What are you reading right now?

On Dublin Street is most definitely chick lit, not my type of thing, but I will persevere, seeing as I`ve bought it.

Michael Connolly is one of my favourites as is Lee Childs. I don't think I could face watching Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. I think I'm past fancying Jack and I'm so glad I'm not his mother! Now I am reading Shadows in Bronze, one of the Falco detective novels by Lyndsey Davis, set in the time of the Emperor Vespasian - good light reading.

I've only read one Lee Childs but I KNOW that Tom Cruise is NOT Jack Reacher ! I'm currently reading a life of Mary 1st. I'd never seen her as an attractive little girl, but apparently she was.

On Dublin Street was definitely way out of my comfort zone. I`ve never read Fifty Shades of Grey, but from what I`ve heard, this book could be it`s kissing cousin! Made me quite a few times, but I bravely persevered and finished it! Am now reading another book by one of my favourite authors, Karen Rose, called Did You Miss Me, and loving it.

Did You Miss Me? was great, as are all of Karen Rose`s books.
I have just started to read again a book that I last read twenty odd years ago. It`s called Alaska, by James A Michener, and is the story of Alaska, from it`s formation a billion years ago, up to the present time. There are over 900 pages, and it wasn`t all easy going the last time I read it, but it was a damn good read, shame I`ve waited so long to give it another airing.

Nearly finished an engrossing book called "The Lifeboat" set in 1914. The books starts with the narrator on trial for her life in New York on a murder charge. She then recounts how newly married she returns from London to America as Europe is on the brink of war. The liner she is on suffers an explosion and catches fire, there is a rumour that the owner may have orchestrated this for insurance purposes as has money problems. Her husband has managed to secure her a place in one of the few remaining lifeboats, other boats having perished in this fire. It shortly becomes apparent to the survivors that this boat is over capacity and could sink as a result, some must forefeit their place to give others a chance of survival. Plotting and distrust gathers momentum as the survivors have to face treacherous seas with very little food and water for three weeks.

BAnanas, that sounds interesting. I`m nearly 500 pages into Alaska, just over 400 to go. Even though it`s about 25 years since I read it, I`m finding that I know some of the things that are going to happen, although the rest is like reading it for the first time. It`s well worth a go, if you like a good long read.

I do like a long read. Alaska sounds like the Edward Rutherford books. I read London a few years ago and my son bought me another of his Sarum a while back that I want to read that but have put off because it has horribly small print. Will have to get myself a Kindle. Enjoy your remaining 400 pages numberplease, I will have a look out for Alaska when I am next in Waterstones.

If you don`t find it there, it`s available from Amazon. My copy is a hardback, bought if from the book club many years ago.

I'm reading 'Double Cross,' by Ben MacIntyre, (The True Story of the D-Day Spies.

Just finished Alaska, took me 12 and a bit days, but it IS rather a long book! If I leave it another 25 years I may not be around to read it again!

Just finished Margaret Forster's "The Unknown Bridesmaid" which I liked very much. I am now halfway through Deborah Moggach's (she who wrote the novel upon which "Best Marigold Hotel" was based) "Heartbreak Hotel". It it very good; I've read most of her books and enjoy her take on life.

I'm going to spend some time re-skimming Anita Shreve's novel, Body Surfing. She is a favourite with our book group and I do like the ones set in New England.

Ariadne I like Margaret Forster's books have read most of them, I particularly enjoyed the last one Isa and May and will look out for the Unknown Bridesmaid. I also like Deborah Moggach, I read one of her lesser known books a while ago called I think "Into the Dark" that was very good.

Apropos of Richard III being in the news, I have just started Philippa Gregory's "The Kingmaker's Daugter" about the Earl of Warwick's daughter Anne Neville who marries Richard. I haven't read any of her historical novels before this is my first I am enjoying it so far.

BaNanas I loved the Lifeboat. I loved the way the narrator reveal s her character slowly throughout the book, and how alliances are forged and broken as the full horror of their plight dawns on them.

Glad you enjoyed it Grannyeggs, I agree it was a good read.

I was recently searching Cheshire Libraries catalogue for Margaret Forster's 'Diary of an Ordinary Woman' with a view to reading it in our book group. I was surprised to find that there were only seven copies of it across the county and the same result for her other works. This is strange given her stature as an award winning writer of both fiction and non-fiction. I will be writing to ask the reasons for the scarcity of her books. I'd expect her to be popular with book groups.

I`ve just started one of the earlier Inspector Banks books, by Peter Robinson, Past Reason Hated. I like Peter Robinson.

Alaska sounds like it might be one for my forthcoming travels number. In case there is nothing good on the airplane TV/films. (which given the state of hollywood since the recession is quite likely)
I am reading a book by Hugh Walpole, as recommended by someone on the Historical Novels thread - Rogue Herries. It took a while to get into - he spent ages on character background, but there is stuff happening now.

Nowhere Else on Earth, by Josephine Humphreys

Backwaters of the American South during the Civil War. Beautifully written and stunningly observed. A story of a woman brought up in a mixed-race community - part Scots, part Native American - in the forests of North Carolina.

Past Reason Hated was very good. I`m now just getting into The Flesh Tailor, by Kate Ellis, OK so far.

I'm reading, 'Walking Home: Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way,' by Simon Armitage.

ariadne I'm reading "Heartbreak Hotel" as well. It's OK - fairly entertaining - but I don't think these later books are a patch on her earlier ones, particularly "Stolen" and "Driving in the Dark".

I've just started The Blood Upon the Rose by Tim Vicary (free on kindle) set in Nthn Ireland during the troubles. i'm enjoying it very much so far.

I started reading 'Cat and Mouse' by Tim Vicary on your recommendation yesterday Sunflower - it's a really good read. Thanks x