Goodreads Ireland discussion
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What Are You Reading
Colleen wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Jamie Lynn - I agree about supporting small local businesses over huge chain stores. I find Walgreens convenient when I'm traveling in the US as I know they have a little bit of eve..."Good to know:)
Theresa wrote: "Barbara, don't rule out buying an author's opus as an ebook. My favourite in this respect is the Delphi Classics series as they better set out than most. They have Gaskell's opus for £2 over here, ..."That's a bargain! I probably wouldn't get to them this summer though judging by the teetering piles of books around the house - on my coffee table, dining room table, on top of book shelves, everywhere. And I bought a book yesterday, sigh.
Hope it was a good book :-)I started Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence. Its fantasy but set in a slightly different version of Europe. The main character is basically an unapologetic bastard who happens to be a Prince so he gets away with it so its fun so far.
I was having a look at some more Dairmuid Ferriter titles on Goodreads, having seen Barbara adding one that I hadn't seen when I was searching last week. Given that I've nearly finished The Effect of Her, I couldn't resist buying this one when I read the blurb on Amazon:- 'Ambiguous Republic: Ireland in the 1970s'.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
I'll probably read this one first rather than the one that I ordered on the history of the 20th century, but both look very promising!
The Atlas arrived yesterday, Theresa, though I haven't had the chance to do much with it, apart from peel the €13.95 sticker off the front. Not bad for a penny! :) I'll certainly keep you posted about the Ferriter books-the Occasions of Sin one looks interesting as well, but I'll leave it until I read at least one of the ones I've ordered!
Allan, let me know how it is. I looked it up on GR and there's no reviews. I am curious about it.
Jamie Lynn wrote: "I'm listening to Faithful Place by Tana French. It's her 3rd book and I haven't read the 2nd but she writes stand alone books. I like her writing style."I've heard a lot of buzz about her books, Jamie Lynn. How do you like it?
I've read all of Tana French's books and really liked them.
I just found out she has a new one I haven't read -the Secret Place. I've already put it on the to read list.
Allan - you got a bargain on Ambiguous Republic: Ireland in the 1970s. I can't find a copy for under $20 and more with shipping. Cathleen - I liked Faithful Place so much I read it twice. I was very disappointed in Broken Harbor and eventually lost patience with it. I don't recall the first book, but the second The Likeness had a ludicrous premise, as did Broken Harbo(u)r. In addition to outlandish premises, there is a lot of padding - The Likeness is 466 pages and Broken Harbor, 533. She also changes the main detective each book which I think is a mistake as many of us who like mysteries appreciate the development of the main character(s) over several books. I enjoyed reading mysteries when they were about 225 pages. I know some GRI members will disagree on my take, but after seeing her in person, and reading Broken Harbor, I allowed myself to stop being a fan. BTW she is AMERICAN though a dual citizen of the US and Italy. She attended Trinity and now lives in Ireland and in her appearances speaks with an IRISH accent. Shades of Madonna?
Barbara, I got a new copy for £9 including postage from a third party seller in hardcover-Amazon were selling the same book for £25, so I got a bargain alright! I'm hoping that it'll be like the two Dominic Sandbrook UK histories of the 1970s, which were very accessible and excellent reads-reviews suggest that it will be.
I expect that eventually I'll find a more affordable copy. Time to get off my duff and cut the grass:)
Barbara wrote: "Allan - you got a bargain on Ambiguous Republic: Ireland in the 1970s. I can't find a copy for under $20 and more with shipping. Cathleen - I liked Faithful Place so much I read it twice. I was v..."
I'll get to reading her at some point. I don't mind if mysteries are long, if the story calls for it. I loved Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series and they were always in the 500 or 600 page range. After about 10 or 12 of them, though, I think she must have gotten tired of the characters and did some unbelievable plot twists, killing off characters, etc., and the series hasn't been the same since.
Why did you stop being a fan? Is it because she uses a (fake) Irish accent?
Cathleen wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Allan - you got a bargain on Ambiguous Republic: Ireland in the 1970s. I can't find a copy for under $20 and more with shipping. Cathleen - I liked Faithful Place so much I read i..."
I stopped being a fan after I had to read The Likeness a second time for a book club. I listened to the audiobook. I got so fed up with the premise I listened to at 1.5 speed. Apparently the main character, a detective, is the exact duplicate of another women who died. She moves into her shared house and all her friends believe it's the other woman. This is a premise that is hard to sustain and it goes on for over 400 pages. I would say since then it's been downhill for me. I only discovered TODAY she was American and even checked YouTube because I remembered her speaking with an accent when I saw her. There's something ungenuine about her. It may be related to the fact she is primarily an actress. Again, I did like Faithful Place a lot but would definitely skip The Likeness and Broken Harbor.
