What are you Reading mark2

I only started this new thread as the other was a bit long.
Just a reminder, although most of us do....remember to tell us a bit about the book you mention, likes and dislikes etc. Thanks all.

When I moved to a new province I only took the one book with me (the rest will follow, eventually), but thankfully it's three books in one: the Icewind Dale trilogy by R. A. Salvatore. I'm currently reading Book 2, Streams of Silver, in which Drizzt, Bruenor, Wulfgar and Regis trek across the northlands in search of Bruenor's ancenstral home of Mithral Hall. I'm at an exciting part, too: after being denied entrance at Nesmé because of Drizzt's drow heritage, the companions shortcut across the Evermoors (nicknamed the Trollmoors, for good reason!) to shorten their distance to Silverymoon. This... was not a wise decision.

While I am very fond of Salvatore's work, especially his stories about Drizzt Do'Urden, I am fairly disappointed with the book, The Legend of Drizzt Collector's Edition, Book II, which was a reprint of the original trilogy featuring Drizzt and his companions. There are so many annoying mistakes that should have been caught by the editors. "Had" written as "hid", "the principal city" written as "principle". If I recall correctly, at a point farther along one of the main characters' names is misspelled as Wijlfgar. There were many, many more errors as well.

Edit to add:
Wizards of the Coast (the publishing company) should have a correction note system like FunTrivia's!

I really don't get to read as much as I used to, but my mom gave me a neat book that is the story of family life and a dog's life told from the perspective of the dog. So far The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is a good read.

I'm currently reading, at a very slow pace, The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. It's the prequel to Oryx and Crake and while it is as well written as Atwood's books always are, it hasn't engaged me in the way the previous book did. Possibly it's because of the multiple person narrative that was a little confusing at the start of the book - as a consequence, I don't feel I really know the characters that well, a third of the way into the book.

On a purely FT-related side note, O&C was given to me because the central character's name was Snowman. In YotF, one of the central characters is called ren

Ooooer Fame at last! All I can say is Ms Atwood has excellent taste.

I have two books on the go... the one mentioned above for a bit of light reading before bed and now I've also started reading The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum.

I'm enjoying the story so far. I saw the movie several years ago but don't remember much about the story, except that it's about a guy with amnesia.

The Clothes on Their Backs Linda Grant. I only just heard of this one, passed to me by a friend. It is very promising indeed. It is the story of Vivien, who is the child of rather insular Hungarian Jewish parents, brought up in London in the sixties. It is bringing back a lot of familiar sights and sounds of London at that time, Rachmanism etc. So far I am enjoying it.

I read that last year, and I had forgotten all about it! I enjoyed it, but I've lent it to someone in my reading circle, so I can't say more about it.

I've just finished 'Last Chance to Die' by Noah Boyd, which I started with high expectations - he's an ex FBI agent who's worked on some really high profile cases, but it took me a LONG time to read - I'm not sure whether it was the small font or whether the story was just too complicated, but I wasn't gripped. However I then turned to the latest Peter James book, 'Dead Man's Grip' and I'm sailing through it. It reads easily, is a compulsive page-turner, and he blends several plotlines beautifully. Occasionally his dialogue jars slightly, but the plot and characterisation more than make up for that. I've read all his Roy Grace series, and even go to the extent of buying them in hardback as soon as they come out. Highly recommended if you enjoy detective fiction!

Oh, I just read my first Peter James book a couple weeks ago (can't remember the name, it was the one where the guy disappeared in 9/11) and liked it a lot. If you recommend the series as a whole, I'll give a few more of them a try.

Dare I admit I just finished the Percy Jackson series? I got them on my Kindle and they were dirt cheap so I thought I'd give them a go and then the kids can read them. They were ok, some funny moments and plenty of action to keep them moving along. Not a lot of effort required, so they made good holiday reading
The latest George RR Martin one is here "A Dance With Dragons" - we've been waiting years for it to come out, it's the fifth huge volume in his "Song of Ice and Fire" series (they recently televised the first one) and I'm trying to summon the energy to pick it up - it is HUGE and must weigh a good five or six pounds, so just holding it up is a bit of an effort!

I've been listening to Stuart McBride's "Logan McRae" police procedurals, and just loving them. Pretty good mysteries, and the characters are hilarious. DI Steele has got to be my new favourite fictional character.

They are set in Aberdeen, and a big part of the appeal is that the readers for the audiobooks do a great Aberdeen accent.

I'm in a classics mood, so I'm reading White Fang by Jack London at the moment. I read The Call of the Wild and loved it, so I decided to try this one. It is a bit slow moving at the start, which made me think it would be a boring novel, not at all like The Call of the Wild, but when the action kicks in, it is gripping and exciting!

I've just milled through Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth blockbuster ... in four days. I guess you could say I enjoyed it!

I was looking for a novel for school for my daughter, and kind of drifted over to the 'foreign books' section, where Follet's book was sitting sadly neglected on an otherwise empty shelf. Having had no fresh English reading material since late spring I decided to buy it without even reading the splurge on the back cover. Probably as well off, as it happens, as I might never have bought the book had I read it. A book which tells the tale of the construction of a gothic cathederal by a 12th century monk, over a period of thirty or so years, in Medieval times, just doesn't grip my attention that much.

How wrong was I!!! I found the character development to be pretty good, good enough to keep me interested. Likewise, the historical and political issues of the time were adressed in a simple straightforward manner, perfectly adequate for my passing interest, and all in all it was a very satisfying read. Now I admit that I am not rushing out to buy the sequel, but when it crosses my path, I'm pretty sure I'll end up with it on my shelf too.

My biggest gripe? There were sex scenes and scenes of violence which were totally necessary to the plot, but there were many occurences of the same where I felt it was gratuitous and superfluous to advancing the tale, and that annoyed me a little, not enough to dull my enthusiasm for the book, mind you.

I've been rereading "Flashman" and the rest of the series, speaking of gratuitous sex and violence. Now, of course, in the case of Harry Flashman, while these scenes may not advance the plot, they most definitely establish the character!

For those who are not familiar with this unique series, Flashman is a cad and a bounder, a coward, bully, and womanizer who snivels and cheats his way through almost every interesting military and political encounter in Victorian times. Very very funny, very very well researched and fascinating to anyone with an interest in history. And pretty darned offensive if you don't take it with tongue just as deep in the cheek as the author - he really is a terrible fellow, and it's hard to understand why we like him so much.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

A reread for me of this fabulous, fast-paced book. It has something for everyone (it's long enough, lol). It's an enthralling story of love, dastardly deeds, hidden treasure and revenge, set mainly in Europe from Italy to France. Lengthy but worth every minute.

Whether you're reading it now or have read it in the past, join us October 10th at the FunTrivia Book Club thread!

Beatrice and Virgil, The latest book by
Yann Martel,
Author of 'Life of Pi'.
Just started it ,no comments about it yet.

Just finished 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan. It's a fictionalised account of a famous and scandalous murder and trial in New York in the 1850s. Told partly in the present and partly in flashback it engages from the word go, and the final revelation is one that you just didn't see coming at all.

Thanks Christina! I immediately ordered from BookD no postage so about 4 pounds!

Because I remember enjoying reading Zane Grey's books as a teenager, I have been downloading them on my Kindle. Have reread "Riders of the Purple Sage" set in Utah, "The Call of the Canyon" set in Arizona, and "The Mysterious Rider" set in Colorado. These are Western love stories in which Grey uses interesting descriptive narration of the settings. I admit to enjoying them once again!

Hope you enjoy it ren.

Pillars of the Earth in four days? There should be some kind of achievement badge for that! It's been a long while since I read it, but I seem to remember feeling the same way about sex/violence scenes not doing anything to further the plot or characters.

Since unpacking all of my books which have been in storage for about eight years, I've decided to re-read my Dragonlance collection from when I was a teenager. After that I might re-read my Dean Koontz collection, which was another adolescent favourite.

Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" - a wonderful book. Probably this means I'll also be rereading "The Promise" which follows the main characters a few years later. Who knew that the study of Talmud would be such a great human story?

Totally enjoyed the Percy Jackson books. Have you tried the Hunger Games series yet? Better.

Oh,and I just finished re-reading Parting the Waters. Taylor Branch is a genius with the touch.

Just finished Charles de Lint's 'The Blue Girl", not bad at all, especially for a 'teen' oriented book. I always do enjoy his spin on fantasy, integrating it to regular, modern urban life. It gets a thumbs up from me.

Guess what? While wandering through our 'regular' bookstore today, I spotted that the English literature shelf had been restacked, and calling to me from the very bottom, right hand corner, close to the floor was Ken Follet's "World Without End" ... I don't know how it happened, but it's now sitting at my elbow calling to me ... in ever louder tones!

I also snapped up Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild", which I have neither read nor seen thus far.

I don't expect to get much housework, craft stuff, internet-surfing, or any other occupations done for the immediate future

I am reading Eragon
Yes okay, it's a kid's book but it is really good. I read it at night to my son before bed. Am finding it tough to fit in reading but am listening to audio books a bit lately .. had a long trip recently and got through "Good Omens".

I liked "Into the Wild" quite a lot - really, I've enjoyed everything I've read from Krakauer, though I understand there is usually some controversy from those involved in the events. I know the Mormon Church was not very happy with "Under the Banner of Heaven".

I just started A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The preface alone gave me a lot to think about. I haven't even finished the first chapter yet a,s I started it shortly before going to work, but I'm already enthralleenthralled. I have a feeling it's going to be a quick read.

Nothing wrong with child literature, copago! I bought Eragon for myself, but haven't read it yet! We're currently reading Tolkien's 'Hobbit' to my 9 year old. It's actually a lot of fun to read aloud: Son gets a kick out of the funny bits, and I get a kick out of his enjoyment of it, and we both go off on imaginative dadreaming while we're at it, great stuff really (just a little 'anti' the objective of settling him down before he sleeps, hehe).

I also found Into the Wild quite fascinating and am still undecided as to whether Chris was a dreamer, an idealist, a rebel, just plain stupid, or a mix of all the above!

I remember thoroughly enjoying Brave New World when I read it, and always intended reading 1984 to compare the two, just haven't yet gotten around to that (says she, 25 years later). Maybe now that you've sparked my memory of it, klinski ...

Reading "The Hobbit" to my sister when she was about ten is one of the most cherished memories, for both of us. Because of that experience, we both read to our own older children (past the age of picture books) and, again, these are some of the best memories and bonding experiences we've had. All of those now adult children are readers, who intend to read to their own kids...

"Nothing wrong with child literature, copago! I bought Eragon for myself"


So funny you should mention that! I finished Brave New World, and decided 1984 should be next! I just finished it as well, and decided Eragon would be a good project while I'm digesting my dystopias . I'm starting it tonight.

I haven't checked the thread since posting last, so it's quite odd that things played out this way.

Well, I read Barrel Fever, a collection of essays and stories by David Sedaris a few days ago. It wasn't as good as some of his other work (I loved 'Me Talk Pretty One Day'), IMO. Last night, I waited up for Santa and finished 'The Great Gatsby.'
I'll be picking something new tonight. I'm thinking either 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess, or 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens.

