Favourite Books

[Sid Seadevil]

Of the non Who variety.

We all have them - even me.(In fact I have so many I could probably populate this thread single-handedly if I didn't keep a tight check on my impuses). I'm particularly enamoured of the splendidly witty series of Falco novels by Lindsey Davis. Even the lesser entries are of a consistently delightfully high standard.

So c'mon, don't be shy - let's hear yours.

[Colin Hicks]

Like Sid, I have a fondness for the Falco series. Being someone who likes a decent series to get into, I also like Pratchett's Discworld books, Asimov's earlier Foundation and Robot works, and Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Oh, and Lord of the Rings, but I think that almost goes without saying. Favourite stand-alone novel is Frankenstein.

Favourite non-fiction book is Howard Marks' autobiography, Mr Nice.

[Sid Seadevil]

Like Sid, I have a fondness for the Falco series. Being someone who likes a decent series to get into, I also like Pratchett's Discworld books, Asimov's earlier Foundation and Robot works, and Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Oh, and Lord of the Rings, but I think that almost goes without saying. Favourite stand-alone novel is Frankenstein.

Favourite non-fiction book is Howard Marks' autobiography, Mr Nice.

I've somehow never quite succeeded in cracking the Discworld series, but I do admire Pratchett's work. Loved the original Foundation and Robot works. In fact I devoured all of Asimov's early works as a teen. My love affair with the both the Holmes canon and Tolkien started at a very early age - around 9 or 10, and has continued to this day.

I'm currently also chewing my way through Simon Scarrow's "Eagle" series of Roman adventure novels, as well as Valerio Massimo Manfredi's historical novels at an alarming rate.

Enduring favourite works of non-fiction are presently Caesar's accounts of the Gallic and Civil Wars, Tom Holland's excellent Rubicon - and my all-time favoite - The Devil Drives: A biography of the life of of the extraordinary Victorian explorer and so, so much more, Sir Richard Burton, by Fawn M. Brodie.

And that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface.

[The Co=Ordinator]

My favourite novel is Shadowchaser by Stephen R Hulse.

I am also a fawning toady.

[Johnstone McGuckian]

I read OHMSS not so long ago. Was absolutley fantastic. The book Bond is so much better to the film one.

[Sid Seadevil]

My favourite novel is Shadowchaser by Stephen R Hulse.

I am also a fawning toady.

Wonder of wonders, I have that book too! Haven't read it yet though. I'm unsure whether or not it possesses enough dark and gritty gravitas and as such fear disappointment.

Of course, if I ever meet the writer rest assured I'll be a fawning toady too.

[Sid Seadevil]

I read OHMSS not so long ago. Was absolutley fantastic. The book Bond is so much better to the film one.

Oh, I long ago gave up expecting the Bond films to be anything like actual adaptations of the books. I tend to enjoy each as related but separate entities - Although saying that, the two newest Bond films certainly capture the spirit of Ian Fleming's Bond more successfully than the other films in the series have in many a long year.

[Johnstone McGuckian]

I read OHMSS not so long ago. Was absolutley fantastic. The book Bond is so much better to the film one.

Oh, I long ago gave up expecting the Bond films to be anything like actual adaptations of the books. I tend to enjoy each as related but separate entities - Although saying that, the two newest Bond films certainly capture the spirit of Ian Fleming's Bond more successfully than the other films in the series have in many a long year.

Not seen QOS yet but Casino Royale certainly did. Although I think the film OHMSS came close.

[barnaby morbius]

i'd reccommend anything by cormac mccarthy- especially "the road" or "blood meridian"

or anything by jim thompson- he rocks!

[Frank]

I have a fondness for the gay erotica of James Lear. High class smut of the finest order. Decent plots and characterisation (yes, it's true), droll wit and the filthiest sex scenes. Nice bit of light reading.

I've just finished my friend Richard's new SF novel, Exilium. And I'm half way through something called...er Shadowchaser. God knows who wrote that.

I'll post a reading list up at some point so you can see what I'm ploughing through - if you're in the slightest bit interested.

[The Co=Ordinator]

If things go according to plan, in about 12 months time you'll be able to purchase "Yes and.........". I'll say no more for now..........

[Frank]

Oh, are you penning something, chuck?

I've just started on a piece of fiction and will keep working on that intermittently (is that spelling right) over the next few months.

If things go according to plan, in about 12 months time you'll be able to purchase "Yes and.........". I'll say no more for now..........

