Book Loving Kiwis discussion
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What Are You Currently Reading?
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Sweep in peace
A read along by Ilona Andrews that posts a chapter every couple of weeks.
Tick - Allison Rose
A Thirller, paranomal scifi though really a mix of genres. Awesome so fa..."
Are you doing the interview for your blog, Sam?
I haven't been putting my reading in here, because I was keeping this for my Kiwi reads, but other than a cookbook I haven't read any for a while!
I have put Mansfield on my to read list though, Erica.
Erica wrote: "I'm reading a non-fiction at the mo, very fascinating - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."I read this two years ago now and remember I had to keep reminding myself this was a work of fact, not a novel, such was the writing style. It was very absorbing on several levels.
I will be interested to see what you think of it.
Lesley
Ella's Gran wrote: "Erica wrote: "I'm reading a non-fiction at the mo, very fascinating - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."I read this two years ago now and remember I had to keep reminding mysel..."
I have this on my too read list as well and definitely want to prioritise it and read it soon - all of the articles I have read about it are really positive, and it's about a subject that sounds incredibly important from a social, medical and moral viewpoint.
Just finished CJ Sansom's Lamentations LamentationIt's bigger than the Booker winner but a helluva lot better. Spent all yesterday reading it when I had tons of work to do.
Ah, I've got that series on my TBR list. You'd recommend it then PDR? (and which booker? bring up the bodies?)
Last night I finished Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki-Wegner and a review regarding such should be out shortly.
I managed a few pages of Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock before sleep took over, and I am excited to continue today. From what I've heard from my favourite reviewer, Emily May, whom you should definitely check out, it's fantastic.
Kathleen wrote: "I just followed your link and have marked it to read. Looks excellent."I'll have a review out about it once finished and let you all know how excellent it really was.
Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "Ah, I've got that series on my TBR list. You'd recommend it then PDR? (and which booker? bring up the bodies?)"Oh yes, Sansom is a genius writer and knows his history. It's a complex and character lively read. Will review after this darn court case.
Just come to this thread - some interesting discussions in the recent months. Couple of quick points. I agree with PDR that there is a lot of boring dreck amongst what is touted as literary fiction in New Zealand, yet that is elevated over the genre fiction in this country, for whatever reasons, by certain critics and people in the literary world. Unfortunately that puts off a lot of readers from NZ writing in general - as had happened with me in my teens when we were forced to read the likes of Oracles and Miracles at school. However, there are tonnes of amazing, entertaining New Zealand writers we could be encouraging people to read and support.
On another point, I've enjoyed the Wiki Coffin books that I've read, and fuss or not, the author is actually a NZer - so any 'American author writing about a part-Maori character' fuss was misinformed. Joan Druett is also one of the foremost maritime historians, so knows what she's talking about in those books from that front too.
As for me, lots of reading lately. In terms of local stuff, I read and enjoyed Blood, Wine & Chocolate by Julie Thomas, absolutely loved Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave (why we don't celebrate him more as one of our finest writers I'll never understand - its the very point PDR was making about the silly elevating of literary authors in this country), and am currently reading The Cassino Legacy, a thriller written back in 1999, and Something is Rotten, a debut thriller from a new Auckland writing collaboration (a playwright and author working together). Both are interesting thus far.
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I loved Longbourn and wanted more. I also enjoyed Pride & Prejudice & Zombies!With regard to NZ writers (PDR's post), I hope my book doesn't fall into the category of 'dark underbelly'! I too run screaming from those sorts of books, and tried very hard to avoid that whilst writing 'Fifteen Postcards'!
I'm currently reading The Astronaut Wives Club, which is really very interesting (and yet again breaking my "no more astronaut books until I've finished A Man on the Moon" rule)
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I'm really enjoying it! I've read Jeffrey Eugenides's novel The Virgin Suicides a few years ago and really liked his style of writing...he's not disappointed in this second book.
I've also got At Home: A Short History of Private Life from the library ready to go. I love Bill Bryson so I'm really looking forward to it!
Currently reading Kirsten's ' 15 Postcards' and just met Christine, the minister's wife. Love her and her positive outlook. A great friend for Sarah in such strange circumstances.
I love that you like her! Thank you. I'm just about to start reading "You Can't Get Blood Out of Shag Carpet". I admit to loading it onto my Kindle because I loved the title!!!
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I begun reading
but I've lost 5 days of reading and it's due back at the library today. Can't renew it since there's a waiting list and I'm really liking it. Different from what I would normally read, but came across it in a list of new books and it had good reviews that roused my interest.
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I loved The Secret Life of Luke Livingstone. Also not something I would normally read. I won it as a Goodreads giveaway. Have you read The Fall also by Charity Norman. It is based in NZ. Completely different topic but also very good.
Erica wrote: "I've just started A Man Called Ove. My initial thoughts are that I dislike the main character but it seems like a light read so that might not matter too much."I too didn't care much for Ove at the beginning, but the general story and writing style kept me interested.
Here's my review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Lizzy wrote: "I loved The Secret Life of Luke Livingstone. Also not something I would normally read. I won it as a Goodreads giveaway. Have you read The Fall also by Charity Norman. It is based in NZ. Compl..."No Lizzy, I've not read anything else of Charity Norman's but I'm liking her writing style so will add The Fall to my TBR. Thanks for the rec.
