THE DONSTALK BOOK CLUB

[manc_don]

Nope, Exit is in Novi Sad on the grounds of a fortress. I was hoping to go this year for my stagger but it proved too tricky to get a group from the UK to northern Serbia so we are going to Balaton Sound in Hungary instead.

 

I swear a mate of mine said it was moving, oh well, that means I must try and get there next year then. Balaton Sound, is that the one near Budapest which is ridiculously cheap for four days of carnage?

 

Just checked, that line up is pretty good! Beastie Boys, Hernan Cattaneo, Basement Jaxx, Darren Emerson and Eric Prydz. That is going to be shit hot.

[Sharpie]

That was last years line up min. It's on the banks of Lake Balaton which is an hour south of Budapest. Electronic madness in the sun, I cannae wait.

 

 

 

[manc_don]

They haven't updated their website, my god, some lineup! Is it still 68 euros for the four days?

[Sharpie]

Sumfink like that. Cheap as goulash.

[Superstar Tradesman]

Just finished reading 'Bringing Down the House' which has recently been released as a film staring Kevin Spacey.

 

The book was ok, it's about a group of maths students who are recruited by a card shark who teaches them how to work as a team to scoop millions in Vegas playing blackjack.

 

Not really much in it that raises the eyebrows which considering it's set largely in Sin City.  I was expecting a pretty sordid story of neon lights, high class hookers and mountains of cash rolling in.  But then again, what did I really expect from a bunch of maths geeks?

[Kowalski]

Just finished reading 'Bringing Down the House' which has recently been released as a film staring Kevin Spacey.

 

The book was ok, it's about a group of maths students who are recruited by a card shark who teaches them how to work as a team to scoop millions in Vegas playing blackjack.

 

Not really much in it that raises the eyebrows which considering it's set largely in Sin City.  I was expecting a pretty sordid story of neon lights, high class hookers and mountains of cash rolling in.  But then again, what did I really expect from a bunch of maths geeks?

 

I've seen the film (which is not bad - good soundtrack) and have bought the book to give it a read.

[BigAl]

Aye film is titled "21". Saw it on Sat night, thought it was pretty good. Seem to recollect reading that it is based upon a true story

[Superstar Tradesman]

Yeah, it's based on a true story.

 

Picked up another one of those John Corey books Al.  Plum Island I think it's called.  Looking forward to that next. 

[baggy89]

Just finished reading 'Bringing Down the House' which has recently been released as a film staring Kevin Spacey.

 

The book was ok, it's about a group of maths students who are recruited by a card shark who teaches them how to work as a team to scoop millions in Vegas playing blackjack.

 

Not really much in it that raises the eyebrows which considering it's set largely in Sin City.  I was expecting a pretty sordid story of neon lights, high class hookers and mountains of cash rolling in.  But then again, what did I really expect from a bunch of maths geeks?

 

Read the book about 4 years ago seem to remember it being quite good.

[rocket_scientist]

Yeah, it's based on a true story.

 

Yes, from the uni at Boston. Face recognition software got them kicked out of a casino in Monte Carlo. They were card counters.

[BigAl]

Yeah, it's based on a true story.

 

Picked up another one of those John Corey books Al.  Plum Island I think it's called.  Looking forward to that next.  

 

have read all the books written by Nelson Demille...... if you've enjoyed them so far, trawl charity shops and Amazon for the others

[Mentorred]

The Granton Star Cause

 

A Soft Touch

 

The Acid House

 

 

 

Class read the book and own the DVD, "I can take mair" 

 

Reading if you liked school you will love work now.

[BigAl]

The Reluctant Fundementalist by Mohsin Hamid..... different best describes it

[smooth]

Just finished a couple books

 

Fup - jim dodge, quality read, set in mid west america somewhere, top notch. also check out stone junction by the same author it really is a tremendous journey through america

 

The seven days of peter crumb - Jonny Glynn - good read if a little horrific a times, set in London and is about a guy going into complete meltdown.  oooft

[BigAl]

The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

[Goldie03]

The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

 

That is a realy good read 

[BigAl]

That is a realy good read 

 

Just on about page 90 odd, but shaping up to be a good read

[Goldie03]

Yeh I quite enjoyed it read it last year if I remember

 

I'm about to logoff and read my latest book The Pact by Jodi Picoult - not much of a fan of hers normally but this one is ok

 

 

[BigAl]

Enjoy.... catch you later

[Guest bloo]

The Bang-Bang Club by Greg Marinovitch & Joao Silva

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bang-bang-Club-Making-South-Africa/dp/009928149X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217339700&sr=8-1

 

Very much an eye-opener of the last years of apartheid in South Africa.  The Bang-Bang Club was a group of four intrepid photographers who put their lives on the line to get pictures on the front-line of the hidden civil war that raged in the SA townships.  Only two of them survived (though one of them was shot on three separate occasions).  Of the others one was shot dead and another (Kevin Carter of Manic Street Preachers single fame) killed himself because he was too sensitive to the things he had seen.

 

If you are at all interested in South African politics you must read this book.

[BigAl]

Just started on "Dreams From My Father" by Barack Obama or Barry as he was called as a youngster.

[baggy89]

I read, on holiday, "The Power of the Dog" by Don Winslow. It's all about the American war on drugs set over 30 years. Winslow tells of the involvement of the DEA ,the Mafia, CIA, Mexican drug cartels by telling the story through the eyes of several different characters. Best book I've read in a long while.

[Kowalski]

Just started on "Dreams From My Father" by Barack Obama or Barry as he was called as a youngster.

 

I'll be interested to hear what its like.  I've been told his "The Audacity of Hope" book is extremely well written.

 

Just finishing Terry Pratchett "Making Money" at the moment.

[BigAl]

I'll be interested to hear what its like.  I've been told his "The Audacity of Hope" book is extremely well written.

 

Just finishing Terry Pratchett "Making Money" at the moment.

 

Will let you know

[BigAl]

I read, on holiday, "The Power of the Dog" by Don Winslow. It's all about the American war on drugs set over 30 years. Winslow tells of the involvement of the DEA ,the Mafia, CIA, Mexican drug cartels by telling the story through the eyes of several different characters. Best book I've read in a long while.

 

Believe it or not I took the don Winslow book on my hols and never even opened the front cover.... me thinks its next on the list on account of your recommendation.... better be good mind