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Original poster

Running out of books!

32 replies

brighthair · 16/10/2011 00:48

I read a lot, at least 20 a week and am struggling to find new ones to read. I like pretty easy going stuff as it's mainly for night shifts so I need to pick it up and put it down
Read most chick lit, jodi picoult, jojo moyes, war romance stuff, I like Lyndon Stacey too
Won't read sci fi or heavy war stuff but open to anything else!!

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piebald · 19/10/2011 15:44

Diana Gabaldan-nice big series and very enjoyable

Original poster
brighthair · 19/10/2011 14:50

basildon - I loved pony stories!! How about the heartland series, saddle club, the old ones like the Jill series?
James Herriot were a fave too but I also liked school books - chalet school, mallory towers etc

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Quenelle · 19/10/2011 12:33

I'm impressed, especially at your retention. I read quite slowly and have still forgotten enough about a book to re-read it six months later.

Have you read any John Irving? He's written quite a few and they're quite absorbing, especially A Prayer for Owen Meanie and The World According to Garp.

JiltedJohnsGhoulie · 19/10/2011 12:22

bright if you got a kindle you could join the MN Kindle Reading Club and get books for free, have you checked to see if your local library service loan out ebooks too? Know that some libraries loan them out for two weeks.

For you though I think it would be an add on rather than a replacement for real books.

basildon have you given DD the James Herriot books or failing that maybe she should start reading some veterinary text books [hsmile].

basildonbond · 19/10/2011 08:52

dd is like this ... she can get through several books in a day ... her comprehension and retention are fantastic, but she's starting to get annoyed that she gets through books so quickly. She's obsessed with animals and has read countless pony/cat/wildlife/animal shelter books and we're now running out of things to try (she's gone through all the classic animal stories I can find too) I'm trying to get her to broaden her range and tackle something that will make her think a little more to slow her down a bit - and that's the same advice I'd give the OP ... break out of your comfort zone and give your brain a bit more to go on - there are millions of books out there ....

minsmum · 19/10/2011 00:08

Have you read Jennifer Crusie. Welcome to temptation, bet me etc they are rather fun

Original poster
brighthair · 18/10/2011 21:05

Oh might have a look at blogs. I do have one but it's mainly dressage/horse related
Tonights reads are
Jill mansell - to the moon and back
Lynda page - secrets to keep
Erica James - act of faith (halfway through)

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Leo35 · 18/10/2011 20:39

I don't have a Kindle either. I do online reservations for collection at my local library. It's an absolute bargain, and the only way I could browse for books until recently, as DS2 was a liability in the building (calming down now thankfully).

Do you have a Good Reads page (or similar) and link with friends so that you can see what they are reading as well? Or are there any bloggers that you could check in with to get ideas?

You could start your own blog with that amazing number of books a year! best of luck with your new reads.

Original poster
brighthair · 18/10/2011 20:28

Kindle does appeal but it's the cost of books. I don't really buy them except for charity shops, I use 4-5 different libraries and get lots given to me!

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Leo35 · 18/10/2011 20:11

Wow! that's some total p.a.!

My two-penneth worth:

Laurie Graham - she's written several and you can pick them up /put them down. Loved Gone with the Windsors, and got the latest lined up on my To Read shelf
Isla Dewar - not read any of hers recently, but worth a dip in
Elinor Lipman - Inn at the Lake Devine was a good one
Jill Dawson - just read The Great Lover (about Rupert Brooke) and got Lucky Bunny lined up
Sara Paretsky - VI Warshawski series (crime/set in Chicago)
Christopher Brookmyre
Kate Atkinson (guess you might have read all hers already?!)

Depending on your, ahem, era - you might like Louise Wener's memoir about being in a band in the 90s. Her recollections of growing up in the 70s and 80s were fab.

HTH and are you going for a Kindle with ref to your remark about holidays?!

JiltedJohnsGhoulie · 18/10/2011 20:07

Think I am at the other extreme though bright, don't have to take many books on holiday but reading so slowly can be really frustrating.

Hope you find some good ones tomorrow. [hsmile].

