What are you reading atm, and would you recommend it to the rest of MN?

[Blandmum]

I am reading Semidetatched by Griff Rhys Jones.

Very funny memoir. He is sopt on in his descriptions of all those ghastly teenage parties that I remember from my 'yoof'

A very funny book and I'd recoend it to all mumsnetters in their late 30s/40s. Or for younger MN to rad about what their parents got up to in the 60s and 70s!

An excellent read.

And you?

Satine, I really did enjoy it, everyone has different tastes i suppose. I've never came across any more of her books though.

I have now started The Devil Wears Prada. Just a few pages in though

We need to talk about Kevin -- read it couple of years back when in US ... it is popular in UK right now isn't it ... I honestly thought it was just pompous. An attempt at menace with an obvious plot. And ok luv, you have a good vocabulary but you don;t have to be plysyllabic with every sentence!

Having said that ... I did read it in one sitting so I guess it was interesting!!!!!!!!

Just finished:
Mark Haddon's 'A spot of bother' -- boring
William Boyd's 'Restless' -- not as good as his usuals but good enough

Nearly finishing:
A beif history of tractors in Ukrania' -- funny!

About to read:
The Secret River
Inheritance of loss
Mother's Milk

and can't wait ...

(I'm a writer so always have several on the go at once for the style satiation!)

Gawd -- that was a long one SOZ

Just read Jim Lynch - The Highest Tide. I would recommend it, I enjoyed it and read it in a day.

Donnygirl, i've just finished Secret River and Mother's Milk. I'm currently reading Carry Me Down, and then I will read Inheritance of Loss. I guess you got the Man Booker shortlist for Christmas, too? I'd recommend them all. I'm thoroughly enjoying them.

DonnyLass, sorry. Not Donnygirl.

I'm reading The Bookseller of Kabul.

Deeply depressing and making me realise just how important it is that the Taliban do not regain power in Afghanistan (or anywhere else) but not really an enjoyable read, tbh.

yup!

Reallllllllllly looking forward to getting stuck into Mother's Milk ... as suspect I am obsessed-new-mum ... amount of time I spend on mn is surely a qualifier

but I'm really excited about inheritance of loss too ...

thats why I end up with several on the go!

I've been reading 'Beloved Chicago Man' (letters between Simone de Beauvoir and Nelsen Algren) for 7 years

I kid you not

(and I'm a speed reader too)

get side-tracked ... or should that be style-tracked!

I was given The inheritance of Loss last year, it sat on the side, unread and uninspiring. My friend borrowed it, and now all I keep seeing is favourable reviews. Grr

Caligula - another good read.

Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney, just won the Costa prize - it's amazing. Brilliant story, really lucid storytelling, fantastic characters and setting and with a sort of cool detatchment that is oddly compelling.

Old Filth by Jane Garnham, an amazing surprise, recommended by a friend. I stayed up most of the night to read it. Felt profoundly moved by it. Story of a 'Raj orphan' a group of people I've never thought about before. Long meditation on the effects of loss and dislocation in childhood.

Now I want to read every book she's ever written

The Inheritance of Loss, Kiran Desai. The last of last year's Booker list for me. At times I love it, but at other times it seems very similar to other books about life in India. Good, but not that good.

interesting clerkkent ... is it as good as midnights children or that other one that won the booker about 7 years ago .... urm???? oh yes The God of Small Things

just wondering if i shoul not bother and start something else?

For the glory of God by Rodney Stark

'How monotheism led to reformations, science, witch hunts and the end of slavery'

Its good- balanced and interesting. Ok very academic but easier than most of the similar stuff I have and yes, I would actually recommend it- esp. for those who take hardl;ines at either end of the athest- christian spectrum.

I've just finished reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian and enjoyed it. I've not just began reading The Book Thief i'm only a few pages in but it looks like it will be quite good.

*I've just don't know how the not got there!

Currently reading Rainmaker by John Grisham. I would recommend anything by him with the exception of Painted House which I found laborious.

Would also recommend the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series of books by Alexander MaCall. The stories are just simply delightful and engaging.

Donnylass - give me a couple of days to finish it, and I will let you know.

"Tricks of the Mind" - Derren Brown's book.
Excellent food for thought!

Just finished reading THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.

Thought it was RUBBISH!!!!

Just finished 'Ruby in the Smoke', excellent!

Just finished 'Labyrinth' by Kate Mosse. It was okay, bit predictable and slightly annoying in some parts but basically okay.

About to start 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman.

Just about to start Suite Francaise by Irene Némirovsky.