Aussie Readers discussion
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What Are You Currently Reading? (doesn't have to be an Aussie book)
I've almost finished "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. What a powerful book! I have to go away and think about it all for a while. She is an awe-inspiring woman.
Gail said: 'Not depressing as such but very, very confronting because it does seem very real.'Scary real. Another author I've found who does this too well is Bryce Courtney. After watching The Potoato Factory series on ABC and enjoying it, I decided to borrow the book from the local library. Seriously, I got no further than a few chapters because it was so emotionally confronting. The lives the characters led in England before being transported were so gut wrenching I just couldn't continue. What made it worse was the fact that this wasn't entirely fiction: people really did and still do live this way.
Using a Kindle 3 for all of the following: I've just finished a re-read of the Tomorrow, When the War Began series and I felt the same way as the last few readers. That, and a few things in that book have been ruined by watching too much Mythbusters. Shooting petrol tanks does NOT explode them, for instance.I'm currently 2/3 through Never Let Me Go and it's amazingly good. My plan from here on in is to go through one more stand-alone book before lock myself into another 7 book series with Dark Tower, which I've been 4 books into previously but have forgotten most of.
Maybe two or three most stand-alones after that and I might have another go at Wheel of Time. I've been 7 books into that before, got completely lost and gave up. Now that the series is one book away from finishing, if I do all of the above, I might be up to date juuust about the time the final book releases.
Gail, my (Brisbane Mens) book club are reading The Finkler Question - due to discuss on 26th so I will post the consensus!
Patrick wrote: "Gail, my (Brisbane Mens) book club are reading The Finkler Question - due to discuss on 26th so I will post the consensus!"
Fantastic, looking forward to your input Patrick.
Fantastic, looking forward to your input Patrick.
Marg wrote: "I am reading The Third Day, The Frost, the third book in the Tomorrow series by John Marsden"Hope you enjoy the series. I just recently re-read it all, and remembered some books were better than others. Apparently Marsden originally intended the series to end after the third book but continued to write and added another 4 books. I'll be interested to hear what you think.
I needed some timeout from reading serious stuff, so I am reading a Mills and Boon novel 'Lock, Stock and Secret Baby/Bundle of Trouble' (2 stories) which I picked up from the supermarket the other day. I haven't read M&B since I was studying for exams at uni (that and eating blocks of dairy milk chocolate) ... it is so stressfree, but I am amazed at the changes since I last read one, the one I am reading has a special forces agent, guns and the heroine has been unknowingly artificially impregnated and she is a mathematician ... the only thing familair so far is that she is a virgin, so far.
Dee-Ann wrote: "I needed some timeout from reading serious stuff, so I am reading a Mills and Boon novel 'Lock, Stock and Secret Baby/Bundle of Trouble' (2 stories) which I picked up from the supermarket the other..."
OMG you must be really in a bad way to resort to M&B. I read a few while I was studying for my HSC(a squillion years ago), sometimes you need something mindless.
OMG you must be really in a bad way to resort to M&B. I read a few while I was studying for my HSC(a squillion years ago), sometimes you need something mindless.
Mod
Hope you enjoy the series. I just recently re-read it all, and remembered some books were..."
Don't forget 'The Ellie Chronicles' continues after no. 7 in the 'Tomorrow' series. There are 3 of those, and the last one is the 'huge finale'.
I finished Sarah Water's The Little Stranger - you can find my review here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Verdict: 4 stars.
Despite of what's written on the blurb, it's actually more an account of post war England than a ghost story. Waters tells the story of decline and decay very well, with plot twists that will certainly leave the reader with chills at the end. Recommended!
I am now reading AS Byatt's The Children's Book, also another 2009 Booker shortlist. Let me tell you that it going real SLOW because the book opens with a dizzying array of characters and just heaps and heaps of reference to 19th century England, the period this epic is set in. The blurb promises the book to be a "sweeping tale" but so far I have been stuck in page 40-ish for days now.
Gail "cyborg" wrote: "...OMG you must be really in a bad way to resort to M&B..."yep ... but so far the book is not too bad. It is a first time I have found a mathematician (which is sort of my trade) in one of these books and will be curious to see if the author was serious about this part or if she just found quick maths tips from Wikipedia or similar.
