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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2005 6:37:28 GMT -5
I kind of miss this thread  I am going on vacation next week and will need something to read. Something not too serious but definitely not trash. Maybe a detective story? Can you guys help me? I would recommend The Sherlock Holmes Omnibus, but that would require an extra piece of luggage. Maybe a slimmer volume of stories involving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective? |
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Post by Tattac on Oct 25, 2005 6:58:41 GMT -5
I would recommend The Sherlock Holmes Omnibus, but that would require an extra piece of luggage. Maybe a slimmer volume of stories involving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective? I am currently reading it  The problem is that my book is in English and my companion doesn't speak English good enough to read it. We have decided to take a couple of books so we could exchange them afterwards. Besides, I have almost finished it |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2005 7:16:25 GMT -5
I would recommend The Sherlock Holmes Omnibus, but that would require an extra piece of luggage. Maybe a slimmer volume of stories involving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective? I am currently reading it The problem is that my book is in English and my companion doesn't speak English good enough to read it. We have decided to take a couple of books so we could exchange them afterwards. Besides, I have almost finished it Now that's a pleasant surprise. What do you think of it? Hmmm, how about books by Raymond Chandler, featuring Philip Marlowe? Or those by Dashiell Hammet? These two authors defined the American hard-boiled private eye in the first half of the 20th century. Many excellent film adaptations have been made from their work. One of my favourite detective authors of more recent vintage is the Englishwoman Ruth Rendell. I particularly enjoy her Inspector Wexford character (several series featuring Wexford were made for British television - highly recommended entertainment). |
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Post by Tattac on Oct 25, 2005 7:39:20 GMT -5
I followed your recommendations I like it but I remember most of it. It was one (two huge books actually) of my favorite books when I was about 13. I didn't know I had such a great memory We have already read almost everything translated into Russian. I preferred Rex Stout (sp?) by the way. I'll check it in a bookstore. Thanks. Anything else? |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2005 7:52:35 GMT -5
I followed your recommendations I like it but I remember most of it. It was one (two huge books actually) of my favorite books when I was about 13. I didn't know I had such a great memory Sherlock Holmes has a place of honour on my bookshelf. I have reread the stories I don't know how many times. The Granada TV (English, of course) series starring the late, superb Jeremy Brett is definitive, IMO. Not familiar with Stout—must check him out. You might enjoy re-reading the Chandler and Hammet in the original English, to fully appreciate the language of the books, especially the dialogue. I think you'll really enjoy Inspector Wexford. P.D. James and Patricia Highsmith (two more Englishwomen). The former's Inspector Adam Dalgleish is a complex, interesting character (again a very enjoyable series was produced for British television). Highsmith is also an excellent writer in the genre - www.wwnorton.com/catalog/featured/highsmith/books.htm - though quite dark in her approach. Leslie Charteris' The Saint. Georges Simeon's Inspector Maigret. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2005 8:04:09 GMT -5
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (the name says it all) - a tough gumshoe with his own code of honour.
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Post by Polarice on Oct 25, 2005 8:13:17 GMT -5
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (the name says it all) - a tough gumshoe with his own code of honour. was a good read, read that one a while back on a plane. 3 books in one for $10.00!! Couldn't pass it up, read I, the Jury on the flight up, My Gun is Quick at the hotel and finished it off on the flight home. Haven't seen anything else of his around. Hammer is based off a Comic book I think, not sure I'll have to look it up sometime. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2005 8:18:38 GMT -5
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (the name says it all) - a tough gumshoe with his own code of honour. Hammer is based off a Comic book I think, not sure I'll have to look it up sometime. Mike Hammer is Mickey Spillane's creation. There may or may not be a comic book, I don't know. |
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Post by franko on Oct 25, 2005 8:22:47 GMT -5
Not familiar with Stout—must check him out. Wot? You don't know Nero Wolfe? Fer shame! Nice to know that I'm not the only one to read Maigret. P. D. James? Bah. But that's just me. Same with Kellerman. Bah. But I've enjoyed Tony Hillerman's works. Start at the beginning, if you can, with The Blessing Way. The series -- or rather characters -- build from book to book. Tattac: if you like Stout you might like Ellery Queen -- it's been a while since I read any of his but my (hazy) memory suggests it'll keep you going. Or if you want a little fluff, Perri O'Shaughnessy's "Nina Reilly" series (starting with Motion to Supress). |
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Post by Tattac on Oct 25, 2005 8:29:39 GMT -5
