MAGICAL MYSTERY TOURS: MY LIFE WITH THE BEATLES

I purchased this on a whim at a garage sale (with the help of Amazon reviewers). I wasn't expecting much for it as I had no idea who Tony Bramwell was. I just knew it was about The Beatles and got some good reviews so I gave it a shot. Much of the book is devoted to his time with The Fab Four. However, towards the end, he finishes up about the rest of his business and personal life. Nothing of great interest there but it is his autobiography so he can put whatever he wants to in it.

I did like the book because he revealed things about The Beatles I had never heard before (plus he was there from the beginning to the end). Some of the newer things to me were:

-The working title for RUBBER SOUL was ABRACADABRA. But since this was released around the time John made his "bigger than Jesus" comments, they wanted to stay away from anything magical.
-The working title for THE BEATLES (The White Album) was A DOLL HOUSE.
-The working title for ABBEY ROAD was EVEREST. George is the one who suggested Abbey Road.
-The Beatles wanted to produce a movie version of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. They even approached Stanley Kubrick to direct it but he didn't feel the book could be adapted into a screenplay and it faded away.

Nothing too earth shattering but still interesting nevertheless. I will however say he has absolutely nothing but disdain for Yoko Ono. His belief appears to be she hypnotized John to fall in love with her and she was a cancer to everyone she dealt with. Overall, an interesting and light read for Beatles fans who are looking for another perspective.

Two I finished in the last week:

"Submission," by Michel Houillebec, a famous French novelist and poet. Describes a fortyish professor of 19th Century literature, adrift and unmotivated, as France elects a Muslim Brotherhood president and starts converting to Muslim domination. A real French novel--cynical, intellectual, literary references odd twists, numb emotions. Well worth it, if you're into that kind of writing.

"M Train," by Patti Smith. She's a very different, very interesting person: writer, poet, rock musician, her own woman. This book complements the earlier "Just Kids," which was about her upbringing and introduction to the New York Beatnik/Punk Rock scene and her relationship with the painter Robert Mapplethorp. "M Train" continues--a rambling tour through her marriage, her travels abroad to visit the graves of literary figures she admires, purchase of a ramshackle Rockaway Beach, NY, bungalow, mystical dreams. Poetical in its own way.

Reading Chasing The Dime by Michael Connelly.

Probably the first Connelly novel I am really struggling with motivation to read.

It's not a Bosch novel for whatever that's worth.

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

I read this book knowing how popular it is and that it's being made into a movie, due for release later this year. Other than that, I didn't know much about it and I have to be honest, it didn't really do much for me. It wasn't a real page-turner or a book I had a hard time putting down. I did kind of like how it would bounce from person to person, backwards and forwards. And for whatever reason, as I was reading it, I was reminded of GONE GIRL (which I've never read - just seen the movie). Anyone else read this and can offer up a different opinion? I'll more than likely still check the movie out.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

I have owned this book for a number of years and with this past Lent season, I thought it was the perfect time (and long overdue) to finally read the novel the movie is based upon. To begin, I do enjoy the Martin Scorsese movie but it's not my favorite of his work. To that end, I enjoyed the movie more. The book is good and the movie follows it pretty closely but where it differs, I prefer the path Marty and co. took rather than Kazantzakis. Also, some of the language used didn't translate as well for me personally. Originally, this was written in Greek and later translated into English. There is a section at the end of the book about the writing style of Nikos Kazantzakis and it's even stated some of the imaginary used in his writing may be lost to some English readers and I would consider myself to be in that category. Not only that but in the beginning of the book, I feel they already gave away the ending by stating what the last temptation is. This happened with me viewing the movie for the first time as I was reading the essay in the Criterion DVD cover and it too spilled the beans. I don't understand and feel it's a disservice to spoil it like that. Overall, not a bad novel by any means and I definitely appreciate the book and later the movie to show the struggle Christ had as a human with many of the same temptations we experience. Personally, I would stick with the movie.

I was wondering what are some good recommendations on JFK and his assassination? I've read the two books the film is based on: CROSSFIRE: THE PLOT THAT KILLED KENNEDY by Jim Marrs and ON THE TRAIL OF THE ASSASSINS by Jim Garrison. I thought someone had recommended others a while ago but haven't been able to find it (or I could be thinking of somewhere else). Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Is Crossfire any good? I think a lot of Jim Garrison & Oliver Stone's stuff has been debunked.

Yes, it is. I enjoyed it more than ON THE TRAIL OF THE ASSASSINS. CROSSFIRE is very in-depth, coming in around 600 pages.

Just finished Mafia Prince by Phillip Leonetti. It was enlightening to me because I have not really studied the Philly mob much in the past. Nicky Scarfo was a real asshole and is where he should be- behind bars for the rest of his life. I am sure many or most of the members here have read it, but if you haven't, I would recommend it.

PSYCOPATH+RETARTD+HEARTLESS+COLDBLOODED KILLER+SICK MIND+POMPOUS+EGOTISTIC ASSHOLE..===NICKY DOMENICO SCARFO SR.