Adhityani "Dhitri" wrote: "I am now reading AS Byatt's The Children's Book, also another 2009 Booker shortlist. Let me tell you that it going real SLOW because the book opens with a dizzying array of characters and just heaps and heaps of reference to 19th century England, the period this epic is set in. The blurb promises the book to be a "sweeping tale" but so far I have been stuck in page 40-ish for days now. "
I will be intersted to hear your thoughts when/if you finish this one Dhitri. I read and really enjoyed Possession and have "The Children's Book" on my TBR.
I will be intersted to hear your thoughts when/if you finish this one Dhitri. I read and really enjoyed Possession and have "The Children's Book" on my TBR.
Dee-Ann wrote: "yep ... but so far the book is not too bad. It is a first time I have found a mathematician (which is sort of my trade) in one of these books and will be curious to see if the author was serious about this part or if she just found quick maths tips from Wikipedia or similar."
For some obsure reason I thought you were a Solicitor or some other way connected with the legal profession.
For some obsure reason I thought you were a Solicitor or some other way connected with the legal profession.
Maybe in the future ... I am a statistician/mathematician by trade and I do criminological research. When I have time on my hands (bit hard with 5 children) might study law as I spend a lot of time evaluating legislation and find it fascinating, then again would like to write a book too, get my house in order, travel etc ... I thhink I need two lifetimes!
Just dealing with 5 kids has my mine reeling. Your work sounds very interesting. (Except the legislation bit, if I have to read any legal stuff my brain turns to mush.)
I've already laughed till I cried and it's only the beginning of Travels in Siberia. I've already looked for all other books available about Siberia on my nook. Frazier's sense of humor reminds me of Weiner's The Geography of Bliss, which made me laugh out loud in public places.
Trish wrote: "I've already laughed till I cried and it's only the beginning of Travels in Siberia. I've already looked for all other books available about Siberia on my nook. Frazier's sense of humor reminds me ..."I love travel books Trish and I belong to a couple of travel groups on Goodreads. Travels in Siberia looks excellent! Thanks for the rec!:)
Mandy wrote: I love travel books Trish and I belong to a couple of travel groups on Goodreads. Travels in Siberia looks excellent! Thanks for the rec!:)"You're going to love this one. It's pure genius. Dry and wry, and a lot less painful to read about than to have done, I'm sure.
Dee-Ann wrote: "I needed some timeout from reading serious stuff, so I am reading a Mills and Boon novel 'Lock, Stock and Secret Baby/Bundle of Trouble' (2 stories) which I picked up from the supermarket the other..."Hey, Dee-Ann - a virgin heroine in UNcommon in M&B these days. I read one now and then when I need to rest my brain. Some are good, some very good, some bad, some are wall-bangers. If you'd like some recs, my favourites are oldish - Lindsay Armstrong's "A Difficult Man", "An Unsuitable Wife" and "Unwilling Mistress." Also Sally Wentworth's "Chris" was heart-rending. And I, ahem, have a contemporary out, not M&B but on all the internet sites, "Blueprint For Love", set on Qld's Sunshine Coast.
My main problem with M&B and Harlequin is that their plot lines are so thin. I likes me a good story.
Monya (aka Mary)
I'm reading sci-fi, "The Last Theorem" by Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl, no less. Kept me up till late last night and will do again for some nights to come. Both authors are official Grand Masters of Sci-Fi. Arthur died in 2008 just after the book came out (he was born in 1917) and if Fred Pohl's still with us he's 91. But it's a joy to read and an exercise for the brain.And Dee-Ann, the hero (Sri Lankan) is a mathematician! The title refers to Fermat's apparently contradictory last theorem, published in about 1637. (I'm quoting from the novel, I know nothing, nothing). But the story is modern with all the ETs and excellently drawn human characters you could wish for.
Monya wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "I needed some timeout from reading serious stuff, so I am reading a Mills and Boon novel 'Lock, Stock and Secret Baby/Bundle of Trouble' (2 stories) which I picked up from the super..."Very interesting couple of books there Monya! You have wide ranging tastes like me. I read from all genres as long as it's a great story. When I was young and stuck in the car on family drives I even read the street directory! One of the books I'm currently reading is Tigers and Devils but I have so many on the boil at the moment it's getting a bit out of control!:) I think I need to take Gail's advice and just read one at a time.
