You have to start somewhere - a list

[Gortex]

To stop poor Gortex having to read another Jane Austin

Unfortunately I am running along side to this big read idea, my own read tick off list using the same list we have here so there will be second reviews from me for some books where they have not been read yet (Like the Great Gatsby) so I am going to end up reading some more of her work. Who knows the other novels might not be quite such hard work so (fingers crossed).

[Gortex]

Well that is War and Peace done and dusted and my review I don't think does it justice of how good it really is. I would say this is a must read if not done so as I was skeptical about it before starting and really enjoyed it in many ways. I loved the cross over it does all the time between the fictional writing about all the characters and their stories etc with duels, romance, battles, gambling and everything else you can think of that could be in a normal novel, and then switching to a philosophical, political bit explaining what is going on in real life at the time.

Have decided after finishing this that am going to cover a few shorter books before the next big series or Novel and am taking on Oliver Twist for the first time (strangely) and already loving it. This I can tell is going to be a hit and is what I really think of when someone says to me Dickens work.

[Benny]

Cheers Gortex, I might give that a try on that review. I've broken my long book aversion now with The Stand and whilst I'm putting off the Lord of the Rings tripe, perhaps this will get me back into it. I'm giving The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a go now as it was on my kindle, but I'll hit a classic next.

[smilodon]

Leave Lord of the Rings. I've already read it half a dozen times and can review the crap out of it if required. I'm checking the list for my next choice,

[Gortex]

Well that is Oliver Twist read and book closed and a really excellent read. Helps me understand the level of respect Charles Dickens has on the world of novel writing and would encourage people to read it. Not to long and some of the best sub plots and side characters I have ever come across in one book.

Next on my list will be some more Harry Potter and the second book The Chamber of Secrets followed by I think another read of something someone else has read and reviewed like The Wasp Factory or All quiet on the western front.

[Benny]

Cheers Gortex, I'll give Twist a go after my current batch. Thoroughly enjoying The Girl with the Tattoo'd 'arris.

Highly recommend 'All Quiet' it's a quick read and it would be good to hear another view on it. (The Wasp Factory was shite in my opinion, so guess that would be interesting too, you need to side with Tutonic or me, who's it gonna be? )

[Gortex]

Took your recommend about All Quiet and I devoured it in about 4 days (on hols) as just could not put it down. I agree on how good it is and in my opinion right up in my top 10 reads of all time. It is so powerful and could not believe at times of how detailed it went into and held nothing back in the descriptions of what the ordinary soldier went through. Also because it was not written as an all seeing all mighty American or English kicking the hun point of view it made me like it even more. No kidding if you have not read this book then do so......

Sticking with this world war theme I have started Birdsong so I can have something to compare All Quiet after just having read it and fresh in mind. At the moment it feels a bit slow in getting going and is developing the love story but the last chapter really picked up and some very graphic bedroom scenes. :woot2:

[Benny]

Cheers G, I've updated the thread and combined the 2 reviews, glad you enjoyed it.

I think the lying in the trench with the enemy was the standout for me, a real exploration of emotion. I'm still plugging through Larsson, but will get back on list shortly, I've got some long flights ahead

[Gortex]

Another book off the list in Birdsong and I have to say a cracking good read and although it took a while to get going I could not put it down and ended up with several late nights of just sitting in my living room past 11pm with Feezuki having to come hassle me that I have work in the morning and should go to bed...

If you liked All Quiet then this is a must read. I don't think it is quite as good though as it does not seem to be quite as dark a novel but because it covers more subjects and different areas to just War it makes for a great read.

Next book I have just started is The Wasp Factory and seems very short so expect a review very soon and wonder if I agree with Tut as it being a good one.

[Benny]

Nice one, you are a machine Gortex! I've done the second Dragon Tattoo book which was ok, got a bit far fetched toward the end, but still a good read. I'll finish the last later.

I'm on World War Z at the moment, then back to the list....oh and the Wasp Factory is crap.

[Gortex]

you are a machine Gortex!

To be honest I do a good amount of audio book listening as my job for IBM often has me travelling to different locations around the UK so it is easy to down load the unabridged version of something and just hit play while driving for 4-6 hours. It is never quite as good as reading yourself but is convenient.

I am actually enjoying some aspects to The Wasp Factory but my god is it very dark humor and I am not really sure what the plot of the book is yet even though am almost half way through, but perhaps it will all become clear in the end.

[Benny]

it becomes clear in the last chapter or so. It's clear that it's crap!

[Gortex]

Wasp Factory finished and think I might disagree with the statement it is crap but definitely not one of the best reads I have had. I would though recommend it to someone as I think it is one of those books which can create great debates as to what you or others think about it, due mainly as to how dark it was. I think this might be one of the sickest things I have ever read but like Tut said I found it difficult to stop reading.

I have enjoyed reading some shorter novels/works and probably time to get back to a more serious a contender on the list of great reads and get back to my attempt to read at least once in my life time all of Dickens works. So cue The Great Expectations which I have seen films, TV series and plays of but never actually read the book.

[Gortex]

So Great Expectations done and although good I would not suggest as the Dickens novel to try if your new to reading his work. Am trying something much shorter and probably lighter and I think is actually a children book Vicky Angel so prob get a review of this one soon.

[TeaLeaf]

I feel some wikipedia creeping into these reviews....