What books are you reading and why?

I've had some good books as present this Christmas. Just as well because with nothing to do and nowhere to go I'll have plenty of time to read.

Difficult to know which one to start with but I've chosen 'Victory in the Kitchen' The life of Churchill's cook.

Georgina Landemare was born in 1882 and at the age of 95 began to destroy her memoirs because her daughter and son in law told her nobody would be interested in them. Fortunately, her granddaughter discovered what she was doing and stopped her.

I think it's going to be a very interesting history of domestic service, food and the impact of war.

I’ve just finished the Thursday Club and found it hard going at the start but almost couldn’t put it down at the end!

I bought Beyond Possible by Nimsdai Purja for DH Christmas present and will start that next week after he’s done.

I am reading a boys' adventure story written in the 1920s. The author knows all about sailing and the coastal waters.

I’m reading Bond of Blood. It’s about the time of Queen Maud and the arrival of Henry of Anjou. I like medieval history.

Christmas present.

A Promised Land by Obama.

I’ve had some good books as presents this year.

Books set in Cornwall

The Great Western Beach by Emma Smith

Tremarnock by Emma Burstall
plus three more in the series about Tremarnock

I'm reading American Dirt. Listening to Quentins on loan from library, on my phone.

The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman - because I haven't read it for some years now and it's always been a favourite. It was the book that really got me interested in the Wars of the Roses and Richard III.

I have just started Delta of Venus by Anais Nin. Simply because I have never read it.

I abandoned "The Thursday Murder Club" I found it really dull, although I know I'm in a minority, most seem to love it, including my husband, maybe I was fresh from just finishing "Troubled Blood" which I thought was excellent and for me the best of the Cormoran Strike series by far.

Currently reading "The Other Passenger" Louise Candlish, I've been waiting for it to go into paperback, and was glad to see it in Waitrose the other day. I like her books a lot particularly "Our House", I'm a 100 pages in and this one thus far is up to her usual standard.

Lady In Waiting is also a very good read gulligranny.

The Thursday Murder Club is very enjoyable, grannyrebel7, I read it a few weeks ago.

I've got two on the go at the moment; the new Cormoran Strike one by Robert Galbraith (Troubled Blood, it's the size of a house brick) and Lady In Waiting by Lady Anne Glenconner.
Both involving and interesting in their two completely different ways.

I've got the Thursday Murder Club as a Christmas present. Looking forward to it. Apparently Richard Osman has sold over 700,000 copies since the book came out a few months ago.

Lupin I've just been rereading Katherine too. I first read it over 30 years ago and have been fascinated by Katherine Swynford ever since.

Alison Weir wrote The Story of John of Gaunt and his Scandalous Duchess about Katherine Swynford, which might interest you

bonfirebirthday

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.

Thanks for this recommendation?sounds good, I really enjoy novels set in India.

Christmas Carol.

Every 23/24 December

I loved ‘The Mirror and The Light’ Gilly74, it was hard going at times but well worth sticking with it.

(Now waiting for someone to complain it’s too long ?)

Reading ‘The Mirror & the Light’by Hilary Mantel.
It’s a huge book & I’m finding it hard going! But sticking with it as she is a brilliant writer.

SPQR by Mary Beard, because Ancient Rome is one of my passions and Mary Beard is a very knowledgeable historian and a great writer. It’s probably too long for some people though.

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?

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)

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.

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!

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

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 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.