BB FANS

I have only joined this forum since BB5 started, and I did not realise you had such erudite subjects as books.

My favourite authors are Terry Pratchitt, Sara Paretsky, Bernard Cornwell, Elmore Leonard and the incomparable James Elroy.

I would like to hear your opinions on any of the above authors or someone else you feel is worthy of mention.

Mines Pratchett too. Also like Clive Barker, James Herbert and John O'Farrell.

Gabrielle Garcia Marquez and Wally Lamb for me.

George McDonald Fraser, Micheal Marshall Smith, Iain (M) Banks, Alistair Reynolds, Frank Herbert, Peter Straub, Nick Hornby, Anne Rice, Shirley Jackson all rock my world.

Darkheart I had forgotten about George Macdonald-Fraser I loved the Flashman books when I was a Kid, them and the Hitch-hiker series saw me through my adolescence.

It may be because I am thick but I always found Frank Herberts books somewhat impenetrable, do you suggest I try them again now I am a bit older, or are they an acquired taste?

Anne Rice is wonderful though.

Now, Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles were brilliant. But don't worry Pobbop, I find Frank Herbert heavy going too. Just wish I can break into it more.

The Flashman books are pure gold- totally exposing the Victorian hypocracy, IMO the funniest and best researched books ever written.

The Dune series is my favourite Sci-Fi series. They are written in a very idiosynchratic style and I think a lot depends on how you approach them. If you approach them as a study of power and politics (which is really what they are) then the story at the heart of the story is revealed. I'd definitley give them another go if I were you- I read them all at least once a year and get something new from them every time.

Thanks Darkheart I will give them another try!

I think I did not give them a chance coz my brother loved them so much, filial rivalry and all that!

Terry Pratchett!!! lol and John O'Farrel is ok too.

I am probably being incredibly ignorant, but I have never heard of John O'Farrel what type of books does he write?

Just kind of comedy chick-lit stuff. i might have got his name wrong, but one of his books is called "the best a man can get" and it's really funny!

he used to write sketches for Smith and Jones. He also appeared on Grumpy Old Men as well if I remember. I've only just started reading "This Is Your Life" about a bloke who convinces everyone he's a well known stand-up. Hang on a second, that sounds familiar......

ah, i just finished that!!! it's awesome

I just borrowed it off the old man.

Pantohorse has also mentioned him, not sure about "chik-lit" though?