Anyone read any good books recently?.

[padi56]

I am now reading "The Enforcer"

Biography of Albert Donahue, Reggi's minder in the Kray Twins firm.

A very interesting read about London in the 1960's.

Like horrors and one of my favourite authors Stephen King

[Uncle-AJ]

I have a few to get through that I just bought. The first one is the new Harry Potter then I intend to read a few historical books. These are "1421, The Year China Discovered the World" by Gavin Menzies and "Infidels" by Andrew Wheatcroft. I recently finished "The First Crusade" by Thomas Asbridge and can recommend it to anyone interested in Christian / Muslim relationships.

[Manatee]

I'm reading "Opening Mexico: The Making of a Democracy", about the recent change in Mexico's political system at the national level with the election of Vincente Fox.

It was recommended by someone I know who's originally from Mexico, and has an interest in early personal computers.

I just finished Ghost Rider by Neil Peart (drummer from the band Rush). It's mostly a collection of letters to friends and general observations on a solo motorcycle trip from just north of Montreal, across Canada, into Alaska, throughout the western USA, Mexico and into Belize. Our moto enthusiasts may get a kick out of it.

Basically it's a travel guide with personal observations after Peart's university aged daughter was killed in a car crash and his wife died of cancer (in the same year). Heavy at times but a good read.

[Manatee]

That sounds interesting, John. I'll have to put that on my list. I recently read Phil Lesh's book on the Dead from his perspective. He seems like a pretty straight-up guy. No ghost-writer either.

I enjoy "rock star retrospectives", especially when they're old enough to put ego aside and comment on past events with good sense. I liked that book on Neil Young that came out a couple of years ago.

Originally Posted by Manatee

That sounds interesting, John. I'll have to put that on my list. I recently read Phil Lesh's book on the Dead from his perspective. He seems like a pretty straight-up guy. No ghost-writer either.

I enjoy "rock star retrospectives", especially when they're old enough to put ego aside and comment on past events with good sense. I liked that book on Neil Young that came out a couple of years ago.

It was an interesting read, and Peart is very well read and talks about books he reads throughout his journey and references them and the authors a fair bit. He's got another about cycling in Africa that I want to pick up next.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Atomic

It was an interesting read, and Peart is very well read and talks about books he reads throughout his journey and references them and the authors a fair bit. He's got another about cycling in Africa that I want to pick up next.

Yes think I will have a read of that, the one about Africa sounds interesting
as well.

[dman]

I read Goodnight Moon to Dylan last night, very good read but the ending was way too predictable.

[dfn8tly]

What an absolute delight to have a watch forum where the Off Topic threads discuss something other than cars, car parts or car detailing

I truly enjoy intelligent, thought provoking, beautifully written literature. To that end, I'll make a recommendation of a book I finished a couple of months ago:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

This is an absorbing historical mystery set amid the secrets and shadows of post WWII Barcelona. As good literature it is miles above most of the trivial trash being churned out today to fill the shelves of the big-box stores.

Already an international best seller published in more than 20 countries.

Enjoyed it VERY much.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by dfn8tly

What an absolute delight to have a watch forum where the Off Topic threads discuss something other than cars, car parts or car detailing

I truly enjoy intelligent, thought provoking, beautifully written literature. To that end, I'll make a recommendation of a book I finished a couple of months ago:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

This is an absorbing historical mystery set amid the secrets and shadows of post WWII Barcelona. As good literature it is miles above most of the trivial trash being churned out today to fill the shelves of the big-box stores.

Already an international best seller published in more than 20 countries.

Enjoyed it VERY much.

That sounds a good read,The Shadow of the wind must add that one to my list.

Before reading Ghost Rider, I actually re-read The Fountainhead... one of my all-time faves!

I have trouble reading books. No not that way you wankers! It's just that I tend to have too many on the go at once, and not enough time to read them. Add to that the various watch magazines, and it's tough to get through a decent sized book. Right now I am reading three books:

Tuesdays With Morrie - book about a man who visited his professor who was in the process of dying and received many good lessons on life - just started this, so don't know much about it yet. Gift from an Aunt who thought I needed life lessons, I guess......

The Daily Show: America (The Book) - it was an Xmas gift - quite funny in spots - light reading for sure.

Universe on a T-Shirt - book about the search for a universal physics theory that explains everything - this was my pick.

I am not a non-fiction person any longer. I used to read a ton of science fiction (Isaac Asimov, Author Clarke, Phillip K. Dick, Piers Anthony, Brian Aldiss, god the list goes on and on....). Lately I am focused more on history - mainly 20th century stuff. Since August 6th was on the weekend, if anyone is interested in reading an incredible account of the development of the first atomic bomb, then you should read The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. It was honestly a book I had a hard time putting down. Quite a good book on the development of theoretical physics, and incredible detail on the work done at Los Alamos. The follow-up on the first Hydrogen bomb (Dark Sun) was a bit disappointing for me, however.

John, that Neil Peart book sounds great - I'll have to dig that one up once I finish one of the three I'm reading now!

[JJ Irani]

The last book I read was "Little Red Riding Hood" to my little Annika. She seemed to enjoy it more than I did.

But seriously, guys, I used to be a very avid reader in my time. Now with being on the computer all day, my eyes are just about ready to shut by the end of the day. Being near-sighted, I have no wish to put any further strain on my ageing eyes.

Cheers - JJ

[padi56]

Now quite a avid reader like most things, but like a good horror story the best.