What are you reading at the moment

Joy O Joy - just arrived from Amazon - my favourite books as a child - they gave me a love of history - Cynthia Harnett's 'Woolpack' and 'Ring Out Bow Bells!' Why are they now out of print? I can't wait to read about Dickon and London again (& places where I take the grandkids on jaunts now), and Nicholas in the Woolpack set partly where I now live. Are any other Gransnetters fans?

Just finished Andre Levy's 'Fruit of the Lemon' - brilliant insight on what it is like to grow up black in Britain and be out of touch with one's identity, and Call the Midwife - filled out the context of the TV series - the book didn't spoil it & wasn't spoilt by the TV adaptation. Just started Westwood by Stella Gibbons and am really enjoying it.

Thanks numberplease

Stella Gibbons is a very good writer. I belong to two libraries, one being a small private one, the librarians there are brilliant on advising me on a good author, old and new (rarely new actually). There are so many books being published all the time that it can be difficult to decide what to read that isn't out and out rubbish.
I have now ordered The Sisters Brothers by Patrick De witt, it was shortlisted for the 2011 Man booker Prize, I do confess the rather dire Channel 4 bookclub and they all agreed that this book was excellent, its a cowboy!!! something I have never read before.

I bought Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm last year, but didn't get round to reading it at Christmas time, and I hate anything Christmassy afterwards. I loved Cold Comfort Farm, as did my daughter, who modelled herself on the heroine and proceeded to organise peoples lives for them afterwards for quite a long time [still does, thinking about it!].

Pompeii by Robert Harris. My son brought me a bagful of books when he came to visit and this was among them. Am finding it very difficult to put down. Also among them was Conn Iggulden's Empire of Silver. I've read two in this series and they are good. Have to finally admit to going completely off Simon Scarrow.

I've just started 'The White Masai' by Corinne Hofmann. I believe a film was made of this story, and another two books have been written. It's interesting, but only touches lightly on Masai culture and is written in a journalistic style. Nevertheless, so far, I'm enjoying it very much.

I also read a lot of historical novels and love Conn Igguidon, Simon Scarrow and especially C.S.Sansom. Philippa Gregory is another favourite. I
recently read "Heretic" by S.J Parris which is set in the time of Elizabeth 1st, I
would recommend this.
The Secret Life of Bees I read some time ago and loved it.

artygran I am a great fan of Robert Harris and am slowly collecting all his books second hand. He wrote the book on which the film The Ghost Writer, with Ewan MaGregor, was based. All of his books are unputdownable I think. First came across him at a book club. Imperium sounded as it was going to be dull as it was about Cicero and Roman Law but not at all. I've introduced my eldest DS to him too!

Finished Creep, very good. Am now in the middle of the second book in the Midwife trilogy, Shadows of the Workhouse. I`m loving it, if that`s the correct expression, it`s so terribly sad in places, but can hardly bear to put it down.

Just finished Pompeii - only started it yesterday! I do like Robert Harris, but I had only ever read Fatherland and Archangel. Will start Lustrum tomorrow and then see which of his other Roman novels I can cadge off DS!

You need to read Imperium first artygran as it is the first of what is going to be a trilogy with Lustum being the middle one. You could try Enigma which is about the Enigma code if you've got that in your goodie bag. Enjoy!

Before I Go To Sleep = what a page turner and what an ending - it would make a wonderful film if it hasn't done so already. Resist the temptation to peep at the end!

Sounds like a good time to say night all!

I loved Befopre I go to Sleep, a very unusual thriller.

Sorry, didn`t check that before I posted!

Just finished Me before you by Jojo Moyes. Picking it up from the library,I thought I just know I will hate it, chick lit, etc. I absolutely loved it, I am still shedding a few tears and the ending was terrific. Just goes to show, never judge a book by its cover!

Finished Shadows of the Workhouse, a great book, now in the middle of Farewell to the East End, these have been 3 fantastic books.

And having now finished the last one, I`d heartily recommend them all.

Hattie64 just read it - wasn't it good! I do like a bit of good chick lit now and then. One of my lecturers used to say that it was like eating a cream cake or a box of chocolates; you didn't have to chew on it and it slipped down easily. "such a relief" she would say "after a dose of earnest men and women."

But I still think you take something from these novels about women and relationships, be it with men, or food, or whatever. Might find another one.....

However, am now reading a collection of short stories by Kate Chopin, so am concentrating.

After the weeping and romance now back to the nitty gritty of Swedish crime! 'Until thy wrath be past' by Asa Larsson. A new author to me, but this is her third book.

Right, that's Kate Chopin done and dusted! Am now going to start on "Millions Like Us" which is waiting on the Kindle.

Thanks Seventimesfive for your reply. At the moment I am reading Robert Godddard. I had a pack of 10 given for Christmas but I really can't get into them. Read three but don't think I'll bother with the rest. I think perhaps I'll give your recommendation a go. Thanks.

Zenella Robert Goddard is in my top five favourite authors.

Just finished 'The Lacuna'. Maniac it is well worth the initial struggle but you get very involved as you go along ............ Dilemma now as to whether pick up my next book from the waiting pile or wait for Amazon to come along with my copy of 'Before I go to Sleep'! Why are they taking so long?

That`s unusual, for Amazon to drag their feet, they`re usually pretty quick off the mark, unless the book wasn`t available at the time, but they usually inform you if that`s the case.