Just finished reading in 2018

[Rebecca]

Toyah wrote: "I've just finished The Missing Girl by Shirley Jackson. A quickie read; one of the £1 Penguin Modern books."

Was it good? I've read The Lottery which I really enjoyed.

[Toyah]

Becky it was really good! I've written a brief review of it, gave it four stars. She's one of those writers I wish I'd discovered sooner.

[Paul]

Just finished The Reading Cure: How Books Restored My Appetite which was an interesting story about a lady's recovery from anorexia through the power of books. Worth reading.

[Joy]

I’ve just finished Toby's Room. I see that it was a group read on here back in 2013 - is there any way I can read people’s comments from then?

I found this book extremely readable, the writing is uncluttered and convincing, but when I reached the end I found myself thinking well what was the point of that? (view spoiler)[ Some things, like the incest and the ‘squashed’ stillborn twin, don’t seem to have relevance to the story as a whole. (hide spoiler)]

[Paul]

I'll see if I can find a link Joy.

Finished The Ascent of Gravity: The Quest to Understand the Force that Explains Everything a day or so ago. Readable science book on the history and future of gravity

[Paul]

Link here Joy:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Joy]

Paul wrote: "Link here Joy:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Thank you.

[Toyah]

I've just finished Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien in 3 days flat. It was incredible! I've written a full review if you want to check it out (no spoilers).

[Toyah]

I'm on a roll today, I've finally made it through Gorky Park. Spy thrillers aren't really my thing, this one was a book group read from last month!

[Jo]

I’ve just finished The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. One of those books I didn’t want to end, absolutely loved every page. Surprising, emotional, tragic but uplifting and powerful in its story and message. Going to be a hard act to follow!

[Paul]

Just finished my 40th book of the year, Icebreaker: A Voyage Far North

[Patricia]

My Spring Break started Saturday so I'm reading all I can! Finished Tess of the D'Urbervilles, then read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and will read Exit West today. Three very different books with very different writing styles. And 6 days ahead of me to read, read, read!

[Paul]

Lucky You Patricia! Not jealous at all.

[Toyah]

I've just finished Silent Child by Sarah A Denzil. I borrowed it on Kindle after reading an article about thrillers and wasn't expecting it to be anything more than an easy read. It was surprisingly good, I finished it inside a week! On with Riddley Walker now.

[Patricia]

Just finished Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World. I was a child in the 60s and a teenager in the 70s. Then I was raising kids in the 80s so I didn't pay a lot of attention to what was going on politically during these turbulent decades in America. Boy, did I get a history lesson these past few days!

[Joy]

Different Class . I couldn’t put this down. It’s a brilliant psychological thriller, with a twisting plot, convincing characters and a touch of humour. It’s by Joanne Harris, but not in the ‘Chocolat’ mould, rather the same setting as her wonderful Gentlemen and Players.

[Jazzy]

Toyah, where do you get the £1 Penguin Modern books please?

[Rebecca]

I spotted some of the £1 penguin modern classics in Waterstones last week. I picked up the Shirley Jackson that Toyah had, also the Daphne du Maurier.

[Toyah]

I got my 2 from Waterstones, they have all of them

[Jazzy]

Toyah wrote: "I got my 2 from Waterstones, they have all of them"

Thanks Becky and Toyah. I live about 5 mins walk from Waterstones but didn't know they had any books that cheap!....er, I mean, AFFORDABLE :)

[Toyah]

Pretty cheap as long as you don't buy all 50 at once haha

[Jo]

Joy, I loved Gentlemen and Players so Different Class is firmly on my TBR.

[Toyah]

I started and finished Dolly by Susan Hill this afternoon. I've published a short review on my feed. A great break from Riddley Walker :D

[Jazzy]

Toyah wrote: "Pretty cheap as long as you don't buy all 50 at once haha"

Did you buy all 50 at once?
I may stop in tomorrow for a cheeky deeks!

[Paul]

Finsihed Forgotten Kingdom: Nine Years in Yunnan 1939-48 this afternoon, an excellent book on a part of China long since absorbed into the communist state there

[Jazzy]

And I've just finished Nineteen Eighty-Four again.
Top marks all around.

