Book Club

[Surrey Blue]

The reason i ask is that i enjoy a good read and would like to see if there are any books i havent read that i should or just to find out what others are reading. Now this Topic may fall flat if no one else enjoys a read.

Anyway at the presrent time im reading a book called "Marching Powder" by Rusty Young. Very Very good book and i would give it a 5 ShrimperZone Star Rating. Its a true story about the San Pedro prison in Bolivia. The main character is an Englishman who got arrested trafficing Coke. He was sent to the San Pedro where he had to pay to get in and buy a cell (yes you just read that right). It follows the period of time that he was inprisoned and how the only way to get on in the prison is if you have money as you have to buy everything, food, clothing, etc. The guards never venture into the prison and are all corrupt as is the MAjor in charge. It is a remarkable story.

I have added the Amazon link as there Synopsis is better than mine

Marching Powder (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/028307373X/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/026-6735503-9146864)

[steveh1510]

The first rule of book club is: You do not talk about book club!

BTW, is anyone reading something more boring than I am? I'm reading an accountancy textbook at the moment, because I have exams in 2 weeks!

[Vange Shrimper]

Sad case, Steve http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I'm re-reading Talking to Addison by Jenny Colgan - very funny book.

[Napster]

I'm reading some psychological thriller- called Kisscut, or something. Very American, but OK for those long commutes...

[steveh1510]

The last normal book I read was 'The good guys wear black' by Steve Collins. Its an autobiographical account of life in the Met police's firearms unit. It was fairly interesting, not the best i've read by any means but worth reading.

[blues_r_best]

Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Nov. 18 2003,16:31)]The first rule of book club is: You do not talk about book club!
I thought that was the second rule.

SB sounds like a good book but went on the link and now know how it ends so no need to read it.

[Surrey Blue]

Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Nov. 18 2003,16:37)]The last normal book I read was 'The good guys wear black' by Steve Collins. Its an autobiographical account of life in the Met police's firearms unit. It was fairly interesting, not the best i've read by any means but worth reading.
I enjoyed this Steve and have also enjoyed Chris Ryans SAS series which again i found suprisingly good for someone who was origionally trained to kill people.

Also have any of you read "The Diceman", very good book that makes you think.

[Durera]

<span style='font-family:comic sans ms'>Flesh and Blood by Jonathan Kellerman. Taking my time, I&#39;ve been f**king knackered on the commute the last few days...</span>

[Surrey Blue]

Quote[/b] (blues_r_best @ Nov. 18 2003,16:38)]
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Nov. 18 2003,16:31)]The first rule of book club is: You do not talk about book club&#33;
I thought that was the second rule.

SB sounds like a good book but went on the link and now know how it ends so no need to read it.
Whoops sorry maybe i should have sent you here instead

Marching Powder 2 (http://cocaine.org/exercise/) http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Napster]

Quote[/b] (Surrey Blue @ Nov. 18 2003,16:41)]Also have any of you read &quot;The Diceman&quot;, very good book that makes you think.
Yeah but the sequel was awful...avoid.

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (Surrey Blue @ Nov. 18 2003,16:41)]
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Nov. 18 2003,16:37)]The last normal book I read was &#39;The good guys wear black&#39; by Steve Collins. Its an autobiographical account of life in the Met police&#39;s firearms unit. It was fairly interesting, not the best i&#39;ve read by any means but worth reading.
I enjoyed this Steve and have also enjoyed Chris Ryans SAS series which again i found suprisingly good for someone who was origionally trained to kill people.

Also have any of you read &quot;The Diceman&quot;, very good book that makes you think.
Yeah, read all of Chris Ryans. How about Andy Mcnab, you read any of his?

Also, did you watch the &#39;Hunting Chris Ryan&#39; series on the telly a couple of weeks ago, thought that was quite good.

[Surrey Blue]

Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Nov. 18 2003,16:54)]
Quote[/b] (Surrey Blue @ Nov. 18 2003,16:41)]
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Nov. 18 2003,16:37)]The last normal book I read was &#39;The good guys wear black&#39; by Steve Collins. Its an autobiographical account of life in the Met police&#39;s firearms unit. It was fairly interesting, not the best i&#39;ve read by any means but worth reading.
I enjoyed this Steve and have also enjoyed Chris Ryans SAS series which again i found suprisingly good for someone who was origionally trained to kill people.

Also have any of you read &quot;The Diceman&quot;, very good book that makes you think.
Yeah, read all of Chris Ryans. How about Andy Mcnab, you read any of his?

Also, did you watch the &#39;Hunting Chris Ryan&#39; series on the telly a couple of weeks ago, thought that was quite good.
I have only read 1 Mcnab book and couldnt get into it, im not sure if it was that i was feeling disloyal to Ryan or i just didnt enjoy the book?

