What are you reading?

[DangerMouse]

I did a search and couldn't find a similar thread, so thought I would start one!

I love reading, I read a lot, anything from the most tedious technical specifications to pure fantasy! I tend to like the magic realism of people like Haruki Murakami, Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, things like that.

At the moment I am reading The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon - it's wonderful

Any other readers here, what are you reading? Maybe just share your favourite book? If you happen to like reading train timetables then that's okay too!

If anyone has any good suggestions of things to read on running, that would be particularly welcome!

The only rule, I mean request, is no politics in this thread - thank you

[noel]

Trashy sci fi currently. Neil Asher.

Prior to that I read The Running Hare: The Secret Life of Farmland by John Lewis Stempel, which I'd recommend, although I skipped a few of the literary bits (wasted on me).

Although I like books, I'm not really a fan of books about running. I think it's similar to what Frank Zappa said: Writing about music is like dancing about architecture
as in you can't really experience the joy or running (or music) from reading a book.

[DangerMouse]

Cool - I like sci-fi too, never read any Neil Asher.

The Stempel books look/sound great, I went on a little search because I do like reading things like this and for reasons I can't explain, especially topical for me at the moment! Thank you - you made this thread a winner already for me

Oh yes - I agree completely about the books about running Noel!!

I can't run all day every day, so I am willing to invest some time in supportive reading, if there is something worthwhile.

I was perhaps thinking more along the lines of reading up on anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition and other related subjects rather than just running.

[Daletownrunner]

Currently on Erebus by Michael Palin good read so far

It’s hard to have a favourite book but I would say The Dambusters by Paul Brickhill ranks pretty highly on my list, I also put Jaws in there as well, a great film and even better book

[Muddy Retriever]

Although I like books, I'm not really a fan of books about running. I think it's similar to what Frank Zappa said: Writing about music is like dancing about architecture
as in you can't really experience the joy or running (or music) from reading a book.

I'm not generally a fan of running books either - they often tend to be a bit dull. But I think "Feet in the Clouds" by Richard Askwith is an exception to the rule. I found it truly inspirational at the time and was a major factor in getting me into fell running. A few years later however I read "Running Free" by the same author and that was a big disappointment.

Generally I love historical fiction - C J Sansom, Robert Harris, Ken Follett etc.

[Wheeze]

I am currently wallowing in my favourite writer, LJK Setright. He wrote english like those sentences you had to parse in English language. Technically perfect, arrow straight in purpose and leaving no room for prevarication. What a writer, what an informed scientific/artistic brain and what an interesting/challenging commentator. Try 'The Social History of the Motor Car' to see what I mean.

[BillJ]

I think it's similar to what Frank Zappa said: Writing about music is like dancing about architecture

Haha, I like that - I've always found Frank Zappa entertaining.

Contrary to everyone else, I actually like books about running. When I've lost the running mojo a good running book will often get me enthused again, and I enjoyed Richard Askwith's "Running Free" - I share the sentiment of it to an extent, a dislike of mass commercialised running events.

I can't read a running book when I'm injured though - it just makes me more depressed!

As to currently reading - well I've never seen a single episode of the series, but I'm currently coming to the end of the Game of Thrones books. They are very good, though not to everyone's tastes!

[Graham Breeze]

[QUOTE=BillJ;654038]Haha, I like that - I've always found Frank Zappa entertaining.

/QUOTE]

Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read. Frank Zappa.

(There are other versions)

I have always thought FZ was too clever-by-half and someone said of him that if he hadn't spent his life showing off to other musicians he could have written some great songs for the masses .

Incidentally there is a statue of him in Vilnius (Lithuania)

[DrPatrickBarry]

As to currently reading - well I've never seen a single episode of the series, but I'm currently coming to the end of the Game of Thrones books. They are very good, though not to everyone's tastes!

I did not see a single episode until I had finished A Song of Ice and Fire (well what has been written so far). It was really interesting to see the characters brough to live, and how they differed to the "written" characters. In general it was excellent casting.


Another SiFi/Fanasty man. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie at the moment.

[Travs]

Under my bed is a 1996 Fellrunner Magazine

Really should get my Italian books back out. Had to stop myself in Waterstones yesterday from buying a book on learning Jamacian Patois... which looked fantastically interesting, and quite easy being roughly based on English... but one language at a time...!