BE's Book Club!!
Jan 27th 2006, 1:34 am
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Nov 2003
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BE's Book Club!!
I thought it was time to start up one of those threads about what book(s) we are reading at the present time, recommendations etc.
With Australia Day looming up around Christmas time I decided to enter an Australian History phase with my reading and hunted out some books for the coffee table.
I've read an interesting history of Melbourne - John Batman's village (by Agnes Paton Bell) one on Bendigo (by Frank Cusack) - where we lived for 5 years once; moved onto a history of Williamstown where I come from (by Lyn Strahan) and have some Geoffrey Blainey books to re-read (Tyranny of Distance, The Rush that never ended etc). Finally I'll re-read the history of a provincial Victorian town that my brother wrote but I won't say where or by whom to protect my anonymity!!
I've had previous Scottish/British/Irish history phases with my reading incidentally.
OzTennis
With Australia Day looming up around Christmas time I decided to enter an Australian History phase with my reading and hunted out some books for the coffee table.
I've read an interesting history of Melbourne - John Batman's village (by Agnes Paton Bell) one on Bendigo (by Frank Cusack) - where we lived for 5 years once; moved onto a history of Williamstown where I come from (by Lyn Strahan) and have some Geoffrey Blainey books to re-read (Tyranny of Distance, The Rush that never ended etc). Finally I'll re-read the history of a provincial Victorian town that my brother wrote but I won't say where or by whom to protect my anonymity!!
I've had previous Scottish/British/Irish history phases with my reading incidentally.
OzTennis
Jan 27th 2006, 1:39 am
#2
What's happening dudes?
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Bayside Brisbane
Posts: 20,647
Re: BE's Book Club!!
"From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to the MCG - Alistar Lynch".
For those that don't know, Lynch was one of the best forwards in the AFL in recent times (he retired from playing in 2004). In the mid-nineties, he was struck down by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which would see him sleeping for 18 hours per day or more and not being able to do much else. Worse still was that nobody could actually tell him what was wrong with him and how he could fight it. Eventually it was diagnosed as CFS and he learned how to keep it in check, which helped him to 3 AFL premierships with the Brisbane Lions. He wrote the book to hopefully inspire other CFS sufferers to realise that they can fight the affliction and still follow their dreams. Good on him
Then I've got a Maggie Thatcher biog to follow that up, which I expect to be a good read, regardless of whether you are / were a fan of hers or not.
For those that don't know, Lynch was one of the best forwards in the AFL in recent times (he retired from playing in 2004). In the mid-nineties, he was struck down by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which would see him sleeping for 18 hours per day or more and not being able to do much else. Worse still was that nobody could actually tell him what was wrong with him and how he could fight it. Eventually it was diagnosed as CFS and he learned how to keep it in check, which helped him to 3 AFL premierships with the Brisbane Lions. He wrote the book to hopefully inspire other CFS sufferers to realise that they can fight the affliction and still follow their dreams. Good on him
Then I've got a Maggie Thatcher biog to follow that up, which I expect to be a good read, regardless of whether you are / were a fan of hers or not.
Jan 27th 2006, 1:40 am
#3
Blah Blah Blah
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Posts: 885
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Just finished "One Thirteenth of an Elephant" by Denys Peeks. The author's account of life as a POW in the 2ndWW toiling on the Siam-Burma railway for the Japanese. An excellent, if sobering, tale.
Denys Peeks now lives in Perth, WA.
Denys Peeks now lives in Perth, WA.
Jan 27th 2006, 1:40 am
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by OzTennis
I thought it was time to start up one of those threads about what book(s) we are reading at the present time, recommendations etc.
With Australia Day looming up around Christmas time I decided to enter an Australian History phase with my reading and hunted out some books for the coffee table.
I've read an interesting history of Melbourne - John Batman's village (by Agnes Paton Bell) one on Bendigo (by Frank Cusack) - where we lived for 5 years once; moved onto a history of Williamstown where I come from (by Lyn Strahan) and have some Geoffrey Blainey books to re-read (Tyranny of Distance, The Rush that never ended etc). Finally I'll re-read the history of a provincial Victorian town that my brother wrote but I won't say where or by whom to protect my anonymity!!
I've had previous Scottish/British/Irish history phases with my reading incidentally.
OzTennis
With Australia Day looming up around Christmas time I decided to enter an Australian History phase with my reading and hunted out some books for the coffee table.