The Tender Bar J.R. Moehringer
I really coud not put this down What a wonderful book
Its a memoir of the author's childhood, so beautifully told . Please read it.

After watching Band of Brothers multiple times, I am now reading the Stephen Ambrose book. I am not a huge fan of history, but the book really brings the personal stories of the men of the Easy Company to an incredibly vivid life.

I ended up going to Barnes and Noble to spend a gift card I got for Christmas, so instead of my other two choices, I'm reading Christopher Paolini's "Eldest." It's the second in a series of books about Eragon, the first dragon rider in centuries in the land of Alagaesia.
I can see lots of influences from J.R.R. Tolkien and R.A. Salvatore, even down to some of the names in the book. Still though, nothing's new, and the story is keeping me on the edge of my seat. I'm glad I started reading them. After seeing the movie, I was a bit put off. Thankfully, as is usually the case, the book is far superior to it's silver screen adaptation.
Also, I still have some money left on the gift card, so I can go get the third book sometime next week!

I've bought a book designated by my Book Club as the book of discussion for January, called 'The Sisters Brothers' by Patrick DeWitt,a Canadian born author currently living in Oregon. It was a Man Booker prize finalist,a Giller prize finalist and it was Amazons' Best Book of 2011. One of the descriptions of it is 'True Grit' as told by Tom Waits. Just started it. I not usually one for westerns but what the heck.

I enjoyed The Sisters Brothers quite a bit - it's not your ordinary western...

Since I am a h.s. language arts teacher, I select to read only that literature which is of the highest caliber. That is why I am reading Patricia Cornwell's "The Scarpetta Factor." *snicker* I'm only halfway into the story, but it's typical Cornwell fare. Lots of cursing by the cop and the billionaire lesbian niece; some rather lame sex (or rather non-sex) scenes between the lead characters, Kate and Benton, and a decent (if long-winded) who-done-it murder plot.

If you are tired of trying to impress your friends by reading Post-Postmodernist dreck, skip that section at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com and head right on into the fiction section. I had to suffer through tomes of "great works" in college, and to be honest, the canon is pretty good. I highly recommend that everyone read every Norton Anthology cover to cover, then switch to guilty pleasure.

For purposes of FT, read all of Tolkien and Rowling (I've read not word one of either, and cannot abide the thought of spending time in front of a screen watching the movies). God save us all if people start writing quiz after quiz about the Twilight series. (Sparkly, animal-blood only, loving vampires? Really? sheesh)

Sorry, that's probably another thread. I'll hush now.

"That's not writing, that's typing." -- Capote (on Kerouac)

In the correct thread this time:

I finished Eragon over the Christmas holidays (I read it in the car while being driven to Belgium). It shows promise from the author, or at least a good understanding of the mechanics of writing a fantasy novel. However I found it superficial and rather clichéd, immature is possibly the term to use. It has all the typical fantaisy elements: the young untried farm hand going on a quest and 'finding' his true self along the way, all the usual themes of honour, loyalty, good vs bad, etc, but it just doesn't pick up anywhere. It seems to me to be a bit like a 'fantasy novel by numbers' kind of thing. All kudos to the author, who is only a teen, but he needs to develop his own style a bit, develop his characters a lot, and generally go for a lot more depth in his future writing.

It's disappointing to read already that the sequels go downhill, as I would have hoped he could have improved with time and experience. Ah well, he's young yet, plenty of time for his writing to catch up.

I've just finished RR Martin's 'Game of Thrones', a much more gripping fantaisy novel, a bit too brutally violent in places, but gripping none the less with a political intrigue storyline going on that kept me turning the pages. There were several chapters that I skimmed through or practically skipped altogether, but all in all a very satisfying read.

The quandry now is: do I buy the sequels in book format or do I invest in that Kindle that is beginning to nag on the borderlines of my wish-list, and invest in the special offer bundle of the remaining volumes for a mere 15 € or so???

Buy the Kindle! I was resistant for a long time because I held fast to the idea that I like the solidity of a book. Turns out that I like paying less for said books more than anything. And now that many libraries are starting e-book lending, there is no comparison.

I do so like an enabler, bubblesfun I think I'll just bide my time till my next pay packet, and go for it then

I've been sorting through the books I've been stockpiling for my grandaughter.. the Anne of Green Gables series, Little Women, Mary Grant Bruce Billabong series etc, so before I hand them over, I needed to re read them ! She is almost 10, and just started the Heidi series. Delighted she loves so many of the books I used to love. She has her own favourites as well.. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter, Judy Moody etc, but is very taken with "Nan's old books".

Hi Tezza. Back in 2000 there was a thread of Childrens' Favourite books
http://www.funtrivia.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/37271/Children_s_Favorites#Post37271
I was re reading it and thought you might like to see it.

Thanks Ren. Since posting above, I found another two books I had forgotten I had.. "Flying Nurse" and "Sugarbird Lady", both by Robyn Miller - she was a West Australian nurse who also qualified as a pilot and worked with the Royal Flying Doctor Service - died at the age of 35 in 1975..so they are next on the list !
Incidentally, the "Sugarbird" refers to her her work administering the anti poliomyelitis Sabin vaccine.. she used to fly into remote communities, run a clinic, and fly out to the next place. The Sabin vaccine was administered orally, via a sugar cube.. hence Sugarbird Lady.

I've just finished about the most frustrating book I've ever read! : Kazuo Ishiguro's The Unconsoled. It moves constantly, without any structure or warning, between 'reality' and 'unreality' in terms of space, time, memory, and just about everything else ... but, as is typical with Ishiguro, the pace of the novel is so slow and the nature of the action is so mundane, that it feels like wading through treacle while someone is scraping a knife across a baking tin!

GG, I was glad to finish it!

Not surprisingly, perhaps(!), critics are divided between those who see it as one of the greatest novels of the past 30 years, and critics like the one who said it had created its own category of badness!

Would I recommend it? Yes ... but only to my enemies

To get my head back together I'm now re-reading Albert Camus' The Outsider (haven't read it since school*). Short novel, very economical prose, brilliant book! (*Read it in the original French then - L'Étranger - but couldn't manage that these days!)

I did very well for books at Christmas. I'm finishing A Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes. I've loved all her Tuscany books; it's fascinating to compare the relaxed attitude towards her life in Italy with the fervour of the earlier books. As always, the food descriptions are mouth-watering.

With hopes that it's not too late for me, I'm also reading Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss. Described as the "Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation", it's a passionate defence of using correct punctuation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the three Christopher Paolini books. I found the characters engaging and fell in love with "Saphira".

Ren, I copied the list so I could have a really good look.. interested (and saddened) that The Secret Garden didn't make it.. but it was an American list, so not really surprised.
An Aussie list might be interesting to compare.. "Snugglepot & Cuddlepie", "Blinky Bill" and all the other May Gibbs and Dorothy Wall characters I think would rate a mention.
A UK list would certainly have an Enid Blyton or two - maybe the Enchanted Wood series or the Naughtiest Girl ?
Another series - English again - that I had, and my kids read, and that I am now stockpiling for my grandson are the Blackberry Farm books..

I would also put all of the Noel Streatfeild "Shoe" books on the list. I just reread Skating Shoes, and I read both Ballet Shoes and Circus Shoes at least once a year.

Any of Noel Streatfeild's are worth reading..I think the first one I read of hers was "Curtain Up', about 50 years ago..and I have a small collection of her work in my "Issy" stockpile.

Well, after a discussion with Miss Issy (aged almost 10), I am told that Norman Lindsay's Magic Pudding should be included in any Australian list, as should Ruth Park's Muddleheaded Wombat !

Anyone in the UK beware. Although Kindle is the most popular e.book reader by far, and is always recommended as a best buy, it is NOT compatible with the e.book system installed in most of our libraries, so you cannot download library books onto a Kindle.

Hi all. Please could we get back on to the subject of what you are reading?
If you want to discuss things like Kindles there is a thread. Thanks

Reading a Hap and Leonard book by Joe Lansdale, "Rumble Tumble". These books are a guaranteed good time if your tastes run to the silly and profane. I especially recommend listening to this series in audiobook - Phil Gigante reads them and does a fantastic job. Kinda like listening to a "My Name is Earl" mystery/thriller.

Currently reading "Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN" by James Miller and Tom Shales.

I grew up watching ESPN (well starting in the late 80's) so it's quite interesting to me. I'm a little over half way through it and it discusses the network from the very beginning. Lots of great stories, funny, sad, interesting, etc. Miller and Shales interviewed 100s of people, from reporters, studio talent, and production all the way up to executives and CEO's.

It's a little different in how it's written, it's more a collection of actual quotes from people that were there, organized in a way to tell the story. There is very little of Miller's writing in it, just to tie things together or explain where we are in the "story" of ESPN. If you have an interest in ESPN history I'd recommend it. Great book thus far.

I was advised to read Sarah Waters, so I bought two. The first one, "Fingersmith", I was not very impressed with, I think it was rather a lame plot. I am so much more enjoying "The Night Watch", set in wartime London. Fastmoving and intriguing-everything "Fingersmith" wasn't. It just goes to prove my theory , one I always tell my students,that we write so much better about things we know and have experienced.

Santana202

If you enjoyed "Pillars of the Earth" you might also like "Lie Down With Lions" by Ken Follet.

I had it on audio-books and it was very good. It was good enough that I wasn't scared of "Pillars" length.

I read it before America was at war in Afganistan, it was mostly set there during that time. Doesn't sound like something we'd want to read, but the characters were very good.

Strong female lead, with lots of plot turns.

I'm currentlty plowing my way through Tom Clancy's "Bear and Dragon" a little more concentration needed to follow the plot---or maybe I need to just sit and read?

I enjoyed the emotional resonance of "Fingersmith", though I agree with Ren about the storyline. Maybe I'll give "The Night Watch" a try, then, if it's better.

I forgot to say, there is about the same basic level of sex & violence in "Lie Down With Lions"

I just glossed over that part!

Currently reading (For the Term of) His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke, an Australian classic which has never been out of print. It's about an innocent man in England who was pronounced guilty of murder and transported to Australia. About 2/5 through and the many adventures and coincidences remind me of The Count of Monte Cristo. (Available free in numerous formats from Project Gutenberg.)

A recent forced turn out of the bookshelves due to the decorators coming has unearthed some forgotten treasures. Tucked away on a top shelf I found "Up The Garden Path" by Beverley Nicholls and I am happily immersed in it. Long out of print I would think it is the story of how he bought a house just because it had a long neglected garden and how he brought the garden back. A delightful piece of writing that is quite old fashioned in a lot of ways but a complete joy to gardners.

Oh Gosh, Beverley Nichols! I had quite forgotten him. A really prolific writer with an interesting life. He was PR to Nellie Melba for a start! I really must find a biography. Thanks for reminding me. My gran adored him, he wrote a weekly piece in Women's Own.
"He's lovely dear, one of those 'hermafrites' but I love his books!"

I just finished reading David Baldacci's, "The Sixth Man". His books usually deal with politics, spies, espionage, and figures of power. "The Sixth Man" has it all and is written so well that you'll swear that all of it is true or could be.