Don't hold back Hoodlum. You also forgot Napoleon complexed paranoid. lol

Just finished



My brother suggested this to me so I just got Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass in one book from a used book store going to start that soon

Thing I hate about every single Michael Connelly book.

Every adult female in the Harry Bosch universe is single and willing to drop trou for Bosch within moments of meeting him.

It's ridiculously contrived, almost always adds nothing to the books and happens every single damn time!

Reading The Burning Room at the moment.

Apparently the guy has time to pursue yet another romantic relationship despite raising a daughter as a single parent and juggling two investigations.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (PARTS 1 & 2)

Well, it's been 7 long years since we got anything new to read about Harry Potter. To say I was excited to read this book, like so many of us, is an understatement! It's a quick and easy read. With this being a play as opposed to a novel there are so many areas that could have been expanded upon. I thought some of the writing in parts was pretty weak in terms of the storyline and the reasons given; however, the twist at the end I did enjoy. Overall, being that this is probably as close to a Harry Potter book as we're going to get, I'll take it. I wouldn't mind if one day J.K. expanded upon it and added more details and depth. I would also love to see the play; however, it's only playing in London currently. Would love to see this made into a movie one day as well when the original actors get a bit older! Overall, not a bad read at all (just don't get your hopes up).

Anyone ever read The Pelican Brief by John Grisham?

One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Tried to watch the movie but the book was better.

LENNON: THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY

My first book solely about the life of John Lennon and I really enjoyed it. Rich with interviews from John, Yoko, Cynthia, and others who were close to him during his life time. The book also didn't focus so much about the main events during The Beatles time together but rather, what John's emotions, thoughts, and feelings were during those times (giving a nice revealing behind the curtain look so to speak). For any fan who wants to learn more about this icon, I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks for the recommendation DE NIRO!

Hey Irish, glad you enjoyed the book.

Me too. Next up is MANY YEARS FROM NOW and then I've preordered the updated version of George Harrison's book, I, ME, MINE.

Halfway through "From a Buick 8" by Stephen King.

It's a slog.

King has talked about how sometimes he needs an editor to rein him in.

I think this one could have been a bit shorter.

It's just going around in circles for 250 pages and counting.

After I saw the JFK film, I devoured many books about the assassination. Best Evidence by Lofton & Mark Lane's Rush to Judgment, JFK by Fletcher Prouty (claims to be "X" from the movie), Destiny Betrayed, & Case Closed are all worth your time.

Finished this last night, personally I didn't think it was great but it is a classic so I thought I would give it a shot

I read this the year it was released. What I recall is that everyone wrote their parts and the rest of the band/management were not allowed to read it. I remember thinking what a complete narcissist Tommy Lee was (is) and the hell Vince endured losing his daughter.

There's another good one about Nikki Sixx's deep spiral into heroin addiction called "The Heroin Diaries." Definitely worth the read.

Who reads my non soccer friends always send me soccer books. When you really know the game you don't read books on the subject. You steal what you like from other coaches you watched.

Awesome. Thanks for the recommendations goombah! The only books I've read are the 2 the movie is based upon.

John Glenn just died do you think he did not know who really killed Kennedy? You think he believed in the loan gunmen.

They took the style of the Aerosmith book, who probably took it from someone else.

A lot of people deep in rock and roll circles consider Nikki six to be completely full of shit, especially his heroin diaries book...I can't stand the fuckin guy.

Don't bother with Vince's book it will kill your brain cells it's so dumb. Hope mick writes one someday.

Enjoyed their early stuff,but they all seem like assholes.

Just finished "Street Player" by Danny Seraphine who, if you don't know it was a founding member and drummer of the band Chicago- one of my favorites. Very well written and interesting. He talks of the early days in Chicago before the band when he was involved with gangs and hanging out on street corners. He was headed in wrong direction until the band was formed. Lots of drugs, women and sadly the death of super guitarist Terry Kath.
After many years, Danny was fired due to group politics. He remains successful to this day. Download on Kindle and enjoy.

MANY YEARS FROM NOW

My first book on Paul McCartney but a fantastic read! Very in depth and covered a wide range of topics from his upbringing, to Linda, to Allen Klein to of course, the meat and potatoes of the book: The Beatles. I loved how Paul told his recollections of songwriting with John. Who wrote what and how much of a song was written by any particular person. As well as going through their later albums in more depth about what mood he was in or what inspirations were for certain songs. A straight from the horses mouth book that's as close to an autobiography as we're going to get from Sir Paul McCartney. My only knock would be sometimes the book I felt could give too much background information, setting up a scene. I would feel in some cases it would go on longer than I would have liked but in other circumstances, I appreciated the information. For example, the book begins about the city of Liverpool and how important it is as a port town, etc. DE NIRO, you're 2-for-2 on the recommendations and I still have I ME MINE left to read.

Glad to help and that you enjoyed the book..