Book review thread

[ZedLeg]

Still reading the Three Musketeers, not enjoying it as much as The Count of Monte Cristo so it's taking a while to get through. It's very silly.

[Jimmy Choo]

I'm almost done with Rivers of London.

Love these

I've got book 2 and 3 waiting for my holiday. I was looking for an Urban Fantasy because Jim Butcher has been too busy building his house to actually write the 16th Dresden Files book for the last 3 years!

I heartily recommend the Dresden Files. The 15 books and all the short stories are permanently on my kindle and are frequently reread.

[RobYob]

Mind you, WTF he was on with The Redemption of Althalus? Didn't get that at all

I read that many many years ago and think enjoyed it. Seem to Remember the cat was full of snark.

Finished Cryptonomicon and it is brilliant as an audiobook.

For something I bit more straightforward I've started on The Witcher Saga.

[Beany]

Got around to reading Blindsight.

Very hard sci-fi, very interesting concepts, definitely need to be in the mood for it.

That said, it's creative commons so it's worth downloading and having a go.

Basically, it appears that aliens have contacted earth in a quite bizarre way, and it's up to a band of - quite frankly - weirdos to act as the first fleshy investigators into them before they reach us. Features (biologically well explained) vampires and biotech augmentation etc.

If you want an example of the level of thought that's gone into it, here's a primer on vampires.

http://www.rifters.com/blindsight/vampires.htm

[DeskJockey]

Started Neal Stephenson's "The Diamond Age" and it is very enjoyable, but oh my how the advent of the internet has aged the book. The nano technology and smart devices are as clever as you'd expect, but when there is the mention of tapes as a data storage medium and a lack of connectedness...

Especially like the invention of the Neo-Victorians as a concept.

[JLv3.0]

I didn't gel with The Diamond Age at all, from memory. Not sure why.

[duncs500]

I need a stack of books for my upcoming two week holiday in which I intend to spend a large chunk of the time reading (fuck, I'm getting old).

I am halfway through "Exactly: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World" by Simon Winchester and recommend it wholeheartedly.

This sounds ideal for the kind of books I enjoy and has gone straight to the top of the list.

Can You guys give me some more ideas? I'm only really interested in non-fiction but I may make an exception for the Bone Clocks as I'm a big fan of David Mitchell.

[JLv3.0]

I'll just push Shadow Divers one more time here mate. Non-fiction but inspirational.

[duncs500]

I'll just push Shadow Divers one more time here mate. Non-fiction but inspirational.

Already done (I think on your recommendation years ago). It is indeed brilliant.

[JLv3.0]

Ah good on you! An incredible read isn't it!

[Zonda_]

I'll just push Shadow Divers one more time here mate. Non-fiction but inspirational.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Divers- ... dow+Divers

This one?

[JLv3.0]

Very much so mate. Read. It.

[Zonda_]

Very much so mate. Read. It.

Buying it now.

[DeskJockey]

I didn't gel with The Diamond Age at all, from memory. Not sure why.

I can imagine why. It is very different to his other books and, so far, runs at a much slower pace.

When I started it I was almost ready to put it down after the first few chapters - it didn't click at all, but I persisted (helped by being the only other book I brought with me to France and that I don't like Kindling) and it has paid off. I am normally very much into either hard sci-fi or the space opera genre (NS and William Gibson being the only consistent deviations) and the difference between the Hydrogen Sonata (last book I finished) and this was quite significant (beyond the obvious comparisons).

Have another go!

[Richard]

Im currently reading this. So far, pretty interesting. It’s mostly about how America will continue after a proper nuclear attack on the country. Also, about how they choose bunker sites etc.

I bought it after reading this INCREDIBLE (and lengthy) article by the author about AirForce One immediately after-during the 9/11 attacks - https://www.politico.eu/article/were-th ... orge-bush/

Everyone should read that article. It’s first person accounts from people who were onboard AF1, and how the government protected the President etc

[RobYob]

Just finished Artemis by Andy Weir, crime caper on the moon in the near future. It's not as good as the Martian but it's a pretty good yarn still, good light read.

I will go and read The Moon is harsh Mistress again though.

[duncs500]

Come on guys, so far only one book for my holiday stack. Do better!

[duncs500]

I'm going to add Marc Morris' King John book to the list as I've read two other books of his and really enjoyed them.

Spose I'll add Bone Clocks, that's three. One more should do it.

[IanF]

I’ve downloaded Adrian Newey’s book, but haven’t read it yet; maybe look at its reviews?

[Jimmy Choo]

I’ve downloaded Adrian Newey’s book, but haven’t read it yet; maybe look at its reviews?

It's definitely worth a read.