Ignatius's Confederacy of words at ... well words I suppose ....
Conversazioni75 Books Challenge for 2014
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1Ignatius777
Right, well that's the last of the contents of Chez Ig's finally catalogued on LT.
A particularly dreich Saturday afternoon provided the opportunity to get the BIG cumbersome roll of flat Landrangers added, able assisted by the re-verb drenched sounds of some spacey dub. No paper cuts to report either for a change. Which was nice.
Been putting that task/chore off for some time, and not just because of the risk of bleeding over the less inspiring bits of Englandshire in a cartographical form.
However, all finished and so need something else to list and distract me from work.
Decided at the start of this year, that 3 things had to happen book wise:
1) Buy less books. Yeah right ...ain't going to happen - Amazon cheapness and a frequent visitor to charity shops (it's wrong not to buy something y'know ) means that them numbers keep creeping up and double stacking on my 4 cases is getting dangerously close.
2) Get through my TBR pile to stop further purchases. It's about 10% of my library, which I thought was bad - but then I joined LT and it made me feel better ;)
3) Give lots of books away in association with 2) -however, trouble is they usually go to charity shops, and that triggers a further purchase. Tried the one in, one out rule but 'exceptions' kept cropping up.
Still though, going to try to read a lot more than the usual 40-50 books or so I get through each year, and make the TBR's a lower overall percentage and then donate as much as I can.
JAN
1. There are other Rivers - Alastair Humphreys
2. Bobby Fischer goes to war - David Edmonds
1. Always enjoyed and been inspired by Alastair's writing/feats since his first self published account of his cycle ROTW. The second book of this 'Thunder and Sunshine' was particularly good in my view, as he came on both as an author, and his travels took him all the way through the America's/Asia and then finally back home. Cycling through Siberia in Winter is no mean feat either.
'TAOR' describes a trip through India from an almost sensory perspective of the author - quite hypnotic in the writing. He also sent me a link for this free kindle copy, so can't complain.
2. Visited Iceland the other year and saw the board in question that the famous chess game was played on. I grew up with the last parts of the cold war still prevalent in my childhood, but this book caught the paranoia of a slightly earlier age very well. Need to get back into my chess to attempt to study some of the games in more detail.
Book recommended regardless of chess interest though, as is written well, in almost the style of a thriller. As much as a chess game in Iceland can be.
Does bring out the contrasting approach/background of the lone 'warrior' against the mighty Soviet State machine, and for me highlighted the differences between Iceland/Reykjavik in 1970 and how I saw it as a cool cosmopolitan country/city.
Only two books though! It's cold and wet and miserable and goes dark before you even get up in Scotland in January, and I usually read a lot. The Bobby Fischer book was a lunchtime read as well and Al's book only 120 easily read pages.
Need to buck my ideas up I reckon.
A particularly dreich Saturday afternoon provided the opportunity to get the BIG cumbersome roll of flat Landrangers added, able assisted by the re-verb drenched sounds of some spacey dub. No paper cuts to report either for a change. Which was nice.
Been putting that task/chore off for some time, and not just because of the risk of bleeding over the less inspiring bits of Englandshire in a cartographical form.
However, all finished and so need something else to list and distract me from work.
Decided at the start of this year, that 3 things had to happen book wise:
1) Buy less books. Yeah right ...ain't going to happen - Amazon cheapness and a frequent visitor to charity shops (it's wrong not to buy something y'know ) means that them numbers keep creeping up and double stacking on my 4 cases is getting dangerously close.
2) Get through my TBR pile to stop further purchases. It's about 10% of my library, which I thought was bad - but then I joined LT and it made me feel better ;)
3) Give lots of books away in association with 2) -however, trouble is they usually go to charity shops, and that triggers a further purchase. Tried the one in, one out rule but 'exceptions' kept cropping up.
Still though, going to try to read a lot more than the usual 40-50 books or so I get through each year, and make the TBR's a lower overall percentage and then donate as much as I can.
JAN
1. There are other Rivers - Alastair Humphreys
2. Bobby Fischer goes to war - David Edmonds
1. Always enjoyed and been inspired by Alastair's writing/feats since his first self published account of his cycle ROTW. The second book of this 'Thunder and Sunshine' was particularly good in my view, as he came on both as an author, and his travels took him all the way through the America's/Asia and then finally back home. Cycling through Siberia in Winter is no mean feat either.
