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Posted by helen
Having had some great book recommendations from here before I am interested to hear if you have read anything lately that is worth recommending?
I liked The History of the Rain by Niall Williams although it wouldn't make it to one of my best books ever list.
A Man Called Ove would possibly be one of my favourite books this year.
Anything to suggest from you?
I liked The History of the Rain by Niall Williams although it wouldn't make it to one of my best books ever list.
A Man Called Ove would possibly be one of my favourite books this year.
Anything to suggest from you?
I'm enjoying Alan Bennett's Keeping on Keeping on, his latest collection of diary entries.
Books I have enjoyed recently - John le Carré's The Pigeon Tunnel, Ian McEwan's Nutshell, Marc Lewis's The Biology of Desire [an alternative to the disease model of addiction], and Fay Weldon's Love and Inheritance trilogy (trashy but gripping).
Helen - I downloaded A Man Called Ove last week and it is next on my list. Good to see your recommendation.
Books I have enjoyed recently - John le Carré's The Pigeon Tunnel, Ian McEwan's Nutshell, Marc Lewis's The Biology of Desire [an alternative to the disease model of addiction], and Fay Weldon's Love and Inheritance trilogy (trashy but gripping).
Helen - I downloaded A Man Called Ove last week and it is next on my list. Good to see your recommendation.
I've recently read Curtis Sittenfeld's book 'Eligible' which is a modern version of Pride & Prejudice. The story is set in Cincinnati. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I've just finished Lionel Shriver's latest novel 'The Mandibles, A Family - 2029-2047. The US$ is worthless and China is the world power now. It's a rather disturbing and thought provoking book.
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Re: Books November 15, 2016 02:59AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1 |
A Little LIfe gets my book of the year vote as well. It is not a light read and is very sad in a haunting way such that it stays with you. It covers sexual abuse and physical abuse, but there is also lots deep pure love - parental, platonic, spousal. At the end of it. I was very glad I read it. It is real life and real life isnt charming and can be traumatising but it gave me an awareness of issues, e.g. cutting, I didn't fully understand.
I finished "The Wonder" by Emma Donnaghue but unlike those that gave it 4+ start on Goodreads I didn't particularly like it.
Actually I don't think I liked it at all.
I didn't read Room as I knew the subject wouldn't appeal and had I thought more about The Wonder I probably wouldn't have picked it up either.
Has anyone else read it?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2016 11:24AM by helen.
Actually I don't think I liked it at all.
I didn't read Room as I knew the subject wouldn't appeal and had I thought more about The Wonder I probably wouldn't have picked it up either.
Has anyone else read it?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2016 11:24AM by helen.
Just finished Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel [www.goodreads.com] and prior to that Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight [www.goodreads.com]
Both excellent, well written engrossing books.
Both excellent, well written engrossing books.
Latest:
The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss. It’s beautiful and engrossing and charming and wonderful.
The Paying Guests, by Sarah Waters. I’m not going to spoil the story for you, but the descriptions of daily life in 1922 London are so vivid that I now feel like I have first-hand experience living in that time period. It’s won all kinds of awards, it’s fantastic, just read it.
The Pursuit of Love, by Nancy Mitford. I’m reading this right now and, eeek, it’s so good, how did I not read this earlier? It’s hilarious and beautifully written and perfect for reading under a bunch of blankets with a cup of tea.
The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss. It’s beautiful and engrossing and charming and wonderful.
The Paying Guests, by Sarah Waters. I’m not going to spoil the story for you, but the descriptions of daily life in 1922 London are so vivid that I now feel like I have first-hand experience living in that time period. It’s won all kinds of awards, it’s fantastic, just read it.
The Pursuit of Love, by Nancy Mitford. I’m reading this right now and, eeek, it’s so good, how did I not read this earlier? It’s hilarious and beautifully written and perfect for reading under a bunch of blankets with a cup of tea.
Thanks Stream26, I have read The History of Love but will go and download the other two.
Have you read The Light Of Paris? I found that a lovely summer time read.
I have just finished Acorn by Ian McEwan which I found quite unusual. Initially I thought I was going to really enjoy it but despite the wonderful writing style I just didn't like the subject at all.
Has anyone else read it yet?
Have you read The Light Of Paris? I found that a lovely summer time read.
I have just finished Acorn by Ian McEwan which I found quite unusual. Initially I thought I was going to really enjoy it but despite the wonderful writing style I just didn't like the subject at all.
Has anyone else read it yet?
I thought I'd draw attention to Lionel Shriver's book again 'The Mandibles, A Family - 2029-2047. Now, that Donald Trump is President of the USA recalling the story of this family sends a shiver down my spine. It's of course pure fiction but somehow it seems prophetic. Has anybody else read this and if so, what do you think?
From reading and hearing many rave reviews I am reading "All the Light We Cannot See". I want to say that I am loving it and can't put it down but the reality is I am plodding along from page to page and am not finding it compelling reading at all.
I know it is beautifully written but the subject isn't grabbing me. It may be that my brain is better with light fiction at present but I am wondering what others might have thought of it?
I know it is beautifully written but the subject isn't grabbing me. It may be that my brain is better with light fiction at present but I am wondering what others might have thought of it?
I have just finished a few good reads that I thought worth sharing.
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos - Dominic Smith.
The book traverses time and continents following the journey of a painting and those whose lives are impacted in one way or another because of it. While at times a bit weighty on art history I really did enjoy it.
Commonwealth - Ann Patchett
A little unusual to get into but an interesting read on relationships and family dynamics.
The Garden of Evening Mists - Tan Twan Eng (although I must admit the central character annoyed me)
Set in Malaya after the Japanese occupation, informative as well as being a great read.
I just wish the main character could have softened a little at some stage over the years...
Has anyone else read these or have anything else to recommend?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2017 01:08AM by helen.
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos - Dominic Smith.
The book traverses time and continents following the journey of a painting and those whose lives are impacted in one way or another because of it. While at times a bit weighty on art history I really did enjoy it.
Commonwealth - Ann Patchett
A little unusual to get into but an interesting read on relationships and family dynamics.
The Garden of Evening Mists - Tan Twan Eng (although I must admit the central character annoyed me)
Set in Malaya after the Japanese occupation, informative as well as being a great read.
I just wish the main character could have softened a little at some stage over the years...
Has anyone else read these or have anything else to recommend?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2017 01:08AM by helen.
A book I've just finished and really enjoyed is A Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys. A London woman sets out just before the outbreak of World War Two on a sea voyage to Australia on the assisted passage scheme. The characters are really well drawn and the plot kept me guessing. I really felt the tension of the times and also what the sea journey and all the ports they visited were like. This kind of ship is how I arrived in New Zealand myself (aged 2) so it had a personal connection for me, but I think anyone with the slightest interest in history would enjoy it.
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