What are you currently reading, how do you feel about it, and what's next on the list?

[IceIceBabyBump]

Currently:
I'm currently about half way through "Enter Ghost" by Isabella Hammad.

Feeling:
I've been working my way through the six books shortlisted for the Women's Prize and this is the last one. It's probably bottom of my list of those books. I haven't at all clicked with the characters and I'm finding it quite boring to be honest.

Next:
I've just had my next stack of four books delivered and I think I'll try George Orwell's "1984" next. I'm excited.

Currently We are all made of glue by Marina Lewycka (picked up because I've loved some of her other books) and The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. Very different books but enjoying both! Also listening to Hyperfocus, occasionally I like to read something in the self improvement area, it's quite good so far.

Just finished HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy, a nice quick audio book, and demon copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (excellent).

Next on the list for reading is Senor Vivo and the Coco Lord and To Paradise (looks long and worthy!). To listen to, Americanah.

I have just finished The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey and I'm nearly finished listening to One Of Us Is Dead by Peter James.

I think they are both great stories and I've enjoyed them. A big spoiler for the TV show in the Roy Grace one but never mind.

Next I think it's going to either be We Begin At The End by Chris Whitaker or The Phoenix ballroom by Ruth Hogan.

To Paradise is amazing. It is very, very long and I read some reviews that said 1/3 of it could have been edited out but I thought the entire book was fantastic from start to finish.

My delivery of books arrived last week. Not that anyone asked but here is what I’ll be reading over the next few months. Some old titles I’ve been meaning to read for years and some newer ones.

The secret diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho, Paterson Joseph

Butter, Asako Yuzuki

Bring up the bodies, Hillary Mantel

How beautiful we were, Imbola Mbue

The Ice Palace, Tarjei Vesaas

The Fraud, Zadie Smith

The Correctiona, Jonathan Franzen

A Mercy, Toni Morrison

Those who leave and those who stay, Elena Ferrante

Booth, Karen Joy Fowler

The Bee Sting, Paul Murray

We, Yevgeny Zamyatin (late addition after a recommendation on here)

Of those on your list @Eastie77Returns i've read Butter, Booth, and Bring Up The Bodies, I would recommend all 3

I have just finished The Lightless Sky by Gulwali Passarlay, an autobiographical account if his journey from Afghanistan to Britain at the age of 12. I couldn't put it down.

I am now wondering whether to read Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers, or The Girl on The Train.

Of those two I would go with Small Pleasures @workstealssleep

Listening to an audible book Titanium Noir by Nick Harthaway -really enjoying it. Not sure what to read next. I think it is another audiobook on my little ipod shuffle that a friend put on for me. It is another bookclub book but cannot remember the title!!

I'm currently reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts which is a book I've been putting off for a while as it's so long and the title and cover seemed to say to me it was all about some sort of Indian mystical stuff (which it isn't). I've been pleasantly surprised as it's not the usual book I go for as it's an autobiographical story. Anyway I'm finding some of the writing irritating especially when he is talking about his Great Love for Karla, who never really seems to do much. He goes all 'poetic' in the worst way. However, some of the insights into what it's like living in an Indian slum or being an inmate in prison and the occasional sharp observation about people he meets have made me carry on. I'm about three quarters of the way through and think I might make it.

Next up is The Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart which is for my book club read or possibly Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst, which a friend has just lent me and I'll find hard to resist once I finish Shantaram.

Just finishing The Binding by Bridget Collins. Have thoroughly enjoyed it and it's perfect to read on a gloomy Autumnal afternoon.

Currently reading: The Truants by Kate Weinberg.

Feelings: It's not setting my world alight but I'm enjoying it. I have a vague feeling I've read it before, which is entirely possible since I get most of my books from my father in law, so it might be going round in circles. I can't remember the ending though so I'm still going to finish it.

Next: I need to read some children's books to have new recommendations for the kids in my class. I fancy Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery.

I really enjoyed that too.

