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Books/book club

What are you reading.

(190 Posts)
Humbertbear Tue 31-Dec-13 12:31:43

I am reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. It's Part 1 of a trilogy and the film is out in April, can't wait! It's set in Chicago in a distopian future when 16 year olds have to select which tribe they belong to. The tribes live separately and have different roles in society. I don't want to give too much away but suffice it to say that it is lunchtime and I am still in bed reading it! I keep promising myself just one more chapter .....
It was a Kindle Daily Deal this week and both my daughter and I were hooked from page 1 of the sample.
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trisher Tue 04-Nov-14 23:01:26

Just finished "The White Princess" by Philippa Gregory the story of Elisabeth of York who married Henry Tudor fascinating details about the princes in the Tower. It's the latest in the Cousins War series of books great stories of the women who lived through the Wars of the Roses. Now reading Alice Munroe- Runaway- short stories-brilliant Canadian writer

Del Sat 08-Nov-14 18:40:02

I am reading Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. This book was sent to me by Gransnet. Enjoying it very much. Thank you. [Smile]

pompa Sat 08-Nov-14 18:52:43

Has anyone read any on the non discWorld novels by Terry Pratchett ?

NanKate Sun 09-Nov-14 15:45:56

No I haven't Pompa but I do so admire how TP is handling his dreadful illness.

His books have an almost cult following.

I like dystopian novels but I think TP's are more science fiction.

glammanana Sun 09-Nov-14 16:57:06

I'm half way through The Hundred Year Old Man Who Jumped Out Of The Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson and finding it a really good read,I was told about it by a customer who comes into the charity shop where I work and he told such a good tale about it I felt I had to get a copy,so glad I did really enjoyable.
Its of a similar vein to The Little Old lady Who broke all The Rules but this takes you to meet all the important people in history over the past century.

numberplease Sun 09-Nov-14 17:07:49

I didn`t care much for the Little Old Lady, so not too sure about trying The 100 year old man. The Last Refuge was good, but his other books that I`ve read were better. I`ve just finished Want You Dead, by Peter James. It`s a Roy Grace story, I love them, but was unsure about this one after reading a bad review, but I thought it was as good as they usually are. I`ve just started Last Voyage of the Valentina, by Santa Montefiore, but have only read a few page so far, but have high hopes of it, after enjoying her Secrets of the Lighthouse.

Deedaa Mon 10-Nov-14 22:41:27

I've read "Dodger" by Terry Pratchett pompa it's set in Victorian London and involves Charles Dickens. I enjoyed it but Discworld is still favourite.

wallers5 Tue 11-Nov-14 12:30:15

A Week in Paris by Rachel Hore recommended by Good Housekeeping! The Streets of Paris hide a dark past during 1937 to the 1940's. It then moves on twenty years to the daughter who is a talented young violinist & she feels the vibes. Feels that she has been there as a child & so the plot thickens. I found it a compelling story of war and enduring love.

GrandmaH Fri 21-Nov-14 11:21:47

Just finished The Little House by Philippa Gregory- not an historical novel but a psychological thriller.
It is a very easy read but packs quite a punch. We are doing it at Reading Group so will be fascinated to see what comments it gets.
If you have ever had an interfering MIL it is a must!! I haven't but still enjoyed it although I was desperate to throttle all 4 main characters at times!

numberplease Fri 21-Nov-14 16:46:58

The Lat Voyage of the Valentina was okay, but I still didn`t like it as much as Secrets of the Lighthouse. I`ve just finished The Skin Gods, by Richard Montenare, very good if a bit gory in places. I`m just about to start on The House of Dolls, by David Hewson.

Humbertbear Sat 22-Nov-14 08:31:09

I've just finished Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. It charts her life from growing up in a strict Muslim household in Somalia and Kenya to her escape from an arranged marriage and her life in Holland where she became a public figure and made a film with Theo Van Gogh who was assassinated in the street as a result. It gives a fascinating insight into the upbringing of Muslim girls and illustrates what we can all achieve with strength of character and determination.

feetlebaum Sat 22-Nov-14 09:15:48

Re-reading Terry Pratchett's Small Gods at the moment.

numberplease Sat 22-Nov-14 21:58:45

Not very far into it yet, but I think I`m going to enjoy The House of Dolls.

Greyduster Sat 29-Nov-14 18:01:05

I have just finished The Winter Mantle by Elizabeth Chadwick. It is set in the reign of William the Conquerer. Chadwick's books are meticulously researched and her characters leap into life on the page. Her novels about Eleanor of Acquitaine are brilliant.

numberplease Sat 29-Nov-14 18:45:59

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.

MargaretX Sat 29-Nov-14 21:52:42

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.

Stansgran Sun 30-Nov-14 14:40:25

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.

Stansgran Sun 30-Nov-14 14:42:09

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

Kiora Sun 30-Nov-14 21:00:16

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.

catbower Mon 01-Dec-14 09:21:29

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.

whitewave Mon 01-Dec-14 12:24:17

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.

catbower Mon 01-Dec-14 13:08:45

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

whitewave Mon 01-Dec-14 13:54:16

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)

Thistledoo Mon 01-Dec-14 13:59:11

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.

Thistledoo Mon 01-Dec-14 14:00:08

Sorry about typing errors.