anyone up for a book review

[eleanor2]

well its ages since we did a book review.anyone ready for one and any suggestions for a book.

[Gentian]

I don't mind joining in, but look to others to suggest a title.

[dragonfly]

It depends what book you choose and if I can find it. I have just started a thick book which will take me a while to read.

[buecherwurm]

I was so very bad writing my reviews last time. But wouldn't mind starting on a new book. Have to add, though, that I'm very busy as we are renovating a bathroom. So much work................

[Gentian]

I'm quite a slow reader and only read before I go to sleep (daren't bring a book out of the bedroom or nothing gets done), but if you give me time and the book grips me I'll join you. Any titles on your mind?

[jazzactivist]

I am a very fast reader, read constantly, and have a book with me at all times. I read before I get up, when I eat breakfast, at all gaps in the day and when I go to bed. I always make time to read, and am the sort of person who stands reading while cooking, and whenever I have to wait for anything. I never leave the house without my book, as you never know when the chance to read will pop up. OH is the same!

I am just about to finish a really interesting book that I bought on holiday in Whitby. It is called Hercules and the Farmer's Wife by Chris Wadsworth and is a humourous and enlightening account of the development of her art gallery in Cumbria. I have been to the gallery, but only recently discovered the book. It is great fun to read her different accounts of what it takes to set up a local art gallery from scratch, the perils of chasing down local and famous artists and collections etc., as well as being quite enlightening about the process of buying Art. For me, this is a light holiday read, and I am really enjoying it. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys personal accounts of people achieving their ambitions.

[eleanor2]

sounds very interesting jazz.a bit like that my sister has been tempting me to lend a book off her.she says it is absolutely unputdownable.about a woman who goes in search of her ancestry and all the thrills and spills it turns up.she told me it was even better than our favorite book quiet earth.that is the only book(other than the bible) that i have read about 4 times.it is so brilliant i read it about every 2 years.it still makes me cry.any other suggestions of a book.i will find out the title of sisters book.an other suggestions too.then google and see wich one sounds our cup of tea.

[Gentian]

Have made a note of that title Eleanor, not really into science fiction, but if I can find it will give it a try

[eleanor2]

it is fictional but could be real.a 90 yearold lady dies in hospital and her grandaughter researches her ancestry.called The forgotten garden.dont know the author yet.i am going to google now and see what i find.

[Gentian]

The author is Kate Moreton. I read it some time ago and really enjoyed it. She also wrote The House at Riverton, another good read.

[franbee]

Yes, I've read those two, very good.

[Gentian]

Have you read "The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas" by John Boyne? Not a huge tome but very poignant - I recommend it.

[dragonfly]

I only read in bed at night for if I pick up a book in the daytime I can't put it down and like Gentian nothing gets done. I have just started the Quiet Earth.

[souter girl]

Hope you enjoy Quiet Earth, DF I loved it and also learned a lot.

[souter girl]

Have you read "The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas" by John Boyne? Not a huge tome but very poignant - I recommend it.

As you say, very poignant and only to be embarked if you can face the sadness. Sometimes I can't take that, although I know it is a children's book, but the reality comes through. Michael Morpurgo has the same effect on me with "War Horse" and "Born to Run" - both made me cry, so how children manage I can't imagine. Talking of crying (which we weren't) do you remember Charlotte's Web? Ws that ever a tear-jerker - I had it read to me when I had scarlet fever when I was very young and it should carry a health or Kleenex warning!

[Clunkshift]

by the way of nothing, my recent reads include:

Pillars of the earth - an epic historical thriller
Deaf sentence - humour
Guernica - powerful love and war
Dice man - Silly and ill concieved
Too Close to home - Crime thriller

and yes, The boy in the striped pyjamas is very good, if slightly rose tinted on the perpetrator's side, but excellent for children

[eleanor2]

d.f hope you remember thats my quiet earth you have lent.you will enjoy it.
i couldnt read boy in striped pygamas at moment i get weepy about children...........
if a few of you have already read kate mortens forgotten garden we'll go for another eh. will google jazzs recomendation

[dragonfly]

I know it's your book Eleanor, it has your name in it in big letters. I will make sure you get it back.