I did see the TV series and thoroughly enjoyed it, he seemed to mug off the American special forces on a regualr basis. Which was nice http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (Surrey Blue @ Nov. 18 2003,16:59)]I have only read 1 Mcnab book and couldnt get into it, im not sure if it was that i was feeling disloyal to Ryan or i just didnt enjoy the book?

I did see the TV series and thoroughly enjoyed it, he seemed to mug off the American special forces on a regualr basis. Which was nice *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Which Mcnab book was it?

Its worth reading CR - The One That Got Away, Mcnab - Bravo Two Zero and then Michael Ashers the Real Bravo Two Zero. You get an idea of how much the first 2 were allegedly hyped up from the third (they all concern the failed mission that ended in escape and evasion in the Gulf War I)

Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson

Always a nice gentle read on the train going up in the morning &#33;

If i may also recommend The Invisbles by Grant Morrison (ok it has pictures as well but hey its for grown ups really &#33;)

[McScriven]

PHP4 - Thought I&#39;d teach myself another web design language to make the new look ShrimperZone bettter&#33;

[Napster]

Quote[/b] (McScriven @ Nov. 18 2003,17:47)]PHP4
geeeeeeeekkkkkkkkk

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[McScriven]

Hey, you want SZ to be quality then I have to be the geek&#33;

[Mrs McScriven]

Not Harry is it Mav?&#33;

[Mrs McScriven]

Not Harry is it Mav?&#33;

[McScriven]

Well yes I&#39;m also reading the final Harry Potter.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (McScriven @ Nov. 18 2003,18:22)]Well yes I&#39;m also reading the final Harry Potter.
http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I&#39;m reading (much behind the times, it must be said) White Teeth by Zadie Smith. *Cracking stuff, only just started it, mind.

Before that, read You Can&#39;t Always Get What You Want by Bob Sills. *Pretty much indispensible reading if you&#39;re a Shrimper, and in particular if you were during 1996. *Awesome stuff from Bob - superb.

Before that... Life Isn&#39;t Always Ha Ha Hee Hee by Meera Syal. *Another cracking book. *Prior to that was The Cutting Room by Louise Welsh. *The homoeroticism aside (which I felt was wholly superfluous to the plot), another cracking read.

Indeed, it&#39;s been a while since I read a bad book.

Still, if there&#39;s one book that brings a smile to my face just thinking about it, it must be Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks. *If you haven&#39;t read it yet, get it put on your Xmas list. *Quite the funniest book I&#39;ve read (albeit that the humour is a bit bloke-ish in places) in years.

Matt

[Mad Cyril]

I am reading a book called Prisoners Dilemma by William Poundstone.

It is about the life and theories of mathematician/computer scientist John Von Neuman who was one of the founding fathers of the mathematics of Game theory.

Can anyone beat that for geekiness?

[The General]

I dont read because i cant ...

Kev

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Vange Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (The General @ Nov. 18 2003,19:17)]I dont read because i cant ...

Kev

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Least u admit it http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[LITTLEMAN]

Im reading Bloggs19 and Rolling With The 6.57 Crew

[Wessex Blue]

Quote[/b] (LITTLEMAN @ Nov. 18 2003,21:21)]Im reading Bloggs19 and Rolling With The 6.57 Crew
Take it rolling with the 657 is the book written by Cass Pennant about Pompey. Read his West Ham book and he&#39;s such a c*nt. Before I read the book I was totally unaware that Cass had in fact saved Western civilisation, boxing, the British way of life and anything else you care to mention. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Recommend anything by Irving Welsh Glue or porno in particular. They&#39;re both f**king hilarious
http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Andu]

Currently reading

Night Watch by Terry Prachett

before that

The tick tock man by Terence Strong

[Surrey Blue]

Quote[/b] (McScriven @ Nov. 18 2003,18:22)]Well yes I&#39;m also reading the final Harry Potter.
Nothing wrong with Harry Potter Scivs. Im waiting with baited breath for the new film to come out as well (How sad for a 28 year old bloke).

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Currently flicking through The &quot;Carry On&quot; Companion by Robert Ross, as well reading Driving Over Lemons : An Optimist in Andalucia by Chris Stewart for about the tenth time.

I don&#39;t know whether anyone has seen it yet but the teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (released on June 4) can be seen here (http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/web/dailyprophet/article.jsp?id=POA_Teaser_Trailer) ...

WS

[Usual_Suspect]

Currently reading The Rides Back On by Dave Courtney, which is very funny in parts but maybe abit too anti Police etc.