Thanks for the recommendation, postal! I'll try to get my hands on that when I'm back home in a couple of weeks.

It seems like ages since I read a book. I've been so busy with full-time work and other things, that I haven't found the time to read, except for magazines and newspapers, which are usually read whilst eating my lunch at work.

I remember the days (pre-children) when I would start a book, couldn't put it down, and would spend the entire weekend reading it, to the exclusion of everything else including housework.

Well, obviously such an appalling situation needs to be rectified, so last night I started reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" which was recommended to me by the lady who runs our local second-hand book shop. I'm only on Chapter 2 but so far it is absorbing.

Carole, do not buy the other two in the series! I have them here waiting for your visit! (if you like that one, that is!)

"Motherless Brooklyn" by Jonathan Lethem. Lionel - the protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome - is an enormously sympathetic character, and I'm loving the seedy, shady Brooklyn he's ticcing his way through.

I borrowed my Mother's old Kindle (she got the 'Fire') and proceeded to download a few free books from Amazon.

The first book I read was "The Story of a Common Soldier of Army Life in the Civil War, 1861-1865" by Leander Stillwell. I found it very interesting as it was written more as a memoir to his son, than a book for publishing. It was written in 1917 (according to the Library of Congress) so is a true look back from an honest, intelligent and detailed author.

The second book was "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself" by Harriet Ann Jacobs. Look like it was written in 1861, so she was careful to leave out information about how she escaped the slavery of the south and the methods (and characters) that helped her along the way. It's very well written account and, again, I really relish in first person accounts such as this. It wasn't easy to read at some points but she doesn't delve into the detail of the horrors she experienced, but does touch on many. I would expect that a mother would have a deeper understanding of her story and struggle.

Currently reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. I'd never read it, so figured it was about time and fit in with the theme of the other two books mentioned. Only about a quarter of the way into it, but it's been good so far. I do not like authors that write in the "slang" (for lack of a better term, maybe broken southern English is a better way to put it) of the time. It makes it much more difficult to read and understand what is being said than if it was whole, plain words. Perhaps that's needed to engross the reader in the subject and put them "in the time" being talked about, but I find it distracting more often than not.

Especially since Ms Stowe was no Mark Twain, and didn't really have a finely-tuned ear.

"Shantaram" Gregory David Roberts.
Oh wow!
I am so enjoying this. What a terrific style. He writes about Bombay and you KNOW he has been there and he takes you back there too. It is autobiographical, he is an escaped criminal and he arrives in Bombay and begins to have the feeling I had, but he stays. You must love him , and especially the people he meets. A terrific find.

Following on from my last comment, this is a very long book and I am flagging a bit after my initial enthusiasm. I cannot help feeling it is all a bit exagerrated. That one man has done so much is a bit of a tall order for me. However, I still say the descriptions of Bombay life are second to none, and it is worth reading for that, especially if you have been there.

Anyone else a fan of Scandinavian crime novels? I've just finished the latest - and last - of the Wallander series by Henning Mankell who has a way of capturing the clear Swedish light as well as the thought processes of a middle-aged provincial policeman. The books take a bit of getting into as they have a rhythm of their own but they are very well-written and with good characterisation. I've been reading them since the first was published in English in the late 1990s, and now that Mankell has said there will be no more I shall have to find some other dour Swede to depress me.

I used to read Per Whaloo and Maj Sjöwall's "Martin Beck" series. They are a bit dated now (Whaloo died in 1975) but still have that Scandinavian flavour.

I do have a fondness for Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole novels.

Just finished A J Jacobs' "The Year of Living Biblically" which was pretty good, though not quite as good as I'd hoped. The author spends a year trying to follow every rule in the Bible. He's a secular Jew, and the book is most interesting, and most moving, when his task puts him in touch with his heritage. All in all it's a little superficial and I found myself wanting more detail and more depth on some subjects, but still an enjoyable read. I'd think anyone with very strict fundamentalist beliefs might find it a bit flippant, but I'd guess any run-of-the-mill Christian, Jew, or agnostic would find it interesting and maybe thought provoking.

I've also been rereading a lot of Susan Isaacs. Her books are really beach reads - fun and easy - but I've always really liked her style.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach. I really enjoyed it, but it has put me off seeing the film as it seems nothing like it. I would watch anything with that cast though, so I am sort of torn. I then went to the library and ordered a few more by the same author. She is, I think, a clever and very original writer, and I have been enjoying them.I am just getting into "The Stand-in" about an actress who seems to live the lives of the actresses she stands in for. Looks promising.

Just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night, Mark Hadden. It's been sitting in my to read pile for ages. Love the way he really gets into the mind of an autistic child, I found the whole book compelling, couldn't put it down.

Ren33, I totally agree. I read Moggach's novel a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it; the characters are beautifully drawn, and in such a light and gentle way, with lots of humour thrown in.

I read the Haddon novel several years ago and also found it compelling, Christinap. In fact I think I'll dig it out and re read it!

I'm reading "The King's Speech" by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. Logue scripted the popular biopic of how his grandfather Lionel Logue helped Albert, Duke of York, conquer the latter's debilitating stammer so he could ascend the British throne when his older brother Edward abdicated.

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John Grisham’s “The Rainmaker.” (I bought it on audio from my local community library in a book sale. Still on tape one of four, but so far it’s very good.

The last book I read (in Braille) was “Firestorm” by David Klass. It’s the first in his “Caretaker Trilogy,” and I actually read it twice. It’s an environmental thriller, and I highly recommend it to those who are interested in that kind of thing. Well written, to say the least.

I am still reading Deborah Moggach books Wow this one is great (The Stand-in) It has so much tension I was on the edge of my seat (well bed!) She is such a clever writer I don't know what is coming next.

“Anyone else a fan of Scandinavian crime novels?” I never even heard of him until the library sent me “Before the Frost.” I found I couldn’t put it down once I started listening—I just had to know what happened next. Kind of surprised myself with that one.

“Just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night, Mark Hadden.” Tried listening to that a few years ago, but for whatever reason couldn’t get into it. Maybe one of these days I’ll try again.

Just finished 'Katherine' by Anya Seton. I love it 35 years ago and I loved it again second time around.

A Wanted Man by Lee Child, his latest book.

Now excuse me, I need to get back to it.

Trunk Music (A Harry Bosch mystery) by Michael Connelly. Do love my mysteries

Love that one! In fact, great series. I haven't read them all as I was late getting started, but reading them in order.

Reading "Minding Frankie" Maeve Binchy's last novel. Seems to be very standard Binchy, so far, but maybe a little rushed. I think I might re read some of her earlier stuff, where she wasn't so determined to cram a cast of thousands in.

Started “The Danger Box” by Blue Balliett the other day, and am on volume two of three. The narrator of the story is blind, so it makes for an interesting perspective.

Just started “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, which I ordered a few days ago from the library for the blind. Some years ago, my mother had gotten it on CD from her college library. I remember a few things here and there, but mostly just quotes. It excited me to see this book in Braille (it’s three volumes—you just can’t condense Braille, even in shorthand).

It's a brilliant book which I enjoyed reading very much. The story touches your heart.

I'm reading 'The Briny Cafe' by Susan Duncan. It took me a little while to get into it but I'm thoroughly enjoying it now.

I used to really like her books, haven't read one for years. Must dig out a couple and give them a re-read.

I recently read The Art of Fielding, a first novel by Chad Harbach. I loved the baseball parts and I thought some of the characters and relationships were excellently drawn. Not huge on the wind-down, but it really was an impressive first book.

Well I am really enjoying the first Lee Child book I have ever read, this on the recommendation of some old bat(I never knew she could actually read). I decided to read the first one and see if I like it and work my way through chronologically if I did, and I did.
He has a refreshingly original style, I think. I can't stand violence for violence sake, but in this there is not too much and it seems only to be used where necessary.Well I am enjoying so far, that's for sure.

I am reading a book authored by a friend whose title is "In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone". To be fair to my friend, he has done a lot of research but it needs some stirring prose. It basically recounts the signage of Historical Markers related to Daniel Boone. There is background, but it is a tortuous journey and a bit repetitive. Would I recommend it? If one was a Boone buff, I would. For light reading, maybe not.

Just started Germinal by Emile Zola. I found it while rifling through my parents' old collection and decided to give it a go.

It's very good, but dark. Not to be read when depressed, or not getting along well with your family.

And, hey, Gil Galad, I'm rereading LOTR, right now...

I just wtarted “Under the Big Sky: A Biography of A.B. Guthrie Jr.” It’s the story of how he came to be a writer. I normally steer clear of biographies (but that’s hard to do when the library keeps sending them). This one’s actually written in a style that is anything but dry (and the narrator happens to be one of my favorites).

Oh yes, "Germinal"! So depressing. I remember all the "like marching through a night of a sky without stars" bits. Shades of A level French. I can't remember things perking up, but I suppose they did. Good luck!

I love that book. Have you read L'Assommoir? Gervaise in L'Assommoir is Lantier's mother.

Just put "The Day After Tomorrow" in my tape player. At first I thought I might have to throw it away, as the tape sounded like it was dying, but I'm already halfway through the first of four cassettes, and all is fine. All I can say is, **I love *mysteries!

No, I haven't read L'Assommoir. I might try to find it when I finish Germinal.

"Nana" was my favourite Zola.

Another of Gervaise's children. My favorite is L'Assomoir. I've read 19 of the 20 Rougon-Macquart novels. The only one I'm missing is His excellency Eugene Rougon.

I've moved on to my first Tom Clancy novel(no, really). It's on four cassettes and is called "The Sum of All Fears." So far, it's interesting.

Reading "Brother Odd" by Dean Koontz - not really enjoying it.

I have always enjoyed Dean Koontz's work, especially his earlier stuff, but Brother Odd was one of the few I had a hard time getting through.

Re reading "The Day of the Triffids" and enjoying it immensely. In his quiet English way, John Wyndham really was one of the best Science Fiction authors of his time.

I'm reading quite a few books right now. I am reading Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, and Sir Percy Leads the Band by Baroness Orczy.

"The Burglar in the Rye", by Lawrence Block. I've probably talked about this series before - I just love it. Tremendously engaging characters, ridiculously convoluted plots that don't always play strictly fair - everybody lies, even sometimes our narrator - clever dialogue with a lot of wordplay, and a lighter-than-air touch. Block is very well acquainted indeed with the Mystery genre, and he plays with the conventions wonderfully - the climax of every book is an "I suppose you are all wondering why I gathered you here" expostulation, for example. I strongly recommend this series to anyone who likes a playful - and literary - touch to their mysteries.

Yes he was I agree. "The Midwich Cuckoos" is my personal favourite of his.

Started a delightful book called “Don’t Dump the Dog,” about canine behavior problems and how to fix them. I don’t have a dog, and have never wanted one, but some parts of this book are just hilarious. It does, though, give practical and workable solutions to conquering your pet’s bad behavior. The author cares for a log of dogs, having established this “stray rescue” shelter. (I’ve actually read other books about dogs because the library sent them to me, but this is the first one that actually piqued—and held—my interest.) This is one of those books on digital cartridge, so it tells me the approximate reading time in that one book (and there’s no changing tapes or sides.) Approximate time: four hours.

