Books

[Mooncat]

I'm an idiot, not sure how I posted this in the wrong forum. Anyway here's it copied over:

Just finished The Mist by Stephen King. A nice quick read. I'd seen the film before but this was the first time with the book. I enjoyed it, but I think the film might actually be better. It adds some bits and pieces that improve it all I think. The film really accentuates that Lovecraftian tone of it as well.

Trying to read some King I haven't read before so I've got Christine and Cujo on the nightstand for next (I've seen both of those films too).

[Eoin McLove]

Started into the mighty and epic tome that is The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich this evening. 650 pages or so. It looks daunting and has sat on the shelf for a few years but it is incredibly interesting from the start and completely accessible in its style. 50 pages in already.

[Mooncat]

Just started reading Lovecraft for the first time, I picked up a collection of his stories. Started with The Call of Chthulu as it feels like the most famous one. Gotta say I thought it was just ok. The writing style doesn't translate especially well to modern times (i had the same feelings about Dracula). I can imagine how for its time it would have been groundbreaking and scary, but I found it a bit meh to be honest. I'll read a few more though to be sure. Maybe the idea of secret cults and conspiracies just pales today in comparison to the very real, much scarier ones!

It did inspire me to rewatch The Void afterwards though. That's a fun one. It's like a greatest hits of other, better horrors lol.

[Ducky]

Yeah I've a big slab of a thing - his complete works - and I was so nonplussed by it I use it as a stand for my PS5 (it deadens the vibration from the disc drive nicely  ).

Picked up "Music As Medicine" by Daniel Levitin over the weekend. Really enjoyed his "This Is Your Brain On Music", so I'm looking forward to starting this one.

[Mooncat]

Just finished Cujo. I enjoyed it enough though it was quite rambly at times. A 400 page book that could easily have been 300 or less. The sections from the dog's perspective were a cool idea. Gotta rewatch the film now!

[Maggot Colony]

Just started Men in Love by Irvine Welch, a direct sequel to Trainspotting. Welch is definitely milking it but I love these characters so I'm delighted to be back in this world.

Also reading The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler. The plot is a bit convoluted but the dialogue is excellent.

[Carnage]

Porno was the direct sequel to Trainspotting, is Men In Love a follow on from that?

Just finished The Cabin At The End Of The World, hone invasion story where the invaders demand a sacrifice to prevent the apocalypse. M. Knight Shyalaman directed a film adaptation a couple of years ago, although key plot points and the ending are different. Both versions recommended.

[Eoin McLove]

A new Welsh is always welcome.

I picked up a nice hardback copy of Eyrie by Tim Winton in a charity shop today for $4. The first 20 pages have me hooked but I'm halfway through a re-read of Ian McEwan's The Children Act in anticipation of his forthcoming novel, so I'll try to resist 

[Maggot Colony]

Porno was the direct sequel to Trainspotting, is Men In Love a follow on from that?

Men in Love is set right after the events in Trainspotting. Porno was set 10 years after.

[Carnage]

Ah right. I lost track of Welsh years ago TBH.

[Don Gately]

A new Welsh is always welcome.

I picked up a nice hardback copy of Eyrie by Tim Winton in a charity shop today for $4. The first 20 pages have me hooked but I'm halfway through a re-read of Ian McEwan's The Children Act in anticipation of his forthcoming novel, so I'll try to resist 

Ah great book,  I may have recommended this here. Im struggling through new Murakami " the city and its uncertain walls" not great.

[Sworntothecans]

Spotted that new Welsh book the other day. Was surprised he went back to the well, but feck it, they've always been a good read.

[Mooncat]

Been reading the original Trainspotting after the mentions of Irvine Welsh in this thread. My first time reading it actually, despite loving the film. Really enjoying it so far, it's very reminiscent of Last Exit to Brooklyn, except Scottish. Took a little while to get into the flow of reading the dialect but now I'm flying through it.

[Eoin McLove]

It's so much darker and funnier than the film, which is great in its own right too.

[Mooncat]

It's so much darker and funnier than the film, which is great in its own right too.

I actually can't believe how good it is, every other line is amazing. It's so insightful. Might be just because I'm removed from back home for 10yrs that it's having extra impact on me, but holy shit I can't put it down. It's really capturing a kind of life and humour that just doesn't exist out here in the same way.