Reasons To Be Cheerful - Part Whatever
ChatterBank1 min ago
Last 3 Books You Read
33 Answers
What were they and were they good?
I've just finished Lauren Beukes' The Shining Girls - good, a grittier read than I normally go for but interesting, not as gripping as I thought it'd be though.
Cecelia Ahern's 100 Names - ok but not as good as some of her others; and
City of Lost Souls, the fifth in the Mortal Instruments series - enjoyed them all, quite teenage style but a nice easy read to shut out the world to.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is next and I spotted.
I've just finished Lauren Beukes' The Shining Girls - good, a grittier read than I normally go for but interesting, not as gripping as I thought it'd be though.
Cecelia Ahern's 100 Names - ok but not as good as some of her others; and
City of Lost Souls, the fifth in the Mortal Instruments series - enjoyed them all, quite teenage style but a nice easy read to shut out the world to.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is next and I spotted.
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1. Ladder of Years, by Anne Tyler.
As amusing and quirky as ever, a very good read if you like Anne Tyler.
2. The Sheen of the Silk, by Anne Perry
This is the first of her novels set outside Victorian London which I have read. It is set in Constantinople in the 13th century and is weightier than most of her books. The plot gets quite complex at times with rather a lot of characters, but is extremely well written. there is a lot of "historical" material and some intriguing insights into the conflicts of religions and associated political power struggles. I did find it heavy going at first but perseverance pays off in.the end.
3. Country Lives Remembered, by Brian Martin
A collection of true tales of country craftsmen from early twentieth century onwards, covering such skills as bee-keeping, blacks itching, coppicing, thatching and so on. Also included are short cameos from earlier country books from the 18-19th centuries by Gilbert White and William Howit which relate to the respective occupations. Fascinating book.
As amusing and quirky as ever, a very good read if you like Anne Tyler.
2. The Sheen of the Silk, by Anne Perry
This is the first of her novels set outside Victorian London which I have read. It is set in Constantinople in the 13th century and is weightier than most of her books. The plot gets quite complex at times with rather a lot of characters, but is extremely well written. there is a lot of "historical" material and some intriguing insights into the conflicts of religions and associated political power struggles. I did find it heavy going at first but perseverance pays off in.the end.
3. Country Lives Remembered, by Brian Martin
A collection of true tales of country craftsmen from early twentieth century onwards, covering such skills as bee-keeping, blacks itching, coppicing, thatching and so on. Also included are short cameos from earlier country books from the 18-19th centuries by Gilbert White and William Howit which relate to the respective occupations. Fascinating book.
I'm a crime novel junkie so....
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton .
Brilliant as usual. These are novels that go from A to Z and feature a private investigator named Kinsey Millhone .
Jack of Spies by David Downing .
He wrote a brilliant series of books set in Germany leading up to and ending after the 2nd world war all entitled after stations in Berlin .This is a new series set in the first world war .
Then I went off on a history tack and read the last book in the "Cousins Wars" series which I really enjoyed .The White Princess by Phillippa Gregory .
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton .
Brilliant as usual. These are novels that go from A to Z and feature a private investigator named Kinsey Millhone .
Jack of Spies by David Downing .
He wrote a brilliant series of books set in Germany leading up to and ending after the 2nd world war all entitled after stations in Berlin .This is a new series set in the first world war .
Then I went off on a history tack and read the last book in the "Cousins Wars" series which I really enjoyed .The White Princess by Phillippa Gregory .
Little Girl Lost by Brian McGilloway...a thriller set in Derry-during a search for a missing teenager,a little girl is found wandering in the snow. She is mute with shock,and it's found that she has blood on her...whose is it,and what has she seen? McGilloway is a new author to me,and I'll be looking for other books by him.
The Night Rainbow by Claire King...narrated by a five year old girl
( though she sounds older), it describes how two sisters deal with their recently widowed mums grief during a summer in rural France. Quirky,sweet and full of the trust and innocence only children can display.
Currently reading Heft by Liz Moore..about a severely obese,housebound former english professor who starts to open his life to people and the outside world again.
The Night Rainbow by Claire King...narrated by a five year old girl
( though she sounds older), it describes how two sisters deal with their recently widowed mums grief during a summer in rural France. Quirky,sweet and full of the trust and innocence only children can display.
Currently reading Heft by Liz Moore..about a severely obese,housebound former english professor who starts to open his life to people and the outside world again.
Girl With a Pearl Earing by Tracy Chevalier. I was given this under the World Book Night scheme. It was ok but easily passed on to the charity shop (I'm a terrible hoarder of books)
The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. A beautifully written book set in Japanese occupied Malaya during ww2. It was a bit slow getting going but well worth the read. His 2nd book was Booker nominated and is on my Kindle to read next.
A Wanted Man by Lee Child. A change of pace from Gift of Rain. A cracking read as usual from Mr Child.
The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. A beautifully written book set in Japanese occupied Malaya during ww2. It was a bit slow getting going but well worth the read. His 2nd book was Booker nominated and is on my Kindle to read next.
