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Post by cabbyjohn on Aug 19, 2011 7:29:53 GMT -1
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I don't know whether this has been done elsewhere on Manmates, so I shall start this off if it hasn't already been done.
It would be nice if members were to add their favourite books to a list, in order that we can all see what each other likes, and also maybe pick up some ideas for future reads. I shall start the ball rolling with a trio of books that really made an impression on me.
The first is The ragged trousered philanthripists by Robert Tresssell. Written early on in the last century it's about a group of downtrodden workers, harsh bosses, and corrupt politicians. ( Not a lot changes). It sounds like a heavy read, but it's actually one of those can't be put down books.
The next is The Diceman by Luke Rhinehart. It's about somebody who decides that every decision in his life will be determined by the roll of a dice. (If it's a 2 I shall work, if it's a 5 I shall get drunk.) It's a riveting book with scary consequences. I loved it and even tried it as did most people who have read it. Alas I only tried it until the dice decision was one that I disagreed with.
Last but by no means least is The Manchester man by Mrs. G.Linnaeus Banks. Part fact part fiction, it's the story of a foundling found in a basket floating down the river Irk, and his subsequent life in Manchester. A cracking read for any Mancunian, or anybody with an interest in Manchester.
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Post by crabbygit on Aug 19, 2011 10:07:15 GMT -1
What a brilliant topic you have started Cabby, all three book you suggested I have read and enjoyed. I read a lot, and can nominate quite a few books. One author whom I really like is a guy called Bill Bryson. He is an American journalist, but having spent many years living and working in England has acquired a respectable British sense of humour. Most of his books come under the heading of travelogues, but they are not what you might expect, but are full of humour and odd facts. A couple spring to mind as an introduction to his work. The first, ' Notes From A Small Island' covers his journey around Britain, and even Manchester is mentioned, although not in such a favorable way. The second, might be a little confusing because it has two titles, one for the British, 'Down Under', and one for Americans 'In A Sunburned Country'. This book describes his travels around Australia, looking at the country with a very 'tongue in cheek' attitude, and gives a fascinating insight to the people, the history and the customs.
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Post by jackaitch on Aug 19, 2011 11:04:03 GMT -1
We like mysteries....an excellent author is Elizabeth George...an american who writes about
England
Bought the Manchester Man last year and Underground Manchester...Keith Warrender...that
book almost" blew my socks off"
We used to purchase books to keep...but as they have increased in price we use the public
libraries ( if gives one a little to do every week or two)
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Post by cabbyjohn on Aug 19, 2011 11:48:12 GMT -1
Hi, Crabby, I have read and enjoyed a couple of the Bill Bryson books after discovering him on the radio years ago. He is one of those authors who like Garrison Keillor of Lake Wobegon days fame can narrate as well as he can write. I like nothing better than lying in a darkened room listening to either Bryson or Keillor transporting me off to places where if I haven't actually visited, I feel as though I belong there.
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Post by Lisa on Aug 19, 2011 14:33:26 GMT -1
DONT FALL OFF THE MOUNTAIN by Shirley Maclaine (the actress). Its an autobiographical and tells of Shirley's early years and her search for a meaning to life. It impressed me very much when I was in my 20's. I have often said that I will read it again if I got the chance so I wonder if it will have the same impact as it did then?
NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER by Betty Mahmoody. I can relate to this true story of an American married to a Persian doctor in the USA who is conned into returning to his homeland. It tells the horrific injustice she suffered in a country dominated by men and her attempts to escape.
ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF NATURAL MEDICINE by Michael Murray & Joseph Pizzorno. This is my Bible and I refer to it all the time as an Holistic Therapist. I never let is out of my sight or lend it to anyone because I would be lost without it. I use it as a reference book for natural healing before going down the Alopathic route.
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mavis
Full Member
Posts: 199
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Post by mavis on Aug 21, 2011 8:44:36 GMT -1
Anyone read the Lee Childs books?
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Post by crabbygit on Aug 21, 2011 10:56:00 GMT -1
Mavis, I have read every one of Lee Childs books, Jack Reacher is my favourite character.
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Post by jonesg on Aug 22, 2011 1:55:54 GMT -1
What a brilliant topic you have started Cabby, all three book you suggested I have read and enjoyed. I read a lot, and can nominate quite a few books. One author whom I really like is a guy called Bill Bryson. He is an American journalist, but having spent many years living and working in England has acquired a respectable British sense of humour. Most of his books come under the heading of travelogues, but they are not what you might expect, but are full of humour and odd facts. A couple spring to mind as an introduction to his work. The first, ' Notes From A Small Island' covers his journey around Britain, and even Manchester is mentioned, although not in such a favorable way. The second, might be a little confusing because it has two titles, one for the British, 'Down Under', and one for Americans 'In A Sunburned Country'. This book describes his travels around Australia, looking at the country with a very 'tongue in cheek' attitude, and gives a fascinating insight to the people, the history and the customs. I read the Bill Bryson book about England, his book is a take-off of Paul Theroux's travel writings. We used to rent books on tape, working the night shift we'd listen to them at work. The Iron Rooster is about the chinese railway system. The Kingdom by the Sea is his book about walking around the coast of England, took him a couple of years. It reminded me of Michael Palin's travel series. Theroux also wrote the Mosquitto Coast, it became a movie. Books on tape originated for the blind, but its a great lazy way to "read". |
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Casso
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Post by Casso on Aug 22, 2011 2:44:58 GMT -1
I have lots of books, but not really a favourite author. I suppose the one whose books I re-read a lot would be Kurt Vonnegut, closely followed by Joseph Heller and EL Doctorow.