After a spell of reading connected with Vietnam: Kim Thúy's excellent Ru and David Joiner's Lotusland, I'm now savouring the delightful Under the Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson, a scientist and a poet with a love of the sea and its creatures and a way with words that invites all readers to enjoy the hidden mysteries of that world.
Kathleen wrote: "Claire wrote: "... I'm now savouring the delightful Under the Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson, a scientist and a poet ..."That's an oldie, Claire. I remember reading her Silent Spring man..."
It is Kathleen, I was looking for a more literary nature writing book about the sea and came across this title which has been republished as a Penguin Classic. I bought a copy of Silent Spring as well, but I love the fact that Under the Sea-Wind was the author's personal favourite book and that it was rescued having originally been published just before the outbreak of WWII and then republished after her second book and found the success it deserved.
52% through 'The Gardener Who Could See' ( previously titled ' The Blessings of Stefan') by John Zanetti. So far a brilliant read. My hearty thanks to Kathleen and SweetP for the recommendation via NZ author reads.
Just read They Call Me Alexandra Gastone, a debut young adult thriller. Very good example of the genre. Also read American Blood: A Novel by Ben Sanders. Outstanding thriller set in New Mexico, from an Auckland writer. It's released in November in the States and December in New Zealand. A must-buy for crime/thriller fans.
Currently reading Ahoy for Joy by Keith Reilly. Its set in Ireland and is amazing, but very sad and poignant. A bit different to my last few books and loving it. Can someone tell me how to make the book I'm reading go green and underlined as I don't know how to do that.
Yes Lizzy, I also need the lesson. No idea how to go green and underline.
Just got back to the land of Internet. Started reading A Vintage Affair on the plane home. Loving it.
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Welcome home!
S.K. And Lizzy if you go to the BLK group administration folder you will see a thread how do you do that and the process you are looking for is in post 2
Roger that EG. I'll give it a try.
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3.5* for me. Grace writes beautifully but to many POV characters (all written in first person) I still want to read some of her older works though.
Just picked up Strange Material: Storytelling Through Textiles from the library, and am planning on using it for some research for my next novel. But mostly just for the beautiful pictures, and a tiny bit for research!
Pleasant surprise: Field of Blackbirds, The. Debut Kiwi thriller with a former NZ military hero, now turned winemaker, heading to Kosovo to find a missing friend. Wasn't expecting much, but it was terrific. I was really engaged by this - echoes of Alistair McLean and Desmond Bagley, with a modern Kiwi twist. Or Tom Clancy, but with more character and less military minutiae. Very good. Recommended.
I'm currently trying to read Room and have to admit I am struggling with the dialogue. I'm not enjoying the 5 year old's narration. I know almost everyone else rates it as the best of the best, but just now I'm not agreeing. I'll keep going for a bit longer and see if it improves, but...!
Haven't heard of Field of Blackbirds, adding it to my TBR pile, which is growing like a raspberry vine right now! Out of control!
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Erica wrote: "I'm currently half way through The Corrections. I've been reading this book for almost a month now! But have read another book at the same time. I'm finding this book rather dull and de..."Good luck with the Bout of Books readathon Erica! ☺
I said earlier I was struggling with reading Room but I persevered and am now enjoying it. Once I got about three quarters of the way through Unlying, the dialogue improved making it easier (and more believable) to read. I'm not sure I find the escape that credible though, but I shall continue to the end now.
I'm currently reading Stephen King's On Writing : A Memoir of the Craft. Given to me by a girlfriend last week. It's an absorbing read. Makes me want to sit down & write & write & write! But I have to finish reading it first! So many helpful pointers & insights.
Just been given the newest in C.J. Cherryh's 'Foreigner' series and so have been comfort reading myself through the whole series of 15 books.This is SF at its best. Makes you think about us and what we do. She makes the reader think about the environment, pollution, bigotry, xenophobia even love without banging these topics in the reader's face.
We see the whole world and its happenings through the eyes of one human working at his special job as the diplomat, the intermediary, between humans and the Atevi. Sheer brilliance and a real comfort read when we can all see the trouble the massive movement of refugees is causing. In this series living together and tolerating each other is possible!
Finished The Paris Wife - essentially about Hemingway's first wife and their relationship. I loved it. Left it on the train for someone else to find and enjoy.
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I've just finished Little Women which I'd never read before. I liked it's quaintness but other than that didn't think it was anything to rave about. I'm now reading something completely different, The Maze Runner but enjoying it.
Erica wrote: "I read that last year Kirsten and really enjoyed it too. Have you see the author's latest release Circling the Sun? Think that looks good too. Also, if you liked The Paris Wife you ..."No I haven't read Circling the Sun but will add that to my TBR pile!
I've got the Zelda Fitzgerald book on my Kindle, there are several other books ahead of her though!
They made a movie out of Maze Runner right? About to be released, or has just been released?
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Book Loving Kiwis
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Sweep in peace
A read along by Ilona Andrews that posts a chapter every couple of weeks.
Tick - Allison Rose
A Thirller, paranomal scifi though really a mix of genres. Awesome so far but marketed toward the YA audience.
Luckily it's an author I get to interview in the next week as well and it is definitely given me some q's!