what book you reading at the moment? (incl poll)

[Stromovka]

Prague Nights - When I discovered that the author Benjamin Black was a pen name for John Banville it explained the quality of elegant prose in this well written murder mystery set in high society Prague during renaissance times when life was cheap and death was often gruesome. I have a particular grá for Prague, from many visits, and recognised many of the city settings, buildings and streets, which probably endeared the story to me. Affairs, coded letters and rivalries abound in the Emperor's court. I'll be reading more Benjamin Black/John Banville books.

The story itself was only above average. Just well written.

 

[BlackpoolTerrier]

Am up in Wexford today and I called in to this place - Red’s Bookshop on St. Peter’s Square.



It’s unbelievable, there must be ten or 12 rooms like the one shown. The porch is where they keep all the classic literature and I had four books in my hand before I even got in the door.

Inside, every room is crammed. You haven’t a hope of seeing all the titles but you find loads of stuff all the same. Pretty much every book is €2 if you’re buying an armful of them. I had to set the alarm on the phone for 15 minutes and go to the checkout with whatever I had then - otherwise you’d need a wheelbarrow to carry all you’d pick.

Loads of chairs located in different spots too, so you can nip in and have an aul’ read anytime you want.

Well worth a detour.

 

[BlackpoolTerrier]

View attachment 46701

Prague Nights - When I discovered that the author Benjamin Black was a pen name for John Banville it explained the quality of elegant prose in this well written murder mystery set in high society Prague during renaissance times when life was cheap and death was often gruesome. I have a particular grá for Prague, from many visits, and recognised many of the city settings, buildings and streets, which probably endeared the story to me. Affairs, coded letters and rivalries abound in the Emperor's court. I'll be reading more Benjamin Black/John Banville books.

The story itself was only above average. Just well written.

Bang on StromovkaY, Banville is the man. His crime stuff has survived and continued to prosper after moving on from Quirke, Hackett and 1950’s SoCoDu.

He wrote a “new” Philip Marlowe a few years ago, which was brave of him. T’was a decent enough pastiche of the master.


I read one of his “own” titles - Shroud - before the Christmas. Another top delivery from the Wexford curmudgeon.

 

[Stromovka]

Am up in Wexford today and I called in to this place - Red’s Bookshop on St. Peter’s Square.

View attachment 46718

It’s unbelievable, there must be ten or 12 rooms like the one shown. The porch is where they keep all the classic literature and I had four books in my hand before I even got in the door.

Inside, every room is crammed. You haven’t a hope of seeing all the titles but you find loads of stuff all the same. Pretty much every book is €2 if you’re buying an armful of them. I had to set the alarm on the phone for 15 minutes and go to the checkout with whatever I had then - otherwise you’d need a wheelbarrow to carry all you’d pick.

Loads of chairs located in different spots too, so you can nip in and have an aul’ read anytime you want.

Well worth a detour.

That looks mad. Not quite on that level but I always try to visit Prim's 2nd hand bookshop in Youghal when I'm there and his son's in Kinsale. Always something to walk away with.

 

[keamoresouth]

Am up in Wexford today and I called in to this place - Red’s Bookshop on St. Peter’s Square.

View attachment 46718

It’s unbelievable, there must be ten or 12 rooms like the one shown. The porch is where they keep all the classic literature and I had four books in my hand before I even got in the door.

Inside, every room is crammed. You haven’t a hope of seeing all the titles but you find loads of stuff all the same. Pretty much every book is €2 if you’re buying an armful of them. I had to set the alarm on the phone for 15 minutes and go to the checkout with whatever I had then - otherwise you’d need a wheelbarrow to carry all you’d pick.

Loads of chairs located in different spots too, so you can nip in and have an aul’ read anytime you want.

Well worth a detour.

It's a fantastic place. I was in there a few years ago and loved it. Need to find an excuse to go back!

 

[Stromovka]

Bang on StromovkaY, Banville is the man. His crime stuff has survived and continued to prosper after moving on from Quirke, Hackett and 1950’s SoCoDu.

He wrote a “new” Philip Marlowe a few years ago, which was brave of him. T’was a decent enough pastiche of the master.


I read one of his “own” titles - Shroud - before the Christmas. Another top delivery from the Wexford curmudgeon.

Added to my ever increasing list!

 

[Happyhonkaman]

Pat Nevin's "The Accidental Footballer" is a brilliant read.

This was indeed a brilliant read, really enjoyable book and full of great anecdotes about numerous other players and managers. Nice wan

I also read In Extremis, the biography written about Marie Colvin, war correspondent. A fascinating read, hard to believe the life she lead in pursuit of getting honest accounts of dreadful situations and the human angle out there. One of the best books I’ve read

 

[Crisp Sandwich]

This was indeed a brilliant read, really enjoyable book and full of great anecdotes about numerous other players and managers. Nice wan

I also read In Extremis, the biography written about Marie Colvin, war correspondent. A fascinating read, hard to believe the life she lead in pursuit of getting honest accounts of dreadful situations and the human angle out there. One of the best books I’ve read

No worries, Mange - glad that you enjoyed it. There's also sequel, which I have bought but haven't read yet.

Currently on this history of Berlin before I make a return trip there later this month.

Told through the stories of the city's famous/infamous citizens and happenings. It's entertaining and fascinating.

 

[El Guapo]

Currently on this history of Berlin before I make a return trip there later this month.

Have you read the Berlin Noir trilogy by Phillip Kerr?

If you're going to be in Berlin you should read em while you're there. They're hard boiled detective stories about a PI in Berlin just as the Nazis are getting into power. They're great craic but he describes all thr places you'll be staying in and seeing while you're there.

 

[Happyhonkaman]

No worries, Mange - glad that you enjoyed it. There's also sequel, which I have bought but haven't read yet.

Currently on this history of Berlin before I make a return trip there later this month.

Told through the stories of the city's famous/infamous citizens and happenings. It's entertaining and fascinating.

Im going to make the same plan i make every year after reading a few books on holiday, and decide that i will continue to read in the evenings instead of messing around.. and then it wont happen again.

I did start John Boyne - The Echo Chamber because the missus has downloaded it and I was out of coverage and stuck without a book. Ive never read anything from him other than The Boy in The Striped PJs which was obviously great, this is very different, nice sprinkling of humour and observation about woke society. Will try to get that read anyway