What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?) Showing 8,951-9,000 of 10,105

[Allison]

^^^Just added it to my TBR. Thanks ladies :)

[Linda]

I am reading BEFORE SUNRISE by Rick Mofina. I have read several of his crime thrillers and liked them all. He is a steady 'good read' author.

[Linda]

Nearly forgot to tell you that the book was either 99 cents or free on Bookbub yesterday

[Marilyn]

I’ve been on a crime thriller track, too. Typically, I’m behind like the cow’s tail. First, I read Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow. Now, I’ve just finished Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver - and that one was published in 1958 and a movie in 1959! No matter. They were excellent! Oh, what fun it is to read a really good book! And then two in a row!

[Linda]

Great, Marilyn! That does not happen often.

[Jerry]

I have ventured into non-fiction, with ‘The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici’ by Christopher Hibbert. Just got back from my first visit to Tuscany, and I wish I had read this before I went there. I could have used my time in Florence that bit better.

[Marilyn]

There’s something to be said for the merits of non-fiction. Maybe you can schedule a trip for next year.

[happy]

I finally finished Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Good read. I thought it was an interesting look at how Adam's and Jefferson's friendship grew during the Continental Congress, started fraying during their time in France and finally ruptured during Adam's Presidency, and how they rekindled after both had left office. Solid 4 star read.

Current reading the 7th entry Jeri Westerson's Crispin Guest Medevial Mystery series



In this one, the disgraced Knight has to recover the "stolen" Stone of Scone in three days or his sidekick will be executed. Katherine Swynford (John of Gaunt's third wife) shows up.

[Allison]

Another series I need to get to 😭

Hmmm I just may need to add that Jefferson & Adams book...

[Adrian]

Currently reading the best book I've read in some years - I say that despite being only three quarters through, but can't see it letting me down (the writing and storytelling being that strong).

It's a little outside my usual favourite periods but what a great book...

Cold Mountain

[Marilyn]

It was popular as a movie, too, although the book is probably better.

[Linda]

I am reading The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd. The book is over 700 very readable pages. My book allowance is depleted, but I will get gift cards come Christmas. Then I will buy and read Russka: The Novel of Russia. When I die, I hope my heirs will appreciate the small fortune I have invested in books on my e-readers and tablets.

[Linda]

Cold Mountain is a good book but a better movie because of the actors, especially Renee Zellweger. Some scenes are crude, but fitting. I agree with you, Adrian, that the storytelling is strong.

[Patricia]

I'm almost finished with Time and Chance. I've enjoyed it but the last fifty pages or so are dragging for me. Maybe I'm just impatient but a lot of it has been conversations where one person is telling others what has been happening in the kingdom. I think some of it could have been cut, but I admit I'm in "editor mode" with my own writing.

[Bobby]

Just finished and what a touching tale. A different take on what makes a “family”! Now onto Things Fall Apart

[C.P.]

I've been reading too fast to post, but recent titles I've enjoyed include The Greenest Branch by P.K. Adams, an ARC of Yangsze Choo's The Night Tiger, Across the Great Lake by Lee Zacharias, and (just starting) Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva.

Not to mention Bernard Cornwell's War of the Wolf. I know this group would have no interest in that. ;-)

[happy]

I finished The Silence of Stones, fun quick read - (view spoiler)[The plot centers around the appearent theft of the Stone of Scone from the Corination Chair while Richard II and entourage are attending a festival at Westminster Abbey. Richard tasks Crispin to find the stone in 3 days or his apprentice, Jack Tucker, will be executed.

While in captivity Jack is taken under the wing of Katherine Swynford and meets a young lady weeping in a garden. It turns out the young lady in the queen and she asks Jack to find a missing broach.

Slightly convoluted plot with two separate mysteries that really that come together in the last few pages of the novel. (hide spoiler)]
I didn't think this was a the best entry in the series, but still a fun way to kill a few hours. weak 4 stars.

Currently reading the next entry in the series

[Adrian]

Finally finished Cold Mountain, which was amazing. My review for those interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Laura Tenfingers]

Patricia wrote: "I'm almost finished with Time and Chance. I've enjoyed it but the last fifty pages or so are dragging for me. Maybe I'm just impatient but a lot of it has been conversations where one..."

