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Divissima
17th-July-2004, 07:28 PM
At last, I've picked five books as the August book options. I've tried to pick a few non-fiction and a lighter summer option. Please vote on the poll - one option only.

Here they are:

Bill Bryson's 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' - a non-scientist's guide to the history of science, what we know about life, the universe and our planet. Click through to Amazon for more information here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0552997048/qid=1090087325/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-0467396-2433445)

Louis de Bernieres 'Birds without Wings'. I don't know what the reviews have been like, but I'm a big fan of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, so thought this would be worth a read. More information here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0436205513/qid=1090087539/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_3_2/202-0467396-2433445)

Primo Levi's 'The Drowned and the Saved'. About Levi's experiences during the Holocaust. Not the cheeriest of subject matters, but one of my favourite writers. More information here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0349100470/qid=1090087632/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_3_2/202-0467396-2433445)

Alexaner McCall Smith 'The Full Cupboard of Life'. This is the latest of the 'No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency' books. More information here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/034911725X/ref=br_lf_li_1_2/202-0467396-2433445)

Lance Armstrong's 'Every Second Counts'. Another non-fiction. I thought this would be a good read as it covers Armstrong's cycling career, his battle with cancer and his attitude to competing. More information here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0224064738/qid=1090088222/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3_3/202-0467396-2433445)

I've given the poll a 'none of the above' option in case you think these suggestions are all pants!

jivecat
18th-July-2004, 10:17 PM
It might be worth noting that the Louis de Berniere book only seems to be out in hardback so far, although Waterstones has it on special offer for £13.99.

Divissima
19th-July-2004, 09:22 AM
Hi Jivecat. I thought it was only out in hardback but Amazon seem to be selling the paperback. I've not tried to buy one yet, though.

philsmove
19th-July-2004, 10:06 PM
Just bought a paper back copy at W H Smith Terminal 2 Heathrow £12.99

If the first chapter is anything to go by another Mandolin

John S
20th-July-2004, 11:20 AM
I'm already halfway through the Bill Bryson book - it's interesting and well written, but it does tend to get a bit heavy at times - difficult to be otherwise in chapters on quantum physics etc. Not really my idea of an easy read on the beach, more the sort of thing to dip into for a chapter or two at a time.

Emma
29th-July-2004, 09:42 AM
I've managed a couple of chapters of the Bill Bryson, and then it fell by the wayside. I can see that it's a really interesting book, but somehow I have no urge to go back to it.

I can imagine it might be great as an audio book, I might try it in that format :)

Divissima
30th-July-2004, 10:27 AM
Only a couple of days left on the poll - and still all to play for. Louis de Bernieres is ahead - just!

I've read the Bill Bryson and really enjoyed it - he takes some really complex scientific debates and explains the history and the significance really well. In terms of science, it's pitched at the level I can still just about understand. Just. On a good day. I'll admit it isn't light reading in the normal sense of the term, though!

Just started on the Lance Armstrong - what an amazing guy! He won the Tour de France last weekend for a record sixth time - pretty amazing for a guy who, in 1999, discovered he had cancer. I'm really enjoying the book so far - very moving.

But I'm also looking forward to reading the Louis de Bernieres. Can't wait to see who wins.

Divissima
2nd-August-2004, 08:25 PM
And the winners....

Bill Bryson and Louis de Bernieres - a dead heat! :clap: Quite a good contrast between the two. I'd better get reading... :wink:

drathzel
29th-August-2004, 09:34 PM
when does the new book for september start?
I was too late for the august one!!! :tears:

Divissima
30th-August-2004, 03:10 PM
I don't think it's a case of being too late - it seems like most of us have taken a relaxed, holiday-mode approach to reading the August books. I still haven't got started either, but discussions can be ongoing.

Who wants a turn picking September books? That way people who didn't fancy any of the August picks can get started on something more appealing to them.

drathzel
30th-August-2004, 06:40 PM
Well I started the bill bryson one a few months ago and i am only a few chapters in... which is not like me as i read really quick, but i found it quite hard going!!

