What are you reading.

I've discovered Ann Tyler. Brilliant writer!

Coming towards the end of Unlucky 13, it`s been just as good as it`s predecessors in the series, have really enjoyed it.

I've been reading The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews but found it totally boring and long winded so have given up and ordered a new book from Amazon which came yesterday Sleigh Bells in the Snow so see how this one goes on. I am also reading a Christmas edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul which have beautiful stories in them and are a wonderful way to get in the mood for the festive period.

Lanterns across the snow by Susan Hill.Short,but a lovely pre-Christmas read.

It was a bit but I thought you might like to know about it. Sorry! Sadly, have already finished Mary Stewart so will have to look around for something else. I think I might try another Elizabeth Taylor - Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont is very good and not too long.

I`ve just started Unlucky 13, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, a bit early yet, but I think it`ll be good, that series has been up to now.

Just started 'Moriarty' by Anthony Horowitz. It's his latest Sherlock Holmes book but without SH or Dr W. His previous book 'House of Silk' was very good.

catbower that is a bit naughty advertising your own book

I'm reading 'Madam, will you talk?' by Mary Stewart. I LOVE Mary Stewart: well written, mystery, excitement and romance all in a gentle but totally page-turning style.

Do have a look at my book 'Christmas at Great Madden' (by Catherine J Bowness). You can get it on Amazon either in a kindle format or as a paperback. It follows a traditional family as they celebrate Christmas in 1965. You might find it hard to believe it's set in the 60s because this family lives in a shabby manor house in the depths of the country and behaves more like Victorians than 60s swingers. But even they cannot keep change at bay for ever. Though I say so myself, it's fun and humorous with romance at its heart.

I recently picked up a children's book from library for my grandson called A Boy and a Bear in a Boat. I read it before reading it with him and decided not to. Although it is a good book and very funny in parts, I found it rather unsettling. Has anyone else read it and if so what did you think it was about?

Mother Missing- Joyce Carol Oates. Although she's a very serious writer who tackles some quite dark subjects, she writes so well that by the end of her books I feel as if her characters are real and are out there somewhere living their lives. She is just brilliant.

I do so hope that there will be more Matthew Shardlake stories, I love them.

Thank you, Whitewave. The publication date makes them even more attractive to me. I shall look at once.

Sorry about typing errors.

Just started reading C.J. Santons new book Lamintation. Mathew Shardlake is 42 and King Henry Viii is dying, I think it will be a cracking read. I wonder if poor Shardlake will be killed off as this surely the author won't write another one. I will keep you all posted.

Need to go downstairs and get them! Right here they are

The Cornish Coast Murder by John Bude (first pub 1935) publishers British Library Crime Classics

Mystery in White by J Jefferson Farjeon (first pub 1937) same publishers

I also fancy "The Santa Klaus Murder" by Mavis Doriel Hay (first pub 1936)

They sound lovely, Whitewave, just my cup of tea. Who's the author?

Just started Lamentation - Shardlake. Enjoying.

At Christmas I always read something nostalgic - Christmas Carol every year although I could almost say it word for word now!

Just bought from Waterstones - 2 murder mysteries written in the 30's one is "Murder on the Cornish Coast" and the other is about people being snowed in at Christmas and a murder taking place - very Agatha Christie but I love that sort of writing.

Have just finished a rather poor Regency romance where people talk and behave in what I suspect is quite the wrong way. Exasperated, I'm going back to Georgette Heyer (this time 'Sprig Muslin'). She is a delightful read - always amusing and usually exciting. So inspired am I by her that I have written my own Regency novel (clean and amusing) called 'Alethea or a Solemn Vow' and published it on Amazon. I've also published a topical book called 'Christmas at Great Madden' which takes place in the 1960s (when I was young) and shows the conflict between a young woman and her Victorian-style family; this one is rather Victorian in style.

Oh your reads sound wonderful. I must put them on my long list. I mostly read ' light stuff' these days. After 9 hours out of the house at work and my Nanna day I don't have the time. but I so want to read more. I'm reading 'the time keeper' by Mitch Albom. It's a short gentle novel ( think 'the walton'/'little house on the prairie') about the inventor of the first clock and how measuring time changed people's lives. Not for the better. He has to redeem himself by teaching two people the real meaning of time.

I mean Kingdom of the Golden Dragon. City of the Beasts is the first in the series.

I thought I had read everything by Isabel Allende but came across Kingdom of the Beasts in a paper back exchange on holiday last week. It's a teen type read ,one of three but set in a place rather like Bhutan. I really enjoyed it. Well written and light escape. I'm looking out for the others on kindle offers.

i've read the Little House by Phillippa Gregory twice now. It think her non historical novels are much better. They are well written, fast moving and a pleasant change from all those royal women.

I'm reading Anna Karenina again after many years and it is so long that it will keep me busy till Christmas.

The House of Dolls was a great read, kept me guessing right up to the end. Am just about to start on Angels Passing, by Graham Hurley.