What are you reading in 2014?

[Debbie]

Just finished. WOW!!! That was the most haunting book i have read in a long time. I am glad it was not any longer or I would have had zero sleep tonight. Oh well, back to Darwin. :(

[Debbie]

Sam wrote: "Reading The Road. Quick read, I've almost finished it."

I loved that book so much I refuse to watch the film as I don't want to change my perception of it. If that makes sense!! That's despite the temptation of Viggo Mortenson (swoon). It absolutely broke my heart. Hope you liked it too Sam

[Debbie]

I am trying to make a start on The Master and Margarita but keep being side tracked. I've read so many fantastic books so far this year. I must be due a stinker soon!!

[Jackie]

Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.

[Elizabeth]

Just started reading The Pedant in the Kitchen and Sisterland.

[Gail]

Jackie wrote: "Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society." I loved this book Jackie and learnt a bit about the history of the island.

Started Sisterlandlast night. It is getting mixed reviews on Mumsnet.

[Jackie]

Gail I think I could read this in one sitting, unfortunately I've got a few things to do (grrr). Thoroughly enjoying it so far, loving the way it's written.

[Joy]

Jackie wrote: "Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society."

I loved this book too. The characters felt very real and I hadn't been aware before reading it of the dreadful conditions in the channel islands during ww2.

[Elizabeth]

If you want to read more about life on Guernsey, try The Book of Ebenezer le Page by G B Edwards. It was his only published novel, and it follows the life of one man from his childhood prior to the Boer War up to his death.

A lot more interesting than I've made it sound here. Well worth a read.

[Paul]

Jackie wrote: "Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society."

My father in law was born in Jersey under the Germans during WW2, have considered reading this. One day...

[Gail]

Paul wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society."

My father in law was born in Jersey under the Germans during WW2, have considered reading this. One day..."

Paul, at the speed you read you would devour this book in a couple of hours!

[Sandra]

Gail wrote: "Paul wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society."

My father in law was born in Jersey under the Germans during WW2, have considered reading this. One day..."

Pa..."

I agree. Its letter format makes it a very fast reading and it is such a good book! I loved it!

[Sandra]

Starting True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey.

[Jo]

Just about to start A Commonplace Killing: A Novel, closely followed by Elijah's Mermaid. Also will now listen to My Animals and Other Family.

[Paul]

Have finally got to Winter in Madrid. Been looking forward to this for a while

[Shirley]

Paul wrote: "Have finally got to Winter in Madrid. Been looking forward to this for a while"

I have this on my kindle, and am also looking forward to it, but just can't get to it at the moment! Hope you like it, I'll be interested to hear what you think.

[Jo]

Paul wrote: "Have finally got to Winter in Madrid. Been looking forward to this for a while"

Oh I really want to read that. It's one I've had for a while but not got to it yet. Interested to hear what you think.

[Paul]

I have read the first two Shardlake series, which were good, and have the remainder on my bookshelf to read and return to my brother in law. and Dominion from the library :-)

[Beatriz]

Jackie wrote: "Starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society."

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[Beatriz]

Sandra wrote: "I'm reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield that is being a really page turner!"
I read the book about 10 years ago and I love it!

[Beatriz]

I am reading "The Night Circus" and I am enjoying it!

[Charlotte]

Dominion really did my nut in.....was a fantastic story but Sansom portrayed the SNP in Scotland in a bizarre way...it was all explained in the afterword, where he goes on a big rant about the dangers of this political party. Absolutely bizarre. It really irritated me that he was using the book as a kind of platform to berate the SNP, and he was coming up with bizarre conclusions of what kind of future they would bring us. Having lived in scotland for ten years, I think he is talking through his hat! Has totally put me off his writing, after having previously read all of his other books, and thats without me being particularly for or against the party. I guess the word propaganda comes to mind. yowsers

[Charlotte]

On another note, Im currently reading Silver Weddings by Maeve Binchy....its my book from a genre I normally avoid....old lady lit! Man, it is utter tripe! I feel a shudder of dread pass through me every time I pick it up but I figure I should finish it. People really don't interact with each other in real life like they are in this book. The young people act like they are middle aged. Anyone else read it? Am hoping it improves!!

[Jackie]

Hiya Beatriz,

I loved the book, gave it 5 stars!

[Elizabeth]

Old lady lit :o I'll remember that comment. Brilliant!

[Charlotte]

or perhaps blue rinse lit?? the book has kind of improved, which is a relief!

[Elizabeth]

I've only read a couple of Maeve Binchy novels in the past. Neither was particularly memorable, unfortunately. One was Circle of Friends and there was a film based on that one. Can't even remember what the other one was now!