[The Co=Ordinator]

I'm planning to release an anthology of my pantomimes, complete with background and a synopsis of the development of each script, cast lists, etc etc. If all goes well, then the January 2010 show will be my sixth, and final, one as writer and I aim to get the book published well before it opens. I started a bit of preliminary work on it a few weeks ago, but have been too busy with other things to progress any further at the moment.

[The Browncoat Cat]

My favourite book is The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. Whilst set in a psuedo-Medieval Spain, this is not the sort of cheap sub-tolkienesque setting that you find in so many fantasy novels. It is a fascinating examination of morals, ethics and faith intertwined with a great adventure story that is not at all preachy or overly religious. The Author is a great believer in thinking "what is the worse possible thing that can happen to my hero", and then doing it to him, so you watch the character get out of all sorts of scrapes. I heartily recommend this novel.

[Sid Seadevil]

[quote="Johnstone"]

Not seen QOS yet but Casino Royale certainly did. Although I think the film OHMSS came close.

OHMSS did come quite close, Royal nailed it (especially in the attitude of Daniel Craig's, Bond) and Quantum hammered those nails home - you'll enjoy it.

[Johnstone McGuckian]

[quote="Sid Seadevil"]

Not seen QOS yet but Casino Royale certainly did. Although I think the film OHMSS came close.

OHMSS did come quite close, Royal nailed it (especially in the attitude of Daniel Craig's, Bond) and Quantum hammered those nails home - you'll enjoy it.

Well I expect I'll be going to see it fairly soon

[Sid Seadevil]

I have a fondness for the gay erotica of James Lear. High class smut of the finest order. Decent plots and characterisation (yes, it's true), droll wit and the filthiest sex scenes. Nice bit of light reading.

Erotica - genuinely good erotica, is one of the hardest things to write. Perhaps the only genuinely harder thing in the vicinity of that general sub genre would be the art of writing a successful Mills & Boon romance. Hideously difficult and requiring a huge amount of skill and deftness.

I've just finished my friend Richard's new SF novel, Exilium. And I'm half way through something called...er Shadowchaser. God knows who wrote that.

Ian Levine wrote it. I'd demand a refund from him personally if I were you. Utter tosh of hammer through the telly screen proportions I've heard it is.

I'll post a reading list up at some point so you can see what I'm ploughing through - if you're in the slightest bit interested.

Can't wait.

[Sid Seadevil]

Oh, are you penning something, chuck?

I've just started on a piece of fiction and will keep working on that intermittently (is that spelling right) over the next few months.

I'm planning to release an anthology of my pantomimes, complete with background and a synopsis of the development of each script, cast lists, etc etc. If all goes well, then the January 2010 show will be my sixth, and final, one as writer and I aim to get the book published well before it opens.

Does happy dance at the revelation of both pieces of news.

[Sid Seadevil]

Well I expect I'll be going to see it fairly soon

I suspect you'll definitely enjoy it. It's shorter than the usual Bond flick - and fairly zips along.

[Johnstone McGuckian]

Well I expect I'll be going to see it fairly soon

I suspect you'll definitely enjoy it. It's shorter than the usual Bond flick - and fairly zips along.

AKA. They couldn't be arsed making a full length film?

[Sid Seadevil]

AKA. They couldn't be arsed making a full length film?

No. It actually means that they haven't made an overblown actioner that's twenty minutes longer than it need be.

But we should really take this discussion to the Quantum thread where it belongs.

[Johnstone McGuckian]

AKA. They couldn't be arsed making a full length film?

No. It actually means that they haven't made an overblown actioner that's twenty minutes longer than it need be.

But we should really take this discussion to the Quantum thread where it belongs.

Fair point. And agreed.

[Patrick]

Fellow Wrinklies, I come bearing some bad news. One of my personal favorite writers, Michael Crichton, has passed away today at 66.

[Aspadistra]

I'm planning to release an anthology of my pantomimes, complete with background and a synopsis of the development of each script, cast lists, etc etc. If all goes well, then the January 2010 show will be my sixth, and final, one as writer and I aim to get the book published well before it opens.

Final?

[The Co=Ordinator]

Fellow Wrinklies, I come bearing some bad news. One of my personal favorite writers, Michael Crichton, has passed away today at 66.

I'd have to say that his writing style wasn't my favourite, but his work has given us some seminal movies. At the very least he was a brilliant ideas man. RIP Michael.

[Sponsored content]