What are you reading now, beginning of 2012?

Jux not read anything of her's except Wolf Hall, so can't comment on her other stuff, but I can genuinely say that it was one of the best books I've ever read. Completely engaging, fantastic story that she brought entirely to life with her interpretation of Thomas Cromwell's character. I absolutely loved it.

nursenic I've never read Dorian Gray, so can't comment, but Northanger Abbey is great - give it a chance!

I read something by Hilary Mantel a couple of years so. I thought it was a complete waste of time, pointless book, not even well written. Could someone tell me why people like her? Perhaps I'm missing something, but I do know a couple of other literary types in rl who don't rate her either.

Duchess Thankyou for giving me a little perspective. Yes, it could be worse. I will never again have to read Virginia Wolf's 'The Waves'!

nursenic - it could be worse . My idea of hell would be having to read & study Dickens novels - I loathe them with a passion. Sorry Dickens fans!

Tilly...

...I don't know what others would think of The Night Circus but I thought it was interesting. It is one of those books that I thought had elements of being really special in some of its plot ideas like The Time Traveller's Wife or 100 Years of Solitude. But for some reason, it didn't quite make it to that level of brilliance (too similar to other Victoriana/magic stories I have read?) but I did find it enjoyable. And others might disagree with me and find it amazing/crap.

I have to read 'Dorian Gray' and 'Northanger Abbey' for class.....I want to kill myself at the thought.....

Finished Dance With Dragons - phew

Now reading Bob Mould (Husker Du frontman)'s autobiography. Much easier going!

I'm reading 1222
which is a murder mystery
it's quite good but hasn't really gripped me yet. I can read a bit one day and then not read it for a couple of days.
Just finished The Hunger Games which I thought were very good, but wasn't sure about the ending. They are all Kindle books.

posey I got on much better with Wolf Hall the second I realised that every time Hilary Mantel wrote "he", she was referring to Thomas Cromwell.

Before that it just felt confusing and hard work, but once that clicked, it was the best book I've ever read.

Oo, I have Freedom on my 2012 shelf - it's a few books down the line for me, MIL has lent it to me, she said fantastic..... Not read anything else of his.

Tilly - thanks for the link.....

Have you done "Before I go to Sleep"? I have not read it but reviews are (mostly) fantastic...... When I bought it he other day, the lady in the shop said "lucky you, I've just finished it, utterly brilliant, you are so lucky to have it ahead of you!"

We are probably going to do it for our next Book Club.

Just finished Freedom by Jonathan Frantzen - OK, but not nearly as good as The Corrections.

Now starting What I Did by Christopher Wakling (I've got it on kindle but the paperback seems to be out this week).

Not expecting it to be an easy read - basic plot is 6-year-old boy runs into road, dad smacks him, social services get involved; written from the point of view of the 6-year-old - but reviews seem to say it's worth reading.

Possible book club material? The subject is certainly relevant to all of us parents.

For all those who've read Snowdrops, don't forget to come and ask the author a question on Tues 31 Jan, 9-10pm. Whether you loved it or hated it, it's bound to be a lively discussion...

On my pile for 2012 is:
The Paris Wife (never got round to this in 2011)
The Marriage Plot - Eugenides
The Cat's Table - Ondaatje
Wolf Hall - Mantel (slightly daunted by this, going to take a deep breath and dive in..)

bloomingheather, keep going with Thousand Autumns - it really picks up after chapter 3. We did a great chat with David Mitchell last year if you want to have a look..

Anonymous Bird, we've got Rose Tremain talking about Trespass too...

minimuffin, The Virgin Suicides is one of my all time best books. So original, and such an extraordinary voice. Have you read The Marriage Plot yet? I am hoping to get Eugenides onto bookclub webchat this year - watch this space..

nursenic, longing to read Prep - would love to get Curtis onto bookclub as I loved American Wife.

roobyrooUK, I've been looking at the Night Circus - do you think it might make a good bookclub book?

If anyone wants to nominate a fantastic read/brilliant author that would be ace for bookclub, let me know...

kikidee

Thanks for the Richard Russo recommendation. I've added his list to my amazon basket. I loved 'Prep' by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Currently reading 1984, trying to catch up on the books I should have read as a teen lol

I have just finished reading Paul O'Grady's biography. Which wasn't too bad.
Have just started Rebecca Chance's "Bad Sisters" only read a chapter so can't say yet if its goin to be a good read for me or not.

Just finished The Sense of an Ending, enjoyed it a lot.

nursenic

Have just seen your post. Glad to hear both books I have are very good and thank you for your recommendations. I love American novels too so I'll check out those you suggest. In return, I have enjoyed Jonathan Tropper, Richard Russo and Curtis Sittenfeld.

I've just finished The Murderer's Daughters which was OK, but about to start The Fear. It's about Robert Mugabe

And I can recommend Moral Disorder also. Really fantastic characters, sad, funny and poignant short stories that all link together.

Gillespie and I was really good and at the very end of the book there was a sort of twist that turned everything I had read up to that point on its head. It was really involving and did not turn out as expected, even though I was thinking I knew where it was going - nope, and I liked that.

The Observations is the book I couldn't remember the name of!

'Grace Williams says It Loud' By Emma Henderson made me laugh, weep, furious....Please consider reading it. She's a wonderful writer giving voice to people all too long marginalised and historically voiceless.

TwoIfBySea - how did you enjoy Gillespie and I? I absolutely loved The Observations by the same author. The narrative voice of the young servant girl relating the story was great, I thought. Definitely read it!

Thanks for suggestions above re Candide and Anna Karenina. I think this will be a year of catching up on some classics for me too.