Cathleen, I find Tana French very uneven. We read Broken Harbor here and everyone hated it(I think particularly Declan). I agree with Barbara. I really liked Faithful Place. I had no idea she was American. I used to love Elizabeth George's books but once she killed off Helen, it was over for me. It became a nightmare. She wrote What Came Before Her (I think that's the name) and it was horrible. She wrote it all in English gutter talk and was barely readable. I gave up halfway through. The next books have also been a real disappointment. Lynley's new romance with the veterarian is absurd and Havers actions were unbelievable. I think I have given up on her. I am happy reading the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths and now the Cormoran Strike books by JK Rowling. And, of course, I have a new Matthew Shardlake to look forward to in Oct.
Broken Harbour was dull, implausible, elitist and riddled with plot-holes and loose ends.
I heard so many good things about French that I was expecting a lot. Boy, was I disappointed.
I heard so many good things about French that I was expecting a lot. Boy, was I disappointed.
Maybe I'll try French again, but I'm reluctant to take the risk again.
Jamie Lynn - I couldn't stand Michael Flatley because he was so taken with himself. I didn't care for his shows either as they were over the top and sometimes just silly.Declan - I feel affirmed by your statement about Broken Harbour. I am going to go back and revise my rating if it's too high. If her next book turns up at the Library, I might check it out, but life's too short for reading some things. I have come to the conclusion that there is something just too contrived about French. This conversation reminds of a knitting friend's intense dislike of a very trendy knitting designer who came to Dublin. Siobhain said this designer was just too "precious" - a persona this designer adopted when she became a knitting superstar. Theresa may wonder who I'm talking about and should PM me for the knitting gossip:)
Cathleen - I really liked Elizabeth George's (one of several Americans who writes 'British' mysteries) Lynley series til she killed off Helen. The books following that have been very disappointing. At the time these came out, they were double the length of most mysteries.
Barbara wrote: "Cathleen - I really liked Elizabeth George's (one of several Americans who writes 'British' mysteries) Lynley series til she killed off Helen. The books following that have been very disappointing...."Yes, I agree with both you and Susan about that plot development. I thought it was such a random and contrived plot twist. I think that's when the series jumped the shark.
At show related parties all the girls had to take a turn sitting on his lap. Thats just bloody disgusting behaviour. Guy is aknob
@Jamielynn. Don't feel guilty. The worst books I've ever read are books I've bought for myself thinking they'd be right up my street.
@Emma. Rhino horn?
@Emma. Rhino horn?
Theresa wrote: "Yes Barbara, Theresa does wonder who you are talking about and would love to hear the knitting gossip. My stitch rate has plummeted since joining GI. Ah well, you can't have everything :)"Theresa - the designer my friend Siobhan dislikes (in person anyway) is Ysolda Teague. I have to say I've met and/or taken classes with several designers who I just adore as people: Steven West (adorable and brilliant), and Kate Davies ( just love her).
Edited to add: my knitting time has been reduced as I spend more time reading and less time watching TV. I haven't mastered the art of reading or listening to an audiobook and knitting.
Emma wrote: "I'm glad to see Flatley is disliked stateside too. Personally I can't stand him. He sounds like an extra in Darby O'Gill and the Little People. He shows are so twee. My parents went to see his last..."Emma wrote: "I'm glad to see Flatley is disliked stateside too. Personally I can't stand him. He sounds like an extra in Darby O'Gill and the Little People. He shows are so twee. My parents went to see his last..."
Emma - your comment on Flatley's accent is hilarious. He may have talent but his head's so full of himself I'm surprised he can stand without toppling over. I enjoyed the documentary Jig as I think it shows the tremendous amount of work kids do when they commit to Irish dancing.
@Susan. Have you read any of the Louise Penny series about Inspector Gamache? They are every bit as good as the Ruth Galloway series. They take place in a small town in Quebec and have a great cast of well developed characters. I think you'd like them.
Diane wrote: "@Susan. Have you read any of the Louise Penny series about Inspector Gamache? They are every bit as good as the Ruth Galloway series. They take place in a small town in Quebec and have a great cast..."I tried to read one of Louise Pennys' books but just couldn't get into it. I do enjoy mysteries with a strong sense of place though.
