What are you reading in 2014?

[Sandra]

Hi Lizzie,
I enjoyed The Light Between Oceans. It wasn't probably what I was expecting, but I liked the story and the writing. It really made me think "How all of this is gonna be fixed?!" during all the third part of the book. And I have to say that the last chapter brought tears to my eyes... I struggled deciding if my rating should be 3 or 4 stars. I think 3.5* is fair. On the other hand I couldn't stop thinking about it since I finished it, and this always means a good book for me. It's probably I change my rating when I'm finally settled. (Sometimes I need to change the rating of what I read :) It rarely happens, but it happens)
What did you think of it?

[Paul]

Just started On Nature: Ramblings on the British Countryside. It is a series of essays about the landscape in Britain.

[Debbie]

I have just finished reading Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch, which is exquisite. Hated to finish it, characters were very realistic. So worth the wait.
Now starting Darwin's Sacred Cause: Race, Slavery and the Quest for Human Origins. fascinating so far, learning so much about Darwin and his ideas.

[Sam]

Reading Hold Me Closer, Necromancer and The Mothman Prophecies.

[Lizzie]

Hi Sandra I really enjoyed The Light Between Oceans. I loved the technical bits about the lighthouse and I could appreciate the differing view points and suffering of the central characters. (Trying not to give anything away for those who haven't read it!) I read The Snow Child at about the same time which deals with similar themes and also I enjoyed that.

[Lizzie]

I'm currently reading The Shock of the Fall which won the Costa Prize a couple of days ago and I'm really enjoying it, although the narrator, Matthew, is a very troubled young man and I suspect that it is going to get quite a lot darker. It reminds me a bit of The Catcher in the Rye and of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time perhaps because all three books have teenage narrators where you have to try and read between the lines of what they actually say in order to understand what is really going on.

My kindle version has a warning at the start not to change the publisher's font, which is necessary because the book is written as if it is it is Matthew's notes and contains typed and handwritten pages and sketches.

It's proving to be quite a quick read as there are quite a few unanswered questions and I keep wanting to race ahead to find out more.

[Sandra]

I gave up Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker since I found the historic part too heavy.

I'm now reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamant for my book club.

[Chelsea]

Miss peregrine's home for peculiar children! 'Fictious' way to start this year

[Jen]

Oh I thoroughly enjoyed that Chelsea, how are you finding it?

[Debbie]

Giving this a go, Alison Weir's The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (Paperback). Started last night and hooked completely, can't put it down.

[Elizabeth]

Debbie wrote: "Giving this a go, Alison Weir's The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (Paperback). Started last night and hooked completely, can't put it down."

We have a dedicated thread for this book, Debbie - it's our non-fiction group read for January and February.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I've nearly finished - about 20 pages to go. Agreed, it has been a wonderful read.

[Debbie]

Hi Elizabeth, that was made me start reading it. I saw the thread and hadn't read any of Alison Weir's books before. Normally stick to Antonia Fraser. However that is an oversight I need to remedy as I'm gripped by this one and very impressed with her writing.

[Elizabeth]

And I haven't tried Antonia Fraser's books yet. I'll need to put that right!

[Jan]

A Thousand Splendid Sons. Hosseini is very engaging; about such painful subjects. But somehow it's still very readable.

[Debbie]

Elizabeth wrote: "And I haven't tried Antonia Fraser's books yet. I'll need to put that right!"

Lol, you see that's why I joined for inspiration and reading companionship. It doesn't have to be a solo hobby. I'm as hooked on Book Vipers as I am on reading :)

[Jenn]

I just finished reading The Way of Shadows. I enjoyed it for the most part, its the first in a series and it was a lot of back story and set up for the next book.

Now I am reading The Pilgrimage. I am enjoying it so far and love his books.

[Utkarsh]

Just started reading Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

[Paul]

Just started Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore which is surreal so far

[Elizabeth]

Paul wrote: "Just started Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore which is surreal so far"

I've got that - was going to be my book chosen for its cover. My kindle copy has a quirky bold geometric design.

I'll be interested to know what you think of it. May be changing my mind over this one!

[Paul]

That is the cover I have. I am liking it so far. Hoping to have a good crack at it today, children and chores permitting...

[Elizabeth]

I made a good start on The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss this morning.

