1961_vintage
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In case you are interested:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29613219...004_T_NORMAL_CT1&crd=20240104090000&ch=osgood
Books & Reading Thread 2025
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29613219...004_T_NORMAL_CT1&crd=20240104090000&ch=osgood
Blue and true
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Read Crime and Punishment. Honestly the greatest book I've ever read.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
$200 for a book!
I’ve bought two paperbacks over the years but don’t have it on Kindle yet - I think that the Kindle version will be what I buy if I buy it again.
Thanks for the heads up anyway.
Blue and true
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I liked Moby Dick but found it heavy going, especially the latter stages. Each chapter is more like a treatise on a theme; I remember one chapter being devoted to the colour white. But it's definitely a "bucket list" read.
Enjoy, but don't say I didn't warn you!
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
2024 Books
I got through half of this before Christmas and the rest since.
I’ve read the last few Stephen King Books (The Institute, Later, Billy Summers), and they’ve all been excellent. Sadly, this is not the case with his latest novel, Fairy Tale.
The first 30%, in which 17-year-old Charlie helps out a grumpy old man, is excellent. As Charlie gains the old man’s confidence, and forms a bond with the man’s dog, King moves us gradually closer to a couple of secrets that the old man is hiding. We also find out about how Charlie lost his mother and helped his dad through the bout of depression and alcoholism that followed his mum’s death.
Even though this is all taking far longer than it probably should, it’s engaging and in keeping with King’s best character work. However, once the secret is revealed, it’s mostly downhill from there. I don’t mind the fantasy element, but for at least 30% of the book, it’s pretty dull, and the characters that we are introduced to on the other side also seem a bit lifeless and dull. There is a well-written dungeon sequence that livens up proceedings, but it’s quickly back to the flat characters and an ending that feels as flat as most of the characters involved.
Whilst Charlie is a likeable protagonist, he’s a 17-year-old acting like a 50-year old. Some of his character traits don’t ring true, even if they are explained by watching old black and white films with his dad.
- Fairy Tale – Stephen King - 5/10
I got through half of this before Christmas and the rest since.
I’ve read the last few Stephen King Books (The Institute, Later, Billy Summers), and they’ve all been excellent. Sadly, this is not the case with his latest novel, Fairy Tale.
The first 30%, in which 17-year-old Charlie helps out a grumpy old man, is excellent. As Charlie gains the old man’s confidence, and forms a bond with the man’s dog, King moves us gradually closer to a couple of secrets that the old man is hiding. We also find out about how Charlie lost his mother and helped his dad through the bout of depression and alcoholism that followed his mum’s death.
Even though this is all taking far longer than it probably should, it’s engaging and in keeping with King’s best character work. However, once the secret is revealed, it’s mostly downhill from there. I don’t mind the fantasy element, but for at least 30% of the book, it’s pretty dull, and the characters that we are introduced to on the other side also seem a bit lifeless and dull. There is a well-written dungeon sequence that livens up proceedings, but it’s quickly back to the flat characters and an ending that feels as flat as most of the characters involved.
Whilst Charlie is a likeable protagonist, he’s a 17-year-old acting like a 50-year old. Some of his character traits don’t ring true, even if they are explained by watching old black and white films with his dad.
ell
Well-Known Member
Set a challenge of 25 books last year, from September onwards I thought I would smash it and get to about 28 but ended up on exactly 25.
The Force by Don Winslow probably my favourite. I also enjoyed Billy Summers by Stephen King and Scrublands by Chris Hammer not far behind.
As for 2025
1. After Dunkirk: Churchills sacrifice of the highland division - Saul David.
2. Meantime - Frankie Boyle
I've not quite finished this yet and I'm making hard work of it, its his first novel and whilst its witty and funny, I've just not found the momentum I think you need with a good book.
The Force by Don Winslow probably my favourite. I also enjoyed Billy Summers by Stephen King and Scrublands by Chris Hammer not far behind.
As for 2025
1. After Dunkirk: Churchills sacrifice of the highland division - Saul David.
2. Meantime - Frankie Boyle
I've not quite finished this yet and I'm making hard work of it, its his first novel and whilst its witty and funny, I've just not found the momentum I think you need with a good book.
stoneblue
Well-Known Member
That's disappointing to hear. I used a free Audible credit a couple of years ago to get Fairy Tale but I haven't got round to listening to it yet. (I'm struggling to find time to listen to all the new music too!)
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Waiting for that one myself and as far as I know, there's no new book in sight.
TBH much as I enjoyed the two books so far, it's so long since the last book I don't even know if I can be bothered to read it when it comes out. I remember reading The Wise Man's Fear around the time City won the FA Cup in 2011!!