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (the name says it all) - a tough gumshoe with his own code of honour. Oh no no no...sorry  |
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Post by Tattac on Oct 25, 2005 8:31:57 GMT -5
Not familiar with Stout—must check him out. I don't believe you! |
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Post by Tattac on Oct 25, 2005 8:34:36 GMT -5
Not familiar with Stout—must check him out. Wot? You don't know Nero Wolfe? Fer shame! Don't believe him!  You are definitely not the only one! Though it has been a long time again. Perhaps I'll re-read it. Thanks franko! |
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Post by Polarice on Oct 25, 2005 9:11:16 GMT -5
Hammer is based off a Comic book I think, not sure I'll have to look it up sometime. Mike Hammer is Mickey Spillane's creation. There may or may not be a comic book, I don't know. Yep it was a comic strip first in 1953, then books and a TV show called Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer in 1958-59 which had 78 episodes, starring Darren McGavin as Mike Hammer. www.interlog.com/~roco/hammer.html |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 25, 2005 11:34:42 GMT -5
Mike Hammer is Mickey Spillane's creation. There may or may not be a comic book, I don't know. Yep it was a comic strip first in 1953, then books and a TV show called Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer in 1958-59 which had 78 episodes, starring Darren McGavin as Mike Hammer. www.interlog.com/~roco/hammer.htmlHabsRus is better than Google for finding information. Now if only HabsRus was trading at $400/share. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2005 14:54:57 GMT -5
In French, of course. (The Maigret stories.) |
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Post by franko on Oct 25, 2005 15:30:06 GMT -5
In French, of course. (The Maigret stories.) Only if you translate for me! Le . . . la . . . duh! ;D |
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Post by Skilly on Oct 25, 2005 21:52:46 GMT -5
You guys are deep .... I only read fiction. Well that's not entirely true, I do read non-fiction when I find an interesting topic.
Just recently finished reading: the Jason Bourne Trilogy by Robert Ludlum (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum); Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling
Currently reading: The fourth book in the Bourne series (not written by the original author) The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader; Brotherhood of the Rose by David Morell; and Cardinal of the Kremlin by Tom Clancy
Will be purchasing soon: newest John Grisham book (have most of them), and The Da Vinci Code
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Post by franko on Oct 25, 2005 22:40:21 GMT -5
The Da Vinci Code? You do like fiction! A great story . . . as long as you suspend reality (the point of fiction books and movies, no?) and aren't too concerned about facts.
Ludlum's books are pretty much to formula (as you will have discovered) -- all are pretty much the same book with different names given to the characters -- angry guy gets sucked into conspiracy and must save the world. Yawn (he says as he awaits a call from the library for the latest tome).
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Post by Tattac on Oct 26, 2005 5:10:34 GMT -5
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling It's a great idea for vacation! Too bad it's still not out in Russian. Did you like it? |
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Post by Tattac on Oct 26, 2005 5:15:14 GMT -5
The Da Vinci Code? You do like fiction! A great story . . . as long as you suspend reality (the point of fiction books and movies, no?) and aren't too concerned about facts. Ludlum's books are pretty much to formula (as you will have discovered) -- all are pretty much the same book with different names given to the characters -- angry guy gets sucked into conspiracy and must save the world. Yawn (he says as he awaits a call from the library for the latest tome). I thought the same of Brown's The Da Vinci Code and The Angels and Demons (I believe it's the name of the book in English). I read The Code and started reading the Angels but thought that they were way too similar and stopped. Perhaps I'll give it one more try later. |
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Post by Polarice on Oct 26, 2005 6:33:07 GMT -5
The Da Vinci Code? You do like fiction! A great story . . . as long as you suspend reality (the point of fiction books and movies, no?) and aren't too concerned about facts. Ludlum's books are pretty much to formula (as you will have discovered) -- all are pretty much the same book with different names given to the characters -- angry guy gets sucked into conspiracy and must save the world. Yawn (he says as he awaits a call from the library for the latest tome). Tom Hanks is in the movie, comming out this spring. |
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Post by franko on Oct 26, 2005 6:42:04 GMT -5
I thought the same of Brown's The Da Vinci Code and The Angels and Demons (I believe it's the name of the book in English). I read The Code and started reading the Angels but thought that they were way too similar and stopped. Perhaps I'll give it one more try later. I guess when you have a selling formula . . . like Ludlum and Hillerman and . . . Try Mordecai Richler's Barney's Version. |
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Post by franko on Oct 26, 2005 6:43:17 GMT -5
