What are you currently reading, how do you feel about it, and what's next on the list? Part 2

I've just given up on Woodspring by Elizabeth Buchan. I was disappointed that it's so poorly written. I dislike dnfing books but I've got so many books on my to read pile and I disliked Woodspring so much, that I'm not going to waste my time on it.

Nothing wrong witth that @Middlemarch123 . We don't necessarily need to be challenged by what we're reading. I'm firmly convinced that it's good for the brain to read a wide variety of things. That's my excuse for my forays into chick lit and thrillers, anyway.

That said, I've never really managed to get on with Marion Keyes. Nor sure why, and it's a shame because she seems like such a kind, compassionate person. (Basing that on the problem page thing she did on Radio 4 with Tara Flynn.) Maybe that kindness is coming over to you in her books?

Just finishing A Mayfair Mystery by J B Harris-Burland. It's supposed to be a murder mystery but wanders off into politics and personal drama, a bit like Anthony Trollope with a bit of murder. As it was written in 1913 the politics are a bit crazy, so it feels quite prescient in comparison with modern British politics.

Next is some E C R Lorac, though I haven't decided which one to pick from my pile. Bats in the Belfry maybe?

I just finished The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles which I adored (as expected as I also adored A Gentleman in Moscow). Next up is The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris, a booker longlist from 2021 that I have not got round to reading yet and am looking forward to. Might save it for a short holiday I have booked in early June

I'm reading How to End A Story, the collected diaries of the Australian writer Helen Garner (I read a fair bit of non-fiction). They're great and she's a wonderful writer. It's quite hard to work out what's going on - a lot of the entries are just single disconnected sentences - and everyone she names is just identified by initials, but I'm gripped. Her prose is taut and tight and she takes no prisoners.

Next up on my list is a 1950s novel by an interesting writer called Helen Ashton, The Half-Crown House. It's about a family of somewhat reduced circumstances who decide to let the public into their stately home. I found it on eBay after reading another Ashton book and getting intrigued by her - she was also a qualified doctor, and quite often wrote on medical themes. Persephone republished her novel Bricks and Mortar, which follows the life and family of a (male) London architect over 40 years. I have this on my shelf but haven’t got round to reading it yet.

I usually read quite heavy books. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet, but I’m an ex A level literature teacher, so “well read”, as they say. Read all the classics , love poetry, Shakespeare…Due to life being horrible lately, I’ve switched from the classics to lighter reading. I’ve always turned to books, from a little girl, I’ve been an avid reader. but currently devouring Marion Keyes. Great writing, very comforting, when real life is horrible, curling up with a good read which is humorous is like a hug.

Just started the wedding people (Alison Espach) as it was discounted. Not loving it so far.

Just finished Empire of Gold, the final book in the Daevabad trilogy. I enjoyed the setting and the characters in the series. The plot was good but overcomplicated and the ending could have been better.

Now onto Water Moon for my in person book club. Also listening to The Searcher by Tana French on the side.

I agree I recently read Crow Lake, absolutely loved it!

I love her work.

That sounds a very satisfying experience

Just finished Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. Sublime. It’s easy to see how and why her work has influenced so many other writers.

Now reading The Birthday Party by Laurent Mauvignier (French translated into English). It’s an extremely slow paced psychodrama/thriller set in rural France and is very..I think dense is the right word. It’s over 500 pages long and all takes place on a single day. I almost gave up on the first page which opens with a 20 line paragraph with no full stops. Glad I stuck with it though as I’ve gradually become completely gripped.

Oh, and I liked The Party, and I can remember what it was about... but not how it ended... I used to live in Bristol near the dodgy pub where they went to the party, so I spent most of my time reading the book trying to place it.

Oh yes, some are almost instantly forgettable. These days I keep a book journal to help me keep track, and avoid buyng the same book twice. I record the name and a very brief summary, but sometimes by the time I come to put it in the journal, I've already pretty much forgotten what it was about. I put this down to reading a lot and usually having several books on the go at one time, rather than failing memory. That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

Ha @pippistrelle I always forget what books have been about often worryingly soon after I’ve finished them 😬 .

Started and now just finished The Party by Tessa Hadley. Just over 100 pages long (and largish print!) and I enjoyed it. I like a slice of life book, to be drawn into a period and setting - post war Bristol. Two young sisters; mostly told through the eyes of the younger one. Always adds a layer as I am a younger sister.

I loved The Names and A Family Matter.

just gave up on Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister, couldn’t care less she was trying to save her daughter cos had no emotional investment in the characters, normally love her books.

Can anyone recommend a good family saga?

I’ve had to pause Julia (a re-telling of 1984 from Julia’s perspective) because I found it too grim and too hard on the heels of reading The Testaments. Need a break from dystopia! But I’ll return to Julia as it’s well written and an interesting concept.

I’ve just started The Names and so far am not sure why it’s been so raved about. Is it the tackling of coercive control within a marriage? The “Sliding Doors” concept?

Just finished ‘Perfection’ by Vincenzo Latronico. It kind of meandered and didn’t really go anywhere plot wise but maybe that was the point given it’s a book that’s about dissatisfied millennials coming to terms with the emptiness of contemporary living.

Just started ‘Revolutionary Ride’ by Lois Pryce which tells of her journey across Iran on a motorbike. That should definitely have more adventure in it.

If you want another book with an environmental theme, my book group all loved "Move like Water:: A Story of the Sea and its Creatures" by Hannah Stowe. It's non-fiction, but compelling and informative.

Just finished The Rose Field by Philip Pullman. It's a long time since I read the previous books in the trilogy but it didn't really matter as I found this quite compulsive, even though I wasn't sure what was going on at times! Now reading "The Mother of the Brontes" by Sharon Wright, and also 'The Emigrants' by W. G. Sebald, as the former is too big to put in a bag when I'm out (like Arran 2024 upthread!).

'A Tale of Two Cities' is a great read but I would say certainly one that you need to read at your own pace.

I remember really liking 'Middlesex' but I can't remember a thing about it.

I've just read John Wyndham's 'The Kraken Wakes'. Of its time (1953 Wiki tells me) but also of ours - Russia, propaganda, fake news, refugees, climate change, it's got it all. A great yarn too! And all in clear, elegant prose.

'Day of the Triffids' next.