'TAOR' describes a trip through India from an almost sensory perspective of the author - quite hypnotic in the writing. He also sent me a link for this free kindle copy, so can't complain.
2. Visited Iceland the other year and saw the board in question that the famous chess game was played on. I grew up with the last parts of the cold war still prevalent in my childhood, but this book caught the paranoia of a slightly earlier age very well. Need to get back into my chess to attempt to study some of the games in more detail.
Book recommended regardless of chess interest though, as is written well, in almost the style of a thriller. As much as a chess game in Iceland can be.
Does bring out the contrasting approach/background of the lone 'warrior' against the mighty Soviet State machine, and for me highlighted the differences between Iceland/Reykjavik in 1970 and how I saw it as a cool cosmopolitan country/city.
Only two books though! It's cold and wet and miserable and goes dark before you even get up in Scotland in January, and I usually read a lot. The Bobby Fischer book was a lunchtime read as well and Al's book only 120 easily read pages.
Need to buck my ideas up I reckon.
4Ignatius777
Hello and thanks to you both. Yes, it's well written and detailed without being obsessive - including the reports of the chess matches which could have been it's downfall.
FEB
3. Best american travel writing 2010 - bill buford
4. Blaze - Richard Bachman -k
5. Naked - David Sedaris -k
6. Oryx and crake - Margaret Atwood -k
7. Calm at sunset, Calm at dawn - paul watkins
3. Short well written travel articles by quite known (travel) writers and others. Good lunchtime reading to inspire future travels. Going to investigate the rest of the series.
4. OK S.King short (for him) story with his pseudonym alter ego. Easy read and not bad, but nothing special.
5. This had been sitting on my kindle for sometime (-k refers to a kindle read) in my logging. Saw an article by him in 3) I think, and plowed through it in a few days. V.funny (in places), reasonably funny in others. Did get a load of his other books though which didn't live up to this one sadly.
6. Heard lots about this, and like my Post Apoc fiction but this got a bit too SF for me. Characterisation bit unbelievable as well.
7. This though was top banana - was reading another of his books and found this cheaply which I dived into. Excellent, excellent story - although fiction - part based on fact from his own background both from what I know and what I can guess - lent to a mate who said it was one of the best things he had ever read.
FEB
3. Best american travel writing 2010 - bill buford
4. Blaze - Richard Bachman -k
5. Naked - David Sedaris -k
6. Oryx and crake - Margaret Atwood -k
7. Calm at sunset, Calm at dawn - paul watkins
3. Short well written travel articles by quite known (travel) writers and others. Good lunchtime reading to inspire future travels. Going to investigate the rest of the series.
4. OK S.King short (for him) story with his pseudonym alter ego. Easy read and not bad, but nothing special.
5. This had been sitting on my kindle for sometime (-k refers to a kindle read) in my logging. Saw an article by him in 3) I think, and plowed through it in a few days. V.funny (in places), reasonably funny in others. Did get a load of his other books though which didn't live up to this one sadly.
6. Heard lots about this, and like my Post Apoc fiction but this got a bit too SF for me. Characterisation bit unbelievable as well.
7. This though was top banana - was reading another of his books and found this cheaply which I dived into. Excellent, excellent story - although fiction - part based on fact from his own background both from what I know and what I can guess - lent to a mate who said it was one of the best things he had ever read.
