Your Last Read.

[Marianne]

Just finished Dragonfly in Amber byDiana Gabaldon

[Nikkiplans99]

Question Mike- I watched a tv show for a while that was about "the troubles" is this a real thing? I can't for the life of me think of the show now but it was on the science fiction channel.

[Mary]

Gifted Hands is the story of Dr. Ben Carson, the youngest pediatric neurosurgeon and director of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. He taught several classes as well. He was raised by single mother who was the real star of this book. Without this woman and steeped in Bible quotations and church services, Ben Carson could easily taken a different route in life. He had a taste of gang life and bullying and was rather liking it when his mom would pull him back. She taught him the importance and value of education and hard work along with strong faith in God. He gradually began to rely on these things as being his ticket out of poverty. The first third of this book is his childhood and high school years featuring failure followed by prayer followed by success (sort of magical thinking). College followed where he never wavered from medical, first psychiatry and then neurosurgery. And so the youngest neurosurgeon and director of neurosurgery at John's Hopkins. The rest of the book is mostly case studies of patients (pediatric) their families and his own emotions surrounding surgery. His own emotions were the saving grace of this book because by end of college Dr. Carson is so arrogant about his intelligence and abilities that he is not too likable. Then again you would need a strong ego to be able to cut into children's heads and remove half their brain! The famous surgery where the Siamese twins were separated is the end of this book. This is an inspirational story of rising from poverty with many prayers, helpful people along the way and hard work to supplement your IQ. It can be done as Ben Carson shows.

3 stars

[Nikkiplans99]

I just finished The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear. This is the last in series I think but the 2nd one that I have read. I enjoyed this story. I guessed the killer but it was still a part that I didn't see coming. Nice light read.

[Nikkiplans99]

I wanted to so much to like this book. But the main character was just too much for me. She did things that just didn't make sense to me. Which I realize is part of the point but it was just so far fetched. I'm not sure I will be trying more in this series.

[Nikkiplans99]

Moon Over Soho

I really enjoyed this book! This is the 2nd book in this series and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. It's not a thiller but there is a murder to be solved. I recommended it. You dont have to read the first to pick this one but I would read them in order.

My reading has slowed down due to my life picking up! I'm in grad school and buying a house and pulling my hair out all at the same time.

[Judith]

I have just finished the latest Mark Billingham, The Bones Beneath, it was well up to standard, a good sense of place and a neat twist at the end.

[Kim]

I always seem to forget about mark billingham. I must put him on my to read wish list.
I'm in the middle of Gone Away by hazel holt. The first mrs Malory book. So far, so good.

[Judith]

I like the Mrs Malory series too, they are un-complicatedd.

[Mary]

Mike wrote: "Just finished.

Children of the Revolution by Peter Robinson

Another solid, well writt..."

Hey Mike, Is this the same Banks detective that is a British TV series?

[Judith]

It is and much as I like Steven Tomkinson I think he is not a good Banks. The books are always good.

[L.A.]

Kim wrote: "I always seem to forget about mark billingham. I must put him on my to read wish list.
I'm in the middle of Gone Away by hazel holt. The first mrs Malory book. So far, so good."

Love Billingham, thanks for the reminder. He's been on my re-read list for a while and now I've nearly finished two new (to me) James Lee Burkes I'll do the Billinghams!

[L.A.]

Judith wrote: "It is and much as I like Steven Tomkinson I think he is not a good Banks. The books are always good."

You're not wrong! Very poor TV series all round I thought, of great books. Did you see Happy Valley? I thought the settings would have been perfect for the Banks TV series (East Vale, small town mixed with countryside) rather than the City Centre police station they created.

[Judith]

Happy Valley was amazing, I don't think anyone would have believed it would turn out so well, the dialogue and the acting were top notch. In a way I hope they don't make another series in case it turns out not so well.

[L.A.]

Couldn't agree more, but you know what they do!! Actually I thought the same about True Blood, and yet they've turned out something amazing with every series. Especially hope the same is true of the next one as it'll be the last.

[Judith]

My daughter who lives in Canada has put True Blood onto my external hard drive si I can watch them through the TV, I am looking forward to acquainting myself with this series

[Lorraine]

I just finished Winter Frost, the 5th in the Inspector Jack Frost series. While I enjoyed it, this and the next I the series, A Killing Frost were very similar, and the lead character is not as likable as in the TV series.

[Judith]

That is the main critisism of the TV series, Jack Frost the character is unique, I have read the books so often they are falling apart. The makers had to santitise the books to be acceptable to the watching public, a pity in my opinion. There is a new series of Frost as a young sergeant and it is very good, written by James Henry and well worth a read.

[L.A.]

Frost was a great series and almost timeless. Still watching them even though they are donkeys years old now!

[Judith]

Me too, I love them, I record them and do cross-stitch while I am watching, great

[L.A.]

Not sure what, if any, 'warnings' you've been given about True Blood but if i were you I'd put the Cross Stitching on hold, at least for the first episode, as the surprises may bring blood to your fingers!!

Frost it definitely isn't, but probably the best title for series after series brilliance I've ever seen. It goes on reinventing itself so you don't get bored with repetition of story lines.

