I've just finished

[Rosetta]

I've just finished Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

What book have you just finished and was it any good?

[rosyposy]

Loved 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, got to be one of my all time favourites, It is narrated by 'Death', and is beautifully written and unforgettable. Rosy

[Rosetta]

Hi Rosy, The Book Thief is obviously a good read as it comes up frequently, though I have not read it myself. Another one for the list LOL

[Lakitu]

The Time Travellers Wife - that's the only book I've ever not finished, I just couldn't get into it :(

I've made a pact with myself to give a lot of books to charity next time I move (not that I'm planning on moving anytime soon, but the memory of carting all that books has stayed with me LOL)

[babybow]

I thoroughly enjoyed the "Time Travellers Wife" its one of those books that you have to read in one go as i found it a little confusing and had to go back a few pages to catch up.
atm i am reading Dawn French's autobiography "Dear Fatty" page 6 and i am already hooked.

[Rosetta]

I couldn't finish Snow Falling on Cedars. I only bought it cause I thought it was a lovely title. It ended up being a family joke as I started it 3 or 4 times. Even then I found it difficult to give it away. it was only when I got some new books that I had to make room for did it go to Oxfam

[Lakitu]

I think that's where I might have been going wrong, babybow, I foudn it a bit jumpy....and slow to be honest. I still have it, so I'll maybe give it a bash again (but it's at the bottom of my list) and try and do it over a weekend.

LOL Rosy, must be serious if the family are teasing x

[obNOXious]

Erskine's Box...Kym Lloyd
The Tenderness of Wolves...Stef Penney

...both excellent reads, and sally I loved Shadow of the Wind as well:)

[Rosetta]

Hi Nox. Have you read Shantaram. Like Shadow of the Wind it is beautifully written, the narrative is fab and its a great story. I dont normally recommend books because everyone's taste is different but I would recommend both Shadow of the wind and Shantaram

[obNOXious]

no never read it Rosetta, but i'll be reading it now:) ~thanks:)

[yogasun]

Just a few lines book lovers, must get on with domestic trivia!
I love books so much Rosetta and Lakitu that I can't bear parting with them Mr. yogasun said he doesn't mind me acquiring them but can I get rid of those that I've read!
NO - he just doesn't get it does he?!

'Time Traveller's Wife' mmmmm, did finish it but found it hard work as I got so muddled with the time changes so couldn't enjoy it.
Have also recently read 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' , excellent.
Have made a note of other recommendations. Thanks all x

[Lakitu]

LOL, Yoga, no he just doesn't get it at all.

I'm glad I've finally come across someone else who found TTTW hard work too - we're very much in a minority though.

[Bathsheba]

I'm currently reading The Island by Victoria Hislop. Wouldn't normally have touched it as it's a Richard + Judy recommended read, but I'm really enjoying it x

[Rosetta]

Morning all. Throw books out, what sacrilege.

I enjoyed that one too Bathsheba. I agree about Richard and Judy's book club recommendations, some good some bad. The good thing is that it (perhaps) gets people into reading when they may not normally be into it

[Ice.Maiden]

The Dragon's Child, by Jenny Nimmo.
Just finished reading it to my youngest last night. left me with a lump in my throat!!! : )

[Bathsheba]

I also love Anita Shreve, also Anna Quindlen who is a similar writer. I keep trying Lovely Bones- Alice Sebold, but it's not grabbing me :( I wish Anne Tyler would hurry up and write another x

[Beatrice35]

Just finished , 'The important use of compliments' by Alexander McCall Smith- adored it as it was an engaging novel as well as being intermingled with interesting philosophy snippets :-) Adore philosophy- probably why like the other novelist Jostein Gaardner( Sophie's World)!! Next book will read is 'Brisngr' by Christopher Paolini ( adore fantasty genre , too). Read the previous 2 Christopher Paolini Books'Eragon' + 'The Elder'- really enjoyed both of these, too!! Like romance fiction like that of Nicholas Sparks ( favourite of his being'The Rescue'- fabulous insight into the world of autism, too). Tend to like books that will educate you , make you think, amuse you as well as entertain. Also love the classics like Charles Dickens or Shakespeare. Ciao for now, Bea :-)

[yogasun]

Bathsheba, it's so interesting how people's tastes are different.
I quite like trying R & J's 'Recommended Reads' as it sometimes encourages me to read something that I wouldn't normally. However I thought 'The Island' very poorly written and wondered whether it wasn't recommended purely because she is Ian Hislop's wife.
Having said that it was a best seller, so hey ho what do I know about it!!?
On the other hand - agree with you Anne Tyler brilliant! I personally didn't much care for 'The Lovely Bones' I found it a bit too over sentimental.
Keep posting folks, I will have a book pile to read to last me til 2012 at this rate! x

[Lakitu]

I didn't care much for The Lovely Bones either, I finished it, but it's not one I'd read again.

[Bathsheba]

Oh well- don't think i'll bother with Lovely Bones in that case!
Laki- have you seen the film of Diving Bell? Well worth watching.
I've got The Binding Chair by Kathryn Harrison lined up to attack next ;) xx

[ethandron]

i really liked lovely bones, and time travellers wife, and the island (didn't realise she's ian hislops wife). couldn't get into shadow of the wind at all, although it's still sitting there waiting for me to try it again. have just finished 'trust me, i'm a junior doctor' which is well worth reading, and am now on to one good turn by kate atkinson, which is pretty good, and have a couple of pj tracy's sitting on my bedside table waiting for when i finish it.