To ask you what you are reading?

[notnearlythereyet]

Just that really.

I fell in love in Zadie Smith's prose, just finished 'On beauty'. In the middle of 'Anna Karenina' now and eyeing up 'A hundred years of solitude' in my handbag.

Interested in books that you would recommend, as this summery weather makes me want to curl up in a hammock and read, read, read..(don't have a hammock just yet so a beanbag has to do for now).

[hmc]

Thanks Enb76 - I googled the Girl with all the Gifts after you mentioned it, read some reviews and ordered it. Have just finished it and it was quite the most satisfying read that I have had in a long time!

[Southeastdweller]

Almost finished We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, which I'm finding dull and overrated. Having no interest in animals probably doesn't help.

[Davros]

I quite enjoyed the first Rivers if London book but it was odd! May think if reading some more.
I am currently reading A Case of the Fingerpost which is really good. Lived and highly recommend The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog and of his friend Marilyn Monroe, quite challenging. The Beluevers by Zoe Heller, Dear Lupin. Enjoyed The Hare With ..... But the last section set in Japan was not as good as the rest.
Thanks for lots of great suggestions!

[DuchessofMalfi]

After a restless and odd day with no book to read (that hasn't happened for a very long time) I settled on Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovich, the second in his Rivers of London series. I like his humour, so hope that will keep me occupied for a few days :). Rubbernecker back on the tbr pile, near the top.

[hackmum]

I'm reading a terrific book called Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon. It's a very long, non-fiction book about how parents cope with having children who are "different" - so children who are deaf, or autistic, or have dwarfism or Down's Syndrome schizophrenia, and many other conditions. There's a chapter for each condition. He's interviewed loads of parents and their children for every chapter, very sensitively and sympathetically.

The question that seems to arise in each case is: do the parents try to make their children "normal"? Or do they accept them as they are? So you can actually get limb-lengthening procedures, for example, to help children with dwarfism grow to a near-average height, but they're incredibly painful and require the child to spend a lot of time in hospital. Or do you teach the deaf child to lip-read, or have them fitted with cochlear implants, or do you encourage them to learn sign and celebrate deaf culture? It's completely fascinating, but heartbreaking too.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Struggling to decide on a book to read next. I've been reading a lot recently, and think I may just have reached saturation point . Odd feeling.

Picked up Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer to read, but am wholly unenthusiastic about it. Not the book's fault, because it looks like it's a great story, and I know I like Belinda Bauer's novels - have read all of them so far. So, just me then. Taking some time out from reading may be the answer.

[marilynmonroe]

Just back from holiday and read 7 books!

My favorited were lemon grove by Helen Walsh and the wrong knickers by bryony Gordon. Both great reads for different reasons. I also read vanished years by Rupert Everett. It was ok some interesting stories.

I also read always, alys by Harriet lane which I really enjoyed too.

The heart broke in by James meek which wAs ok.

The lie by Helen duns more again was ok but a bit repetitive with the descriptions of the trenches.

The 7th book called who I'm supposed to be or something was rubbish.

Not a bad run!

Tonight I'm starting red Joan by Jennie Rooney for book club.

[smugmumofboys]

I've recently read the Goldfinch and enjoyed it, though it could have been about 300 pages shorter imho.

I'm addicted to the Chief Inspector Gamache books. Love them so much I don't want to finish the series. About to start the Luminaries for book club.

[EmmaFeb2015]

I also enjoyed The Shock of the Fall.

Also recently enjoyed Tuesdays with Morrie (very sad) and Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer. Really liked both.

Have read a few free books on my ipad recently too - mostly a load of guff but ok for the train commute.

I'm currently half way through Barracuda by Christos whatsit and i'm enjoying it so far. Even though the main character is an obnoxious little so and so!

I saw someone (sorry, can't find who it was) mentioned re-reading I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith each year. Just thinking about that book makes me smile!

For anyone who needs a good laugh I can recommend The tent the bucket and me, and I left my tent in San Francisco by Emma Kennedy. You dont have to be the slightest bit interested in camping to enjoy them (i'm most definitely not). They made me howl

[PuddledDuck]

The truth about the Harry Quebert affair by Joel Dicker. Mammoth book but quite easy reading and really enjoyable. Murder mystery set across 1970s and present day.

[TheAmazingZebraOnWheels]

I've read the Middlesteins too and I quite liked it.
I just finished Richard Madeley's The Way You Look Tonight and liked it all the way through.
Not sure what's next, something totally fluffy and ridiculous perhaps.

[hmc]

Oh good NoSnow - its kind of heartening when someone enjoys the same book as you

I might well re-read it too. Got a lot from it in the first instance but expect to get still more from a second read

[NoSnowJustSand]

I don't think I have read them TheAmazingZebraOnWheels ~ will have to investigate.

hmc I loved The Middlesteins, it's very moving on many levels. I might read it again actually.

[hmc]

I enjoyed 'The Shock of the fall' ....

Currently reading 'The Middlesteins' about a Jewish American family and specifically the matriarch of the family who is eating herself to death

[TheAmazingZebraOnWheels]

Oh I'm so tempted to read an Anne book now, years since I read one. But not Anne of Green Gables. I don't think I can cope with Matthew dying right now.

Have you read the Emily books by the same author NoSnowJustSand? I think they are better.

[NoSnowJustSand]

I'm half way through Anne of Ingleside, which I bought in a charity shop; I don't know how I've never come across this book before. I'm enjoying it hugely.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Have just started the first in Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet series - The Light Years. Enjoying it so far. I will take my time over this series, probably stretching it out up to Christmas, intermingling with other novels.

I've started reading several series recently, am part way through S J Parris's Giordano Bruno series, which is fab so far. And Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series too - decidedly odd, but think I like it. And loving Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series - have three more to go (inc the one due out in October).

[Sallystyle]

A suitable boy

It's dragging in places.

[MsUumellmahaye]

Have just finished we were liars duchess. I loved it. Have just started the detectives daughter but in not really enjoying it.

[TheAmazingZebraOnWheels]

I've given up on A Clockwork Orange several times Southeastdweller, good luck with it

[Southeastdweller]

Now on A Clockwork Orange. Struggling - wish there was a glossary inside.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Just started We Were Liars by E Lockhart and A Brush with Nature by Richard Mabey.

[mignonette]

Yes the interviewer did that "I'm amazed to admit how good it is- that difficult second novel" but the man can write. I sensed he went to the interview looking to sneer at him or look down on him and found it impossible

[TheAmazingZebraOnWheels]

migonette

I don't know which it was, I didn't see it. But I'm not at all surprised because it's pretty good so far. Better than his first one.

[mignonette]

TheAmazing

Richard Madeley's new book got a really good review last week from one of the broadsheets. Was it the Guardian magazine?