I like stories that get me emotional and even cry but always wish for a happy ending or it leaves me upset for days. After what has been written here I don't think I will read 'boy in striped pyjamas'.

[eleanor2]

still looking for a suitable book.i like one that starts off slowly introducing you to the characters.then the story of their lives enfold.i like to be there with them.trying to understand thier emotions .i like good descriptions of the people pysicaly and emotionally so i can picture them clearly.get to like them or dislike them.i do love historical novels.yet enjoy maeve binchy books very much.i like the classics and think they spill the beans on ages past especially writers who have written in their own time which was over a hundred years ago.i like deep stories that you can get your teeth into.

[souter girl]

Talkking of "deep" I'm enjoying ,but making slow progress with "Wolf Hall" about Thomas Cromwell, by Hilary Mantel. Beautifully written and riveting but also very thick and heavy to hold in bed at night!

[souter girl]

Just a thought - Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama is also beautifully written and totally fascinating. Anybody else enjoyed that?

[eleanor2]

never even heard of it s.g.tell us a bit about it will you.

[eleanor2]

hey s.g wolf hall looks good.what do people think. is there any love story to it.i like a bit of love going on.

[buecherwurm]

Have never heard of this book. Will google it. But I don't think I'm into very thick books at the moment. Will start on the newest book by Siegfried Lenz called Schweigeminute (minute's silence). It's quite thin and I might finish it in a day or two. Most of his books are very good. I don't know whether anybody has read anything by him?

[souter girl]

Dreams from my father is about Obama's early life and how he first became involved in public life in Chicago. If I have one criticism it is that he has an awfully big chip on his shoulder about being black - perhaps because he is not "black enough", but worth reading nevertheless.
Wolf Hall is a bit historical and based on an interpretation of fact, without the strong plot of a novel, it is also still only in hardback so quite expensive, the book club I go to always wait until books are in paperback! For historical novels though, how about a Philippa Gregory?

[Gentian]

i don't read autobiographies as I feel they are often name dropping and are full of self praise.
Looked for Quiet Earth in library, but there is not a copy in the county, will give the charity shops a try.
I quite like the books by Phillipa Gregory.

[dragonfly]

I met Phillipa Gregory last weekend Gentian. She was giving a talk about her new book and mum bought one which she signed for her.

[souter girl]

Was this at a book festival DF? I wonder if she speaks as well as she writes? I'd have loved to have been there.

[Gentian]

Lucky you DF I would love to have been there.

[Gentian]

Found The Quiet Earth for sale on line for £791, not sure about P&P!!

[eleanor2]

what gen that sounds a lot.should there be a dot after the 7.quiet earth is very difficut to find.it is now out of print.you know a philippa gregory book is a good idea for a book review.i have never read one of her books and she is an up and coming authoress.any suggestions for a good philippa gregory title. d.f why didnt you get a signed book for one of your sisters for christmas.

[eleanor2]

anyone fancy reviewing forgotten garden.i know some have read it that might make it easier for you to review.i have just got the book off niece and am itching to read it.after what my sister has said i am actually excited about the thought of reading it.

[buecherwurm]

I googled The Forgotten Garden. Looks like an interesting book. Have to see whether I can get it in town.

[eleanor2]

hope you can beuch.......what about it ladies.....the more the merrier.it sounds like a book you can really get deep into.one many peoples point of view will make interesting for a review.

[Gentian]

what gen that sounds a lot.should there be a dot after the 7.quiet earth is very difficut to find.it is now out of print.

No, Eleanor, I looked twice and the price was £791, there were pence but I omitted them, so anyone who owns Quiet Earth, by Craig Harrison you have a valuable book. I have trawled all 8 charity shops in town today and no joy.

[eleanor2]

oh no gen this quiet earth we are taken with is by Elizabeth Harris.will be looking for quiet earth by craig harrison however...............
gen i know you have read forgotten garden but are you o.k going along with the book review.i really fancy getting into the book now i have it and it sounds just right for a book review.

[Gentian]

I haven't still got my copy, but will join in if any posts jog my memory. I think it would be good to get underway and then we can move on.

[eleanor2]

went bed last night meaning to read a chapter of my candida book then crack into forgotten garden.got carried away with candida book......must start forgotten garden today.