The GOT Book Club

[LostLegend]

Just finished this. ‘Say Nothing’ by Patrick Radden Keefe

It’s about Belfast during the Troubles in Northern Ireland from the 60’s to the Good Friday Agreement in the mid 90’s and some of the investigations that came after.

It focusses on the stories of Jean McConville who was abducted in front of her 10 kids and ‘dissapeared’ by the Provisional IRA in the 70’s. The Price sisters, Dolours & Marian, who were part of the Westminster Bombers and went on hunger strike whilst in prison and of course Gerry Adams.

A really interesting read and really hammers home that nobody really kept their hands clean during the conflict.

 

[COYBL25]

Just finished this. ‘Say Nothing’ by Patrick Radden Keefe

It’s about Belfast during the Troubles in Northern Ireland from the 60’s to the Good Friday Agreement in the mid 90’s and some of the investigations that came after.

It focusses on the stories of Jean McConville who was abducted in front of her 19 kids and ‘dissapeared’ by the Provisional IRA in the 70’s. The Price sisters, Dolours & Marian, who were part of the Westminster Bombers and went on hunger strike whilst in prison and of course Gerry Adams.

A really interesting read and really hammers home that nobody really kept their hands clean during the conflict.

The tv series has very recently been on the Disney channel, it`s very good.

 

[LostLegend]

The tv series has very recently been on the Disney channel, it`s very good.

Oh, nice one, will look out for that!

 

[miami]

Depth Q, currently running on Netflix, anyone read the novels ?, seems like there are 10 novels, Jussi Olsen the author, I enjoyed the tv programme, wondering whether to invest.

Me and the mrs just finished the tv series. Enjoyed most of it. Matthew Goode and the guy who plays akram are excellent in it. I didn’t know there were 10 novels, might give them a go.

 

[verreauxi]

Halfway through this. It promises to be one of my top five all-time books. I'm only reading it because I've read the Steve Cavanagh Eddie Flynn novels I bought over with me and it was just there.

I'm already in love with Kya but can see a sad ending. In some ways it reminds me of Buster and Billie, if anyone saw the film?

I was up at 5am (US Eastern Time) because I didn't want to sleep throught the Chelsea match, that kicks off at 7.30am here. What better way to fill the time until then than reading more of this..

View attachment 305404

A zoologist author with an interesting side-story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delia_Owens#Zambian_murder_case

 

[gonetomorrow]

I'm reading a biography of Keith Richards by Victor Bockris which was published in 1992. I've read his autobiog from 2010 but it was all about drugs and tough talk which I'm not interested in. I hoped that the earlier book, being as it were fresher, would explain more about the actual music which I am interested in.
Sadly, after a great opening couple of chapters, it soon degenerates into the drug stuff and woman trouble etc. What ghastly, entitled people they all were!
They do say never meet your heroes. Add to that never read about then!

 

[atrottel]

Just finished re-reading the Old Man's War sci-fi series from John Scalzi in preparation for the seventh book later this summer.

If anyone is into that genre and hasn't come across it, the first three books are military science fiction, with the twist being that Earth inhabitants are given the option of joining the Colonial Defence Forces at the age of 75. They get a new body (and other stuff) and in return sign up for 10 years (if they make it that far). Thus the title of the first book and the series: Old Man's War
The fourth book retells the events of the third book from the pov of a teenage girl (far better than it sounds).
The fifth and sixth books are collections of vignettes and short stories, which all tie together and progress the narrative of the series. Some of them humorous, some of them tragic.

Scalzi is a very humanist writer with a good line in sarcasm and some of the ideas touch on philosophical questions which are relevant to the present time. (He said vaguely, so as not to give too many spoilers.) Well worth a look if you haven't come across him before.

 

[Bilko]

Enjoyable historical fiction, based around water to highlight the Yazidi people , touching on their history , suggesting it as the source for civilisation. Combines and brings together 3 characters from different eras.

 

[Bilko]

View attachment 311338

I’m not into golf at all, but a mate who is recommended this !

Having read this, it’s very hard to put into words how abhorrent Trump is in everything he does.

One line stood out for me, “ Trump is a human flame thrower, he torches everything and everyone he comes into contact with “

It was very very funny in parts, but also tragic at the same time, that this outright grifter is now using his presidency to grift the whole world.

I read this over the w/end, so true what you wrote. Enjoyed it immensely and it's being passed around the family

 

[COYBL25]

I read this over the w/end, so true what you wrote. Enjoyed it immensely and it's being passed around the family

It`s a proper mad read isn`t it and you don`t even need to be into golf to enjoy it

Trump is a real; creature though and it`s mind boggling that he`s now president for the second time.

 

[Bilko]

Good read this,historical fiction.
The bird in the bamboo cage by Hazel Gaynor.

 

[summerisle]

Came across this fascinating anecdote from Ray Bradbury.

 

[degsy]

Came across this fascinating anecdote from Ray Bradbury.

One of the greats, along with Simak, Asimov, Heinlein etc I'd buy those pulp magazines in the early 60s from a little shop on the corner of Island Rd

 

[summerisle]

Ordered this today, very intriguing.

The Dead of Summer -- Susan Price

The British Library just posted me a book. The Dead of Summer I won’t lie: it makes me feel sort of special to have a large, hard-backed a...

authorselectric.blogspot.com

The British museum seems to have a few books in a similar vein.

The Dead of Summer: Strange Tales of May Eve and Midsummer

May Day Eve, Walpurgis Night and Midsummer Eve – or the Summer Solstice. Tales of these fated days and nights, and their riotous rituals and feasts, have rung down the centuries, and yet in today’s world those that observe their ancient ways are few. Setting out on a mission to re-weird this...

shop.bl.uk

 

[Bilko]

one of my best buys, also from the british museum. A book you can pick up and put down.