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What Are You Currently Reading?
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Erica
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Sep 15, 2015 12:17AM
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Erica wrote: "I've currently got two books on the go: Cross Stitch and Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. They're both authors I've not read before and I'm really enjoying them both!"I've just finished rereading Cross Stitch. I adore it so much.
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Right now I am reading The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle. I know for definite I have never read this book before, so why is the plot so familiar to me with slight differences?Roth, a wealthy LA wine buff has his collection stolen while he is away on holiday. The method for the theft is to strip out an ambulance, put in a fake emergency call so the security guard can check an emergency reported and let the ambulance into the property. Roth returns, finds the theft, employs a PI to locate the robbers. He goes to France as part of his investigations and where he has contacts having been there previously.
I remember all of this except the title of whatever I read this plot line in before. Other exceptions are the PI was a female who also had a previous love interest in France, otherwise everything is the same. And I don't think I read it in print, which this book is, I have never had the ebook or audio of this title. I have a strong feeling it was an audio book I accessed through the library.
So frustrating.
The further in I read I know it isn't the same book, just that theft plot line. And the female PI in the book where the same plot was used is someone like Kinsey Millhone (Grafton), Barbara Holloway (Wilhelm), or Sharon McCone (Muller). I'm leaning toward one of Grafton's books, so I'll have to borrow them again and do a skim read just to satisfy myself.Yes, frustrating, but who pinched from whom?
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Burial Rites (this has been on my tbr pile since it came out - glad I'm finally getting to it)
The Thing Around Your Neck
I'm finally reading Son of the Shadows, only 18 months after the first in the series. I'm annoyed with myself as I feel I can't remember the first book as clearly as I would like now. I think my New Year's Reading Resolution might be to binge read a few of the series I have started rather than just reading one every now and then (often more than a year apart). Top priority is the rest of the sevenwaters series, after that, I'm not sure. I have a lot of incomplete series to choose from!
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& I'm having my first try at a Kingsolver Prodigal Summer One of my sisters is a very keen fan, so I thought I would try her.
☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "I'm reading Whose Body? for a group read. Very Wodehouse so far...."Oh, I do enjoy a bit of Peter Wimsey. (another half-read series...). I particularly enjoy the audio versions read by the wonderful Cornelius Garrett.
What a pity most everyone indicated they weren't keen on challenges this year as they wanted to focus their reading. Finishing the series is one I had planned for the entire year, but ...
I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey. I've had all the Austen books sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now and now I can finally read the first one. It's partly thanks to uni as it is a course requirement but it is one I welcome as I've been wanting to read them anyway!
30% into my first indie book for 2016 and it's good,good,good.The Earthquake Doll.
Set in Japan in 1950s, incorporating authentic traditional Japanese customs and their transition after WW2. Story revolves around 16 yr old Japanese girl working at American base, living in traditional family.
Historical, Japanese culture, YA ? ( I dislike categorising age group as I'm reading a lot of so called Middle School books which really appeal to me and I'm definitely closer to 60 than 16).
Set in Japan in 1950s, incorporating authentic traditional Japanese customs and their transition after WW2. Story revolves around 16 yr old Japanese girl working at American base, living in traditional family.
Historical, Japanese culture, YA ? ( I dislike categorising age group as I'm reading a lot of so called Middle School books which really appeal to me and I'm definitely closer to 60 than 16).
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I've only read one novel by Ihimaera and that was Bulibasha: King Of The Gypsies, which I loved. I saw a trailer for a movie based on the book (called Mahana) at the cinema the other day and that got me thinking I need to read more of his! So off I went to the library.
While I was there I also picked up Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" which appears to be a collection of essays by Lena Dunham. To be honest, I don't know much about the author at all, I've never watched her famous tv series 'Girls' but interested to see what she has to say.
I have the original Ian Carmichael videos of Lord Peter which are great.Reread the books once a year too.
Lesley, email me re 'the Toll Gate'. I can't find which thread it was we were talking GH in !!!
Reading Fire Hawk at the moment. Something different for me - terrorism, spies, mafia. But our bookcase at the holiday home is heaving with them, so I'm branching out! I signed up to the library down here and last week I read Eating With The Angels. I haven't reviewed it yet, but will. It's the first of her books that I've read. It made me very hungry!!!
Currently reading Dracula. Although my expectations were close to neutral - I think I am enjoying it more than I thought I would!
Back relaxing with Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt series, starting with an old favourite. The Mamur Zapt and the Donkey-vousChuckling away which is so good for the depression. Family all gone and life a bit bleak without them.
Found a box of my books, favourites kept from my teenage years. Loved Monica Edwards Punchbowl Farm series so am sending myself to sleep with Punchbowl Midnight. Hey I got the book link to work this time. Punchbowl MidnightI get so frustrated when I type in the correct title and no book pops up but I put in the author and up pops the title I had correctly spelled and searched for!!!
The Shepherd's Crown has arrived. Terry Pratchett's last. Oh dear!Dreading it really because there won't ever be another TP.
