *looks*
www.gumtree.com/london/71/59155971.html
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:54, Reply)

oh I love you Gonz
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:59, Reply)

LET'S ELOPE !

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:01, Reply)

To Vegas?

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:03, Reply)

Yeh', sure, sounds good !
ONE MILLON DOLLARS ON RED
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:31, Reply)

Pointing you towards a pimps home page?
Nice one gonz.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:35, Reply)

he uses smileys
this is a sure sign of someone with a small vocabulary and a limited intelligence
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

>= 0 <

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:28, Reply)

the wise man uses all forms of expression available to him
you are just being snobbish
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:29, Reply)

wise smug
+ and then tries to pass it off as something intellectual whilst stroking his beard

_{Sorry, but I really can't abide 'smilies'}
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:35, Reply)

me?
snobby? how very dare you
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:36, Reply)

8====)---' ({0})
How would you describe that emotion in text then?
( G/PP &#128169;&#128169;&#128169;&#128169;&#128169;&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:33, Reply)

it looks a bit smutty to me
in all honesty gonz
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:36, Reply)

It does !

( G/PP &#128169;&#128169;&#128169;&#128169;&#128169;&#128, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:42, Reply)

Looks like the drilling
of the Channel Tunnel.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:38, Reply)

A man with a long nose eating a hamburger
obviously
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:03, Reply)

The last book I read was the last Harry Potter
As it was the only book I could grab without moving more than 5 metres from a toilet. Read the entire thing, still enjoy it.

Next, I'm thinking of getting another Pratchett.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:10, Reply)

*shakes head sadly*

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:14, Reply)

That must have be the longest shit in history.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

Oh, I don't know, I certainly found the book moved my bowels...

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

Harry Plopper.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

homer lol

( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:28, Reply)

I couldn't leave the bathroom confidently for 4 hours

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:20, Reply)

Well likewise, I'd have been ashamed if someone had caught me emerging from the bathroom with a
copy of Harry Potter. Did you have to hide the book in your colon and waddle out claiming that it was last night's dodgy curry that kept you in there so long?
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:31, Reply)

Nah, I've got worse books in my house

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:34, Reply)

Oh don't tell me you've got Dan Brown as well...

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:38, Reply)

My dad got me the latest one for my birthday and I had to read it so he could borrow it after me.
The man is a fecking oaf. Dan Brown, not my dad. He is a legend.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:40, Reply)

Yep
I happily acknowledge his writing is shite, and that it's clear he's up his own arse, but I enjoy the stories themselves.

I've also got Stephanie Meyer (although that's actually not mine)
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:43, Reply)

I want to re-read all the John Wyndham books but have committed to reading a new translation of War & Peace first. So it will be about March before I can start on these

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:11, Reply)

I've re-read The Chrysalids and Day of the Triffids.

( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:13, Reply)

Chocky and The Kraken Wakes also RUN TINGS.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

On my list.

( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

Chocky and the Midwitch Cuckoos are the ones I really want to read again
I've also just found this:

Plan for Chaos is a never-before published novel by post-apocalyptic British science fiction writer John Wyndham (1903-69), best known for his 'cozy catastrophe' novel about a venomous class of fictional plants, The Day of the Triffids. Written simultaneously with that well-known volume, which has been in print continuously since its publication in 1951, Plan for Chaos makes a fascinating companion to the author's most famous work and offers a new angle on a writer often considered the direct descendent of the legendary H.G. Wells and an influence on such innovators as Ray Bradbury and Margaret Atwood.
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:19, Reply)

Geek Love is great.
Artie the flipper boy is a wonderful character.
I am now on book three of the Conn Iggulden Conqueror series as recommended by Mr Boyce and others.
(And I just got a DVD delivered called 'Mongol' which is causing much amusement to a work colleague - the twat.)
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:12, Reply)

I think I read Geek Love.
Was it not a bit relentlessly miserable?
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:14, Reply)

Well it wasn't exactly brimming with fun fun fun but I didn't think it was relentlessly miserable.

( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:17, Reply)

Was a while back now. It was a charity shop random book that looked interesting.
I didn't like it enough to not give it straight back.

For a sort-of-similar read, I really enjoyed The Final Confessions of Mabel Stark, for 1920's travelling-circus-based lulz.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

You think 'Greek Love' is great?
*unsurprised face*
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

I thought you said the brute was a Turk?

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:04, Reply)

I have started re-reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King
I just want something a bit lighter before Uni starts and Amberls last recommendations made me feel a little thick so not reading dance dance dance for a while yet.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:12, Reply)

what sort of stuff are you into?

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:14, Reply)

Jazz singing and waterskiing, I hear

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

bumsex and hiNRG dance music, I hear

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:16, Reply)

Fantasy rather than Sci fi so orcs and goblins over borg,
favourite author David Gemmell but I'll read anything. I also am gonna get nailed for this but I really enjoy John Grisham and Wilbur Smith but my dad read them to me as a boy.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:23, Reply)

Read Robin Hobb's stuff
The Liveship ones, the Farseer ones, and the Soldier Son ones. All great.

Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth is worth a bash as well.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:25, Reply)

James Barclay is very good for fantasy.
Also, as long as you don't mind every single major character dying horribly at some point, George R R Martin's Game of Thrones series.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:29, Reply)

not heard of James Barclay
the Martin series is also on my list
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:33, Reply)

It's brilliant, I wish he'd hurry up and finish it.

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:37, Reply)

Read a a few of Terry Goodkind at boarding school
I quite liked him too. Will check out Robin Hobb. Cheers.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:29, Reply)

I'm a massive fantasy fan
and Robin Hobb is my favourite
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:33, Reply)

I could do with some new stuff to be fair. I am on amazon now any particualrly good ones to start with?
If you haven't read it I can't reccommend The Lion of Macedon by David Gemmell enough. My favourite book of his.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:35, Reply)

Assassin's Apprentice
or Ship of Magic

Robin Hobb is a pseudonym, she also writes as Megan Lindholm
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:44, Reply)

Apparently they're making a film of that now
it'll be shit, and all the more shit for making me relive that fuckawful ending.
(berk, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

The ending was horseshit but up to the ending it was ace.
who the hell is gonna play Roland?
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:24, Reply)

I had to go into a meeting
Did I win the music argument?

Im currently reading Dracula for the first time.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

Dracula is great

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:17, Reply)

It is
I've got a rather nice hardback edition. I don't like paperbacks, I'm a terrible snob in that regard.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

I can't abide hardbacks

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:22, Reply)

It is my fondest hope
that one day I shall have a room, the walls coated in shelves with a large wingback and nary a paperback in sight.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:28, Reply)

brilliant for fucking up spiders though
BLAM
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:36, Reply)

*high fives*

I feel dirty.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:40, Reply)

It's ok to high five me I'm not an aids victim

( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:45, Reply)

I love pretty much all the Victorian horror I've read.
If you look at it in context books like Dr Jekyll tell us shitloads about the Victorian mindset - as do the Holmes stories.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:22, Reply)

I've been meaning to pick up a copy of Dr Jekyll
you can some incredibly cheap low quality penguin editions of some classics these days, I think that is one of them.

I got a copy of Dorian Grey a couple of weeks back.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:23, Reply)

I love that book so, so much.
Wilde was a complete wizard of the word.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:29, Reply)

same here
it's utterly superb. Did you see the film?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:32, Reply)

He was certainly an 'inspiration' to me...

