Brian. Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Although I thought it would be a few days until I finished it, I finished The Beach last night, I just couldn't put it down. I am planning on watching the movie later. Even though it gets panned by the critics I actually quite like it and I want to remind myself how well it stands up in comparison to the book. I also went on a bit of a hunt today as I was after a book called The Hot Zone by Robert Preston after it was recommended to me by a work mate. My favourite second hand book shop was closed just before Christmas. The council had given it reduced rates on the store because it was standing empty and the book shop is a charity store. I was chatting to the store owner before it closed and he told me that a supermarket wants to knock a few shops together and build a mini supermarket. It's not as though we need another supermarket, we have several in the town centre and numerous ones within a 10 minute drive, its infuriating how the supermarkets are slowly destroying independent stores. I knew they had opened a new charity store so I decided to find it even though its pretty out the way. When I got there it was a disappointment, only 2 small book shelves instead of 2 whole floors of books like the old store. I'm sure the walking did me good anyway. After I walked back into town I decided to check out another second hand bookstore and to my surprise I found a copy of The Hot Zone. I also came away with a copy of The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton, both for the sum of £2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) The Hot Zone is a great read - very scary stuff. Never read The Andromeda Strain, not sure why as I usually like Michael Crichton's books. Glad to hear you liked The Beach. The movie is ok, but can't live up to the book. Edited January 7, 2013 by bobblybear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Moonraker by Ian Fleming I love the cover! Is it an old edition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 I love the cover! Is it an old edition? It's a modern re-print of an older edition. There was a complete set in a charity shop but I couldn't afford the whole lot so I bought the first 4 or 5 assuming that no-one would buy half a set. I was wrong, when I went back a few weeks later they had been sold so I'm keeping my eye out for others in the set. I prefer the covers of old books compared to the modern versions, they remind me of the old Ladybird books and Airfix kit boxes I had a young 'un. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 It's a modern re-print of an older edition. There was a complete set in a charity shop but I couldn't afford the whole lot so I bought the first 4 or 5 assuming that no-one would buy half a set. I was wrong, when I went back a few weeks later they had been sold so I'm keeping my eye out for others in the set. I prefer the covers of old books compared to the modern versions, they remind me of the old Ladybird books and Airfix kit boxes I had a young 'un. I do like the old editions, but I have the penguin modern classics set which are very nice also. I enjoyed Moonraker quite a bit, mainly because it wasn't even remotely what I was expecting, such a simpler and more down-to-Earth (literally) story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 The Hot Zone is a great read - very scary stuff. Never read The Andromeda Strain, not sure why as I usually like Michael Crichton's books. Glad to hear you liked The Beach. The movie is ok, but can't live up to the book. On watching the movie today I didn't enjoy it as much as I remembered I had and it definitely doesn't live up to the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 The Beach by Alex Garland Synopsis In our ever-shrinking world, where popular Western culture seems to have infected every nation on the planet, it is hard to find even a small niche of unspoiled land--forget searching for pristine islands or continents. This is the situation in Alex Garland's debut novel, The Beach. Human progress has reduced Eden to a secret little beach near Thailand. In the tradition of grand adventure novels, Richard, a rootless traveler rambling around Thailand on his way somewhere else, is given a hand-drawn map by a madman who calls himself Daffy Duck. He and two French travelers set out on a journey to find this paradise. What makes this a truly satisfying novel is the number of levels on which it operates. On the surface it's a fast-paced adventure novel; at another level it explores why we search for these utopias, be they mysterious lost continents or small island communes. Garland weaves a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that suggests we are, in fact, such products of our Western culture that we cannot help but pollute and ultimately destroy the very sanctuary we seek (taken from goodreads) My Thoughts I picked this book up last year in one of my many second hand book hunts. I remembered enjoying the movie despite it's critical panning from movie buffs. It had been a while since I watched the movie so I went into the book with a rough idea of what happens but not with a detailed recall. I later realised that this was probably a good thing as there are quite a few differences between the book and movie. The story starts with the main character, Richard, in the heavily tourist filled areas of Thailand. Garland describes these scenes very well and sets out the disillusionment that Richard feels with his traveling experiences so far. In short he wants to experience life as a traveler and explorer and not just a tourist. This instantly made me feel warmth towards Richard, after all who among us hasn't harbored these romantic feelings about travel. One thing that struck me as a bit troublesome about the book is the number of characters that we meet when the beach is found. Fortunately they all stand out in a way that made mistaken identity uncommon. The description of the beach environment and what goes on amongst the people who live there is really captivating. The Vietnam references also brought a smile to my face. I appreciate why Daffy is such an important character and image but I did find his presence during the later stages of the book to be a bit annoying. I didn't think that he needed to be in the story so often but that was a minor annoyance. I read this book over the course of a couple of days because I just didn't want to put it down. It is a very enjoyable book and I am looking forward to reading The Tesseract also by Garland. 