Read, read, read!!!! education, imagination, humour

Does exactly what it says on the tin. Some of the nonsense contained herein may be very loosely related to The Sisters of Mercy, but I wouldn't bet your PayPal account on it. In keeping with the internet's general theme nothing written here should be taken as Gospel: over three quarters of it is utter gibberish, and most of the forum's denizens haven't spoken to another human being face-to-face for decades. Don't worry your pretty little heads about it. Above all else, remember this: You don't have to stay forever. I will understand.
Post Reply
User avatar
million voices
Slight Overbomber
Posts: 1005
Joined: 10 May 2006, 22:31
Location: The Ballrooms Of Mars

BORN TO BE WILD

I have just finished "Steppenwolf" by Herman Hesse. I rather enjoyed it, but I am not sure I fully understood it. I got a bit mixed up with what was dream and what was reality.
If the message was "Life is A trree of possibilities" then Marc Bolan told me that some time ago with a lot less drama.
What I was impressed with, bearing in mind it was written in 1927, was the prediction of the rise of the Right and that there would be another World War.

I have now made a start on "Slash the Autobiography" - I am not a big fan of G n R but the book is quite entertaining.
Well you must know something
'Cos we're dying of admiration here
Mastering obscure alternatives
Top
User avatar
James Blast
Banned
Posts: 24699
Joined: 11 Jun 2003, 18:58
Location: back from some place else

Nick Kent's Apathy for the Devil
"And when you start to think about death, you start to think about what's after it. And then you start hoping there is a God. For me, it's a frightening thought to go nowhere".
~ Peter Steele
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

C/R The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins.

I do prefer his writing on evolutionary biology to his atheist polemic ;)
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
Debaser
Overbomber
Posts: 4659
Joined: 30 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Lincoln. UK

Just about to start this

Image

I have made my own discovery however, conspiracy theorists = cider drinkers and I am fed up of having the same old conversations - I need more back up hence the purchase :lol:
Five cups of coffee just to be myself...when I'd rather be somebody else
Top
User avatar
Quiff Boy
Herr Administrator
Posts: 16762
Joined: 25 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Lurking and fixing
Contact:
Contact Quiff Boy

Image

tbh i'm only reading the 3 culture short stories in it :lol:
What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison?
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Quiff Boy wrote:Image

tbh i'm only reading the 3 culture short stories in it :lol:
Read the others too. Definitely worth it.
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
Salome
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 317
Joined: 03 Mar 2011, 23:30
Location: Vienna
Contact:
Contact Salome

The illuminated version of Peter Pan!
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Just finished The City & The City by China Miéville. Awesome book. I only started it on Saturday, sometimes I wish I didn't read so damn quickly! :lol:
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
timsinister
The Oncoming Storm
Posts: 4560
Joined: 04 Jan 2005, 17:08
Location: Newcastle
Contact:
Contact timsinister

Image

Not a bad read, and there's a few tongue-in-cheek references to other sci-fi landmarks (five rounds rapid!), but I much prefer Commissar Gaunt.

8)
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Lustrum by Robert Harris. The second part of his trilogy (Imperium was the first) about the life of Cicero.

(The conceit is that it's Tiro's lost biography of his master.)
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
sam1
Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 687
Joined: 15 May 2006, 00:56
Location: Newcastle

a bit boring to some folks I know,but this rocks my boat

Image
Top
User avatar
Salome
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 317
Joined: 03 Mar 2011, 23:30
Location: Vienna
Contact:
Contact Salome

Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world, by Haruki Murakami
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Use Of Weapons -- Iain M Banks
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
Quiff Boy
Herr Administrator
Posts: 16762
Joined: 25 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Lurking and fixing
Contact:
Contact Quiff Boy

markfiend wrote:Use Of Weapons -- Iain M Banks
starting the series again? :notworthy:

me:
Image

which is shaping up to be a bit like the culture vs 2001: a space odyssey :von: :notworthy:
What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison?
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Quiff Boy wrote:
markfiend wrote:Use Of Weapons -- Iain M Banks
starting the series again? :notworthy:
Not particularly, although I might change my mind :lol:

I've noticed something that telegraphs the "twist"...but I'm not going to mention it in case I post a spoiler by accident. :lol:
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
Quiff Boy
Herr Administrator
Posts: 16762
Joined: 25 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Lurking and fixing
Contact:
Contact Quiff Boy

markfiend wrote:
Quiff Boy wrote:
markfiend wrote:Use Of Weapons -- Iain M Banks
starting the series again? :notworthy:
Not particularly, although I might change my mind :lol:

I've noticed something that telegraphs the "twist"...but I'm not going to mention it in case I post a spoiler by accident. :lol:
the twist in use of weapons, excession, or in banks' stuff generally?
What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison?
Top
User avatar
mh
Above the Chemist
Posts: 8066
Joined: 23 Jun 2003, 14:41
Location: A city built on rock 'n' roll

An old fave:

Image
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Quiff Boy wrote:the twist in use of weapons, excession, or in banks' stuff generally?
The twist in "Use of Weapons"... I'll say no more.
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
Quiff Boy
Herr Administrator
Posts: 16762
Joined: 25 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Lurking and fixing
Contact:
Contact Quiff Boy

markfiend wrote:
Quiff Boy wrote:the twist in use of weapons, excession, or in banks' stuff generally?
The twist in "Use of Weapons"... I'll say no more.
Ah yes :)
What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison?
Top
User avatar
million voices
Slight Overbomber
Posts: 1005
Joined: 10 May 2006, 22:31
Location: The Ballrooms Of Mars

Jean Paul Satre - Nausea

(I don't go looking for this stuff they are just on the bookshelf - leftovers from the daugther's degree course)

Anyway, it could have been funnier, but at least I think I understood it.
Well you must know something
'Cos we're dying of admiration here
Mastering obscure alternatives
Top
User avatar
Big Si
School Bully
Posts: 6742
Joined: 19 Nov 2002, 00:00
Location: Glesga Central

Image
Wyrd bið ful aræd...

mybelgiannemesis
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Lord Of The Rings. It's that time of year again.
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
Bartek
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6092
Joined: 17 Sep 2005, 10:47

Robert D. Kaplan: Eastward to Tartary: Travels in the Balkans, the Middle East, and the Caucasus.
So far very good book. Great inside/outside point of view. I was about to buy "Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History" but when it's not avaliable this is kind repleace when it also,partly, aboutBalkan.
Top
User avatar
Izzy HaveMercy
The Worlds Greatest Living Belgian
Posts: 8844
Joined: 29 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Long Dark Forties
Contact:
Contact Izzy HaveMercy

Image

;)

IZ.
.
.
For Greater Good - Ambient Music for the Masses...
.
.
Top
elevation

Very nice for the Pratchett book.

I am currently reading Kate Mosse's Labyrinth - can't bring myself to finish it, though, cause it's my travel abroad reading and I haven't travelled for a while.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “General Chat”