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*What book are you reading? (part 2)

izz said:
Bother. I needs me another Wolf Hall or Bring up the Bodies. The final one won't be out for ages and I've read every other word she's written. Anyone have any ideas ?
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If you want something historical, try The Gunpowder Plot by Antonia Fraser
 
izz said:
Just romped through The Essex Serpant, Sarah Perry. Very immersive, beautifully written, recommended.
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I'm choosing some holiday reading atm and that was on my shortlist so I've just downloaded it :thumbs:

Can anybody tell me where's a good place to start with China Mieville?
 
Perdido Street Station is said to be one of his best BoatieBird. Personally I don't like China Mieville that much, although I have tried to. Doubtless many think he's amazing but as with any author, have to try the books for yourself doncha ?
 
BoatieBird said:
Cheers izz, he's one of those authors that I've been meaning to read for ages but never seem to get round to it.
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Welcs of course, don't just listen to me, listen to the massed hordes about to post and say he's amazing. Then come back and tell us what you think after your hollybobs :D
 
BoatieBird said:
I'm choosing some holiday reading atm and that was on my shortlist so I've just downloaded it :thumbs:

Can anybody tell me where's a good place to start with China Mieville?
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Like.... The bin?
Seriously, I tried 2, can't even recall which, found them badly written and dull.

But he's popular
My favourite of this genre has got to be the death of grass
Have a super holiday!!

Edit. You're probably back by now! How was China?
 
I'm still on holiday!
Currently on a re-read of Stephen King's It (I think I originally read it about 25 years ago).

I think I'll give China a miss for the time being.
 
Wonder if this book I came across is unique? 'Say Kangaroo' by Five Sisters is a compilation of poems written by the 5, covering their growing up and teen years in the 50's and 60's. A lot of the poems took me back to my childhood with holidays, schooling, Christmases, pets etc etc. all having a space in the book. It explains the 5 were from a close-knit family where mum did her best with a husband who worked all hours but apparently liked a drink! There are illustrations too done by the contributors. Only a couple of pounds from Amazon anyone interested. Holiday time for me and am reading 'The Belle Fields' by Lora Adams again. Anyone who enjoyed Downton Abbey will enjoy this - it covers the ups and downs of a young girl working in the local Big House, many twists and turns, unexpected end and very descriptive parts covering celebrations in the mansion for those above and below stairs. Easy reading and can't wait for the sequel mentioned - Ashes of Roses. Again a couple of pounds on to my Kindle - from Amazon. Hope anyone trying either enjoy!
 
I'm about to reread Riddley Walker, for the 3rd or 4th time. I've bought a nearly new hardback copy of the Expanded Edition for £23 Riddley Walker: The Expanded Edition. Very excited. It's arriving next week. I think I'll be reading it every year for the rest of my life so the hardback seemed justified. My paperback is v tatty and I'm always lending it to people. What I really want is the new illustrated Folio edition, but at £295 it's a bit steep. Apocalyptic masterpiece Riddley Walker gets stunning Folio Society re-release

 
Currently reading Nancy MacLean's Democracy in chains: the deep history of the radical right's stealth plan for America. I bought this in Canada, when I was visiting the in laws. Has caused quite a stir with plenty of Koch favouring bullies trying to get her thrown out of her job at Duke University.

For fun I've just started Undermajordomo minor by Patrick DeWitt.
 
Read Cold Comfort Farm recently by Stella Gibbons, after reading ringo 's post about it. Enjoyed it mate, thanks :) Slight squirm in a couple of places, but also actually laughing out loud in many more. The asterisks :D :D

Just finished Footnote by Boff Whalley - excellent, interesting and really well written.

Currently reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I've tried to read it twice before and didn't take to it, but the fella was a big fan of it years ago and thinks fondly of it, so am giving it another go. It's still a bit dreary in parts, but I shall carry on, cos am halfway through now.

What struck me was the description of the Guide itself. The book was published in 1979, but the description of it perfectly matches any smart phone of our generation. Love sci-fiey stuff for that. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury has shedloads of 'Tomorrow's World' moments too.
 
Oh, am also reading Alexei Sayle's collection of short stories, Barcelona Plates. Quirky, first story is brilliant, the others not quite so.
 
I've just finished rereading the first St Clare's book by Enid Blyton. I first read it and became quite addicted to the series about, oh gosh 40 years ago or more when I was an early teen in a comprehensive in a not terribly amazing town oop North, I loved them for the total escapism then, a more total contrast between the book and life you simply couldn't find. Now though, goodness, how shallow the woman was, how totally self-deluding. It was a good exercise to do, but I shan't be reading any more.
 
izz said:
I've just finished rereading the first St Clare's book by Enid Blyton. I first read it and became quite addicted to the series about, oh gosh 40 years ago or more when I was an early teen in a comprehensive in a not terribly amazing town oop North, I loved them for the total escapism then, a more total contrast between the book and life you simply couldn't find. Now though, goodness, how shallow the woman was, how totally self-deluding. It was a good exercise to do, but I shan't be reading any more.
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That's really interesting izz

I too was obsessed with the St Clare's books as a kid, and often wonder how I would react now.
 
sojourner said:
That's really interesting izz

I too was obsessed with the St Clare's books as a kid, and often wonder how I would react now.
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I was obsessed too, St Clare's and Mallory Towers.
I read a lot about Enid Blyton when I did my OU module on Children's Literature.
Interesting stuff, kinda goes against what you'd expect kids to like these days, but she really is perennially popular.
My mum was a reception class teacher for many years and all the kids she taught throughout the years loved the stories in Blyton's 5 minute tales and 10 minute tales and would always request them.

There are lots of parallels between her boarding school stories and the Harry Potter series.
 
I'm hooked. I've seen a box set of the St Clare's stories on scamazon. Gonna get them. I got so much pleasure from them as a child, they were a genuine lifesaver for me when I was a deeply unpopular and lonely kid.
 
sojourner said:
I'm hooked. I've seen a box set of the St Clare's stories on scamazon. Gonna get them. I got so much pleasure from them as a child, they were a genuine lifesaver for me when I was a deeply unpopular and lonely kid.
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empathise hugely, hope you benefit from them.
 
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