What are you reading now?

What a great thread, I've noted several new to me authors to try. I usually read several books a week on my kindle. Anne Tyler appeals.

I am just reading the Photograpers wife by Nick Alexander, there are some descriptions of London in the blitz from a childs perspective, which I found extremely realistic. There are two timelines, I am really enjoying it.

I've also just read The Other Son & The French House by him, lovely south of France locations.

I like the Victoria Hislop books for a bit of escapism, plus Erica James, Sara Alexi (Greek Island books)

The Tea Planters Wife Dinah Jefferies, books by Gretta Curran Browne. Poldark Books after enjoying the TV programme.

I enjoy English detective series where you gradually get to know more about the charactors - ie Peter Robinson, Mark Sennen (Charlotte Savage), Celina Grace (Kate Redman Mysteries).

I enjoyed the earlier Jack Reacher books, but was told the last two aren't as good.

When I find an author I like, I add their other books to my Amazon wish list, and use ereader iq to be alerted when they fall below a certain price.

Just read 3/4 of Spool of Blue Thread - boring! Given up on it.

Now started on The Angel Tree and have a feeling I have read it before

I wasn't that keen on "Not Quite Nice" It was a very shallow picture of ex-pats with cardboard stock characters and a Not Quite Believable denouement at the end - and these people living around Nice never seemed to see anything of the area or meet any local people, only self-centred Brits who spent their time in famed eating houses. The South of France as seen by someone who appeared in theatres by night, ate out after a show with others who were just passing, and stayed in bed until it was time for rehearsals.

Her autobigraphy was OK (ghosted?) though full of dropped first names of the famous actors she worked with, but this shows how she can't really write.

I stumbled across Nick Alexander on Amazon at Christmas and read The Other Son followed by The Photographer's wife. Enjoyed both of them and would recommend them, particularly as they are going cheap right now. The Other Son touches so many of the issues that have been raised here on GN recently about family expectations and alienations and inter-generational conflict. The Photographer's Wife is about family secrets and deceptions. Well worth the read.

Thanks for the Pat Barker recommendation. I'm voraciously consuming the Barbara Cleverly books about commander Joe Sandilands. I particularly liked the 3 set in India but the ones in France were good too. She must do such detailed background work about the 1920s.

Just re-reading Lewis Trilogy by Peter May. So evocative of places of my childhood.

Elegant - I was disappointed in Not Quite Nice for similar reasons to yours. An odd mixture of levity with the occasional more serious happening and the a few things intended to be raunchy. I'll keep quiet at least initially at my local book club though I think most people will agree with us. I think we're supposed to try out a recipe too, some sounds rather tempting.
Katek - several members of the book club I go to have highly recommended the Lewis Trilogy.
Sea cliff - In Crete in the 1980s my daughter and I went on a boat trip to 'the beautiful island of Spinalonga'. Initially a little surprised at what we found, we became fascinated by its haunting story. Back a few years ago she found the trip far more organised. I very much enjoyed Victoria Hislop's book.
Had my library book club not been allocated the first Jack Reacher I doubt I would have read one although several members were already fans. My son and I have now enjoyed several. When Lee Child came to do a talk and signing I discovered that he, and Jack Reacher, support the same football team as my son.

One of my sons bought me the latest Margaret Atwood, "The Heart Goes Last" for Christmas, among other things. I've read "The Blind Assassin" "Cat's Eye" and "Alias Grace", all of which I loved. I'm not sure this one will be as overwhelmingly good as those, but have only read a couple of chapters so far so I will reserve judgement.

My son bought me The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett for Christmas. It is actually a children's book but I've read the others in the series, and enjoyed them immensely. I will miss my annual Terry Pratchett book, such a loss to fantasy fiction. RIP.

I`ve just finished On a Wing and a Prayer, by Helen Carey, the story of a group of friends living in London during WW2, and of ho they coped with life in wartime, and loved ones away in the services. I enjoyed it.
I`ve just read the first few pages of London Belles, by Annie Groves. It`s beginning in August 1939, so no war as yet.

Just finished The Taxidermists Daughter by Kate Mosse. I must admit it was a bit of a struggle!

The real bit of plot comes in the last couple of chapters. The rest I found dire, surprisingly as I usually like her books.

I would only recommend it to those people who like to read the ending first!

Or anyone who knows the Chichester area, where it is set.

x

Shortly before Christmas, i read "Miss Carter's War", by Shiela Hancock. A good read.

2 books on the go now. Victoria Hislop's 'The Sunrise'0 and Alison Plowden's 'Danger to Elizabeth'.

Happy New Year to all you giddy grandmas. I was talking about Tom Brown's Schooldays to my first grandson-in-law over Christmas dinner so that's what I'm reading now. Always the oddity, me!

I have just read Silent Lady by Catherine Cookson , picked up in second hand shop as needed something . think need to get books on kinle .

Elrel I too went to Spinalonga about 15 years ago - I hadn't read the book then, (The Island) but it made such an impression on me anyway, quite a haunting place and stunning scenery, and not commercialised at all at that time.

Re Jack Reacher, I just hated the casting of Tom Cruise to play him - just so wrong if you've read the books.

"Carol" by Patricia Highsmith - finished in a day and enjoyed. I think I preferred the film

Xmas present to me - The Road To Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson Like all his books, so enjoyable!

I have just abandoned the book I was given for Christmas as it is so bad: The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. I was looking forward to it as it is about a little known female Canadian artist from the Victorian era called Emily Carr. It has prompted me to look at her art online which is good; but the book itself is bitty and very badly written and I could not hack it any longer! Do not bother with it if it comes your way - it was a New York Times bestseller - I have no idea why!

I have just finished reading Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerny, it was a Christmas present. I might not have chosen it for myself, but enjoyed it very much and would now like to read the author's other books.

Have enjoyed browsing thru all your posts, has given me lots of suggestions for me and my mum, who tho registered blind is a voracious reader, being supplied with audio books thru the wonderful RNIB. She is reliant on me to find new authors to try out and you have given lots of ideas. I enjoy audio books and reading on my kindle but nothing beats a browse in your local library and the feel and smell of a real book. Please gransneters, if you can, use this fabulous resource as your first port of call for your reading material, and no, I am not a librarian, nor do I work in one! If you don't use them, you'll lose them and that would be very sad!

PS am reading the silkworm, from my local library, and thoroughly enjoying it and have just finished the latest from Sue Grafon- excellent!

just reading Pam Jenoff - the Winter Guest and enjoying it. I like her other books too. all set in Eastern Europe during the war. I am also a fan of Jo Nesbo.

Love Pratchet as well, feel really sad about his passing. Currently reading Hugh Howey Dust trilogy.

Just read this, I loved it. Read all her books. Loved "Amateur Marriage' too.