New now reading

[joels344]

[Darkness_Fish]

Right up my alley this kind of thing, a fictional memoir of obscure music-hall star Arthur Dandoe, a member of Fred Karno's army, and contemporary of Chaplin (his nemesis in this story) and Stan Laurel. Only a few chapters in, but it holds plenty of promise for me.

[Toby]

Just starting the above as about a million people want it after me in the library.

[Snarfyguy]

On the basis of a positive review, I bought this some years ago and promptly lost it in the new-baby vortex. It's now re-appeared, so I've been dipping into it. He's a smart guy, but it's mostly pretty gossipy stuff. The footnotes rankle, though, identifying either things you don't need to know (e.g. some hairdresser or other) or something everybody already knows (a footnote to explain what a bloody mary is?).

[echolalia]

I’m not well acquainted with American/Southern Gothic and read this on the recommendation of a friend. It’s like Badlands mixed up with Flannery O’Connor on stump liquor etc. We are not in polite company in this book and it’s difficult/horrifyingly easy to read in places with some of the things that go on. I loved the bit where Arvin visits the restaurant where his parents met. And as for how it ends, justice is done but in mysterious ways… fucking hell. At first I read ten pages, then 20, and so on until I finished it today in a 100-page stint - it's that kind of book.

[Toby]

I read all the DRP books last year. They're great.

[fueryIre]

DRP Is indeed a fantastic writer.

[echolalia]

I'm glad youse (sorry Markus) like DRP - I'll certainly be reading more by him.

What do you make of Pax Romana then, Toby?

[The Great Defector]

I'm glad youse (sorry Markus) like DRP

No need to be sorry, it's a handy word.

[Harvey K-Tel]

Better late than never...

[PENK]

Better late than never...

I've been dipping in and out of that for a while.

I can't help but feel that my (Penguin Modern Classics) edition would be improved a bit by having some of the photos he talks about actually printed in the book for reference, as it's a bit awkward having to keep googling them on my phone. Otherwise it's a good read - and the title is a bit misleading, as it's not so much a "guide to understanding photography" as simply a collection of Berger's writings on various photographers and themes.

Have you read Geoff Dyer's The Ongoing Moment? That's some great photography writing.

[Harvey K-Tel]

Have you read Geoff Dyer's The Ongoing Moment? That's some great photography writing.

I haven't. Thanks for the tip.

[Snarfyguy]

In addition to the Richard Burton diaries, which I've been dipping into from time to time over the past few weeks,



An examination of the response by the U.S. government to terrorism since 9/11. I picked it up not so much for the subject matter as for the quality of the writing (here are a couple of Danner's pieces on Trump from the New York Review of Books):

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2017/03/23...trump-could-do/

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/12/22/the-real-trump/


Also



I picked this one up on the strength of a recommendation, so thanks whoever-you-were! The writing's a bit uneven, but better than most trashy Hollywood bios, and the life and times are interesting, plus there are some great stories along the way. Of course he's a complete bastard, that should go without saying.


Also



A collection of short essays ruminating on the state of the union by the late great cultural critic John Leonard (the title refers to Kurt Vonnegut), circa the early 90s. It's refreshing to be reminded that the country had never been more completely fucked back then, too!

[Diamond Dog]

Just started to read this... a fascinating juxtaposition of letters written by Monet (in his life, he sent over 2000 letters we know of, containing half a million words) and chronologically relevant paintings. A really nice chunky hardback with 315 beautifully clear photos of his paintings. If you like Monet, or want an introduction,this is highly recommended.

[Tactful Cactus]

Just finished:


Onto:

[Darkness_Fish]

[Velvis]

This is great!

[Darkness_Fish]

Well, that Chuck Palahniuk book was the worst thing I've read for some time. Desperately wanting to be edgy, written with as much style as Dan Brown, and covering ground that has been written of in much more intelligent fashion by the likes of Bret Easton Ellis and Philip Roth. At least it was short.

Now reading:

[Deebank]

Just started this:



It is already proving very interesting. I told the JWs that visited on Saturday that Homo Sapiens was once one of six species of homos (no sniggering) co-habiting on planet earth - they were unclear as to whether there were any Neanderthals in heaven. I then got on to the subject of potential extra-terrestrial life.. but that's another story.

Edit: Just noticed another one of his books up thread!

Im a bit stalled with this one:



You have to think the question is valid in the first place and I have my doubts. I can't help thinking a lot of philosophy is just procrastination.

Reading this for the first time since my O levels:



And it's as brilliant as I remember it.


Just finished this:



Pratchett's last book. I'm not a fan as such and have only read a few of his books but he was a unique and often very funny writer. His characters are always good for a chuckle.

[Toby]