A Wanted Man by Lee Child. A change of pace from Gift of Rain. A cracking read as usual from Mr Child.
1: Powering my way through the "Fables" graphic novels by Bill Willingham. They're brilliant. I can't work out whether I'm annoyed that ABC passed on making this in favour of the similarly-themed "Once Upon A Time" or relieved as it means they aren't messing it up. I can't see a TV show ever doing justice to the tale and imagine they would just have used the central idea.
2: "The Lost Girls of Rome" by Donato Carrisi. My wife passed this to me and insisted I read it. An entertaining crime/mystery thriller.
3: "Goblins Vs Dwarves" by Philip Reeve. Yes, it's a kid's book, but Mr Reeve is a brilliant author. Why he's not as well known as JK Rowling or even Philip Pullman is a mystery to me. GvD is a fun read, but I'd recommend the author's "Mortal Engines" quartet to anyone who wants a great read.
2: "The Lost Girls of Rome" by Donato Carrisi. My wife passed this to me and insisted I read it. An entertaining crime/mystery thriller.
3: "Goblins Vs Dwarves" by Philip Reeve. Yes, it's a kid's book, but Mr Reeve is a brilliant author. Why he's not as well known as JK Rowling or even Philip Pullman is a mystery to me. GvD is a fun read, but I'd recommend the author's "Mortal Engines" quartet to anyone who wants a great read.
All three by Tom Holt:
Valhalla, Nothing But Blue Skies and Falling Sideways.
Very witty and full of dark humour. I've had them for years and put off reading them (I had about 10 to read). I've got all 4 of Ben Aaronovitch's books to read on my Kindle, but I've also got loads of other books to try and get through first.....
Valhalla, Nothing But Blue Skies and Falling Sideways.
Very witty and full of dark humour. I've had them for years and put off reading them (I had about 10 to read). I've got all 4 of Ben Aaronovitch's books to read on my Kindle, but I've also got loads of other books to try and get through first.....
1, Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham (saw the tv adaptation first thought I would try the book really enjoyed the it)
2. Scaredy cat by Mark Billingham (same as above)
3. The Cuckoo's Calling By Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling (Really Really enjoyed this, hopefully she will continue with the character and story)
2. Scaredy cat by Mark Billingham (same as above)
3. The Cuckoo's Calling By Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling (Really Really enjoyed this, hopefully she will continue with the character and story)
I'm reading Gone Girl at the moment - it's our next Book Club choice and it's interesting so far.
I've recently read A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks - a book of short stories across different eras. Some were good and others not so good but I'm not a huge Faulks fan.
Also read The Promise of Happiness by Justin Cartwright which is about life in a rather dysfunctional family. I've read a lot of his stuff and really like his writing.
I did try to read City of Dark Hearts by James Conan but really couldn't get into it
I've recently read A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks - a book of short stories across different eras. Some were good and others not so good but I'm not a huge Faulks fan.
Also read The Promise of Happiness by Justin Cartwright which is about life in a rather dysfunctional family. I've read a lot of his stuff and really like his writing.
I did try to read City of Dark Hearts by James Conan but really couldn't get into it
The Lost Boy - Camila Lackberg - One of my favourite series of books and this is the most recent installments. Good stories but also great characters.
Savage Spring - Mons Kallentoft - Another moody and troubled female detective from the nordic noir crew - extremely unlikable character but you're rooting for her randomly. Last in this series I think.
The Double Silence - Mari Jungstedt - Another most recent installment from a series I'm interested in. Not as good as Camila Lackberg character wise but I suspect the stories/murder mystery aspect might be written better at times.
Savage Spring - Mons Kallentoft - Another moody and troubled female detective from the nordic noir crew - extremely unlikable character but you're rooting for her randomly. Last in this series I think.
The Double Silence - Mari Jungstedt - Another most recent installment from a series I'm interested in. Not as good as Camila Lackberg character wise but I suspect the stories/murder mystery aspect might be written better at times.
A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson.
a very funny and informative story of him and his friend Stephen Katz walking the Appalachian trail, the longest continuous footpath in the world.
Read it 3 times now.
Down Under by Bill Bryson.
The story and tales of his travels around Australia.
Read it twice
A short history of nearly everything by Bill Bryson
Everything you need to know about the universe, world and solar system.
Im currently reading Armageddon- the battle for Germany 1944-1945 by Max Hastings.
and yes I like Bill Bryson.
Dave.
a very funny and informative story of him and his friend Stephen Katz walking the Appalachian trail, the longest continuous footpath in the world.
Read it 3 times now.
Down Under by Bill Bryson.
The story and tales of his travels around Australia.
Read it twice
A short history of nearly everything by Bill Bryson
Everything you need to know about the universe, world and solar system.
Im currently reading Armageddon- the battle for Germany 1944-1945 by Max Hastings.
and yes I like Bill Bryson.
Dave.
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