Good Books

[flattythehurdler]

It’s worth paying for, well I think it is, but I got it on borrowbox for free.

[Fagan_ODowd]

@Fagan_ODowd

@PhattPike

@backinatracksuit

Everything Donal Ryan has written has been absolutely outstanding, he’s our best writer

Which of his books was your favourite?

I’m away to Spain for 10 days in a few weeks so will be lining up a couple of titles to get through. Looks like Kala will be one of them. I’ve read From A Low And Quiet Sea and enjoyed it, fwiw.

This Queen of Dirt Island is brilliant

Great book. Best book about Nenagh and its environs I’ve ever read.

[glasagusban]

Were there many?

[TreatyStones]

@binkybarnes

I’m reading Kala. A first novel from a lad from Galway called Colin Walsh. Halfway through and i can’t put it down. Outstanding so far

just finished this.

Excellent book.

[farmerinthecity]

The missus was giving out to me because I had the book beside me as we were getting the little lad ready for the day. Sneaking a read here and there. That’s a good sign of a book!

[TreatyStones]

@farmerinthecity

The missus was giving out to me because I had the book beside me as we were getting the little lad ready for the day. Sneaking a read here and there. That’s a good sign of a book!

I tore into it properly this week and ended up staying up 45 minutes later than planned.
A few bits of the story seem like unrealistic scenarios, nearly a bit famous 5, but a page turner all the same.

[farmerinthecity]

Was Mush gay I wonder?

[gilgamboa]

Rarely listen to fiction books on audible but this is decent if not massively complex book. Good story with good narration …if you like don Winslow youl enjoy…first of a trilogy (that are all now released)

[binkybarnes]

I’ve listened to all 3 of them. All decent.

[Fagan_ODowd]

@Fagan_ODowd

@binkybarnes

Some books I’ve read recently.

Prophet Song by Paul lynch. A remarkable book. A tough enough read with a growing sense of dread as the book progresses. Sticks with you long after it is finished.

The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer. A light read but very enjoyable. A typical mortimer quirky sense of humour running through it.

White Riot by Joe Thomas. Set in London during the race riots of the late 70s and early 80s. The music, culture and politics of the time feature heavily but i found it fractious and hard to follow.

The Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. A love story set in Belfast during the 70s. Excellent story well written.

Demon Copperhead. Quarter way through this tome. Outstanding so far

Agree on Prophet Song.

I’m actually reading Red Menace by Joe Thomas at the minute which is the second part of a trilogy of which White Riot is the first part. I didn’t read White Riot (I didn’t know it was a trilogy until I got it home). I am finding Red Menace hard enough to follow but I thought that it was because I hadn’t read the first book in the trilogy. But maybe it’s just because it is hard to follow. Happy to send it on to you when I’m finished it. DM me.

Agree on Trespass but there was a tiny bit too much of the 70s references. She had another packet of Spangles etc. For me Milkman is the definitive Troubles novel. So far.

I put down Red Menace because it was too hard to follow and picked it up about 6 weeks later when I had a bit more time and had read a bit around it and White Riot. Ultimately I found it a very satisfying read about a time in London that I was very familiar with having worked there in the mid 80s and the bits about the Wapping strikes, the Broadwater Farm riots, Red Wedge, the murder of PC Keith Blakelock, the institutional racism and corruption in the Met and of course Thatcher the cunt all rang true. The other bit of the story, the bit in italics about the criminal property developer who acquired land through adverse possession didn’t ring true and wasn’t very convincing at all.

I don’t think this is a book you can read a few pages of of an evening after work, there are too many strands to it. You need to read it in big clumps to keep control of it.

[Fagan_ODowd]

Reading this now. So far it’s an absolute dinger but I’m not sure I’ll be able for it. Packs an emotional punch.

Only bought it because I know the authors brother, who is an absolute gentleman.

[backinatracksuit]

All of Liz Nugents books are very readable in fairness
I enjoyed that one

[binkybarnes]

@Fagan_ODowd

Reading this now. So far it’s an absolute dinger but I’m not sure I’ll be able for it. Packs an emotional punch.

Only bought it because I know the authors brother, who is an absolute gentleman.

I really enjoyed it too. Her best book imo.

[farmerinthecity]

Jesus - Ireland seems to really deliver its authors. Recently even more so.

[Spidey]

Saints and scholars bro

[farmerinthecity]

Mainly women too.

[Fagan_ODowd]

@farmerinthecity

Mainly women too.

Men didn’t read books before Ryan Tubridy much less write them.

[backinatracksuit]

The women are great for crime fiction but most of the great Irish writers are male, Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry and Joe O’Connor being the cream of the crop

[Fagan_ODowd]

@backinatracksuit

The women are great for crime fiction but most of the great Irish writers are male, Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry and Joe O’Connor being the cream of the crop

Would you not have John Banville on that list.

[glasagusban]

I’ve only read his most recent book because I got it as a present but it was the greatest hape of shite I ever came across. Perhaps not fair to judge him on that one.

I think @backinatracksuit should have Anne Enright on the list. And Edna O’Brien but maybe a stretch to call her current.