'The Distant Hours' - Kate Morton. While the language is a bit flowery, I' m gripped by the plot.
What are you reading right now? Page 139
Chris Evans Memoirs of a Fruitcake.
New Kupperman funny book arrived in the post today!
Re-reading Asterix in Belgium, now with the awareness of the point at which author Rene Goscinny died and illustrator Albert Uderzo changed the atmosphere to reflect his sombre mood.
Sadly, Uderzo has done a deal so that other writers/illustrators will produce new Asterix comics after his death: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/29/asterix-albert-uderzo
Aw, I only have a couple of Asterix books, I've been meaning to get more (old ones). I've been going through a Tintin phase recently.
The reason I think it's such a good idea is I believe someone will want to take it back to the Goscinny days of half sensible but clever and intricate stories. Belgium btw is possibly the worst of the original lot, it does look like only half a story dragged out by Uderzo.
A couple of years ago I was looking at them and only then realised the careful order the stories were written in, seeing that each adventure to somewhere was followed by a story at home, which were usually the cleverest stories. If they get anywhere near that level again then it will be excellent. I'd love the same thing to happen to Tintin, who I think could go on forever.
What ones do you have, Zooo?
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ October 16 2011, 11:09 AM BSTThe reason I think it's such a good idea is I believe someone will want to take it back to the Goscinny days of half sensible but clever and intricate stories.
As long as it's clever and we don't end up with more dodgy movie tie-in books or awful crap like the Dogmatix series. Are any of the Asterix movies with Gerard Depardieu as Obelix any good?
I quite liked the first one myself. Haven't seen any others. Fantastic set and art design etc.
Quote: lofthouse @ September 16 2011, 9:40 PM BSTDaughters of the witching hill
Pendle witches n all that shiz
Wow
THE best book I've read in my whole life
Brilliant
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ October 16 2011, 11:09 AM BSTWhat ones do you have, Zooo?
Which Tintins you mean?
Almost all of them I think.
No, Asterix, I'm not a Tintin expert, still got half of them to read myself. 
Tibet I have to say is my favourite so far, but I think most say that. Have you read Switzerland, Gladiator, Big Fight yet? Those are the best. Lots of other good ones too but those are the very best. Agree, Kenneth?
Well I read a ton of Asterix when I was a kid, but the only one I can find now is Magic Carpet. :/
I know I have a book with 3 stories in it, but God knows what they were. Possibly an Olympics one, if such a book exists?
Yes Olympics isn't bad, not in the top bracket imo, but it's all very subjective isn't it. Magic Carpet would've been great if only it didn't have the magic carpet. A trip to India was a great idea. But not on a flying rug! This was Uderzo solo. 
Black Gold was very good, shame about the others.
For new adventures, assuming fans of the old style books get the contract, I'd love to see trips to China, Japan, Australia, Russia, and some good satires of the modern world return, in the vein of Obelix & Co and Mansion. Not that I still read children's comics or anything. 
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ October 16 2011, 5:26 PM BSTSwitzerland, Gladiator, Big Fight yet? Those are the best. Lots of other good ones too but those are the very best. Agree, Kenneth?
Yes, I'm very fond of those, but I also like Caesar's Laurel Wreath (alcoholism and orgies), Obelix & Co (capitalism/marketing explained), Corsica (a cheese gone mad), Cleopatra (foreign languages mangled), The Mansions of the Gods (trade unions/real estate), The Roman Agent, The Soothsayer and others. Belgium too has some great moments, such as Obelix trying to finish the story on page 10 so the feast can commence and the cameo by the Thompson Twins. And Olympic Games has a ridiculous page where all of the characters (except Asterix) bicker about the best way to cook mushrooms.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ October 16 2011, 6:09 PM BSTThis was Uderzo solo.
Yep, just re-read that today. Odd how the Roman spy is a caricature of Sean Connery's Bond but also strongly resembles John Cleese. And whichever book had the cameo by the Michelin Man fixing a chariot wheel was excellent (Tour de Gaul, I think).
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ October 16 2011, 6:09 PM BSTFor new adventures, assuming fans of the old style books get the contract...
I forget the precise details, but I think Uderzo has been assisted over the past 15 years or more by two or three illustrators and these are the guys who will be doing the art for the first post-Uderzo books. Just need an inspired author. Otherwise expect more the same of the recent stuff.