I'm with you Patricia, I didn't love Time and Chance as much as When Christ and His Saints Slept and have been meaning to read the next one, Devil's Brood, but haven't quite got the oomph. I thought her Welsh Princes trilogy was stellar from beginning to end though.

[Bobby]

Adrian wrote: "Finally finished Cold Mountain, which was amazing. My review for those interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

One of my favorite Civil War stories and a debut novel as well. I believe i read that the movie was filmed in Romania.

[Linda]

A Letter From America by Geraldine O'Neill is the book I am reading now. It was free on Bookbub this past week and may still be free. It is shaping up the more I read. I finished The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd yesterday. He is a good author, and I was delighted with the read. That book was also on sale at Bookbub, but the sale has probably run its course by now. Mr. Rutherfurd is comparable to Mr. James Michener and Mr. Leon Uris but writes with a dry wit. My review is posted on Goodreads and Amazon. I highly recommend the book!

[Patricia]

Laura Tenfingers wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I'm almost finished with Time and Chance. I've enjoyed it but the last fifty pages or so are dragging for me. Maybe I'm just impatient but a lot of it has been conver..."
Oh, yes, I loved the Welsh Princes as well. Maybe next year I'll get to Devil's Brood

[happy]

I just started #19 in Paul Doherty's Hugh Corbet medieval mystery series. Set in the early 14th century

[Adrian]

Just about to start The Harrowing. Quite looking forward to it - not least as I've started mapping out the sequel to my own Hastings novel, so it's research.

[Jorge]

Enjoying War of the Wolf at the moment, so far so good as always!

[Jane]

The Queens of Innis Lear : fantasy retelling of King Lear

[happy]

Adrian wrote: "Just about to start The Harrowing. Quite looking forward to it - not least as I've started mapping out the sequel to my own Hastings novel, so it's research."

I really liked it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

It's kind of Canterbury Talish in its structure.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

happy wrote: "I just started #19 in Paul Doherty's Hugh Corbet medieval mystery series. Set in the early 14th century

"

I quite enjoyed that one.

[Bobby]

and for the second time!

[Linda]

THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S. by Taylor Caldwell is book I am reading. It is about Genghis Khan, and I got it a dollar on Bookbub, yesterday. It might still be available.

[Tamara]

Bobby wrote: " and for the second time!"

I'm reading Three Day Road about a Native American fighting in the trenches in WWI. The Last Kingdom is next in line to read.

[Reeda]

Linda wrote: "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S. by Taylor Caldwell is book I am reading. It is about Genghis Khan, and I got it a dollar on Bookbub, yesterday. It might still be available."

I can't believe I missed out on this deal. That book is on my wish list!!

[Marilyn]

I read that years ago and it is so good.

[Tamara]

I finished Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden.
A difficult book to read because of the graphic description of fighting in the trenches during WWI. I thought it was well done and posted my review in the WWI thread.

[Megan]

I'm reading Fall of Kings by David (and Stella) Gemmell. This is a very realistic retelling of the Trojan War (though perhaps I should say it's inspired by the Trojan War stories -- lots of changes and anyone can die). I enjoyed the first two books of the trilogy and will be sorry to see it all end. (ETA - the first book is Lord of the Silver Bow)

[happy]

happy wrote: "I just started #19 in Paul Doherty's Hugh Corbet medieval mystery series. Set in the early 14th century
"

I finished Devil's Wolf and a short Novella that immediately precedes it chronologically



Both are pretty good way to pass a few hours.

Devil's Wolf has it's origins in Edward I's sack of Berwick, but takes place some 17 yrs later. The novel is set in the Scottish Marches against the backdrop of Robert the Bruce's growing power and border incursions. The mystery is who is killing 5 Scottish prisoners that are supposed to be exchanged for English ones and just what happened to the "Lily Crown" part of the booty Edward took at the same time as the Stone of Scone.

As always, Prof Doherty paints a fascinating picture of life in the late 13th and early 14th century. Edward II favorite is a major supporting character in the novel. Surprisingly to me at least, he is portrayed rather sympathetically. Good mystery, I rated it 4 stars.

