Hello there.

[Alex]

Hi :) I've been on Goodreads for a while now. I love talking about books and seeing another's take on an old favourite.

Also hope to share some writing. I'm trying a few things out and would really love honest feedback (story on profile).

I teach during the day :-)

[Bill, Moderator]

Welcome Alex!

What are your reading interests?

[Alex]

Well my best reads are Maurice, Rough Music, Persuasion, all of which have a gradual and satisfying romance. I love LGBT fiction, particularly short stories, and I'm a fan of Regency (Georgette Heyer etc).
Generally I like something positive - not necessarily light, but where love wins. Maeve Binchy is probably my lightest. I would like to write like her. Something real.

Can also go a little more psychological: Notes on a Scandal is perfectly written.

Quite a lot there! I find it hard to sum up, but, on a desert island, I would be content with the above. What of yourself?

[Bill, Moderator]

Maurice is a favorite of mine!

[Alex]

Nice. :)

[Bill, Moderator]

I looked over your book list. Some fine novels there. I'd suggest At Swim, Two Boys and The Catch Trap, both classics, IMO.

[Alex]

I've always been interested in At Swim, and often try to find it (not easy). Thanks, I really appreciate that :)

[Greg]

I enjoyed Persuasion and several books by E.M. Forster very much Alex! Great stuff!

[Alex]

Good taste! I want to read Forster's short stories.

[Greg]

Thanks! :) One of my favorite of his books is A Room with a View - it's so entertaining! I haven't read too many of his short stories yet, but I believe he wrote quite a variety of them (even some sci-fi if I recall correctly).

[Alex]

Indeed, he wrote his "fantasies", and a couple of stories appear in LGBT collections, so I'm interested in the rest. Ah, Room with a View: what a gem! What do you think of Evelyn Waugh (particularly Brideshead)

[Greg]

Brideshead Revisited was great Alex! That's the only one by him I've read so far though. Have you read others? Vile Bodies is on my to-read list.

[Alex]

I think you should try A Handful of Dust too. Quite different from Forster, very sharp and stylish.

[Greg]

Thanks for the recommendation Alex! I'll definitely do that!

[Bill, Moderator]

Greg wrote: "Brideshead Revisited was great Alex! That's the only one by him I've read so far though. Have you read others? Vile Bodies is on my to-read list."

I agree. Reading (and watching) Brideshead is like getting an expert massage.