UK Book Club discussion

I've hardly read any books for a few years and it's really bad!! So I want you to recommend *the* book that's gonna get me back into reading again ;-)

I like historical chick flicks, chick flicks, animals... perhaps a book written from the perspective of an animal, who knows any good ones? ^_^

Georgiana Darcy's Diary: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued by Anna Elliott - historical and chic litty!

Welcome back Zoe - hope you find something to read and get you back to reading again.

I haven't read it, but saw in book shop today, in same theme, pride and prejudice the servants tale...could be interesting.

Last year,I loved when God was a rabbit....

My best book of last year. Historical. A love story. No animals though

Zoe wrote: "I've hardly read any books for a few years and it's really bad!! So I want you to recommend *the* book that's gonna get me back into reading again ;-)

I like historical chick flicks, chick flicks..."

Hi Zoe, good to 'see' you! Read The Snow Child, it's beautiful.

Hi Zoe, my historical recommendation would have to be and an animal book:

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! :D

I just bought The Snow Child... Amazon 1-click is dangerous!!! For some reason a part of me thought that there would at least be two clicks involved :P

I hope you like it....

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, written by Richard Bach, is a fable in novella form about a seagull learning about life and flight, and a homily about self-perfection.

You are the creator Zoe, live long and prosper....all as Mr Spock once said (except for the name check).

Don't fret about not reading. You've been at uni I think and that's enough force fed reading to be going on with....and by setting up this group, you have inspired so, so many of us to not only read more, but also to read more widely and just as importantly be able to talk about our love in a cosy, comfy setting.

No use me recommending - animal and chick lit nmcot.

I'm sure you'll have read it already, but when it comes to books narrated from the POV of animals, well... Watership Down. As the 80s joke went: you've read the book, you've seen the film, now eat the cast!

Zoe wrote: "I've hardly read any books for a few years and it's really bad!! So I want you to recommend *the* book that's gonna get me back into reading again ;-)

I like historical chick flicks, chick flicks..."

Hey Zoe, Bob is right, Birdsong is awesome. I can recommend very highly. My reading has been rubbish for ages because I'm too busy and distracted to concentrate on anything much, but I am currently reading a book called Wesley by Stacey O'Brien. Wesley is a barn owl who will never survive in the wild, so this is the true story of Stacey O'Brien adopting the owl and raising him at home. It covers their relationship over almost two decades. It's not from the POV of the owl I'm afraid, but the owl does understand words and phrases in English, and incredibly is able to communicate his feelings and needs very effectively. This book may not keep you awake at night, but it's an interesting read!

Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl

First a big thank you for creating this UK Book Club. Then I have to say I completely understand the lack of time for reading. It's embarrassing having the same book on my profile for a year or so.

One thing I would say is that you could try some anthologies. The short stories mean you can fit some reading in at odd times, dentist's waiting room (urgh) for instance. I'm not sure it could be said that an anthology is *the* book to get you started again, but it sure is good as a starter to the main meal.

That's a good idea; short stories are often the answer for me, to get back in the the reading habit. Three good Brit suggestions: V.S. Pritchett; Somerset Maugham of course; and the wonderful Elizabeth Bowen.

My reading has suffered since I got a job that enables me to walk to work. I mean, it's great, but at the same time it does mean that I've lost 2 hours a day of solid reading time.

My reading has slumped big time since I finished work last April and then came down to Brixham last June to live! There is so much to do here I seem to be doing everything and anything but read, unless it is an audio book borrowed from the library, which I suppose keeps the library in business!

My reading is suffering too. I'm writing every spare moment, so the reading opportunities are narrow. I love reading so much, but reading is a hobby and a pleasure, and when I'm busy writing, the hobbies get shoved to one side. It's a luxury I can't afford too often. Having said that, every writer writes better when they're inspired by good reading.

Must plan my time better!

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Andrew wrote: "My reading has suffered since I got a job that enables me to walk to work. I mean, it's great, but at the same time it does mean that I've lost 2 hours a day of solid reading time."

Just seen your comment Andrew, I walk and read at the same time! I am getting really good at 'knowing' when people or obstacles are in the way. Or you could listen to books on audio on MP3 or Ipod, I do that too!

