THE DONSTALK BOOK CLUB

[RicoS321]

1 minute ago, Ajja said:

Yes! It’s the greatest of all the ones I’ve read. Absolutely loved it, right up my street! The post war and early stages of the Cold War were the best time for those types of novels. Everyone was gripped by the fear of mass destruction, some belters in that era. 

Oh well, that's you completed the genre. There's nothing further to add.

[CurlsLikeTattie]

14 hours ago, Ajja said:

Anyone ever ventured into the world of Pratchet? I’ve never bothered, always felt it would be verging on a kids book but I’ve taken the plunge and started The Long Earth series. Mainly because I’ve run out of good post apocalyptic/alternative society stuff to read. 

I tried some Discworld stuff a few years back. Not totally my thing, but quite enjoyed them. I got 2 or 3 books in, saw how many there were, got overwhelmed, and gave up on them.

[BigAl]

On 25/03/2026 at 09:33, TheDonbytheDee said:

Scattershot - Bernie Taupin

Only thing I knew of this man, was he wrote songs with Elton John.

I read a lot of biographies of footballers and musicians, as along with books, that is my three main hobbies, Fitba, Music and Books.

When it comes to biographies, the best ones are usually from folk you know least about and this Bernie Taupin book is one of them.

The guy can write and tell a story and not much people he hasn't met throughout his life.

So I gave this one a go, but afraid to say I really struggled with it early doors and subsequently stopped reading.

The problem with audio books for me, is that because I only really listen whilst walking the dog I'm hearing them in short snippets and if they don't grab me right away, I'm always going to struggle to continue with it, whereas it takes a lot for me not to finish a book that I'm actually reading. Don't know if that'll make sense or not, but just the way I am.

Rattling through paperbacks and kindle editions at some rate as I'm now onto my 42nd book of the year and I have finished all of them 

[TheDonbytheDee]

20 hours ago, BigAl said:

So I gave this one a go, but afraid to say I really struggled with it early doors and subsequently stopped reading.

The problem with audio books for me, is that because I only really listen whilst walking the dog I'm hearing them in short snippets and if they don't grab me right away, I'm always going to struggle to continue with it, whereas it takes a lot for me not to finish a book that I'm actually reading. Don't know if that'll make sense or not, but just the way I am.

Rattling through paperbacks and kindle editions at some rate as I'm now onto my 42nd book of the year and I have finished all of them 

When I posted about it I hadn't quite reached the end and I'll be honest and admit, the ending was pretty shit. 

I often don't finish books now. Too many to read to stick with something that isn't floating my boat and a lot of shyte fiction about.

I find I have to work harder to get books that I like and reading more history books due of the lack of good fiction. 

 

[Ajja]

On 25/03/2026 at 09:33, TheDonbytheDee said:

Scattershot - Bernie Taupin

Only thing I knew of this man, was he wrote songs with Elton John.

I read a lot of biographies of footballers and musicians, as along with books, that is my three main hobbies, Fitba, Music and Books.

When it comes to biographies, the best ones are usually from folk you know least about and this Bernie Taupin book is one of them.

The guy can write and tell a story and not much people he hasn't met throughout his life.

Love a musician biography. Nick Drake: The Life by Richard Morton is a lovely read. Love the Brian Wilson autobiography Wouldn’t It Be Nice. Only one I’ve struggled with was Torment Saint about the life of Elliot Smith. Great music but a deeply troubled bloke

[Ajja]

16 hours ago, TheDonbytheDee said:

When I posted about it I hadn't quite reached the end and I'll be honest and admit, the ending was pretty shit. 

I often don't finish books now. Too many to read to stick with something that isn't floating my boat and a lot of shyte fiction about.

I find I have to work harder to get books that I like and reading more history books due of the lack of good fiction. 

 

I went through a historical fiction phase. Must have read around 40 Bernard Cornwell books during Covid. Conn Iggulden has written fantastic series about Genghis Khan and Julius Caesar.