The Shepherd's Crown
Have been to see the Rembrandt film made of the National Gallery and Rijk Museum exhibition of his later years.So got hold of the Pan series of art: Rembrandt by Mariet Westermann for more details. I love Rembrandt's work.
Sorry couldn't scroll through 100 pages of books with Rembrandt in their title! It was published in 2000.
This one? Rembrandt I put the author name in the search box as well as the book title and to my great surprise that worked!
I'm currently reading The Mark of Halam by Thomas Ryan, the second in his Jeff Bradley series. Bradley is a former NZ SAS soldier who's now a winemaker but gets pulled into international intrigue. I was very pleasantly surprised by the first book last year, The Field of Blackbirds, which took me back to teenage days of reading Alistair McLean, Tom Clancy, and Desmond Bagley - just with a modern, Kiwi twists. Well worth a read for those who like action/adventure, geopolitical thrillers, crime thrillers etc.
You clever Darkpool you. Yes, that's the one. How did you find it so easily? I gave up when there were so many to scroll through. No time I'm afraid.
I put the author surname into the book name search box as well as the name of the book, just to see if that would work. It did! (Now I just need to remember the trick next time I have the same problem!)
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I'm also hoping to pick up The Day of the Triffids tonight. I'm reading this one for a f2f bookclub.
Nice trick, Darkpool. I too will try it next time.Just got The Infidel Stain and The Penny Heart from the library. Both have these new fashionable covers with lots of pretty scrolls and twiddles and little drawings. Look very nice.
Oooh, those 2 both look really interesting PDR. I listened to the audiobook version of The Uncommon Reader a few years back - read by Alan Bennett himself, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Speaking of Bennett, I saw the trailer for the film "The Lady in the Van" last time I was at the cinema - looks like a gem. More info here: http://www.flicks.co.nz/movie/the-lad...
And back on topic... I'm currently reading a couple of books towards my 2016 personal goal of actually finishing some series! namely The Spellmans Strike Again and Fearless. Go me!
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I listened to the audiobook version of The Uncommon Reader a few years back - read by Alan Bennett himself, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Speaking of ..."
It might be worth seeking out that audio! I haven't done my review yet but I just loved this book! A modern classic.
I looked at the poster for the Lady in the Van and wondered, but if it is an Alan Bennett then it's a yes, must see it.Going to see Winter's Tale if I can raise the $20. SO no book buying for a while. Thank God for the library.
The entire Green Knowe series has just arrived, posted to me from Green Knowe by Lucy Boston's family. Yippee. Have not read them for ages.The Children of Green KnoweAnyone who wants to know how to write a good fantasy and ghost story should read this. But if you like charming stories of life in a 900 year old castle/house then this is it. L. M. Boston's work is now regarded as classic children's stuff. it is too.
I Just finished the passage earlier this evening, does that count? I will continue with the twelve tomorrow.
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Glad you're enjoying it!
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I can't remember how long ago it was that I read The Day of the Triffids!..."
I'm halfway through and I'm loving the classic writing with sci-fi adventure. I look forward to checking out more of Wyndham's books in the future - let me know if there are any of his you particularly think I should try out next Kathleen :)
The Chrysalids The ChrysalidsThat's his best, I feel. And so of the time, what we feared might happen and what might following the nuclear attack.
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That's his best, I feel. And so of the time, what we feared might happen and what might following the nuclear attack."
Thanks P.D.R that one sounds intriguing!
P.D.R. wrote: "Found a box of my books, favourites kept from my teenage years. Loved Monica Edwards Punchbowl Farm series so am sending myself to sleep with Punchbowl Midnight. Hey I got the book link to work thi..."I really loved those as a kid. It was after I had read the series from beginning to end for the third time the librarian (with squeaky shoes and floral smock) decided I needed to up my reading level. She wrote a letter to my mother and after that I reported to the desk on arrival at the library and was escorted to the 'grown ups' section where I could select books under supervision! No YA section in those days. :)
P.D.R. wrote: "The entire Green Knowe series has just arrived, posted to me from Green Knowe by Lucy Boston's family. Yippee. Have not read them for ages.The Children of Green KnoweAnyone who want..."
LUCKY YOU!! I loved those too. Even re-read when I steered my daughter toward them - like using your kids as a reason to go to see kids films 'cos you really want to see it, but you're a grown up now!!
Mahalia wrote: "I Just finished the passage earlier this evening, does that count? I will continue with the twelve tomorrow."Anything and everyone counts here Mahalia! We are all interested in what each other is doing/reading, and what your thoughts are and we don't pass judgment.
And welcome to the group. Chip in anytime you like.
Erica wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Erica wrote: "... I'm also hoping to pick up The Day of the Triffids tonight. I'm reading this one for a f2f bookclub...."I can't remember how long ago it was that I read The Day..."
Never was much of a fan of Sci-Fi, but I read this when I was at school - around standard 4 I think - and totally LOVED it. Always stuck in mind - along with the nightmares I had!
Read the Chrysalids soon after but wasn't as taken with that as I was with DOT. I think it was JW's writing that made it good. Have always intended re-reading it.
