Book thread

Quite agree.

The two best noir thriller writers imo are Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy.

If you decide to try Ellroy I suggest starting with the L.A. Quartet (The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, L.A. Confidential and White Jazz) read in order because some of his later stuff like the Underworld USA trilogy can be quite difficult to get into. There is an excellent film version of L.A. Confidential which is definitely worth watching.

Have I told you about when Mrs B got rid of a load of mine to the charity shop when I was working away once?

I had to go and buy them all back.

She just doesn't get it.

"But you've already read them. Why are you keeping them, cluttering up the spare room on all those shelves?"

"That's my Library, woman!"

I love her dearly but sometimes..........

I had a similar experience.
"You don't need them. You've read them all".
Then why look at a painting more than once?
Why listen to a piece of music more than once?
Why watch a film more than once?
I give up sometimes.

Margery Allingham is probably my favourite.

boltonbonce wrote:I had a similar experience.
"You don't need them. You've read them all".
Then why look at a painting more than once?
Why listen to a piece of music more than once?
Why watch a film more than once?
I give up sometimes.

Margery Allingham is probably my favourite.

 This seems to be a common problem- I have exactly the same thing to contend with
So it seems we have two things to depress us- a fatal attraction to BWFC, and as a consequence of that a need for escapism in reading which is attacked by a feminine trait that sees reading as a means of avoiding their constant need for attention.
I regularly get- 'what do you need more books for, you've already got thousands'!!
But I still want more!

I discovered that if you just casually throw back: "How many handbags and pairs of shoes does a person actually need?" the discussion tends to come to an abrupt halt.

Until you order a few more books off the internet and they arrive while you're out and she finds them.

Whereupon it all starts again......

I was resistant to getting a Kindle,but I've grown to love it.
Can't compete with the joy of a physical book of course,but a great little tool.

In passing,my brother,who is 5 years younger,has only read about 10 books in his entire life. He just doesn't get it. He often says "I'll wait for the DVD to come out".

I've given up with him.

boltonbonce wrote:I was resistant to getting a Kindle,but I've grown to love it.
Can't compete with the joy of a physical book of course,but a great little tool.

Agreed. The kindle is great for travel and holidays but it doesn't compare to an actual book.

Mark Billingham is amongst my favourite detective writers, try him when you have a window. DI Thorne a complex character without being a sort of Morse esque parody of a complex policeman. I love books, love love love them, and in thoughts of down sizing my house, find myself worrying about where I will put them wherever I move to. I dread to think how many I own....

Cheers Manda. Isn't he an actor too?

Yeah, he was in that kids' TV Maid Marion thing with Tony Robinson and that's all I can think of whenever I see him being interviewed. 

I keep meaning to check his stuff out because a few people have recommended him.

Cheers Mand.

(Mrs B won't be happy.....)

do not blame me to your wives! Billingham does seem an interesting bloke, with lots of strings to his bow, and I really recommend his stuff, Scaredy Cat is my favourite. Its not life changing literature, just a bloomin good read. I always buy myself a book for Christmas, try something different. A recent small but magical wedding I went to, it wasn't the first for either of them, both sort of 40 ish, and they asked for no presents, but everyone to give their favourite book. They have a special shelf in their home with them on. Call me an old romantic, but I think it lovely. I took forever to choose just the one.

What a brilliant idea!

Although I think its success depends on the social circles you move in.

If I'd done that with my mates I would now be the proud owner of a shelf full of Haynes Manuals and assorted pornographic magazines.....

Breadman wrote:What a brilliant idea!

Although I think its success depends on the social circles you move in.

If I'd done that with my mates I would now be the proud owner of a shelf full of Haynes Manuals and assorted pornographic magazines.....

Ha! They did end up with a very very eclectic shelf which ranged from a first edition of Wind in the Willows to 100 great roundabouts of Slough!

I'm always trying to push P.G. Wodehouse.

Can't think of a funnier writer.

I've never read any boncey, shame on me. Where should I start?

Chairmanda wrote:I've never read any boncey, shame on me. Where should I start?

This +1

Chairmanda wrote:I've never read any boncey, shame on me. Where should I start?

Carry on,Jeeves. You'll soon become addicted.

Is Sid James in it?

boltonbonce wrote:I'm always trying to push P.G. Wodehouse.

Can't think of a funnier writer.

Nazi traitor.