As I listen to some of the chapters, I'm reminded of my friend, who has a miniature pincer she dubbed "The Dog From Hell." I never did understand why, if she wanted a big dog in the first place, she got a tiny one (she said it's because she doesn't have much room for the animal to run around, but I'm hearing her complain about what a pain he is. Could just be me, but sounds like a waste of money (I think she said she paid around $90 for Dante.)

Sometimes I call my dogs "the Dog from Hell" too, but IMO, dogs are never a waste of money.

Currently I'm reading Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly about the Civil War and assassination of Abraham Lincoln. I read great reviews about this book and the historical accounts. Instead of reading like a history book, it reads more like a novel.

"Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter. All of Walter's books are good, and getting better. This one is totally mainstream fiction - he started out with crime fiction but has been moving away from it for some time. This one is a great story about, oh, life and love and meaning, and all that good stuff - and movies. It moves between Italy in the early sixties and the present, and has given me a great desire to watch some Richard Burton films - he's one of the characters, the lovely old drunk. I think most people would like this book.

ClaraSue, I've read some criticism of O'Rielly's research when it comes to details - as an example, the Oval Office didn't exist in Lincoln's time. Did you get the sense this was just the odd detail he got wrong, or was his research a little sloppy overall?

I read that too, agony, about the Oval Office, but I don't think his research was sloppy overall. There's a great many details in the book that are collaborated by other authors and by photos and history books. Some details that are possibly wrong, in my opinion, was because of his zeal to have it read like a story and not just like a history book.

Yes, a little artistic license.

Just started "Radical Innocent," about the author Upton Sinclair.

Just finished Dennis Lehane's "Live by Night".

I wasn't too crazy about his last two books and was sadly thinking that he'd lost the magic, but I was wrong. This is without question the very best gangster novel I've read; I'd put it in the top five crime fiction, and possibly my top twenty novels of any kind. Really extraordinary. Not for the faint of heart - it's very violent - but if that doesn't bother you do yourself a favour and give it try. The story is a basic gangster story - violence and betrayal - but my goodness can that man write.

Reading 'To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

It has my full interest now. It was a bit boring in the beginning, but not anymore. It is long and it is one tough cracker, but I am set on eating that cracker fully, metaphorically speaking.

Also, takes the numero uno spot in my mind.


This book won it for me. Kudos to

He is the TRUE main character in my eyes.

I'm reading one of the best books on the American Civil War. Its title is " Freedom" by William Safire. It's a mixture of fiction and historical facts and really very interesting.

ren asked me to put something in Bookworms about my Auntie Nina Bawden.
Firstly - she died in August this year - aged 87
She wrote @48 novels and used to write one adult novel then a children's novel. Probably her most well known novel was Carries War which tells a tale of my father and Nina when they were evacuated to Shropshire in WW11. It has been made into TV series and a couple of years ago a Westend play. She was shorlisted for the booker prize in 1987 for Circles of Deceit - a complicated family yarn.
Nina and Austen (uncle) were both in the Potters Bar train crash - Nina badly injured and Austen killed. Nina's last novel was Dear Austen - written as a letter to Austen outlining Nina's ongoing fight for justice with the railways. A fight she ultimately won.
She was a lovely Aunt with a wicked sense of humour and great warmth. Missed by us.

I'v just started 'Stranger In A Strange Land', by Robert A. Heinlein, and 50 pages in, i'm hooked.
Normally i'm not reader of science fiction, but since reading an article about the top ten science fiction books of all time, i decided to pick this book out of the bunch and give it a go.
If his other books are as good as this one is turning out to be, why did i wait so long?

That one's a little dated in some ways - I find it difficult to read, now. Some of his other stuff held up a little better. So, if you're happy now, you're in for a treat - he wrote a lot, and most of it was good.

Thanks Trangie, that makes interesting reading. I am going to start a new thread dealing with Authors we may have met. Its a good subject I think.

I agree there. Heinlein is a brilliant author and he makes Science Fiction accessible to the masses and not just its fans. He has many good books with underlying themes that are still relevant today.

I remember reading Carrie's War many years ago, and the successful TV programme. She was a talented writer trangie, thanks for the memories

Reading Alfie My story by Alfie Boe,Britains best Tenor tells his story so far and what a wide and various career he has had prior to becoming a opera/west end star.

As biographies go this is informative at times funny and also sad, i am finding it very intresting is a good read, some things i am trying to check the validity of where he claims to have recorded a demo of 2 queen songs in abbey road studio as a sound check for Queens engineers, one person who worked with freddie mercury and queen says he cant recall, another says that queen and their engineers never used abbey road studios. But am sure Alfie Boe has not lied as he has nothing to gain from it.

This is one biography i recommend throughly.

I just started "Daughters-in-Law" by Joanna Trollope. Sounded interesting, but for some reason (perhaps being distracted at the time) I couldn't quite get into it. Will keep it and try again later tonight or tomorrow.

It tels the story of what happens when a headstrong woman becomes the in-law of a couple who are used to running their sons--and their sons' wives--lives.

I've been reading a whole stack of John D MacDonald paperback originals from the fifties and early sixties. He churned out this stuff at an enormous rate in those years, and they were never meant to be deathless prose. They're what we used to call "Men's stories" - lots of violence and as much sex as he could get away with. The novelistic equivalent of those magazines like "Argosy". And it's amazing how class will out - it's cheap dreck, but it's good cheap dreck, because he couldn't help being a good writer no matter what he was writing. I've been enjoying myself immensely, and also enjoying the looks on the faces of other people when they see the front covers of what I'm reading, in restaurants and doctor's offices - they're pretty sensational.

Oooh Yes, Agony! Travis McGee- Ladies in distress, lost treasure and brutal villains!
Yu might start a new trend!

I was relieved to finish “Daughters-in-Law,” which is one of those books that, if you stop reading, you wonder what would have happened. And I was somewhat disappointed by the ending, as it leaves the reader hanging (fine for readers who don’t mind that sort of thing, but I do). I did rather enjoy the place descriptions, though.

I’m now reading “Killing Kate” by Julie Kramer. More what I’m interested in reading
*Love* those mystery and suspense stories!

I'm reading a book called "Girl in Translation," about a girl and her mother who emigrate to America from HongKong. So far, it's very interesting.

"The Friends of Eddie Coyle" which is apparently the best crime book several authors like Elmore Leonard and Dennis Lehane ever read, even though I'd never heard of it. I'm not very far in, but beginning to see what they meant.

I wish there was some rule that you could not get a book published unless you could write really really well. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems the opposite is true. Somebody like Dan Brown is a millionaire, and nobody's heard of George V. Higgins.

‘The Mischief of the Mistletoe: a Pink Carnation Christmas,’ by Lauren Wellig. A very entertaining book about the exploits of rstudents at an Academy for Girls, the new Junior Instructress, some other characters, and hilarious incidents involving Christmas puddings.

Finished "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" and it really is pretty remarkable. It reads so easy - it's like sitting on a bar stool listening to the guys talking - that you hardly notice that there is some very skillful subtle writing going on. If you like gritty crime novels, check this one out. Don't read the intro until after you've finished the book.

Also just finished another slice of low life, this one purportedly true - "Full Service" the memoirs of Scotty Bowers, who apparently slept with everyone in Los Angeles from 1946 until well into the eighties. Viewed one way, it's an amazing social document; viewed another, it is simply appalling - he quite cheerfully tells us all about the pedophilic prostitution ring he ran at the age of twelve, for example. A boy's gotta make money somehow during the Depression, and the paper route wasn't cutting it.

And (wasn't kidding when I said I read more than one book at a time) also just finished Dickens' "Hard Times". Just loved it, and am amazed at how topical it is.

Now reading "How Children Succeed" from Paul Tough, about some newish research into the effects of noncognitive skills on success, especially for disadvantaged children.

And the new Harlen Coben - Myron Bolitar again, yay!

"Port Mortuary" by Patricia Cornwell

I just started "The Lost Years" by Mary Higgins Clark. I like this one more so far, than most of the others I've read by her (who knows, though--it's early yet, and the way some of her characters are portrayed is a turn-off.)

One example I can give right off the top of my head of a book by her I disliked almost from the start was "I'll Walk Alone." I was outraged by how that woman's *friends* viewed her once their friendship was tested.

She's like John Grisham to me - an author I'll read if there isn't anything else around. Like eating at Denny's.

I just finished "me again" by Keith Cronin. It's told in first person about a man who awakes from being in a coma for six years. The story is really enlightening about how stroke victims can feel while going through recovery and coping with their new limitations to their bodies and minds. I hated for the story to end.

Still working on "The Last Years," and I've reached the point where I have to keep reading or I'll always wonder how it ended--but there's definetly a level of predictability here: I figured out who the killer was long ago, and in the one chapter I was able to predict what was about to happen.

I'm pleased to report that, not only have I finished, but I was wrong

Just finished "The Monster in the Box" by Ruth Rendell. It's one of the later Inspector Wexford novels, and, I hate to say it, but I think this series has run its course. I enjoyed seeing back into Wexford's past, but the basic story of this one is pretty silly, and the side plot about the young Muslim girl defies belief. Too bad, I've always liked this series and the books that came out during the 80s and 90s were really excellent. Read the very latest in the series, "The Vault" a few weeks ago, and it suffered from the same problems. Well, Wexford has retired now, so that's probably that.

Despite the flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the BBC's recent mini series "The Paradise", or at least the idea of it, so I borrowed Emile Zola's "Au Bonheur des Dames" (on which the series is based) from a friend. It's a great read (even though I am discovering just how lacking I am in French "literary" vocabulary). It reminds me of The Coral Island with its long descriptive prose, where each word is carefully chosen to convey just the atmosphere the author wants to create. I think there are various versions available in English, but I'm not sure I'll read any of them as the original is so rich itself that I risk being disappointed in a translation. It's definitely a style of writing which is dated, but for me it's so much more satisfying to read than more modern stuff, that I'm perfectly happy to bury my head between the covers of the book any time I have even just five minutes to spare.

Oh Gosh, Toni, I read it, so many years ago
I think I struggled then, even while living in France and exposed to French all day so probably would even more so now.

I'm not struggling, exactly, but I'm certainly losing out on the detail. I refuse to get out my dictionary for every single word that I don't understand or know, when I am getting the sense of the meaning, as it would slow me down too much and become extremely frustrating. So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying the read in any case.

In my rereading of old John D MacDonald novels, one which stands out is 1962's "Flash of Green". Its depiction of the clash between dirty politics and environmentalism are depressingly modern for a fifty year old book. There's a great passage in it that practically defines the tension between tourism and natural beauty that I'm going to quote here, as it is still highly relevant:

I'm reading the Peter Townshend autobiography "Who I am". I find it very difficult to follow and very poorly written. It's disconnected, doesn't flow at all and seems to be snippets of information placed one after another in chronological order with no transitions. General themes keep recurring to try and create a theme or transition, but as someone who knows next to nothing about The Who, it is not at all informative or easy to follow because it is so disconnected.