Before that I read The Cage by Tom &#39;Bud&#39; Abraham, which was very interesting. He the only British soldier to fight in Vietnam for the USA, he was captured, tortured, placed in the cage (as in The Deer Hunter) and then escaped.

[Blue Missy]

Just finished &#39;The Lovely Bones&#39; which was fantastic - managed to read it in a week just on the commute. It&#39;s written from the point of view of a young girl who&#39;s just been murdered and she is the storyteller. It sounds naff the way I&#39;ve described it but it really is fab&#33;
Just started reading &#39;McCarthy&#39;s Bar&#39; which I&#39;m finding quite amusing at the moment.

[Mad Cyril]

Quote[/b] (Wessex Blue @ Nov. 18 2003,22:39)]
Quote[/b] (LITTLEMAN @ Nov. 18 2003,21:21)]Im reading Bloggs19 and Rolling With The 6.57 Crew
Take it rolling with the 657 is the book written by Cass Pennant about Pompey. Read his West Ham book and he&#39;s such a c*nt. Before I read the book I was totally unaware that Cass had in fact saved Western civilisation, boxing, the *British way of life and anything else you care to mention. * http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
I hate books/programs about celebrity hardmen. You&#39;ve got to suspect that they&#39;ve bigged themselves up a little bit haven&#39;t you.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Wessex Blue @ Nov. 18 2003,22:39)]Recommend anything by Irving Welsh, Glue in particular. They&#39;re both f**king hilarious

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Yep, I second that. Fab book. Hard work sometimes, since it&#39;s written in Scottish, but a top book all the same.

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Matt

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Westcliff Shrimper @ Nov. 19 2003,09:26)]Currently reading Driving Over Lemons : An Optimist in Andalucia by Chris Stewart for about the tenth time.

I don&#39;t know whether anyone has seen it yet but the teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (released on June 4) can be seen here (http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/web/dailyprophet/article.jsp?id=POA_Teaser_Trailer) ...

WS
Warming up for the big trip, Mike?&#33;

Nice to know my fans are excited...

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Of course, I&#39;m also v. excited about the next Harry Potter film - especially since Azkaban was the best book.

Matt

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Blue Missy @ Nov. 19 2003,11:05)]Just finished &#39;The Lovely Bones&#39; which was fantastic - managed to read it in a week just on the commute. It&#39;s written from the point of view of a young girl who&#39;s just been murdered and she is the storyteller. It sounds naff the way I&#39;ve described it but it really is fab&#33;

Just started reading &#39;McCarthy&#39;s Bar&#39; which I&#39;m finding quite amusing at the moment.
My girlfriend is reading it at the moment and says it&#39;s great. Sounds desperately depressing, though...

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

McCarthy&#39;s bar - not bad, but not a classic. Quite pensive in places. For more laughs, try Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks. I know I sound like his agent, but I&#39;m not. It&#39;s just a bloody good book, that&#39;s all&#33;

Matt

[Surrey Blue]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Nov. 19 2003,17:10)]
Quote[/b] (Blue Missy @ Nov. 19 2003,11:05)]Just finished &#39;The Lovely Bones&#39; which was fantastic - managed to read it in a week just on the commute. It&#39;s written from the point of view of a young girl who&#39;s just been murdered and she is the storyteller. It sounds naff the way I&#39;ve described it but it really is fab&#33;

Just started reading &#39;McCarthy&#39;s Bar&#39; which I&#39;m finding quite amusing at the moment.
My girlfriend is reading it at the moment and says it&#39;s great. *Sounds desperately depressing, though...

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

McCarthy&#39;s bar - not bad, but not a classic. *Quite pensive in places. *For more laughs, try Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks. *I know I sound like his agent, but I&#39;m not. *It&#39;s just a bloody good book, that&#39;s all&#33;

Matt
Matt are you Tony Hawkes Agent? http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Loved the Irvine Welsh books very good.

im also a big fan of John Grisham and Tom Clancy.

[footymad13]

As it stands im reading, About a boy - Nick Hornby (Fav Author)

B4 that was John Steinbecks fantastic Of Mice and Men
Then Band of Brothers and 007 the full history.

Next .... Fever Pitch

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (footymad13 @ Nov. 19 2003,17:43)]Next .... Fever Pitch
Spot the Gooner....

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Actually, to be fair, it&#39;s a superb book...

Matt

[Vange Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (footymad13 @ Nov. 19 2003,17:43)]B4 that was John Steinbecks fantastic Of Mice and Men
Then Band of Brothers
That wasnt thru ur own choice was it? Sounds like what the people in the intermediate class of English Literature in my old school used to read http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I wasnt in intermediate, i was in the higher group reading f*ckin d**kens all the time lol

[Birri]

I get throu a book a week reading on the train to &amp; from work.I am nearly finished filth by irving welsh before that was the cage, and before that crazy horse &amp; custer by the bloke who did band of brothers. I can recomend the patrick o brian books the first one of which master &amp; commander is just out on the cinema with russell crow as jack aubrey. Bloody good books and the french get a good kicking in every one.

