Mac
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Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child Well, this is the last of this guys books I've had to read - I've gone through them all, now. As usual, this is fast paced, exciting and very easy to read. Reacher is beginning to show signs of ageing, which is reassuring in a developing character, but not of mellowing, so the actions all there still. I wasn't as taken with this novel as mush as I have with some of the others, but then, I'm not going to, am I? They can't all be amazing. I found I cared less for most of the characters than usual, and I got a little bored and with the inevitable part where one of the characters gets to do the Sheet Mambo with the big guy - but then, if it's formula you go for, then it's formula you get, eh? Part of my brain was distracted enough to wonder almost from the start which slender, long-haired, intelligent and staggeringly beautiful woman he was going to do the no-pants-dance with. I always feel this, though. I find it cheapens the book, or film, even. There are books, of course, where it is essential to the plot, or the realism of it, but it isn't the case in this instance, or even this genre. Never mind, eh. I'm rambling. All in all, a standard read. 7/10
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Hiya. Just wondering. What does "shw mae" mean, please? Hope you're well, my friend.
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Hey there.
I'm sorry things are not brilliant for you at this time. I do know how it is, you're quite correct. Nothing in life ever seems easy or straightforward - it's them others, isn't it?!?
I've started a new job, working in an inclusion unit in a mainstream secondary school. So far, so good, and I'm currently loving it - it's all new!
I, too, am considering getting myself a cat. I believe that, should he be male, I'll call him 'Paul Newman'.
I like the idea of being outside calling: "Paul Newman! Paul Newman! Come on Paul Newman, it's time to come in!" and making weird tight-mouthed sucking sounds at the same time.
I wonder if I'm a little odd...
I hope this finds you very well, my friend. PM me if you want a chat about stuff with an understanding near-total stranger.
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It has been a while! Funnily enough, I, too, tried Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and found the writing style too...different, if you like. I slung it over my shoulder after a dozen pages or so as well!
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Restless is another book I'll be getting, Andy. It's not often you say something's fantastic! Hope you're alright, fella.
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That's a great result, chap. What was the A* in? I got 2 B's and 8 C's for my GCSE's - I never picked up a book to revise once. I was too interested in playing in my band, writing songs and spending time with an extraordinarily hot girl.
Just imagine the results had I worked at all. I'm an idiot!
Glad you did well, mate.
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Hiya. Reading through your TBR list is interesting. Have you tried Michael Marshall or Jack Kerley at all? You might well like these guys, as well. Oooh, and Jeffrey Deaver. And Harlan Coben! Definitely him!
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McUpdated, gone large.
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I'm not on any social networking sites either. I find them intrusive and most of the people on them narcissistic. But then, I am a grumpy bleeder!
I do it for fun, nowadays. I have been a published songwriter in the past, and toured Britain and the West Coast of the US back in the mid-90's, but, to be honest, it's not very...spiritually rewarding, shall I say.
Still, you never know what may happen in the future. I have a friend who wants to set up a song-writing syndicate, which sounds positive. Maybe I'll make a bit of cash.
When's the move to the states happening, then? Imminently?
Hoping you are having a splendid evening.
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Hiya Frankie. It's been about a thousand years or so since I said hi. I thought I'd pop in, 'cos I noticed on Catwoman's thread that you've been bigging-up the Dexter novels. This pleases me, as I've just bought all four! I'll be getting on to them before too long (I bought all four because I had dozens of book tokens given to me by my colleagues as a leaving present).
How are you doing? Have you persuaded your OH to join the site yet, rather than commenting over your shoulder?
Take care, mate (you were my first friend on here!).
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Hi there. I have both Kathy Reichs books and the Dexter books to read - I picked up a bunch of Reichs' books for a pound in a charity shop, but bought the job lot of the Dexter books from Waterstone's due to the high praise he gets on this forum. Hope you're well, Catwoman. Great review, mate.
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Hey, I'm sorry you've been unwell. Nothing too serious, I hope (although I'm fairly envious of the staying in bed reading part
).Get well quickly, Kelly.
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Hiya Kelly. How are you, this fine weekend? I'm just popping in to say hello, 'tis all. Hope you're very well, my friend.
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I'll often pick up books by authors I've not heard of and read the first page, see if I like their style and purchase said book on the strength of that. I enjoying the browsing aspect of book shopping. I was in Waterstone's some years ago, browsing away quite cheerfully, when this heavenly (and I mean - heavenly) girl came and stood next to me, smiled, said "Hello" and picked a book from the shelf. I grabbed another book in order to remain standing by this vision of loveliness and perhaps spark a conversation up. The book was Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith, his debut, and it turned out to be one of the best books ever. So. Thank you, fleeting angel of bookshops. *sighs wistfully*
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How's life without the demon drink, Jewell? I'm sat here on me laptop waiting for the chiken to marinate with a nice, big glass of Rioja by my side. Ahhhh, bliss.
I note you're reading The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Douglas Adams has a lot to answer for regarding my formative years. Some of my earliest memories are of listening to Hitchhikers on the wireless with my Dad, shortly before he cleared off. Then reading the books, loving the TV show, all that jazz. I think the guy was a genius. I hope you're enjoying it.
Have a great evening.
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The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell Sweden, winter, 1991. Inspector Kurt Wallander and his team receive an anonymous tip-off. A few days later a life raft is washed up on a beach. In it are two men, dressed in expensive suits, shot dead. The dead men were criminals, victims of what seems to have been a gangland hit. But what appears to be an open-and-shut case soon takes on a far more sinister aspect. Wallander travels across the Baltic Sea to Riga in Latvia, where he is plunged into a frozen, alien world of police surveillance, scarcely veiled threats and lies. Doomed always to be one step behind the shadowy figures he pursues, only Wallander’s obstinate desire to see that justice is done brings the truth to light. I’m really getting into Henning Mankell’s novels – I’m beginning to think I should really visit Sweden (my best friend’s girlfriend is from there, so I may have an opportunity). Mankell paints a vivid picture of both his homeland and Latvia, the latter sounding distinctly fearsome back in the early ‘90’s. He creates a cold, oppressive atmosphere, cranking up the tension and paranoia as the novel progresses. There are moments where brutal actions take place with such speed and surprise that I’d wondered if I had read it correctly. I’m beginning to care about Kurt Wallander – Mankell has created a very human lead, with plenty of foibles and traits. I like the guy so much that I’ve bought the next four books in the series. I’m expecting a call from my bank any minute – do you think they’d understand if I blamed the BCF entirely? A great read, one I couldn’t put down towards the end. 9/10
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Great review, Benny-Boy! I'll be sticking that on my TBR pile/room for sure. Cheers, fella.
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Morning, ii. I'm sorry to read you've lost your friend. It's a terrible thing to lose someone whom you respect, admire and love so suddenly. I know that this may sound like a platitude but, if it does, please believe that it's not meant to.
My thoughts are genuinely with you. It's not an easy time for you.
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I simply cannot bring myself to consider reading them. I think I've been battered by too many people saying how wonderful they are (all female, none male - which may have a bearing, as awful as that sounds). I'm not brilliant with tortured, teenage angst, either. Programmes like Dawson's Creek, The OC and all that jazz wound me up something chronic - not that I'm assuming it's full of very pretty people talking about really "deep" things, it's just.... Groan....I just don't really want to read them. Sorry.
