What are you reading at the moment?

Scotshave said:

Well, courtesy of @Digimonkey and @Barry Giddens, I've just finished Chaucer and London Under by Peter Ackroyd. Both excellent reads. Now, I've jumped deeply into what's been called ‘psychogeography'. Lud Heat by Iain Sinclair is part-prose and part-poetry; which takes as its basis the cartographic (and possibly psychic) connections between churches designed and built in London by Nicholas Hawksmoor during the eighteenth century. Can place affect the psyche? Notable nineteenth century serial killings (and one twentieth century murder) in the shadows of these churches form Sinclair's work. Bring in Stan Brakhage, esoteric mysticism, Egyptology and Sinclair's own experience as a Council gardener and it makes for a heady mix.

So far, a dense and challenging read; especially the free verse, as I haven't read much poetry. But very enjoyable. Sticking with not dissimilar material, I've ordered what I think is his first novel White Chappel, Scarlet Tracings.

For those that are interested, the first part of Lud Heat ‘Nicholas Hawksmoor, His Churches' inspired Peter Ackroyd's Hawksmoor; and may have influenced Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's graphic novel From Hell.
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Digimonkey said:

Glad you enjoyed the Ackroyd books C. - I'm taken by your description of 'Lud Heat' - but I'm not good with poetry - totally rubbish in fact. The result of a shit English teacher - who put me off for life. Sinclair-wise - I'd point you in the direction of 'Lights Out for the Territory' and 'London Overground' - the first was particularly impressive - his signature drawing together of the oddest of sources from an apparently simple premise - nothing of course - is really simple in his world. You should check out - 'Strange Labyrinth' by Will Ashon - not as hardcore as Sinclair but in the same sphere - it was sent to me by @Barry Giddens - who I'm sure would second the recommendation. I'm over half way through 'Jocks' - and enjoying it - I'll reserve fuller comment until I finish it - cheers - I.

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CjH said:

So I'm not much of a reader... And after looking through some of the last 10 pages of what some of you guys are reading, I'm pretty ashamed to say I'm only reading a John Grisham novel, "The Appeal"
Like I said.... Not much of a reader.

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Digimonkey said:

Glad you enjoyed the Ackroyd books S. - I'm taken by your description of 'Lud Heat' - but I'm not good with poetry - totally rubbish in fact. The result of a shit English teacher - who put me off for life. Sinclair-wise - I'd point you in the direction of 'Lights Out for the Territory' and 'London Overground' - the first was particularly impressive - his signature drawing together of the oddest of sources from an apparently simple premise - nothing of course - is really simple in his world. You should check out - 'Strange Labyrinth' by Will Ashon - not as hardcore as Sinclair but in the same sphere - it was sent to me by @Barry Giddens - who I'm sure would second the recommendation. I'm over half way through 'Jocks' - and enjoying it - I'll reserve fuller comment until I finish it - cheers - I.

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Scotshave said:

Well, courtesy of @Digimonkey and @Barry Giddens, I've just finished Chaucer and London Under by Peter Ackroyd. Both excellent reads. Now, I've jumped deeply into what's been called ‘psychogeography'. Lud Heat by Iain Sinclair is part-prose and part-poetry; which takes as its basis the cartographic (and possibly psychic) connections between churches designed and built in London by Nicholas Hawksmoor during the eighteenth century. Can place affect the psyche? Notable nineteenth century serial killings (and one twentieth century murder) in the shadows of these churches form Sinclair's work. Bring in Stan Brakhage, esoteric mysticism, Egyptology and Sinclair's own experience as a Council gardener and it makes for a heady mix.

So far, a dense and challenging read; especially the free verse, as I haven't read much poetry. But very enjoyable. Sticking with not dissimilar material, I've ordered what I think is his first novel White Chappel, Scarlet Tracings.

For those that are interested, the first part of Lud Heat ‘Nicholas Hawksmoor, His Churches' inspired Peter Ackroyd's Hawksmoor; and may have influenced Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's graphic novel From Hell.
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CjH said:

So I'm not much of a reader... And after looking through some of the last 10 pages of what some of you guys are reading, I'm pretty ashamed to say I'm only reading a John Grisham novel, "The Appeal"
Like I said.... Not much of a reader.

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Barry Giddens said:

Some fabulous reading there Stephen. I haven't actually read ‘Lud Heat' - I'll have to give it a go. ‘White Chapel, Scarlet Tracings' is, from memory, excellent. Yet more Hawksmoor references. In fact that part of London, around Spitalfields and Whitechapel, is endlessly fascinating. I revisited it for the first time in years recently. The old Huguenot houses have been gentrified, and it's hard not to get swallowed up by a group of Americans on a ‘Ripper' tour, but the area is still a magnet for transitory and marginal characters. There's a palpable sense of history repeating itself, or overlapping. Hard to avoid the flocks of hipsters too.

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Barry Giddens said:

Chris, I agree with Iain. Reading is reading. (Actually, is that a town in Berkshire?)

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Scotshave said:

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Just started Macfarlane's book. This might be the travelling tome I've been looking for, for sometime.

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Barry Giddens said:

It's a marvellous read Stephen. Enjoy!

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karlc said:

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Got it off Amazon (kindle edition) for £1.
Good read but its exactly like the movies..no hidden lore or any extra backgrounds.

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Boycie83 said:

Don't want to spoil it for you @karlc but it turns out he's his dad!

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