Tori's on to something - it's sometimes a question of planning. I've ring fenced time to write and now that I have finished my second book, I am going to ring fence time to read! Hurrah!

Andrew wrote: "I'm sure you'll have read it already, but when it comes to books narrated from the POV of animals, well... Watership Down. As the 80s joke went: you've read the book, you've seen the f..."

I second Watership Down...a very unsentimental look at the inner world of the rabbit...(or the mysterious psychic Inner World in the rabbit named Fiver's case!)

What about Tarka the OtterTarka the Otterby Henry Williamson?

Haven't read a single book since the end of July. Doesn't feel good. I feel as though my intellect gets sluggish without reading. My creative powers, such as they are, become a little dead and unresponsive. It's false economy to save time for writing without reading, because the writing (in my opinion) can't be as good. Haven't managed any writing for a month though either. Truly, I feel a bit rubbish at the moment. All I have to show for my efforts of late, is a nice downstairs loo. I'm off to stroke my taps again. Need some treatment.

Sounds like you need to cuddle up to your new loo with book in hand. Especially good if you have installed an electric loo seat that warms up for those cheeky, cold winter mornings. And give those taps a bit of peace. I can recommend a therapist.

Have been like you, Tori. Have read very few books recently. However, now that there's mainly just me and the squirrels, here in Connecticut, I've been reading everything on the bookshelves, even if it's not really my taste.Read Memoirs of a Geisha yesterday on the porchMemoirs of a Geisha. It's beautifully written, but didn't really like it, as it seemed too sad.

Also in the middle of Do Polar Bears get LoDo Polar Bears Get Lonely?: And 110 Other Questionsnely? And John Le Carre's The Mission Song.The Mission Song which I am finding very funny. Polished off Elizabeth of YorkElizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World on the plane, which I found excellent, and finally finished Thomas Jefferson, Author of AmericaThomas Jefferson: Author of America

Ian wrote: "Sounds like you need to cuddle up to your new loo with book in hand. Especially good if you have installed an electric loo seat that warms up for those cheeky, cold winter mornings. And give those ..."

Hahahahaha! No chance of the tap having a moment of peace while I've got writer's blog, painter's arm and DIY shopper's legs. No electric seat I'm afraid. As they say in Hull, I aren't that posh! I do think I maybe should have fitted a bookshelf in there. You're right. I did have a shelf fitted right above the loo, but saw fit to add a photo frame, a plant and a ceramic cat. What was I thinking? I don't want therapy, Ian. I'm happy being tapped at the moment. Maybe when the new kitchen sink goes in next Monday I can shift between the kitchen tap and the toilet tap. They're right next door.

Carol, I bought The Mission Song in a charity shop a few months ago. Haven't read it, but I'm looking at it right now. It's winking at me. John Le Carre is a genius, but I'm not sure I'm in the mood to be intimidated by him at the moment. It isn't easy reading. I don't suppose anyone can recommend any romances that has taps as a main theme? That might suit my mood.

No, Ian's right. I need treatment.

..... 'So when did you development this affection for your tap?'

'It must have been shortly into the football season when I retreated to the toilet for company.'

Second thoughts, maybe group therapy would be better.

.....'Hi, my name's Tori and I've got a tap obsession. It's been two days since my last stroke.'

And I thought you were able to multi task.

Try TAP INTO LOVE - EFT Tapping Scripts to Attract a Romantic Relationship or maybe the more basic Tap Tap Bang Bang, or perhaps from our American friends Turn on a Faucet. All good reads.

Ian wrote: "Try TAP INTO LOVE - EFT Tapping Scripts to Attract a Romantic Relationship or maybe the more basic Tap Tap Bang Bang, or perhaps from our American friends [book:Turn ..."

ROFL! They all sound amazing. Move over John Le Carre and let the worm see the book.

Who gave James the idea that I could multitask? Since taking on my bathroom, downstairs toilet and kitchen at the same time, I lost the will to be superwoman first, then I lost my rag, then my marbles, and finally I slumped in a heap on my new loo floor. And now all I can do is tap-stroke.