Here are links to some of the books mentioned in previous posts:
While I couldn't stomach a M&B, I do know where Dee-Ann is coming from. I tend to buy a few fluffy chick-lit novels to read between other more heavy going reads. I've recently read two horror novels in a row and now just finsihed King's latest effort, Full Dark No Stars, and I think I've overdosed. I should have broken this trio up with something light. LIve and learn.
Monya wrote: "I'm reading sci-fi, "The Last Theorem" by Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl, no less. Kept me up till late last night and will do again for some nights to come. Both authors are official Grand Mas..."Thanks Monya for the recommendation ... I will search out "The Last Theorem" and thanks for the M&B recommendation. I am still reading M&B but I have also started reading 'Half Broke Horses' by Jeanette Walls, which is the true life story of the author's grandmother. I have recently read the author's autobiography "The Glass Castle" which I really enjoyed (and so did my 15 year old son!). This new book about the grandmother has questions in the back for reading clubs to consider, which is interesting ... it is like being back at school, but the questions are good ones.
I am currently reading Message in a Bottle. I am loving Nicholas Sparks' books at the moment - they are all nice easy reads between the brain drain books. Once I have finished this I think I might try and tackle The Count of Monte Cristo but we will see! It is very daunting :)
Maggie wrote: "Marg wrote: "I am reading The Third Day, The Frost, the third book in the Tomorrow series by John Marsden"Hope you enjoy the series. I just recently re-read it all, and remembered some books were..."
I had heard that it was originally written as a trilogy, but I just can't see how it could have ended at the end of that third book! Have requested the next book from the library already.
I am now reading The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, and Kiss Before Midnight by Eloisa James.
Dee-Ann wrote: "I needed some timeout from reading serious stuff, so I am reading a Mills and Boon novel 'Lock, Stock and Secret Baby/Bundle of Trouble' (2 stories) which I picked up from the supermarket the other..."I recently read my first M&B in a couple of years and it actually wasn't too bad. Some are definitely better than others though and it is definitely a case of trying to sort out the good from the bad.
Marg wrote: "I am now reading The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, and Kiss Before Midnight by Eloisa James..."I love Eloisa James.
I've just received on my Kindle (had it pre-ordered for ages) Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love
This anthology has been long-awaited by many readers due to it's stellar cast of authors and it's genre breaking mix of styles.
IN this star-studded cross-genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand-new tales of ill-fated love. From zombie-infested woods in a postapocalyptic America to faery-haunted rural fields in eighteenth- century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy-spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate.
Featured Authors:
PETER S. BEAGLE JO BEVERLEY JIM BUTCHER JACQUELINE CAREY DIANA GABALDON NEIL GAIMAN YASMINE GALENORN M.L.N. HANOVER ROBIN HOBB CECELIA HOLLAND TANITH LEE MARJORIE M. LIU MARY JO PUTNEY LINNEA SINCLAIR MELINDA SNODGRASS LISA TUTTLE CARRIE VAUGHN
Marg wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Marg wrote: "I am reading The Third Day, The Frost, the third book in the Tomorrow series by John Marsden"Hope you enjoy the series. I just recently re-read it all, and remembere..."
Yes apparently the series was meant to end after book 3. So glad he continued on.
Amber wrote: "Am currently reading 
"I hope you enjoy it ... I liked the series.
Dee-Ann wrote: "Monya wrote: "I'm reading sci-fi, "The Last Theorem" by Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl, no less. Kept me up till late last night and will do again for some nights to come. Both authors are offi..."Have just reserved The Glass Castle. Will let you know what I think. Of course, an extra 3 or 4 days a week to catch up on my reading would be a help!
I have lots of keeper Mills & Boon on my bookshelf. These stories are incredibly complex, highly emotional reads and I have rarely read a bad one. My fav is a really old book (cover half torn) by Madeleine Ker called The Wilder Shores of Love. Another one that springs to mind is Lucy Gordon's Eagle's Prey.We have some amazingly brilliant Australian authors who write for them too. Robyn Grady, Rachel Bailey, Amy Andrews, Helen Bianchin, Sharon Archer, Bronwyn Jameson (to name just a few!)
