All About Books discussion

What are you reading at the moment?
In summer I always turn to "mysterys" - in italian "gialli", from the color of the cover of the first mysteries published in Italy.
Now I'm with The Cuckoo's Calling.

I'm reading The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti - it is very simply written but very powerful. Really makes you think!

I'm reading Unteachable - it's just the usual Young Adult/New Adult romance trash that I read haha :-)

Shirley wrote: "I'm reading The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti - it is very simply written but very powerful. Really makes you think!"

Never heard of it; I'll give a look to see if I can find it! But for sept/oct: summer is Mystery time for me!!!!

I'm about to start The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Have heard good reviews about it, so I am looking forward to it!

Shirley wrote: "I'm about to start The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Have heard good reviews about it, so I am looking forward to it!"

I red it a month ago Shirley, and liked it a lot ... let's talk about it when you've finished it; I'd like ti think what you feel ...
I've finished the birthday present of my daughter - can't say that to her, but I didn't like it that much! - Il profumo delle foglie di limone and have just started A Glove Shop in Vienna and Other Stories: I love this writer! Eva Ibbotson

I just finished the audiobook of Graham Greene's spoof on spy stories - Our Man in Havana. Hilarious but I think that the movie version with Alec Guiness is just as good as the book (one of Guiness's best roles in my opinion!).

I am in the middle of A Coffin for Dimitrios (also known as The Mask of Dimitrios) in paper form, and just about to start Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on my Kindle (BOTM for another group). Seems like August is starting out as spy book month!

I am reading The Virgin Suicides. It's very odd, that's all I have to say about it so far!

I am reading The Storyteller it is my first book by this author and although the story is about something I find totally engrossing I as a reader feel my emotions are being 'manipulated' instead of them being drawn out naturally. I remember reading Danielle Steel a very very long time ago and feeling the same way. Oh well less than 300 pages left!! lol

Tracey wrote: "I am reading The Storyteller it is my first book by this author and although the story is about something I find totally engrossing I as a reader feel my emotions are being 'manipulated' instead of..."
I don't know if I like Jodie Picoult!

Gemma wrote: "I am reading The Virgin Suicides. It's very odd, that's all I have to say about it so far!"
And worse it gets!!!!

LauraT wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I am reading The Storyteller it is my first book by this author and although the story is about something I find totally engrossing I as a reader feel my emotions are being 'manipula..."

Me Either :((

I'm currently reading The Beautiful and Damned, and really enjoying it so far!

Vanessa wrote: "I'm currently reading The Beautiful and Damned, and really enjoying it so far!"
I've just red The Great Gatsby and liked quite a lot!

Reading The Fall for review. I haven't been reading much lately, have been in a bit of a slump.

Shirley wrote: "I'm about to start The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Have heard good reviews about it, so I am looking forward to it!"

Hi Shirley,

Oh you're in for a treat. I love it. It takes a little bit of time to get into but well worth it. Really hope you enjoy it.

I'm reading 'And The Mountains Echoed' Khaled Hosseini's new book - its beautiful.

Gemma wrote: "I am reading The Virgin Suicides. It's very odd, that's all I have to say about it so far!"

I saw the movie version - odd indeed! It didn't inspire me to read the book but this novel is on the Guardian's list so clearly it has something going for it! How is the writing?

Vanessa wrote: "I'm currently reading The Beautiful and Damned, and really enjoying it so far!"

I'm not a big fan of Fitzgerald but that book has been recommended to me several times... I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts when you finish.

Elaine wrote: "Shirley wrote: "I'm about to start The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Have heard good reviews about it, so I am looking forward to it!"

Hi Shirley,

Oh you're in for a treat. I love it. It take..."

Thanks Elaine - 113 pages in and enjoying it so far!!

Vanessa wrote: "I'm currently reading The Beautiful and Damned, and really enjoying it so far!"

I will interested in hearing what you think of it.

Leslie wrote: "Gemma wrote: "I am reading The Virgin Suicides. It's very odd, that's all I have to say about it so far!"

I saw the movie version - odd indeed! It didn't inspire me to read the book but this nove..."
I loved them both! (And the soundtrack!)

I am reading A Memory of Light. At first I found it difficult to read on, but that may be because it's the last book of a series and I haven't read any of the others. It picked up a bit now though. It may sound weird to read the last book of a series first, it's just that I saw it and I remembered that it was recommended to me by goodreads.

At the moment I'm reading Wool by Hugh Howey. It's the first of a 3 book series. It is really good so far with elements of the Hunger Games trilogy in that there is an uprising and a conspiracy running throughout the book.

The Rainbow. I've been reading it since June :/ I really like the characters and the book is well written but it's not the sort of book that makes me want to pick it up every spare minute I have.

I liked the idea of the alternative world and am intrigued to see where it goes next.

I started The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan last night. Pulled right in already. That's a good thing. :)The Curiosity

Katie wrote: "The Rainbow. I've been reading it since June :/ I really like the characters and the book is well written but it's not the sort of book that makes me want to pick it up every spare minute I have."

