What Book Are You Currently Reading?

[SteveB]

Took the opportunity during the Forum hiatus to read this below; the biography of Tony Wilson. A newsreader in the North West of England, who also started Factory Records, home of Joy Division, Happy Mondays etc.
A very polarising character was our Tony, who had a lot to say for himself, including this, when in discussion about ways to commit suicide: "I'd throw myself off the top of my ego".
It's a very easy read which genuinely throws up some surprises, which I won't repeat in case you wish to read the book.
When asked about what epitaph he'd like (When he was very much alive and no sign of illness), he replied: "Made a difference".
Whether you like T.W. or not, he was probably right.

[tony]

My xmas reading has been 'The Life of Debussy' by Roger Nichols. 



Very boring.  Why do composers always have to have had a life of not fitting in and then struggling pathways to ultimately find their great contribution?  I'm sure the life was interesting enough but this biography isn't.  I think biography must be the thing that people take up when they find writing shopping lists too exciting for them.

Some years ago I read the journals of Arnold Bennett.  Now there was bloke who knew that writing books and plays was a lot better for his health and bank balance than laying bricks and had the decency to enjoy his life when he wasn't at his desk.

[Blooby]

Plowed through two over the last couple weeks (ahhh, vacation).

First one was The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It is a post-apocalyptic jaunt through America where father and son attempt to forage for food whilst avoiding the odd cannibal or three.  It won the Pulitzer Prize.  I thought it was tripe. It struck me as the narcoleptic version of Speed.  I was expecting some sort of moral pay-off, but the ending was just blah. I guess I'm just an idiot.

Second was the autobiography of Anthony Kiedis.  Don't know what possessed me as I was never a fan. I guess I wanted to read about a drug-addled and self-absorbed person because that's what I got.

Since my last two were duds, I've decided to read Siddhartha by Hesse.  Haven't read it in years but am looking forward to it.

Peace.

Blooby

[tony]

After complaining about the biography of Debussy, I'm happy to report that this is a great book.

Richard Willams, 'The Blue Moment: Miles Davis's 'Kind of Blue' and the remaking of modern music.

Williams (UK readers might recognise him either as a sports writer (Independent) or as a music writer and the really old amongst you might even remember him as the first -pre Bob Harris- presenter of The Old Grey Whistle Test) takes Kind of Blue as a launch pad and goes on to show its influence on all sorts of stuff - minimalist music, The Velvet Underground, James Brown, Brian Eno, Soft Machine, and on - and it makes sense.

Well worth the money (I got it from the library) and the time to read it.

[cuthbert]

'The Complete Stories of J.G. Ballard', a Xmas present from my brother:



I've been a fan of Ballard's for quite some time, but have never had all the short stories collected into a single volume. Heavy book. And I do mean I gotta carry that weight... 

[chapperz66]

The Greatest Show on Earth - The Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins.

Personally I've never doubted but its interesting to have someone clever explain in layman's language.  Bit hard going sometimes though....

[pjd1]

The Ice Man a book about a Mafia Contract Killer , Richard Kuklinski ,  Beyond me how he can Kill so many people two people in 40 mins in one particular day , Scarry stuff and even scarryier people , a terrifying look into a real persons life and proffesional skills in killing !!!

[Gritter]

[launched]

Wow, that's an intense looking book.

But I don't read, guys. You know that...

[SteveB]

As my books are in storage at the moment, and given our current parlous-flux situation, this delivery from Amazon UK today is quite welcome. I'm off for a view. 

'...can you help poor Stevie please...'