I guess when I read a biography I need more structure, especially if I'm not familiar with the subject/content/person. I'm about half way through it, so I'll finish it up, but unless you are a diehard Who or Pete fanatic, I'd avoid it.

"More Baths, Less Talking" - the latest installment of Nick Hornby's collections from his "Stuff I'm Reading" column. As always, lots of books on the lists that sound intriguing, and which I've never heard of. Some of them at least are bound to turn up here in future. I'm off now to the library webpage to do some ordering.

I'm reading John Connelly "The Lovers". One of his Charlie Parker series. Despite the fact that they are so very very dark I do like these books. They are well written and quite compelling despite the subject matter.

Agony, I've never read "The Friends of Eddie Coyle", but you've piqued my curiosity on it now so it's next on the list to read.

I hope you like it. And if you don't, well, it's short.

"The Child that Books Built - a Life in Reading" bu Francis Spufford.

A very personal exploration of his childhood addiction to reading. He's got some interesting things to say about the role of story, and there was considerable nostalgia in the descriptions of the "Children's Hardcover Fiction" section of the library. For the most part, the story of his journey wasn't very similar to mine, but there was enough similarity that this book has got me thinking about the book-addicted child I was, and what I got from it, what I lost because of it, what it was all about. If you were one of those kids who dived into books head first, you might find this interesting.

I am currently reading Grimm's Fairy Tales and The Iliad of Homer

Just finished "Nam-Sense: Surviving Vietnam with the 101st Airborne" by Arthur Wiknik. It was an interesting read. Wiknik isn't your typical Vietnam Vet/author, he spends more time trying to get out of things, than being in the middle of them. It's not a blood and gore war book, nor all that negative, except in regards to officers in his platoon/company. Just another take on the war from a draftee that didn't want to be there at all.

"American Rust" by Philipp Meyer.

Set in the rubble of Pennsylvania steel country - something bad happens, and it all goes downhill from there. This is the only thing I've ever read by Meyer; he's got a filmmaker's eye and a great ear for dialogue. 100% authentic characters.
This would make a great movie, though a grim one.

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pyonir, that sounds good, I'll check it out.

I'm reading a very funny novel by Herman Wouk, the author of "The Caine Mutiny". It´s called "Don´t Stop the Carnival". It´s set on an imaginary Caribbean island and tells you about the hard problems a New yorker had to manage a hotel.

I remember reading that one years ago - it was indeed a lot of fun.

Just finished Roger Ebert's "Great Movies III". This is the last in this series, and seems to be more of a "Great Directors" as several of the essays are about all of a lesser-known director's work, rather than just one movie. I've got a half dozen of the movies coming now from the library, so they'll end up on the other list over the next few weeks.

The first book in a series about H.I.V.E., the Higher Institute for Villainous Education. Not normally something I would read, but the review sounded good--and the ending makes you want to jump right into the next one. Hillarious at spots, and in all very well-written.

I finally got around to start "V is for Vengeance" by Sue Grafton. Since she started the series, beginning with "A is for Alibi", I've read them all up to this point. But it's been so many years since the first one and I've forgotten a lot of the stories, if I started the series over again, it'd be like starting anew.

I ought to go back to them. I sort of got bored by about M.

I think I've read up to T. The series has varied in quality over the years, a bit - I really liked how fresh and breezy she was in the first few books, but all this stuff about her family doesn't do much for me.

In one of Lawrence Block's "Burglar" books, they are discussing the series as if it had finished its first round through the alphabet and was starting again - AA is for Battery, BB is for Gun, CC is for Rider, etc. Pretty funny.

Have just picked up 'The Hobbit' for the umpteenth time. I want to read it again after seeing the movie.
On kindle I am making my way through the grafton books again. I too got bored with them before, but I think it was around K.

Just finished “Fang” last night—it’s one of the books in the “Maximum Ride” series. Apparently, I read two out of sequence, because I was given them in that order: “Fang” follows the events in “Angel,” or so it would seem, because some things seem… there are certain gaps otherwise.

Now I’m reading “White Cat,” the first book in the “Curse Workers” series (or trilogy—I don’t know which). I’ve just started, but the beginning has Cassel sleepwalking in the middle of the night, resulting in his being trapped on the school roof.

Could I remind people to give author's names? I for one have never heard of those. I suppose you don't mean Jack London books?

I think it's James Patterson. At least, that's what Google says.

Thanks. I think of London when I see "Fang", now I think about it it is "White Fang" isnt it'? But we still need to let people know authors' names when recommending books, eh?

I am currently reading Inheritance.

Welcome davaltd! Tell us what you think of "Inheritance". Who wrote it and what is it about?

Been reading quite a bit as I haven't been sleeping, and don't have good internet access right now.

Dennis Lehane's "The Given Day" = second try at this one, first time I couldn't finish as it was all a bit too grim and political. This one is probably only readable if you are a bit of a leftie.

"Nocturne" Ed McBain. A solid 87th Precinct novel.

"A Far Cry from Kensington" Muriel Spark. I'd only ever read "Miss Jean Brodie" from her before, but I think I'll check out a few more - this was odd but good.

"Let the Great World Spin" Colum McCann - what can I say about this -magical novel, highly recommend it. Beautifully written, full of love and pain, rich and textured.

"Trust Your Eyes" Linwood Barclay. Barclay writes pretty good thrillers in the Harlen Coben tradition - a normal guy gets caught up in seemingly inexplicable events, and eventually finds out something about his own life. This one has an intriguing premise but, meh. Don't like the main character much, so found it hard to care.

Finished “The Ruins of Gorlan” last night, and can’t wait to pick up the second one.

Also started “I’ll be Seeing You,” and am having trouble really getting into it. Perhaps I’ll start another book and finish that first, then come back to it…

You are again reminded to please give some details of the book you are mentioning , like the author, setting , why it might interest others etc. The idea here is to share information on books, not to make a list Thanks.

OK… I’ve finally gathered my thoughts—at least, I think I have.

“I’ll Be Seeing You” is rather complicated… there’s a medical mystery having to do with… hmmm… how can I say this without giving an ything away? Well, the broad topic, I suppose, would be pregnancy. Then, there’s a more personal mystery surrounding one of the characters (trust issues, betrayal, that sort of thing), and somehow these two stories fit together (I have a ways to go, so I’m struggling to understand how they can).

And I have actually started another book, because I want to make some room on my bookshelf. Disturbing topic, of a sort, but I’ve always been into history (and, for some reason, slavery’s always intrigued me). The title is “They Called Themselves the K.K.K.” Contains interviews and narratives that, at times, are difficult to read or invoke strong emotions (including disgust and offense), so this is definetly not for everyone. (I’m not too far into the story yet, so I haven’t reached where the Organization’s created—but it looks like I’ll get there in the second chapter.)

I am rereading the Harry Potter books. I finished the second last night so I start my favourite this evening when I go to bed.

Jazmee, who are the authors of the books you've told us about?

I am re-reading 'The Hobbit' (yes because of the movie's release) and on Kindle I am reading 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'.

I'm currently reading "The Forgotten" by David Baldacci. If you like reading the 'Reacher' books by Lee Child, you'd probably like this one. I'm only in the first half, but I can tell I'm going to like this one. Baldacci usually writes about spies, espionage, government control, etc., and this (almost) runs along those same lines. I haven't found a book by him yet that I've disliked.

My husband really enjoys the REacher books but I find the character too arrogant for my taste. The last one I read he was writing things like "I am Reacher - I am the night".

Exactly the same with me, skunkee. The writing is good, the plots are good, but Reacher himself just gets up my nose. Same with Michael Connolly's Harry Bosch - I keep finding myself thinking "Y'know, if you weren't such a jerk, people would work with you willingly, and you wouldn't have to thrash around bullying them to get what you need".

I think the first half dozen Reacher books were great; I haven't been impressed with the last few, though.

Ben Elton "Two Brothers". Maybe not the very best written or most poignant book I've read about this subject - two boys, born in 1920, growing up in Berlin - but a very compelling story, and perhaps more effective for not pulling out all the tear jerking stops. I did cry once, at the end of Freida's story, which is apparently based on what happened to Elton's great aunt.

"Mad River" latest in the Virgil Flowers series by John Sandford. I'm enjoying this series a lot - Lucas Davenport was getting a little old - and this is another solid entry. I think my favourite thing about Sandford's novels is the dialogue between characters - absolutely spot on. This is the way people I know actually talk.

LOVE Sanford. He got a little stale for a bit but his last few, in both Davenport and Flowers series, have been awesome. Glad to know there's another one to look for.

I have just started 'The Painted Girls' by Marie Buchanan. Haven't gotten very far into it but so far it's good. It's at least partially about Degas painting and sketching ballerinas.

I like to read educational books. I recently finished with Homeopathic Remedies for Cats and Dogs. I will take that info with a grain of salt.

I've decided to start re-reading my Agatha Christie collection. I have begun with "The Mysterious Affair at Styles".

"Goldberg Variations" Susan Isaacs.

This is something a little different from her - very much a "relationship" book, with not even a hint of mystery or thriller. The relationship is that between a truly poisonous old woman and her estranged grandchildren, with a certain amount of redemption of sorts at the end. Not 100% successful - I could see what she was trying to do, but I don't think she entirely pulled it off. Nonetheless, I like Isaacs a lot and there was enough good stuff here to make it worth reading. This book wouldn't be my recommendation to someone who had never read any of her stuff, though - for that I'd go with "Shining Through" which is Susan Isaacs at her best.

I've just read the reviews for the movie version of "Shining Through" and it looks like they left out everything that was good about the book, and kept in all the plot implausibilities, which in the book are forgivable because of the 1940's movie serial thing it kinda has going. So if you've seen the movie, the book's not like that.

Though an avid aviation fan, my sister asked me to have a read which she thought more than intriguing.The book in question is titled "A Travel Guide to Heaven". The author Anthony De Stefano, is in fact a member of the aviation community both as a certified commercial pilot and a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

That said, he offers in his book an "inspired" look into the eternity which most diligent Christians will easily accept. His basic premise is that ..we are destined for heaven. He invites us to "file a flight plan" and be prepared to make the journey of our lifetime.

Among the facets he describes are the very nature of heaven and who gets to arrive there. There is no gloom or dire judgement going on in his pages. In essence he convinces us that heaven will incorporate all the intellectual and sensual pleasures which our human appetites had sought in this earthly span. In fact..he surprises us with all manner of people and pets upon whom we invested our time and emotions. Because heaven is a destination of supreme joy, surprises abound.

For the scripture oriented, each chapter is linked to Bible passages through abundant footnotes.

The book is an easy and exhilarating adventure. It is written in simple language which reminds me of the best travel guides I have utilized in my earthly travels. If you have a curiosity about .."what comes next", have a look into this little book.

I have just finished reading Bloodstream by Tess Gerritsen. I found it a bit slow to start but in no time I was hooked, will be reading more of her books in future.

