Books #5 the book lovers thread!

[sheleg]

It sounds really good and I don't normally read books along those topics. I might give it a go. In all honesty confiding in my book friends -I try to avoid all books with WW2 themes. I'm Jewish so I find it too hard to read about. I know that probably comes across really strange but I just can't explain it. But yeah I've felt like that has been a guilty secret of mine that has stopped me before.

I'm Jewish too, and I know exactly how you feel. It's just too hard to read about certain things.

 

[Lola123]

Have any of you abandoned a book before? I was always taught to carry on books even if I disliked them and I’ve only ever abandoned one book before (Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively), Christ I even read Milkman and that was the worst book ever!
I’m currently reading Bee Keeper of Aleppo and I know it’s an important book but I’m finding it a bit, well the writing is good and then it zones me out. I’ve just finished chapter 3, does it get better?

It’s an important topic, not an important book. The way it’s written really really made me dislike it! Don’t get the hype so yeah put it down!

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Just started my Amazon Prime reads selection for November which is One Small Mistake by Dandy Smith.
So far it’s pretty good, I oove a thriller/crime novel

 

[ordinaryjelly]

I just saw that Abdulrazak Gurnah had won the Nobel Prize for Literature. I have only read one of his books, Paradise which was a really powerful, emotional book about East Africa. His writing is so poetic. I really liked this book and now I have been reminded of him I want to read the rest of his work.

Right now I am actually reading A Man Called Ove. I only bought it when the Backman books were 99p on Kindle the other day because I didn't think I would like it. In fact I love it, i can't put it down.

Amazon product

Btw it is also Bookshop Day on Saturday (9th August)

I know it is ready to use Amaxon and most of us are easily swayed *ahem* by 99p deals but remember your little independent bookshop too. They are so often treasure troves with all kinds of special edition books and staff with fascinating literary knowledge. You can shop local online too....

Bookshop

uk.bookshop.org

 

[Laurenia]

I’m another one who tracks through Good Reads. I sometimes come across books I’ve read before I started tracking and think ‘hmm this is familiar’ the whole way through so it puts a stop to that

I also do the yearly challenge. My target this year is 100 books and I’m currently on number 94!

 

[Gamu]

I just finished a brilliant book "the couple at number 9" by Claire Douglas. I literally did not put it down except to do life things. It also had a satisfying ending unlike some books I've read recently when the ending let them down.

 

[Geranium]

Goodness me - how awful! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Me too!

 

[Merpedy]

I've not read it and have no interested in it as it sounds totally depressing. Thanks for confirming my decision!

Haven't read it either though I was planning to. I looked at some reviews and spoilers (because... logic?) when researching if I'd want to commit to such a long book just to be sad and honestly it sounded like a lot of it was to include 'sad/shocking' stuff for the sake of the book being sad. Honestly, I think it's the case with a lot of controversial topics in most fiction books

 

[Laurenia]

I started The Ex Hex last night and will probably finish it today. It’s a light hearted read perfect for Halloween, I’m flying through it.

 

[twilightgarden]

Oh I didn’t read the email properly. Thanks for flagging that we get 2 books! Decisions decisions…
im thinking A Day Like This + Her Perfect Family

 

[LurkForTheTea]

Recently read The Guest List and the Hunting Party, they are almost carbon copies of each other, but still very enjoyable in an easy reading kind of way.

The character of Miranda in the Hunting Party, I can't visualise her as anyone else but Amanda from Motherland

 

[Bubblesandflowers]

Finished reading Good As Dead, one of the first reads books. It was a pleasant surprise, I really enjoyed it.

I thought it was quite good for a first reads book lol. I asked my husband whether I should get him justice or take £5 million. He said he would be dead so doesn't need justice and he would rather I live it up in Ibiza with money

 

[Geranium]

Finished Girl with the Louding Voice. Really good, I recommend.

 

[Bea Saint]

Reading Daisy Jones and the Six, struggling with it took me 3 weeks so far nearly finished but not as fantastic as it hyped up to be.

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Rock Paper Scissors - 99p today

Her Perfect Family - first reads purchase.

Happy happy happy!

I was so pleased to see Rock Paper Scissors was 99p. I will never be able to stop buying books when this keeps happening.

i went for Her Perfect Family too, and A Day Like This. Don't forget you can get two first reads books this month.

 

[Booklover]

Finished Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers yesterday. So, so good. I'm going to see what else she's written.
Starting The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh today. It was in my book club subscription this month. Anyone read it?

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I bought 'Evidence of the Affair' by Taylor Jenkins Reid cause it was 99p

I liked Daisy Jones. It was totally different from anything Id usually read but I think thats why I liked it tbh. Was v easy to read. Havent read Evelyn Hugo.

 

[noseybirdxo]

It’s my turn to pick for my book club, i think i’m going to pick Stolen!

 

[Laurenia]

I haven't been able to decide on what to read next, and I fancied a bit of comfort reading and humour courtesy of Bill Bryson. Turns out I only have A Short History of Private Life already on my Kindle (and Mr Bryson books never go below 5.99 and I'm too tight for them prices!) so thought eff it, I'll have a read of that. (I've not read it before so don't know why I have it already!)

I wish it was one of his funny travel books, but I enjoy his 'voice' so I'm hoping I'll enjoy it.

Has anyone else read any of his books? (You're probably all too young tbh) my Step Dad got me into them and they make me full on laugh out loud no matter how many times I re-read them.

My dad also got me into Bill Bryson too! His travel books are definitely his best, Notes From a Small Island was absolutely hilarious.

 

[Sheeeet]

'Ey up, all!
Just had a week off work and got through 2 short books,

'Twas the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay - more of the same easy readable real life medical mishaps and horrors, just as good as This Is Going to Hurt but much shorter.

The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz, real life tales from the psychiatrist's couch, as thoughtful and sensitive as you'd expect.

Previously finished Cabin Fever. What an absolute bonkbuster! I'm not one for pearl clutching, but she really shoehorned in a LOT of smut! Made me want to read the Air/Hotel/Pop Babylon series again
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_series_(Imogen_Edwards-Jones)

Also Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple - it was diverting enough and I finished it. However, Where'd You Go, Bernadette was similar and superior, and is now a major motion picture starring Cate Blanchette!

My standout recent read is Shuggie Bain - finished in a day! Possibly file under misery porn but it was so, so good. Reminded me of Irvine Welsh (and I read everything of his though feel I should stop) but Douglas Stuart writes with way more humanity and is far more sympathetic with his characters. VERY emotive, not one if you're only here for a good time. As my mum used to say, if it wasn't for bad luck, they'd have no luck at all.

Went mad and have bought Stolen as well with my own actual money so that's my next read, looking forward to it! Thanks for the recommendation!