What are you reading at the moment, part2

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Nope, sorry, I find the Alexandria Quartet unreadable now. I have just re-read Angelica Garnett's book about her Bloomsbury upbringing. I was irritated the first time round, but read it with more sympathy this time (I see she has just died). For intelligent people, the Bloomsberries didn't half mess up their daughters' education. I am waiting for OH to finish the new Anthony Beevor World War 2 (he is sooo slow) and I have fitted in "How It All Began" by Penelope Lively (fab) and Diana Athill's "Somewhere Near the End" (not so sure) and a Montelbano this week.

I have a suspicion that I'd feel the same way as you, Mamie about the Alexandria Quartet. I'll have a look and then it's the charity shop for them.

I think I was about 17 and impressionable when people began talking about "The Alexnadria Quartet. I was with a group who were several years older than me, middle class, seemed to know so much, and I really admired them! Now I know that they were b**********s!

Being a good English student, even then I could talk the talk, so when I found the books incomprehensible, managed to waffle my way out of it.

Now, I am happy to say, I can just say "Actually, I cannot be bothered" or even "It's a load of c**p"!

Grown up at last, eh?

I'm starting to find them a little hard. I dip in and out of kithem. I actually keep them by the lavatory (to read not use

Hit wrong button! I'm sooo addicted to reading I cant be without a book anywhere!

I have just downloaded Somewhere Near The End, so hope it will be OK.
I also downloaded (Kindle cheapy offer) a book called Nurse! Nurse! Whilst it is not great literature, it is an interesting insight into nurse training - written by a male mature student - and in the midst of mostly lighthearted stuff there are some profound thoughts. He specialises in mental health and makes the observation that many of his "clients" could do with a hug. Can't get that on prescription.

Ariadne, I know just what you mean. At University I was surrounded by people who talked the talk and I felt a bit overwhelmed. Was surprised when they asked me to write a review of a Lawrence Durrell play that was on at the Edinburgh Festival for the University literary mag. I gave it a favourable review which in turn was favourably commented on by the literati. But I know now what I should have sussed then - it was a load of pretentious c**p. Need I say that it (Sappho) sank without trace thereafter. However, his book about Cyprus, 'Bitter Lemons' I did enjoy.

Yes I enjoyed bitter lemons. Of course I and later my children loved is brothers books

haven't read Bitter Lemons, butI agree Jeni, the Gerald Durrell books were great fun,- and very readable!

I`ve just finished reading The Accident, by Linwood Barclay, enjoyed it very much, but then I`ve loved all his books so far.
Am just styarting Hanging Hill, by Mo Hayder, another writer who never fails to please.

The Butterfly Box by Santa Montefiori - that's Tara Palmer-Tomkins sister - and I really loved it. Now reading Mavis Nicholson's Martha-Jane and Me. Appropriate for me as I was born in South Wales and lived there until I was five and a half. Before that I read and thoroughly enjoyed the Unseen by Katherine Webb. I am reading quite a bit at the moment. A book every ten days or so. It's very warm here in SW France.

Now back to Trollope for an interlude. Eustace Diamonds in the Palliser series.

Part way through 'We Had It So Good' by Linda Grant, recommended on here by baNANA. It's an excellent read and takes off in directions you don't expect - intuitive and profound. Just up to the bit where they have arrived in San Francisco, a city I love.

Annobel I have read and enjoyed Anthony Trollope but have not read any of the Pallisers. I shall ear-mark them for my winter reading. The classics don't sit well on my appetite in the summer and I feel that, like casseroles, they are more appealing when the weather is not.

Montefiore not Montefoiri.

Oh Trollope - The Way We Live Now! and indeed it is a fable of our time as well as his. Do you remember the wonderful BBc drama of it?

flowerfriend, Try The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore, I think it is by far her best as long as you don't mind shedding tears! I also loved Meet me under the Ombu Tree which I think was her first.
At the moment I am reading Tales of the Gypsy Dressmaker by Thelma Madine who featured in the Big Fat Gypsy Weddings TV series. I am only 60 pages in but thoroughly enjoying it.

Just finished the making of us by Lisa Jewell about 3 grown up children, conceived through IVF from an anonymous donor father. They turn out to be half siblings from varying backgrounds and during the course of the book they get in touch with each other via a donor register. A good page turner would recommend it.

1. The Red Box - another Rex Stout Nero Wolfe novel

2. Ulysses - James Joyce. We'll see if I make it all the way through...

Both of those on Kindle.

Also a second-hand copy, just acquired, of Over The Limit by Bob Monkhouse. Very funny and very informative.

My very,very favourite book of all time is Katherine by Anya Seaton..true story & a wonderful love story of Katherine Swynford & John of Gaunt, son of Edward III. Set in the 14th century, together they had four children..our present Queen is a direct descendent from these..I picked the book up when I was pregnant with my daughter, she is named Katherine..Katherine Swynford is buried in Lincoln Cathedral..well worth a visit to find out more.

Oh, yes, I remember Katherine. I picked it out of my parents' bookcase when I was a teenager and addicted to historical fiction. I might re-read it and see if I still like it in my dotage!

I remember that book also. I loved it along with her other books!

My favourite book i've read this year is "Beauty" by sherri s tepper. A take on the slleeping beauty story - couldnt put it down.

Yes have read them all. The lates was the best I thought, set in Berlin. Didnt like "The Lady on the 5th"

I loved "Why be happy when you could be normal?" by Jeannette Winterson. A biography really