[Judith]

Thanks for that L.A. I will try it and see, sounds intriguing and intersting.

[L.A.]

Judith wrote: "It is and much as I like Steven Tomkinson I think he is not a good Banks. The books are always good."

Don't get me started, I could rant for England on this one!

[Judith]

Rant away L.A. LOL

[L.A.]

Temptress!!

[Judith]

And very good they are too

[Judith]

I just got this book from the library and it is next on the pile for reading,

[AngryGreyCat]

Just finished

I have been watching the TV series Jack Taylor, which is based on these books and enjoying it, so I decided to try to the books. This is the second in the series. If you like your sleuths pretty seriously flawed, you will probably like this series.

[Judith]

I've not seen this series which channel is it on in the UK?

[L.A.]

Mike wrote: "Just finished.

Wolf by Mo Hayder

4 STARS

Another well crafted and suspenseful book featuring DI Jack Caffer..."

I think the walking man is one of the best fictional characters recently created. Even though he is very much a 'bit part' it is a really well written and memorable one with a great deal of impact. Maybe a deliberately subliminal creation to maximise psychological impact?

[Judith]

I just could not get into this book, pity really because it was a nice thick one, I usually like Mo Hayder too.

[Judith]

I have just finished We all Fall Down by Michael Harvey, I really enjoyed it, the writing
was good and Michael Kelly P.I. a good character, I hope to find the rest of his books in the library.

[AngryGreyCat]

Finished Resolution The last book in the Garnethill trilogy. I liked it but I felt this last book had the same weakness as the first two, in so far that, any dealings Maureen had with the police did not ring true.

[AngryGreyCat]

Just finished

I did enjoy it, certain aspects are "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"ish. I will certainly read another in the series given the opportunity.

[AngryGreyCat]

just read Extraordinary People by Peter May This is book 1 in his Enzo series (Enzo is a Scottish ex-pat forensic expert living in France)

I had read the Lewis trilogy and loved it. This is nothing like that in style or mood. I really enjoyed this ensemble type thriller. I started it and couldn't put it down. Kind of Da Vinci Code - like but without so much religion.

[Judith]

I just finished The Hangman's Song by James Oswald, I couldn't get the series in order which is a pity, I am trying to get the rest. There is a lot of esoteria in it, the story and writing is very good.

[Judith]

I have just finished my second James Oswald book The Book of Souls, it is out of sequence unfortunately, the first I read was The Hangman's Song, I have really enjoyed them and hope to get more from the library. They are set in Edinburgh and have a very strong set of characters.

[Nikkiplans99]

@mike I have been waiting for the 2nd book to come out as I loved Murder in Thrall too. I just started the new book and I have I'm going to agree with your rating. But I'm going to finish it and hope for the best.

[Judith]

Just finishesd Dead Men's Bones by James Oswald, an Inspector McLean book, I really enjoyed it and hope to get the last in the series soon. They are good detective novels and I liked the touch of his naming one of the characters Stuart McBride, they are well worth reading, preferably in order.

[Kim]

I will keep the James Oswald books on my To Read list.
I just finished two books: The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith. Absolutely my favorite book of the year.
Wonder by R J Palacio. A young adult novel that was "a wonder". Filled with a story of kindness and compassion. A must read for young and old.

[Judith]

I have just finished Abbatoir Blues by Peter Robinson, well up to standard, Banks and his team are spot on again, in some ways it was an easy read but enjoyable.

[Judith]

I read that recently, as ever I enjoyed it, he is a really good page turning author.

[Judith]

I have just finished The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hanna, it is an Hercules Poirot mystery, it wasn't bad but lacked the wit of Agatha Christie, woth reading though.

[Louise]

Nice try by Sophie Hannah though.

[Judith]

Yes it was, I enjoyed it and it was nice to have the twirling of the moustaches again :-)))

[Maria]

just finished

Broken Monsters

my review http://varietats2010.blogspot.co.uk/2...

[L.A.]

David wrote: "Just finished


Nothing To Lose by Lee Child.

This is a Jack Reacher novel that only got 3 stars from me. My review is at
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

I remember the Hope and Despair story and enjoyed it, but agree with you that it was not special. Having read all the Reachers I was pleasantly surprised when i read the latest, 'Personal', which I found really good, with Reacher almost reinvented. Although people from the past are involved they are a new bunch, and as the story is not in the usual locations yet full of interesting detail I found it as captivating as the early Child books. A good read I think for anyone wanting to regain the faith!

[Louise]

I am simply crazy about Jane Casey's Meave Kerrigan series. Can really recommend The Stranger You Know.

[Mary]

This book is an easy read and yet it touches and sometimes dives head first into the decline of our country. Dr. Carson does not beat you with a stick about how you may be a part of this. Instead steadily builds his case and teaches how we can improve. It falls back to God, family and the Constitution..he knows and understands it and in this book is eager to share it with you. It haseen long time since I have heard the words “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” They are more than words and we need to remember that.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love or maybe just an interest in the USA. The author does, too. Not a beat you on your head with his beliefs but you get the gentle feeling that if you would come along with him, then the world could be a better place.

One Nation by Ben and Candy Carson

[Sandy]

Just finished, quite a departure from the rest of the series.