Who's reading what,when & the experience

Casey

Nick, I found the second in the series to be the weakest. I did go on and read the third and enjoyed it, although I think the premise wears a bit thin.

I have finished The Collector, by Fowles, which was a bit creepy given events in the news these days. I did enjoy it, however, and it redeemed Fowles for me since my high school French Lieutenant's Woman experience.

I am now currently reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk and I find I am not enjoying it too much.

chAos

Nick & Casey: I didn't read the Next books back-to-back, but with gaps of time in-between; I can see them being a bit much all in a row.

Aishah: How far into Gilead are you? I loved it, but heard lots of reviews of people who didn't like it; they thought it was too boring because nothing happened, it's just a guy talking after all. It's one of the few books that I've listened to on audio cd, and the person who read it did such a good job that I was very immersed in it, never once thought it was boring. I recommended it to my bookclub, but they got a little turned off by the amazon reviews, so we read "The Solace of Leaving Early" by Haven Kimmel instead. It's still got some of the theology/philosophy, but also has more immediate drama in the plot. Don't read the summary on Amazon, however, as they give away too much and hence take away the fun of reading it.

Aishah

Thanks Kristin, for your kind offer! ChAos - Gilead is such a contrast to the Elizabeth George (full of murder and excitement) but I like it too - don't find it at all boring. I think Robinson's writing is very fine, and the sentiments delightful. I'm about a third of the way into the book and will definitely finish it. The friend I'm staying with at the moment listened to it as a 'talking book'borrowed from the library while she did her housework and recommended it to me.

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batistuta

Video night in Kathmandu by Pico Iyer.

This Travelogue is a bit dated, set as it is in late 80's. Pico Iyer seems to have spent an inordinate amount of time in the various houses of Ill -repute in Bangkok and Manila as his take on these two cities revolves around the 'bar girl' scene. But his take on India, Tibet, Japan and Nepal more than makes up for it. He has a good sense of humour and is also quite prescient with his take on Tibet.

In Xanadu by William Dalrymple.

Dalrymple retraces the path of Marco Polo through Iran, Pakistan and china. He draws a few outladish parallel's between his journey and that of Marco polo. He is, evidently, in love with Islamic Architecture and it shows through in his descriptions. Dalrymple adds a bit it of Historical perspective to his journey and it meshes well with his narrative.

Everyman by Phillip Roth

Roth is a gifter writer and his writing style reminds me of Faulkner. But, this book, which chronciles a man's struggle against death, makes for a regrettable read.

Next, Case for India by Will Durant.

Nick-H

I do like to read books in series, so I am still with Thursday Next, maybe on the third, I think. I see I have one more on the shelf, but doubt that i'll but any more after that. I'm feeling in need of some literary structure, rather than a loosely-connected series of sketches. Good ideas, just he seems to have lost the knack of writing a novel after the first one.

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kristinm

I just read the first one - its great, I didn't know there were more. Have you read the Artemis Fowle series? Equally inspired and silly but better overall as a series I think.

iwanttogoback

casey, have you read fowles 'the magus'? his best, in my opinion. and yes, 'the collector' is a little creepy.

batistuta, did you enjoy 'in xanadu'? i'm a big fan of dalrymple, but i found 'in xanadu' a little wearying, more like some upper class boy's own adventure than his later works.

capt_mahajan

In Xanadu is still ok. Dalrymple's later books are slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) slipping.


I think he was excellent as a predominantly travel writer exploring new cultures and dabbling in history (City of Djinns and others).

Maybe he thinks he is a historian now, and takes everything very seriously. Whatever, he is getting drier and more difficult to read lately. Even boring.

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kristinm

Only a little creepy???!!!

puchoo

I just finished reading Chetan Bhagat's 'The 3 mistakes in my life' , was hoping that he would pick up on the wittiness that he delivered in his first book but unfortunately that did not happen.

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Nick-H

[re Thursday Next] Gone into mass production, i think, which is probably the problem No. I haven't seen them yet.

iwanttogoback

ok, a lot creepy. although i have a copy i have never re-read it. if you haven't read 'the magus' try to track down a copy, it's wonderful.

Inua

Have only read one Artemis Fowl and thought it was a real hoot. Its a good fun read.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold was a surprise by all accounts. A nicely packaged account of the murder, the murderer, the murdered and the family of the murdered; delivered from a window seat in heaven.

batistuta

Iwtgbk, I got a similar impression. Also, as he had such a tight schedule, he fails to convey the essence of the place. I could not help but compare him with Pico Iyer . He is not as observant as Pico but, atleast in this book, seems to be a bit more adventurous.Have you read any books from Pico Iyer? I have not read any of Dalrymple's latter works.

So, which book , amongst his latter works, would you recommend? Thanks.

capt_mahajan

The Last Mughal. Better than his other recent ones.