I'm currently reading SK's " Lisey's Story" which I bought in a charity shop in Harrogate together with "Duma Key" during our Friday en route to Boro.
Not quite sure what to make of it yet but first third or so was a pretty difficult read.
A difficult read indeed if I remember .. written during Stevie's difficulties with booze and stuff .. was it not loosely based on the Lizzie Borden incident in New England whereby Lizzie killed her parents ? .. remember the hit song from the 1950s or 60s .. 'You Can't Chop Your Poppa Up in Massachusetts'
I'm currently reading SK's " Lisey's Story" which I bought in a charity shop in Harrogate together with "Duma Key" during our Friday en route to Boro.
Not quite sure what to make of it yet but first third or so was a pretty difficult read.
A difficult read indeed if I remember .. written during Stevie's difficulties with booze and stuff .. was it not loosely based on the Lizzie Borden incident in New England whereby Lizzie killed her parents ? .. remember the hit song from the 1950s or 60s .. 'You Can't Chop Your Poppa Up in Massachusetts'
This is what Stephen King had to say about the book:
During the time that Steve had to spend in the hospital due to a bout with pneumonia, his home office was cleared to paint and renovate. He returned to find many of his books, etc. still in boxes and it occurred to him that that was what the room would look like following his death. And of what his wife, Tabitha, would have to deal with.
I'm currently reading SK's " Lisey's Story" which I bought in a charity shop in Harrogate together with "Duma Key" during our Friday en route to Boro.
Not quite sure what to make of it yet but first third or so was a pretty difficult read.
A difficult read indeed if I remember .. written during Stevie's difficulties with booze and stuff .. was it not loosely based on the Lizzie Borden incident in New England whereby Lizzie killed her parents ? .. remember the hit song from the 1950s or 60s .. 'You Can't Chop Your Poppa Up in Massachusetts'
This is what Stephen King had to say about the book:
During the time that Steve had to spend in the hospital due to a bout with pneumonia, his home office was cleared to paint and renovate. He returned to find many of his books, etc. still in boxes and it occurred to him that that was what the room would look like following his death. And of what his wife, Tabitha, would have to deal with.
Sounds as though I was confusing this book with another one .. I read it years ago and had/have forgotten it as it was far from one of his best .. still any of Stevie's stuff is worth a look, even the 'bad' books, and there are quite a few of those from the 80s and 90s
Currently reading I am Pilgrim. Picked it up while in England over Christmas/New Year. Nobody has heard of it in the States and nor had I. Anyway, about halfway through and enjoying it so far.
So, recently finished I Am Pilgrim. I liked it. However, there were 2 huge coincidences in the book that I found a bit of a stretch. A good read though.
I'm currently reading it and although it's a page turner it could do with a good editor, cutting it down to 500 pages. As you say too many coincidences and some of it is far fetched, but quite enjoyable.
This is not a short football book. Page after page, on game after game. This is a long football book by an author with a distinct style. Page after page, on game after game.
But this is a good book. Page after page, on game after game. By a good author. Page after page, on game after game. About a good man. Page after page, on game after game. It deals with Bill Shankly's life from just before he joined Liverpool to his retirement. Page after page, on game after game. And also his life after football. Page after page. I would recommend this book.
Spot on David Peace spoof, there. I remember a passage from the book that went something like this:
Bill moved backwards and forwards over the grass with the sack. The sack that held the glass and the stones. Backwards and forwards, picking up the glass and the stones. From the grass. The grass that was littered with glass and stones. The glass and stones that he put in the sack. The sack that he carried backwards and forwards over the grass. The grass with the glass and the stones.
I have finished The Amber Room, really enjoyed it. Based around a true story, and with real life locations. Well described as proven by a chapter where the protagonists are being chased around an Abbey, as I was reading I thought "Melk Abbey would make the ideal setting for this scene in a film " (we visited there in December). Then at the end of the book in the authors notes said that sure enough the Abbey was based on the one at Melk...
I really liked the Damned United but having read reviews like Sheffield's one, decided to give the Shankly one a miss. Shame, because Shanks was a fascinating character.
Currently on a very good (but very long) History of the English by Robert Tombs. Unusually he really does try and stick to England rather than change to a history of the UK post Act of Union.
This is not a short football book. Page after page, on game after game. This is a long football book by an author with a distinct style. Page after page, on game after game.
But this is a good book. Page after page, on game after game. By a good author. Page after page, on game after game. About a good man. Page after page, on game after game. It deals with Bill Shankly's life from just before he joined Liverpool to his retirement. Page after page, on game after game. And also his life after football. Page after page. I would recommend this book.
Very good. I enjoyed it but started to find the repetition irritating. The Damned United is better.
This is a memoir of his childhood, growing up in grinding poverty in Notting Hill in the 50s and 60s. Notwithstanding the extremely difficult circumstances that he, his mother and sister faced, there is not a trace here of self-pity (or politics) and Johnson tells his story in an unsentimental, straightforward and, at times, humorous way. It also provides a real insight into life in poorer areas of London during that period and underscores how fortunate most of us are today. Well worth a read.
This is a memoir of his childhood, growing up in grinding poverty in Notting Hill in the 50s and 60s. Notwithstanding the extremely difficult circumstances that he, his mother and sister faced, there is not a trace here of self-pity (or politics) and Johnson tells his story in an unsentimental, straightforward and, at times, humorous way. It also provides a real insight into life in poorer areas of London during that period and underscores how fortunate most of us are today. Well worth a read.
