Books #40

[mindlessness]

It is a very cosy bookshop and I adore the light in there, it is nice to look around if you don't have a specific thing in mind but I have to say, the set up can be a bit disorienting when you want to look for a certain author or a book. And it is absolutely rammed at all times, which makes idle wandering a bit tricky as it is not a large space. Frequent bumping and squeezing past people.

I find Hatchards a LOT more enjoyable to be in and their staff is always lovely. I also like to eavesdrop on regulars' conversations with the staff, there always seems to be a discussion going on about some author or book I've never heard of haha. Shame they moved the couch by the window, it was a nice corner to rest a bit.

Hatchard's is such a delight!

Another bookstore I really rate in London is John Sandoe Books. They are so lovely and great at recommendations.

Merry Christmas tattler book lovers! I hope there was a book under the tree for you, and perhaps even a little quiet time to read it.

 

[Brightlycolouredbowels]

Back in May(!) someone must have read or recommended Voyage of the Damned by Francis White as it’s on my wishlist and only 99p today. Anyone remember what was so good about it?

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Your book of the year?

Mine is The Women by Kristin Hannah.

I have been to Vietnamc several times. I have seen the captured American tanks that are now children's playgrounds. Seen the museums showing just how devastating this war was. Seen a captured American taboo with it's whole story explained on a card. How senseless. How cruel. How barbaric. How the US bombed indiscriminately. How their helicopter sniper just shot randomly. How they wiped out entire villages, families. How they orphaned children for no reason.

How welcoming the people still are. How the maimed are still living without limbs. Faces torn apart. How they still want Americans to come and see first hand what they did.

How Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the Napalm Girl has made peace with America and how 50 years on she still takes (free) American surgery to fix the wounds and injuries that still plague her now.

Anyway, long way of saying The Women. The research Hannah must have put into this book i far reaching. I know it is fiction but it is also based on the Vietnam I know.

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Oh and in 2018 the average age in Vietnam was 18.7 years old. Now it is 33 years. A whole generation wiped out. Grandparents, parents gone. Orphaned children left to start over, with no home, no foundation, no guidance.

 

[StephenTJackson]

Back in May(!) someone must have read or recommended Voyage of the Damned by Francis White as it’s on my wishlist and only 99p today. Anyone remember what was so good about it?

It was good, I did enjoy it. But I can't overly recall the details of it now. At 99p, definitely worth buying since it's on your wishlist.

 

[emmer_moans]

I got Rachel Gillig's The Shepherd King duology for Christmas. It's been on my TBR for a while.

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

Your book of the year?

Mine is The Women by Kristin Hannah.

I have been to Vietnamc several times. I have seen the captured American tanks that are now children's playgrounds. Seen the museums showing just how devastating this war was. Seen a captured American taboo with it's whole story explained on a card. How senseless. How cruel. How barbaric. How the US bombed indiscriminately. How their helicopter sniper just shot randomly. How they wiped out entire villages, families. How they orphaned children for no reason.

How welcoming the people still are. How the maimed are still living without limbs. Faces torn apart. How they still want Americans to come and see first hand what they did.

How Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the Napalm Girl has made peace with America and how 50 years on she still takes (free) American surgery to fix the wounds and injuries that still plague her now.

Anyway, long way of saying The Women. The research Hannah must have put into this book i far reaching. I know it is fiction but it is also based on the Vietnam I know.

I think mine is either The Wedding People or God of the Woods. Probably The Wedding People, I didn’t expect it to be what it was and really enjoyed the story. I also read The Women this year and did enjoy it. I learnt so much as I didn’t know much about the Vietnam war at all.

 

[nbt]

Christmas book haul! I’m going to try and make physical books a bedtime reading thing. Phone down as soon as I get into bed and then pick up a book instead.

 

[Jellycat369]

Thanks for helping, have borrowed Nesting

 

[Harlot O'Scara]

I had a long run of rather disappointing books this year, unfortunately but book of the year is probably either The Race to the Future by Kassia St. Clair or Fire Weather by John Vaillant. Both non-fiction.

 

[Miscanthus]

Just popped in to say I read this in two days and enjoyed it. Easy reading psychological thriller. (Nothing to do with the mini series on TV).I got it in the charity shop and there were a couple of copies.
Apols if already discussed.

 

[CaptainBob]

There's a new 8 part series coming out next year of the book A Woman of Substance - the lead character in her later years being played by Brenda Blethyn.
Another book to be reread after nearly 40 years from my bookcase.

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Channel 4 announces brand new drama adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s A Woman of Substance | Channel 4

Just bought this on Audible for my new dog walk book- its 32hours long - that's a lot of dog walking.

I am listening to Kane & Abel at the moment on Audible.
Reading The Bee Sting by Paul Morley in paperback.
Atmosphere on Bookbeat but I am finding it quite dull.
Just finished The Chemist by A A Dhand on Libby app.
Reading Catherine Newman We All Want Impossible Things on Kindle.

I am trying to read what I have on my Kindle and listen to what I already have on Audible but I am not trying very hard.

This thread is no good for me, I just keep adding books I want to my various lists.

 

[ToxicPony]

Back in May(!) someone must have read or recommended Voyage of the Damned by Francis White as it’s on my wishlist and only 99p today. Anyone remember what was so good about it?

I liked this book a lot, it was a super fun idea, quite cute and cosy, easy to read.

 

[aalmaalm]

For the 25 days readers last year/this year! Just seen this!

 

[anniemouse]

For the 25 days readers last year/this year! Just seen this!

Ah yay! We can look forward to a good advent book next year and not have to read about teenage angst.

 

[anniemouse]

I’ve been listening to Miss Benson’s Beetle on audio but I had to skip a chapter today because a dog died. Other than that I’ve enjoyed the story but I will be deducting a point for that.

 

[Katykatykaty]

For the 25 days readers last year/this year! Just seen this!

Ooh exciting! I’m intrigued. Only 11 months to wait!

 

[Florentine]

Surprised to have only been given one book for Christmas this year.
Pleased it was the new Cormoran Strike though.

 

[AllieBee]

Surprised to have only been given one book for Christmas this year.
Pleased it was the new Cormoran Strike though.

I got 3 from my husband. I hate when he buys me books he always gets it wrong and absolutely did do so again! 2 books i would never read, or even think about reading and 1 book i already read. I mean, what's wrong with book tokens ffs! They will go in the charity shop dump bin

 

[Lola123]

I got 3 from my husband. I hate when he buys me books he always gets it wrong and absolutely did do so again! 2 books i would never read, or even think about reading and 1 book i already read. I mean, what's wrong with book tokens ffs! They will go in the charity shop dump bin

Sell them on vinted etc and use the money to buy yourself something!