Original poster
brighthair · 18/10/2011 13:48

I do re read Grin am taking this thread to the library tomorrow to have a search

Don't be Envy it's bloody irritating - imagine how many books I'd have to take on a 2 week holiday?! Wink

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JiltedJohnsGhoulie · 18/10/2011 12:31

Don't be defensive, am a bit [henvy] but I'll get over it [hgrin], just wish I could do it.

Bubbaluv · 18/10/2011 07:52

Amy Tan's books are fantastic.
Tim Winton is my absolute favourite and a bit like taking a holiday to Western Australia.

mrsmummy84 · 18/10/2011 07:11

gah! hmm.. ok... how do you feel about re-reading some you read years ago instead of new ones?!

Original poster
brighthair · 17/10/2011 13:56

Cecilia ahern yes and Nicholas sparks Grin

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mrsmummy84 · 17/10/2011 13:12

ooh - and what about Celia Ahern - have you read any of hers?

mrsmummy84 · 17/10/2011 06:19

I thought of some others for you last night!

Have you tried Lesley Pearce? sorry - just saw one in your list! Blush Very good, although sometimes hard to put down - but she does some that might take you more than an hour to get through - they're pretty big! Wink

Also, try Nicholas Evans (although he's only done 5 books, but very very good. Smoke Jumper has been my favourite so far), and Santa Montefiorre.

If I think of any more I'll come back!

Original poster
brighthair · 16/10/2011 21:14

Marian Keyes, Jane Green and Philippa Gregory I have read most of...

Here's some of my diary Grin
Before I Die - Jenny Downham
Secrets - Freya North
Handle With Care - Jodi Picoult
Stick or Twist - Eleanor Moran
Too Good to be True - Sheila O'Flanagan
The Nearly-Weds - Jane Costello
Second Chances - Martine Reilly
Secret Smile - Nicci French
The Family Way - Tony Parsons
French Women Don't Get Fat - Mireille Guiliano
Forever Ours - Janis Amatuzio
Clean Cut - Lynda La Plante
Tales of the Country - Brian Viner
Jumping to Conclusions - Sarah Challis
Someone Like You - Cathy Kelly
The Secret Mothers Club - Joanne Fedler
Shoe Addicts Anonymous - Beth Harbison
Would You? - Deanna Kizis
Our Farm - Rosie Boycott
Nobody's Baby but Mine - Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Simple Rules of Love - Amanada Brookefield
A Lesser Evil - Lesley Pearse
Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult
There's a Hippo in my Cistern - Pete May
Bog Standard - Daniel Ken
An Angel on my Shoulder - Theresa Cheung
Confessions of a Reformed Dieter - A.J Rochester -
Mum, Can you Lend me Twenty Quid - Elizabeth Burton-Phillips
The Public Confessions of a Middle Aged Woman - Sue Townsend
My Sisters Keeper - Jodi Picoult

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Original poster
brighthair · 16/10/2011 20:50

Thank you!
Everyone asks me how I do it, but because I've always been this way I don't know!!
If I do sound defensive about it, it's because I've spent years being called a liar and asking me to prove I've read things Sad came in handy for uni though Wink

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JiltedJohnsGhoulie · 16/10/2011 20:27

Had another think and also enjoyed Corduroy Mansions, have bought the second book but not got around to it yet.

Have also seen this book recommended but it seems to be only available in audio or kindle format and I haven't read that one either yet.

JiltedJohnsGhoulie · 16/10/2011 20:16

Sorry meant to address the last question to the OP! [hblush].

JiltedJohnsGhoulie · 16/10/2011 20:16

Crikey that's a lot, think you need to give me some tips on reading more quickly.

Think this website was designed with you in mind too [hsmile].

Just trying to think what I've enjoyed this year, like mellie can recommend One Day, also enjoyed The Bottecelli Secret which was an easy and enjoyable story.

How do you get all your books mellie do you use the library or have you got some fantasically well paid job?

Original poster
brighthair · 16/10/2011 20:14

Because I have always read like that and its caused me nothing but problems since starting school. I read about 600-800 words per min and have done ever since starting reading. The last study I did showed 75% comprehension

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CocktailQueen · 16/10/2011 20:10

How can you possibly remember anything that happens in a book if you read it so quickly?? Must go in one ear and out the other...

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