Books 2nd Edition, Foreword by m0r1arty Options

[maian]

Oi wahnt thaaat.

I often struggle to keep my interest in biographies, but I desperately want to read this. I've adored his wacky stand-up material for years, and still listen to his comedy albums now.

I'm the same; unless the person's life is a cavalcade of hilarious anecdotes or unless they are a very engaging writer I tend to drift off and not pay attention. Fortunately, Martin's is both of those things and as such is very addictive. It's also not a ''biography'' as such as a book in which he discusses his craft, how he got into stand-up and how his style evolved through his interest in philosophy. It's also quite short and you never feel as if you've got a real slog ahead of you.

Oi goht thaaat.

I bought it for the sole reason that it was one of Bill Hicks' favourite books, and (surprise, surprise) I've still to read it. It's a tremendous shame that the author killed himself after having tried without success to get it published. His mother later submitted it to a publisher and, well, it went on to sell pretty darn well, so I understand.

I really must get around to all these unread books of mine.

Whilst I was reading it I kind of wished I didn't know about its publication history since it made certain parts of the story seem much sadder than they were intended and made me wonder how much of the author was in the characters and their relationships. Of course, there's no way I could have ever read it without that knowledge since it was never published during his lifetime, but it does cast a pall over it. Still a wonderful book, though.

[Ade]

It's also not a ''biography'' as such as a book in which he discusses his craft, how he got into stand-up and how his style evolved through his interest in philosophy.

Yeah, I was already aware it was more of an analysis of his comedy than a bio, which is the primary reason I was interested in the book. I'm aware that Martin's writing style has been commended plenty by critics already, and I have yet to read my copy of Shopgirl, which needs to be remedied! Needless to say I shall be picking up a copy of Born Standing Up as soon as I can find it at a manageable price.

[Raven]

I finally finished reading Microserfs this evening - that's not a comment on the book, it's a comment on me being a very slow reader.

Very good - thank you Julie! I'm going to miss Bug, Todd, Abe, Dan, Micheal, Susan, Ethan and co.

Oh, and I'd really like to meet Karla - *sigh*

[mcraigclark]

I finally finished reading Microserfs this evening - that's not a comment on the book, it's a comment on me being a very slow reader.

Very good - thank you Julie!  I'm going to miss Bug, Todd, Abe, Dan, Micheal, Susan, Ethan and co.

Oh, and I'd really like to meet Karla - *sigh*

JPod next.

[Omniscia]

I haven't actually sat down and read a book cover-to-cover in over a year.

I've started many, but haven't finished any.

First up, I think, will be Al Franken's The Truth.

[Julie]

I finally finished reading Microserfs this evening - that's not a comment on the book, it's a comment on me being a very slow reader.

Very good - thank you Julie!  I'm going to miss Bug, Todd, Abe, Dan, Micheal, Susan, Ethan and co.

Oh, and I'd really like to meet Karla - *sigh*

My pleasure! I'm always happy to spread the Copeland love.

JPod next.

This is correct.

[Raven]

My pleasure!  I'm always happy to spread the Copeland love.

Yep, you live - this time!

JPod next.

This is correct.

I already have it, but I'm going to leave it for a bit before I read it - I have Matter and Slaughterhouse 5 to read first (I suspect that after that pairing something more down to earth will be a welcome change!).

[rebelstar]

Let me know what you think when you finish it.  I feel it gets lost in among his other bigger works but is actually a really good story.  I must read it again actually.

I enjoyed it - interesting, and it all came together really well. If I have any criticism it's that the ending was a little weak. I've also since read his Misspent Youth which is his weakest book by far, although it was still not bad. Back onto Alistair Reynolds now - almost finished Century Rain.

[sweetbutinsane]

Spent some of this morning and most of my time in the hairdressers reading Chris Wooding's Poison for what must be the twentieth time. I always forget how much I love that book until I read it again.

[Sostie]

APPLES - Richard Milward

The story of two young teens living in a Middlesborough council estate. Adam - a shy, Beatle obsessive with OCD, and Eve - a pill popping, party loving girl whose mum has been diagnosed with cancer. For the most part Adam and Eve narrate the story, but sometimes other characters get a turn, as well as a lampost and a butterfly! It reminded me a little of Trainspotting. Though why it was necessary to type a whole chapter backwards?
Quite a good little book about teen hedonism, unrequited love and trying to "fit in".

[maian]

This week I've been reading Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett, and bloody good it was too. A Byzantine plot full of double-crosses, shoot outs and femme fatales anchored by the narrator, a Continental Ops Detective brought to Personville (or Poisonville, as it is otherwise known), a corrupt pit of a city which, through a confluence of circumstances and injured pride, he ends up being given the task of cleaning up. Which he proceeds to do by turning all the various gangs against each other.

Considering how influential the book has been, not only on crime fiction but on popular culture as a whole with countless homages and rip-offs having appeared over the years, it was interesting to see the source and, when I wasn't getting slightly confused trying to remember who had actually committed what, it was really great fun. Sparse language, hard-boiled dialogue and a dizzying plot, it's just great.

This post has been edited by maian: Feb 27 2008, 07:41 PM

[rabbit57i]

Just finished The League of Gentlemen's Book of Precious Things, a compilation of each of the gents favorite bits from books, play, movies, etc.

Entertaining little read. Their choices are definitely in keeping with what I would have expected of each of them.

[maian]

Spares by Michael Marshall Smith.

Wow. Just...wow. Such a vivid, disgusting, hilarious and electrifying imagination that man has. Had me gripped throughout and constantly had me guessing what was going to happen next.

I've recently been working my way through the first three seasons of Homicide: Life on The Streets and I've started reading David Simon's original novel/journalistic account Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets. Apart from the fact I keep trying to guess which person in the book turned into which character in the series it's very readable and enjoyable so far.

[Sostie]

Spares by Michael Marshall Smith.

He may well be the only modern Science Fiction author I've read in the last decade or so. I can recommend all his books.

I think Spielberg bought the rights to, and intended to direct, Spares. Then again, he intends to make a lot of films. What happened to his Goodies movie?

[maian]

I think Spielberg bought the rights to, and intended to direct, Spares.  Then again, he intends to make a lot of films.  What happened to his Goodies movie?

Yeah, Dreamworks bought the rights not long after Spares was published but it languished in development for a few years and the rights expired. At which point The Island was released and, after deciding not to pursue legal action, Smith said that he didn't think a film version will ever be made.