[Sam]

Have finished Insurgent today. I will post a review tomorrow too tired today. Have started reading Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness which is the second in the Chaos Walking trilogy. Has picked up right where the last one left off and so far I am enjoying it greatly.

[Jo]

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson and also going to start The Six Wives of Henry VIII once I am up and running with the first one.

[Elizabeth]

I started reading Into the Darkest Corner yesterday. Good so far. I think I can see where it's going. Will be a good read, edge of seat stuff!

[Paul]

Just started Ecko Rising. May add this into my magic square as it's a debut author

[Carol]

I just finished reading Dubliners and The Invisible Woman.

I'm currently reading Imagining Characters and The Color Purple.

[Debbie]

I loved The Invisible Woman, gives a completely different perspective on Dickens as a man. The Ternans were an extraordinary family.

[Jo]

I am listening to The Chaperone as my walking/driving book. Love it so far!

[Paul]

Currently dipping into three:
The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Ecko Rising
A Winter Book

[Jackie]

Going to start Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.

[Sam]

Reading 199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad , Red Sniper on the Eastern Front , How To Think Sideways Lesson 1: How to Break the Four Thinking Barriers to Your Writing Success , and just finished Hare Moon.

[Joy]

Paul wrote: "Just started Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore which is surreal so far"

I read about a third and then gave up, whereas my husband really enjoyed it. To me the characters didn't ring true and there was so little actually happening. I felt the author was pleased with himself for creating this unusual setting and was just coasting along on that. I kept thinking of authors like Terry Pratchett who create imaginative settings almost incidentally and throw in half a dozen jokes into the bargain!

But don't let me put you off! ;)

[Paul]

Joy wrote: "Paul wrote: "Just started Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore which is surreal so far"

I read about a third and then gave up, whereas my husband really enjoyed it. To me the characters..."

I quite liked it in the end, just thought that the end could have been better.

[Debbie]

Can't put The Six Wives Of Henry VIII down, hope to finish this weekend. this has made me stall on Darwin's Sacred Cause: Race, Slavery and the Quest for Human Origins, although this is fascinating, it does need a lot of attention and concentration.
I'm going to try and start The Thirteenth Tale or The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Going to try and dip in and out of my poetry books chosen for the Magic Square challenge. An Introduction To English Poetry and The Complete Poetry. I'm really not into poetry at all, so I'm hoping my choices can change my opinion.

[Jan]

Just about finished with "A Thousand Splendid Suns." It is a really extraordinarily well-told tale, but so heartbreaking! I need to read something happy after this one. Any suggestions?

[Paul]

Three:
McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery In Ireland
I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
French Revolutions

[Debbie]

Jan wrote: "Just about finished with "A Thousand Splendid Suns." It is a really extraordinarily well-told tale, but so heartbreaking! I need to read something happy after this one. Any suggestions?"

I found Skios absolutely hilarious, fast paced farce that was very entertaining. It's also quite a small book, so I raced through it.

[Ibrahim]

Nothing . I just writing my novel !

[Jan]

Paul and Debbie: Thank you both so much. I will definitely look into those.

[Jan]

Oh, Michael Frayn! He's incredibly funny. He wrote one of the funniest plays I've ever seen: Noises Off.

[Debbie]

Now starting The Thirteenth Tale which I am looking forward to. I did see the TV adaptation at Christmas. Olivia Coleman and Vanessa Redgrave were brilliant, although I did feel a bit cheated on content. The book has so much more and I've only read the first chapter.
Also dipping into A Cat, a Hat, and a Piece of String

[Paul]

I am now reading The Snow Tourist. Good so far. Have 10 books to finish by the end of the month!

[Sam]

Reading The Road. Quick read, I've almost finished it.

[Paul]

Reading Shaman at the moment. It isn't bad, but isn't fantastic either

[Sandra]

I'm reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield that is being a really page turner!

[Debbie]

Just started The Ocean at the end of the lane by Neil Gaiman as I couldn't wait any longer.

[Paul]

Debbie wrote: "Just started The Ocean at the end of the lane by Neil Gaiman as I couldn't wait any longer."

Loved that. Read it in a morning.

[Debbie]

I know what you mean Paul, I'm halfway through it already and can't see myself stopping anytime tonight!

[Lisa]

Loved it too, my book of the year last year!

[Jan]

Now reading On Liberty by John Stuart Mill and America's Great Depression by Rothbard. For the second I need a better knowledge of economics, but it's interesting, anyway.