What are people reading at the moment?

whoa there pickle · What are people reading at the moment?

I like book talk:) So is anyone reading any good books at the moment that I can add to my wishlist? I am an reading Agatha Raisin, have just started the series and quite enjoying them!

redredrobin

I decided I needed a chicklit the other day for some light reading. Problem was, I finished it in an evening so now have nothing to read. Back at work tomorrow so can have a look in our book swap box.

whoa there pickle

ooh I like the idea of a book swap box! Mind you I am a little addicted to BookMooch at the moment so lots of swapping there!

madphil

Dreams of My Father - Barack Obama. Not got far yet so can't say what I think! My track record of finishing a book in term time is not good so I'll tell you next Christmas Wink

posingpoodle

My bookywook- Hilarious!

whoa there pickle

greyengine

The Book Thief - very good but very sad too - could do with something a bit more cheerful next.

whoa there pickle

pink_monkey

I'm reading The Gift by Cecilia Ahern, haven't got very far but I'll let you know what it's like.

cherryblossom

i was given the accidental for xmas , so am gonna start on that tonight i reckon

Cannonfodder

During term time i need something that is easy to digest. so I'm going through No 1 Lady Detective Agency books. But I have not ling read Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - a Nigerian writer who writes (surprise, surprise) stories set in Nigeria. This connected with the Biafran war. Mmm. I seem to be in an African phase. But she does write well nad it is great escapism -I'll never go to Nigeria but I am a great armchair traveller.

Conker

Maeve Binchy's Hearts and Souls alongside Kate Ford's The Forgotten Garden. First time for the first book but the second read for the second book.

whoa there pickle

nicolagraham

Just finished Balzac's The Black Sheep and enjoyed that. Now starting Dickens's Our Mutual Friend. I like the classics- don't really know any contemporary writers so will have to try out some of your suggestions! Must be studying English Lit at uni- only ever read classics!

whoa there pickle

nicolagraham

I have to say I really enjoy them. I find they take longer to get into (esp Dickens) but once you do, they're ace. One of my all time faves is Zola's Terese Raquin- all about sleazy life in 19th Century France!

whoa there pickle

I will add that to my wishlist!

smileylady

Just finished Night by Elie Weisel- a very powerful book about the holocaust and Nickolais' Quest- a childrens book to balance things! Both highly recommended.

wotton

The complete guide to Asperger's Syndrom.......waiting for the kids to finish the new books they got for Christmas so I can read them but don't know how much time I'll have during the term.

jenny_pest

Im with the chick lit fans - Confessions of a demented housewife - The celebrity years!!!

The first one was really good and i couldn't put it own, such a light hearted pick me up and i got the follow up by Niamh Greene in my stocking so im halfway through - so far, so good!!

madax1

Have just finished A Quiet Belief in Angels. Really enjoyed it. Apparently it was on Richard and Judy's booklist so now Amazon have recommended loads of others so I may give them a whirl.

cofnchoc

I loved The Book Thief greyengine. Think it's been 1 of the best I've read this year.

I'm in the middle of Under a Blood Red Sky by Kate Furnivall set in Russia in the 1930's. An easy read but a bit far fetched in places I feel.

Read another of hers - The Russian Concubine set in China and Russia.

Picked up 2 Richard & Judy book clubs at the airport - Kate Atkinson - When Will There Be Good News and The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway tho goodness knows when I'll start them! Tend to only manage a few pages a night when I'm back at work.

smallholder

Just finished Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks, now reading the latest PD James.

magpie nic

I am reading chicklit at mo- To Love, Honour and Betray by Kathy Lette- not as good as her earlier stuff but still funny and lighthearted. Just finished reading all 4 crime books by Sheila Quigley, not read hers before but really enjoyed them. I need easy going stuff for term time, just bought a few chick lit books in woolies closing down sale so lots to read, but also got boy in striped pyjamas and Private peaceful to read as well.

WTP I am like you, cannot imagine a day without reading even if only a few pages. Helps me relax at the end of the day. I hate going into work on a monday without finishing the book I have been reading at the weekend!

mrsbean

I just finished The Suspicions of Mr Wicher - Kate Summerscale. It's a murder/whodunnit/historical fiction but based totally on real facts from the mid 1800s. I really enjoyed it (and have since seen it is on the new Richard and Judy list) and would highly recommend it.

smallholder

I've been thinking of getting that. I like mysteries I have the latest Sansome for when I finish the PD James. I like the Classics too. Found Faulk's Human traces a bit too hard going - was glad to finish it.

chelseagirly

I thought the Book Thief was excellent too.

If you liked the No 1 Detective Agency books, try Marriage Bureau for Rich People - very similar style.

