Title: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Brownie55 on February 02, 2009, 09:10:38 pm What are you reading now?
I have just finished " Ireland" by Frank Delaney Front Cover Flap A novel of huge ambition, beautifully told, Ireland is the unstoppably readable story of a remarkable nation. On a November evening in 1951, an itinerant storyteller, the last of a fabled breed, arrives unannounced and mysterious at a house in the Irish countryside. By the fire, he begins to tell the story of this extraordinary island. One of his listeners, a nine-year-old boy, grows so entranced by the storytelling that, when the old man leaves, he devotes his life to finding him again. It is a search that uncovers both passions and mysteries, in the boy's life as well as the old man's. In addition, a remarkable document is quoted from throughout the book - the Storyteller's own chronicle, poignant, sharp and frequently amusing. Together they comprise the narrative of a people, the history of a nation, the telling of Ireland in all its drama, intrigue and heroism, its philosophy, its spirit, its national ego. Ireland travels through the centuries by way of story after story, from the savage grip of the Ice Age to the green and troubled land of brochures and headlines. Along the way, we meet foolish kings and innocent monks, god-heroes and great works of art, shrewd Norman raiders and envoys from Rome, leaders, lovers and poets. Each illuminates the magic of Ireland, the troubling power of England and the eternal connection to the raw earth. I will give this book 8/10 I am about to start The Seventh Sacrament by David Hewson From Publishers Weekly The intricate fifth thriller from British author Hewson to feature Roman detective Nic Costa (after 2006's The Lizard's Bite) artfully weaves several points-of-view as it shifts between past and present. Fourteen years after seven-year-old Alessio Bramante, the son of an eminent archeology professor, disappeared underneath Rome's ancient Circus Maximus, someone seeking revenge attacks Costa's colleague, Insp. Leo Falcone, who worked on the unsolved case of the missing boy. Falcone and Costa start asking questions that should have been asked during the original bungled investigation. High on their list of people to talk to is Alessio's father, Giorgio, an expert on the tunnels beneath Rome who served time in prison for beating to death one of his students, the chief suspect in his son's disappearance. The subterranean labyrinths just may hold the answers to a mystery whose poignant resolution few readers will anticipate. So what are you reading?????????????????? Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on February 03, 2009, 05:07:06 am The Family Frying Pan by Bryce Courteney, quite enjoying it too.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: DazzaMc on February 05, 2009, 09:30:36 pm Stephen Baxter: The Time Ships (1995)
Quote In his visionary sequel to Wells's The Time Machine, Baxter continues the adventures of the Time-Traveller. He sends him back to the far future in an attempt to save the Eloi woman Weena, only to find himself in a future timeline diverging from the one he left. Baxter's extraordinary continuation and expansion tackles the usual concerns of the time-travel story - paradox and causality - and goes on to explore many of the themes that taxed Wells: destiny, morality and the perfectibility of the human race. Scifi rubbish while I wait for the next good read.... Also dipping into; Arthur C Clarke: Childhood's End (1953) Quote Clarke's third novel fuses science and mysticism in an optimistic treatise describing the transcendence of humankind from petty, warring beings to the guardians of utopia, and beyond. One of the first major works to present alien arrival as beneficent, it describes the slow process of social transformation when the Overlords come to Earth and guide us to the light. Humanity ultimately transcends the physical and joins a cosmic overmind, so ushering in the childhood's end of the title When ever I feel like a change... (https://cdn.smfboards.com/Smileys/smf/smiley.gif) Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: sparkels on February 10, 2009, 06:40:59 pm At the moment I've just about finished reading 'The Nick of Time' ..by Francis King. This book was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize 2003. It's a story of an illegal immigrant from Kosovo who finds himself in London, where he leads a double life (nothing to do with spying or murder though) ... Francis King was 78 when he wrote this book.
I'd rate it 7 out of 10. :D Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Brownie55 on February 13, 2009, 09:22:58 am I am just starting "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. Thought I would try something non fiction for a change. Will still have to find a good novel for in bed tonight.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on February 13, 2009, 09:29:03 am I've not long finished Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz. My daughter is applying to her teacher to see if it is suitable for her reading requirement of man's inhumanity. I think it presents inhumanity at many levels from individual to national, but she has to sell the idea.
Other daughter has just finished the 3rd book of the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I'm grateful she has finally decided to start reading. I need to pick up the 4th book this weekend, but worry about what to get her after that. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Lovelee on February 13, 2009, 09:41:29 am While I was inside my son brought me War and Peace :o
I read all but the last 284 pages of it - quite an engaging story when u get into it. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Brownie55 on February 13, 2009, 11:30:47 am I love Dean Koontz far better writer than Stephen King.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Kiwithrottlejockey on February 16, 2009, 01:32:00 pm I'm reading a piece of heavy-duty non-fiction at the moment....(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/XtraNewsCommunity2/MSN%20emoticons/05emsmilep.gif)
The First World War — A Complete History by Martin Gilbert. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on February 18, 2009, 05:58:42 am New Zealand writer Paul Cleave.
