Good Book for Hols?

sbowler · 10-07-2006, 1:41 PM

Going for the summer hols soon, 2 wks laying on the beach sizzleing. I swear if the sun didnt go down the GF would lay there 24/7. But I tend to get a bit bored, so anyone recommend a good book. I like SC-FI, Biographies, Horror and columbo style detective stories.

WibXL · 10-07-2006, 1:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbowler

Going for the summer hols soon, 2 wks laying on the beach sizzleing. I swear if the sun didnt go down the GF would lay there 24/7. But I tend to get a bit bored, so anyone recommend a good book. I like SC-FI, Biographies, Horror and columbo style detective stories.

Spares by Michael Marshall Smith is very good and has a bit of everything you've mentioned except for the biography bit.

EDIT: Click here for a bit more info, it's better than the blurb makes it appear.

booyaka · 10-07-2006, 1:51 PM

detective stories - you can't beat the Inspector Rebus books by Ian Rankin.

great holiday reading!

DJT75 · 10-07-2006, 1:55 PM

I only really read biographys & they're generally either sporting or comedians.

Frank Skinners book is probably the finest I've ever read.
Just finished Rik Mayall's which was a little wacky but fairly entertaining. Steve McManaman's El Macca is a great insight into life at Real Madrid. Just bought Robbie Fowlers (was waiting for paperback release & it was only £3.99!!), haven't started yet.

**Garrett** · 10-07-2006, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbowler

Going for the summer hols soon, 2 wks laying on the beach sizzleing. I swear if the sun didnt go down the GF would lay there 24/7. But I tend to get a bit bored, so anyone recommend a good book. I like SC-FI, Biographies, Horror and columbo style detective stories.

Best sci-fi book ever IMHO is Midnight at the Well of Souls.

Paulie-W · 10-07-2006, 3:23 PM

Will Svens bio be out by then?

juniper · 10-07-2006, 3:25 PM

I'd recommend "Chasing the Dime" by Michael Connolly, which falls into your Columbo category. Brilliant stuff

.

Philly112 · 10-07-2006, 3:39 PM

For Sci Fi, try The Algebraist by Iain M Banks.
(or any of his books!)

This one is simple stupendous - funny, moving, scary - it is just a great novel which happens to be Sci Fi.
Phil

Drd · 10-07-2006, 3:57 PM

Or the Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter Hamilton.Absolutely wonderful sci-fi and the 3 books will easily keep you enthralled for a fortnight (well over 1000 pages each book).I agree with Iain Banks' books,excellent reading.Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan is a clever book too.Whatever,have a good one.

Johnny Thunder · 10-07-2006, 3:59 PM

Try Robert Ludlum's novels.
The Holcroft Covenant is a good starter, if you have not ruined it by watching
the crap film.

Mr Cat · 10-07-2006, 4:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie-W

Will Svens bio be out by then?

or this one maybe better...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...lance&n=266239

Paulie-W · 10-07-2006, 4:19 PM

la gran siete · 10-07-2006, 4:45 PM

Any Tom Sharpe book

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/tom-sharpe/

Philly112 · 10-07-2006, 4:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la gran siete

Any Tom Sharpe book

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/tom-sharpe/

Riotous Assembly and Indecent Exposure (the two South African parodies) are both hilarious.
Though probably not for the beach - you will be laughing too much and might take a few odd looks...
Phil

Johnny Thunder · 10-07-2006, 4:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la gran siete

Any Tom Sharpe book

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/tom-sharpe/

Great comedies.
Riotous Assembly and Indecent Exposure are quality.

Johnny Thunder · 10-07-2006, 4:54 PM

Spooky.........

Philly112 · 10-07-2006, 4:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Thunder

Spooky.........

Yes, very...!!!

la gran siete · 10-07-2006, 5:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly112

Riotous Assembly and Indecent Exposure (the two South African parodies) are both hilarious.
Though probably not for the beach - you will be laughing too much and might take a few odd looks...
Phil

Yeah i know , they are both 'cant put them down' books

MikeTV · 10-07-2006, 8:35 PM

If you are looking to keep the old grey matter in shape, and like science, then Bill Bryson's - A Short History of Everything. Or for a fascinating history of China, and moving biographical, Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

But if that's too heavy for the beach, most Bill Byson's are good for a holiday chuckle.

and36 · 10-07-2006, 9:30 PM

The Sprouts of Wrath by Robert Rankin, an ideal easy to read holiday book, has suspense, comedy, sci-fi all rolled into one

Mr.D · 10-07-2006, 10:13 PM

Second vote for Richard Morgan, Altered Carbon is great , Broken Angels and the third one I can't remember are also good, Market Forces is entertaining.

Neal Asher is a lot like Iain M. Banks ( nowhere near as good but entertaining).

Beobloke · 11-07-2006, 8:53 AM

Was in Woolies at the weekend and noticed that both James Patterson and Kathy Reichs have new books out ("Judge and Jury" and "Break no Bones" respectively), which will be top of my summer reading list.

WibXL · 11-07-2006, 9:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.D

Second vote for Richard Morgan, Altered Carbon is great , Broken Angels and the third one I can't remember are also good, Market Forces is entertaining.

I think the third is woken furies, I should know really as I'm actually reading it at the moment

I enjoyed his Takeshi San books a lot but Market Forces didn't really do it for me.

WibXL · 11-07-2006, 9:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by and36

The Sprouts of Wrath by Robert Rankin, an ideal easy to read holiday book, has suspense, comedy, sci-fi all rolled into one

I think my favourite one of his so far is The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies Of The Apocolypse. Very funny and I'll never look at toys in the same way again.