The GOT Book Club

[verreauxi]

Anyone read the John Reacher books? I've read two of them so far. Not bad. Never going to win a literary prize though.

I've read about 4 or 5. Entertaining but eventually they all get formulaic: tough reclusive Reacher unleashes a can of whoopass on those who deserve it. And there's always some woman who is his ephemeral bedmate. And technical gun-talk.

 

[verreauxi]

Reading "Priest Daddy" which is a funny memoir about growing up with a crazy, priest-dad. Very well written.

 

[atrottel]

Mot sure if these have been mentioned but...
1) Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Really gripping first hand account of the 1997 Everest expedition disaster. Couldn't put it down. Not normally my kind of thing but it was recommended to me and they were spot on.

If you like Krakauer's stuff, then read Into The Wild (also made a film of it) or his collection Eiger Dreams.

You, or anyone who is into mountains/climbing, should also check out David Roberts, who was something of a mentor to Krakauer and did some major frightening stuff in Alaska. Deborah/Mountain of My Fear are two books (sold as one) about some deeply unpleasant expeditions in that region. Moments of Doubt is another collection including the fabulous essay Roping Up about the climbing rope as a symbol of trust.

I've always been fascinated by K2 and In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods by Galen Rowell (sadly no longer alive) is one of the first 'warts and all' expedition accounts mixed in with a history of previous attempts.

Moving over to British authors, you have Jim Curran with K2: Triumph and Tragedy and, of course, Touching the Void by Joe Simpson (if you haven't read it already). For more hardcore expedition stuff, one of my favourites is the Boardman/Tasker omnibus collection of four books.

Finally, to be fair, Into Thin Air was somewhat controversial and was highly critical of Russian climber Anatoly Boukreev - The Climb is his account of the same events published shortly before his death on Annapurna.

 

[random]

Just finished this one The Wheelman by Duane Swierczynski

Real page turner about a getaway driver following a robbery

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

If you like Krakauer's stuff, then read Into The Wild (also made a film of it) or his collection Eiger Dreams.

You, or anyone who is into mountains/climbing, should also check out David Roberts, who was something of a mentor to Krakauer and did some major frightening stuff in Alaska. Deborah/Mountain of My Fear are two books (sold as one) about some deeply unpleasant expeditions in that region. Moments of Doubt is another collection including the fabulous essay Roping Up about the climbing rope as a symbol of trust.

I've always been fascinated by K2 and In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods by Galen Rowell (sadly no longer alive) is one of the first 'warts and all' expedition accounts mixed in with a history of previous attempts.

Moving over to British authors, you have Jim Curran with K2: Triumph and Tragedy and, of course, Touching the Void by Joe Simpson (if you haven't read it already). For more hardcore expedition stuff, one of my favourites is the Boardman/Tasker omnibus collection of four books.

Finally, to be fair, Into Thin Air was somewhat controversial and was highly critical of Russian climber Anatoly Boukreev - The Climb is his account of the same events published shortly before his death on Annapurna.

I climbed with Anatoli in the Caucasus, just 12 months before he died.

He was an absolute monster in the mountains and a very humble man.

Krakaeur slated him in his book for guiding without oxygen. Thing is, it was Anatoli who rescued loads of climbers caught in the storm whilst Krakaeur was hiding in his tent crying like a girlie.

 

[BlueCharlatan]

If you like Krakauer's stuff, then read Into The Wild (also made a film of it) or his collection Eiger Dreams.

You, or anyone who is into mountains/climbing, should also check out David Roberts, who was something of a mentor to Krakauer and did some major frightening stuff in Alaska. Deborah/Mountain of My Fear are two books (sold as one) about some deeply unpleasant expeditions in that region. Moments of Doubt is another collection including the fabulous essay Roping Up about the climbing rope as a symbol of trust.

I've always been fascinated by K2 and In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods by Galen Rowell (sadly no longer alive) is one of the first 'warts and all' expedition accounts mixed in with a history of previous attempts.

