What books are you reading and why?

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ...)

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 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.

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’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!

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

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

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

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!

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.

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 am reading Dissolving Illusions, which is about vaccinations. It is a bit heavy going and l am very busy most of the time so it is taking longer. I am going to read The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa next and then there are lots of books on my Kindle to be read. Having always been a bookworm l am finding (perhaps because of time limitations and fatigue) that I am getting much more distracted and cannot concentrate in the way I used to.

Read and listened to the audio book of Daughter of Time by Josephine Tay. It’s the best book I have ever read, history and detective thriller in one slim volume. Very apt for lockdown as the main protagonist never leaves his room .

I am reading The Searcher by Tana French, it is her new novel and very good but I think I like her earlier ones better. She writes detective novels but this one diverges a little. Well written though.
I too have been reading Agatha Christie books and have just finished Ann Cleeve’s latest Vera novel The Darkest Evening.

For serious reading I am reading The Tyranny of Merit, What Became of the Common Good by Michael Sandal. It is about inequality in society, polarised politics and how we need to change out thoughts about success and failure. It is thought provoking.

Have you tried Maeve Binchy?

Thanks Minimoon I had no idea there was another book on the Rosie trilogy.

I’ll shortly start The Mist by Ragnar Jonasson the final book in his Icelandic detective trilogy.

I'm fascinated by Russian literature too. But never read War and Peace. I've got a copy of Dr. Zhivago.
I've just gone back to a book about Anton Chekov by Rosamund Bartlett.
Scenes from a Life. It's a bit heavy going so I only read a little at a time.
Chekov was a fascinating character, trained as a doctor and supported his family with his writing. But died of TB in his 40s. I love his short stories, a real observer of human nature plus a sense of humour.

Reading "The Constant Gardener " by John le Carre, because it has been in my 'to read' pile for ages, im up to chapter 3, not impressed so far, to continue, or put in charity bag ?