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neil_thomson wrote: ↑Mon Mar 10, 2025 10:10 pm I am in need of some book recommendations. Either fiction/non-fiction, but something which is fairly light as I am an extremely slow reader and take a long time to digest words. Anything involving music, films, 1960s America, Robert De Niro or detectives should go down well. No complicated plots. Something which will grip me. Classic literature is good.

Unlike Joe, I haven't been through all (in fact any) of Zadie Smith's books, so feel free to pick one of them.

If you have a recommendation I need you to really sell it to me. Persuade me why your book is better than others. Why should I give it the time of day?

If I really enjoy your book then I'll send a handwritten thank you card for turning me onto it.

Love Neil x

Basil wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 1:54 am Percy Jackson obviously

MarsStars wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 2:15 am Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast) has lowkey become my go to 'airplane' book. It's a beautifully devastating read that tackles cultural identity, mother-daughter relationships, and loss.
For classics, I recommend The Waves by Virginia Woolf or Jane Eyre. (The hungry caterpillar is always there too)

soundwavesociety wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 3:54 am If you want something very light, there is a lovely short story from Ben Shattuck titled “The History of Sound.” I have a copy saved to my desktop I’d be happy to email you.

The story is about a lost love between two characters, Lionel and David. They meet around a piano at a bar and quickly become acquainted. They spend a later summer together traveling the countryside recording folk songs in rural Maine together, and this tells the tale of their fleeting connection. Very brief and light read, beautifully written as well! An adaptation of the story starring Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal is set to release later this year.

Unfortunately, it is 1910’s America, and not 1960’s. But still wonderful.

joe wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:36 am Pretty basic rec but you’d definitely enjoy some Raymond Chandler

neil_thomson wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:40 am

soundwavesociety wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 3:54 am If you want something very light, there is a lovely short story from Ben Shattuck titled “The History of Sound.” I have a copy saved to my desktop I’d be happy to email you.

The story is about a lost love between two characters, Lionel and David. They meet around a piano at a bar and quickly become acquainted. They spend a later summer together traveling the countryside recording folk songs in rural Maine together, and this tells the tale of their fleeting connection. Very brief and light read, beautifully written as well! An adaptation of the story starring Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal is set to release later this year.

Unfortunately, it is 1910’s America, and not 1960’s. But still wonderful.

This sounds great, I love a short story. Long reads scare the shit out of me. And don't even get me started on small fonts.