Author Topic: THE DONSTALK BOOK CLUB (Read 139370 times)

hebrew · « **Reply #500 on:** February 06, 2011, 07:51:36 AM »

I am reading A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks - pretty good so far

s1dnk · « **Reply #501 on:** February 07, 2011, 03:58:09 PM »

I am STILL fighting my way through An Utterly Impartial History of Britain but I find myself getting so pissed off with the author I put the book down and wont touch it for days. Going to make a real effort to finish it this week.

BigAl · « **Reply #502 on:** February 07, 2011, 04:23:58 PM »

Quote from: hebrew on February 06, 2011, 07:51:36 AM

I am reading A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks - pretty good so far

Missus, do you read all the books I read or something

Pretty different to most of his other stuff isn't it ?
Take it you've finished the millenium trilogy now ? Did you think that the outcome justified over 2000 pages of reading ?

hebrew · « **Reply #503 on:** February 08, 2011, 08:50:22 AM »

Quote from: BigAl on February 07, 2011, 04:23:58 PM

Missus, do you read all the books I read or something
Pretty different to most of his other stuff isn't it ?
Take it you've finished the millenium trilogy now ? Did you think that the outcome justified over 2000 pages of reading ?

It is great the way all the characters fit together yeh

It certainly is tho it is years since I read Birdsong

I loved the fist book in the Millennium set but wasn't so keen on the second book or third books - I never managed to see the third film at the cinema either

Aberdeen_Ladette · « **Reply #504 on:** February 26, 2011, 04:24:45 AM »

Quote from: tlg1903 on January 24, 2011, 07:27:17 AM

The kindle is the iPhone of digital readers. It's very good at what it does but you are restricted in the format you can use. There are other digi readers that do the same but you can use any format you like which means you can use a lot more free stuff. Sony has a very good one but I can't remember what it's called

The 'Kindle' thread on here reminded me I'd mentioned it in this book thread, so a belated thanks alot for your reply tlg!

Harcus · « **Reply #505 on:** February 26, 2011, 09:59:08 AM »

Quote from: Harcus on October 25, 2010, 08:55:31 AM

Reading "Stamping Grounds" by Charlie Connolly. He follows Liechenstein through the 2002 World Cup qualification campaign. I like this type of book, so anticipating good things.

Reading another by same author - 'Attention All Shipping', a tour of the shipping forecast. It's alright, not as good as Stamping Grounds though.

RDU_64 · « **Reply #506 on:** February 26, 2011, 03:48:55 PM »

Read Paterson's book also. Agree with all the sentiments on here, a very good read. Also read 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer which I thoroughly enjoyed. Would recommend it. Now in the process of reading 'Pay As You Play: The True Price of Success in the Premier League Era' by Paul Tomkins, Graeme Riley and Gary Fulcher. A very thorough examination of the effect that the increased money has had and pretty interesting so far.

Azteca1903 · « **Reply #507 on:** February 26, 2011, 06:43:27 PM »

Quote from: RDU_64 on February 26, 2011, 03:48:55 PM

Now in the process of reading 'Pay As You Play: The True Price of Success in the Premier League Era' by Paul Tomkins, Graeme Riley and Gary Fulcher. A very thorough examination of the effect that the increased money has had and pretty interesting so far.

I read this a few weeks back. Some really good stats in there and it's interesting to see the trends of transfer fees showing how exactly success is bought. I found it a little dry at times though and the section on individual clubs a bit repetative. Also, although transfer fees are clearly important, the effect of wages seems to be a bit overlooked, especially given that they have such a bearing on league position (90% I think claimed in 'Why England Lose').

Kenny · « **Reply #508 on:** February 27, 2011, 05:24:02 PM »

I'm reading this just now. It's a good read and it's designed for the total beginner, but even then some of it is pretty baffling. I think I'm just about coping with the gist of it, though.

Rebus30 · « **Reply #509 on:** February 28, 2011, 11:48:43 AM »

Quote from: glasgow sheep on January 24, 2011, 10:14:14 AM

Just read Stephen Fry's latest autobiography and On Fire With Fergie while on holiday.
Stephen Fry's book was certainly interesting, charting his life from finishing school to the start of Blackadder. Certainly lived an interesting life and although and bit pompous and pretentious at times (which he fully acknowledges) quite an engaging and interesting story.

On Fire was great, and imagine would spark some treasured memories for those just a little older than me who were about to watch the rise of afc through the late 70s and early 80s. Loved the complete contempt the kid had for United and Hearts and articulated as well as anything why Dandies the world over hate the Huns (and who would have believed the book stops short of 1988 and that tackle). Certainly got me in the mood for this weeks Cup Semifinal

Have got "On Fire With Fergie" on my pile of "to be read" books at home, so after what you've said in this post, I'll be getting fired into it ASAP (and yes that was a deliberate pun)

dave_min · « **Reply #510 on:** February 28, 2011, 09:12:06 PM »

Quote from: glasgow sheep on January 24, 2011, 10:14:14 AM

Just read Stephen Fry's latest autobiography and On Fire With Fergie while on holiday.
Stephen Fry's book was certainly interesting, charting his life from finishing school to the start of Blackadder. Certainly lived an interesting life and although and bit pompous and pretentious at times (which he fully acknowledges) quite an engaging and interesting story.

