The Bookworm's Thread 2016

sugarbaby125

Hi everyone I am an avid reader of non-fiction of all genres and I also like to read non fiction. I prefer to have a physical book in my hands, so all of my 79 books I currently own are a mixture of hardback and paperback books. I have been unemployed since February 2015 and the really big silver lining has been that I have so much more time to read. I owned just over 200 books before I became unemployed, so I just worked out that I read approximately 120 books in less than a year. I have read so many thousands of books in my life so far, that I can not always remember all of them. I have 2 books in my collection that were Christmas presents, but since the advent of 99p shops and Poundland shops in abundance in London, I can buy books to my heart's content at nominal cost compared to the book cover price. As soon as I read a book, it is donated to one of my local Charity shops, as I only have one bookcase.

My most recent reads were Emma Donoghue Astray- A collection of short stories all based on real life events with footnotes at the end of each short story and web links for further research if you want to find out more about the real people. Emma Donoghue - The Sealed Letter which is based on the real life 1864 Codrington Divorce. I found both of these reads well written, well researched and a very engrossing read.

I also read Monica Ali's Untold Story which is the story of Princess Diana faking her death and going on to lead an ordinary life in a small town in America and what happens when a British photo journalist recognises her 10 years later. I found the whole premise of the book quite ridiculous, and the whole plot line quite frivolous. I was surprised that a good writer like Monica Ali would write such populist fiction after penning the much lauded 'Brick Lane', which I had enjoyed immensely.

pollypenny

monnagran wrote: »

I did Northanger Abbey for 'O' levels back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth. In my opinion any rewrite by Val McDermid or anyone else for that matter, can only be an improvement. I quite like Jane but dissecting books for exams doesn't do any book any favours. I love to read, but for enjoyment only these days.

And now to contradict myself completely. One of my self-improvement books that I picked up for my Kindle was "Eat, Guilt, Repent, Repeat." By Brenda. J. Bentley. Well you can't have too many books on losing weight, can you? One of them will have the magic answer surely. WOW. I don't know about losing weight but it certainly spells out how to live your life. I have just been through a traumatic period of my life and this book could have been written just for me. I read right through the night last night and feel a different person today, albeit a tired different person.. Not a book that you would read for pleasure but a life changing read.

x

If you've been well-taught, that "dissection" of a novel will be intuitive a help you to greater understanding of the book.

You won't need to write an essay, though.

Cochonette

I'm another avid reader, and now have to keep a record of books I read in order to avoid getting something interesting-looking from the library, only to discover within a few pages, that I've already read it...
I love the Miss Read books, too, and re-read them when I'm stressed!
Favourites from last year include: Gavin Extence's "The Universe versus Alex Woods", Owen Jones's "Chavs: the Demonisation of the Working Class", Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities" and Neil MacGregor's "Germany: Memories of a Nation". Just finished Jeanette Winterson's update of The Winter's Tale called "The Gap of Time", which I had initial doubts about, but really enjoyed. About to plunge into the second of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels, and have to get a move on, because there's a queue for it at my local library!

yellowbear

Sweetpeas, I loved the Twilight series, although I could quite happily smack Bella in the face with a wet kipper!

There is a 10th anniversary edition out written with a female vampire (Edythe) and a male 'victim' (Beau).
Takes a bit of getting used to as all the characters' genders are swapped over. An easy read, though.

If you want something easy to read I would recommend the St Mary's Chronicles I linked to a couple of pages ago.

Giddynmg

Loving hearing all the suggestions and opinions. I like hearing about the genres that I wouldn't opt for as it makes me reconsider my choices.


Snorkypants - I know what you mean about books based on others but I actually thoroughly enjoy them. I've read a few of the Pride and Prejudice spin off ones when I've wanted a light read. I also really enjoyed, and would recommend Gregory Macguire who wrote Wicked, Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister these are well known stories told from the point of view of the so called villain.


Really not getting into The Perks of being Wallflower, don't think I like the way it is written. I'll persevere though as it's not so bad I'd give up!

happymo

Some really good recommendations on here - will help to expand our range of reading, but also will deplete our bank balances!
Have just finished books by Diane Chamberlain. Really great books, set in America but stories that really twist and turn. Also loved The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Room by Emma Donoghue.

For all you Facebookers, there is a group called The Bookshop Cafe, which is a great group to follow, with loads of recommendations, and quite a lot of well-known authors are on there.

Look forward to seeing more recommendations on here- have about 20 books in my to be read pile, but still addicted to buying more.

VfM4meplse

happymo wrote: »

Also loved The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Room by Emma Donoghue.

Room is an excellent book - I've been told the film is well worth watching, can't wait to see it.

stellagazelle

Thanks for your post. I'm the same, although with a commute it's easy to get through lots of books - 86 last year. Only 3 so far this year. Always like having lots on the go. I will look forward to your updates. Thanx.

thenanny2die4

Second book of the year completed now - that was Ken Follett's "Whiteout". Literature it's not but it was a rattling good tale; I enjoyed it.

I've now started Margaret Atwood's "The Heart Goes Last". I'm only a couple of pages in so it's too early for an opinion, but I've only ever been disappointed with one Atwood novel, "The Blind Assassin", which just didn't grab me at all! I should try again some time. I adored "The Handmaid's Tale".

Regarding some recent comments and opinions on here: I loved "Room" and read it in one sitting. I agree with happymo about Diane Chamberlain - I've read a few of hers and they're easy reads with pretty good plots. Sugarbaby125 - I, too, was a tad bemused at Monica Ali's "Untold Story". I did actually quite enjoy it (although that may have had more to do with the sunshine and sunbed...) but it did seem strange coming from that author. "Brick Lane" was a wonderful book in my opinion. Still, I admire her for writing something so very different.

missbiggles1

thenanny2die4 wrote: »

Second book of the year completed now - that was Ken Follett's "Whiteout". Literature it's not but it was a rattling good tale; I enjoyed it.

I've now started Margaret Atwood's "The Heart Goes Last". I'm only a couple of pages in so it's too early for an opinion, but I've only ever been disappointed with one Atwood novel, "The Blind Assassin", which just didn't grab me at all! I should try again some time. I adored "The Handmaid's Tale".

Regarding some recent comments and opinions on here: I loved "Room" and read it in one sitting. I agree with happymo about Diane Chamberlain - I've read a few of hers and they're easy reads with pretty good plots. Sugarbaby125 - I, too, was a tad bemused at Monica Ali's "Untold Story". I did actually quite enjoy it (although that may have had more to do with the sunshine and sunbed...) but it did seem strange coming from that author. "Brick Lane" was a wonderful book in my opinion. Still, I admire her for writing something so very different.

I'd forgotten "The Blind Assassin" - I must read it again sometime to remind myself. My favourite Atwood is "The Robber Bride" which I've read several times and would recommend highly if you haven't already read it.