[Toyah]

Jazzy no just the two so far!

[Jazzy]

Toyah wrote: "Jazzy no just the two so far!"
Just another £48 and the complete collection can be yours!

[Toyah]

I've just finished The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami - I've posted a very short review because there are so many thoughts about it in my head that my brain is currently feeling like I've just been on a roller coaster and is now going "WTF just happened...!" I will more than likely reread this book at least once at some point. Amazing.

[Rebecca]

I've just finished The Missing Girl by Shirley Jackson that Toyah and I were talking about above. I really liked it and gave it 4 stars.

Left me confused though.

[Toyah]

Becky, glad you liked it, but I agree I was confused too! I would normally like more clarity but it kinda worked in this case.

[Rebecca]

Toyah, I'm the same. I normally like a nice clear story with a proper ending but I've read a few short stories lately that have left me thinking 'what?'... and I quite like it!

[Paul]

Finished A Black Fox Running and This Luminous Coast this week. Really liked This Luminous Coast

[Toyah]

I've just finished Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban for my book group next Saturday. It was a double bill along a post-apocalyptic theme with Z for Zachariah. Really liked both of them!

[Toyah]

I've just made it through the rest of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Really struggled through the last half a chapter for some reason.

[Jessica]

Took me a while as I was busy with life but just finished reading A History of Loneliness and it was a decent read.

[Nima]

I recently finished Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. It was fascinating to learn about how Lincoln put together and worked with a team of his most experienced and successful rivals to save the union. It's quite a long read that unfolds like an epic novel!

Here's my review

[Toyah]

I've just finished my 14th book of the year so far. The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie. It was better than I expected actually! I'd even be interested to read something else by her. Full of twists and turns to the end.

[Toyah]

I've just finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Absolutely amazing! I'll be writing a full review when I've gathered my thoughts

[Joy]

I’ve just finished The Word Is Murder, a murder mystery which is written in a metafictional style which I found very funny. (view spoiler)[ For example I loved the short scene with Steven Spielberg and peter Jackson dismissing Horowitz’s script for the Tintin movie in one sentence. (hide spoiler)] I would have given it 5 stars but I wasn’t entirely satisfied by the ending, so 4 stars from me. But if you like murder mysteries then definitely worth reading.

[Paul]

Just finished Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams and can thoroughly recommend it

[Jo]

Ooo, I’ve got that one Paul and keen to read it.

[Toyah]

I've just finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and it was amazing! Cheesy ending but, hey, the 80s references are strong in this one :D

[Paul]

Good isn't it Toyah. have you seen the film yet?

[Toyah]

Paul it was awesome! I'm an 80s child so I loved it. I've not seen the movie yet, I wanted to read the book unadulterated first. I'm hoping that will also be awesome, it will be interesting to see how it's done.

[Paul]

Jo wrote: "Ooo, I’ve got that one Paul and keen to read it."

It is very good Jo

Toyah wrote: "Paul it was awesome! I'm an 80s child so I loved it. I've not seen the movie yet, I wanted to read the book unadulterated first. I'm hoping that will also be awesome, it will be interesting to see ..."

Not going to mention how old I am...

[Mike]

Just finished Empire of the Clouds: When Britain's Aircraft Ruled the World.

Fascinating stuff, but strictly for plane nuts.

Also recently finished The England of Elizabeth. Very long, too much detail, but gripping in places.

[Toyah]

I've finally got around to finishing The Ghost by Mark Conte which I got as an ARC from Voracious Readers Only. My review is up for anyone who is interested. Now actively reading The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Dubliners by James Joyce.

[Paul]

Just finished Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? 200 birds, 12 months, 1 lapsed birdwatcher. Loved it and it is brilliantly written too

[Jazzy]

I read Michel Polnareff, a brilliant little French book I ordered on ebay. As well as a brief history of Polnareff up until 1972 when the book was written, it's chocka with sweet lyrics that read as poetry. Loved it very much. C'est magnifique!