Moving over to British authors, you have Jim Curran with K2: Triumph and Tragedy and, of course, Touching the Void by Joe Simpson (if you haven't read it already). For more hardcore expedition stuff, one of my favourites is the Boardman/Tasker omnibus collection of four books.

Finally, to be fair, Into Thin Air was somewhat controversial and was highly critical of Russian climber Anatoly Boukreev - The Climb is his account of the same events published shortly before his death on Annapurna.

Definitely want to read more about K2 as it sounds infinitely harder than Everest and less of a 'tourist' mountain.

I did read up around Krakauer after finishing his book and realise that it was definitely 'his' story and not a true account of actual events. Interesting that he, an amateur climber, was willing to throw Boukreev under a bus in an official account of the events even though he must of heard from various sources that Boukreev had bravely ventured up the mountain for the rescue mission? A personal axe to grind maybe...

 

[COYBL25]

Mot sure if these have been mentioned but...
1) Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Really gripping first hand account of the 1997 Everest expedition disaster. Couldn't put it down. Not normally my kind of thing but it was recommended to me and they were spot on.

2) The John Rebus detective series by Ian Rankin
Easy to read, excellent characterisation and decent drama. The first few are Rankin getting to grips with the character but they get better and better

If you like Rebus mate, have a look at the Detective novels written by another Scottish author - Stuart McBride.

Set in Aberdeen, based around the trials and tribulations of Det Sgt Logan Macrae.

Ultra black humour, which will have you openly laughing at times. Dark, with some difficult subject matter at times and very well written.

Better than Rebus in my opinion.

Eleven novels to date.

 

[Bernard´s Magic Touch]

On Book 5 of My Struggle, an extraordinary autobiographical saga by Norwegian Karl Ove Knausgaard . It's incredibly detailed, right down to conversations held in childhood. The author doesn't claim complete accuracy and so you'll find the books under fiction.

His relationship with his monster of a dad overshadows much of the series but it's very funny in places and music fans of the 80s/90s will appreciate many of the references as Karl Ove attempts to make it as a drummer as well as a writer. His awkwardness with girls and his drink problems are painfully described and should strike a few bells with readers!

I had never heard of this author before reading your post. Sounds like a modern day Proust, thank you for posting.

 

[COYBL25]

Just finished the original version of - True Grit, written by Charles Portis.

It`s a cracking little read, at only 220 pages and the Cohen brothers film almost mirrors the book to perfection.

Recommended.

 

[gonetomorrow]

I had never heard of this author before reading your post. Sounds like a modern day Proust, thank you for posting.

I think he sees himself as such! He's certainly flavour of the month in literary circles. The trouble is that little else he's written is much good so he's a bit stuck now. Still - could be worse!

 

[gonetomorrow]

I had never heard of this author before reading your post. Sounds like a modern day Proust, thank you for posting.

God knows I've tried but I've never stuck with Proust. Or Joyce's Ulysses I might add. 100 pages and that's it. I'd say self-indulgent is the reason but that's probably a bit obvious.

 

[Bernard´s Magic Touch]

God knows I've tried but I've never stuck with Proust. Or Joyce's Ulysses I might add. 100 pages and that's it. I'd say self-indulgent is the reason but that's probably a bit obvious.

Few of the stories from Dubliners are great. I've never given Ulysses a proper go.

Tried reading Infinite Best by David Foster Wallace. 1000 pages of [Poor language removed] in my opinion.

 

[Bernard´s Magic Touch]

Few of the stories from Dubliners are great. I've never given Ulysses a proper go.

Tried reading Infinite Best by David Foster Wallace. 1000 pages of [Poor language removed] in my opinion.

Accurate rather than poor language in my opinion.

 

[evertony]

Got given the hardback of Cromwell: Our Chief of Men today by the window cleaner at work.......
Just for clarity, re you ask, it wasn’t ‘by’ the window cleaner at work, it was given to me by the window cleaner at work.....being as it’s a very literary thread

 

[gonetomorrow]

You can usually tell pretty soon whether a book is going to suit you.
50 pages for me.

It really is a classic " matter of opinion."