Which Book Are You Reading thread

[Football us life]

I've read the book, and seen the two screen series of the Day Of The Jackal too.

Slightly off topic here but ...

The 1973 ' Day of the Jackel' film was an absolute classic. Brilliantly produced with some wonderful locations, real Parisian streets, the Champs-Élysées, and even outside and inside government buildings, capturing authentic atmosphere and crowd reactions. all shot in that early 1970's contrast reduction with earthy colours style...

You have that iconic framing, minimal glamour, and real-world authenticity, it was 1970's cinematography at it's finest.

 

[Dr Curmudgeon]

Recently finished Elsebeth Egholm's Three Dog Night.

(Despite being translated from Danish, the title refers to the Australian practice of having three dogs sleeping next to and on top of you on very cold nights.)

Anyway, the book is definitely in the "Scandinavian noir" genre. (If you don't like reading explicit descriptions of gruesomely mutilated corpses, skip this one.) Paints a picture of the dark side of Danish society, with an involved plot that keeps you guessing to the end.

 

[Jetsfan]

The Passing of the Aborigines, if you want an insight into what it was like back in the 1900's. By Daisy Bates. We're not all cunts

 

[Dr Curmudgeon]

The Passing of the Aborigines, if you want an insight into what it was like back in the 1900's. By Daisy Bates. We're not all cunts

Or you could read David Marr's Killing for Country. It's the story of one of his ancestors who was in the Native Police in Queensland in the 1860s. Marr's account shows that in those days killing Aborigines wasn't something to be ashamed of, it was supported by the local squatters, and even celebrated.

 

[Jetsfan]

The passing of the Aborigines is about Daisy and written by Daisy, not heresay. Consumption or TB nearly wiped out the total population of Aborigines. She cared for them from northern WA to Eucla in SA. If not for people like her, there would be no Aborigines. The lefties love to paint the whiteys as murderers but the facts show the opposite

 

[Decentric]

Recently finished Elsebeth Egholm's Three Dog Night.

(Despite being translated from Danish, the title refers to the Australian practice of having three dogs sleeping next to and on top of you on very cold nights.)

Anyway, the book is definitely in the "Scandinavian noir" genre. (If you don't like reading explicit descriptions of gruesomely mutilated corpses, skip this one.) Paints a picture of the dark side of Danish society, with an involved plot that keeps you guessing to the end.

Sounds interesting, but I don't like gruesome, Dr C!

Still I should try it.

 

[Decentric]

The passing of the Aborigines is about Daisy and written by Daisy, not heresay. Consumption or TB nearly wiped out the total population of Aborigines. She cared for them from northern WA to Eucla in SA. If not for people like her, there would be no Aborigines. The lefties love to paint the whiteys as murderers but the facts show the opposite

I'm a lefty! Proud of it too.

TB was that pernicious. Wow!

 

[Decentric]

Or you could read David Marr's Killing for Country. It's the story of one of his ancestors who was in the Native Police in Queensland in the 1860s. Marr's account shows that in those days killing Aborigines wasn't something to be ashamed of, it was supported by the local squatters, and even celebrated.

That is pretty shocking.

 

[Decentric]

I've read a plethora of books lately, but have been too busy to post reviews.

Unfinished books:

Mr Cleansheets : our own forumite, Mr Cleansheetsis the author.

Have nearly finished this one, but I don't like what I think the conclusion is going to be. Ha ha!

Superb book though!

TASMANIA'S CONVICTS: ALISON ALEXANDER

History of Tas written by an academic. Nearly finished, but it can be picked up anytime. Non-fiction.


THE ROAD TO RUIN : NIKI SAVVA

Still haven't completed it, but as a lefty/progressive, it is thoroughly enjoyable seeing how Abbott and Credlin have destroyed the Libs. However, One Nation is emerging to take the Libs place, which is worse.

Will give single posts to completed books.

 

[Decentric]

THE FAMILY REMAINS : LISA JEWELL

Genre: Crime/ Relationship Fiction

Setting : Contemporary England and USA.

Number of pages : Circa 300

Why did I read it? I liked a previous Lisa Jewell book, which was thought provoking.

The Family Remains is an interesting book. Inspector Owugo was called out to a body found dead. He investigates it with a competent 2 person team, but perplexingly this isn't a traditional crime fiction genre book. The 2 main cops are not the protagonists that one would expect. Instead the weird/dysfunctional relationships of an extended family take centre stage, probably delineating this book as being in the relationship fiction genre.

Jewell does this very well - elucidate relationships. In this context, this book is more of a traditional female type genre. I felt a bit frustrated , because the investigation tended to be almost secondary in the plot.
I'm not sure I'm going to read another Lisa Jewell book for some time? She did a good job with the police investigation, but I would have liked a greater portion of the book taken up by the police investigation. I did enjoy having the settings in both the USA and England though.

For those who have studied tertiary English or attended writing courses, Lisa J is a fluent writer.

However, after a book that I thought was one of the best I've ever read, The Hallmarked Man : Robert Galbraith ( JK Rowling), The Family Remains was a step down in quality - in my opinion. But not shared by friends and family off forum. The Guardian reviewer thought it was as good as I did though.

I've read many fiction authors' dry'. The following authors I've read since reading The Family Remains - Ian Rankin, Sue Grafton, Peter James, Linda La Plante, Peter Robinson and Matthew Spencer, have written books I've enjoyed more when reading them in the last few months, than this last Lisa J book.