John Mortimer's books are really worth reading, and I enjoy Clive Jame's collections of his reviews.
Possibly the book that's been on the 're-read list' the most is
The Year of the French by Thomas Flanagan, a more or less factional tale of the troubles in Oireland of the 1790s.
Cass
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mavis
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Post by mavis on Aug 28, 2011 20:03:59 GMT -1
Hi again,
I listened to a talk back the other day and they were talking about Tom cruise being chosen to play Reacher, they were all appalled, they did mention someone that would be more suitable to play the part, but i never caught the name it was either someone called Quinton as a surname or christian name, apparently he is about 6ft 6in and dark ?
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Post by cabbyjohn on Aug 29, 2011 5:12:18 GMT -1
Hi again, I listened to a talk back the other day and they were talking about Tom cruise being chosen to play Reacher, they were all appalled, they did mention someone that would be more suitable to play the part, but i never caught the name it was either someone called Quinton as a surname or christian name, apparently he is about 6ft 6in and dark ? Could it be a young black American actor called Quinton Aaron? I Googled, - Actor Quinton and he came up. |
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Post by marie fernandes on Sept 1, 2011 12:16:21 GMT -1
Very interesting thread you started Cabbyjohn, I have made some notes off here jotting down titles and authors as I read quite a lot. Bill Bryson I have read a couple of, and Lisa's "NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER" by Betty Mahmoody I read some years ago, I might pick it up again now.
I have read all the books by Alexander McCall Smith on "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency" ten in all, he has written lots more on a different subject but have not got around to them yet. Just finished "Portobello" by Ruth Rendell, "Angela's Ashes" read again and Frank McCourts sequel to it '"Tis", I like detective murder/mysteries as well.
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mavis
Full Member
Posts: 199
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Post by mavis on Sept 4, 2011 8:53:53 GMT -1
Years ago read a trilogy of Maisie Mosko's first one being Almonds and raisins, really good read all three, has anybody read these books?
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Post by odtricia1 on Sept 5, 2011 8:27:10 GMT -1
Hi John, I am a great fan of Catherine Cookson and love all her books. However, they are not everyone's type of reading. I have more books than shelves in my house. One book called 'Mary Mary' by Ed McBain is a great read. There is another book by this title, but the McBain one is truly brilliant and it helped me get a credit in an Advanced Public Speaking exam. I like Dan Brown and while his writing seems to be to a formula, I still like the books. I also like ... so many, it would take too long to list and be too boring to read. Keep on reading folks, it exercises the mind, the imagination the appreciation of being able to read and understand.
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Post by Lisa on Sept 5, 2011 15:32:51 GMT -1
Hi Mavis, When I did the Jewish Tour of Cheetham Hill a while ago, the man conducting the tour recommended Maisie Mosco's books and they are on my list of 'books to read'.
quote author=partridge board=general thread=955 post=47589 time=1315130033]Years ago read a trilogy of Maisie Mosko's first one being Almonds and raisins, really good read all three, has anybody read these books?[/quote]
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mavis
Full Member
Posts: 199
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Post by mavis on Sept 10, 2011 21:00:35 GMT -1
Hi Lisa,
My father was from Cheetham Hill, and apparently Maisie Mosco used to be the Editor of the Jewish gazette, so he told me years ago, don't for get to read these books they are fantastically written and you will enjoy them especially the first one,
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Post by Lisa on Sept 11, 2011 7:21:05 GMT -1
Thanks Mavis. A friend has the whole collection and has promised to lend them to me. Cant wait to read them because I am really interested in the area of Cheetham Hill. I used to work there in the 60's on Cheetham Hill Road for a Jewish Raincoat company and learned a lot from my time there.  Hi Lisa, My father was from Cheetham Hill, and apparently Maisie Mosco used to be the Editor of the Jewish gazette, so he told me years ago, don't for get to read these books they are fantastically written and you will enjoy them especially the first one, |
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Post by cabbyjohn on Sept 11, 2011 7:37:31 GMT -1
Thanks Mavis. A friend has the whole collection and has promised to lend them to me. Cant wait to read them because I am really interested in the area of Cheetham Hill. I used to work there in the 60's on Cheetham Hill Road for a Jewish Raincoat company and learned a lot from my time there. Hi Lisa, My father was from Cheetham Hill, and apparently Maisie Mosco used to be the Editor of the Jewish gazette, so he told me years ago, don't for get to read these books they are fantastically written and you will enjoy them especially the first one, Magnolia street by Lois Golding, is another good read about Cheetham Hill. It was also made into a TV series. Clips of it can be seen on You tube. |
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