4/5 (I really liked it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 It's a modern re-print of an older edition. There was a complete set in a charity shop but I couldn't afford the whole lot so I bought the first 4 or 5 assuming that no-one would buy half a set. I was wrong, when I went back a few weeks later they had been sold so I'm keeping my eye out for others in the set. I prefer the covers of old books compared to the modern versions, they remind me of the old Ladybird books and Airfix kit boxes I had a young 'un. I'm quite in love with old covers - as I usually buy pre-loved books - they almost always are edition from before I was born. The art-work is quite mesmerising. I'm sure sooner or later you'll find those books - the ones that got sold - just keep looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anisia Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Although I thought it would be a few days until I finished it, I finished The Beach last night, I just couldn't put it down. I am planning on watching the movie later. Even though it gets panned by the critics I actually quite like it and I want to remind myself how well it stands up in comparison to the book. I read the book before watching the movie, and yet I enjoyed the movie a lot too Ok, so maybe I was in my Leonardo DiCaprio phase () but I really do remember liking the movie - I want to see it again now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I've only seen clips of the movie as i have the book to read first i do like a good adventure story though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have The Beach on my TBR and i cant wait to read it now. Great Review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I've had The Beach on my TBR pile for years. I've only heard good things about the book, and only bad things about the movie. I always felt in the minority in enjoying the movie, so I'm glad I'm not alone there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 I have The Beach on my TBR and i cant wait to read it now. Great Review Go read it now I've had The Beach on my TBR pile for years. I've only heard good things about the book, and only bad things about the movie. I always felt in the minority in enjoying the movie, so I'm glad I'm not alone there. Even though the movie didn't like up to my memories I still enjoyed it non the less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 The Hot Zone by Richard Preston Synopsis Imagine a killer with the infectiousness of the common cold and power of the Black Death. Imagine something so deadly that it wipes out 90 per cent of those it touches. Imagine an organism against which there is no defence. But you don't need to imagine. Such a killer exists: it is a virus and its name is Ebola. "The Hot Zone" tells what happens when the unthinkable becomes reality: when a deadly virus, from the rain forests of Africa, crosses continents and infects a monkey house ten miles from the White House. Ebola is that reality. It has the power to decimate the world's population. Try not to panic. It will be back. There is nothing you can do... (Taken from Goodreads) My Thoughts I picked this book up for the bargain price of £1 at a local charity store after it was recommended by a work colleague. Even though it is a previous best seller I had never heard of it, the author or the incident involved. I had a little bit of knowledge on Ebola but I had no idea that it was a deadly as it is. I was warned that some people find the book a bit horrific but I was sure that it wouldn't bother me as gory stuff doesn't normally affect me. I have to say however that the first section of the book had my skin crawling and played with my head a bit when I trying to sleep. I think it was down to the fact that 90% of the people who get Ebola die in a horrible way and it can be very very easy to catch. I also found the details about the investigations into where the viruses had originated from fascinating. As usual with this kind of work there are a few very specialist people around the world and that is it. You tend not to think about the human stories behind these people and this book gives you just enough to make it interesting without getting bogged down in useless details. The final section is all about a breakout of Ebola in America, an event that could have changed the world on a scale bigger than 9/11. How close the human race came to being in a real bad way is terrifying. I just had to keep reading until I had finished because the story reads like a thriller. It is true that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. The only negative I have with the book is that the writing doesn't flow off the page quite like it could. Despite this I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the subject. 4/5 (I really liked it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 I could make my target higher but I just don't think I can get near topping it. Under my old shift pattern I could guarantee 2+ hours reading a night at work, now I can't guarantee any. I might be able to get some in from time to time but not as regular as before. Ulysses is a bit daunting but I want to read it before I die It's only understandable since your shift patterns are changing and you know you won't be getting as many hours to read per day. But bloody hell, I also want to work in a place where you can read for 2+ hours. Talk me up to the bosses, aye? (although I did noticed you'd already decided to set a higher target for the year, in one of your later posts ) Cormac McCarthy - The Road It is quite a short book so even if I don't get on with it too well it shouldn't be a slog. Is Blood Meridian the book in question? No, that's not it. I have to google... Oh yes, it was No Country for Old Men. After this 'discussion' of ours concerning McCarthy, I read somewhere over here about his novel Child of God. No, wait, it was my own Cult Reads list Well anyhow, that seemed like a great read, and I'm thinking maybe I