D.H. Lawrence, right? It is one my to-read-someday list but my memories of Lawrence from school aren't very fond ones. I think you describe it well - "it's not the sort of book that makes me want to pick it up every spare minute I have."

Barbara wrote: "I started The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan last night. Pulled right in already. That's a good thing. :)The Curiosity"

I've seen this one and thought it looked interesting. Would be good to hear what you think of it...

Katie - I remember reading "The Rainbow" as a complete audio book and it seemed interminable! D H Lawrence is not an author who reads well at length out loud. But I enjoyed it as it described the early life of the 2 female characters in "Women in Love". So it was nice as a back-story.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon is my present companion. Reading his most popular book, THE SHADOW OF THE WIND.

Just started a Jill Shalvis book, "Simply Irresistible" and "Rush" by Maya Banks. Two quick reads.

I'm reading The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes and about to start If this is Man.

Gemma - I agree The Virgin Suicides is odd, I didn't care much for it in the end and don't get all the hype.

Vanessa - Glad you're liking The Beautiful and Damned, its on my TBR and next on my list of Fitzgerald to read.

@Chimney - nice pairing of Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom... with the Rick Riordan. Was that accidental or international?

Dhanaraj wrote: "Carlos Ruiz Zafon is my present companion. Reading his most popular book, THE SHADOW OF THE WIND."

It's a fantastic story Dhanaraj, hope you enjoy it.

The Sea of Monsters is high on my to-read list Chimney, but its never in the library. I suppose with the film coming out it is even more popular.

Currently reading The Man in the Iron Mask I so enjoy Dumas' style.

I'm reading Possession by A. S. Byatt and it is taking my an absolute AGE to read it. I don't like not finishing a book because I'm scared I'm going to miss something monumental lol

@chimney. I'm reading The Girl who Circumnavigated... too! What do you think if it so far?

Chimney wrote: "Leslie wrote: "@Chimney - nice pairing of Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom... with the Rick Riordan. Was that accidental or international?"

It was more accidental. I ordered Eight Pillars of Greek W..."

I see, well I saw the first film which made me want to read the book. Like with Harry Potter, the books 100 times better but I enjoy the films for what they are. I think the same applies here. The amazing thing about reading is putting your own spin on it, and in a film if it doesn't match up its often disappointing for me. I love films don't get me wrong but there is more magic in reading!

I've started a collection of short stories by Eva Ibbotson: A Glove Shop in Vienna and Other Stories; some of them are real diamonds!!!

I'm reading Flight Behavior for my in-person book group. I really disliked it for about the first ten pages (if it hadn't been for a book group I'd have stopped at that point -unusual for me). I decided to give it a hundred pages, and now like it a lot!

@ Hales, I am having really a good time with THE SHADOW OF THE WIND. I might finish it soon and will tell my other opinions.

Jo wrote: "I'm reading Possession by A. S. Byatt and it is taking my an absolute AGE to read it. I don't like not finishing a book because I'm scared I'm going to miss something monumental lol"

That was my feeling with that book too! Although The Virgin in the Garden was much worse in that regard - I could only read it for about an hour before I would find my mind wandering.

Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Hales, I am having really a good time with THE SHADOW OF THE WIND. I might finish it soon and will tell my other opinions."

That's great that you are enjoying it so much, Dhanaraj!

LauraT wrote: "I've started a collection of short stories by Eva Ibbotson: A Glove Shop in Vienna and Other Stories; some of them are real diamonds!!!"

Sounds fun. I started a short stories collection today also - Peter Høeg's Tales of the Night. The first story is called Journey into a Dark Heart and a thinly veiled Joseph Conrad is one of the main characters :)

Leslie wrote: "LauraT wrote: "I've started a collection of short stories by Eva Ibbotson: A Glove Shop in Vienna and Other Stories; some of them are real diamonds!!!"

Sounds fun. I started a short stories colle..."

It was really loveley! I'm about to start A Question of Death: An Illustrated Phryne Fisher Treasury to keep on my "gialli" period

Hi All, started reading Freud's Mistress and I think it's pretty good so far. :)

I'm currently reading Sea of Poppies, by Amitav Ghosh. I don't have a lot of time to read at the moment, so it's taking me some more time than I expected, unfortunately.

Shirley wrote: "I'm reading The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti - it is very simply written but very powerful. Really makes you think!"

I really enjoyed that book! Glad you did too:)

I'm currently reading The Guermantes Way by Marcel Proust. It's a big book but I love his beautiful writing.

I am currently reading Persuasion by Jane Austen and Emotional Wellness by Osho. I recommend them both.

Shirley wrote: "I'm reading The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti - it is very simply written but very powerful. Really makes you think!"
I won it in a giveaway last year. It makes you realize how we all live in a bubble of sorts and how we are unaware of what happens elsewhere.