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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:
kalo12 · 30/03/2009 23:00

biccy - with some interesting history woven in, huh?

Original poster
janeite · 30/03/2009 22:51

Hey - well met fellow English teacher!

Read and loved 'Heartbreaking Work...' a very long time ago: maybe time for a re-read?

Will have a look at your other suggestions.

Have read most of Anthony H's

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minesacheeseandpicklesandwich · 30/03/2009 21:39

Ditto! That explains a lot (Holes, PJs) and I suppose that means it's pointless suggesting Anthony Horowitz... but don't you just love picking up a book and saying 'well, it is for work'!!

Have you tried A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers - a title which is a little overblown, but a good read nevertheless. Anything by Carl Hiaasen for an intelligent funny? Oh, and how about the Merde series by Stephen Clarke?

Original poster
janeite · 30/03/2009 21:22

Yup - secondary English!

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minesacheeseandpicklesandwich · 30/03/2009 20:34

'pretend it's work'? fellow teacher?

Original poster
janeite · 30/03/2009 19:06

Thanks all.

Have read and loved 'Holes' (I read a lot of teen fiction and pretend it's work!);
Read and didn't much like 'The Book Of Lost Things';

The 19th Wife sounds a distinct possibility - has anybody read it?

I'd like something that is really gripping but doesn't make me think too much right now - something to use to switch off after marking (or at least starting to mark) the vast pile of coursework that is leering over me even as I type.

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minesacheeseandpicklesandwich · 30/03/2009 18:36

I know you said adult fiction, but there's been a couple of teenage books mentioned - so, have you read Holes by Louis Sacher?

thumbbunny · 29/03/2009 23:24

janeite - I would imagine the Ben Elton you have read is Gridlock, I think it was his 2nd and it put me off mightily because of what happened to the "hero" 1/3 of the way in!

Inconceivable by him is very funny though, unless you happen to have had trouble ttc in which case it might be a bit on the painful side. However, if you don't like humour it won't do.

Have you read teh Cellist of Sarajevo? I have been looking at it but haven't got it yet - it might be a good one but if you have read it I would be interested to know what you think.

EachPeachPearMum · 29/03/2009 22:58

yy- last days of dogtown was good.
19th wife?
The story of Edgar Sawtelle?
The book of lost things?

Have you read any Magnus Mills? v good, dark humour, well, completely black really.

Original poster
janeite · 29/03/2009 22:11

Read and loved 'The Book Thief'.
Didn't like the Ben Elton one I read but can't remember what it was called, something about traffic maybe?

Googling the others now.

Any more?

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minesacheeseandpicklesandwich · 29/03/2009 20:42

'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, bloody marvellous, one of the most beautiful stories I have read in years. There still seems to be an argument about whether it's for teenagers or for adults, but you can ignore that, especially if you've read 'Striped PJs'.

ellingwoman · 29/03/2009 20:12

Two books that I have enjoyed and re-read

The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant
One Big Damn Puzzler by John Harding

pollywobbledoodle · 29/03/2009 20:09

i wanted to hate his books because he's so cocky but have read 2 ben elton satires recently and they are excellent.....the first casualty of war[policeman sent to paschendale to investigate a murder] and dead famous [murder in a big brother style house]

a good story is diane setterfield's thirteenth tale....completely swept me away

bel canto by anne pratchett.....tragicomedy about a group who take a bunch of narcissists hostage...again twisty and well written

littlerach · 29/03/2009 19:59

I am reading this and it is excellent.

Set in 1940's, very readable but not at all chick lit.

Original poster
janeite · 29/03/2009 19:48

Read The Kite Runner - loved it. Read his other - hated it. Don't really do homour other than Bill Bryson but have read all of his.

My problem is I read too much I think!

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Clure · 29/03/2009 18:59

seconder for "The Kite Runner" and also his second book which was equally (if not more) amazing "A thousand splendid suns"

Do you like humour? Tony Hawkes books are very amusing ("Round Ireland with a fridge" "playing the moldovans at tennis" "A piano in the pyrenese")

pippibluestocking · 29/03/2009 18:54

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini - sad but amazing

Original poster
janeite · 29/03/2009 18:44

Any more please?

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Original poster
janeite · 29/03/2009 12:50

I liked Captain Corelli except the silly Mussolini bits and the frustrating ending. Might try another of his.

I didn't like 'Carter'.

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Biccy · 29/03/2009 10:24

Ooh, and Carter Beats the Devil (Glen David Gold) and Ursula Under (Ingrid Hill).

Biccy · 29/03/2009 00:25

How about Louis de Bernieres? I am not a fan of Captain Corelli, but loved Birds without Wings, and also The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord, and The Troublesome Offshpring of Cardinal Guzman.

Original poster
janeite · 28/03/2009 23:20

Have read 'The Boy In The Striped PJs'.

'Nation' is okay - not great but it did make me laugh a few times.

OP posts:
thumbbunny · 28/03/2009 23:16

Tick. Obviously.

flowerpotwoman · 28/03/2009 23:16

The boy in the striped pyjamas?

I read it in one sitting. Stunning.

thumbbunny · 28/03/2009 23:16

ah now, Ick Bite Fever isn't ex-actly a memoir book - I'm not a big fan myself - more a catalogue of disasters really in a black humorous tale - but up to you of course.

I haven't been able to get into Nation - it's so different from Discworld I'm having troubles with it but will persevere.