Kathy wrote: "

Sam, I loved The Poe Shadow, but then I like all of Matthew Pearl's books. I think the last one, The Last Dickens A Novel, is my favorite.

I started
The Last Dickens A Novel tonight!

I am reading the Private patient by P.D.James. I am a fan of her books...I love the good old English type of mystery novels.

Hi Kathy, I haven't read any of his books yet. The Poe Shadow caught my attention as I'm a big Poe fan so thought I'd give it a try. Didn't manage to read any last night (got distracted arguing with Gerry Adams again lol) but I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.

Sam wrote: "I'm now reading A Farther Shore Ireland's Long Road to Peace by Gerry Adams and although it's providing an interesting' insight into Sinn Fein and their role in the Troubles and the..."

Sam, I loved The Poe Shadow, but then I like all of Matthew Pearl's books. I think the last one, The Last Dickens A Novel, is my favorite.

I'm now reading A Farther Shore Ireland's Long Road to Peace by Gerry Adams and although it's providing an interesting' insight into Sinn Fein and their role in the Troubles and the Peace Process I find myself arguing with the book a lot (out loud too) as he is very self-righteous and bigoted with the RUC and the Army coming across as the henchmen of Satan and Sinn Fein are the good guys who kept it going and got the Peace Process started, which lets face it is not entirely accurate. This is in stark contrast to some of the other autobiographies I've read, on both sides of the divide.

Also just started reading The Poe Shadow A Novel by Matthew Pearl, will report back when gotten further.

Cecily wrote: I have noticed that he/his characters are quite mysoginisti..."

Interesting, I don't remember that either.

Shannon wrote: "Its been about 20 years since I read a bunch of John Wyndham books. I did the same thing, read one and got hooked ..."

I have noticed that he/his characters are quite mysoginistic; something I didn't notice in my 20s, but then that's largely a reflection of his time.

Cecily wrote: "I've just finished reading The Midwich Cuckoos (which some may know from its film adaptation, Village of the Damned), ~20 years since I last read it, when I also read all [author:John..."

Its been about 20 years since I read a bunch of John Wyndham books. I did the same thing, read one and got hooked so bought and read several. I will have to look and see if I read them all or not. They are great and such short fast reads if I remember correctly. Thanks for mentioning them. I have fond memories of them and now I am feeling sweetly nostalgic (even if they aren't sweet books).

Linda wrote: "I am currently reading "The Owl Killers" by Karen Maitland. This book is one that my best friend and I chose to read together and then discuss because we both belong to some of the same book group..."

Linda, I loved The Owl Killers. One of my best friends and I read it together, too, and really enjoyed discussing it. I've also read A Company of Liars and thoroughly enjoyed it, too, but The Owl Killers is my favorite of the two.

I'm reading Under the Dome A Novel and The Book of Illumination A Novel from the Ghost Files. Stephen King is back to his old self in Under the Dome--more like when he wrote The Stand. The Book of Illumination has slowed down in the middle, and I hope it picks back up soon--I really don't like not finishing a book.

I've just finished reading The Midwich Cuckoos (which some may know from its film adaptation, Village of the Damned), ~20 years since I last read it, when I also read all John Wyndham's other books.

I enjoyed it so much, I'm now rereading The Seeds of Time.

And the reason I've gone back to Wyndham is because someone in this group mentioned him a few days ago. I forget who or which topic it was in, but THANK YOU.

Finished The Heretic's Daughter. I liked the flow of her writing but the story itself did not interest me as much and I felt the book only got to the starting point halfway. (That's what you get for reading the back cover...)

Next I'll be starting Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.

Kelleen wrote: "I am reading PIllars of the Earth by Ken Follet due to numerous recommendations from friends and family. I can only read one book at a time as I completely immerse myself in it. The next book I'll ..."

Kelleen, this is one of my all time favorite books. After you get through this you need to read World without end which is the second part to this book. It is two books which I will read over and over again.

I am currently reading "The Owl Killers" by Karen Maitland. This book is one that my best friend and I chose to read together and then discuss because we both belong to some of the same book groups. In those groups we have read books starting in Japan, China, on to Russia, the Middle East, and now we are in England. I want to do nothing else except sit and read this book. It has twists, turns, excellent plot, lots of characters and everything else that makes a great read. The next book after this is "Company of Liars" by Karen Maitland. Although she wrote this book first and it was sitting in my to be read pile, after looking at the jacket it takes place exactly 20 years later than the owl killers so I figured I would keep on with the same setting, same author, just a little bit later. I would HIGHLY recommend this book

Mary wrote: "Finished Eli the Good by Silas House. Coming of age story beautifully told as always by Silas. Wonderful writer from Ky. Billed as YA but totally suitable for adults."

Mary, you might also enjoy House's trilogy novels, A Parchment of Leaves, The Coal Tattoo A Novel, and Clay's Quilt. Wonderful reading about an Appalachian family through time. I met House and he is such a nice person.

I just finished two Louis Bayard books, The Black Tower and The Pale Blue Eye A Novel, and loved them both. Great historical fiction/mystery reads. I'm now reading Uglies, a YA book by Scott Westerfeld.

Burgendya wrote: " I am reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, and reading by ear The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Has anyone read them before? =)~"

Loved Cuckoo's Nest - both the book and the movie.

Finished reading Benny & Shrimp. Endearing in a quirky way. Gave it 3 stars.

After reading The Kitchen Boy A Novel of the Last Tsar, I was looking for something more in depth about the Romanovs. A GoodReads friend recommended Nicholas and Alexandra, which I am currently reading.

Burgendya wrote: " I am reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, and reading by ear The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Has anyone read them before? =)~"

Have read One flew over the Cuckoos's nest, you'll really enjoy it. I have also read a couple by Nicholas Sparks but not the one you mention, I enjoy his books and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Let me know if it's one for the shelf!