I see we're past midnight Irish time and it's a tie in the monthly read poll. The question now is 'What Will We Be Reading?' I have a feeling that I know, but then I was wrong with the quarterly read when it was tied last time... :) Over to Declan!I don't think I've ever seen as many people vote, btw-good to see!
Diane wrote: "@Susan. Have you read any of the Louise Penny series about Inspector Gamache? They are every bit as good as the Ruth Galloway series. They take place in a small town in Quebec and have a great cast..."Diane, I did read one of Louise Penney's books but just didn't really enjoy it. It centered on a woman in a town that the Inspector was called to and he really didn't play such a big role. I guess I could give it another try as I see many people like it. If you recommend it so highly I might give it a go.
Allan wrote: "I see we're past midnight Irish time and it's a tie in the monthly read poll. The question now is 'What Will We Be Reading?' I have a feeling that I know, but then I was wrong with the quarterly re..."It's almost 5 pm here and it's a two way tie. It's good to see so many people voting. Now if their book wins it will be good to see them all discussing it. It'll make it a lively discussion.
The deadline for voting according to the poll email has passed, Susan, so it's all down to Declan. The joys of being a moderator! :)
Allan wrote: "The deadline for voting according to the poll email has passed, Susan, so it's all down to Declan. The joys of being a moderator! :)"I see the total vote count was 43! That may be a record. It's 1 am over there. I guess I'll know in the morning.
My mistake. I thought it was the last day of the month. That's why I vote early. I'm afraid I'll forget. Poor Declan. We are really giving him a workout. He so loves to break a tie. Ha. Ha.
I mentioned in the poll's comment section that I have a few books already on my tbr pile, including the two tied books. I'm going to.sleep on it as I feel whichever book I pick might lose readers.
Ah to the mighty much power is given. We trust you implicitly, Declan, so don't worry.
I'll try, Susan. :)
I'm not too worried, actually, but I know it'll be a divisive selection either way and people will opt out of it.
I'm not too worried, actually, but I know it'll be a divisive selection either way and people will opt out of it.
Have any of you heard of an author named Brian McGilloway from Derry? I just got a recommendation from a friend whose judgment I trust. I just wondered if any of you had heard of him.
New to me but he seems to have quite a few reviews for his books so he must have some popularity.
Yes, Susan, McGilloway is a crime writer and I think in his day job, he's Head of English in Seamus Heaney's alma mater. I have a couple of his books on my shelves-Borderlands and Gallows Lane. I'm almost sure that Cathleen and possibly Barbara are fans.
Susan, you know that Ian Sansom is in a class of his own when it comes to crime fiction! :) No, McGilloway's work is a lot darker and more thoughtful. Not a Jewish mobile librarian amateur sleuth in sight!
Jewish mobile librarian amateur sleuth? sounds intriguing. I might have to pick up one of his books :-)
Susan wrote: "Have any of you heard of an author named Brian McGilloway from Derry? I just got a recommendation from a friend whose judgment I trust. I just wondered if any of you had heard of him."Susan, I've read one or two of his crime novels, and I think they're very good. He's pretty intense--not as gripping as Stuart Neville, but I'd put him in that general category. I'll read more of his, though, because I really like his writing.
Trelawn, whatever you do, don't pick up 'The Bad Book Affair'. I recommended Sansom to Susan, as he had the Mobile Library series of 'cosy' mysteries, and she bought the last in the series, which was just awful-she wrote a great review, which you can find on the book's Goodreads page.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
The first couple in the series are pretty harmless fun, but we've had a bit of craic about this one intermittently since!
Thanks for the advice Allan, loved Susan's review :-) I may pick up the first one in the second hand section of Chapters at some point and see what the exotic Jewish vegetarian is about :-)
It was a pretty damning review alright. Ouch!
Well, I guess it must have been harsh but it was honest. I hate wasting my reading time.
Allan wrote: "Trelawn, whatever you do, don't pick up 'The Bad Book Affair'. I recommended Sansom to Susan, as he had the Mobile Library series of 'cosy' mysteries, and she bought the last in the series, which w..."Allan, you have a good memory. Thanks for linking to Susan's review. I'll echo Declan's remark--"Ouch!" And to think that I've always confused Ian Sansom with the Sansom who writes about Matthew Shardlake....A big difference, I'm guessing!
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Emma - ..."
CVS does give me my daughter pills to tide her over if Children's Hospital hasn't called in the refill,they take it out when I pick up the refill.