The Bookworm's Thread 2016

dreaming

Thanks to everyone for suggestions. Unfortunately we have covered most of the books mentioned (we have been going for 16 years now). Herbily - it's not so much I want something for Harry Potterish age (gentleman is 90-ish) - just that I thought something relatively simple would be good. To be honest it is probably a bit of a thankless task as whatever we read he seems to take issue with rather than just liking/disliking the book on its own merits. Perhaps at his age he is entitled to but he never suggests books to read. However he is part of the group so I was trying to find something he might enjoy that is, as he put it, "forward looking, and a bit inspirational". In the past few months we have read 2 books on dementia, plus a couple of classics (Dickens and Austen). The last book we read was Blott on the Landscape (Tom Sharp) which we all mostly enjoyed but of course it is rather dated. The rest of the group (all ladies over 50) are good at suggesting books and we have read a wide selection, plus we all read our "own" books. I often have a look at this thread to get some inspiration. There is a gentleman at the other book group I go to (although not as old) - I might ask him if he has any suggestions but he doesn't always attend. It's difficult because I will read pretty much anything although I love a good thriller - I'm just working my way through the Jack Reacher series (again) and got a good bargain on the Rebus series as I read the new one and I wanted to re-read previous ones - even if I have run out of shelf space.

Treasurequeen

I have just finished an enjoyable read Keep the midnight out by Alex Gray It is a murder/crime novel but it kept me guessing right to the end. The novel is set in Scotland and is focused on two related murders, one from 20 years ago that was never solved and one in the present. Managed to read it within a week and I will be looking for more of Alex Grays' novels.

[Deleted User]

Stayed up way past my usual bedtime last night to finish The Book Of Lost And Found by Lucy Foley. It was a real page-turner and a wonderful debut novel from someone I'm sure will be a major success.

It's hard to pigeon-hole this book which is described as a 'classic sweeping love story, moving and engrossing', and 'atmospheric, evocative, epic: a beautifully heart-wrenching story'.

I picked it up (looked barely used) at a village tabletop sale for 50p and was in two minds as I thought it might be a bit too Chick-Litty for my taste but once I started I just couldn't put it down.

Beautifully written and plotted with very polished prose, it was a joy to read. It was fairly complicated in that it had several narrators, time frames and locations but the historical bits (such as wartime France and '20s England were meticulously researched). Indeed, a lot of research obviously went into this book altogether, it was very art-based, and the descriptions of places especially Corsica (I really want to go there after reading this book!) were wonderful.

If I have any criticism it would be that it was maybe a tad over-ambitious, there's almost too much here. I don't just mean the length, although it was over 500 pages;).

It would make a good Book Club selection I think (although maybe not for your elderly gent, dreaming). I'll give it 9 out of 10 and will definitely be seeking out her second book:)

VALM

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I finished this earlier:




8/10 - a fun read, which has encouraged me to tighten my expenditure. One of my best chazzer bargains!

Used to love their Spendaholics programme.

VALM

I'm reading The End If The World Running Club.

greentiger

Just finished Janet Ellis's "The Butcher's Hook". It was a surprising read; most enjoyable.

I've now started "The Secret Life and Curious Death of Miss Jean Milne". It's based on an unsolved murder in Broughty Ferry near Dundee, just over a hundred years ago. It seems promising.

Treasurequeen

I have got a few books on the go at the moment: Things get better by Katie Piper, The money diet by Martin Lewis:money: and Springtime at cherry tree cottage by Cathy woodman. Happy reading everyone

sugarbaby125

Just finished Hidden by Paul Jaskunas. I really enjoyed reading this book, but I felt really let down by the ending. I would give this book a 7 out of 10

[Deleted User]

sugarbaby125 wrote: »

Just finished Hidden by Paul Jaskunas. I really enjoyed reading this book, but I felt really let down by the ending. I would give this book a 7 out of 10

I haven't read this book, sugarbaby, but I have occasionally felt really let down by a book's ending too:(. After being so emotionally involved in the characters' lives and the intricacies of the story for what can be a considerable time I feel very cheated when all the loose-ends are completely tied up in a matter of a couple of pages at the end:mad:. I just want to say ''is that it?''

[Deleted User]

I'm currently not reading anything:eek:, a very rare occurrence for me. I had to take my specs in for new lenses to be fitted and am having to resort to an older pair with a much weaker prescription:(. I find reading for any length of time with them gives me a headache so I'm taking the opportunity to have a cull of all the books I own. No mean feat, I'm drowning in books:o


I drop books off at charity shops frequently or pass them on to others anyway but I still have so many more that I know I'll never get round to reading. I've boxes full of others which I've read but wonder what possessed me to hang onto them in the first place. I passed one charity shop yesterday which had a massive sign outside saying they are desperate for books and CDs. So that's my next few days sorted;)