In keeping with the forgotten books theme, I've not deliberately bought any of the books new, but found them in bookshelves on holidays or charity shops.
I've read loads of the culture books, but really can't remember which ( a bit like Terry Pratchett).
Quote from: seankenny on August 06, 2020, 12:32:17 pmOne Day as a Tiger, John Porter. The story of mountaineer Alex MacIntyre, who died in 1982 aged 28, hit by a stone on the south face of Annapurna. He certainly crammed a lot into those few years of life, not just hard routes in the Alps and Himalayas but also designing gear, shaping the BMC and forging links with Polish climbers. Porter was one of his climbing partners and this book is as much about the milieu of 70s and 80s British Alpinism as it is MacIntrye himself. It's all reasonably rock and roll as you'd expect, with some truly hair raising moments: a gem deal gone wrong in Afghanistan is one of the more frightening tales in the book. He captures how wild the Himalaya must have been in those days. Porter plays it totally straight until the final few days of the Annapurna trip, when the paranormal and premonitions of fate loom large. MacIntyre is being pulled into a vortex he cannot escape from, it seems, or is this just Porter's hindsight speaking? Either way, I'm glad he waited 30 years to write the book as it gives it a heft of maturity and insight that most mountaineering books lack. Definitely one of the best of the genre. Read this last year and thought this was excellent. I'd agree it was one of the best in the genre - up there with Echoes (Nick Bullock).
One Day as a Tiger, John Porter. The story of mountaineer Alex MacIntyre, who died in 1982 aged 28, hit by a stone on the south face of Annapurna. He certainly crammed a lot into those few years of life, not just hard routes in the Alps and Himalayas but also designing gear, shaping the BMC and forging links with Polish climbers. Porter was one of his climbing partners and this book is as much about the milieu of 70s and 80s British Alpinism as it is MacIntrye himself. It's all reasonably rock and roll as you'd expect, with some truly hair raising moments: a gem deal gone wrong in Afghanistan is one of the more frightening tales in the book. He captures how wild the Himalaya must have been in those days. Porter plays it totally straight until the final few days of the Annapurna trip, when the paranormal and premonitions of fate loom large. MacIntyre is being pulled into a vortex he cannot escape from, it seems, or is this just Porter's hindsight speaking? Either way, I'm glad he waited 30 years to write the book as it gives it a heft of maturity and insight that most mountaineering books lack. Definitely one of the best of the genre.
The Shadow of the WindThe first of a trilogy by Carlos Zafon. An exciting story somewhere between magical realism, fantasy and a standard thriller. I'm really surprised that no one has made a film of it.
Yep a book review blog would be a good idea rocksteady
As you can see I am a bit of a rereader, so any suggestions for others which the above suggest I may enjoy are welcomed!
Quote from: AMorris on August 28, 2020, 11:57:05 amAs you can see I am a bit of a rereader, so any suggestions for others which the above suggest I may enjoy are welcomed!Robin Hobb's Farseer and Tawny Man series are comparable to Rothfuss' books in many ways. If you liked TNOTW you will really get into Hobb's books. They are within only a handful of books i re-read as i'm not much of a re-reader (i opened 1 at a random page to kill some time and before i realised i re-read all 6 books again), along with TNOTW and the whole Malazan Book of the Fallen series which i'd also recommend even though the last 3 or 4 books get increasingly tough to follow.On the sci-fi front Richard Morgan's books of Altered Carbon fame are excellent, as are his Fantasy books. I never been into sci-fi but his books got me into it, and though they may be a bit plot twist prone they still make for good re-reads.
Also supports a massive personal YYFY of publishing my own novel last week. Has been a side project of mine for over 15 years.
Also supports a massive personal YYFY of publishing my own novel last week. Has been a side project of mine for over 15 years.If you like epic fantasy it could be up your street.
Also the Ian Cameron Esselmont spinoffs in the Malazan world are pretty good, especially the most recent ones with the birth of the Malazan empire.
I loved all the Culture novels but wouldn't be able to say which ones or indeed much about them. My favourite was about a bunch of intelligent and peaceful gas clouds that when roused, laid waste to a massive intergalactic fleet of tyrants. A bit like the Ents.
Justin Hopper[/b], The Old Weird Albion. Hopper takes a series of Sebald’esque walks around the Sussex and Hampshire downs where his grandparent’s lived. An attempt to resolve an unknown secret about his Grandmother provides the backbone to the travels which explore old Albion, myth and landscape. My kind of thing.