what's your current read!?
anything to reccommend or brag about?
Helen Walmsley - Mon, 09/05/2011 - 16:57
Helen Walmsley - Mon, 09/05/2011 - 16:55
Ploughing through Wolf Hall at the moment. Wonderfully written and gives a really good (though how accurate?) insight into life with Good King Hal. However, it is difficult at times to know exactly who is speaking because of the way Cromwell is simply referred to as 'he' . But I am enjoying it.
hcw2
Robyn Bateman - Tue, 10/05/2011 - 15:22
I'm reading The Murder Artist by John Case at the mo. It's a bit slow going but it's early days yet, will keep you posted.
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Ron Wood - Thu, 26/05/2011 - 15:41
I have just finished The Glass Room by Simon Mawer and it was an enjoyable read. The characters are believable and interesting, I particularly liked Hana, who was a complex yet always accessible and humane character. In addition to good characterisation the story was involving. It was a book that I was sad to finish. Next up for me, is Amsterdam by Ian McEwan.
Helen Walmsley - Mon, 30/05/2011 - 21:30
I have just finished Amsterdam actually. I found it strangely lighweight for Ian McEwan. However, I did enjoy it. The characters were interesting if a bit one-sided. And the whole book had a nice conceit about it which was very pleasing. However, for a short novel, I much preferred his 'Saturday'. Gripping.
Ron Wood - Thu, 02/06/2011 - 21:56
I finished Amsterdam yesterday and I agree that the characters were interesting, but I felt the plot was a little predictable insofar as that once they made the pact it seemed obvious it would be acted upon; that said it was an enjoyable read.
The only other McEwan novel I have read was Black Dogs and I found that to be an absorbing book.
I heard Saturday on Radio 4's Book at Bedtime a while back, I appreciate that is not the best way to experience a novel - especially as it was an abridged reading - but I agree with you that it is a gripping story.
Peter Kilburn - Thu, 16/06/2011 - 07:48
Currently reading At Home by Bill Bryson. Written in his own inimitable style he covers a wide range of topic triggered by consideration of the rooms in his house. Entertaining and well written it is a good follow up to his Short History of everything
Simon Moss - Sun, 19/06/2011 - 11:05
I've read a few Brysons; always entertaining and companionable. I particularly enjoyed 'Neither Here Nor There,' and 'Mother Tongue.' I was introduced to his books when on a long coach trip across Europe: a bloke on the seat behind me kept breaking into spontaneous giggles, and I had to find out why.
I've got 'A Short History...' but have twice failed to get very far through it I'm afraid. Perhaps oneday, when I've grown up...
Sophie Davis - Tue, 20/12/2011 - 11:19
Absolutely love Bill Bryson, just from the little stories that go with the history that make me giggle. It may show up my dirty mind but I find it easier to remember historical events etc if there is a daft story or odd fact attached.
Simon Moss - Sun, 19/06/2011 - 11:10
I've just finished 'Lucky Jim,' by Kingsley Amis, and I loved it. Dixon is such a flunkie, but makes you feel good because of his honesty, self-indulgence and dislike of unlikable people. If you feel that you're a drop-out, you should read it!
Mary Kennedy - Wed, 06/07/2011 - 16:51
I'm reading Henning Mankell's The troubled Man, at the the moment and finding it hard to put down. Was it really 2009 when the Book Club had his book The Man from Bejing as reading for members, (bragging now, I won the £20 voucher for my report). I have it and will definitely read it again. It was my first time reading this author and then only because of the club. Thank you Book Club.
Bethan Costin - Sat, 23/07/2011 - 23:51
Reading somebody else's kids by Torey Hayden about a special needs class in a mainstream school. Not very far into it yet but its a good read so far. The last book I read was The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald which sort of dragged until the end and then seemed to finish too soon.
Adrianne Fitzpatrick - Sun, 24/07/2011 - 13:37
I've enjoyed all the Torey Hayden books I've read to date (and it's quite a few now).
Shirley Rudolph - Sat, 06/08/2011 - 13:04
La Bete Humaine by Emile Zola and The Wings of The Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri
Mary Kennedy - Tue, 09/08/2011 - 22:50
Just finished The Troubled Man by Henning Mankell. Enjoyed the first half but it was difficult to finish so a bit disappointed. Maybe its me as I have just started Joanna Trollope's Daughters in Law and finding it hard to get into and I have enjoyed all her books and was looking forward to this new one.