I am reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, and reading by ear The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Has anyone read them before? =)~

Mary wrote: "Interesting you mention The Bell Jar. I was just thinking about that today as I was perusing goodreads. I'm a newbie here! I read The Bell Jar over 30 years ago. Compelling but sad."


Welcome to the board Mary! =)~

Finished Eli the Good by Silas House. Coming of age story beautifully told as always by Silas. Wonderful writer from Ky. Billed as YA but totally suitable for adults.

Interesting you mention The Bell Jar. I was just thinking about that today as I was perusing goodreads. I'm a newbie here! I read The Bell Jar over 30 years ago. Compelling but sad.

Kat wrote: "I just started The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. The reason is simple... I have wanted to read it for awhile.... so I saw it last week and bought it."

I'm reading Battle Royale

Now reading A Farther Shore Ireland's Long Road to Peace by Gerry Adams and The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Enjoying the second one so far and find myself arguing with the first a lot lol

Halfway through The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. It was the Historical Fictionistas group read a few months back but I only got it from the library now.

Reading The Book Thief thanks to a recommendation in the 5-star reads discussion. Just finished The Stolen Child and Ahab's wife, thanks to the same recommendation thread. What happened to that 5-star reads discussion? I would love to pick through more titles.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - I read it a long time ago and I'm re loving it!

GillyP wrote: "I'm just finishing On Chesil Beach, also reading Vineland and Special Topics in Calamity Physics for no good reason at all, really. "

I'm probably one of the few people who hated On Chesil Beach but it seemed to me it took a long time to say absolutely nothing

John wrote: "Shannon wrote: "John wrote: "Starting "The Tenderness of Wolves" the story of a murder back in 1867 in the Northwest Territories. "

Let us know what you think, I am always interested in novels set..."

I liked The Tent Peg better than Late Nights on Air although they are both quite different from each other. Good use of setting in both.

I am reading Under the Dome A Novel

Shannon wrote: "John wrote: "Starting "The Tenderness of Wolves" the story of a murder back in 1867 in the Northwest Territories. "

Let us know what you think, I am always interested in novels set in the north...."

I am only 30 pages in but so far I am really enjoying it. Here are a few of my faves from northern climes "Late nights On Air" - Elizabeth Hay; "Running West" and "White Dawn" - both by James Houston

Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult

John wrote: "Starting "The Tenderness of Wolves" the story of a murder back in 1867 in the Northwest Territories. "

Let us know what you think, I am always interested in novels set in the north. Thanks

I am reading Broken Angels by Richard Montanari as i loved his other books in the series

Starting "The Tenderness of Wolves" the story of a murder back in 1867 in the Northwest Territories.

Chris wrote: "I'm reading A Tree grows in Brooklyn, I read it many years ago when I was a teenager and couldn't remember the author and couldn't find it in the UK so couldn't re read it.Thanks to Goodreads I fou..."

I just finished a re-read of this myself a few weeks ago! I remembered nothing of the story other than an overall fondness for it. I really enjoyed experiencing it again - this time more relating to Katie, but I could see exactly what would have drawn me to Francie when I read it initially at the age of 13.

I'm currently reading "The Good Samaritan Strikes Again" by Patrick McManus. I'm reading it right now before I go to bed because it has short stories that make me laugh. This is a perfect book to dip in and out of.

I'm reading Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris, because I'd just finished reading a book of his a while ago, and really liked it, so I thought I'd give another one a try (it was also the only book of his checked in at the library.)

I'm also reading Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall, which was mentioned on The Daily Show a while ago. I'm a huge Daily Show/Jon Stewart fan, so I enjoy reading books recommended on there. ^^

I'm reading A Tree grows in Brooklyn, I read it many years ago when I was a teenager and couldn't remember the author and couldn't find it in the UK so couldn't re read it.Thanks to Goodreads I found it on a list and managed to get it from Amazon UK and I'm so pleased to be re reading it.

I just started Under The Dome by Stephen King. I'm reading it because I enjoyed all of King's pre-accident books and I didn't much like his post-accident books. Luckily he must have figured out what his "dear reader" really liked and went back to the old style starting with his last book, Duma Key. I think this one will be as good as Duma Key and am willing to sit and read all 1072 pages of it.

Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald. It's on the 1001 list. Compared to the last book I read from the list (Cry, The Beloved Country), this one's not really grabbing me as much right now.

Finished reading Poor Little Bitch Girl - Jackie Collins and now deciding to read Housewife In Love - Alison Penton Harper

On the shelf of an old family bookcase I found a 1945 edition of "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck and though it would make a good next read.

Finished The Colour of Heaven - James Runcie. Now I am gonna read Poor Little Bitch Girl - Jackie Collins.

Jo wrote: "I'm glad you are enjoying it. Yeah i read it a couple of months ago. He is a very disturbing character and some scenes are very graphic but i thought it was still a great book. The story was really..."

Glad you enjoyed it too, yea he's definitely getting more and more unstable. I think it's so disturbing because he comes across so normal to start with. Can't wait to get stuck into it some more tonight.

I'm glad you are enjoying it. Yeah i read it a couple of months ago. He is a very disturbing character and some scenes are very graphic but i thought it was still a great book. The story was really well done.

Jo wrote: "Are you enjoying American Psycho?"

So far yea, I'm just under halfway through and it is very good and much easier to read than I thought it was going to be. It started off very subtle only hinting at Bateman's 'other side' but it's coming to the fore more and more now. And the attention to detail as seen through Bateman's eyes just adds to his slightly disturbing character. I can see it getting better and better I have to say.

Have you read it?

Are you enjoying American Psycho?