I think I'm enjoying his work. The books are based in and around Christchurch and are action/thrillers. Not lightweight, but not heavy reading either. He is definitely a NZ writer who is easier to read than a lot of them. But man some of his characters are sick puppies! Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Calliope on February 21, 2009, 09:54:43 pm The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: nixchik on February 22, 2009, 12:52:35 pm The Book of the Dead - Patricia Cornwell
Cell - Stephen King Just finished - Dean Koontz - The Darkest Night of the Year. Lucky me - as a book seller I get mine pretty cheap. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Ferney on February 22, 2009, 09:10:33 pm Roddy Doyle's....The Deportees
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on February 26, 2009, 08:06:04 pm I'm reading some of the books I have been getting my daughters.
I've finished book two of the Twilight series and am about to start the third. In between I'm reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. They are all good simple reads. I can't be bothered with anything deep at the moment. After a day of data and legalese, I'm all serioused out. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: bump head benny on March 03, 2009, 12:35:48 pm Birds of Prey - about 3 quarters thru.... cant remember the writer? Wilbur Smith mebbe?? anyhoo its all about pirates and Dutch spice traders and treasure and all that good stuff.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Magoo on March 03, 2009, 05:08:18 pm http://www.readingmatters.co.uk/book.php?id=8
Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on March 03, 2009, 05:42:28 pm Is it good magoo? Are you enjoying it?
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Magoo on March 13, 2009, 11:13:34 am Hi Dragontamer. It was quite a sad book. About the life of a Chinese girl. Her mother died shortly after her birth and was unwanted by her fathers new wife and spent a large amount of her time in boarding schools and an orphanage. She eventually went on to become a doctor in the UK through her own strength and determination. There is a sequel called Autumn Leaves but there is a lot of repitition.
Thanks for asking. ;D Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on March 21, 2009, 02:01:28 pm I might get it.
I just finished The Host by Stephanie Meyer. It's even better than the Twilight series. You can see a real growth in her writing as you go from book to book. I am so glad I got my daughter it as a follow up to the Twilight series. You can really relate to the characters. It's over 600 pages long and I never skipped any of them. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on April 17, 2009, 06:10:17 am Have just started Goodbye Holly-Jane by Maureen Peters. It is a murder mystery I think, not my usual sort of reading matter, set in Yorkshire.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Brownie55 on April 23, 2009, 11:28:08 pm Allysia, my grandaughter is hooked on the Twilight series and is begging/hinting me to buy the last book for her....can't she wait till it comes into work the new price is horrific.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on April 26, 2009, 07:18:10 am I finished Goodbye Holly Jane by Maureen Peters the other day and what a twist there was at the end, well not just one twist but TWO!
Halfway through the book you seem to have an idea of how it's going to end, then just before the end this is blown out of the window with what appears to be the problem solved. It is not until the last couple of pages that the real truth comes out and it is not at all how I thought it was going to be. I really enjoyed the book, as I said before, not my usual kind of reading, but entertaining and thought provoking. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: inky on April 26, 2009, 01:17:55 pm I am in the middle of reading- what came before he shot her-by Elizabeth George, even though she has a fair way to go before she reaches P.D.James or Ruth Rendell, I think that she is a danm-good whodunnit auther reading this book you know whodunnit at the first page. Why are Female authers a bloody side better at writing whodunnits than male authers? If you are a female, forget to answer that. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on May 04, 2009, 06:05:42 pm I've just finished Rosemary's Garden by Annie Marks.
Very sad story, but I enjoyed reading it. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on July 23, 2009, 09:55:11 pm I'm halfway through Patricia Cornwell's "Scarpetta". I think maybe I've missed one along the way though, the one before this, though I don't know how because I usually keep an eye out for her new books.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Jodes on August 17, 2009, 11:06:42 am I love the Twilight saga so much I finished all four books in six days. I couldn't put them down. I have now read ther series 4 times and have started them again....and watched the movie ohhhh about 25 times and can't wait for New Moon.
I have The Host and haven't been able to get into it. If a book doesn't grab me in the first page, I tend to not bother. I enjoy reading Karin Slaughter, Kathy Reichs and James Patterson. Their characters are brilliant. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Magoo on August 18, 2009, 07:32:40 am I have two on the go... both Alice Sebold. Lucky and The Lovely Bones.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Lovelee on August 26, 2009, 07:26:59 pm Ive just got my 5th copy of Women who Run with the Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estes.