@thisoldcity i felt the the same about Shantaram, I did give up in the end as it just got so self indulgent

Currently: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Feeling: I’m enjoying it in the way I always enjoy his books, they don’t blow me away but I always get hooked into the characters and want to stay with them for the ride. This is one is set in 1930’s New York and as a Great Gatsby lover it’s a good set up for me

Next: I’m in 2 bookclubs waiting this week to decide on next books so probably one of them. It might be my turn on one of the book clubs and if it is I’m so excited to introduce them all to The Mercies and to have the opportunity to re-read it

Current reads are The Giant on the Skyline by Clover Stroud. It's non fiction and I'm reading it slowly, enjoying her writing and thinking about her dilemma - should she move from her beloved house in the area on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire borders where she grew up and move with her three youngest children to America to be with her husband. I'm glad it's not a dilemma I've got. I don't think I could give up my rural life for a big city overseas.

Also reading, at a chapter or two a day, Rivals by Jilly Cooper, which is hugely entertaining and just started Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister on audiobook.

I really hated Shantaram. I just couldn't get into it all.

Currently: "Tender Wire" by Claire Kilroy.

Feeling: Really enjoying it so far. A good autumn night read.

Next: "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" by Roddy Doyle.

PS - I've just finished "Young Mungo" by Douglas Stuart. Boring first chapter which didn't bode well and didn't grip me. But it goes on to be fantastic. Harrowing but fantastic.

Currently trying to finish The Priory of the Orange Tree. I commend Shannon’s efforts at epic fantasy, but it sort of comes across as more of a personal sapphic fantasy with not much else going on.

@CCitygirlrurallife and @IceIceBabyBump I'm pleased you had similar reactions to Shantaram as I'd heard such good things about it from other people, I felt I might be missing something. I'm carrying on for the moment but might have to give it a rest soon. There are enough good moments to keep me reading.

Currently reading Bringing Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel. I really struggled with the style of Wolf Hall but this one is coming easier to me. This has been prompted by watching The Mirror And The Light on the BBC (wonderful)
Just abandoned a Phil Rickman as it was also boring it was sending me to sleep.

I'm reading Diavola by Jennifer Thorne and really enjoying it. It's building a sense of dread that I hope doesn't turn out to be disappointing.

One fine Day in the Middle of the Night - very enjoyable, starts off hilarious, peters off a bit in the last third, but well worth a read.

A lot Better than Money by Martin Amis or the History of the world in 10 1/2 chapters by Julian Barnes- both of which are described as funny 😒

Next - The Long Song by Andrea Levy

I'm reading Nuclear War - A scenario. It's hard to put down. It is terrifying but so worth reading. It is about what would happen if a nuclear missile was fired - from the first second to the end. It covers all perspectives. It is so well written.

Could you summarise? If I can bear it…

@TheMoonismadeofcheese
Well I had always imagined getting out of London in the event of a nuclear war. Going somewhere safer...
This book has changed my mind on that. Nowhere will be safe. As is quoted in the book "Survivors will envy the dead".
That's my summary!

Oh dear!

Currently reading Any Human Heart.

About half way through. Slightly worried about mentioning it in case someone comments on it as I get easily influenced 🙄😟😬😃 I'm enjoying it though but I keep not reading it because when I start I stay up too late 🫤

I've read An Ice Cream War by William Boyd before. I really enjoy his writing and find it very entertaining and yet I slightly felt Ice Cream War didn't really have much beneath the surface. But maybe I'm missing something? And maybe it doesn't matter because it was very readable.

No sure what to read next. Maybe Precipice as I'm fascinated by all the people involved and the time period.

Many years ago I read that Lady Ottoline Morell said she was at a social event with H H Asquith and he, sat next to her, put her hand "on his instrument"! And I've been appalled and intrigued ever since!!

Sorry, just had to share that anecdote!

Just finished reading Trust by Herman Diaz - was expecting to love it but was a 3 out of 5 for me. The last section just wasn't the staggering revelation that it was meant to be - I felt that it was telegraphed from really early on?

Just started Bright Young Women by Jessica Kroll which I am LOVING, although I think it's going to be a tough read, but great so far.

After this it'll be The Secrets of Blythswood Square for my book group, which was my pick - looking forward to it, love books set in my own city!