5Ignatius777
MARCH
8. To live outside the law - Leaf Fielding
9. Me talk pretty one day - David Sedaris -k
10. Chump Change - Dan Fante
11. Duende, A Journey Into the Heart of Flamenco - Jason Webster
12. Beam Me Up, Scotty ("Rebel Inc") - Michael Guinzburg -r
13. Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness - scott jurek
14. The Road - cormac mccarthy -r -k
8. read with a hangover - middle class hippies make/deal in lots of LSD and threaten the break down of society and everything in stands for in the UK in the 70's. OK, but no Mr Nice. 3*
9. Again OK - but hit and miss in places. 3*
10. Bukowskiesque semi-autobiographical? book from Jon Fante's son. Good read if a bit sad. 4*
11. Fantastic if possibly slightly fictionalised account of author's attempt to learn/understand Flamenco. Last chapter though doesn't flow and ends rather abruptly. 4.5*
12. Mad, radge crack / off crack redemption story. 4*
13. Inspiring and impressive bio - modest guy as well, no Dean K stuff here. 5*
14. It's CM, it's post apoc. What more do you need ? 5*
8. To live outside the law - Leaf Fielding
9. Me talk pretty one day - David Sedaris -k
10. Chump Change - Dan Fante
11. Duende, A Journey Into the Heart of Flamenco - Jason Webster
12. Beam Me Up, Scotty ("Rebel Inc") - Michael Guinzburg -r
13. Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness - scott jurek
14. The Road - cormac mccarthy -r -k
8. read with a hangover - middle class hippies make/deal in lots of LSD and threaten the break down of society and everything in stands for in the UK in the 70's. OK, but no Mr Nice. 3*
9. Again OK - but hit and miss in places. 3*
10. Bukowskiesque semi-autobiographical? book from Jon Fante's son. Good read if a bit sad. 4*
11. Fantastic if possibly slightly fictionalised account of author's attempt to learn/understand Flamenco. Last chapter though doesn't flow and ends rather abruptly. 4.5*
12. Mad, radge crack / off crack redemption story. 4*
13. Inspiring and impressive bio - modest guy as well, no Dean K stuff here. 5*
14. It's CM, it's post apoc. What more do you need ? 5*
7Ignatius777
Mine to. 3rd reading of it. Was my first Cormac Mccarthy book and introduction to his at times, quite incredible prose. Not sure if the minimalism of the text was meant to reflect the lack of stimuli in the world he describes. I like author's who use language powerfully though, making every word count. Unnecessary waffle can be off putting.
8Ignatius777
APRIL
15. child of god - cormac mccarthy
16. The Trail to Titicaca - Rupert Attlee
17. do I come here often- Henry Rollins
18. dress your family - david sedaris -k
15. Twisted Inbred goings on with Cormac's quality writing - although loses a bit of his style with the development of the story.
16. 3 posh?, certainly middle class lads do an impressive and tough Cycle up through S.America. Writing ain't going to win awards, but admirable attitude and effort.
17. More brooding introspective stuff from Rollins. The man lives it as he means it. To be read in short doses.
18. Hit and miss from what I remember but mostly hit/nearly hit.
15. child of god - cormac mccarthy
16. The Trail to Titicaca - Rupert Attlee
17. do I come here often- Henry Rollins
18. dress your family - david sedaris -k
15. Twisted Inbred goings on with Cormac's quality writing - although loses a bit of his style with the development of the story.
16. 3 posh?, certainly middle class lads do an impressive and tough Cycle up through S.America. Writing ain't going to win awards, but admirable attitude and effort.
