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What we're reading

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Original poster

Soooooooooo what is everyone reading at the moment?

80 replies

foxinsocks · 01/02/2008 19:19

Am racing through books at a rate of knots due to commute. Have done Black Swan Green, On Chesil Beach, Any Human Heart and some strange Italian crime book (translated) that I picked up in an odd book shop. All great for commuting.

Must go and get some more books this weekend. So what are you all reading?

OP posts:
cocolepew · 01/02/2008 19:23

Just finished the new Jonathan Kellerman. Very good, as usual.

pointydog · 01/02/2008 19:23

Did you notice with Black Swan Green that sometimes he would revisit scenes and change the description of them? Like Mrs Warninck's house (what was she called?) The first time her went it was beautiful, artisitic, exotic and the second time it was shabby, broken, almost ugly. I loved some of his descriptions.

And to your op, I am not reading anything but I want to so will be looking myself.

Have you ever read 'The restraint of beasts' by Magnus Mills. Dark, touch surreal, deadpan funny

NKF · 01/02/2008 19:24

What's On Chesil Beach like? I'm reading Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Original poster
foxinsocks · 01/02/2008 19:24

which one is he? is that the Alex Delaware lot?

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/02/2008 19:27

just finished private papers of eastern pearl, just starting empress orchid

janeite · 01/02/2008 19:27

I read Stephen King's latest last weekend. I haven't read anything this week as I've had the flu and my head has been pounding so much I haven't been able to read. The King was pretty good - but probably too fat for commuting.

I'm hoping I'll feel well enough to be able to crawl up to the library tomorrow.

southeastastra · 01/02/2008 19:27

jewel not pearl

geekgirl · 01/02/2008 19:27

today I finished 'Hideous Kinky' which had been sitting on my shelf for years (it it was great, really enjoyed it, v. quick read - only started it yesterday) and have just started 'The Whisperers'
Hope I last the distance it's heavy in size and content.

Original poster
foxinsocks · 01/02/2008 19:27

I am a McEwan sceptic - some of his stuff I find highly irritating and I wasn't expecting to like On Chesil Beach at all but the train got stuck outside Richmond and I found I'd virtually read the entire book and had been stuck for an hour and not even noticed so on that count, I would say it was good. Except for the ending - I thought the whole book was quite beautiful and the last 10-20 pages were just a list of how this bloke had ended up and it didn't really fit in. Was like he had rushed the end.

No, I haven't read 'the restraint of beasts' - will look out for it.

Yes, I noticed that pointy. The wood was the same too (different descriptions) depending on his mindset wasn't it.

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geekgirl · 01/02/2008 19:28

ooh, I must get the new Stephen King. Didn't get the one before either. Amazon here I come

janeite · 01/02/2008 19:28

NFK _ I really enjoyed "Reading Lolita..." - it taught me a lot about a country I was almost totally ignorant about. A really interesting read.

pointydog · 01/02/2008 19:29

yes, the wood too

cocolepew · 01/02/2008 19:30

Yeah , it's a Delaware one. Have the new Peter James to start, but keep getting distracted by MN

WowOoo · 01/02/2008 19:31

Rstraint of Beasts is great.
One of the only books that's made me stop and laugh out loud for ages. Magnus Mills' other books so deadpan, have to be in right mood for them. Am reading The Big Sleep - it's cool so far, not brill though.

Original poster
foxinsocks · 01/02/2008 19:35

I went through a big re read Raymond Chandler last summer for some reason. I think you have to be in the mood.

Haven't read that Reading Lolita either. Are you enjoying it?

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pointydog · 01/02/2008 19:41

have also read Explorers ogf the new century, woo. Var var funny. Just as deadpan

suedonim · 01/02/2008 19:46

I'm reading Perfume by Patrick Suskind. I didn't realise the book is so old, published in 1986, I think.

NKF · 01/02/2008 19:49

Yes I am. It's not quite what I expected and I think I might enjoy it more if I was more familiar with the books she talks about. She keeps referring to Invitation to a Beheading which I've never read.

Thefearlessfreak · 01/02/2008 19:53

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This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

yama · 01/02/2008 19:54

I'm about halfway through 'Gilead' by Marilynne Robinson.

A beautiful book. Reminds you what it is to be human. Some might even say life changing.

I'm not looking forward to finishing it.

Original poster
foxinsocks · 01/02/2008 20:00

I forgot I had signed up to Amazon prime. Could do an order now actually but quite fancy mooching about book shops this weekend (though I think it's supposed to be freezing isn't it...hmmmm).

I love the thought of a new book!

I often feel bereft when I've finished a good book yama. It's a strange transient feeling, isn't it.

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Maidamess · 01/02/2008 20:02

I am plodding my way through 'The Interpretation of Murder' I say plodding not because it is dull, but because I keep falling asleep with it on my face. Its actually quite good so far.

janeite · 01/02/2008 20:05

Yes - I found that with "The Interpretation Of Murder" - it was okay but it didn't grab me in the way I had expected it to.

S1ur · 01/02/2008 20:09

Just finished Fingersmith - that was dead good.

Am reading thursbitch - bit dull tbh...

wheelybug · 01/02/2008 20:12

just started On Chesil Beach ... not sure what next though - will just have time to fit in another before my next book club read I think.