I'm guessing these books aren't one of the biggest selling romances in the world for nothing =)
Mel wrote: "I have lots of keeper Mills & Boon on my bookshelf. These stories are incredibly complex, highly emotional reads and I have rarely read a bad one. My fav is a really old book (cover half torn) by M..."Thanks Mel! Lots of great new authors to add to our group romance shelf.:)
One of my favourites is M & B authors would Penny Jordan. I like to read them ocassionally especially if I want to read a small book that'll only take me a couple of hours to finish :)
Thanks Carmel & Dee-Ann, I'm really enjoying it, can't believe I haven't read it before :)
This morning I started Anna by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, a chunkster set in Russia in the early 1800s. The author is more known for her Morland Dynasty series, which I am currently working my way through, but I had to read this now after hearing about it!
Finished The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, which I loved, and am now reading another of her novels, The Wise Woman, which is quite different to her Tudor Court fiction, but so far enjoyable enough. It's quite long (600+ pages), and at this stage I am working through it much more slowly than I would like, but then it's been a busy week.~S.
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World is a great book, but I'd say it's better on audio for the author's self-deprecating humour to really come through.
The book I am trying to get through is Wild Swans. It is truely an amazing book but at times it makes me sleepy..oops. I've only REALLY started to enjoy the book now and I'm 500+ pages into it..lol
Laura wrote: "The book I am trying to get through is Wild Swans. It is truely an amazing book but at times it makes me sleepy..oops. I've only REALLY started to enjoy the book now and I'm 500+ pages into it..lol"
It is a great book I am glad you are persisting with it. :)
It is a great book I am glad you are persisting with it. :)
Cheryl wrote: "Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China Is this what you mean? It looks awfully intimidating to me!"
Yes that is the book Cheryl. I read it quite a while ago, I don't recall it being difficult to get through. It was a facinating look at China through three generations of women. Well worth the effort taken to read it.
Yes that is the book Cheryl. I read it quite a while ago, I don't recall it being difficult to get through. It was a facinating look at China through three generations of women. Well worth the effort taken to read it.
Carmel wrote: "Amber wrote: "Thanks Carmel & Dee-Ann, I'm really enjoying it, can't believe I haven't read it before :)"If you're emotional like me, you're in for a rollercoaster ride Amber:)"
Carmel, I finished City of Bones on the weekend & all I can say is WOW!!! Was very surprised with the twist..will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I've just finished reading The Finkler Question as I plan on discussing this as one of our book discussions I'm not giving anything away here. The Finkler Question Discussion
I've now started reading Parrot and Olivier in America. I had been a little nervous starting P&O as I haven't always been a fan of Peter Carey. It has started well, set in post revolutionary France. At the moment I'm looking forward to the journey it will take me on. This book is also set for a discussion. I hope others will join us. It is being discussed on the First Tuesday Night Book Club (5th Dec).
Parrot & Oliver discussion
I've now started reading Parrot and Olivier in America. I had been a little nervous starting P&O as I haven't always been a fan of Peter Carey. It has started well, set in post revolutionary France. At the moment I'm looking forward to the journey it will take me on. This book is also set for a discussion. I hope others will join us. It is being discussed on the First Tuesday Night Book Club (5th Dec).
Parrot & Oliver discussion
Even though I am currently reading 3 books, I started another the other day ... the other 3 books were not in reach. Started reading 'Mercy' by Rebecca Lim, which I think is YA literature and Australian. So far I feel as though I am rereading 'The Host'.
Over the weekend I started Out of the Black Land by Kerry Greenwood, so next up is A Death in Tuscany by Michele GiuttariAnd that will be the end of my G challenge so next up 1 from the "H" review pile :)
Kerry Greenwood is terrific, isn't she! I discovered her a couple of years ago, and love her Phryne Fisher series.
I prefer the Phyrne Fisher series to the Corinne Chapman one, but we've been listening to some of the Phyrne series in the car, as everywhere's a drive from here - and my husband's enjoying them as well.
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Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
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The Zahir (other topics)
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Rosamund Lupton (other topics)Kerry Greenwood (other topics)
J.D. Robb (other topics)
Thomas Ligotti (other topics)
Peter Swanson (other topics)
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Awesome series!! I had them recommended to me by my daughter (who is not a reader!), quite some time ago, so bought the whole series. It is fabulous!!