Have heard this is a good book, will give it a try
Spot on David Peace spoof, there. I remember a passage from the book that went something like this:
Bill moved backwards and forwards over the grass with the sack. The sack that held the glass and the stones. Backwards and forwards, picking up the glass and the stones. From the grass. The grass that was littered with glass and stones. The glass and stones that he put in the sack. The sack that he carried backwards and forwards over the grass. The grass with the glass and the stones.
The only one of his I've read is called "Tokyo year zero". Worth a read if you can hack his style, but a bit odd and very repetitive
This is a memoir of his childhood, growing up in grinding poverty in Notting Hill in the 50s and 60s. Notwithstanding the extremely difficult circumstances that he, his mother and sister faced, there is not a trace here of self-pity (or politics) and Johnson tells his story in an unsentimental, straightforward and, at times, humorous way. It also provides a real insight into life in poorer areas of London during that period and underscores how fortunate most of us are today. Well worth a read.
Have heard this is a good book, will give it a try
BIT OF A SPOILER **** His story and rise to major politician, although not so 'old' is one which may never be duplicated .. raised by a single parent in a working class environment, a postman who rose to power through the Union system .. contrast with today's (especially) 'Labour' politicians who have little or no experience of 'real' jobs and are book learned, paper socialists .. Johnson's is a terrific and heartening story
The Case of the Hail Mary Celeste - Malcolm Pryce Having really enjoyed his Aberystwyth series I thought I would give this a go. A bit disappointed really, missed the dark and surreal comedy of the Aberystwyth series and found just so much infatuation with trains a bit much, even for a Charlton supporter.
The girl with all the gifts - M R Carey. Gobsmackingly clever and haunting zombie tale, especially if you watched the Attenborough documentary on the Amazonian ants whose nervous system is invaded by a parasite that forces them high into the rainforest before bursting out Alien style to spread more spores over the widest area. The last half dozen pages show the novel's brilliant concept.
Just finished The girl on the Train. I was pleasantly surprised how good it is, well written and moves at a good pace so can recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
RJ Ellory's - Ghostheart. I think someone on here may have recommended the author? Intriguing story, not quite the kind of mystery I am used to, more of a love story with a twist, you do see part of the twist coming, but not all.
"Reasons To Stay Alive" by Matt Haig. A sobering fact that you may have learned from recent TV programmes on the subject but suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45. Other than omitting the most obvious reason to stay alive, namely witnessing the Spanners' relegation, this is a fantastic and very readable book by a novelist in permanent battle with depression, at times in the past mixed with extreme anxiety and at one point severe enough to put him on the verge of suicide. Yet he has come to look upon depression as a gift. "The trick is to befriend depression and anxiety" - quoting the Persian poet Rumi, "The wound is the place where the light enters you". Getting rave reviews on Amazon and I'm not surprised. He had the great fortune to have the love of his girlfriend and family to support him through his darkest times, sadly not always the case for many suicidal depressives. Highly recommended.
Comments
Very amusing
Currently going through The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, just started but enjoying it so far.
During the time that Steve had to spend in the hospital due to a bout with pneumonia, his home office was cleared to paint and renovate. He returned to find many of his books, etc. still in boxes and it occurred to him that that was what the room would look like following his death. And of what his wife, Tabitha, would have to deal with.
Not one of my favourites but not bad.
wow
by David Peace
This is not a short football book. Page after page, on game after game. This is a long football book by an author with a distinct style. Page after page, on game after game.
But this is a good book. Page after page, on game after game. By a good author. Page after page, on game after game. About a good man. Page after page, on game after game. It deals with Bill Shankly's life from just before he joined Liverpool to his retirement. Page after page, on game after game. And also his life after football. Page after page. I would recommend this book.
Bill moved backwards and forwards over the grass with the sack. The sack that held the glass and the stones. Backwards and forwards, picking up the glass and the stones. From the grass. The grass that was littered with glass and stones. The glass and stones that he put in the sack. The sack that he carried backwards and forwards over the grass. The grass with the glass and the stones.
Just finished the 4th one - they are very well written and a great read even if you have seen the TV episodes many times.
Currently on a very good (but very long) History of the English by Robert Tombs. Unusually he really does try and stick to England rather than change to a history of the UK post Act of Union.
The high times and many lives of Tony Wilson,Factory Records and The Hacienda
This is a memoir of his childhood, growing up in grinding poverty in Notting Hill in the 50s and 60s. Notwithstanding the extremely difficult circumstances that he, his mother and sister faced, there is not a trace here of self-pity (or politics) and Johnson tells his story in an unsentimental, straightforward and, at times, humorous way. It also provides a real insight into life in poorer areas of London during that period and underscores how fortunate most of us are today. Well worth a read.
Having really enjoyed his Aberystwyth series I thought I would give this a go. A bit disappointed really, missed the dark and surreal comedy of the Aberystwyth series and found just so much infatuation with trains a bit much, even for a Charlton supporter.
A sobering fact that you may have learned from recent TV programmes on the subject but suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45.
Other than omitting the most obvious reason to stay alive, namely witnessing the Spanners' relegation, this is a fantastic and very readable book by a novelist in permanent battle with depression, at times in the past mixed with extreme anxiety and at one point severe enough to put him on the verge of suicide.
Yet he has come to look upon depression as a gift. "The trick is to befriend depression and anxiety" - quoting the Persian poet Rumi, "The wound is the place where the light enters you".
Getting rave reviews on Amazon and I'm not surprised.
He had the great fortune to have the love of his girlfriend and family to support him through his darkest times, sadly not always the case for many suicidal depressives.
Highly recommended.