Yeah sounds about right. Ive done a couple of re reads hoping the third book was coming but thats now 3/4 years since the last one and no intention of doing it again. I get the feeling with Rothfuss he kind of gets off on the constant questions on when the book will be ready. Comes across as having no real intention of getting it done.
JRockBlues
Well-Known Member
Still more of a chance of him getting around to it than GRRM releasing another GoT book
I’m about halfway through at the moment, and am enjoying it so far. Not quite as good as I Am Pilgrim, but that was always going to be difficult to follow up.
Randomly, City were briefly referenced in the book in the bit I was reading last night. Our worldwide appeal continues to grow!
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Probably the greatest book ever written. Obviously a little antiquated but profound, thought provoking and thrilling.
stoneblue
Well-Known Member
2024 Books
1. The Way it is Now - Garry Disher - 7/10
For my first read of 2024 I returned to one of my favourite genres, Aussie noir. The author, Garry Disher is one of the top crime writers in Australia and this one does not disappoint.
The story starts in 2000, when Charlie Deravin is a cop and is involved in the hunt for a missing child. He then learns that his mother, who has recently separated from his father, has also gone missing. Her car has been found abandoned, crashed into a gatepost and blood on the keys in the ignition.
The story then moves to 2019/2020 and neither his mother nor the missing child have been found. Charlie is still a cop and has been looking into his mother’s disappearance in his own time over the years without finding any solid leads. At the time the story picks up, he is suspended for assaulting a superior officer so this gives him more time to look into his mother’s unexplained disappearance. Then skeletal remains are found and a police investigation launched..an investigation in which his father is a suspect.
1. The Way it is Now - Garry Disher - 7/10
For my first read of 2024 I returned to one of my favourite genres, Aussie noir. The author, Garry Disher is one of the top crime writers in Australia and this one does not disappoint.
The story starts in 2000, when Charlie Deravin is a cop and is involved in the hunt for a missing child. He then learns that his mother, who has recently separated from his father, has also gone missing. Her car has been found abandoned, crashed into a gatepost and blood on the keys in the ignition.
The story then moves to 2019/2020 and neither his mother nor the missing child have been found. Charlie is still a cop and has been looking into his mother’s disappearance in his own time over the years without finding any solid leads. At the time the story picks up, he is suspended for assaulting a superior officer so this gives him more time to look into his mother’s unexplained disappearance. Then skeletal remains are found and a police investigation launched..an investigation in which his father is a suspect.
stoneblue
Well-Known Member
2024 Books
1. The Way it is Now - Garry Disher - 7/10
2. Kicking Back - Nedum Onuoha - 7/10
This book charts Nedum’s life story and football career from his joining City’s academy through to his retirement in the USA. It is an interesting book and for City fans the period when he was in the first team squad is probably the most interesting.
His City managers were Kevin Keegan, who gave him his debut at 17, Stuart Pearce, Sven, Mark Hughes and Mancini. He particularly enjoyed his time working with Sven - he was a good man manager and training sessions were always interesting. Surprisingly he was not keen on Stuart Pearce and not surprisingly he didn’t get on with Mancini!
He describes his emotions from that game in 2012 in which he featured at fullback, one of 3 ex-City players in the QPR line-up.
He also shares his views on Joey Barton including the incident with Tevez in the QPR game, the infamous Garry Cook email about his mother, and his spell at QPR.
He describes his experience of racism both here and in the US.
Nedum comes across a serious character, one who was not motivated by money and has a deep sense of personal pride.
I have also got Micah’s book to read so it will be interesting to compare and contrast.
1. The Way it is Now - Garry Disher - 7/10
2. Kicking Back - Nedum Onuoha - 7/10
This book charts Nedum’s life story and football career from his joining City’s academy through to his retirement in the USA. It is an interesting book and for City fans the period when he was in the first team squad is probably the most interesting.
His City managers were Kevin Keegan, who gave him his debut at 17, Stuart Pearce, Sven, Mark Hughes and Mancini. He particularly enjoyed his time working with Sven - he was a good man manager and training sessions were always interesting. Surprisingly he was not keen on Stuart Pearce and not surprisingly he didn’t get on with Mancini!
He describes his emotions from that game in 2012 in which he featured at fullback, one of 3 ex-City players in the QPR line-up.
He also shares his views on Joey Barton including the incident with Tevez in the QPR game, the infamous Garry Cook email about his mother, and his spell at QPR.
He describes his experience of racism both here and in the US.
Nedum comes across a serious character, one who was not motivated by money and has a deep sense of personal pride.
I have also got Micah’s book to read so it will be interesting to compare and contrast.
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RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
It’s probably about time to discuss what we should select as our Q1 joint read.
Feel free to post and discuss any nominations.
Feel free to post and discuss any nominations.