What are you reading at the moment

Reading Heartstone. The new Sheldrake. It's got everything, set at the time of the Reformation, tricky lawyers, and a very satisfying crime.

I might have mentioned this book before, but I really do recommend it: Italian shoes by Henning mankell. Not a crime book, different from his usual style. Its about a man who moves to a remote island, I won't say anymore. I read that Kenneth branagh is making a film of this book.

Jingl, I`m glad you`re enjoying The Snowman, have you read the other Jo Nesbo books yet? If not, then get cracking girl, you`re in for a treat!
I finished the Jeffrey Deaver book, it was okay, but that`s all, way below his usual standard, but then again, it was a much earlier effort. I`m about to make a start on Live to Tell, by Lisa Gardner. I`ve read about half a dozen of her books and really liked them, so this should be alright.

I'm reading an Aurelio Zen detective story "Cabal" by Michael Dibdin. It is set in the Vatican - a really good read for a wild and windy December day.

I'm reading Pyramid by Henning Mankel, a collection of short detective stories that fill in some of the gaps in Wallender's history, such as his marriage and the early days before he moved to Ystad. I enjoy the Scandinavian detective stories and - jingl - Jo Nesbo in particular. I couldn't stop until I had read all the Redbreast trilogy. I think Harry Hole, his detective, has a lot in common with Rebus.

I ordered my copy of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter from Amazon and it has just dropped through the letterbox. It was recommended on Gransnet, so I'm looking forward to reading it when I finish the Mo Hayder crime/murder book that I am wavering over.

I am reading The Snowman at the moment (recommended, I think, by Numberplease).

It's so good! It actually keeps me away from GN!

A wonderful, wonderful book called 'Suite Francaise' by Irene Nemirovsky about the fall of France and the German occupation. It is told through the lives of ordinary people and has wonderful, atmospheric descriptions of the French countryside and country life.
She was a Russian Jew and tragically died in a concentration camp in 1942.
I picked the book up at W.H.Smith at Manchester airport for £5.99 and I cannot recommend it too highly It kept me absorbed through five flights and two days of travel on my way to New Zealand.

I've usually got a few books on the go. I'm enjoying Giles Tremlett's book Catherine of Aragon which gives a good insight not only into how courageous she was but also describes the Spanish court. Plenty of history but very readable. I'm also reading Lord Minimus by Nick Page which is the fascinating true story of Britain's smallest man. Jeffrey Hudson was only 18 inches tall when he was introduced to the court of Charles 1 and Queen Henrietta. He had numerous adventures, being the Queens favourite, was captured by pirates, became a slave in North Africa and eventually returned to the UK. I discovered him on a visit to Hampton Court and a talk given on one of the pictures there in which he was depicted. The guide was so enthusiastic that she enthused me and I was able to get a copy of the book from Amazon for 1p!

I`ve read quite a few books lately, but not got around to posting about them. The last one was Her Last Scream, by J.A.Kerley. At first I thought it was a bit amateurish, and that I wasn`t going to like it, but I gradually got drawn into the story, and really enjoyed it. I`m now reading Bloody River Blues, a very early book of Jeffrey Deaver`s, and not up to his usual standard, but I`ve started, so I`ll finish.

I've just ordered this from Amazon - looking forward to reading it since I read The Help, which is also set in Mississippi.

I have just finished 'Crooked letter, crooked letter' by Tom Franklin. A excellent book, classified as crime fiction, but not a crime books as such. It won the CWA award. The reviews on Amazon are excellent.

Finished Sense if an Ending.

It was worth reading.

Sorry stansgran and Hattie64 only just saw your posts about downloading sample and then ordering from the library. Hattie64 I do download a sample on to my Kindle and I know I should order from the Library but I'm always too impatient and want the book right away. Apart from anything else I really prefer reading on my Kindle to reading a paper book.

golderngirl; see it! I cried all the way through, but it's the best thing I've ever seen on stage. Film's coming out shortly; hope Spielberg doesn't 'Spielberg' it too much.

I finished 'The Children's Book' by AS Byatt and am now reading a Lee Childs Jack Reacher book for light relief. Any one else read the Byatt?

Just started reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, it's been on my kindle for ages, waiting for me to be in the right mood to read. Really enjoying it so far.

Having ploughed my way through One Day, I've just started War Horse by Michael Morpurgo and think it's wonderful. Easy to read, atmospheric and absolutely ideal for any young person - or older one like me - who's interested in WW1. I think it suits all ages really. I wouldn't like to see the stage play though even though I think the puppets[?] are fantastic. I'd be an emotional wreck by the end and my eye makeup would make me look like a panda.

Yes greemossgiel, it was 'The Road Home', lovely book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommended it to all my friends.
I am just about to start 'The book of human skin' by Michelle Lovric, anybody else read it???
Libradi what a good idea to download samples from Amazon then order from the library. Do you download onto a tablet or kindle or just a pc/laptop? Majority of books I see recommended etc, I do go onto Amazon to read the reviews before ordering from the library. The majority of books I read I borrow now or buy from charity shops. I still have a mountain of books, that sit on my shelves as yet unread.

"This thing of Darkness " by Harry Thompson was one of the most fascinating books I have read. It's a thick paperback novel about Darwin sailing on the Beagle and his friendship with Fitzroy, the Captain as they sail to South America, Gallapagos etc. Amazing hardships.
Sadly the author died soon after completion aged 40 but a brilliant read but you need time!

Libradi I down load samples from amazon- then if I'm gripped I order from the library (at 60p cheaper than Amazon)

Me too - Rose Tremain is a favourite here. Such a talented storyteller.

That's right, green. She has so many different backgrounds to her novels whether historical or contemporary.

Love Rose Tremain, too. Was the book you were talking about called 'The Road Home', Hattie64?

I didn`t realise when I bought it, but Virals, by Kathy Reichs, is meant mainly for a younger market, being about Temperance Brennan`s great niece, rather than about Temp herself, and is apparently the first in a series. It`s okaaay, but like I said, aimed at younger readers. I just hope that Kathy Reichs hasn`t abandoned Temp Brennan altogether.