Books for 40 something year old?

[itsthesimplethings]

I'm trying to get back into reading more now I have my Kindle and am looking for something about people of a similar age or that I can relate to, maybe something funny or at least gripping. Any suggestions?

[GlobalDisaster]

Joe R Lansdale writes some pretty gripping stuff if you don't mind the filthy language. He's a very different writer, think Tom Wolfe

[itsthesimplethings]

Ok, thanks, not someone I'm familiar with at all, any particular book you'd recommend starting with?

[Rooobs]

what kind of books have you enjoyed in the past?

authors?
genres?
thinky or light reading?

[GlobalDisaster]

Rumble Tumble, it is filthy though, but in a good way.

[GlobalDisaster]

Amazon is a great way to check out most books. The reader reviews will give you an idea of what to expect. I've found them to be usefull

[itsthesimplethings]

Rumble Tumble sadly not out on Kindle

Prefer light reading at the moment as I only seem to find time to read in short bursts, when waiting for my daughter to come out of school or just before bed.

Have enjoyed all sorts in the past, prefer something I can relate to so have read lots involving mums, families, not keen on chick lit aimed at 20 somethings. I like funny books, books about pets, a good thriller. I can't get into fantasy or historical fiction really. Not keen on predictable romances although having said that I've read a lot and some are good.

I enjoyed India Knight's first two books, have just downloaded the sample chapter of Mutton, I didn't enjoy her last few books so much.

[itsthesimplethings]

Agree Global, it's just knowing where to start - there's a lot of books out there and I have spent the last few days on Amazon, searching, but not really found much I fancy reading so far.

[GlobalDisaster]

Joanne Harris is a pretty amzing writer.You'll be familiar with chocolat and poss a few others.
Also any other Lansdale book. They make you laugh out loud.

[itsthesimplethings]

Thanks, yes have read a few Joanne Harris books, loved Chocolat and Lollypop Shoes, might have to look at her newer stuff.

[gailforce1]

Some books I have enjoyed recently and am in your age group!
Mumsnet January Bookclub The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Tent, The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy- a fun read
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - well written & researched non fiction

Agree with Global spend ages on Amazon reading about books - if I used that time to actually READ my huge stack of "to read" books might reach a managable height! Having said that I have some Waterstones gift cards burning a hole in my pocket!

[itsthesimplethings]

Thanks Gailforce1, am just off to Amazon to have a look at those. Have seen The Tent, the Bucket and Me mentioned before, sounds good.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

I really enjoyed "The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared" (or whatever it's called!) and it's only 20p on Kindle just now.

[Southeastdweller]

I think you'll love Nora Ephron. Her books, I Remember Nothing, and I Feel Bad About My Neck are wonderful.

[Taffeta]

Have just finished The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling, which I enjoyed.

[itsthesimplethings]

I've downloaded The 100 year old man, looking forward to that.

Haven't heard of Nora Ephron, will take a look.

I've only heard bad things about The Casual Vacancy, glad to hear someone enjoyed it, will have a look at the summary on Amazon.

[anonymosity]

Go the the library and spend a good hour or so in the fiction section. They may even have a shelf of recent best-sellers or popular books. Then you can find your own way into what you like reading / genre, style of writing etc without having to fork anything out. And if you find a book you like, you can even borrow it - imagine that.

[Taffeta]

I did enjoy it, and it made me think. It's full of the minutiae of relationships and village life, which I find interesting. Also a glimpse into poverty and drug abuse. It's not highbrow as HP isn't, but she writes believable characters and makes valid moral points IMO.

[itsthesimplethings]

I've downloaded the sample chapter of The Casual Vacancy, will see how I get on.

Only have access to small library here plus wanted books to read on the Kindle.

[Taffeta]

I hope you enjoy it. It is a slow burn, mind. I didn't get to the cant put it down stage until halfway through.

[elkiedee]

As a lot of the chicklit authors have got a bit older, so have many of their characters, and some write about families and women in their 30s and 40s. Choc Lit publishes commercial romantic fiction, most of their output is less than £2 on Kindle and sometimes they have special offers. Sue Moorcroft is one that writes about many slightly older characters.

Have you read Gil McNeil's books?

I read a lot of 20th century women writers in reprint editions such as Virago Modern Classics and Persephone. Some are more literary than others but lots of it was the commercial women's fiction of its day. Bloomsbury Reader is also publishing lots of stuff in Kindle format and sometimes has a few on offer, and the library stocks some titles. Dorothy Whipple, Monica Dickens. Barbara Comyns is about to have several books reissued. Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Pym.

[itsthesimplethings]

Thanks elkiedee, I'll take a look at those. I don't know Gil McNeil.

I've seen some of the Persephone reprints, will take another look.

[lljkk]

John Grisham. Scandanavian murder mysteries (recent there on Mn about them). The Hunger Games (honest). Giorgio Faletti (I am God).

[itsthesimplethings]

Thanks, haven't read any John Grisham or the Scandinavian murder mysteries (presume that refers to Dragon Tattoo etc?), LOVED The Hunger Games!

[lljkk]

THREAD not there in my last message, sorry about typo.

Dragon tattoo: I don't know anything about that. This is the thread I meant.

[SpanishGoatFlower]

Life, Death and Vanilla Slices by Jenny Eclair was very good and easy to read, about a woman in her forties and her life now and when growing up. Some humour but dark in places too. Would recommend.