P.D.R. wrote: "The Chrysalids The ChrysalidsThat's his best, I feel. And so of the time, what we feared might happen and what might following the nuclear attack."
Bit like the Nevil Shute books in a lot of respects. He wrote of things happening ahead of when they became reality, yet I don't recall his books being labelled Sci-Fi. I recall reading On the Beach (from Mum's Foyles Book Club) again around standard 4/5 and absolutely loving it and getting hooked on NS. I liked it so much I read it again when I was in my 20s which was around the time the Cold War with Russia was peaking. That story that had been such a wonderfully thrilling story now became such a reality that it terrified me.
Ella's Gran wrote: "P.D.R. wrote: "The Chrysalids The Chrysalids
That's his best, I feel. And so of the time, what we feared might happen and what might following the nuclear attack."
Bit like the Nevil..."
The Chrysalids is one of the favourite books which I continue to re read. I still own my original copy never to be thrown away. One daughter discovered,it a couple of years ago, and now often uses it as the bar of excellence in which to rate modern dystopia.
On the Beach had a huge impact on me as a teenager.
That's his best, I feel. And so of the time, what we feared might happen and what might following the nuclear attack."
Bit like the Nevil..."
The Chrysalids is one of the favourite books which I continue to re read. I still own my original copy never to be thrown away. One daughter discovered,it a couple of years ago, and now often uses it as the bar of excellence in which to rate modern dystopia.
On the Beach had a huge impact on me as a teenager.
Kathleen wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "...Bit like the Nevil Shute books in a lot of respects..."Somebody in my family bought the whole series of Nevil Shute - probably my mother, and one of those Buy A Book a Mont..."
Did they have red binding with gold leaf, Kathleen. They looked so magnificent all lined up on the bookshelf.
Others I remember are Requiem for a Wren, The Chequer Board and this one that was written and published beforeWhat Happened to the Corbetts.
All worth a re-read I believe.
ETA: And I forgot one he wrote about the National Health Service titled The Far Country. That would probably be an interesting re-read today too.
Just started my other library book having finished and enjoyed The Infidel Stain The Penny Heart has thrown me. It starts in 1787. I always have this problem when authors start flinging pound notes about. I've had such fights with sloppy American authors who have their 18thC and 19thC British characters throwing paper notes about as if they were modern currency and not a kind of cheque.
To quote the Bank of England website:
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/bankno...
In 1759, gold shortages caused by the Seven Years War forced the Bank to issue a £10 note for the first time. The first £5 notes followed in 1793 at the start of the war against Revolutionary France. This remained the lowest denomination until 1797, when a series of runs on the Bank, caused by the uncertainty of the war, drained its bullion reserve to the point where it was forced to stop paying out gold for its notes. Instead, it issued £1 and £2 notes. The Restriction Period, as it was known, lasted until 1821 after which gold sovereigns took the place of the £1 and £2 notes. The Restriction Period prompted the Irish playwright and MP, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, to refer angrily to the Bank as “… an elderly lady in the City”. This was quickly changed by cartoonist, James Gillray, to the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, a name that has stuck ever since.
Problem is the dates of course. No one pound notes before 1797 according to the Bank of England. I wish I could fly over and have a good yarn with the Bank Historians and get the facts re paper money and when it became what we are used to.
I do hate it when trying to read a book and I'm thrown by what strikes me as something very wrong. There's a series - no names - where the heroine in Surrey UK goes and picks poison ivy from the local woods and distills it. The author was Canadian so should have know better. I checked with Kew Botanical Gardens before complaining and was told I was correct no poison ivy growing wild in the woods in Surrey and you cannot distill the poison from it. Put me off his books for life. I did protest to the publisher and the author. No replies!!
Chocky I liked, Kraken was ho-hum but Midwich Cuckoos scared me silly.On the Beach. Oh yes, it made a huge impact on everyone as this was what we feared.
With your daughter, Sandy, re the bar of excellence in which to rate modern dystopia.
P.D.R. wrote: "I do hate it when trying to read a book and I'm thrown by what strikes me as something very wrong. ..."Yep, it can be infuriating. I finally lost patience with a series that had already made a number of what I was sure were historical errors when the author described a crescent moon sailing high in the sky at midnight. I'm still trying to work out where the heck she thought the sun was in relation to the earth and moon in order to achieve that.
As to John Wyndham, I only managed to read his short stories when I was teen - and was most surprised to find some of them were quite comical. Memory is so strange - I'm sure I could take you to the exact shelf in the old Hamilton public library where his books were (if they hadn't knocked it down).
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Somebody in my family bought the whole series of Nevil Shute - probably my mother, and one of those Buy A Book a Mont..."
A Town Like Alice was my first introduction to Nevil Shute after finding a copy on my Mum's bookshelf...read it when I was about 14 and loved it! Read On the Beach last year and while I wasn't as moved by the story I thought the concept for that time was really great.
I've also got The Far Country on my bookshelf so must get to that soon-ish :)
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