Any recent recommendations @binkybarnes ?
And Wilbur Smith.
A couple of books I’ve read recently.
Love in the time of cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I read this book over a decade ago and loved it, so thought I’d revisit it. Garcia Marquez is a beautiful writer. It’s actually a joy to read his work and wallow in his use of language. It’s really beautifully written.
But (and I didn’t remember this from the first time I read it), the last fifty odd pages are not great and I actually couldn’t wait to finish the book. There is also a frankly ridiculous relationship between the then elderly protagonist and a young girl that was unnecessary and very uncomfortable to read. He won the Nobel prize for literature for a reason so I’ll try to read more of his work, but I was a bit disappointed in the end re-reading this.
The Lost Battles by Jonathan Jones
This is an absolutely cracking book. Jonathan Jones was the chief art critic at the Guardian and he’s a very good writer. And what a story. The feud between two of the greatest artists in history and how it drove the Renaissance. It’s a fascinating book, not without humour either (I found myself laughing out loud at passages I’m sure are not supposed to be funny). I learned so much from this book and what higher compliment can you give a writer? Brilliant, highly recommended.
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Of their time. Not at this stage
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I’m reading Lost Gaels at the moment. Goes through all the members of the GAA killed during the troubles. A nice read albeit a depressing one really - some loss of life.
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Rules of Civility is the third Amor Towles book I’ve read and all 3 have been excellent. Set in 1930’s High Society New York. Completely different to A Gentleman in Moscow or The Lincoln Highway but equally as good. Towles is just a brilliant storyteller.
I’ve always liked the cut of Tracey Thorn’s jib. Her memoir is very enjoyable. Paul Weller, Morrissey and lots of other 80’s indie icons feature heavily. Thorn is a droll narrator. A real feminist edge to it. The 80s pop world was not an easy place for a woman in general especially bould ones like Tracey.
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett is a story of a feud between 2 small time drug dealers in Ballina. I don’t think there is any big time drug dealers in Ballina now that i think about it. A very enjoyable book too.
Ill post any of these books to anyone interested. Just DM me.
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Lee Child books are excellent and very varied. They make you think.
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I"m reading The Horse by Willy Vlautin. Its tremendous. He’s like a cross between Willie Nelson and John Steinbeck.
Been reading a lot of Douglas Murray recently, his latest offering is a great read
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He made a bit of a cunt out of himself on Fox News discussing Dublin recently.
he was on Rogan a few months ago and destroyed him
That doesn’t surprise me.
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Does he use joined up writing yet?
Stick to women’s novels mate
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Got it on audio
Can’t listen to it
Muchhhhh rather read
Love Harris
For those of you who prefer to read their books on actual paper, you can grab some great deals on books on Vinted. I’ve picked up a good few autobiographies for a euro each plus postage.
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I have read the first two chapters of City of Bohane by Kevin Barry.
Fuck me the language. As good as I have ever read - each sentence hits a punch.
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Fantastic book, really paints a picture.