What are you reading at the moment

I am reading 'Treat your own rotator cuff' by Jim Johnson because I've had a frozen shoulder since xmas and it is driving me insane! Hoping the exercises in this book will help. Have just finished 'The Room' - excellent and gripping - thought provoking too. I thoroughly enjoyed it and not a bit dismal as I thought it might be.

I'm re-reading the James Herriot books for the umpteenth time.

I'm reading Vera Brittain's A Testament of Youth at the moment. It's very long, but incredibly moving. It's hard to remember how young she was during WW1, yet as a VAD she saw and dealt with the most dreadful wounds and human misery - including her own grief at losing not only her fiance but her brother and their 2 close male friends. Difficult to put down.

I've just abandoned One Moment, One Morning by Sarah Rayner. Was half way through and lost interest. Focused far too heavily on the pain of grief so decided I needed something more jolly...

I have just finished reading blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris.Interesting concept about the use of the internet and the difficulty in defining fact and fiction within this medium. Really enjoyed the book I have now picked up Laurie Lee Cider with Rosie to reread, one of my favourite books.

I try not to buy too many books these day, I prefer ordering or chosing a book from the library, or asking the librarians for their recommendations. As a consequence i have read a wide variety of very good books during the year. Saying that I still seem to have an awful lot of books that I have yet to read!!! or even to reread. I don't think I will ever have the time to reread my favourites. There is an excellent book by Susan Hill, the name of which I can't remember, when she decides to spend a year rereading all her favourite books and reading those never read. She then lists those which are her favourites. Well I made a list of them all, so more books I must read.

I read the Secret life of Bees some time ago- its a lovely book. I recommend everyone reads 'One Day' by David Nicholls - its about the life of two people same day every year over about 25 years - wont tell you any more or it will spoil it - unputdownable and couldn't stop thinking about it after I had finished it.

Like Mollie, I have just abandoned a book - Red Queen by Margaret Drabble - the first half was a good read but the second half was like hitting a brick wall for me and after a while I couldn't be bothered. I don't often give up on books so I may have another go at it sometime. I went on to Ian McEwen's On Chesil Beach instead and couldn't put it down. Although it is not very long, it's a compelling read. I have a couple of biographies that I still haven't started and if I don't give Gransnet a rest I'm not going to get any more reading done!

Just picked up a biography well ghost written autobiography really I suppose of Keith Richards - it is truly a wonder that he has managed to stay alive for so long!

Hello i.m new to this forum so hope you dont mind my comments .
I love reading but these days find I,m reading different types of books than I used to .It,s difficult to mantain interest all through a book unless I get really interested in the first few chapters . I.m reading " an equal music " by Vikram Seth . So far so good I.m finding it a good read . Hope it continues . Love all your comments . Thanku x

The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the ultimate forensic record of evolution by Sean B Carroll

Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd. A book which traces the development of Salisbury from prehistoric to modern times. It's full of historical information as well as stories of the families who lived there, and their descendants, through the ages.

I like those Edward Rutherford books, there is one on London and one on Dublin too.

Just finished a Jo Nesbo whodunnit. Yet another of the scandinavian followers on from Steig Larsson and very good. Also recently read Alone in Berlin, which is the most amazing picture of life under Hitler written at the time. Makes me so thankful that I wasn't born a generation earlier and that the world has changed so much for the better.

Edward Rutherford's other books are about the New Forest and Russia and the latest is about New York, divawithattitude. The one about Russia is not as good as the others - too big a subject, I think and I have yet to read the New York one.

I too am a Jo Nesbo fan. The first one I read was The Snowman, loved it, so then started on the rest in the correct order. Am now waiting for The Leopard to go paperback in a few days. I read Chosen to Die, by Lisa Jackson last week, a few days later I started another of her books, Left to Die, only to find it`s the one before the other one, but I still enjoyed it, even though I knew who the killer was. I`m now reading The Death Chamber, by Sarah Rayne. I read her Tower of Silence a couple of years ago, loved it, but this is the first time since that I`ve seen one of her books on sale. I`m also a great fan of the Matthew Shardlake stories by C.J.Sansom, set in the time of Henry VIII.

I am rereading The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R King.

"In 1915, 15 year-old Mary Russell meets aging detective Sherlock Holmes on the Sussex Downs ......."

It is part detection/adventure and part the impact on each other of the strong personalities of the famous detective and the highly intelligent and resourceful orphaned girl. Holmes is recognisable as the same character as in Conan Doyle's books (unlike the versions of some other copiers)

If you find you like this, there are another ten books in the series!

Have recently re-read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, then followed it with the sequel, World Without End; Thoroughly enjoyed both. Just started a Jody Picoult book; Handle With Care.

I enjoyed the Ken Follets too- similar style to the Edward Rutherford series.

I enjoy historical fiction, Sharon Penman is a particular favourite of mine.

I read Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach" and then bought one each for my two daughters. I felt it would give then a good insight into how their mothers generation was brought up, and how we reacted emotionally to affairs of the heart, which the auther captured remarkable well!

Right now I'm reading Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo. It may be aimed at children but its a powerful read. Did anyone read The Boy in Striped Pyjamas? It points up the appallingness of WWII in the most brilliant way.

If there is a new CJ Sansom (shardlake) or a new Phillippa Gregory, I can't wait for them in paperback and have to splash out on the hardback!

I was reading until lunchtime today 'God was a Rabbit', it is one of Richard and Judy's recommendation, and also on 'Love Reading' website, all favourable.
I did enjoy the first third, then decided I was getting fed up and flicked through a few pages, and made the decision not to carry on with it. This is by another first timer author, well written, Mainly about a family, or rather a brother and sister. He realises he is gay when aged about 14, his sister 5 years younger, finds out about his sexuality by spying on him and his lover. Their aunt is also gay. The Mother loves the aunt but doesn't have a sexual relationship with her though. Sorry to waffle on, this is just a brief outline. Fortunely I had 3 books waiting for me at the library, lets hope they are more rewarding.

I am reading Heretic by Bernard Cornwell - third in a series. Old Bernie always tells a very good tale, though I confess I skim a bit over the battles scenes. And the heroes are always very fit young men!

Conn Iggledun and Simon Scarrow are good for early historical fiction, too.