Reading the Torey Hayden novel Field of Sunflowers (or Sunflower Field - book's upstairs at the moment no energy to run up and check!) - better than her previous novel.

Will put together a list later!

WTP, I can't go a day without reading something either - always have to read before I go to sleep - even if it is only a line!

mrsbean

Also meant to add that The Book Thief is fantastic and I've recommended it to loads of people at school.

Andrew Jeffrey

The Music of The Primes by Marcus Du Sautoy. I've just been Andy no-mates in a pub reading it...riveting stuff!

wotsitagain

I expect it is a really good read though, AJ. I enjoy his column in the Times each week.

I am supposed to be reading The Island by Victoria Hislop for book group, finding time an issue though. MAybe I should go and read now....

whoa there pickle

magpie nic

I really enjoyed The Island- would love to go visit there now!

greyengine

WTP, I'm not sure what to read next. The boy in the striped pyjamas is next on my shelf, but I'm not sure if it might be too similar to the Book Thief.
AJ, I read The Music of the Primes earlier in the year - really enjoyed it. He's very readable.
Read Half of a Yellow Sun recently too - another great read but again very sad. Desparately need to read something happy. Might try another of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books as I usually enjoy those.

whoa there pickle

[quote="greyengine"]WTP, I'm not sure what to read next. The boy in the striped pyjamas is next on my shelf, but I'm not sure if it might be too similar to the Book Thief.
quote]

I haven't read The Boy in the striped pyjamas yet, have been putting it off after one of my year 6 boys read an extract in library lesson and I started crying. Wuss.

JD1970

Have just finished Dominic Hubbard's biography of Wilfred Owen, the WW1 poet. Fascinating and very well written. If you like poetry or history I'd recommend it.
Don't know what to go for next. Probably nothing until the next holiday.

smallholder

greyengine if you want something funny to read - try some Mavis Cheek or Jasper Fforde - two authors that make me laugh out loud.

Would also recommend
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - a brilliant book ( Not really about Salmon Fishing in the same way that A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine is not about tractors - I would recommend that book too.)

cofnchoc

Round Ireland with a fridge by Tony Hawks is also a funny, lighthearted read.

greyengine

smallholder thanks for the tips. I've read some Jasper Fforde before and really enjoyed it - appeals to my sense of humour, and I've also read Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (one of the few books I've actually persuaded my OH to read as well), but I haven't tried Mavis Cheek yet.

smallholder

In that case (if you are female) you will enjoy her - not chick lit -a bit more literary ( snob in me coming out now) - and also for the slightly more mature woman -not that I'm saying I think you're old mind!

greyengine

I'm in my prime (47) and certainly don't mind being classed as a more mature woman!

smallholder

I hit the big 50 earlier this year - mature like a nice red wine me.

queenie80

HIya, just finshed 'Remember me?' by Sohie Kinsella - very good. Very good indeed. I love chick lit too as warm hearted read with a laugh/dram etc.

Before that read book of the month from the library which was good. Was a green cover and this girl receives a manual from her father when she is 13 - her father had died when she was 6 - she can only read an entry on her birthday. There is a misc section that she can read anytime. She tries to go by her dads advice. The last entry is on her 30th birhday. Very good

Also a fan of Marian Keyes and Janet Evanovich - any Stephanie PLum novels are great x

queenie80

I think it is called Dear Lola

pink_monkey

That sounds good queenie, although is it a bit like PS I Love You?

jenny_pest

Queenie that sounds really good - Dear Lola i think that will go on my wish list this month as a treat!! I really enjoyed remember me by Sophie Kinsella, such a big chic lit fan, i wish she would get another shopoaholic book out though!! At the minute, im reading a book i got in Asda called - How (not) to murder your mother!! By Stephanie Calman, so appropriate right now for me!!

magpie nic

I didn't enjoy Lola- found it a bit predictable, but was quite a good idea. I did enjoy Remember Me, but like the Shopaholic ones much more. I am now counting down days til the new John Grisham is out.
I need a trip to the library to get some new books, great having all this time off and lounging about reading lots!

smallholder

Anyone else collect books? Or am I the only saddo?

whoa there pickle

Yes I dohe- I am a bit addicted! Sadly I put them all on LibraryThing and love watching the number grow!

tog

Don't consciously collect them but looking around, there do seem to be rather a lot in here! They just kind of build up without you noticing.

chelseagirly

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas is an amazing book. A completely different read to The Book Thief. It is a 'must read'!

The Torey Hayden book is called The Sunflower Forest.

I am really sad - if I haven't got my next book lined up, waiting and ready - I get myself into a real panic and HAVE to visit Borders!

At the moment I have a pile of about 12 books bought from either the Book People or Play in their sales - so no panic attacks for about 12 weeks!

smallholder

What's Library Thing?

whoa there pickle

www.librarything.com

A website where you can catalogue all your books.

smallholder

Oh wow! Looks like heaven...I'm going to have to explore that.