 

[erogenouszone]

I recommend this one. Combines a history of gambling in Australia both legal and illegal and then pivots to the absolute power of the clubs lobby to have thousands and thousands of machines to the opening of Crown Casino in Melbourne and the criminal infiltration and moving onwards to the saturation of online gaming and the targeting of children.

 

[Decentric]

View attachment 5654



I recommend this one. Combines a history of gambling in Australia both legal and illegal and then pivots to the absolute power of the clubs lobby to have thousands and thousands of machines to the opening of Crown Casino in Melbourne and the criminal infiltration and moving onwards to the saturation of online gaming and the targeting of children.

I would like to read this too, EZ.

QB’s name and book has come up a lot off forum. We have major gambling issues in Tas. Very competent senior professionals have ruined their lives gambling.

Not sure this book will be in secondhand bookshops yet? I’m surmising it retails for 20-35 dollars?

I read another insightful book by Peter Boyce on gambling.

How long is it, 180. - 220 pages?

 

[Football us life]

I've written a crime novel

75-80,000 words

Set in London's jazz club scene of the 1990's of which I was around a bit.

My inspiration for doing it was the John Ibrahim book and tv show 'King of the Cross' which was set in Sydney's nightclub scene around the same era....

Has taken around 6 months-ish

The missus is going to have to fix it up a fair bit before I go to the next stage of finding an editor.

 

[erogenouszone]

I've written a crime novel

75-80,000 words

Set in London's jazz club scene of the 1990's of which I was around a bit.

My inspiration for doing it was the John Ibrahim book and tv show 'King of the Cross' which was set in Sydney's nightclub scene around the same era....

Has taken around 6 months-ish

The missus is going to have to fix it up a fair bit before I go to the next stage of finding an editor.

Far out. Kudos to you.

 

[Decentric]

I've written a crime novel

75-80,000 words

Set in London's jazz club scene of the 1990's of which I was around a bit.

My inspiration for doing it was the John Ibrahim book and tv show 'King of the Cross' which was set in Sydney's nightclub scene around the same era....

Has taken around 6 months-ish

The missus is going to have to fix it up a fair bit before I go to the next stage of finding an editor.

Good on you doing this, FUL.

It must have taken a lot of work.

 

[Football us life]

Good on you doing this, FUL.

It must have taken a lot of work.

About 6 months.

But that's just the first draft.

There's lots of stuff to do before you can think about submitting your manuscript to a publisher.

I know, or the wife knows someone who has had 2 or 3 books published. She's a travel/food writer and self published her first book, an e-book then got a 2 book deal from a publisher from doing that.

But she's a professional writer. I'm joe amateur hour....

It's really just something to scratch an itch for me.....

 

[erogenouszone]

I've written a crime novel

75-80,000 words

Set in London's jazz club scene of the 1990's of which I was around a bit.

My inspiration for doing it was the John Ibrahim book and tv show 'King of the Cross' which was set in Sydney's nightclub scene around the same era....

Has taken around 6 months-ish

The missus is going to have to fix it up a fair bit before I go to the next stage of finding an editor.

If you're ever in Sydney go to a cocktail bar in th Cross called Dulcie's.

Cocktail Bar in Potts Point Sydney | Speakeasy, Underground Jazz & Gin Bar in Sydney

Dulcie's Kings Cross is a late-night cocktail bar in Kings Cross, serving 100% Australian spirits with vintage charm, velvet booths, and a touch of mischief.

www.dulcieskingscross.com.au

In the context of your book they have people come in and talk about crime in the Cross back in the day which is fun to do whilst drinking and listening in a nice venue all at the same time.

Sydney History Talks | True Crime & City Stories at Dulcie’s

Join Sydney’s best history talks at Dulcie’s with Brandon and Duncan McNab. True crime, scandal and city stories. Sundays, doors 5:30pm. $25 includes a cocktail.

www.dulcieskingscross.com.au

 

[Football us life]

If you're ever in Sydney go to a cocktail bar in th Cross called Dulcie's.

Cocktail Bar in Potts Point Sydney | Speakeasy, Underground Jazz & Gin Bar in Sydney

Dulcie's Kings Cross is a late-night cocktail bar in Kings Cross, serving 100% Australian spirits with vintage charm, velvet booths, and a touch of mischief.

www.dulcieskingscross.com.au

In the context of your book they have people come in and talk about crime in the Cross back in the day which is fun to do whilst drinking and listening in a nice venue all at the same time.

Sydney History Talks | True Crime & City Stories at Dulcie’s

Join Sydney’s best history talks at Dulcie’s with Brandon and Duncan McNab. True crime, scandal and city stories. Sundays, doors 5:30pm. $25 includes a cocktail.

www.dulcieskingscross.com.au

My wife had a relative who has sadly passed away now who was born in Darlinghurst in the late 1930's and grew up there...

He told me Kings Cross in the 1950s and 60s was like being in a different world to the rest of Sydney...

He used to say it was like being in a different city, a different planet....

He said he spent his entire youth there playing the pin ball machines....

 

[Football us life]

I'm actually planning to write two further books.

Two comedic travel guides.

The first one is through the eyes of a bohemian Frenchman, an intellectual walking through the streets of Brisbane. The Olympic City of 2032 and how he is comparing the cultural aspects of Brissie to his Paris....the Olympic city of 2024....

The second will be a vice versa account of an ol' mayte Brisbane ocker walking around Paris and comparing that Olympic City of 2024 to his Brisbane...

I'm in the planning stage atm....

 

[Jetsfan]

We'll have to start calling you Barbara Cartland with all these books