[Paul]

Blue rinse / Old lady lit is not one i would avoid; I would run screaming from!

Going to read this afternoon The Pedant in the Kitchen, as Elizabeth said it was really funny. Might even pop it on the magic square.

[Cathy]

Paul wrote: "Have finally got to Winter in Madrid. Been looking forward to this for a while"

Be interested to hear what you think, Paul. I was a bit underwhelmed by this. Just didn't warm to any of the characters. I haven't read anything else by him though - be interested to try the Shardlake books.

[Cathy]

Beatriz wrote: "I am reading "The Night Circus" and I am enjoying it!"

Hi Beatriz, I absolutely loved this. One of my favourites of last year!

[Paul]

Cathy wrote: "Paul wrote: "Have finally got to Winter in Madrid. Been looking forward to this for a while"

Be interested to hear what you think, Paul. I was a bit underwhelmed by this. Just didn't..."

It is ok so far Cathy, perhaps a little slow starting.

[Susan]

Love the Shardlake series - done some of them by audio book - beautifully read by Anton Lesser. Didn't like Winter in Madrid at all.

[Linda]

Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough. Novel based on the true story of the Thames Torso Killings which happened at the same time a Jack The Ripper. Good, gory, chilling, Victoran horror!

[Dominic]

Reading The Guts by Roddy Doyle. So far I like it - the rhythm of the speech. Read the Barrytown trilogy in the 90's which I loved.

[Jackie]

Starting The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult.

[Sam]

Reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Enjoying it, though it is a bit repetitive.

[Linda]

Just started Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen.

[Mel]

Reading Gone Girl at the moment...I'm not too sure about it yet!

[Mel]

I love Martina Cole she's very graphic in her writing. It's funny because I won't watch a horror film lol just love to read about it!

[Linda]

Ooooh it is a really good one Lynne, well worth it.

[Charlotte]

Lynne wrote: "Linda wrote: "Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough. Novel based on the true story of the Thames Torso Killings which happened at the same time a Jack The Ripper. Good, gory, chilling, Victora..."

What are her new books like Mel? I read so many of her novels, got them every Christmas from my inlaws! In the end i got sick of them, they felt too samey, whereas her first two novels felt quite different.

[Mel]

In reading gone girl at the moment...it's ok but I don't think I would recommend it as its a bit drawn out! Martina Cole does get a bit samey I have to agree. I think I read them because I can't bear not too!!

[Charlotte]

Mel wrote: "In reading gone girl at the moment...it's ok but I don't think I would recommend it as its a bit drawn out! Martina Cole does get a bit samey I have to agree. I think I read them because I can't be..."

Bit like me with the True Blood books. They just got really daft in the end but had to read them. Just the final one to go and i have mixed feelings. Kinda want to know how it all ends, but I now it will inevitably disappoint!

I have just started White Teeth, first Zadie Smith book for me.

[Gail]

Mel wrote: "In reading gone girl at the moment...it's ok but I don't think I would recommend it as its a bit drawn out! Martina Cole does get a bit samey I have to agree. I think I read them because I can't be..."
I would agree Mel about Gone Girl overhyped as was, in my opinion, Apple Tree Yard. Although I was in the minority judging by other's reponse!
I am currently reading Harvest which is excellent.

[Mel]

Thanks for the recommendations I've added them to my wish list on kindle

[Susan]

Nope, I'm with you, Gail. Thought Gone Girl and especially Apple Tree Yard were seriously over hyped. They were good page-turners, but there wasn't a single likeable character in either book. And can someone tell me why an intelligent woman would persist in calling her former lover "my love" even when he's been revealed as a first class, lying, betraying, murderous little sh**!?!

[Lisa]

I was 'meh' about Gone Girl, but really enjoyed Apple Tree Yard. I was oblivious to the hype so wasn't too bothered by high expectations!

Am reading Running like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley. A very persuasive ode to getting your trainers on. *Dozes off on sofa*

[Elizabeth]

I'm with you on Apple Tree Yard, Lisa. I really enjoyed it, so much so that I didn't find the present tense narration irritating.

I did like Gone Girl as well but, of the two, Apple Tree Yard was better imo.

[Jackie]

Just started The Bat by Jo Nesbo. Haven't read any of his. Hope it's going to be good, seems very popular author.

[Sam]

Am reading Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness. The last in the Chaos trilogy. The format has changed though and the chapters are really long in excess of 70 pages. Am finding it hard to get into because of this.