The Readers discussion

Four books is definitely not too many!! I am exactly the same way, afraid to be caught without something to read and trapped in a boring conversation. I have saved The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest for a year end read. Happy Christmas!!!

I read We the Animals which was at the top of my holiday reading list. I checked out bookss at my school library and local library, but I've had little time to get much reading done.

I think four books us awesome!

Merry Christmas!

Was woken up during the night by my snoring husband (too much booze on Xmas Eve), the started listening to your podcast in the hope of you guys putting me to sleep. But no such luck - instead I started adding to my TBR list thanks to your chat and recommendations, so I ended up being up for hours in the middle of the night!

4 books for a 5 day visit with the family.... mmmmh, I can understand that they'd be seriously underwhelmed by your intentions, but hey, it all depends on what they are going to offer in terms of alternative entertainment. My own family is really into board games, lively discussions and the likes, whereas my in-laws just watch all the bleedin' Christmas specials on telly, in which case 4 books are a minimum must have!

Enjoy your reading!

P.S. To answer your first questions, over the holidays I was planning on reading whatever Santa would kindly bring me (turns out it was IQ84 - which funnily was discussed in your podcast I listened to last night) as well as "The Handmaid's Tale" (finally.... one of my "for a rainy day" reads) for Book Group in January. In the meantime, I have to return a book to my friend who is coming over tomorrow, it's Caitlin Moran's "How to be a woman". Pretty funny so far.

I waited to see what Father Christmas brought me, before deciding what I would read over the Christmas holiday. I received several books and am currently reading Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo. Next up is quite likely Sense of an Ending... or Snuff... or The Fear Index... GNNNNGH, I don't know what will be next.

Mr Men PJs - brilliant! Are you serioiusly vertically challenged or do they actually make them for adults?! LOL

War Horse is fantastic - tried to see the play in October when we were in London, but at £87 per ticket (all that was left) decided to postpone the trip to the theatre, and I believe the movie is coming out soon, too. It really is a very special YA book, can't wait for my son to be old enough to read it (I'd say 12+ to appreciate it properly). It's such a moving story, brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.

Guess what - I received a second copy of IQ84, so with two beautiful hardcover editions, it's definitely a sign I should read it next.
The "12 days of Kindle" have also taken their toll; I ended up buying five books this morning at £ 0.99 each. And that's only Day 1. Oh dear. I might as well not bother with the skiing next week and just stay in the holiday flat to read, read, read.

I got "We The Animals" on audio and listened to it a couple of weeks ago, the reader (I've forgotten his name) was perfect for the job, and I agree with "the lovely Ann Kingman"; it's definitely a book to enjoy in one sitting - it would only take a couple of hours, I think.

Looking forward to your Boxing Day special - will listen to it on the drive to the mountains tomorrow!

Simon, I am reading "Nicholas Nickleby" by Charles Dickens. For some reason I associate Dickens with Christmas, so try to read something of his around this time of year. I am also reading Suite Française
for a book club meeting in January. It is very good, although I do agree with your comment on having a "bee in your bonnet" about WWII novels. There really are quite a lot of them.
I love your podcast! Wish I could join you and Kirsty for a coffee and bookish conversation. Alas, I'm in the states (Missouri).



Simon wrote: "Hello all,

I am just packing the books to take for my Christmas trip to my mothers (well I will be when I have finally decided which ones I am taking) and thought I would pop in and ask you wha..."

Suite Française

Simon wrote: Dog Ear Discs - I have alwats meant to read Warhorse, is it any good? I didn't get a single book for Christmas BUT I did get some Mr Men pjs so thats a slight literary twist present. "

Ahh, Mr Men PJ's, can't go wrong there.

Warhorse was brilliant. It's moving, harsh and beautiful. Of course being a YA novel it is short (I read it in two short sittings) and simple to read, but that doesn't detract from the book. I loved how it highlighted the untold stories of animals in war and it's unbelievably sweet throughout.

I'd say grab it from the library and blitz through it. You won't regret it.

simon,

you can totally read we the animals in one sitting. i picked it up because i left my other book at work (i don't like to read more than one book at a time). and once i started to read, i couldn't stop!