What are you reading?

[Proposition Joe]

Following on from the *hilarious* reading/Reading mix-up on another thread, will attempt to raise the bar of the Board (before the two Usual Suspects inevitably ruin it).

In 2022 and 2023 I managed the pitiful total of 1 book each year (Bob Mortimer's magnificent autobiography in '22 and the excellent Dog Island by Phillipe Claudel last year) so have set myself a, not entirely unrealistic, target of getting through 5 books this year. Polished off another Claudel book already (German Fantasia, not as enjoyable as Dog Island, a series of 5 or 6 short stories linked by a theme but the majority of them not particularly gripping) and now on to True North by Roger Rooney, a fictional account of an Australian soldier's attachment with US forces in Vietnam. Interesting enough so far.

So, what are you all reading?

[CEB]

I read Yellowface, which I had mixed feelings about. Based on some of the reviews I was expecting a really interesting look at the publishing world/privilege/racism etc, but the book is a fairly basic and predictable thriller.
Fair enough, and not unentertaining.
But then it turns out that the main villain’s actions and opinions were wholesale ripped from every critical review the author had had for her last book, placed into the mouth of a fair standard basic bitch character, so in the end just felt like an exercise in score settling or a novel length reverse thread

[CEB]

Highly recommend Bob Mortimer’s novel.

[Hoover Attack]

I have decided to read more myself this year after achieving similar figures as yourself in recent times. So far, have read Bob's autobiography which was thoroughly enjoyable but a bit disconcerting - so much of this book crops up in his podcasts and tv appearances and Satsuma complex (possibly the only book I read last year) that it's difficult to know what's true or not.

Currently reading Men Who Stare at Goats, Good Pop Bad Pop by J Cocker and a collection of short stories by Stephen King (not the best bedtime reading).

[Celtient]

Just finished Winter in Madrid by CJ Sansom. Historical novel set during the Spanish Civil War. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I had previously read his Shardlake series about a lawyer during the Tudor reign. Might not sound too exciting, but very readable and gives an insight into life in those times. The first one in the series is so-so, but they get better and better as the series goes on and you get to know the characters. If you like Historical novels, Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane are also excellent.

[Proposition Joe]

felt like an exercise in score settling or a novel length reverse thread

Are you claiming this wasn't bang up your street?

[CEB]

Good point. Five stars, no notes

[Mistadobalina]

Was in a very similar rut until last year, where I managed to get through about 8. Eased back into it by giving up on finishing Moby willy for the 5th time and instead starting on the new Phillip Pullman trilogy. Found it made the idea of sitting down for an extended period just reading a lot easier as primarily it's a kids book so right about where my reading age had regressed to..

Right now reading An Artist of the Floating world by Ishiguro. Great so far.

[CEB]

Fantastic swear filter action here

[Mistadobalina]

Ffs. Melville spinning in Davy Jones locker.

[Long slender neck]

Halfway through The Revenant.

Quite fond of this era and the film

[Constanza]

Sort Your Head Out by Sam Delaney.
You Must get them all, a song by song volume of all the music of The Fall.
Enjoyed Bob Mortimer Satsuma

[Currywurst and Chips]

Bravo two zero - Andy McNab

[Currywurst and Chips]

Oh someone has already made the joke on the other thread

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Also struggle to read books. I love reading but can’t f*cking focus. I plodded my way through The Sea, The Sea by Idris Murdoch which I was determined to finish, and did, after abo it 7 months, and it wasn’t worth it.

So this year I’ve decided to read stuff that really engages me (mainly creative stuff) that’s relatively easy to read a little bit at a time.

My partner got me a couple of ‘vintage minis’ which are perfect for me. Essentially little snippets of a few chapters on a bigger book that explore a subject.
So far I’ve read:
- Art by Simon Scharma
- Calm by Tim Parks

I’ve read 100 pages of The Flame by Leonard Cohen and have decided his poetry is shocking so I won’t bother with the rest. A few poems into Kae Tempests latest book.

[Mick McQuaid]

You lot should get phones. You can easily spend an hour on a train pissing about on various apps. So much better if you have a short attention span.

[WGC O]

Old copies of the "ear from the mid 90s to remind me how good things are nowadays.

[BoniO]

I must read 100 - 150 books a year I'd estimate. Not bragging but always read a fair bit since I was a kid.

[Proposition Joe]

Between 2 and 3 a week? I used to read a fair bit too but that's mental.

[CEB]

Can you throw a kettle over a pub?

[Bergen]

Girl, Woman, Other.

I have just finished These Streets by Luan Goldie. It was ok.

[cockhat]

Lessons - Ian McEwan

[BoniO]

Between 2 and 3 a week? I used to read a fair bit too but that's mental.

I read quick I guess. Tend to read every night in bed for an hour or so.

[Mickys Bullock]

180 - Fergus Greenwood O'Connor

Challenging but highly recommended.

[Give it to Jabo]

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Should have won this year’s Booker Prize. Long read but involving.