17. More brooding introspective stuff from Rollins. The man lives it as he means it. To be read in short doses.
18. Hit and miss from what I remember but mostly hit/nearly hit.
9Ignatius777
MAY
19.the girl who loved tom gordon - stephen king -k
20.books of blood volume 3 - clive barker -k
21.call of the wild - guy grieve -l
22.travels in a thin country - sara wheeler
23.barrel fever - david sedaris -k
24.footnote - Boff Whalley
25. Fiva - Gordon Stainforth
19.the girl who loved tom gordon - stephen king -k
20.books of blood volume 3 - clive barker -k
21.call of the wild - guy grieve -l
22.travels in a thin country - sara wheeler
23.barrel fever - david sedaris -k
24.footnote - Boff Whalley
25. Fiva - Gordon Stainforth
10Ignatius777
JUNE
26.Best american travel writing - Anthony Bourdain editor
27.Run Wild - Boff Whalley
28.the fellowship of ghosts - paul watkins
29.age of absurditiy - micheal foloy
30.so the wind won’t blow it all away - Richard Brautigan -k
31.i am legend - richard matheson -r -k
32. as I walked out one midsummer morning - Laurie Lee -k
26.Best american travel writing - Anthony Bourdain editor
27.Run Wild - Boff Whalley
28.the fellowship of ghosts - paul watkins
29.age of absurditiy - micheal foloy
30.so the wind won’t blow it all away - Richard Brautigan -k
31.i am legend - richard matheson -r -k
32. as I walked out one midsummer morning - Laurie Lee -k
11Ignatius777
JULY
33. kanchelskis - andrei kanchelskis
34. curse of lono- hunter s thompson -k
35. The Traveller's Companion (A Think Book) Georgina Newbery
36. The people of the abyss - jack london -ki
37. popular music - mikael niemi
38. at the mountains of madness - hp lovecraft -k
39. the hawkline monster - richard Brautigan
40. Life on the Run: Coast to Coast- Matt Beardshall
41. dreaming of babylon - richard Brautgian -k
42. everest the unclimbed ridge - Chris Bonnington
43. heart of darkness - Joseph conrad
33. kanchelskis - andrei kanchelskis
34. curse of lono- hunter s thompson -k
35. The Traveller's Companion (A Think Book) Georgina Newbery
36. The people of the abyss - jack london -ki
37. popular music - mikael niemi
38. at the mountains of madness - hp lovecraft -k
39. the hawkline monster - richard Brautigan
40. Life on the Run: Coast to Coast- Matt Beardshall
41. dreaming of babylon - richard Brautgian -k
42. everest the unclimbed ridge - Chris Bonnington
43. heart of darkness - Joseph conrad
12Ignatius777
Aug
44. Last Orders - Graham Swift
45. Pulp - Charles Bukowski
46. reheated cabbage - irvine welsh -k
47. scar tissue - anthony keidis -k
48. american rust - phillip Meyer -k
49. racing through the dark: rise and fall of David Millar David Millar -l
50. Chucking it in - Max Scratchman -l
44. Last Orders - Graham Swift
45. Pulp - Charles Bukowski
46. reheated cabbage - irvine welsh -k
47. scar tissue - anthony keidis -k
48. american rust - phillip Meyer -k
49. racing through the dark: rise and fall of David Millar David Millar -l
50. Chucking it in - Max Scratchman -l
13Ignatius777
September
51. outpost - adam baker -l
52. far inland - peter urpeth
53. My Time - Bradley Wiggins -l
54. dark lies the island - kevin barry
55. straight white male - john niven -l
56. this overheating world - Granta
57. born to run - chris mcdougall -kl
58. what am I doing here - Bruce Chatwin
51. outpost - adam baker -l
52. far inland - peter urpeth
53. My Time - Bradley Wiggins -l
54. dark lies the island - kevin barry
55. straight white male - john niven -l
56. this overheating world - Granta
57. born to run - chris mcdougall -kl
58. what am I doing here - Bruce Chatwin
14Ignatius777
October
59. cold wars - andy kirkpatrick -kl
60. Wilderness Dreams - Mike Cawthorne -l
61. Primer for the looking Glass World
62. 5 Gates of Hell - Rupert Thompson
63. cold water - john niven -l
64 . the amateurs -john niven -l
65. the dog catcher - alexi sayle
59. cold wars - andy kirkpatrick -kl
60. Wilderness Dreams - Mike Cawthorne -l
61. Primer for the looking Glass World
62. 5 Gates of Hell - Rupert Thompson
63. cold water - john niven -l
64 . the amateurs -john niven -l
65. the dog catcher - alexi sayle
15Ignatius777
Nov
66. Don’t tell mum I work on the rigs - paul carter
67. Mr Mercedes - SKing -k
68. October Skies - Alex Scarrow -k
69. Second Coming - John Niven -l
70. death of grass - John Christopher -k
71. brave new world - aldous huxley -r -k
72. thin white line - andy cave -l
Dec
73. running with the kenyans - ad.. fin -l
74. a supposedly fun thing I’ll never do - david wallace -l
75. my dark places - james ellroy
76. a guides life - martin moran -l
66. Don’t tell mum I work on the rigs - paul carter
67. Mr Mercedes - SKing -k
68. October Skies - Alex Scarrow -k
69. Second Coming - John Niven -l
70. death of grass - John Christopher -k
71. brave new world - aldous huxley -r -k
72. thin white line - andy cave -l
Dec
73. running with the kenyans - ad.. fin -l
74. a supposedly fun thing I’ll never do - david wallace -l
75. my dark places - james ellroy
76. a guides life - martin moran -l
