Bookworms 2020

betasam

I also enjoyed The Cat That Came In From The Cold - I am fairly sure I have some more Deric Longden books squirrelled away somewhere - I may have to look them out! 
My OH has a second-hand  bookshop (nowhere near as grand as Barter Books!) and had initially stopped selling online when the lockdown started, but has started again and has been inundated with orders for an eclectic selection of books - it seems as if the entire world is reading!

Charly27

betasam that’s good news about the bookshop. I still struggle to read on Kindle but I’ve been forced into it as I ration my books. I’m getting my unread titles read slowly though. The world does seem to be divided into those working harder than ever and those who have sadly been furloughed or even worse lost their jobs.  Never read any Deric Longden thanks both for the recommendation. 

gettingtheresometime

Just finished The Snakes by Sadie Jones.....all I can say is don't bother.

dolly84

betasam said:

Hello, sorry to have been missing for so long; I am really struggling to concentrate on reading since the lockdown. I am attempting to read a few pages at lunchtime if I can escape the hospital for a few minutes!
11. Death of yesterday by M C Beaton. Hamish Macbeth - I enjoyed the earlier books in the series but find the later ones quite contrived and silly!
I started to read Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks but have laid it aside as I don't think that reading about the plague is a good idea. Currently trying to finish Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

I love Year of Wonders, I've visted Eyam many times and can see how she felt inspired to write it, maybe reading it now would give a bit of perspective on the current situation.

betasam

12. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I bought this (and I rarely buy full-price, new novels) because it was so hyped on Goodreads. I really struggled with it, possibly because I don't have much knowledge of, or interest in, the American political system, and it was set during an election campaign. It is basically chick-lit, so I didn't feel I should have to work to understand the background! The story is of a romantic relationship between the US President's son and the Queen's grandson. There were some nice excerpts from historical letters included but I would't recommend it unless you understand US politics and Spanish!
I may try Year of Wonders again...

DianneB

I am finding it hard to concentrate on anything new at the moment so I am reading old favourites but I do have a new copy of Peter Mays 'Lockdown'. Will get MrB to read it first!!

gettingtheresometime

Just finished the audio version of Sarah J Harries' 'The colour of Bee Larkham's murder' 

it's written from the perspective of a 13yr old boy on the autistic spectrum whose world is filled with colour to the extent that every sound generates its own colour, about the events leading up to & after the murder of his flamboyant neighbour Bee Larkham.

this version was well narrated and I'd recommend it.

dolly84

I've finished 'The Snow Child' by Eowyn Ivey. I really enjoyed it, it is set in 1920's Alaska and is about a couple who lost a child and sold up everything to set up a homestead, they are struggling and unhappy and one night they build a little girl out of snow.  It is inspired by the traditional versions of this story, is really well written and describes the landscape and nature beautifully.

Hobsons_Choice

Just finished re-reading "Fallen Skies" by Phillipa Gregory. It's about the aftermath of WW1 on a middle class family and it's the best novel I've read this year.  I first read it in the early 90s so didn't really remember the story.

Abbafan1972

I am currently reading "The Beach" by Alex Garland.  Am struggling with it at the moment, but will persevere with it!

Before that I read "One Moment" by Linda Green and would highly recommend that.

I read on Kindle, as I find it much easier than holding a book open, as it keeps my hands free.