should give McCarthy another chance. So many people have seemed to enjoy his books, and maybe the Country book was just one of his lesser novels, or maybe I'm not the target audience... No, I haven't read any Rushdie before and this book looks quite long. I remember it caused load of controversy when it came out in the UK. Rushdie is definitely controversial, and that's always good in my opinion. Can't wait to see what you make of the novel. I read some Welsh in 2012 and like you say, once you get used to the language in the book he is very entertaining. The movie is an absolute classic as far as I'm concerned. The movie's definitely great, I watched it in my teens the first time, and then we actually had this school outing (I think when I was in junior high, so 12-15 years old) where we went to see the movie. Thinking back, that was a bloody courageous idea of the school, to take young impressionable kids to watch such a movie... I didn't mind, of course, I loved it! Ive been a bit sneaky with this one. My wishlist is quite large and on Goodreads at the moment. The only reason I haven't added any to this thread yet is because I know I am getting some of them for Christmas and it would be easier to add afterwards. Don't worry, it will jam packed with books before long. Okay, I promise not to worry Frankie is correct (first time for everything); I have read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and really enjoyed it. I perhaps didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped, but I had very, very high expectations, so I was bound to be a little disappointed. It was very good, though, and it opened my eyes a bit more to that era. Oi!! The cheek! Ohhh, i'm sure Frankie has been right a few more times (although wrong when Iron Maiden cover versions are involved) Thanks for standing up for me Although I was right about the Iron Maiden cover My favourite second hand book shop was closed just before Christmas. The council had given it reduced rates on the store because it was standing empty and the book shop is a charity store. I was chatting to the store owner before it closed and he told me that a supermarket wants to knock a few shops together and build a mini supermarket. It's not as though we need another supermarket, we have several in the town centre and numerous ones within a 10 minute drive, its infuriating how the supermarkets are slowly destroying independent stores. That's a bloody shame =( It's always about profit, profit, profit, isn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 So glad you enjoyed The Beach. It's one of my all-time favourites. For all you people who have it but haven't read it yet - READ IT NOW!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 ^ But I dislike the cover on mine, and everytime I pick it up and start to read the first page, I go 'meh'. I guess it just hasn't been the right time yet. Brian, I'm happy you enjoyed it, your reading it has made me more aware of the copy I own that's trying to lure me over and pick it up.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 So glad you enjoyed The Beach. It's one of my all-time favourites. For all you people who have it but haven't read it yet - READ IT NOW!! I second this. I did not like the film, but the book was fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 ^ But I dislike the cover on mine, and everytime I pick it up and start to read the first page, I go 'meh'. I guess it just hasn't been the right time yet. Brian, I'm happy you enjoyed it, your reading it has made me more aware of the copy I own that's trying to lure me over and pick it up.... What is it about your cover that you don't like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 What is it about your cover that you don't like? It's creepy and I don't like the texture of the cover, I don't like the feel of it. Edit: Oh, apparently you have the same kind of cover, only with everything in English Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 It's creepy and I don't like the texture of the cover, I don't like the feel of it. Edit: Oh, apparently you have the same kind of cover, only with everything in English I must confess that I don't have the same cover. I often grab a suitable sized picture of the book off the net for my reviews and sometimes it has to be an alternative to the one I own. In this case my copy has Leonardo DiCaprio on it, maybe that would convince you to read it Mine looks like this but I felt the picture was too small for my review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 I must confess that I don't have the same cover. I often grab a suitable sized picture of the book off the net for my reviews and sometimes it has to be an alternative to the one I own. Ah, okay In this case my copy has Leonardo DiCaprio on it, maybe that would convince you to read it Unfortunately you're wrong Leo doesn't do it for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 That's the same cover as mine, except I don't know where my copy is. I just checked my bookshelf and it is nowhere to be found. Anyway I do remember the cover because it's quite eye-catching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Unfortunately you're wrong Leo doesn't do it for me Poor Leo That's the same cover as mine, except I don't know where my copy is. I just checked my bookshelf and it is nowhere to be found. Anyway I do remember the cover because it's quite eye-catching. Perhaps you have let someone borrow it and just don't remember, I know I have lost books that way. I'm about halfway through Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee, its an easy read so far and so far it's pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 No north pole, its all based in Norway. His first 2 books weren't originally translated into English so I started with book 3, The Redbreast. Despite it being the third book I didn't feel like I missed anything that was needed from the earlier books. Ahh this sounds like a good tip, I want to read the books but haven't heard much about the ones before The Redbreast so I was hoping it would be okay to just dive straight into book three. I guess he gives you background info anyway does he? Great review of The Snowman Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.