I collect ...
alphabet books
dictionaries
old illustrated classics
old children's books

OH collects books on ornithology

whoa there pickle

smallholder it is wonderful!

greyengine

really like the look of librarything. I've signed up.
CG, I've decided to give The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas a go - started it today.

whoa there pickle

excellent greyengine, let me know how you go on:)

cofnchoc

I've signed up to the librarything too and will spend some time having an explore later.
Boy in the striped pyjamas is really thought provoking. Think it should be a must read at KS3.

smallholder

Have been looking at it this afternoon too and it looks good -have bookmarked it to come back to.

greyengine

Really liking The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - not much more to go as it's quite a quick read - I don't spend all my time reading, honestly.

magpie nic

I'm now reading and enjoying Winters End by Trisha Ashley, a nice easy read! Then I am going to start The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas. One good thing with being off work for so long is I have had loads of time to read lots of books!
I am going to check out that website later- each new year, I start a list of books as I read them, but always forget once it gets to about February!

Conker

Also got Schott's Almanac on the go. I love all those weird and wonderful facts. It's a bizarre book but seems so easy to get through! I am constantly amazed at what I've forgotten happened during the year, or that it only happened THIS year.

Is that yet another sign of aging? Smile

cofnchoc

Have you seen the Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd. Uses place names of things that there aren't any words for yet eg Kettering - the marks left on the back of your legs after sitting on a wicker chair!

jenny_pest

Im persuaded now - i wanted to watch the boy in the striped pyjamas when it came to the cinema last year but didnt get chance - i think i will have go and treat myself tomorrow and buy the book - all your good reviews have tempted me!!!

smallholder

I would also recommend 'The Reader' by Bernard Schlink ( film is currently out but I bet its no where near as good as the book.) It would be in my list of must reads.

magpie nic

I finished The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas last night- excellent read. Couldn't sleep for ages thinking about it.
Today I have started Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs- not read any of her stuff before and finding it a bit hard to get in to. But I never give up if I start a book, even if I have to keep coming back to it. The only one I have started and not finished is Captain Corelli's Mandolin- only because that bit about the pea makes me feel so ill that I have to stop reading it. One day I will read it, but miss out the beginning!

smallholder

Over the years I have kept trying to read 'A Portrait of a Lady' - Henry James, because I feel I should have read some of his stuff, but I've never got very far with it. I did finish CCM but it didn't enthuse me.

jenny_pest

In Asda tonight, they had the child's version of the boy in the striped pyjamas but no adult version so ill have to wait or pop to the library tomorrow after school!! Shame - though the children's book looked very insightful and i had a scan and i can see why the debate came up last week on another thread about teaching it to Upper KS2/Middle School.

oatcake

I'm reading Maureen Lipman 'Post-it-Notes'. It was a Christmas pressie - not sure I'd have bought it but it's quite funny and an easy read before I nod off!

Really enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Learnt a little about Afghnistan. Also enjoyed Snowflower and the Secrt Fan by Lisa See - set in feudal China. . .

The brief history of the dead by Kevin Brockmeier was a book I didn't want to come to the end of and it 'stayed with' me for a week or two after I'd finished it.

magpie nic

I have given upon Kathy Reichs, too gory!

Just started Roots by Alex Haley- enjoyed it years ago on the telly, so thought would give the book a go! After I have read Heat magazine of course Embarassed

greyengine

Also finished The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas now. Amazing book - so simply written - gave me goosebumps.
I've picked up a Mavis Cheek from the library, as recommended by smallholder, so going to try that next.
oatcake, I really enjoyed Thousand Splendid Suns too - a reall insight into the culture of Afghanistan and what happens behind the headlines.

smallholder

Which Mavis Cheek did you get?

chelseagirly

Magpie - don't give up on Kathy Reichs - a bit gory I agree but often gripping!

Jenny Pest - the book is much better than the film (although the film was excellent - the book is by nature much more subtle). I didn't realise there was a difference betweent the child and the adult version, apart from the cover.

greyengine

smallholder, I got Patrick Parker's Progress - started it last night and I think I'm going to enjoy it - she's got a very dry way of putting things which I love.

smallholder

Ooh - I haven't got that one. I do hope you like it. (Always feel a bit of pressure when someone takes up a recommendation!)

