What books are you reading and why?

I am re-reading Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel. I read it years ago and it was suggested for our book group so am giving it another visit. And I am enjoying it again.

I have a pretty widespread genre list that I enjoy, although I admit I don't read biographies or auto-biographies very often.

I have just re-read One Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini. It is an excellent book detailing the lives of women forced into marriage in Afghanistan and living under different regimes including the Taliban prior to the USA's arrival. Very topical and very disquieting.

I loved A Thousand Splendid Suns. Have you read The Kite Runner?

Hellogirl1

I loved A Thousand Splendid Suns. Have you read The Kite Runner?

I haven't read The Kite Runner. I have heard the book mentioned but I didn't realise it was by the same author. I enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns so much, I will definitely get a copy of The Kite Runner. Thanks for the recommendation.

Maggiemaybe

I’m finding it very repetitive, Namsnanny, I haven’t really taken to any of the characters, and for me the prose doesn’t “flow”. I wondered if it was because it’s been translated, but most people seem to love it.

Thank you.

I'm just rereading Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon. He rode his bike around the world in the 1970s and its fascinating. 54 countries in 4 years and 63000 miles. You're with him every mile. He's now in his 90s I believe.

inishowen

I'm reading American Dirt. Its a brilliant book, set in Mexico. It will open your eyes.

Agree. I loved that book.

Greyduster

I’m reading “Black Diamonds” by Catherine Bailey. It’s the story of the Fitzwilliam family and their house, Wentworth Woodhouse, which is very near to us. The family’s history is one of immense riches, shameful intrigues and ultimate downfall. We visited the park some years ago and the house, which has the longest facade of any house in Europe, was falling into disrepair but is now being restored.

I really enjoyed Black Diamonds, Greyduster. I saw Wentworth Woodhouse on TV recently and yes, you are right, it is being restored.

silverlining48

Doesn’t Fitz in a name denote illigitimacy?

I believe it does, silverlining. Weren't the king's illegitimate children always called Fitz.....something? Perhaps it denotes aristocratic connections but on the wrong side of the blanket?

NotTooOld

inishowen

I'm reading American Dirt. Its a brilliant book, set in Mexico. It will open your eyes.

Agree. I loved that book.

Me too! gruelling but an excellent read. I think the book would be good material for a film or Netflix series.

I am reading William Hague's biography of William Wilberforce because I have found that he (WW) is very very distantly related to me. It is a very good read about a period of history I didn't know much about.

Just started “The Earth is Weeping” by Peter Cozzens, about the Indian Wars in the American West. It’s both a shocking and an illuminating account of how the native Americans were overrun and lost their land to the huge tide of white settlers and how the American government (headed by The Great White Father) reneged on every deal it made with them. For someone whose only experience of this period of American history has come from watching John Wayne films? it is a real eye opener.

As I posted on another thread yesterday, American Dirt is the book that I have enjoyed reading the most during the past year. I agree TerriBull it would make a fantastic film and can see Jennifer Lopez in the main role as the mother.

I am reading our book club choice, Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. It is leaving me cold I am afraid. Over 400 pages of small print and a cast of thousands. I am not influenced by, jealous of or impressed by the world of the super rich which is what this book is about. Another member picked this book so I will give it my best shot. I don't know if anyone has read it and enjoyed it, but it is not for me.

I’m reading Edith Wharton ‘The Reef” and loving it. She is one of my favourite authors and nice to know that as she was so prolific, there are lots more to read.
I don’t read very much contemporary fiction as the classics are good for me! The use of language and the ways of a time gone by fascinate me.
I sometimes wonder what a writer of fiction under 30 can now tell me which will be a surprise (unless they are Emily Bronte).
Does anyone else feel this way?

I am currently reading The Story Teller by Evie Gaughan. It is enchanting... well i think so. A young woman leaving her husband gets drunk at the airport and ends up on a plane to Ireland and not to her sister as intended. Its a story about an old diaries, fairies good and evil, i couldnt put it down when i first started it, i am rationing myself. I love all the descriptions of the area she ends up in and the characters of the people she meets. If you want to loose yourself in some lighthearted fantasy this may be the book for you.

I am reading * Bedpans & Bobbysox, Five British Nurses on the American trip of a Lifetime by Barbara Fox and Gwenda Gofton*............. true story of a group of nurses one of which spotted an ad in the Nursing Mirror for nurses in American Hospital wanted on a one year contract for Ninety Pounds a month and couldn't believe her eyes. This was 1956/7 after all. I recommend this to all...They bought an old car and travelled across America ......

www.amazon.co.uk/Bedpans-Bobby-Socks-American-Lifetime/dp/0751544043?tag=gransnetforum-21

I'm reading my favourite author Lionel Shriver's new book - Should We Stay or Should We Go. And I'm loving it. She tackles real-life issues and whether you thoroughly oppose her characters or find yourself guiltily agreeing with them, there are some real laugh-out loud moments despite the grim subject. Without spoilers, a married couple pledge to commit suicide on the youngest's 80th birthday. The story then goes into different scenarios leading to the 'big day' and beyond. Both Brexit and Covid-19 are covered. As usual, Shriver's writing is genius.

I’m reading ‘Away with the penguins’ by Hazel Prior. It is a delightful book, and no doubt may have already been mentioned previously.

Just read The Sky Larks Secret by Fiona Valpy. Enjoyed the writing, the interesting research that went into it and the story. Now reading The Storyteller of Casablanca y the same author. Just bought two more of her books so feel I have found a new author to enjoy.

I’ve just finished reading Devorgilla Days by Kathleen Hart. It was utterly charming and so uplifting, just what I needed right now. It’s also set in one of my favourite places. It was recommended to me by a fellow GNer.

I’m now reading The Tudor Conspiracy by C W Gortner, an audible recommendation. I presume it’s recommended because I read a lot of factual historical stuff, with a good sprinkling of historical fiction. Not impressed so far, but I’ll persevere.

I'm ploughing through 'State of Terror' by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton which I expected to be really interesting. But it's heavy going and the plot is so convoluted that it's hard to follow who is good and who is a traitor. Presumably, because it's using Hillary's experience as Secretary of State and Penny's expertise as a writer (one of my favourites) of crime fiction, it's sure to be a best-seller.

Just starting House of Mirth by Edith Wharton because I enjoyed The Age of Innocence so much. Wonderful fluent prose and characters summed up very perceptively, in just a few words. Can't believe I have only just discovered her.

Nigel Slater's Toast ... warm comforting book about the foods we all used to eat in the 70's ...