What are you reading now 2

Terribull, I ordered some books from Amazon the other day, The Dry is one of them.
I`ve just finished Takedown, by Stephen Leather, it`s a bit bloody and violent, neither of which bothers me, but I didn`t enjoy it as much as I could have, because I just couldn`t find a liking for any of the characters.
I`m now reading At Long Last Love, by Molly Adams, set during WW2, but am only a few pages in, so too early for an opinion.

Where have all the readers gone?

I've just finished "The Birdcage Walk" by Helen Dunmore which I loved, I can't believe I hadn't read any of her books before, this one was excellent, and now I've discovered sadly she died in the summer this year. I've also recently read "The Dry" which I quite enjoyed but thought it was somewhat over hyped, although could see it would be quite filmic, particuarly in a slow unfolding series form like the first "Broadchurch", but if you've read the book you know what's coming. Today I bought Ali Smith's "Autumn" which has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and has received very good reviews although it looks quite a short read.

Just read 3 good books on the trot, "The Hare with Amber Eyes" a well reviewed book from a couple of years ago. "Then She was Gone" by Lisa Jewell who always produces consistently good reads, this latest one is a slight departure for her, insomuch as it's a foray into crime. The best of the three "Hearts and Minds" by Amanda Craig, passed to me by a friend and definitely one of my favourite reads this year. Published about 7 years ago, set in London it tells the tale of several professionals such as a human rights lawyer, an idealistic South African teacher working at a failing school, an unhappy American girl employed by a political publication. Their lives juxtapose with a couple of the other main characters living on the margins. A trafficked Ukranian teenager sold into the sex trade and a Zimbabwean asylum seeker. There are several diferent threads that cantilever together around a disappearance and murder at the heart of the story.

Had a get together with friends this afternoon and have also been lent Ann Patchett's "Commonwealth" highly recommended, may read that next or another I bought yesterday "Hag Seed" by one of my favourite writers Margaret Atwood. Spoilt for choice! I just love a good book

I liked Sea of Lost Love. Santa Montefiore is great at descriptive writing. I`m now reading Daughters of Penny Lane, by Ruth Hamilton, was sad to read that she died last year.

"A strangeness in my mind" by Orhan Pamuk

Halfway through. It gives you a picture of recent history in Turkey with a street vendor.
Love it. Gentleness and humour. Melodrama and warmth.

Different Class by Joanne Harris.....it's brilliant, do try and read it.?

I enjoyed The Missing a lot. It felt quite real in places. I`ve just started Sea of Lost Love, by Santa Montefiore. I`ve read a few of her books and liked them, so hopefully I`ll like this as well.

Sparklygrandma thank you for that tip!

I'm reading The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh. It's set in Burma and India, over about a century. It's ok but superficial.

Wives of War was very good, a bit of a tear jerker in places. I`m now reading The Missing, by C.L.Taylor, about a family`s search for a missing 15 year old boy. Liking it so far.

Dreamer was OK, but so unlike other Peter James books that I`ve read. I`m now reading Wives of War, by Soraya M Lane, about nurses at the front in WW2. very good so far.

Have just come across a poetry book which might be unique? Say Kangaroo by Five Sisters was a good read - a collection of poems written by - you've guessed it - five sisters. The poems are funny, nostalgic, sad, childhood memories etc etc. The sisters apparently were brought up in a close-knit family when times were hard - a dad who worked all hours to keep mum and the 5 kids as best he could although he liked a drink and wasn't a good dad at times. Took me back to my childhood with Christmas, holidays, pets, schooling etc etc. A good read - got mine from Amazon on to my Kindle for a couple of pounds. Another good read (for the second time) was The Belle Fields by Lora Adams - again via Amazon on to my Kindle for a couple of pounds. Anyone who is drawn to Downton Abbey will enjoy this read although sad in places with many twists and turns - and an unexpected end - will enjoy this easy read. The descriptions of life above abd below stairs in the early 1900's is a real eye-opener. If you fancy looking eithr book up - hope you enjoy.

I've nearly finished The One in a Million Boy, by Monica Wood, my latest local library reading group choice. I didn't really fancy it from the blurb, but it's turned out to be the best book I've read for ages. Very poignant, though!

I finished Truly Madly Guilty, but was quite bored with it. Am just about to start on Dreamer, by Peter James, one of his earlier books.

I am reading Elizabeth Strout's Olive Ketterige. I buy books as I find reading off the screen difficult.

I had finished Lucy Worseley's book about Jane Austen, Jane Austen at Home.

SueDonim some of Elizabeth Jane Howard's books outside of the Cazelet series are worth reading too. 'Falling' is good.

Just started to read Carrie by S.King
pretty interesting

Finished Holding, by Graham Norton, it wasn`t wildly exciting, but a good story, and I did enjoy it. I`m now reading Truly Madly Guilty, by Liane Moriarty. So far it`s not really doing it for me, mainly because the story goes back and forward in time every other chapter. I enjoyed The Husband`s Secret much more.

Sorry Christinefrance, I meant to add that you`ve got me thinking now about trying that book!

Also loved Margaret Forster. Have you tried Zadie Smith? Just reading Swing Time quickly absorbed by the characters

A while ago I read Dilly`s Secret, by Rosie Goodwin, and loved it. I`ve just read the other 2 in the saga, Dilly`s Lass and Dilly`s Hope, but am sad that the saga is over, because I loved them. I`m just starting Holding, by Graham Norton, had to buy it because I didn`t win a copy.

callgirl The Girl in the Spider's Web is very good, although a different author I thought it as good as the books in the Millenium Trilogy.
I enjoyed the Jodie Picoult book too. Lisa Genova writes in a similar vein, her books are good.

Just read this too, Greenfinch, and really enjoyed it.

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.Maud has dementia but she is aware that her friend is missing though she cannot make anyone understand.The book is an interesting insight into dementia showing how confusing and fragmentary life is for the sufferer.

Assured Attention by Jane Tulloch is quite good (but I would say that wouldn't I!). Sorry for blatant advertising.

My DIL has just given me the Underground Railroad to read but I haven't begun it yet.

Hipsy I've read The Colour and would recommend it.
I don't have a kindle but buy books in Waterstones or the local charity bookshop.
I've recently read Conclave by Robert Harris, he's an author who's popular with our book group. Pompei was good (for you Ancient Rome fans).
I'm currently reading The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead about Cora a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. I haven't got to her escape yet but my goodness it's not a book to read at bedtime. Has anyone else read it.