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:41, Reply)

When reading Jekyll
keep in mind the Victorian obsession with science and how it replaced religion as the new absolute - and also about how they feared 'animal' emotions: how the ideal Victorian was someone who could suppress their 'base' instincts to be the genteel, controlled self-master...
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:32, Reply)

You can see this in Frankenstein as well
the Monster was a personification of this fear of losing their control and what might happen if they did.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:35, Reply)

I like Victorian fiction of all kinds
I like the adventures and the utopias too. H Rider Haggard is a good one.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:27, Reply)

King Soloman's Mine is brilliant
need to see if I still have that
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:28, Reply)

'She' is another beauty.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:29, Reply)

She
is my favourite, I think.

edit for mindpissage.
( Kroney, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:29, Reply)

On holiday I read
Pandaemonium by Christopher Brookmyre (Thanks DG for pointing me towards him!) and World War Z by Max Brooks (read it a few years back and loved it).
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:15, Reply)

I love Brookmyre's stuff
not read that one though
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:16, Reply)

School trip versus demons
A good read, he nails the school pupil dynamics rather well i feel.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:19, Reply)

I really enjoyed that one. I love his stuff - the Darcourt sequel (forgotten the title) was particularly good.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

I've got Snowball In Hell
That's got Darcourt in it, and was bloody good.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:27, Reply)

It's a trilogy.
A big boy did it and ran away
The sacred art of stealing
A snowball in hell.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:47, Reply)

You are quite right. I read the first one so long ago I had forgotten it existed.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:50, Reply)

It's a close thing
but I think those three are his best.

It's easy to see it as not entirely a trilogy, being fair, as Ray Ashe is in the first and not really the others and Zal Innes only appears in the second. And as a character, Innes is fucking suberb. Although Darcourt is something else.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:53, Reply)

Zal's in the 3rd.
It's the first one of his I read (didn't realise it was a trilogy, DG just showed me the book when I was at his, and I drunkenly ordered it from Amazon a minute later).
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:01, Reply)

Sorry, I meant "only appears for the first time in the second"
terrible, not making meanings clear on the internet. I shall spank myself .. ;)
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:10, Reply)

The Jack Parlabane ones were good.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:03, Reply)

sounds good
I'll seek it out
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:22, Reply)

If you like Brookmyre
you'll be disappointed by pandaemonium. it's got the odd good character and some classic lines but it's tired and he seems to be writing by his own numbers at times. Plus the plot is disappointing, to say the least.

i mean, I enjoyed it, but it's not even in the same league as the Darcourt/Innes/Di Xavia trilogy or the Parlabane stuff.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:46, Reply)

I've read the Parlabane stuff
and some stand alone ones. I need to check out the others you mention.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:47, Reply)

Start with "A big boy did it.."
Then the other two in the trilogy. Also "all fun and games until somebody loses an eye" is excellent.

have you read all the Parlabane ones?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:49, Reply)

I've read the oil rig one, the house one with the cannibalism and the one with the medium
I struggle with the names because I read a load of his books close together and they are random.

I will do as you suggest, thanks
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:54, Reply)

Oil rig is "one fine day in the middle of the night" I think
canniablism on is "be my enemy" and the medium one is "attack of the unsinkable rubber ducks"

Those are the later ones. "boiling a frog" is the first one I think (and possibly his first novel) and "quite ugly one morning" ... the other parlabane one is "country of the blind" which is brilliant.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:59, Reply)

I've also read A tale etched in blood and hard black pencil
maybe one other as well...
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:02, Reply)

"not the end of the world" is also excellent.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:12, Reply)

So enamoured am I
of CJ Sansom's 'Shardlake' novels that I have just had to buy the new one in hardback as there was no way I could wait for the paperback issue. I've done 400 pages in two days and almost skived today to finish it.

'Keep it Together' by Rich Deakin is a fucking brilliant read although I fear only Tuggers may agree.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:19, Reply)

Looks interesting.
I think it might be too hard a read for me.
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:23, Reply)

Nonsense

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:27, Reply)

Do you like Shardlake because he's a crippled East London misanthrope?