I finished my PD James last night and have just begun Falling Angels - Tracy Chevalier. I get all my books ( apart from those on my birthday and xmas lists) from charity shops - shoud put that in the money saving thread!

greyengine

Have you tried readitswapit - I've got quite a lot of books that way.

smallholder

No I haven't -I like to keep my books usually so probably wouldn't suit me. Thanks for the idea though.

mrsbean

smallholder - is the PD James worth reading? I have read all her other ones and have just re-read The Lighthouse. Adam Dalglish never seems to get any older!
I also enjoy Kathy Reichs - have read all of hers. You can't beat a good detective novel - I was so sad when Ian Rankin retired Rebus.

queenie80

Do you know, it still isn't called Dear Lola and saw it the other day and still forgot it!!

I have got PS I love you from the library, but then checked the catalogue and went to get other Sophie Kinsella book and ended up with Marian Keyes - This Charming Man instead - it's massive!!

The Boy in the Striped Pjamas is brill - they have made it into a film - due for release on dvd on 9 March 09 xx

magpie nic

Right I will give Kathy Reichs another go then, see if I can get past the gore!

Marian Keyes is one of my favourite authors- have read all her stuff. She is really funny when interviewed as well.

Really enjoying Roots, a great book so far.

smallholder

Mrs Bean - Yes I really enjoyed 'A Private Patient' - I think she is on good form. Adam's life moves on a little in this book too. I think as PD James gets older you can see the wisdom of her age and intelligence more in her writing. She is also inevitably beginning to reflect on her own mortality too. So as well as a good mystery that is going on as well and of course -her wonderful mastery of words.

Have you read any of the Reginald Hill books? ( Daziel and Pasco - so much better than the TV series)

tog

Just finished Jodi Picoult "Second Glance" but didn't like it as much as some of her earlier ones. About to start reading Joanne Harris "An Evil Seed"; really liked the others of hers I've read. Usually I just read whatever is in the charity shop or on special offer at the supermarket!

mrsbean

smallholder - I've read ALL the Reginald Hill books, also ALL the Peter Robinson books (similar style). I think I will give the PD James a go because I have nothing on the go at the moment.

smallholder

I haven't read any of the Peter Robinson - someone told me they were gory and that put me off- I don't do gory - prefer mystery

mrsbean

Not gory - they are mystery - 'Chief Inspector Alan Banks' - almost as good as Rebus.

smallholder

I'll give them a try then - thanks ( Love Rebus). Enjoy the PD James. Let me know what you think.

whoa there pickle

I have just finished a Tess Gerritson (sp?) and enjoyed that. I am very into my crime and mystery at the moment!

smallholder

Gory? or Not?

whoa there pickle

There were a few unsettling pages because of the subject matter, it was about Russian girls being promised new lives in the US and things not quite going as they hoped- you can probably imagine Sad

magpie nic

I am so excited- got the new John Grisham book tonight in Borders. Is not supposed to be out until Tuesday, so I was surprised to see it in there today. Will not be posting much until I have read it! I really like his books, and find once I start reading them I cannot put them down! Any other fans here?

tog

Yes i love John Grisham, didn't know there was a new one till I saw you reading it in the pub! Especially like the Street Lawyer and The Testament of his, more so than some of his more recent books. But they are the sort of book you have to just read until the end, without stopping.

magpie nic

£9.49 in Borders today.

tog

Don't have a Borders near here (it closed down, the cause of much sadness!) but I will look in Waterstones tomorrow.

shetland-kat

Started Jodi Picoults 'Plain Truth' a week ago and cant put it down1!!

Im a big fan of Jodi Picult and Maryan Keyes. Have got lots of their books but this one is particularly good.

Also finished A thousand splendid sons which was previously mentioned. I really enjoyed it too.

tog

Yes I liked Plain Truth too. Just read her new(er) one Second Glance which I didn't like as much - took me too long to get into it.

smallholder

Just finished Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier ( also wrote Girl with a Pearl Earing). Really enjoyed it. Set during the time of the suffragette movement. She has done her background research but includes it with such a light touch through the characters actions and voice rather than lecturing you. It is very readable - short little chapters which are ideal for term time reading. I also liked the use of several narrators so that the events are viewed from different perspectives.

magpie nic

I'm back- have finished The Associate and really enjoyed it- back to his best coz not enjoyed the last couple at all.
After reading Roots, I have borrowed the dvd box set from the library so looking forward to watching that.
I am now reading and enjoying- Slam by Nick Hornby. I have read so many books while I have been off sick, can't stand having nothing to read, I am like a chain smoker, but with books instead! Have to start one as soon as I finish another!!

smallholder

I am exactly the same. I just love books and reading. I'm always having to get new bookcases to accomodate them all!

redredrobin

magpie nic

Tog- John Grisham book is £8 in Asda this weekend. Well worth the money!

I want to start a book swap box at school. A few of us already swap books but would be good to get a bit more variety.

greyengine

At my friend's daughter's school, the staff have a reading group in the staffroom during Friday lunchtime. Apparently it's a small school, and the staff decided that one of the few things they all had in common was a love of reading.