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Original poster

Help - what can I read next please?

55 replies

BelligerentGhoul · 27/02/2011 20:37

So, I've had quite a good run on books lately:

Rose Tremain's 'The Road Home' - I really liked this.

Margaret Atwood's 'Alias Grace' - I thought I'd read this before but actually I don't think I had. Enjoyed it hugely overall, although some of it annoyed me and the ending was a bit silly.

I have no idea what to read next though, or even what to start looking for. Any ideas please?

My favourite ever authors are Jane Austen and Stephen King. No chick lit and no Ian McEwan but other than that am fairly open-minded!

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Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 03/03/2011 06:11

Am going to the library on Saturday to pick up my World Book Day books (hurray!) so will either get it or order it.

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stainesmassif · 02/03/2011 22:28

i'm not sure if you are - he has recurrent themes, however, so most of his books have an older woman sleeping with a younger lad, ditto prostitutes, ditto bears, ditto wrestling, ditto austria etc etc. now i come to think of it, do i like john irving?! (i still do)

i think my best suggestion remains cloud atlas and look forward to your review. Grin

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 01/03/2011 22:06

Thanks for persevering with me!

The line of beauty - read it

Midnight's children - tried and failed but could try again

The handmaid's tale? Read and loved

Raymond Chandler - read some, not all and could certainly try more.

Am I thinking of another one then? Where the older woman is sleeping with a younger lad? And something to do with hiding in a cupboard when a prostitute is working? I might be mixing up two books!

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stainesmassif · 01/03/2011 21:19

no, not on my account!

how about the line of beauty - alan hollinghurst - interesting
midnight's children - i found it enjoyable, but read it whilst travelling in india, which may have helped
have you read the handmaid's tale? surely
anything by raymond chandler? i recently discovered him. v funny in a sly, jane way at times.

i think i must read too quickly or just not really pay attention whilst reading - can hardly remember sex scenes in a widow for one year!

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 01/03/2011 21:12

Cheers, Kurri.

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KurriKurri · 01/03/2011 20:57

Yes also by Chevalier pointydog - I didn't like Girl With a Pearl earring - gave up about a quarter of the way through - but thought RC was good.

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 01/03/2011 20:04

I read and hated Girl With A Pearl earring.

I quite liked A Widow For One Year in places but the sex got sooooooooooo boring. read Hotel New Hampshire too but I can't say it wowed me. Not read Garp - do I really need to try another of his?! Grin

Gawds - I said I was pretty open minded but have read so many already!

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stainesmassif · 01/03/2011 19:56

armistead maupin is easy reading. if i can't sleep for some reason i re read one of his. he wrote tales of the city - made into a tv series in the 90's.

owen meany gets such a bad press! john irving's written a lot worse....that's not exactly what i'm trying to get at! i really liked a widow for one year and son of the circus. and garp.

wwwid is defo the best doyle but am still fond of the others.

pointydog · 01/03/2011 19:20

Didn't like Remarkable Creatures. Is it also by Chevalier? I find her irritating.

Deaf Sentence was quite good.

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 01/03/2011 17:29

Read most of Roddy Doyle's but only liked The Woman Who walked Into Doors.

Read a few John Irvings and have vowed never to read any more because he drives me insane. Owen Bloody Meany was the final straw.

Read David Lodge. Read Room.

Not read Armistead Maupin though!

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Swarski · 28/02/2011 22:16

Room by Emma Donague
Group by Mary McCarthy

stainesmassif · 28/02/2011 22:10

How about:
Roddy Doyle
John Irving
Armistead maupin

All 'nice' reads in my opinion, though am astonished there are books you haven't read!

KurriKurri · 28/02/2011 22:06

Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier - nice story, you don't have to be especially interested in fossils to enjoy it!

Deaf Sentence - David Lodge, funny and poignant.

I second HC's Robertson Davies recommendation.

Have heard lots of people recommend The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - it looks interesting, but I haven't read it yet.

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 21:54

Smiths references eh? Bring it on!!

Read Wolf Hall, The Little Friend and Girl With A Pearl Earring as well as a couple of Mitfords. The Mitfords irritated me; Wolf Hall frustrated me; Pearl Earring bored me somewhat and The Little Friend annoyed me!

Sorry - am a pain.

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stainesmassif · 28/02/2011 21:47

I don't want to give too much away, in fact I've decided not to, but nostalgic is a very good word, pointy.

Beamur · 28/02/2011 21:46

Nancy Mitford? If you like Jane Austen you may like her novels too. Different era, but similarish wit/observation. Mitford more caustic though.
I've just read and enjoyed 'Wolf Hall' which I didn't think I would like.
Tracey Chevalier - Girl with Pearl Earring
Donna Tartt - The Little Friend (only half recommend this as the ending infuriated me)
Don't read This Much is True - Wally somebody - almost a great book but a really shite ending.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 21:41

oo yes. I liked cloud atlas. So nostalgic. Quite a few smiths references too.

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 21:40

Ooh - not read either of those!

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stainesmassif · 28/02/2011 21:39

Have you read Cloud Atlas? I bet you have.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 21:34

Have you read the Corrections by Jonathan Franzen? Loved it. Pacy and fab.

(I am still searching about for book buy choices Grin)

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 21:33

Thanks again :)

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HumphreyCobbler · 28/02/2011 21:31

I bet I have mentioned him before Blush
They should be in the library, he was nominated for a Booker at one point.

I haven't read a Rose Tremain in ages, must do so.

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 21:27

Yup to Rose Tremain - think I've read most of hers.

Didn't like Case Histories much.

Googling the other - thanks. :)

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RufousBartleby · 28/02/2011 21:25

Have you read Rose Tremain - 'Music and Silence'? - its great, and one I've been back to.

Kate Atkinson? 'Case Histories' is very good.

Jane Gardam - 'Old Filth' don't be put off by the name, it bears no relevance to the book, which is excellent.

Original poster
BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 21:19

I think you've mentioned him before actually. I'll deffo look out for him - do you think they'll be available in libraries?

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