What books are you reading and why?

Hi I'm an avid reader. I've just finished reading a mother's story by Amanda Prowse, it's about post natal depression and also Just Once by Lori handeland. They are both excellent books.

I have just finished
My name is Why. By Lemn Sissay.
I have a couple of others on the go but the book by Lemn was powerful and iam still in it a bit not ready to move on.
The others are Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey reading for the third time possibly my favourite book. I also haveKate Adie's book Nobody's Child which is very good. I lost my glasses for a while so haven't been able to read my husband seems to have piled my books up on the coffee table as i have kept buying but not reading because of the glasses misplacement and lack of time.

I love rereading Alexander McCall Smith’s ‘Scotland Street’ series. I live in Edinburgh so they are even more of a homely read for me. Bertie is wonderful!

SUDONIM
Thanks ,no I haven't read any of those so will give them a go

I have read and re-read all of Maeve Binchey's books
MARYGRAND. Thanks

hollysteers ... currently reading the Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth
I'm glad you gave this a good recommendation, as I'm just about to start it!
I cant remember how I heard about it now.
* i have a car book too* glad to see I'm not alone

I like the Scotland Street stories too. Who couldn't love Bertie?

I’m reading the Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel. The third in the Thomas Cromwell series. It’s a bit heavy going and a thick heavy book so I am also reading Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth for light relief and to take with me for waiting. Although that’s not happening now!

whatdayisit I too have just read My name is Why by Lemn Sissay
Powerful book which had a profound effect on me for quite a few days after as well. Now reading The Phone box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. A story set in Japan based on fact. I'm engrossed

I am reading anything free on Amazon (kindle). Since I don’t have to pay, I am trying every type of book they offer. This has really opened my eyes to so many books I would never have read before. I am now asking for Amazon vouchers for Christmas so I am able to buy when/what I want.

Lucca

Just read a delightful book. Very short, rather old fashioned but beautifully written. Called the enchanted April I read it because it’s about Italy!
I’m about to start a single thread by tracy chevalier because I like her books.

The DVD of that book is lovely!

I popped back to comment further on ‘Too Much and Not Enough’ by Mary Trump about her family. I mentioned up thread I am reading this in small doses, as that’s as much as I can take.

However, I laughed this evening, as our poor cat Ollie had a stomach upset ... and was sick ... all over the cover photograph of Donald Trump’s face. (Sorry, juvenile I know ...)

I am reading A Year in the Chateau. It’s a memoir written by a lady who got together with 3 other couples, her hubby and a single gay guy who have been friends since Uni days. They are now all in their 50’s, looking for a new adventure in their journey towards old age, so, they club together and buy a large chateau in Normandy and set up a communal style lifestyle. Will be interesting to find out if they all make it to the end of their first year still as good friends.

I am reading Death in the East by Abir Mukherjee. It is the fourth in the series featuring Sam Wyndham and Surendernot Banerjee. I came across this series by accident. They are crime novels set in Raj-era India, I have learnt a lot reading the novels. I would highly recommend the series.

I have one book on my Kindle for reading over coffee/tea/lunch during the day, and a "proper" book for bedtime. I do love Kate Atkinson, and have "A God in Ruins" on the Kindle, with an earlier Jackson Brodie book by the same author to read before sleep. I love reading, and would read a cornflakes packet if nothing else were available! Avoid Booker prizewinners when possible. Also read Jane Harper and finished "The Survivors" last week - not as good as previous books, I thought. I really enjoy Stephen King, and thought his "Mr Mercedes" series was brilliant. Hated "The Loney" - found it too depressing! C J Sansom writes very good historical novels, and I finished Hillary Mantel at the start of lockdown - dragging it out as long as I could so as not to reach the end! For anyone looking for books for men, my husband (not a keen reader) loves the Bernie books by Philip Kerr, and I have recommended them to "customers" in the library where I volunteered before lockdown, with very positive feedback. This mail has given me more ideas, so thanks to everyone.

I have just finished reading Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton. The scenario is a school in Somerset under seize. It is very topical and a good read. I am about to start August Night by Victoria Hislop. It is the follow up to The Island. I cannot decide if Hislop is a good storyteller or not, some novels are better than others.

I'm reading Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner. She was a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret. Haven't got to that bit yet, but the details of her marriage to Colin Tennant and how she put up with him for so long are truly shocking.

The Old Straight Track because my son got it for me from a box of odd old worn out books from an auction. He knows I am interested in land use long ago, how people used to live long before the Romans came.

this particular book is packed full of info, has no narrative worth metioning and so I keep it on the kitchen table to read at meal times.

I'm reading the new Robert Galbraith "Troubled Blood" very weighty tome just over 900 pages. About 160 pages in, enjoying it so far.

I agree granny rebel about Ann Glenconnor, having read "Lady in Waiting" Colin's tantrums were appalling . She might have been born into a life of privilege but she had some terrible crushing heartache to endure good book though.

I am gripped by the book I am reading just now. It is The Photographer by Craig Robertson. Everyone knows who dunnit but how are they going to prove it? I can't put it down until I find out.

grannyrebel7

I'm reading Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner. She was a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret. Haven't got to that bit yet, but the details of her marriage to Colin Tennant and how she put up with him for so long are truly shocking.

I've got this one on my list too Grannyrebel7
I read the condensed version in the paper.
It gives a different perspective on those with so called privileged lives doesnt it?

Oh Terribull just read your post, appears we think alike !

Alexa it sounds as if you have the same I interests as M0nica who up thread quoted a book you might like?

Parsley3 I'm going to look that one up, as I could do with something totally absorbing!

One of the very few books I would recommend to everyone is The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Like Nankate, I couldn’t put it down. A brilliant story and it makes you think too.
I’ve also enjoyed Upstairs at the Party,by Linda Grant. Completely different,but a fascinating read,especially if you went to university in the 1970s.

I am being thoroughly entertained and educated by The Lindchester Chronicles, by Catherine Fox. This trilogy follows a wide cross section of humanity whose lives revolve around a Cathedral. It's funny and uplifting yet far from sentimental, so makes great bedtime reading. (N.b. - avoid if you can't stand bad language; the paperback uses a rather small typeface)

Namsnanny

grannyrebel7

I'm reading Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner. She was a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret. Haven't got to that bit yet, but the details of her marriage to Colin Tennant and how she put up with him for so long are truly shocking.

I've got this one on my list too Grannyrebel7
I read the condensed version in the paper.
It gives a different perspective on those with so called privileged lives doesnt it?

I read his not so long ago and OMG what “privileged lives” some of those people lead/led!
Didn’t necessarily bring them happiness though did it?