Books

[Carnage]

I've been meaning to read it (and some of his other nonfiction) for years. I read Animal Farm and 1984 when I was in school (and answered the modern novel question in the Leaving on them, despite them not being on that year's syllabus - fuck Silas Marner) and loved them, but just never got around to it.

[astfgyl]

Picked up a few books lately. Two Stephen King short story collections, an Irvine Welsh one I hadn't heard of, and some early sci-fi one by George Martin. Good old charity shops and the random outcomes.

[Eoin McLove]

Which Irvine Welsh did you get?

[astfgyl]

A Decent Ride. Haven't even started it yet but most of his stuff is good for a laugh and a sickening

In fact, one of the scenes in the second Trainspotting book is up there with the worst things I have ever read, where Spud and his dodgy pal pick up a dirty young one in the pub and get up to some of the sickest possible shit. The filth of it.

[Eoin McLove]

He's a master of calling up the most repugnant of human behaviour and somehow making it hilarious.

[astfgyl]

He has probably unfairly coloured my view of Scotland in general over the years, too.

[Eoin McLove]

No, that's exactly what it's like up there from the Highlands to the high rises of Edinburgh. Pure scum from top to bottom.

[astfgyl]

[Caomhaoin]

A decent ride is, well, decent. Juice Terry was the best thing about Glue so it was good to see him take ventre stage.

The last one I really enjoyed was Skagboys, Crime and the Blade Artist, not for me Jeff.

[open face surgery]

Met Irvine Welsh in a gaff here a few years back. Got a picture looking wrecked.

[Giggles]

Skagboys is a great read.

[Born of Fire]

I finished Madhouse at the End of the Earth the other night. Thoroughly enjoyable stuff.

As it happens I saw a review of this today and it seems like it's something I'd definitely be into so I must pick up a copy. The insanity of the golden age of polar exploration is fascinating stuff.

[Eoin McLove]

Yeah, it's Endlessly fascinating. And there is something exciting about that era of exploration, when the world was still a half unknown place. The descriptions of the light and the weird phenomena like fata morgana always really capture my imagination and make me want to re-read At the Mountains of Madness!

[CorkonianHunger]

Went a bit mad in a second shop in Youghal. Picked up an Edgar Allan Poe compiled stories, an illustrated version as well. Pynchon's "V" and Mishima's "Runaway Horses" and a poem book called "The Metaphysical Poet" (has a lot of John Donne). Got something for the missus too. Total was 30 quid which was mad. Most seem to be 1970s editions too.

[StoutAndAle]

Went a bit mad in a second shop in Youghal. Picked up an Edgar Allan Poe compiled stories, an illustrated version as well. Pynchon's "V" and Mishima's "Runaway Horses" and a poem book called "The Metaphysical Poet" (has a lot of John Donne). Got something for the missus too. Total was 30 quid which was mad. Most seem to be 1970s editions too.

Christ - that's a decent from a charity shop. I normally only see Dan Brown books and Gay Byrne's autobiography.

You will find a copy of "The Time Of My Life" by Gay Byrne in every charity shop across the nation.