The Da Vinci Code? You do like fiction! A great story . . . as long as you suspend reality (the point of fiction books and movies, no?) and aren't too concerned about facts. Ludlum's books are pretty much to formula (as you will have discovered) -- all are pretty much the same book with different names given to the characters -- angry guy gets sucked into conspiracy and must save the world. Yawn (he says as he awaits a call from the library for the latest tome). Tom Hanks is in the movie, comming out this spring. Is the lawsuit settled? Stupid move on the part of some in the Catholic Church, I think. THey won't be able to stop the film from distribution, and the suit just gives free publicity. |
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Post by Polarice on Oct 26, 2005 9:46:05 GMT -5
Tom Hanks is in the movie, coming out this spring. Is the lawsuit settled? Stupid move on the part of some in the Catholic Church, I think. They won't be able to stop the film from distribution, and the suit just gives free publicity. Not sure, they started playing the teaser at the theater last week, at least thats when I seen it. I can't imagine them stopping the release of the movie, but like you said its great publicity. |
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Post by Toronthab on Oct 31, 2005 13:59:58 GMT -5
Tom Hanks is in the movie, comming out this spring. Is the lawsuit settled? Stupid move on the part of some in the Catholic Church, I think. THey won't be able to stop the film from distribution, and the suit just gives free publicity. I hadn't heard about the lawsuit, although from reviews I've read I'm convinced that there are considerable grounds for legal action. Dan Brown is a deceitful fraud of quite malevelant intent in my opinion and I think he and his "novel" with its "facts" are right up there with the holocaust deniers for unmitigated bigotry and leger de mot. His work is clearly slanderous and probably libelous as well. It was targetted to appeal to gullible middle class women in their mid thirties. I personally think the book dishonest and offensive in the extreme. |
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Post by Toronthab on Oct 31, 2005 15:34:27 GMT -5
Is the lawsuit settled? Stupid move on the part of some in the Catholic Church, I think. They won't be able to stop the film from distribution, and the suit just gives free publicity. Not sure, they started playing the teaser at the theater last week, at least thats when I seen it. I can't imagine them stopping the release of the movie, but like you said its great publicity. Just found a review of The da Vinci Crap that I read some time ago. One would like to think that such crap couldn't find a publisher, let alone so gullible a readership. Gotta go...just heard Elvis was signing books at a local bookstore... www.crisismagazine.com/september2003/feature1.htm |
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Post by Habit on Oct 31, 2005 16:11:05 GMT -5
My reading list (Short):
Dune:
First series - Dune, Dune Messiah, God Emperor of Dune, Children of Dune, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune;
Second Series - House Atreidies, House Harkonnen, House Corrino;
Third Series - Butlerian Jahid, Machine Crusaid and Battle of Corrin;
Fourth Series - Road to Dune, TBA (Fall 2006).
Ender:
Ender's Game, Speaker for th Dead, Enders Shadow.
I don't read to many novels (alot of mags and Habs website thou), but the above books I can re-read all the time and keep finding jems to keep me on my toes. I read the original Dune novel at least every tour of duty on the plane. CLASSIC Frank Herbert.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Nov 8, 2005 9:29:27 GMT -5
I thought the same of Brown's The Da Vinci Code and The Angels and Demons (I believe it's the name of the book in English). I read The Code and started reading the Angels but thought that they were way too similar and stopped. Perhaps I'll give it one more try later. Same here. I liked them both but had to put a few books between them. TorontoHAB, you're entitle to your opinion on books and not everyone likes the same things, but I will ask you to avoid insulting every readers of a book you did not like. |
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Post by duster on Nov 8, 2005 15:02:46 GMT -5
At the risk of incurring the wrath of Doc...
I'll admit I have mixed feelings about Dan Brown. While the "Da Vinci Code" is entertaining fiction, it is being portrayed by some (including the author) as being authentic which, in my humble opinion, is not the most ethical thing to do. Mind you, many think "I Claudius" is authentic and I have the highest respect for Robert Graves.
Current / recent reading list includes:
Bulgakov - "The Fatal Eggs" and "The Master and Margarita". Thanks for the tip Mr B and Tattac. He is a terrific author.
Saul Bellow- "Humboldt's Gift". Had to re-read an old favourite "in memoriam"
Samuel Pepys- "The Concise Pepys". Fascinating insight into Restoration England
About to start Thomas Cahill's "Sailing the wine-dark sea". Has anyone read any of his material?
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Nov 8, 2005 15:39:21 GMT -5
Saul Bellow- "Humboldt's Gift". Had to re-read an old favourite "in memoriam" One of my favourites as well. Other Bellow novels I enjoyed very much are "The Adventures of Augie March", "Herzog", "Henderson the Rain King", and "Seize the Day". |
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The problem is that my book is in English and my companion doesn't speak English good enough to read it. We have decided to take a couple of books so we could exchange them afterwards. Besides, I have almost finished it 