I've read an interesting history of Melbourne - John Batman's village (by Agnes Paton Bell) one on Bendigo (by Frank Cusack) - where we lived for 5 years once; moved onto a history of Williamstown where I come from (by Lyn Strahan) and have some Geoffrey Blainey books to re-read (Tyranny of Distance, The Rush that never ended etc). Finally I'll re-read the history of a provincial Victorian town that my brother wrote but I won't say where or by whom to protect my anonymity!!
I've had previous Scottish/British/Irish history phases with my reading incidentally.
OzTennis
My favs are
Ladykiller - Martina Cole
The Da Vinci Code
The Messiah Code
All of Mark Billinghams books are excellent - Lazybones, Scaredy Cat etc
James Patterson's Alex Cross series.
Fantastic
Jan 27th 2006, 1:44 am
#5
What's happening dudes?
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Bayside Brisbane
Posts: 20,647
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by WendyC
The Da Vinci Code
Jan 27th 2006, 1:45 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
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Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by wmoore
Read The Da Vinci Code recently and thoroughly enjoyed it
The Messiah code is very similar and just as good.
Jan 27th 2006, 1:46 am
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: BE's Book Club!!
A Million Little Pieces...coz I lurve the truth that goes with non-fiction ..not..lol
Jan 27th 2006, 1:48 am
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7,949
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by wmoore
"From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to the MCG - Alistar Lynch".
For those that don't know, Lynch was one of the best forwards in the AFL in recent times (he retired from playing in 2004). In the mid-nineties, he was struck down by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which would see him sleeping for 18 hours per day or more and not being able to do much else. Worse still was that nobody could actually tell him what was wrong with him and how he could fight it. Eventually it was diagnosed as CFS and he learned how to keep it in check, which helped him to 3 AFL premierships with the Brisbane Lions. He wrote the book to hopefully inspire other CFS sufferers to realise that they can fight the affliction and still follow their dreams. Good on him
Then I've got a Maggie Thatcher biog to follow that up, which I expect to be a good read, regardless of whether you are / were a fan of hers or not.
For those that don't know, Lynch was one of the best forwards in the AFL in recent times (he retired from playing in 2004). In the mid-nineties, he was struck down by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which would see him sleeping for 18 hours per day or more and not being able to do much else. Worse still was that nobody could actually tell him what was wrong with him and how he could fight it. Eventually it was diagnosed as CFS and he learned how to keep it in check, which helped him to 3 AFL premierships with the Brisbane Lions. He wrote the book to hopefully inspire other CFS sufferers to realise that they can fight the affliction and still follow their dreams. Good on him
Then I've got a Maggie Thatcher biog to follow that up, which I expect to be a good read, regardless of whether you are / were a fan of hers or not.
OzTennis
Jan 27th 2006, 1:49 am
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,630
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by wmoore
Read The Da Vinci Code recently and thoroughly enjoyed it
I've just started that. Hubby's reading Angels and Demons
Jan 27th 2006, 1:53 am
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by suzy
I've just started that. Hubby's reading Angels and Demons
Also a good book
Jan 27th 2006, 1:54 am
#11
What's happening dudes?
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Bayside Brisbane
Posts: 20,647
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by OzTennis
That would be an interesting read. Lynch played for the Fitzroy Lions originally as you'll know and he was one of the few players who made the move to Brissie and have a long career with the Bears/Lions. He didn't seem to be much affected by the CFS in his last match was it when he got rubbed out for 'king hitting' his opponent who had been niggling him all match!
OzTennis
OzTennis
Jan 27th 2006, 1:57 am
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by wmoore
Read The Da Vinci Code recently and thoroughly enjoyed it
I've read most of Bryce Courtenay's books and they are well worth reading too.
OzTennis
Jan 27th 2006, 2:01 am
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by wmoore
Shame his last match didn't make history (4 in a row).
OzTennis
Jan 27th 2006, 2:01 am
#14
What's happening dudes?
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Bayside Brisbane
Posts: 20,647
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by OzTennis
I got 2 or 3 of his books in a charity shop but have not started reading any yet. Apparently there is a Scottish connection in the DVC - Rosslyn Chapel. For some reason I have resisted starting it because people say it is too cryptic. I prefer doing the quick rather than the cryptic crosswords for the same reason I guess!
I've read most of Bryce Courtenay's books and they are well worth reading too.
OzTennis
I've read most of Bryce Courtenay's books and they are well worth reading too.
OzTennis
Jan 27th 2006, 2:03 am
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Posts: 28,176
Re: BE's Book Club!!
Originally Posted by wmoore
DVC is by nature cryptic but it's written so that every chapter ends on a cliff-hanger and you end up reading on to find the solution to the puzzle. I heard people say the ending was disappointing but I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish.
Me too and I didn't find it cryptic at all.
