What are you reading now?

I'm trying to read Victoria Hislop 'The sunrise' but I'm not doing very well. I enjoy somthing light on holiday but either this isn't a good read or I'm not in the mood. I read her first novel the island when I was in Crete, when I was in Spain I read the return. I enjoyed both.This is set in Cyprus but it's just not catching my interest.

"A glass of blessings" by Barbara Pym.

I`ve just finished A Hopscotch Summer, by Annie Murray, her books ae excellent. I`ve just started the next in that particular series, Soldier Girl, promises to be just as good a read. After I`ve finished this book, then I`ll start on The Other Side of the World, looking forward to it.

Yes The Island is definitely the best Hislop for me. The Sardlake series is really good. Sadly the TV series of the Phil Rickman books was dreadful. My favourite author is Diana Gabaldon Outlander series. The detail and evocation of the times is second to none.
Peter James is an excellent writer and his Roy Grace series is gripping.
Barbara Erskine also is a consistently good writer, her time slip novels are well worth reading.
Think I should read more non fiction and improve my mind ! !

I'm reading The Island, the first novel by Victoria Hislop. I've had to try a couple of her later books for my reading groups and couldn't be bothered to read much beyond the first couple of chapters. But someone persuaded me that this was much better, and they were right! It's based on the Greek island of Spinalonga, when it was a leper colony. Very interesting and well crafted.

I have been reading Wickham Hall by Cathy Bramley. I have been so absorbed by the storyline, and the way it was written, that I now want her other books.

Snow Child, lent by a friend and unread for weeks, I thought I'd better get it back to her soon. Both she and her DD had loved it. At first I thought the sad woman in dismal Alaska tedious but I'm well into it now! I also noticed it in the junior library when at an Old Girls' reunion. Not sure I'd have shelved it for 11- 14 year olds, has anyone else read it?

Memory Man was terrific, looking out now for the next in the series. My next book on the pile is Redeemer, by Jo Nesbo, another favourite of mine. Actually, I rather think I may have already read this, but can`t bring the plot to mind, so, as it was given to me, I`ll read it again.

I too enjoy Elizabeth Elgin. My favourite is 'Turn Left at the Daffodils' but I also enjoyed 'One Summer at Deers Leap'.

anything by Elizabeth Elgin, Ive just finished 'Windflower Wedding' and read and re read, 'One Summer at Deers Leap', both set in WW2 and well written with little sentimentality.

I`m enjoying Memory Man, it`s the first in a new series featuring detective Amos Decker, a man who after a football injury in his teens, never forgets anything, and sees things and numbers in colours.

Just had a significant birthday! And have used some of my birthday vouchers and money gifts on a couple of books! I Have just finished reading, "This must be the place" by Maggie O'Farrell. It was wonderful, just did not want to finish it!! Fabulous writing, as usual. This is, in my humble opinion, her best book to date!! Read it I urge you if you enjoy a thoroughly captivating novel, from a truly impressive author!!!!!!

Thank you ladies, more authors for me to look out for.

I have just finished reading the Cazalet books. Really interesting insight into pre-war and war time life

I've dipped back into the years of 40s and 50s recently and have enjoyed short stories by Mollie Panter-Downes covering the war time years. I don't normally enjoy short stories but hers are so clever, funny, atmospheric and wonderfully observant. There is also a collection of her wartime dispatches sent to The New Yorker, and a peacetime collection of short stories.
I've also read a non William Richmal Crompton - Merlin Bay. Have become acquainted with Persephone Press who publish out of print books from yesteryear eg Miss Pettigrew lives for a day. Hugely enjoyable if you like a retro read.

Angela Thirkell is an excellent writer from the 30s and 40s. Very funny social comedy yet written during the war 'Northbridge Rectory' - highly recommended if you like the minutiae of social comedy yet absolutely what it must have been like for everyday middle class people.

I've finished reading Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, so very sad. Just about to start reading her next published book Testament of Friendship. I'll need something a bit lighter after that.

If you enjoy stories set in World War 2 try anything written by Lillian Harry.

Poppy Day was a lovely read. My next book will be Memory Man, by David Baldacci, I usually love his books.

I love those books, too. Humour that was way ahead of it's time. the stinky cheese comes to mind as I write...

Going back 2 pages - Three men in a Boat is one of my favourites too. I keep re-reading it, and the sequel, Three men on the Bummel, about their cycling holiday in the Germany of the early 1900s. Always cheers me up, if I need it.

Still reading Frauen - can only manage one or two chapters per week as it's so intense.

I have just finished The Other Son by Nick Anderson, it was a Kindle offer and very different from my usual read, I laughed out loud and cried a little, very well written, excellent characterisation.

Let Me Call You Sweetheart was okay, but not the best book I`ve read. I`ve just finished A Quiet Belief in Angels, by R.J.Ellory. A strange, unusual book, wasn`t too sure about it at first, but enjoyed reading it, although it is very sad most of the time. I`ve just started Poppy Day, by Annie Murray, very good so far.

I've got Spool of Blue Thread waiting on Kindle. Might save it for holiday.