Book review thread

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Zonda_
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Book review thread

Post by Zonda_ »

What have you read recently?
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Gavin
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Re: Book review thread

Post by Gavin »

Lots of books. Specifically John Puller series by David Baldacci, and Reacher novels by Lee Childs. I have read most before but they are great brain out reading. I do have one that had hitherto passed me by "Die Trying" and the latest one with blue page edging whatever it is called which I will read after "die Trying"
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16vCento
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Re: Book review thread

Post by 16vCento »

This is going to hurt, by Adam Kay. (Not Porn)

Great book about when he did his medical training and became a Junior Doctor.

9 Soiled Bedpans out of 10.
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16vCento
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Re: Book review thread

Post by 16vCento »

Oh and Gomorrah, about 'The Naples Mafia' and the TV series on Sky Atlantic based on it are both superb
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ZedLeg
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Re: Book review thread

Post by ZedLeg »

Been Reading Iain M Banks books recently. Read The Algebraist and Consider Phlebas back to back and really liked both of them.

Currently reading Thieves Republic by Scott Lynch. It’s the third book in his Gentlemen Bastards series and I’m enjoying it so far.
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GG.
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Re: Book review thread

Post by GG. »

Dikkoter’s trilogy on Mao and the cultural revolution. Fucking grisly.
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_andy
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Re: Book review thread

Post by _andy »

Not read anything for a while, but the last thing of note was Command and Control by Eric Schlosser, about nuclear weapon safety. Having read it I'm amazed we're still here.

9 independently targetable re-entry vehicles out of 10.
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Beany
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Re: Book review thread

Post by Beany »

Read Ready Player One recently. It was OK, but the constant 80s hero worship got a bit tiring (although it's understandable and thematically valid given the story).

Got me wanting to read Snow Crash again. You know, Ready Player One, but for grown ups.
RobYob
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Re: Book review thread

Post by RobYob »

ZedLeg wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:30 pm Been Reading Iain M Banks books recently. Read The Algebraist and Consider Phlebas back to back and really liked both of them.

Currently reading Thieves Republic by Scott Lynch. It’s the third book in his Gentlemen Bastards series and I’m enjoying it so far.
I recently read and enjoyed Excession by Iain M Banks, Surface Detail is also a cracking story. I only have Matter, Inversions and State of the Art left to read from the Culture series.

Neal Asher is not as clever as IMB and his early stuff is hit and miss but I've enjoyed the first two of his "Transformation" series, Dark Intelligence and War Factory. The Technician is also fun but confusing due to Asher referencing his other stories without explanation.

Thank you for reminding me on Scott Lynch, I thought The Lies of Locke Lamora was great (apart from the thing with the broken glass!) but haven't' started Red seas under Red skies.

Brandon Sanderson's novella The Emperors Soul was a good quick read too, must try his other stuff.

Halfway through "Will save the galaxy for food" by Yahzee Crowshaw, it has it's moments.
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Swervin_Mervin
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Re: Book review thread

Post by Swervin_Mervin »

I haven't read anything since finishing the 1Q84 trilogy by Murakami well over a year ago. It seemed to take it out of me and I just haven't got back into reading at all. I started on Norwegian Wood (fnar) but despite finding it interesting I haven't got far.
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Re: Book review thread

Post by zx6rkiller »

Hyperion series. I've read the first 2 books ages ago. Read them again and now working on the last 2 books. Kind of like the 3rd book even better than the first 2. Classic SF at it's best.
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ZedLeg
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Re: Book review thread

Post by ZedLeg »

RobYob wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:16 pm
Brandon Sanderson's novella The Emperors Soul was a good quick read too, must try his other stuff.

Halfway through "Will save the galaxy for food" by Yahzee Crowshaw, it has it's moments.
I keep meaning to get into Brandon Sanderson's stuff, I liked what he did with the end of The Wheel of Time.

I wasn't convinced that Yahtzee's books would be worth reading but people keep recommending them.
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JonMad
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Re: Book review thread

Post by JonMad »

The Code Book, by Simon Singh

Interesting of you want to learn about the history of cryptography.
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DaveE
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Re: Book review thread

Post by DaveE »

As I said on the forum who's name shall not be mentioned...

I'm just coming to the end of the Annihilation trilogy of books (as per, but in no way like the film).

Avoid.

One of the worst things I've ever read - I won't give up on it though - I never not-finish a book/film/album etc - you never know what you might miss...
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JLv3.0
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Re: Book review thread

Post by JLv3.0 »

JonMad wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:49 am The Code Book, by Simon Singh

Interesting of you want to learn about the history of cryptography.
Tell me you've read Cryptonomicon.
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JonMad
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Re: Book review thread

Post by JonMad »

JLv3.0 wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:56 am
JonMad wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:49 am The Code Book, by Simon Singh

Interesting of you want to learn about the history of cryptography.
Tell me you've read Cryptonomicon.
I will tell you that yes, I have read Cryptonomicon. And it was 8-)
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JLv3.0
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Re: Book review thread

Post by JLv3.0 »

Dat's ma boi 8-)

If ever a book rewarded persistence, that's the one.
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Beany
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Re: Book review thread

Post by Beany »

JLv3.0 wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 12:33 pm Dat's ma boi 8-)

If ever a book rewarded persistence, that's the one.
Yup, that's definitely worth it.

The whole series (The Baroque Cycle, IIRC?) is very readable and a lot of fun.
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ZedLeg
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Re: Book review thread

Post by ZedLeg »

JonMad wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 11:03 am
JLv3.0 wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:56 am
JonMad wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:49 am The Code Book, by Simon Singh

Interesting of you want to learn about the history of cryptography.
Tell me you've read Cryptonomicon.
I will tell you that yes, I have read Cryptonomicon. And it was 8-)
That sounds really interesting, it's on my list now.
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Beany
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Re: Book review thread

Post by Beany »

Honestly, most stuff by Stephenson is well worth a look.

Anathem is a bit dense, but very satisfying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathem
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