I haven't read "A Dance to the Music of Time" myself, but know several people who rave about it.

I'm reading the complete and uncut version of "The Stand" by Stephen King.

I first read the original version in around 1984 (when I was all of 11), when it was still set in 1980.

I think I prefer the originally published version - although I think I read and re-read my first copy of that paperback until it fell apart!

I've just started reading the first book in Julian May's Rampart Worlds trilogy, Perseus Spur. An excellent read, deeply engrossed as always with Julian May's books. Once I've finished book one I'll move on to the other two books in the trilogy.

I remember seeing all those Anthony Powell's on the library shelves, back in the days I was reading Richard Powell... I've gotten the impression that they are rather in the same vein as Christopher Isherwood, but can't remember who told me that.

Its a bit heavygoing. There are so many characters! But there is something that I am liking. It is very subtly humorous, as if Powell is sharing muttered asides with a friend. I think I like that. Clever.

I am about to begin Dean Koontz's Frankenstein:: Book One Prodigal Son.

I've just finished reading the three volumes of Naguib Mahfouz's 'Cairo Trilogy' - which was really tough to get into at the start but ultimately so gripping I couldn't stop reading.

For some lighter relief I'm currently reading some Colin Bateman - just finished 'Mystery Man' and 'Dr. Yes', and about to start 'The Day of the Jack Russell'. Bateman authored 'Murphy's Law' which the TV series was based on with James Nesbitt. A lot of his novels are closely rooted in the North of Ireland ... real people, real places ... so it's fascinating to me (as a Belfaster) from that perspective, but in addition he's sooo funny that I found myself laughing out loud on a bus the other day (which of course I'm usually far too restrained to do!).

I mentioned him on our team book thread, and people in Arizona, New South Wales and Victoria have been asking for him in their local libraries ... I should really get some commission!

On the heavier side, I've also just started R.D. Blackmore's 'Lorna Doone'. Read a children's abridged version as a schoolkid, but of course the real thing is pretty different!

I have already finished Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Book One Prodigal Son. Less than 24 hours, which is amazing for me since I spend too much time on the Internet, lol. That book gripped me like a book hasn't for several years and I just kept reading, almost to the exclusion of everything else. Got to get the next one in the series. I only picked up the first one since it was updated to modern times and I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it, but Koontz did a great job with it.

I just finished "The Glass Rainbow" by James Lee Burke. For anyone who is a fan of the Dave Robicheaux character, this is probably Burke's best novel. I could not put it down and after I finished it, I was stunned.

Thanks and welcome , all you new people in here. Great to have your recommendations.

Thanks and welcome , all you new people in here. Great to have your recommendations.

longcoolwoman2, I'll be sure to look that one up. This is one series that started out good, and is getting better - a nice change from the usual way it works.

I've begun reading Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. I find the characters very two-dimensional, the general idea very straightforward, and the plot kind of kitschy. However, the first book was enjoyable for a mindless read, so, I'm giving a chance to the second book...

Welcome to our new Mod in Bookworms: General Smooth, Mr LeoDaVinci himself. You are most welcome Sir!

Welcome, Leo!

Welcome!

Well I've just finished reading the first book, Perseus Spur in the Rampart Worlds trilogy by Julian May and a real corker it was to action and adventure all the way with the hero finding love along the way and like the best James Bond novels the hero manages to avoid the most unusual methods of death that the villian cooks up. This book would make an excellent film.

Tomorrow I start book 2, Orion Arm.

Barbara Kingsolver's "The Bean Trees", and enjoying it very much indeed - it's been several years since I last read it.

Funny thing - I recently read her latest book, "The Lacuna" which is a much more mature and, probably, better book. I enjoyed it much less, though. Way back then, she was a fresh and natural voice. Now she's a standard "literary" writer, and a lot more boring.

Agony, you have this uncanny, nay spooky, knack of mentioning writers that I haven't read for ages and mean to . I used to love her . I must go back to her now.

Welcome as mod, Leo!

If you are not impressed by book 1 of the Sword of Truth series, I predict you won't go very far into the series. After the third book, they all tell the same story, same motivators for the key characters, only the dates and places change.

Personally I enjoyed the series up to book 5 or so. It was a new spin on an old theme, the pace was rapid enough to keep me from getting bored, and to be honest at the time I read them I wasn't in the right frame of mind for anything other than light reads with enough happening to keep me turning the pages to the end.

I never did read the final books in the series - I suspect they just wouldn't be worth spending the money on, though if they were available in the library I'd probably book them out just to find out how it all pans out in the end. As I'm not willing to read for leisure in French, I doubt that I'll ever know.

Haven't seen you in ages!
Thanks for the recommendation, I'm slogging through the second book (along with P&P for the book club) and it's not getting much better.
Join our book club?

I do pop in from time to time, but would love to have more time to browse all the discussions properly! I barely have time to read even two pages before crashing out for the night these days.

I did see the book club thread, and will join in periodically when I know I'll have the time to read the material first. At the moment, though, I can't commit

(Hub's been at home for only 4 days since the 2nd January, and house, work, kids and meetings have filled my days). By summer time it should slack up a bit ...

I am presently reading Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson. I stumbled across a British mini-series by the same name obviously based on the book. It is considered a Modern Classic. It is the story of three related Oxfordshire communities in late 19th century England. A very interesting read.

Kazuo Ishiguro's 'Never Let Me Go'. The first Ishiguro I read a few years back, 'The Remains of the Day', left me distinctly unimpressed, but after reading his 'An Artist of the Floating World' and now this, I'm really becoming a big fan of his subtle, always understated, and quirky writing. I've just realised today that there was a film made of 'Never Let Me Go' last year, with Keira Knightley as one of the lead characters - I must look out for that once I've finished the book.

I'm in the middle of "Shadowplay" by Tad Williams. Another epic, just like Tad likes to do. I'm enjoying it.