I'm about two thirds done with Salman Rushdie's "Joseph Anton: A Memoir". I'm not a fan of the work...it's much, much too long. It's also quite difficult to follow at some times, as he intermixes stories of people that only come up once in his life, with people that he meets often, and stories of some Muslim history as well. He also writes in a fashion I'm not very familiar with...3rd person? 2nd person? I'm not sure if it's truly 3rd. Instead of saying, "I found the way..." he writes "He found the way..." talking about himself. That can get confusing and hard to follow if he's talking about himself or another man that he's talking about.

Anyway...I had planned on reading "The Satanic Verses" after this, but if the writing style is the same, I don't think I will. Has anyone read it? Or anything else by Rushdie?

Sorry, not me. I've been meaning to, as I like the way he expresses himself in interviews, and often find that an author's "voice" is much the same as his voice, if that makes sense. I'm not a big fan of dense difficult prose though, so I'll be reading any response you get with interest.

I just finished reading Twin Harvest by Lynn McMahon Anstead . This is much darker than her first two books. A good murder mystery/psychological thriller. If you have a Kindle, I recommend this highly.

Just read a short story by Clare Wigfall entitled "Before Their Very Eyes." I was pulled in by the story of a man who vanished from a magic show, but there wasn't a clear-cut ending. So, the reader's left to wonder "what happened to Henry?" That and, "what happened to Frances?"

"Thieves' Dozen" Donald E Westlake.

A collection of short stories about his series character Dortmunder. If you've never read a Dortmunder book, do yourself a favour and pick one up - they're wonderful. Hollywood keeps trying to make crime caper movies out of these books, but they don't work well, because although the plots are funny enough, it's the writing that really makes them sparkle. My favourite from this collection is the Dortmunder Workout - not really a story at all, just a little slice of life vignette with the regulars at the OJ Bar and Grill.

Charles Dickens- A Life, by Claire Tomalin.
She has written some really good biographies and this one looks promising. I recently tried to read John Forster's, I thought it would be good and no doubt it was, as he was a close friend of Dickens, but oh dear it was dry, and not really relaxing bedtime reading. So I abandoned it and am going to try this. Anyone read it yet?

Have just finished Terry Pratchett's "Snuff", not a favourite, I have to say, and have finally come to the last delicious word on the last delicious page of Zola's "au Bonheur des Dames", and thoroughly enjoyed every page of it.

Next up book 5 in the Game of Thrones series, RR Martin. Pretty rough stuff, but a rip-roaring good political drama/fantasy adventure. I can't wait to get stuck in!

"Bad Boy" An Inspector Banks novel by Peter Robinson.

Very interesting read, in light of the situation in the US right now about gun control. Things are quite different indeed in the UK on that issue - the discovery of a handgun in a young woman's closet sets a whole series of events going.

I've been reading Inspector Banks off and on since the first book - these books are always enjoyable, but not really anything world shaking. A good modern British detective series - no bodies in the library here.

George RR Martin's 'Game of Thrones', book 5. It's all coming together nicely, a vast panorama of political machinations, individual struggles, wars on all fronts, set against a fantasy background complete with dragons, shapchangers, evil baddies and bad spells, and the good guys who struggle right to the bitter end, but are probably going to knock the socks of the nasties by the final page

A great bit of escapism, in any case, and detailed enough to satisfy my desire to get my teeth into something juicy (if somewhat rife with bloodlust, gore and depravity).

Your enthusiasm for Zola's "Au Bonheur des Dames" shines through , Toni. I am going to get that next.Did you read it in French?

I went through a couple more memoirs.

"Fish: A Memoir of a Boy in a Man's Prison" by T. J. Parsell and "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead" by Frank Meeink. Both had very horrific content, as you might expect, but both had redeeming stories as well. I always find it interesting to get a perspective from 'fringe' (for lack of a better word) groups in society and neither of these books disappointed. If you find sociology, true crime, or memoirs interesting, I'd recommend both books, keeping in mind the content is what you'd expect it to be and can be stomach churning (and anger inducing) at times.

"Red Mist" by Patricia Cornwell. She has had some really good books but I lose interest when she starts presenting her lead character as a superwoman. This book is shaping up to be one of those.

That's pretty much why I stopped reading her books, skunkee. I found, too, after reading quite a few of her books, that I was thinking "Y'know, I don't actually LIKE any of these people".

Agony, I completely agree. The more I read of the series, the more I started disliking Scarpetta. Benton seems like the only character to have any warmth in his personality.

Just started “Luca and the Fire of Life” by Salman Rushdie the other day. It was one of those I almost didn’t read, afraid I wouldn’t like it, but once I started… The novel tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy who tries to save his father from “the big sleep.” One of the funniest parts is how he has two friends—they startecd out as pets but grew to be so much more—named Dog the Bear and Bear the Dog. Very well-written, and quite enjoyable for those who like magic and related themes.

I seem to barely read a proper book these days but for Christmas I got
"Danny Baker Going to Sea in a Seive". (He's a English radio personality).
It's good fun and I'm getting through it slowly but surely.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.
This book is a real eye-opener about the meat-packing industry and the plight of immigrants. I avoided reading it for a long time because I thought it would be either too dry or too depressing for my tastes, but that's not the case at all. I really feel like I know the characters and care about them. Even when reading of horrific conditions, the story pulls me along because I care what happens to them.

I also found it an absolutely delightful book! So un-Zola like. It's recommended for anyone who usually passes on Zola's books because they find them too dark.

Per usual, Zola did plenty of research prior to writing Au Bonheur des dames. It's a good primer for the history of the first gigantic department stores. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall to see Zola shopping for hours with his wife.

I'm currently wading through Ricky Martin's autobiography, entitled "Me." Initially, I'm ashamed to say I judged the book based on the one song of his I know--which I don't like at all. But once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It's not boring, or even egocentric: it's a reflective look at the experiences that have shaped his music and acting careers.

Yes, I borrowed it from a friend and read it in French. I have to admit that the 'dated' language threw me a bit at first, but it definitely contributes to the charm of the read. I didn't look up every single word that I didn't know, and am even pleased that there were so (relatively speaking) few of them.

I kept getting reminded of the classic descriptive prose encountered in books like 'The Coral Island' and 'The Water Babies' while reading Au Bonheur. I guess the long, charming passages are approached in a similar way.

Edit: I've just checked the dates for all three books, and coincidentally they were all written in the same era, between 1858-62. And guess what? I'm now rereading the Coral Island, which I haven't read since I was a kid! I suppose I'll move on to the Water Babies afterwards, just to please my fancy as reading Au Bonheur has rekindled all the enjoyement the other two brought to me at the time.

It's the first of Zola's works that I have read, and my teenage daughter groaned when she heard me raving about it. She's studying for a literary Baccalauréat, so Zola's work is among the French classics on her reading list, and she finds it too boring, too detailed and too slow for her.

Au Bonheur came across as a detailed yet fun book, which really conveys the social mores, the lifestyle and the restrictions of the era. In parallel to detailing the phenomenal success of the rise of department store, the book offers a wealth of detail about the types of goods that people hankered after at the time, the difference between the classes, the old gentry and all it represents vs the brash youngster making his millions on the back of hard work and vision. There's a real sense of the industrial revolution happening, the slow pace of pre-industrial life yielding reluctantly but inexorably to impulsivity, rapidity, hard-nosed business acumen. There's a blurring of the previously strictly upheld class barriers and taboos. The cold and clinical "hard sell" taking the place of the previously genteel business of the craftsman working with the client to create a unique materpiece.

I found it absolutely fascinating!

Which Zola is your daughter's favorite?

L'Assommoir is my favorite. I love the character of Gervaise.

Interesting. Thanks for the note, I might not pass/dismiss this one should I come across it. I would judge the book based on what little I know about him, but good to know my judgement will probably be wrong.

Now I've started "The Tiger: A True Story of Vengence and Survival” by John Vaillant, an interesting glimpse into the habitat of the Siberian tiger - and the people who hunt/track them. I'm only on chapter three, but so far I'm really enjoying this. (Yet another book I'd not have read had the library not sent it to me - I figure, once it's here, I might as well try it).

I have finally finished Charles Dickens- A Life, by Claire Tomalin.
She is a good writer, her research is obviously great. He was a wonderful writer, this we know. he worked incredibly hard , mainly to support his 10 + rather useless children.He was generous and kind and supportive to all his close friends and their families. He was a gifted actor and performer. He founded institutions for the poor. he was adored by the public..... I ended up really disliking him!

Last night I started "Forge" by Laurie Halse Anderson, as I found reading in bed sometimes helps me fall asleep. "Forge" is a work of historical fiction that continues the story begun in "Chains." Both books tell the tale of slaves attempting to make better lives for themselves during the Revolutionary War.
In "Chains," one of the characters is branded--and another becomes a prisoner. In "Forge," the former prisoner enlists in the Patriot Army after saving the life of a young soldier. (I have only just started, so I summarized up to the point where I am.)
Very well-written and gripping. I can't wait to finish (each chapter contains a quote or passage from some historical source.)

For some reason I am never "am reading" a book, always "just finished". Just finished "The Loner" by Ester Wiel and am about to go reread "The Scarlet Pimpernel".

And I could go on, but this is my first post here in this forum, not sure of people would care to read my ravings.

I appear to be rereading Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey novels. I really didn't intend this - I was all set to dive into a Christopher Isherwood collection - but who am I to fight it?

Ravings R Us, Mariamir, so rave all you like! Welcome.

Oh, thank you, Ren! For my next book, I will either pick up Shakespeare or the novel that my favorite serial was based on: bu bu jing xin, known sometimes as "Scarlet Heart" (dunno why, doesn't mean that).

I'm actually rereading a book that I started last week. It's called "Other Kingdoms" and is by Richard Mathieson. I once read a short storycollection with something by him, so was excited to see how this was.

The story centers around a young man, Alex, although he's actually narrating his story later in life. He has several adventures, which include going off to war, and falling in love--twice. The title refers to those other worlds that touch our own. Very well written, and quite enjoyable (I would warn anyone not to read if they can't stand graphic images of horror--or are offended by explicit descriptions of... well...)

Just started "The Wolf in the Parlor" by Jon Franklin. It's about a science writer who finds himself intrigued by dogs--and compelled to investigate the bond between humans and their canine companions. Very well-written and informative.

Just finished "My Beloved World" by Sonia Sotomayor. I really liked it. I like her, she's a very intelligent and down to earth woman. I've seen her do a couple of interviews and that got me interested in the book. I was disappointed that she ended the book when she first became a judge, but I understand her reasoning for ending it there. It's a really interesting story of a child of immigrant parents succeeding. For anyone that likes memoir's pick it up.

About halfway through "We Are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency" by Parmy Olson. Not a fan of this book at all. I think Olson just took a bunch of chat logs, news stories, and video clips and compiled them into a book. That doesn't take much investigative reporting, just organizational skills. And the book is extremely basic (which means I'm probably not the target audience). When she explains what "lol" means, I have to balk. I'll finish it, but it really isn't introducing me to an inside story, or anything new.

As I said above, I'm re reading Dorothy Sayers' "Lord Peter Wimsey" novels right now. Just finished "The Nine Tailors" - it's really quite a remarkable book. If you like English murder mysteries from the thirties, check this one out - I'd say it is the best of the period. You'll also learn more than anyone could ever want to about change ringing.