I keep getting part way through it and then meeting a woman who clasps it to her chest and claims 'this looks great - I NEED something like this' so I hand it on. This one I intend finishing - though I bought it with one of the daughter and her daughter in mind. So I guess I wont be finishing it this time either. :) Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Shef on August 30, 2009, 11:10:09 pm I've been really lax about reading lately. I seem to spend more time on the computer. I am a third of the way through The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet.
So far it's really great, but I find if I read for more than an hour I just get really tired and can't concentrate, and 10 minutes after that I'm damn near asleep(https://cdn.smfboards.com/Smileys/smf/undecided.gif) Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on November 14, 2009, 11:49:54 pm As I am under strict orders by GP to slow down, I got the new Stephen King book.... Under the Dome. Trade size is 877 very thin pages. You have to keep checking how many you have turned else you skip.
The story is flowing quite nicely. There's an awful lot of characters to remember, but bless him, he's put a glossary at the front so you can look them up if you forget who is who. I'm up to page 300 since Thursday night. I haven't slowed down quite as much as I probably should have but - meh - I blame the doc. He not only added antibiotics to my list of pill popping, he added prednisone (I sprung a leak and can now add asthma and bronchitis to the stomach ulcer and hives) and prednisone makes me hyper I think. 2010 had better be a vast improvement on this year I can tell you! Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Magoo on November 16, 2009, 08:04:23 am Quote 2010 had better be a vast improvement on this year I can tell you! (http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/XtraNewsCommunity2/MSN%20emoticons/43emrainbow.gif) (http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/XtraNewsCommunity2/MSN%20emoticons/23emrose.gif)I was relating an experience to someone I had in the Owaka cemetery a couple of years ago and it was likened by a friend to this book with no unhappy instances to this point in time. ;D Susan Hill's The Woman in Black. A good little ghost story. 6/10 Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Calliope on December 02, 2009, 08:55:34 pm The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
Book 1: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Book 2: The Girl who Played with Fire Book 3: The Girl who kicked the Hornet's Nest. Unfortunately we will not see any more work from Stieg Larsson as he died in 2004 shortly after delivering the manuscripts of these three books to his publisher. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: guest49 on December 08, 2009, 12:08:45 pm Amongst others [I often have 4 books on the go at the same time] I am reading Stephen Kings saga, "The Dark Tower." I think he is up to volume 6 or 8 now, but I am only up to volume 3, with Vol. 4 waiting in the wings here.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on January 16, 2010, 08:14:04 am I am ploughing my way through the latest Diana Gabalden book, An Echo in the Bone. I'm about halfway at the moment but it's a slow job because I keep falling asleep when I start reading it.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Kiwithrottlejockey on March 23, 2011, 03:08:05 pm (http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/RasputinDude/Bromhead%202011/4794567s_Books_22Feb11.jpg) Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Ferney on March 24, 2011, 04:50:20 pm A couple of weeks ago I was given Kate Atkinsons latest book 'Started Early, Took my Dog" I read the first few pages then daydream because once I get into it, I won't be able to put it down and I don't want to get to the end....because I'll have to wait a year or two for her to write her next book. Weird I know.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: TokGal on April 04, 2011, 08:07:28 am I'm halfway through Breaking Dawn (last book in the Twilight saga), don't want to finish it too soon yet I have difficulty putting it down. I resisted reading any of them at first (because I don't like vampire stories as a rule) but am glad I gave in, have thoroughly enjoyed every one.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: AnFaolchudubh on November 13, 2011, 01:17:52 am Right at this moment I'm reading a couple of NZ military books as am doing up Photos for a display in the local towns heritage house that is run by the local Historical society of which I'm a member, also reading a couple of books on leather working and one on black powder firearm maintance.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: ssweetpea on April 21, 2012, 11:00:34 pm I borrowed The Hunger Games off Sp1 at 5pm and finished it at 10:30pm with time off to eat dinner.
Sp1 managed to read it in a single day barely stopping for meals. A real page turner that is for sure. 5½ hours is a record for me. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: Magoo on April 22, 2012, 08:09:01 am The Secret Life of Bees. Finding it a bit dull at this point.
Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: dragontamer on May 30, 2013, 12:34:58 pm http://michaelhendersonstheliteraryman.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/book-review-misremembered-man-by.html
Not sure how I feel about this one. 1/3 of the way through and very disturbing in parts. Title: Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? Post by: BorisSanobabitz on May 31, 2014, 02:53:42 pm Zaregoto - The Kubikiri Cycle I really love this book soooooooo much |