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:30, Reply)

Hahahaa

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:32, Reply)

I bought 'Keep it Together' after your glowing praise...
...and really enjoyed it.
Another wonderful book on a musician's life is Luke Haines - 'Bad Vibes: Britpop and my part in its downfall'. You will love it for his hatred and contempt for Suede.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:38, Reply)

I nearly forgot to smug.
A few weeks ago I found a load of old H P Lovecraft hardbacks in a Cheltenham charity shop, 50p each. 1950s editions. Woooo.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:46, Reply)

Pies and Prejudice.
by whatsisface Marconi. Good Northern stuff.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:48, Reply)

Stuart Maconie is indeed a radio pioneer.

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:49, Reply)

Maconie. That's the tiger.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:51, Reply)

'Cider with Roadies' is a good read.

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:54, Reply)

Is that him and all?
I'll dig it out. he writes very well.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:00, Reply)

Pfft. I took that with me to Turkey a few years back and the damn thing fell apart in the sun.
That would never have 'appened if they'd used proper Yorkshire glue!

It's actually ages since I've read any fiction at all. I blame my age, but stupidity could play apart also.
(Cave Duck, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:56, Reply)

Speaking of mixing
science-fiction and religion, this amused me.

Not for the article, just for the photo. Is it just me or does it look like someone's trying to slyly push a car aerial up his nose?
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:49, Reply)

It is a nasal tampon.

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:50, Reply)

I can't believe they are trying to sell tickets to see the fucking pope

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:53, Reply)

That was my thought
You have to pay to attend mass? And for £25 I could see a decent band...
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:55, Reply)

Yes, you do.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:57, Reply)

Really? Any mass?
I would expect they'd ask for donations, but surely they don't demand an entrance fee?
I'll ask Em, she's Catholic.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:05, Reply)

They don't demand it but they expect 8% of your wage donations to the church.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:11, Reply)

*hides 'Papist 2010' tour jacket*

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:56, Reply)

It would be quite cool to see some old people though with
vintage POPE 76 Tour t-shirts on or something
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:56, Reply)

Catholic Church making money from it's religion
SHOCKER!!!
(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:56, Reply)

good point

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:57, Reply)

Not only that
Costing us in terms of policing etc.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:04, Reply)

don't mind that so much
as he is a head of state etc. same as Obama coming over. these things happen.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:05, Reply)

That they do
But Obama's arguably not a criminal, whereas you could argue that Ratzinger is, for his part in covering up child abuse.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:06, Reply)

you could argue it
but it wouldn't get you anywhere
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:08, Reply)

Sad but true
I really do think that the guy is evil though. I'm not naive to think it's just the one man either, undoubtedly there are other top dogs involved in the whole paedo-coverups and 'condoms give you AIDS' travesty.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:14, Reply)

You could equally argue that Bush was/is a criminal
and he came over here.

It's a bit of a spurious argument. Particularly as neither have been convicted in a court of law, nor will they ever be.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:12, Reply)

True, plus there's the whole Illegal War in Iraq palava
Unless they get caught actually murdering people, they're above the law, which sickens me.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:15, Reply)

And I bet they charge a fucking fortune for a glass of communion wine once you're inside the venue

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:57, Reply)

5 quid for an iffy eucharist from a van!
you're pushing the limits of transubstantiation with this mate.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:07, Reply)

And no vegetarian options.
Ridiculous.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:08, Reply)

Ha!
Good point, how do catholic vegetarians get around that one?

"But it's not really his flesh and blood!"
"Oh but it is! It just appears to be bread and wine"
"But human flesh doesn't count right? Was Christ human?"
"That would be an ecumenical matter"
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:34, Reply)

"Blood of Christ" is brought to you by The Vatican.
Be sure to drink sensibly.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:07, Reply)

stealing this

( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:17, Reply)

If I may add my 2p
Swastika Night,
Great Dystopia novel and rather prophetic, bit like 1984.
(Bonzodog29 is an unemployed sponge of the worst kind, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 13:41, Reply)