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Original poster

What can I read next please?

94 replies

janeite · 27/03/2009 23:21

Have just read a fictionalised version of Scott's bid for the pole - fab;
'A Study In Scarlet' - good but I realised after a few pages that I'd already read it;
Terry Pratchett's 'Nation' - ok;
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn - didn't like it much;
The Gargoyle - quite liked this one.

I have just abandoned:
The Glass Book Of The Dream Eaters - over written and tedious;
Shakespeare's Wife by Germaine Greer - too much like very hard, not very satisfing work.

I have a Peter Carey waiting, something about Troy but can't remember what it's called and then I will be bookless again.

I am not a happy bunny when I am bookless!

Tia

OP posts:
snice · 01/04/2009 19:45

"What I would really, really like is a Jane Austen crossed with Stephen King, crossed with Isabel Allende featuring Matthew Shardlake and possibly Mr Rochester. Anybody fancy writing it?!"

You want "The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox

oregonianabroad · 01/04/2009 19:37

gasp, really???

Not even Breathing Lessons???

Or Unless???

OK, How about Shields' The Gravedigger's Daughter. Doesn't meet oyur requirements, but I reckon you'll like it.

What about Dickens?

Original poster
janeite · 01/04/2009 19:31

Have read everything by Allende except her latest autobiographical one, which I'm waiting for the paperback version of. Have read a couple of Marquez's. Don't like Ann Tyler or Carol Shields.

Still googling some of the others!

What I would really, really like is a Jane Austen crossed with Stephen King, crossed with Isabel Allende featuring Matthew Shardlake and possibly Mr Rochester. Anybody fancy writing it?!

OP posts:
oregonianabroad · 01/04/2009 19:26

We have (mostly) similar tastes.

I think you'll really like The 19th Wife.

Try: Alice Munro, Anne Tyler, Joyce Carol Oates, Carol Shields, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabelle Allende (only The House of the Spirits and Paula, tho), ...

I'll think of more later.

mehdismummy · 01/04/2009 19:18

karen rose is very good, as is jack kerley

minesacheeseandpicklesandwich · 01/04/2009 19:11

Ditto on thoughts of Nathaniel's Nutmeg for anyone else on here wanting some historical stuff. I don't usually read factual books but that one worked for me.

Janeite, thinking about fact stuff, Bryson? Dawkins? If you like Pratchett, have you tried The Science of Discworld and The Globe, that he co-wrote with a couple of scientist types?

Ooh, just thought, Heller's God Knows - loved it (though wasn't strictly speaking an atheist when I first read it - suppose now I could read it again with tongue firmly in cheek?)

Original poster
janeite · 01/04/2009 19:06

Did he write 'Notes from An Exhibition'? I liked that!

OP posts:
snice · 01/04/2009 17:51

How about Patrick Gale?

LurkerOfTheUniverse · 01/04/2009 17:17

I've just finished 'The 19th Wife', enjoyed the historical aspect of it more than the actual story

Patrick McGrath very good, esp. Asylum

Original poster
janeite · 01/04/2009 16:55

Read 'Rebecca' but will look up t'other 'un. Thanks!

OP posts:
SamsMama · 01/04/2009 16:53

Rebecca by DeMaurier? (No idea if I spelled that right) I think it has the most beautiful first line in the English language: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Just saying it is like eating chocolate to me! I really liked "The Namesake." It's by an Indian woman and I'm not going to embarrass myself by trying to remember how her name is spelled. She has a new one out that is supposed to be tremendous as well.

Original poster
janeite · 01/04/2009 16:44

Nathaniel's Nutmeg - loved it! Loved his others too. Will have a look at the others.

Thanks all.

Any more? Handful Of Dust is my book for this evening.

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thumbbunny · 01/04/2009 05:11

biccy - thanks for the heads up on The Cellist - I might wait until I find it in a charity shop then, rather than spending lots on it and being disappointed (like I was with the Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian)

I liked William Boyd's Any Human Heart.

Have you tried Nathaniel's Nutmeg? True, historical, disturbing but very gripping.

snice · 31/03/2009 22:21

I would def. recommend giving Engleby a go then.

kaxter · 31/03/2009 22:13

Janeite, whar about william boyd - in particular Any Human Heart? Is wonderful, even my dh read it in 3 days and he doesn't read at all at all.
I also strongly second A Fine Balance by R Mistry. Another book that will stay with me forever I think.
Wally Lamb also great - 'She's come Undone' or else 'I Know This Much is True'
I could keep going but will wait and see if you think you would like the above.

Original poster
janeite · 31/03/2009 20:13

Ooh more recs thanks!

Have read 'A Spot Of Bother' but was v disappointed as loved 'Curious Incident' - have also read and liked the Kate Atkinson series (although don't like her others much).

Never heard of Boyle but sounds a possibility.

Didn't get on much with Faulks (Birdsong?) but maybe need to give him another try?

OP posts:
snice · 31/03/2009 19:27

Sebastian Faulks? You've probably read Engleby but what about Charlotte Gray or On Green Dolphin Street.

snice · 31/03/2009 19:25

Kate Atkinson- The Jackson Brodie series. Have just read the most recent "When will there be good news"

happytraveller · 31/03/2009 19:19

I just finished "A Spot of Bother " by Mark Haddon. Loved it, easy to read but interesting enough to keep my brain alert. It gave me a glimpse as to what my family life could be like in 20 year's time.

Also I have to give a plug to my all-time favorite author, T C Boyle. American fiction, very refreshing subject matter, will definitely leave an impression on you. I started with "The Tortilla Curtain" and now I have read everything of his. My personal favs. are "A Friend of the Earth" and "East is East". He also has several collections of short stories which are perfect for busy (and tired) parents.

Original poster
janeite · 31/03/2009 18:10

Read it! But thanks anyway - deffo on the right sort of lines.

OP posts:
paranoidmother · 31/03/2009 18:09

What about Daphne DuMaurier - The House on the Strand.
Different but good.

Original poster
janeite · 31/03/2009 18:06

Have read most of Sophie Kinsella's through them being abandoned at the apartments we stayed in last summer. Don't do chick-lit type stuff as a rule.

OP posts:
loulou35 · 31/03/2009 18:04

I like complete girlie rubbish- nothing unplesant or unexpected, just nice easy reading, e.g. Sophie Kinesella, loads of titles,lovely predictable bed time reading ! Am currently reading 31 dream street by Lisa Jewel- as I said, it will not set the world alight, but it is just plain feel good

Original poster
janeite · 31/03/2009 17:55

Any more folks? The coursework pile is still huge (but shrinking) and I need something to help me switch off each evening. Otherwise I will continue to re-read all Evelyn Waugh's but don't really fancy it tbh.

OP posts:
Biccy · 31/03/2009 09:01

kalo12 - no, honestly, I really meant it, I was fascinated by the stuff about King Christian, in fact I'd forgotten all about his naughty wife!
thumbbunny, I have just finished The Cellist. I'm glad I read it, because in a beat yourself up kind of way, it made me realise how easy it is to watch the news about war and just let it wash over you without really thinking about what it would mean to be living in the middle of it. But, I wouldn't exactly say I enjoyed it, and I've tried re-reading it and just can't seem to bring myself to open it. I think it helps if you think about the Albinoni Adagio as you're reading it, sort of gives you a theme tune.