What are you reading?

[smurfboy]

I thought I might resurrect this thread as it's one most people can contribute to; plus now I'm commuting I get to read a lot more.

I've just read 'The House at Riverton' by Kate Morton and loved it. I got it as a freebie at work and had never heard of it. I later found out it was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick, and am ashamed to say I probably wouldn't have bothered with it had I known. Lesson not to be a book snob learned! It seems to be a love it or hate it book - there were hundreds of 5 star reviews when I looked, but also a surprising amount of 1 star - but if you liked Downton Abbey I'd definitely recommend it.

I also enjoyed 'The Lighted Rooms' by Richard Mason recently. Both books are similar in that they're told largely from the point of view of an elderly woman, but I found it particularly interesting in 'The Lighted Rooms' that a 30-something man could capture the narrative voice of an 80-plus woman so well. It has an element of the supernatural in it too if you like that sort of thing.

[goldencup]

Glad to have this thread resurrected.  Shame on you Smurfy - R & J actually recommended some good books!  Read the House at Riverton ages ago and quite enjoyed it from what I remember.
Good ones I've read recently are 'Started Early Took My Dog' by Kate Atkinson (crime),Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse.

[wjp666]

just read 'the very hungry caterpillar' for the first time (my daughters fault.) bit predictable, but otherwise highly enjoyable.

[drterror666]

I'm still waiting for the film!

[goldencup]

It's certainly a classic.  I have the giant version with the cuddly caterpillar...

[wjp666]

we have the small cardboard version with the cuddly caterpillar... very cute! but i HATE maggots. so it's a bit weird to have this green fluffy maggot-type thing in my front room.

just read 'where the wild things are' as well. now what the hell was that all about?!

[goldencup]

Ah - how I agree with you!  This is another so-called 'classic' but one that I've never understood the appeal of.  They even made it into a film which I thankfully missed.  Perhaps you should consider widening your reading tastes....  Actually forget that, just keep reading to your daughter, it's one of the best things you can do.

Just read 'Remarkable Creatures' by Tracy Chevalier all about the first fossil hunters.  Fascinating - I never realised Mary Anning (who found the first complete dinosaur skeletons) was only a child.  Also how these finds rocked religious views of the day.

[wjp666]

can't wait 'til she's old anough to start her on some Roald Dahl.

and as for dinosaur bones and religion... don't mention all that pesky evolution logic either.

[drterror666]

I'm reading the Ladybird Book of the Alphabet. Damn this is gripping stuff.

[oldspice]

I am tryin to read Untold Stories by Alan Bennett but I keep getting distracted.

[drterror666]

Distracted by what? I'm intrigued!

[wjp666]

now reading 'A Clockwork Orange'. i'm a huge fan of the film but have never read the novel(la) until now. all i can say is wow! it's seriously weird and deliciously perfect. everyone should read it.

[oldspice]

I didn't like the film at all. It was horrific - but I understand the novel is quite different?

[goldencup]

Just read 'A Tiny Bit Marvellous' by Dawn French - excellent!  Oldspice, you should read it!

[wjp666]

I didn't like the film at all. It was horrific - but I understand the novel is quite different?

the plot is pretty much identical (give or take), but the book has the weird language cranked up big time. it's something of a chore to read, but extremely rewarding once you get the hang of the lingo.