How about Marian Keyes new book?

Emma
30th-August-2004, 07:23 PM
I was going to suggest the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown...perhaps we could get a couple of other suggestions (could do with some boy imput!) and then I'll make a poll :)

drathzel
30th-August-2004, 07:37 PM
I dont do well with thrillers..... does it have to be a new book?

Emma
30th-August-2004, 08:38 PM
Nope, doesn't have to be a new book - the way it's worked previously is that we get about 4 suggestions and then have a poll to choose which books are going to be that month's reads. I was hoping that this month some chaps might suggest some as thus far all the suggestions have been from women :) Maybe we'll get a few more suggestions tomorrow when people are back at work :flower:

drathzel
30th-August-2004, 09:02 PM
How about the curious incident of the Dog in the night time by Mark Haddon.

Its male and female aimed!! :rolleyes:

DangerousCurves
1st-September-2004, 03:17 AM
Have to confess that I went to the bookshop to buy the Louis de Bernieres, and got completely sidetracked by the third placed book "The full cupboard of life" :blush:

I absolutely DEVOURED it, and promptly went out and bought the whole series...and well, what with one book and another... I never did get back for that Louis de Bernieres!

So, sadly I cannot contribute to the debate this month - but for anyone interested "The Full Cupboard..." was EXCELLENT - gentle, beautifully written with well-rounded characters (both physically and in the literary sense!) :grin:

drathzel
1st-September-2004, 08:27 AM
DC.... I have read it but i have also voted for it because i am going to read it again!! I intend to read the whole series but i have only read the first two!!!

Gordon J Pownall
1st-September-2004, 10:53 AM
Ok here's a couple of suggestions for September :-


Wild Swans by Jung Chang

A history of China from late 1800s to present day, told through the eyes of the author and following her mothers life as a Communist soldier duringthe Cultural Revolution and her grandmothers life as the concubine of a Chinese Warlord General.

This is a book that changes your whole perspective on life - particulalrly as it is an accurate and factual account of what went on 'behind closed doors'. The author totally holds the readers attention with her vivid and often harrowing recollections of life under the Mao regime. :worthy:



VIZ - just a bloody good escapist laugh...... :whistle:

drathzel
2nd-September-2004, 08:35 AM
Ok here's a couple of suggestions for September :-


Wild Swans by Jung Chang

A history of China from late 1800s to present day, told through the eyes of the author and following her mothers life as a Communist soldier duringthe Cultural Revolution and her grandmothers life as the concubine of a Chinese Warlord General.

This is a book that changes your whole perspective on life - particulalrly as it is an accurate and factual account of what went on 'behind closed doors'. The author totally holds the readers attention with her vivid and often harrowing recollections of life under the Mao regime. :worthy:



VIZ - just a bloody good escapist laugh...... :whistle:


That sounds like a really intereting book.... I might read it even if its not chosen!! :rolleyes:

philsmove
3rd-September-2004, 01:35 AM
it seems like most of us have taken a relaxed, holiday-mode approach to reading the August books

:yeah:

glad i'm not the only not to have finished Birds with out wings :o

so with Holidays over and the long dark nights approaching its back to dance, books and ummm :whistle:

drathzel
3rd-September-2004, 08:26 AM
:yeah:

glad i'm not the only not to have finished Birds with out wings :o

so with Holidays over and the long dark nights approaching its back to dance, books and ummm :whistle:


I'm looking forward to a few nights in relaxing with a book.... this socialising and always being out thing is very tiring :what:

philsmove
30th-September-2004, 07:31 PM
OK its now the end of September and I am on Page 401 of Birds Without Wings
I stared on the 19 July so unless the tramps calculator recons otherwise I should be finished about the 22 October
How is every one else doing?


Useless piece of information drathzel manages 2 posts for every page I read