Recommended Holiday reading

The Man from Bomberland · Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:22 pm

I got Jimmy Hird's book for Christmas am very much looking forward to reading it.

Post by **Megan** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:00 pm

TMFBL - it rocks. What took you so long?

I recommend a book called Nineteen Minutes. I forget who it's by exactly but it is a seriously fantastic read.

swoodley · Post by **swoodley** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:33 pm

Filthy...I got that book for Christmas and I'm looking forward to reading it and getting an Australian perspective on things.

I remember reading Les Carlyon's "Gallipoli" a few years back and I had to put it down every ten pages or so as I was getting so angry at the sheer stupidity displayed by the English Generals.

AnarchicBomber · Post by **AnarchicBomber** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:42 pm

There is incredible critical hype surrounding the movie No Country for Old Men which was released in Australia on Boxing Day. I have read the book and it is fantastic so that is my book recommendation for anyone who sees the film and enjoys it (or anyone else for that matter!)

Anyone who has an interest in books feel free to PM me as my library is considerable!

P. S. Hey Megan, Nineteen Minutes is by Jodi Picoult. If you like her books I recommend 'The Pact'.

azza78 · Post by **azza78** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:09 am

Bought the Vietnam book for mum for xmas, but had a bit of a flick before I wrapped it. Very interesting. Got dibs on it when mum has finished and looking forward to it.

Reading Ricciuto's book ATM. Not a bad read either.

swoodley · Post by **swoodley** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:55 pm

I know what you mean re "The Great War"

I've started reading it several times and end up putting it down after reading another entry showing the extreme incompetence of the Allied generals.

I know the benefit of hindsight is a wonderful thing but I've always been amazed that the Allied High Command couldn't get it through their thick skulls that men marching towards well sited machine guns will always lose.

Post by **Megan** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:04 pm

ANarchic, cheers - I was dead keen to read some more of hers after Nineteen Minutes, so I'll go right ahead and order that one, thanks

AnarchicBomber · Post by **AnarchicBomber** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 3:22 pm

Megan wrote:ANarchic, cheers - I was dead keen to read some more of hers after Nineteen Minutes, so I'll go right ahead and order that one, thanks

My pleasure! Let me know what you think!

Post by **Megan** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:54 pm

I would like to bring myself to read some books about Vietnam but just can't do it. I'm terrified it'll change the way I view my father. At the same time I want to because I hope it will make me understand why he's the way he is a little better? Catch 22.

hillchaser · Post by **hillchaser** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:56 pm

I'm looking for one of those really thick books on the history of the world. One of those books that goes through the rise and fall of

Egyptions
Assyrians
Babylonians
Romans
Greeks
Persians
Celtics etc etc etc

Can anyone recommend one that is written in a style that is good to read ??

The Man from Bomberland · Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:27 am

AnarchicBomber wrote:There is incredible critical hype surrounding the movie No Country for Old Men which was released in Australia on Boxing Day. I have read the book and it is fantastic so that is my book recommendation for anyone who sees the film and enjoys it (or anyone else for that matter!)

Anyone who has an interest in books feel free to PM me as my library is considerable!

The movie is absolutely mind-blowing. I can't wait to read the book.

Post by **Megan** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:22 pm

hillchaser.... kinda off topic but have you considered studying latin as a language? It's facinating and you learn a bit along the way about the culture. It's really good.

spikefan · Post by **spikefan** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am

I concur with Filthy that Colleen McCullough Master of Rome series is absolutely fantastic. I read the First Man in Rome by chance about 15 years ago and have bought every new volume since. I usually don't like historical novels but this is a big exception.

I studied Latin for eight years in school and found it rather a waste of time - mea culpa. It's only after reading these books that I regained a strong interest.

For the rest of the antique world, the Cambridge ancient history is very good but this is a 12 volume monster and very pricy. Getting it from a library and reading a bit at a time is the best way.

keri · Post by **keri** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:10 pm

I got put off learning latin by my studies in Italian.

I hate languages where the rules are trial and error.

And the Life of Brian sketch where John Cleese corrects Brian's graffitti of "Romans go Home"

Post by **Megan** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:24 pm

Well I only did one year that was focussed on the language and I really enjoyed it

No abuse, no molestation, only chocolate frogs

BERT · Post by **BERT** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:42 am

I read Andrew Johns book over the break. One of the best autobiographies I have ever read.

How he could play at the level he did with what was going on through his head is amazing.

You should read it if you get a chance. I finished it in 3 days. Couldn't put it down.

dodgey · Post by **dodgey** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:34 pm

swoodley wrote:I remember reading Les Carlyon's "Gallipoli" a few years back and I had to put it down every ten pages or so as I was getting so angry at the sheer stupidity displayed by the English Generals.

10 pages ??? What Took you so Long

swoodley · Post by **swoodley** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:04 pm

dodgey wrote:
swoodley wrote:I remember reading Les Carlyon's "Gallipoli" a few years back and I had to put it down every ten pages or so as I was getting so angry at the sheer stupidity displayed by the English Generals.
10 pages ??? What Took you so Long

I guess I'm just a very tolerant person

BERT · Post by **BERT** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:11 am

Just finished reading Slash's autobiography over the weekend. A book in the mould of The Dirt but still a very good read.