[Durera]

<span style='font-family:comic sans ms'>Just started Pompei by Robert Harris, really enjoyed his Fatherland, so am looking forward to this one&#33;</span>

[Blue Missy]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shripmp @ Nov. 19 2003,17.10)]My girlfriend is reading it at the moment and says it&#39;s great. Sounds desperately depressing, though...


It&#39;s not as bad as it sounds actually - it is a really interesting take on the whole issue. V. Good.

I will have a look at the book you have suggested when I have finished McCarthys Bar. The trouble is - I buy books as I see them and decide that they look good but I never get around to reading them as quickly as I buy them. I&#39;ve got stacks at home that I haven&#39;t even read yet&#33; http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Sid E. Burns]

I am reading &#39;The Plague&#39; by Albert Camus- It is not a barrel of laughs.

[footymad13]

Quote[/b] (Vange Shrimper @ Nov. 20 2003,11:58)]
Quote[/b] (footymad13 @ Nov. 19 2003,17:43)]B4 that was John Steinbecks fantastic Of Mice and Men
Then Band of Brothers
That wasnt thru ur own choice was it? Sounds like what the people in the intermediate class of English Literature in my old school used to read http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I wasnt in intermediate, i was in the higher group reading f*ckin d**kens all the time lol
Smarty Pants &#33;

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[BrettieAngell]

I&#39;m currently reading Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab.

[Napster]

Just finished Rich Hall&#39;s collection of essays- absolutely hilarious.

[The Artful Shrimper]

Improvised Munitions handbook~ authors unknown.

[Bob Cratchitt]

I seem to be joining Dave&#39;s Club as I am reading Programming PERL and Routing TCP/IP (CCIE Professional Development): Volume 1 (Well after passing a Cisco CDN Exam decided it might be handy to have a go at all the ones underneath to get my certifcation.)


http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[new bloke]

Well Bob, you do need certifying thats for sure http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Bob Cratchitt]

Your only jealous Uncle, only because your literature collection is made up entirely of old issues of Razzle http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[new bloke]

Hey Don&#39;t Knock it. isssue 43 had a very good feature on a Barbara from Shoebury http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif A bit on the large size for me though http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (new bloke @ Nov. 21 2003,14:09)]Hey Don&#39;t Knock it. isssue 43 had a very good feature on a Barbara from Shoebury http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif A bit on the large size for me though http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Shoebury&#39;s not that big.....

[Bob Cratchitt]

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I have just had nasty picutres flash through my head. I need a brandy.



http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Ron Manager]

Reading &#39;American Psycho&#39; at the moment - if you thought the film&#39;s sick then the book is far worse.

Best book I&#39;ve read in a while is &#39;Powder&#39; by Kevin Sampson - all about the music industry, if you&#39;re as obsessive about music and bands as I am then I highly recommend it.

Matt, as Tony Hawkes biggest fan have you read &#39;Playing The Moldovans At Tennis&#39;? A very funny read&#33;

[McScriven]

Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ Nov. 21 2003,13:44)]I seem to be joining Dave&#39;s Club as I am reading Programming PERL
Don&#39;t it&#39;s a sh*t language, who&#39;d have a anything using PERL (like a IkonBoard forum or something) it&#39;s pony. Means you can fix the bugs on here though, well volunteered&#33;

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[footymad13]

Quote[/b] (McScriven @ Nov. 23 2003,20:01)]
Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ Nov. 21 2003,13:44)]I seem to be joining Dave&#39;s Club as I am reading Programming PERL
Don&#39;t it&#39;s a sh*t language, who&#39;d have a anything using PERL (like a IkonBoard forum or something) it&#39;s pony. Means you can fix the bugs on here though, well volunteered&#33;

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Don&#39;t you find that incredibly boring, i couldn&#39;t even get past the first page of a computer book, i struggled with windows for dummys &#33;

[McScriven]

Not really but then I&#39;m sad. If you can add another feather to your cap then why not makes you more desirable to employers in the workplace and means I can try and make ShrimperZone look better and make it easier to maintain.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Ron Manager @ Nov. 23 2003,16:42)]Matt, as Tony Hawkes biggest fan have you read &#39;Playing The Moldovans At Tennis&#39;? A very funny read&#33;
Yup. And &quot;One Hit Wonderland&quot;.

Moldovans was great, although quite dark in places; Wonderland was a much more light-hearted return from Tony.

But both are some way behind Round Ireland with a Fridge, IMHO.

Matt