What are you reading now?

My problem is that, in my youth I attempted to read Titus Groan several times with no success until, one day I tried again and entered such a magical world that it now worries me that I'm missing out on something as good by not persevering. How far did you get with the Book Thief Elrel? If you've given up on it I think I shall release myself from my self imposed commitment to finish it [I'm probably on page 120 and I've been reading it on and off for over a year ].

I have just started A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler.

Tegan, I really liked The Book Thief, after it taking a little while to get into, probably about the first 100 pages, then it got to me, and I just had to finish it.
I`ve almost finished Azincourt. I`ve never read Bernard Cornwell before, but will definitely try more now, I`ve loved Azincourt.

Have you been watching 'The Last Kingdom' number? I'm captivated by the stories of Uhtred and want to start reading the books; I've never read[or even heard of] Bernard Cornwell books before TLK hit the small screen. However, I'm still part way through 'The White Princess' so I need to finish that. I may persevere with The Book Thief; my daughter told me that something happens part way through the book that makes you want to keep reading it. When I first picked it up at her house I was enthralled by the quirkiness of the way it was written.

Tegan Bernard Cornwell writes the Sharpe series of books (amongst others) that was televised some years ago, with Sean Bean in the starring role as Richard Sharpe (remember Sharpe's Rifles in the dark green jackets?).

His Saxon Stories series is brilliant with 9 books in the series to date. I have the set and read it more than twice! I've listened to the audiobooks too and recommend them too. The TV series roughly covered the first two books.

I had a friend who did battle re enactments [sp] and he used to work on the Sharpe series. Got a photo somewhere of him with Sean.

Wilma, ooh yes, I remember Sharpe, sigh! I thought it was just something my uncle watched until one evening I watched one with him!!
Tegan, I intend to give The Book Thief another go, maybe I just wasn't in the mood! When Watership Down first came out and my aunt gave my daughter a copy I thought I'd read it but couldn't get into it. A couple of years later I found it unputdownable! Disliked at least one of Richard Adams' other books however, Girl on a Swing (?) I think.

Spool of Blue Thread Anne Tyler.

About a third of the way through. Not bad.

I have just finished Noonday by Pat Barker, the last of a trilogy about three artists who studied at the Slade before WW1. Couldn't put it down. I read her Regeneration books years ago, love her novels.

Tegan, I`ve not heard of The Last Kingdom, which channel is it on? I`m not generally keen though on dramas based on books, specially if I``ve read them first. I won`t be reading Cornwell`s Sharpe series, I`d constantly associate it with the TV series, which I didn`t like.
I`ve just started on another book that was given to me, The Shadowy Horses, by Susanna Kearsley, a sor of combination ghost story and romance, not too sure about it yet.

It's on BBC number, but it's very violent. I wish I could get back into reading again. There are so many good books.

A Spool of Blue Thread. Started yesterday!

I read A Spool of Blue Thread but found it disappointing. But if you're new to Anne Tyler then you have a treat in store. Her novels are a mixed bag and some of them are really good and a satisfying read.

I'm reading Turn Again Home by Carol Birch. A good North of England family story.

I didn`t really think I`d like The Shadowy Horses, but actually I`m quite enjoying it, and the "ghost" is, well, believable inable, to use a daft expression.

Book Group today got Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie's. Life on the French Riviera with an undertow. I'm looking forward to reading it but not just yet, I seem to be quite busy!

Ooh, I wish we could 'edit'!

Loved The Shadowy Horses after all. I`ve just started on More Bitter Than Death, a Scandinavian book, by Camilla Grebe and Asa Traff, with funny little signs over the letters. Only read a few pages, so can`t comment on it yet.

I'm reading 'Toby's Room', Pat Barker's sequel to 'Life Class', novels set in the period of WW1. The third volume of the trilogy is 'Noonday' which I will read when the Kindle price comes down. There's a crossover with the themes of Louisa Young's 'My Dear I Wanted to Tell You' and 'The Heroes' Welcome', though three main characters are artists with differing attitudes to the war.

Oh yes! Not Quite Nice opens with a very fed up and exploited grandmother who decides to put her foot down with a firm hand and take control of her life. Not far in but I'd definitely recommend this one!

Anyone read Jack Sheppard's books? I'd not heard of them but have been given Silent Night. The blurb says 'a Christmas surprise for the pupils of Ragley village school ...' Shall be reading after the above.

The Belgarion series by David Eddings, fun relaxing reads, good for this time of year.

Just finished reading the Inspector Moltalbano books, slightly different from the TV series but a good read if you like detectives with a difference.

Also the Inspector Gamache books by Louise Penny about a Canadian detective , and a village somewhat like Midsommer, very good (I think so )

Am about to start Maggie Smith's biography which my niece gave me for Christmas. I have just finished reading Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine, whch was an unmitigated load of old twaddle in which all the characters, including the heroine, were risible. I'm ashamed that i didn't put it down after the first two chapters but i needed to see what happened in the end. It was a real slog.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Magic realism? Has anyone else here read it?

Just finished Ken Follett's 'Whiteout'. Great read if you like a bit of knife edge drama and who-dunnit!