On Fire was great, and imagine would spark some treasured memories for those just a little older than me who were about to watch the rise of afc through the late 70s and early 80s. Loved the complete contempt the kid had for United and Hearts and articulated as well as anything why Dandies the world over hate the Huns (and who would have believed the book stops short of 1988 and that tackle). Certainly got me in the mood for this weeks Cup Semifinal

What Stephen Fry book is that? I've currently got 4 in my 'to read' pile and ain't so sure where to start. (On Fire With Fergie is also in that pile)

BigAl · « **Reply #511 on:** March 08, 2011, 02:07:05 PM »

Just finished "Random" which was a debut novel by Craig Robertson set in the Weeg.
Certainly won't be leaving my business card again in one of these fish bowl free draws for a free meal after reading this.
If you like Mark Billingham then give it a go.

Just started on "American Devil" by Oliver Stark

glasgow sheep · « **Reply #512 on:** March 08, 2011, 05:58:18 PM »

Quote from: dave_min on February 28, 2011, 09:12:06 PM

What Stephen Fry book is that? I've currently got 4 in my 'to read' pile and ain't so sure where to start. (On Fire With Fergie is also in that pile)

Most recent one.
Currently stuck in a rut with books. Haven't been able to get one started properly for a while. Got Private Eye subscription for xmas and already got wsc delivered every month so by the time I've read that lot I never get round to starting another book esp as I only ever read before I go to sleep at night. Have made a tentative effort to start reading a book about the History of Medicine which is pretty interesting thus far but suspect it has limited wide spread appeal

hebrew · « **Reply #513 on:** March 08, 2011, 10:43:31 PM »

Quote from: glasgow sheep on March 08, 2011, 05:58:18 PM

Most recent one.
Currently stuck in a rut with books. Haven't been able to get one started properly for a while. Got Private Eye subscription for xmas and already got wsc delivered every month so by the time I've read that lot I never get round to starting another book esp as I only ever read before I go to sleep at night. Have made a tentative effort to start reading a book about the History of Medicine which is pretty interesting thus far but suspect it has limited wide spread appeal

I'm the same - I got a Time subscription as a Christmas pressie and the bloody magazine comes every week so by the time I have read it cover to cover I have no time to read my book - I can tell you all about the unrest in Tunisia and Bahrain and how it affects the global ecomony and what dress Michelle Obama wore but I have no idea who most of the characters in my book are

BigAl · « **Reply #514 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:15:04 AM »

Quote from: BigAl on March 08, 2011, 02:07:05 PM

Just started on "American Devil" by Oliver Stark

Superb, thats all

hebrew · « **Reply #515 on:** April 12, 2011, 09:09:27 PM »

I am plodding along with We Need to Talk about Kevin - I want to read it before the film comes out but it is quite hard work

Harcus · « **Reply #516 on:** April 12, 2011, 09:51:04 PM »

Quote from: Harcus on February 26, 2011, 09:59:08 AM

Reading another by same author - 'Attention All Shipping', a tour of the shipping forecast. It's alright, not as good as Stamping Grounds though.

Only finished this a few weeks ago. Very average.

Now reading

Interesting in parts, as don't know much about Northern Irish politics, or the Troubles. Don't think this book was the place to start though. It's unbelievably weighted towards Wright, painting him as a political folk hero, and seems to brush over significant parts of why he ended up in prison. Disappointing. Would be interested to read other books on the Troubles though, if anyone has any recommendations.

BigAl · « **Reply #517 on:** April 13, 2011, 08:42:35 AM »

From the Dead, the latest offering from Mark Billingham.
Couple of hundred pages in and shaping up very nicely

Need some recommendations, as only six weeks to go until holidays

dave_min · « **Reply #518 on:** April 13, 2011, 06:55:27 PM »

Quote from: BigAl on April 13, 2011, 08:42:35 AM

From the Dead, the latest offering from Mark Billingham.
Couple of hundred pages in and shaping up very nicely
Need some recommendations, as only six weeks to go until holidays

Cancun is great!

BigAl · « **Reply #519 on:** April 14, 2011, 12:25:09 PM »

Quote from: dave_min on April 13, 2011, 06:55:27 PM

Cancun is great!

Not this year David....the missus doesn't like flights over about five hours, so back to Gran Canaria this year.
Matters not one jot to me....sun, beer, topless young girls.....paradise for an auld fucker like me