read any good books lately?

[Candy]

Hi everyone!
I was wondering what you are currently reading or have read recently and enjoyed? Having just read several by Joanne Harris (Chocolat and Blackberry Wine) and two history books by Giles Milton (Nathaniel's Nutmeg and Big Chief Elizabeth) I'm stuck for what to read next. Any suggestions much appreciated!

So what are you all reading in the back garden/on the train/packing in your luggage, everyone?
I did not manage to save Jonathan Frantzen's The Corrections for hols after all, but am really enjoying it. Anyone else read that, or got any ideas for summertime reading?
On the children's front, btw, I got The Bookseller's Children's Buyers Guide for Autumn at work yesterday, and people might like to know that Jill Murphy is bringing out another book featuring Marlon the monster, and that Fix-It Duck is back, in charge of a cabin cruiser this time. Both in time for Christmas and both characters already great faves in our house. And Lauren Child has a novel about Clarice Bean (for 9-12s) and a couple of picture books coming up too.

I read the Dave Pelzer trilogy (A child called it, the lost boy, a man named Dave) a few months ago and I was totally gripped. It goes from his abused childhood through troublesome teenage years and to the way he coped as an adult and made things work for him. Never consider yourself a bad parent again! The book people were doing all 3 in hardback for just £10.

Just read 'Round Ireland with a Fridge' by Tony Hawks - a nice light read. Also got through 'Sarum' and now in the midst of 'London' by Edward Rutherfurd, both page-turners, if you like history. I've also got an Anita Shreve on the go and am re-reading 'The Shipping News' by Annie Proulx.

I'm now living abroad where the choice of English language books is pretty small, and I'm really worried I'll run out! I've joined the library at the British Council which is mainly non-fiction. I also have some books coming out in a shipment and some on order. Books are very expensive here; something that is 7.99 in the UK costs about double, and there are no BOGOF's or 2 for 10 quid offers either.

SueDonim - I really feel for you! Reading is my preferred relaxation and plough through books avidly. Does Amazon deliver to Indonesia? Latest reads are all trashy detectives again - brain is too fried with being pg with a toddler so thinking books are out for the moment. Reading Trunk Music by Michael Connolly right now and have recently discovered the Kellermans (Johnathan and Faye) - bit odd, I think, a couple writing similar types of books but they are great ((investigative type stuff - he writes about a psychologist who assists the police and she writes about a detective and his family: both set in LA). Also Robert Patterson North for political thrillers - loved his one on a minor trying to get an abortion in a situation where her parents had to be aware and were allowed to refuse consent. V thought provoking!

My latest are:
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
The Cold Six Thousand - James Ellroy
The Resurrection Men - Ian Rankin
A Mist of Prophecies - Stephen Saylor
Henry VIII King and Court - Alison Weir

I would recommend all of these, except James Ellroy is definitely not for the squeamish and in fact I have only just been able to start reading him again - was far too sensitive during pregnancy/post natal period.

Marina - my kind husband bought me The Corrections - in hardback!! is it worth the potential wrist/arm strain? My reading takes place in bed and on the tube!

I've just started JG Ballard "Super-Cannes" and am hooked already.

BTW - I've also re read the Ripley series again recently (Patricia Highsmith) very enjoyable especially The Talented... Re watched the movie and really enjoyed it (again!)

Well worth the wrist strain, Bossykate...just leave your mobile, your purse and ds at home if necessary! Wheels on the corner of this publication might have been a welcome addition, too.

Hi, Harrysmum. Yup, Amazon delivers to Indonesia - at the price of an extra 2.95 per book plus postal costs. BOL is better, about GBP10 for any number of books and the order I've just placed is with RedHouse (children and adult books) which charges about a tenner per order.

There's also the little question of whether the order makes it throught customs and the vagaries of the local postal system and how much money we'll need to part with, to oil some offical's hand. Sigh!

Margaret Atwood's Blind Assasin, which is a demanding but fascinating read. Then I have Pamela Stephenson's biography of Billy Connolly and Nick Hornby's How to be Good (2 for £10 in WHSmith's) all ready to see me through the holidays!

Just read Anita Shreve 'The Last Time They Met' and think it is the best thing I have read in a long time, so much so that I got on to Amazon and ordered 4 more books of hers, would definitely recommend this one.

'Dialogues With the Dead' by Reginald Hill (Dalziel and Pascoe books) is brilliant. I guessed the murderer, but it did keep me guessing, and there was a brilliant twist which made me wonder if my choice of murderer was correct.

I might have to read all the others in the series now!

Marina,
I loved the Corrections - best book I've read in years. Just wondering what to take on hols that could possibly match up to it...

I've just started No Logo which is interesting so far. Did realise the irony as I got it out of my DKNY bag to read in the park recently! I've had Anita Shreve recommended to me before, might give her a go.

I would highly recommend Anita Shreve, especially if you start with 'The Last Time They Met', I have told so many people abnout it and don't know anyone who hasn't loved it. I have the Phillip Pullman trilogy for my holidays, looking forward to reading those.

Just finished 'Arthur - the Seeing Stone' by Kevin Crossley-Holland and looking forward to getting the 2nd tomorrow. Really, really, really excellent.

Anita Shreve is heavily promoted on posters in London so I have been tempted already. So she's going on my list, and I have Fast Food Nation and No Logo on order from Amazon (LOL WWW). I too re-read Philip Pullman several times in rapid succession, Gringa.
Robbie, I know what you mean. I usually devour books but The Corrections is just so brilliant I am making myself savour it bit by bit.
Did anyone also love Donna Tartt's Secret History when it was published a good few years ago? If so, it seems she has finally overcome writer's block and produced a second novel. Not out til the autumn though.

Marina, interested to see what you think of Fast Food Nation, I really enjoyed it and was riveted although it made me never want to eat meat again (don't eat that much anyway but...)

I've recently read Artemis Fowl - superb light reading (obviously, as it's a children's book!)

Other great "candyfloss" books I've read recently:
Looking for Andrew McCarthy by Jenny Colgan
the Shopaholic ones by Sophie Kinsella
Anything by Lisa Jewell
The Best a Man Can Get by John O'Farrell

Marina, I loved Secret History..but wonder whether it was the right time/place in my life..not sure whether I'd feel the same now. Still looking forward to Tartt's (what a fab name ) next book too though.
Just started Bel Canto (think it's by Anne Pratchett) which is 'interesting' at this stage, rather than a rip-roaring success.

I'm reading Frank Skinner's autobiography which is very funny. Have got Billy Connolly's lined up next, as well as The Howard Marks Book of Dope Stories, The Jigsaw Man by Paul Britton, Fast Food Nation and No Logo. Went a bit mad at Waterstones and Amazon I think!

Lou33, let me know what Billy Conolly's book is like when you've read it, I can laugh over and over again at his shows (they have been showing his UK tour on cable recently). Is the book as funny as he is in person?

I bought dh Billy for Christmas as a gift from ds and he thought it was a great book - I haven't read it yet but he says it's not a "laugh a minute" as it's a lot about his childhood and the abuse that he suffered.

Lou33 I read Frank Skinner's book and laughed my head off, as well as cringing a lot too!

I have just finished The Girl With The Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, and I really really enjoyed it

I'm starting either The World According to Garp or The Shipping News next