The novella is set at the Tower of London and show Sir Hugh in a more martial light. As it opens he is taking a turn at Jousting (view spoiler)[ he wins - sort of (hide spoiler)]. There is two mysteries - who killed a servant of Lord Mortimer and put him down a well and why are there 3 writs signed and sealed by Edward I (dead some 5 yrs) giving certain estates in the Welch Marches to 3 different men.

Again good mystery, but because of it's length (60 pgs or so) the background stories are somewhat truncated

I rated it 4 stars for what it is - it could have easily be fleshed out to a full novel
also posted in the Historical Mystery Thread

I'm currently reading the 9th entry into David Weber's Safehold series



While this is a SF series, it is a sort of a retelling of the Wars of the Protestant Reformation set in the far future. In the first books of the series the technology is pre industrial. By this novel it has advanced to post American Civil War. There are some good naval battle scenes (actual sailing vessels) ala C.S. Forester or Alexander Kent. This novel focuses more on strategy than tactics so it is a bit talky. I've enjoyed the series, but Mr Weber could us a good editor - the last few books have felt a little bloated.

[Lariela]

I'm re-reading The Winter Crown by Elizabeth Chadwick.

[Adrian]

happy wrote: "
I really liked it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

It's kind of Canterbury Talish in its structure."

Well, sorry to say I really struggled to finish this book. I know some on here loved it so it just goes to show how different taste can be. Reminded me of Waiting for Godot - should have been titled Waiting for Normans...

[Laura Tenfingers]

I'm enjoying The Sea Queen by Linnea Hartsuyker. I thought the first one, The Half-Drowned King, was OK and this one's a bit better. Vikings and the uniting of Norway.

[Jane]

Laura Tenfingers wrote: "I'm enjoying The Sea Queen by Linnea Hartsuyker. I thought the first one, The Half-Drowned King, was OK and this one's a bit better. Vikings and th..."




sorry to say #1 did not impress, so I have no desire to read any sequels. But... diff'runt strokes, etc.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I've seen a few people in our book group now who didn't like #1 in that series. Seems to be one that is very split on whether it is a good read or not.

[happy]

Adrian wrote: "happy wrote: "
I really liked it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

It's kind of Canterbury Talish in its structure."

Well, sorry to say I really struggled to finish this book. I know some ..."

I like your alternate Title - some truth in that

I'm sorry you didn't care for it - as you say everyone has different tastes - that's what makes life interesting :)

[May]

I agree with Adrian & Happy that THE HARROWING was very much like The CANTERBURY TALES. I did enjoy the novel, but I did not think it was as powerful as Aitcheson’s earlier trilogy.

[Renata]

Reading the Sea Queen also. I didn’t care much for number 1, so I’m not sure why, it must be my incurable love for all things Viking lol...it is better than the first tho!

[happy]

I've finished a non fiction look at one of the movers and shakes of the Cold War CIA



Angleton was involved with most of the excesses of the 50s/60s CIA. These included, opening other peoples mail, domestic spying on US citizens, the LSD exspiriments, lieing to the Warren Commission about Oswald, various coup attempts and last but not lease a never ending search for KGB agents inside of the CIA.

To sum up his life - he was one of those people who fervently believed the "Ends Justify the Means"

4 stars

Currently reading Nathaniel Philbrick's new NF look at Geo Washington and the Battle of Yorktown



On my nook I am currently reading

[Allison]

Oooh will have to take a look at that one, Happy. Sadly, this American is lacking in American History. Too busy studying and loving England! When I have a chunk of time, I really need to root out some good NF on Washington, the Founding Fathers, and the Revolutionary War in general.

[Laura Tenfingers]

I'm enjoying The King's Witch by Tracy Borman. Takes place in the court of James I, a time period I haven't read much about. So far so good.

[happy]

Allie wrote: "Oooh will have to take a look at that one, Happy. Sadly, this American is lacking in American History. Too busy studying and loving England! When I have a chunk of time, I really need to root out s..."

So far, Philbrick has never disappointed. A very good bio of Washington is Ron Chernow's

[Allison]

^That I know is already in my tbr!! Thanks!

[Marilyn]

I’m on a mystery/thriller crime bent these days having discovered Ian Rankin recently. His newest is out in December. Meanwhile another writer of the same ilk: Peter May. His novels take place in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. His writing is fantastic!