Just finished "Gemma" by Meg Tilly. She's best known as an actress (she was the young girlfriend in "The Big Chill") but she's written a couple of quite good books - this is not so much a case of an actress using her fame to get books published, but of an author who took a wrong turn and did some acting when young. Her subject is neglected children, sexual abuse, etc, and from what I've heard in interviews, she stays pretty close to home - the childhoods described in her books aren't that far off from her own.

"Gemma" falls flat a couple times, and has its moments of unbelievability, but there are some spot-on moments, too. Places where you think "Yes, that's it - that's exactly what it was like to be a kid." It's pretty rough stuff, but worth a read, I think.

Currently reading A Clash of Kings - The second book from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

It's an excellent read, as was the first book in the series.

After enjoying The Gathering by Anne Enright - am reading her collection of short stories : Yesterday's Weather - she reminds me of one of my old favourites, Edna O'Brien. Keeping The Pleasure of Eliza Lynch to read during my next holiday..

Sherry, I have read quite a few articles that Enright has contributed to "New Yorker Magazine" and always enjoyed those. Your post has prompted me to look into some of her novels. Is the Eliza Lynch you mention the one who was the mistress to Uruguay's President Lopez?

I start a new book every few days. Now I'm reading "The Bruce Trilogy" by Nigel Tranter. It's a fictional account of Robert the Bruce.

Hi Sandy

Its Paraguay not Uraguay...think it will make a good holiday read : probably a bit racey!

I'm reading Fatal Revenant by Stephen R. Donaldson.

Quote:

---

think it will make a good holiday read : probably a bit racey!

---

OohOOh! Cover Sue's eyes poor old dear and make with the title?

I'm halfway through "The Dark Tide" by Andrew Gross.

Has anyone besides myself ever read any C.J.Box books?

I'm on a Dick Francis kick, and I'm currently reading "The Edge".

My mom finally got me to read an Agatha Christie novel, "And Then There Were None." Unfortunately, I already know "whodunit" - but it's still an excellent (and creepy ) story. I'm currently one murder into it ...

Funny when
I read that book it had a less politically correct title.

Didn't finish the Bruce trilogy yet. I read the first two books. I'm reading "Heimskringla" right now--not cover to cover, mind you. And, yes, it is for school. :-)

Just finished The Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup. Would highly recommend it.

Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe

Just finished 'The Ghost' by Robert Harris. An excellent thriller which really makes you think! Highly recommended!

Rereading Josephine Tey's "The Daughter of Time". Just an excellent book - a classic English mystery with a twist.

Rereading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King, currently on the second book.

I am currently going back to my childhood & am reading a set of Judy Blume books, lol. The next book I'll be reading is, "The Last Lecture".

"The Prestige" by Christopher Priest. I watched the movie and it is great so I picked up the book at the bookstore.

Almost finished with James Lee Burke's "The Tin Roof Blow Down" while most authors who use New Orleans as a backdrop city in their novels have become squeamish in continuing their storylines in the Crescent City, Burke hits Katrina head-on. It's sad and maddening because you realize how much of the descriptions and horrors are true.

One of my favorite authors provides an excellent read yet again.

I am reading "Gildenford" by Valerie Anand.

"Broken" by Shy Keenan. I'd get it finished if only I could stop crying.

What should I be reading at the moment?

Advanced Life Support - Australian Guidelines.

Considering I have to deliver some of the material found within in the next couple of days, it's about time I cracked the spine ...

After that, I hope to get my hands on a copy of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

Just finished "At First Sight" by Stephen J Cannell

plan to start reading "Silent Thunder" by Iris Johansen tomorrow

I am currently reading "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. It is a novel told in flashback form of a man who joins the circus during the Depression. It's not a light summertime read, but it's a powerful story.

Stayed up last night reading Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. It's a children book, but nevertheless it's one of the best and most moving books that I've ever read. It follows a mistreated young boy in WWII who was evacuated to the country to live with Mister Tom, and describes his journey to being happy and healthy again.

I agree on that one, Ella. We use it as a set book when the P6's are learning about WW2. It is a wonderfully told story , and it reduced me to tears for sure. Our children love it. There is also a very well made film of it , maybe made by the BBC , not sure, with John Thaw as Mr Tom.
PS I just looked it up and Jack Gold directed, not BBC as I thought.

Thanks Sara, I'll try and get the film when I can. The story moved me to tears more than once, and will if I read it again. Is the movie or the book better?

Oh the book every time. I am just sentimental about the film as John Thaw was best man at my first wedding. I miss him.

I am right in the middle of a great cozy mystery called Death By Cashmere: A Seaside Knitters Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum. After that I am going to get into some books I picked up by Lillian Stewart Carl, an author I just recently stumbled onto and sounded interesting.