Currently Reading

[Big Jon]

Like the thread in the Ripper book section. Post here books you're reading/have recently read and what you thought.

I'm currently rereading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyles. Great collection of short stories. Only one story in at the moment, but already has Holmes had to pit his wits against "THE woman"
in Scandal in Bohemia.

Also finished reading Batman RIP last night, but I'll post about that in my comic thread.

Who wants to go next?

[Jimmy]

Just finished 'Hellraisers' - the story of Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole and Oliver Reed. I think you can guess what happens there. Cracking good fun, if a bit scary in the liver department.

Also finishing 'Frost/Nixon' - makes me want to see the film now. "Why didn't you burn the tapes?"

Just started 'Hackney, That Rose Red Empire' (Iain Sinclair) - nice stuff so far, a lot more accessible that some of his other books.

[Stephen Thomas]

Just started 'Hackney, That Rose Red Empire' (Iain Sinclair) - nice stuff so far, a lot more accessible that some of his other books.

Jimmy (or anyone else), do you know the title of the book that was centred about the history of Dalston Lane? I had thought that it was by Iain Sinclair but it seems that it wasn't and I'd like to re-read it.

[Jimmy]

Jimmy (or anyone else), do you know the title of the book that was centred about the history of Dalston Lane? I had thought that it was by Iain Sinclair but it seems that it wasn't and I'd like to re-read it.

Sorry Stephen, can't help.

[String]

I just recently finished reading a book called Dayworld by Philip Jose Farmer.
The basic premise of the book is that the world is so over populated that people need to share resources to such an extent that they live only one day per week. The rest of the week they are stoned using a stoning device that suspends life for six days. Therefore seven people or families can share one space, use resources etc. People are either Monday, Tuesday etc people and each day has it's own government and by and large lives a completely separate existence from the other days. It takes a huge Orwellian government machine to operate this system given some people try to daybreak (try to live in the other days).
The plot is quite good but characters needed more work but overall a nice read. A good book to borrow from the library.

[Mike Covell]

Getting away from the morbid world of the ripper, I decided to read something a little lighter in tone, but as Michael Corleone once said, "Everytime I try to get out, they pull me back in"

I ended up reading "The Executioners Handbook" by Steve Fielding, which was entertaining, and really made me want to be a hangman!

Another recently read book was "Olde Yorkshire Punishments" by Howard Peach, a thrilling romp through the Yorkshire of yesteryear, when criminals where actually afraid to come to Hull!

Both are gruesome, gory and interesting reads, and thoroughly recommended!

[Howard Brown]

"I just recently finished reading a book called Dayworld by Philip Jose Farmer.
The basic premise of the book is that the world is so over populated that people need to share resources to such an extent that they live only one day per week. The rest of the week they are stoned using a stoning device that suspends life for six days.- String

Heh heh.....sounds like a lotta people from Philly.

[Vila]

I managed to get a pair of new Larry Niven paperbacks a few weeks ago. Fleet of Worlds by Larry Niven & Ed Lerner, and Draco Tavern, by Larry Niven. Both books were even better than I expected - Larry's books rarely disappoint me.

Up next is is a choice between Those Who Went Remain There Still by Cherie Priest, who is on my Live Journal Friends List, and three paperbacks by P. N. Elrod. Two are from her Vampire Files series, and the third is the initial volume in her Quincy Morris, Vampire series. I really want to read the Quincy Morris book first, for personal reasons.

It seems that Lyn and I get to be characters in the upcoming volume of the Quincy Morris series. There was a charity auction last month, with several dozen different items up for bids. I bid on "name a character in PN Elrod's next book." I won, needless to say. I've been reading The Vampire Files books for years, even posted some online reviews of them, and had passed a few e-mails back and forth with Ms. Elrod as a result. After the auction, Pat telephoned to ask for some information that would personalize the character she had picked out for me to play. She enjoyed talking with Lyn so much that she decided both Lyn and I would be characters in the novel.

So, in a year or two I'll be posting the title and bookseller info for those interested in seeing us immortalized in print.

Next up on my list is to buy some of Jana Oliver's books when I get my IRS refund.

Vila

[Scott Nelson]

You get an IRS refund?? Lucky guy. What do folks think of Phillip K. Dick's books?

[Vila]

You get an IRS refund?? Lucky guy.

My payroll taxes through the year are paid as if I were unmarried, with no dependents. When we file our tax forms, the preparer lists us as Married, Single Income, Two Dependents. That means less cash per weekly paycheck, but we get a little bit back every year. Usually the refund is roughly 1% of my yearly income.

What do folks think of Phillip K. Dick's books?

Hollywood loves to make movies out of PK's books. Bladerunner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly,and many more. The books are better than the movies, as most turn out to be too complicated to film as written. I find the books themselves to be complex, challenging, and thought provoking. But some of them can be a bit depressing in spots. I prefer them in small doses.

Vila

[String]

One book they should make into a movie is Jack Finney's Time and again. I read it last year and was quite stunned by it's vivid descriptions and excellent characterisations.
The book itself is about a man who can time travel just by self hypnosis and travels back in time to the 1880's. It describes 1882 New York in fine detail.
Well worth a read.

[Vila]

That one has been made into a movie, actually. Chris Reeve was the lead actor, taking a break from his role as Superman. Quite an excellent movie, and a beautiful love story as well.

Vila

[String]

Sorry to correct but that movie was made from the book by Richard Matheson called Somewhere in time and yes it was a very good movie and book. The hypnosis technique used in the two books was almost identical.
For anyone not familiar with Richard Mathesons work he also wrote The incredible shrinking man, The invasion of the body snatchers and most recently converted to film I am legend, all great books.

[String]

On the theme of time travel another very good book I read last year was The doomsday book by Connie Willis.
This involves a historian travelling back in time to the 14th century to study life. Unfortunately she is supposed to avoid the time of the Black Death but due to accident she arrives just as it is invading England. The plot and characters are very good and the suspense is held throughout the book.

[Howard Brown]

It seems that Lyn and I get to be characters in the upcoming volume of the Quincy Morris series.-Vila

Hey Danny...I'm in one Jana Oliver book already ( Virtual Evil...I'm the Butler)...and according to Jana, I'm gonna be in the third one.

Immortally Yours

How