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Books we're about to finish, thoughts, what next

12 replies

whatausername · 02/11/2024 15:16

What are you about to finish? How do you feel about it? What's your next read?

I'm just finishing G.K. Chesteton's The Secret of Father Brown. An easy genteel series of short stories. Enough twists to keep me reading in most of the stories. Occasionally outlandish. I like how Father Brown views things differently to a lot of people and there is the occasional point of humour. Would read the rest of the Father Brown books if I came across them but not going to seek them out.

Earlier this week I read Letters of a Portuguese Nun. Such passion! A character at absolute odds with my own yet I could understand the thought processes she has. Although I could never understand taking the time to move them from passing trivial thought to written record and giving them such weight. And I sure don't get admitting them to the man who slighted you! The author was someone who had a good grasp of heartache and the associated mental torment.

Up next I've some short essays on democracy and At Mrs Lippincote's by Elizabeth Taylor (not that E.T.).

OP posts:
InnerPlop · 02/11/2024 15:53

Last night I finished "Eight Ghosts". Eight short stories inspired by English Heritage properties. Chose it for this spooky time of year, but it fell a bit flat for me to be honest.
Before that I read "The Book Eaters" by Sunyi Dean and that was great! Such an original concept and the story kept me hooked all the way through.

I'm going to start The Taxidermist's Daughter this evening. Looks like it's a bit of a gothic tale, so just right for the time of year.
No idea what to go for after that. I'll probably squeeze in something else before I move on to my Christmas reads, although they're all looking starting to look a bit too "serious" and I'm planning on starting Great Expectations on Christmas Eve, so might have to pick up something on the cosier side before that!

whatausername · 02/11/2024 16:32

What Christmas reads do you have? Last midwinter I read Midwinter Murder, a collection of Agatha Christie short stories, and Enid Blyton's Christmas Book. Both very cosy, one slightly more wholesome than the other!

OP posts:
InnerPlop · 02/11/2024 17:38

I have Christmas is Murder by Val McDermid and The Winter Spirits - a collection of short Christmas themed ghost stories. I read the Haunting Season last year and really enjoyed it, The Winter Spirits is the follow up.
But I'm not sure I want murder and ghosts for December! 😂
I've got the Enid Blyton Christmas Book, I attempted it last year, but I couldn't get on with it. I do love a bit of Agatha Christie, so might have to seek that one out!
I might try Midnight in Everwood by MA Kuznier or The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. Or both!

AthenaWhite · 02/11/2024 17:52

Just finished The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - cracking yarn all about vampires and was wonderful to read this time of year. Next up is Bellman and Black by Dianne Setterfield another spooky one.

Dappy777 · 02/11/2024 18:11

InnerPlop · 02/11/2024 15:53

Last night I finished "Eight Ghosts". Eight short stories inspired by English Heritage properties. Chose it for this spooky time of year, but it fell a bit flat for me to be honest.
Before that I read "The Book Eaters" by Sunyi Dean and that was great! Such an original concept and the story kept me hooked all the way through.

I'm going to start The Taxidermist's Daughter this evening. Looks like it's a bit of a gothic tale, so just right for the time of year.
No idea what to go for after that. I'll probably squeeze in something else before I move on to my Christmas reads, although they're all looking starting to look a bit too "serious" and I'm planning on starting Great Expectations on Christmas Eve, so might have to pick up something on the cosier side before that!

Have you tried MR James? For me, still the greatest ghost and horror writer of all time. I recently re-watched Mark Gatiss' superb documentary on him. Can't recommend it highly enough. I don't think James has been bettered, and I don't think Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie's stuff have been bettered as crime fiction either.

tailorjay · 02/11/2024 18:11

Just finished A thousand splendid suns - it's one of those books that leaves you dazed for days. Just can't stop thinking about it 😞

InnerPlop · 02/11/2024 18:23

Thanks @Dappy777. I haven't read any of his, but I will take a look.
How in to scary, horror, spooky are we talking? The spooky books I've read are the lighter end of scary - horror isn't my usual genre!

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 02/11/2024 18:31

Just finished The Silent Patient - it was recommended but I didn't like it much. Also just read Down Under by Bill Bryson which I really enjoyed. Just started Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers which is promising! Lined up next: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait.

valadon68 · 02/11/2024 19:59

Sam Leith's The Haunted Wood - a history of children's books - is turning out to be a real page-turner. Would definitely recommend it for Xmas gifts. Funny and heartfelt. Though the Chalet School seems bafflingly absent...

threestars · 02/11/2024 20:07

Always and Forever by Rose Tremain. It’s my Mum’s copy and I think she would have related strongly to it. I’ll probably reread it as soon as I’ve finished it.
But also 13 Cornish Ghost Stories by 13 different authors from Cornwall. Enjoying it so far!

Abracadabra12345 · 03/11/2024 09:21

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 02/11/2024 18:31

Just finished The Silent Patient - it was recommended but I didn't like it much. Also just read Down Under by Bill Bryson which I really enjoyed. Just started Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers which is promising! Lined up next: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait.

I absolutely adored Small Pleasures and couldn't stop thinking about it

Abracadabra12345 · 03/11/2024 09:24

whatausername · 02/11/2024 16:32

What Christmas reads do you have? Last midwinter I read Midwinter Murder, a collection of Agatha Christie short stories, and Enid Blyton's Christmas Book. Both very cosy, one slightly more wholesome than the other!

I love The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan, set in Edinburgh and you get a wonderful sense of the location. I read it every year now, that's how much I love it

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