I'm almost finished with "Princess Ben" by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. It's an interesting read, but certainly not one of those books I'd ever read more than once. The story revolves around the reluctant princess, Benevolence, who deeply resents her enforced duties and escapes into a world of magic. She learns, however, the hard lesson that magical ability comes with plenty responsibility of its own--and gradually comes to appreciate her position in society as her home is threatened by an enemy.

I'm just beginning "Glimpses of an Unfamiliar Japan, First Series" by Lafcadio Hearn.

Hearn's father was Irish and his mother Greek. He came to the United States and eventually settled in New Orleans where he lived for years. In 1890, while working as a newspaper correspondent, Hearn visited Japan. He so loved the country that he resigned his job to remain in Japan. Hearn became a naturalized citizen of Japan and married a Japanese woman.

Glimpses is non-fiction, the story of his first days in Japan. Thus far it is charming. One example is that he begrudged himself the time to eat because he was so anxious to visit a Buddist temple.

Free at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8130

That sounds lovely! Thanks
(reminds me of a friend who loved Japan so much that she went to live ther. When I asked her how she was getting on she said "Oh , just wonderful, I even bow when I am on the telephone!")

The latest Sue Grafton - V is for Vengeance. Pretty good - it's not as much fun as the first few, but a great story, and some interesting characters. I like the change in viewpoint throughout the story - shakes things up a bit.

Life of Pi - saw the movie and now I'm starting the book.

I'm reading Battle Cry by Leon Uris. It's quite interesting/ It's about a group of young people who have enlisted the Marine Corps and are fighting the Japanese in WW II.

A terrific book. I have read it several times.

LOVING Life of Pi. I thought the movie was good but there is so much more in the book!

Currently in the middle of "Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier" by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Fantastic book. If you have any interest in space, the cosmos, or space exploration, definitely check it out. Tyson is one of my favorite people to listen to speak, he's so passionate about his profession (an astrophysicist) that it is infectious. I'm terrible at science and don't have much of an interest in it, but he makes me want to learn more.

The book is enlightening, informative, sometimes humorous and sometimes incredulous.

"Black Maria" by Diana Wynne Jones.

I edited a quiz on this children's book, and got it from the library because it sounded so much the kind of thing I would have loved to read when I was eleven. It's excellent - full of magic and mystery and humour, and really quite a lot of sharp-eyed insight into human behaviour. If you have an intelligent pre-teen or young teen at home who likes to read, I'd recommend this whole-heartedly.

I'm reading Glenn Meade's novel Brandenburg. It's interesting about Nazi plots in Paraguay. It gets more and more attractive with every page you turn. Very good dose of suspense.

Just finished 'Life after Life' by Kate Atkinson. A break from her Jackson Brodie novels, it tells the story of a baby who is born in a snowstorm in 1910, and lives her life over and over again. Sounds complicated, but totally compulsive, and highly recommended.

I haven't been here for AGES and have so many to share with you, but I shall do one at time!

Oh welcome back, Maggie. I look forward to the others!

"Duma Key", by Stephen King...creepy! "The Civil War", by Shelby Foote...tragic, fascinating! "Mr. Midshipman Hornblower", by C.S. Forester...salty!(And veddy British).

This from a while ago - 'Perfect People' by Peter James. This is a stand alone story,not part of his Roy Grace detective novels. It tells of a couple who lose a child to a genetic disorder, and turn to a geneticist to have another child who will be free from the disease which caused them so much heartache. It's compulsively readable and extremely scary - more so because the science involved is not too far from reality. I've passed this one on to several people who've all enjoyed it as much as I did. Another highly recommended read!

Today's offering is 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce. Nominated for the Man Booker prize in 2012, it tells the story of Harold Fry, a newly retired and unhappily married man, who goes out to post a letter one day and decides to keep on walking to deliver it in person to his dying friend at the other end of the country. I loved this book. The characters are memorable, and Harold's adventures are amusing and moving in turns. I started reading this book one night, fell asleep over it, and stayed in bed next day until I'd finished it. Luckily it was a weekend so they didn't miss me in work. I passed this on to my book reading circle and haven't seen it since. Wonderful wonderful book!

In the midst of rereading "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood. This is an older book - 1988 - but one of my favourites of hers. Anyone who was ever a little girl will remember the importance of power, loyalty, betrayal, the sometimes very sudden shifts in status.... And those of us who were little girls in the forties and fifties, before modern feminism, will remember how so much of our time was spent in learning how to be (or resisting learning!) those mysterious things called women. She hits so much of it exactly - I can smell wet wool when reading this book.

I've started "Bring Up the Bodies" by Hillary Mantel. It's a Tudor-era novel which I usually like but I'm having a hard time getting into it. It's a bit dull so far, and instead of a first-person narrative, it's all third person - which is totally fine, I usually like that, but she uses "he" and "him" instead of names so I've found myself having to stop often and try to work out who she's now talking about...

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. The show is very gory but my husband convinced me to give the books a try.

I love, love, love the Game of Thrones series of books
(but haven't been able to take to the TV series at all!).

Yes, I'm enjoying that series, too, though slowly. My son started reading them about ten years ago and talked me into it.

Just finished "Use of Weapons" by Iain M Banks. The book is a series of vignettes, half of them going forward in time, half backward. Fairly light on plot, but pretty good science fiction - some good concepts, well realized universe. Where it really shines is in the vignettes - they are almost all incredibly entertaining in their own way. Even before I figured out what was going on with the book's structure, and was floundering around wondering what the heck was going on, I was having a wonderful time in the moment. He's got a fabulous way with words. This was another recommendation from my son - he reads mostly sf and fantasy and pesters me to read the ones he thinks I'd like.

Also rereading Donald E Westlake's Dortmunder series just because it is so much fun.

'Pesters' Agony? How old is he. Because I think any young person who reads and encourages others to read nowadays is a true 'treasure trove' of a find!

He's 23, but he's always been like this! He's always getting his buddies to read things, too - I gave him a good grounding in classic sf, and now he's turning them on to it.

I'm having a second crack at "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell. My first attempt came to a grinding halt as I struggled with the style of the first narrator but I feel more ready for it now.

I am reading the short story collection, Octopussy and The [sic] Living Daylights. They were among the last Bond stories that Ian Fleming wrote. I am not a fan of his, but I acquired the book while doing research and I have to say I am pleased by the discovery!

I am also starting to read the last Agatha Christie's last novela with Hercule Poirot, Curtain.

***SPOILER ALERT*** STOP READING NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE NOVEL***

I have put off reading Curtain up to now because I am aware that Poirot dies in the end, and the thought has always depressed me. In my mind he will live forever, and be bodily assumed into Heaven like the prophet Ezekiel. ;-) Heh, maybe I should write a short story in which that happens.

You are right about Curtain, gracious1

I have just finished "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" and will soon start reading "Heroes of Olympus". Oh, here's my friend with "The Lost hero"...Bye.

Re-reading "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens.

Lol. I am also re-reading. Vanity Fair by Thackeray. I loved it the first time (maybe 50 years ago.)

I'm actually reading Alice in Wonderland. I never could enjoy the book as a child, and still do not enjoy any of the film or animated films made of it. I am, however, getting more enjoyment out of the book this time round.

I was just the same, Toni. I didn't even begin to love it till I was an adult. I may have been a victim of the "You-must-read-it-you-will-love-it-everyone-does-"syndrome.
A big off-putter for me.

I'm reading "Black Box", the latest Harry Bosch novel from Michael Connelly. Except I don't know if I can - he's always been an unlikable character but it's gotten to the point where I can't stand to spend the time with him. I don't think it would bother me so much if he ever suffered the consequences of being a colossal jerk, but he doesn't, really. He still has a decent relationship with his kid, his co workers still do favours for him - in real life he'd be the guy whose waits five times as long as everyone else for people to get back to him, and his kid would be out every night and spending the rest of her time boarded up in her room. I get the feeling Connelly is a jerk himself, maybe, and so sees this character as just lightly and pleasingly flawed, rather than as toxic.

How very true! There's nothing so off-putting as someone insisting that you absolutely must like a certain book, particularly when it has been shown before that your own taste and that of the person recommending a book are not exactly in sync!

At present I´m reading a historic novel called " Love and War " which the second part of a trilogy about the Civil War. I've already read the first " North and South " and when I finish it I´ll read the last " Heaven and Hell ". They are very interesting and I learn a lot about that period of American History, They were written by John Jakes.

It's a great novel representing a fruitful period in English Literature.

Gosh, I got totally engrossed in that series years ago, probably just fresh out of school in the late 80s, and I loved them! A great big sweeping saga with the civil war as backdrop and enough historical references to keep it interesting for someone who had absolutely no grounding in American history or the civil war. Happy memories!

I'm reading posts. LOL. No FT for six weeks kinda sux. Know what I mean?

I had to finish the school year, but I did manage to read a couple of novels. I'm too embarrassed to name them, but they did help me sleep.

Thank God I can read and don't have to have the internet or TV.

T

Hello Everyone, Irishrosy here,

This is my first post ever as a member of Fun trivia.
It is a pleasure to meet you all.

As a young child my most treasured "toy"
was my library card. Today for most, I suppose that "toy" is now some type of Kindle.

Reading a book to me is like breathing, something I cannot do without.

At the present time, I am reading one of my favorite authors. He is sort of "wacky" but I think highly intelligent and his book topics are well-researched when he does a parody, as he is doing in my current read, "Sacre Bleu".

Perhaps you may have surmised I am speaking of Christopher Moore. Moore's book, "Lamb" was my first introduction to him, and I loved it, as I think it is very difficult for an author to write a book that enables the reader to really laugh out loud! "Lamb" did just that for me.

Just as "Lamb" is a fictional novel of Christ's early years from childhood to age 30, told by his best friend, "Biff" who is an an angel sent to earth to complete the story of his childhood friend, Jesus, "Sacre Bleu" explores the life of the Impressionists Painters, with the theme about the "mystery" of the death of Vincent Van Gogh, with Toulouse Lautrec being the chief investigator along with Renoir, Pissaro, etc.

Accompanying the text are black and white printed copies of many of the Impressionists Masters' works.

For an interesting, humorous, tongue-in-cheek read, centered on the world of Art, this for me is a good novel.

Welcome Irishrosy! Really honoured your first post was in books, although it sounds as if that would be appropriate for you!
I enjoyed Lamb, and had no idea he had written another one
I must get that one , as soon as I have finished My Animals and Other Friends by Clare Balding. I am enjoying it, a very quick easy read. She is the daughter of Ian Balding who trains the Queen's horses and she had an unusual childhood. It's an ok read.

You're a teacher, aren't you, Bitterlyold?
I find it very hard to read challenging and new texts during term time if they aren't related to the job. I have to save them for the holidays.
I do still read two or three books a week, but they are old, familiar and comforting ones; historical fiction, sci-fi, literature from my childhood or murder mysteries. I think a balanced diet is healthy and nothing to be ashamed of.
It's often a concept that parents of children I teach struggle with, not every text has to push them on.

That's without me having survived a tornado!

HI, Thank you for your warm welcome! I have a quiz online about books and authors also. I picked up "Sacre Bleu" at the airport. Ian Rankin is another of my favorite authors, and I put his "Watchman" aside to read Moore. If there is a stall outside a store with books for sale for a dollar, you cannot drag me from it. That is how I bought Rankin's "Watchman".

I loved the book "Lamb". Another of Moore's books that I enjoyed was "Fluke"; a story of a whale watcher and what happens when you come up close and personal with one. A truly "laugh out loud" story.

"Lone Wolf" by Jodi Picoult - the information about wolves is fascinating.

Just starting "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides - just a couple of chapters in, and I'm hooked.

So, reading "Middlesex" on audiobook, and something by Mary Higgens Clark in print. It's like alternating meals of Tournedos Rossini and frozen fish sticks.

I have just finished reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I couldn't put it down long enough to mention it while I was actually reading it.

It totally blew me away. It's been years since I read any of King's books. I loved Salem's lot and a few of his earlier books, but stopped reading him when a few of his books went in a direction not of interest to me. I picked this one up solely because of the subject matter. I was nineteen in 1963 and can't say how I would have felt about the book had I not lived through those days. There were a few parts that went on a bit too long or went into more detail that was seemly, but overall, wow!

Currently reading (and very much enjoying) River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay.

Like a lot of what Kay writes, its a sort of hybrid between Historical fiction and fantasy. The setting and much of the plot is based on China around the time of the Mongol invasions, but there's also a little bit of myth/legend thrown in as well (so far most notably an encounter of one protagonist with a fox spirit).

I'm reading " Vagabundeando por el mundo" ( Roaming around the world ) by Mar'ia Eugenia Gutierrez, an expert on travelling. She went round the world twice and tells you about her experiences in a lot of countries. It's great fun and you learn a lot. It's in Spanish.

Rading 'Airborn' by Canadian writer Kenneth Oppel. It's a book for young adults that I have had in the house forever (my son read it). It's really well written.

Just about finished Middlesex on audio. One of the richest, most satisfying books I've read in some time. And for something completely different, took a small break from it to listen to Rachel Maddow's "Drift", a study of the changes in the US's approach to war over the last half of the twentieth century and to today. Maddow is as always knowledgeable and passionate.

In print, "The Wasp Factory" from Iain Banks. Very disturbing, this one. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Resonates interestingly with the other book.

Also just read "In the Country of the Blind" by Jess Walter. He's gone on to more mainstream fiction, but I really liked his first few crime novels. One heckuva writer.

Skunkee, my daughter was a huge Kenneth Oppel fan as a kid. His "Silverwing" series about bats is also very good.

Just finished "Six Moon Dance" by Sheri Tepper. She is one of my favourite SF authors
Many of her books are semi feminist, but that doesn't spoil a good story. I like the themes in this one, what is humanity, what constitutes a sentient race plus the idea of a completely impartial galactic overseer.

"Joyland" by Stephen Kind.

"Heads in Beds - a reckless memoir of hotels, hustles, and so-called hospitality" Jacob Tomsky.

Lots of fun, with tips on how to get an upgrade and how to avoid a key-bomb. This would be a fun read in any case, but the man can write, which makes it even better.

"American Savage" by Dan Savage.

I'm a fan of Savage - I've been reading columns and blog, and listening to his podcast, for years. So there's nothing much new here for me - I've heard all these arguments and most of these stories before. For those of you not familiar with him, who have maybe just heard the name and that he's somewhat controversial, this is a good overview of who he is and what he has to say. If you are offended by strong language and strong opinions, this is not the book for you.

Kingfishers Catch Fire
by Rumer Godden
Wonderfully described as all her scenes are. This time it is Kashmir and she brings it alive as only she can.
The woman in the story, Sophie ,is at most times really infuriatingly naive, but so clearly described it takes your breath away. This is one of Rumer Godden's that I had missed. I am glad I found it.

I'll look for that one, I like her books.

Just finished "Sunshine Over Scotland Street" by Alexander McCall. Having spent a lot of time in Edinburgh as a young girl when my grandparents were alive I can relate to the life style of middle would be upper class Edinburgh residents. The Scotland Sreet series is written with wonderful dry humour and if you know the city at all it is even better.

I don't go much for crime books but I grabbed 2 special offers at the airport for my journey home.
Really excellent. The writer is Tana French and wow her suspense building skills are just great.
I really enjoyed both
Faithful Place and Broken Harbour. Both set in Ireland, some characters appearing in both and therefore in the other two, I presume. I heartily recommend them.
Speaking of Iain Banks, did you read "The Quarry"Agony? Thats a strange one too, quite disturbing as well but most original like all his stuff. This is his last so even more so.

Not yet, ren - I've only read a couple of his books so far, but will be reading more.

Just finished re reading "Naked Brunch" by Sparkle Hayter (yes, that's her real name. She's from my home town, though you'd never know it by her New York books)

Sweet shy vegetarian office assistant Annie discovers she's a werewolf. This is highly entertaining stuff - a very light touch, likable characters, all the slightly silly bad guys conquered in the end while everybody we like has a happy ending. And the red potato and apple tort with smoked gruyere and walnut topping sounds like a winner!

I've been on a Chuck Palahniuk tear with a couple others scattered in between. I read "Fight Club" a while back, I've been a fan of the movie since it came out. A few differences from the movie, and a good read. I also read "Choke" since I'd seen that movie too. Stayed pretty in line with the movie, and another good read. Read "Survivor" and enjoyed it and now about halfway through "Snuff".

Palahniuk's style and content matter isn't for everyone but it appeals to me, makes me keep the pages turning.

I've also read "Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail" by Bill Walker. It was an entertaining read. It's his first book, and it's obvious he's not a seasoned or talented writer, but the writing is straightforward, honest and down to earth.

"Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed is another I breezed through. This was one of those Oprah books a while back (I didn't know that until I had read it) so might be popular to some. I enjoyed it...another honest, down to earth account of a thru-hiker. It was better written than Skywalker, but I still enjoyed them both immensely.

Have you read Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods"? It's about his trek on the Appalachian Trail.

I'm rereading Sarah Shankman's "Sam Adams" mystery series - it's been at least ten years since I've read them, so it's like the first time. The first two books in the series are pretty standard investigative reporter turns detective, nothing wrong with them but nothing special. By the third book she loosens up a bit, the plots become more outrageous and more fun, and the writing takes off. Seriously charming stuff, light as one of Ida's beignet.

Not yet, but now it's on my list. Thanks for the recommendation. I also have Bill Walker's 2nd book in queue where he hikes the Pacific Crest Trail.

A Walk in the Woods is one of my favourites! I hope you can get your hands on a copy, Pyonir. Actually I would recommend any Bill Bryson

Yep BB rules for sure! I defy anyone to read them without laughing out loud.

I read A Walk in the Woods years ago and loved it! I wish I knew where the book was now. I'd re-read it.

Reading "A Walk..." right now and I can confirm laughs out loud.

For some reason I keep picturing Bryson and Katz as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, actors from a couple of my favorite movies "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" (among other movies they've made together). Really, that only makes it funnier.

Well, that will be the image of the two of them I carry from now on, too - perfect.

"A Walk in the Woods" was a good read. Thanks for the recommendation again, agony. A little less about the hiking itself than I expected, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It did make me look up more info about Centralia, Pennsylvania...what a crazy little side story. I'd never heard of it before, but found it fascinating.

Just finished "Wave" by Sonali Deraniyagala. She was in Sri Lanka with her family when the tsunami of 2004 hit the shores. The book is a memoir but reads more like a diary than anything, and is extremely haunting and powerful. I'm not a parent, but I could see how someone with a child would find the book even more powerful.

Almost finished with "The Kindly Ones" by Jonathan Littell. It is alternatively depressing, shocking, sad, weird and quite long. Narration by a supposed high ranking Nazi officer during WWII and how the war experience changed him, his mind, his life and sanity. It is interesting, but rough reading at times.

I read "Anna Karenina" a couple years ago, only because I'd never read Tolstoi (loved Dostoevski though), and I have to say I did NOT care for it and felt NO sympathy for the heroine. I felt for her abandoned husband and son, but she never became important to me, and it was anticlimax when she got to the train station as the book proceeded along almost as if nothing had happened. I would not put it on the 100 best books list. I would put "The Brothers Karamazov" on there. One day I'll reread it.

I'm enjoying a 2007 book that I'd wanted to read when it came out (to great reviews). I found a copy at a good price recently: it's "Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)" by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson.

It's entertaining and horrifying at the same time--always a good fit when human nature is being discussed. ^_^

Just finished "Orange is the New Black" by Piper Kerman. Found the book to be rather dull first and foremost. I've read quite a few books about prison but they've all been about men in prison. So I was looking forward to one written by a woman. The book was severely lacking in details and had a terrible ending point. Kerman doesn't give us a view into how her life has changed once she's out of prison or follow ups to what happened to all her "friends" she made in prison. Probably so she can write (and sell) a follow up book.

She was also pretty narcissistic throughout, which got old, really fast.

Overall, I'd recommend anyone planning to check it out, to skip it. I certainly won't be reading the inevitable follow up and wished I hadn't wasted my time reading this one.

Just finished listening to David Rakoff's "Don't get too Comfortable", read by the author. Oh my. Cancer is a terrible thing - the world really could have used another thirty years of David.

I have just finished "The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared". Brilliant book, darkly funny, in a way reminiscent of "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night" - same sort of quirkiness to it although different author. I have to say it finds a place on my list of best books I have ever read.

Just finished The Great Gatsby. Meant to only read a chapter, but once I started, I couldn't put it down. It's an amazing book. Maybe this sounds silly, but it was, well, heart wrenching. Beautifully written, definitely high on my list.

"Kind of Cruel" by Sophie Hannah.

Not quite as good as it could be - better in theory than execution - but I'll be reading more. She's taking up the mantle of Ruth Rendell, I'd say - psychologically-based crime fiction.

I am still with Tana French The last one I think called "In the Wood". Wow she is good.

Jess Walter's collection of short stories "We Live in Water". I really can't emphasize enough what a good writer this guy is. Wonderful stories, and from a viewpoint we don't often see - he's really got "unemployed in the Pacific Northwest" covered.

"Mistakes Were Made But Not by Me : Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts" by Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson.

Very readable overview of how and why we are drawn to self justification, even when we can rationally see that it's not in our best interests. This is one of best organized and most readable popular science books I've read - and the authors make their point very persuasively.

Thanks for the note agony. I'll probably check that book out when I get the chance. I enjoy reading books about sociology/psychology but so many of them are poorly researched, poorly written, too technical or with a heavy political slant.

Aronson is one of the leading researchers in the field, but you'd never know it by the easy style of the book. No real political bias that I could see - in the section on self-justifying war, George W Bush comes under some scrutiny, but so does LBJ. They are quite hard on their own field, too. Their main point is that all humans do this, so checks must be built into systems - we can't trust our own perceptions of confirmation bias.

I read a lot of this kind of thing, too, but seldom make it all the way through the book. This was a good one.