Adrianne Fitzpatrick - Wed, 10/08/2011 - 10:48
currently re-reading Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series.
Zoe Williamson - Thu, 25/08/2011 - 21:02
I've got two rather different books on the go at the moment - Northanger Abbey and Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Book One - The Final Empire.
Oddly I'm finding it easier to get into Northanger than the fantasy fare that I usually read like Brandon Sanderson at the moment. But secretly I'm just waiting for Adrian Tchaikovsky's next Shadows of the Apt book - absoutely love the characters and world he's created in that series. Such an enviable unique idea.
Lauren Henry - Sun, 28/08/2011 - 20:47
I'm reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee...only half way through and can't quite believe I've waited so many years to pick it up!
Mary Kennedy - Fri, 02/09/2011 - 09:55
Have 3 bks on the go at mo. No Way Down-Graham Bowley, A certain Justice- P.D. James, Lady in White Wilkie Collins. All Different but really enjoying them.
Denise Stewart - Tue, 15/11/2011 - 21:45
The Help by Kathryn Sockett
Robyn Bateman - Wed, 16/11/2011 - 09:57
Ooh, I want to read The Help. My friend's just been to see the film and said it was incredibly emotional but I always like to read the book first. I get a break from my studies over Christmas so I'm hoping I can swap course books for a fiction novel then.
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Denise Stewart - Sat, 26/11/2011 - 00:05
Hi Robyn
I finished it four days ago; I would thoroughly recommend it, a cracking read.
Denise
Annabel Stobie - Wed, 23/11/2011 - 00:41
I'm reading 'Five past Midnight in Bhopal' it's excellently researched and written it is heart breaking reading about the events but interesting and has a lesson for us all.
Sophie Davis - Tue, 20/12/2011 - 11:26
Currently reading The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde. Not quite as good as The Big Over Easy but still engrossing. Anyone who can somehow turn the Gingerbreadman into a twisted Hannibal Lector personality is ok in my book. :-D
Sandra Leribaux - Wed, 21/12/2011 - 12:55
Currently started reading the Millennium 3 by Stieg Larsson.... i am probably one the last people in my circle of friends who is finally reading.... I read the other 2 books and i really enjoyed every second of it...but with all the studies and TMA's .....sometimes you just feel guilty reading anything else but your study material....
Stephen Provost - Wed, 21/12/2011 - 15:17
I've just started reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It's a bit of a slow starter but it's getting more and more intriguing on the turn of each page. I can't put it down.
Stephen Provost - Tue, 03/01/2012 - 22:14
Just finished The Shadow of the Wind. A decent read but I found it to be quite predictable with very few surprises and a bit boring in parts towards the end. I don't feel inspired to read any more of his books.
Stephen Provost - Tue, 03/01/2012 - 22:27
Started reading Accused by Mark Gimenez - the sequel to The Colour of Law which I really enjoyed. Both are 'unputdownable' reads which I highly recommend. Not quite Grisham but you won't be disappointed.
Mary Hickey - Sat, 21/01/2012 - 18:06
I Have just finished P.D. James, A Certain Justice, An Adam Dagleish Detective Story.
I like the books she has written with him as main Character. Not keen on others. I heard her in an interview lately saying she would like to go back to writing his cases again, she enjoyed them herself. I can't wait.
Stephen Provost - Sun, 05/02/2012 - 16:53
Started reading To Kill A Mocking Bird recently but I just can't get into it at all. I keep picking it up, reading a few pages and putting it down again. It's supposed to be a really good book so I'll persevere with it a bit longer.
Ploughing through Wolf Hall at the moment. Wonderfully written and gives a really good (though how accurate?) insight into life with Good King Hal. However, it is difficult at times to know exactly who is speaking because of the way Cromwell is simply referred to as 'he' . But I am enjoying it.
hcw2
I'm reading The Murder Artist by John Case at the mo. It's a bit slow going but it's early days yet, will keep you posted.
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
I have just finished The Glass Room by Simon Mawer and it was an enjoyable read. The characters are believable and interesting, I particularly liked Hana, who was a complex yet always accessible and humane character. In addition to good characterisation the story was involving. It was a book that I was sad to finish. Next up for me, is Amsterdam by Ian McEwan.
I have just finished Amsterdam actually. I found it strangely lighweight for Ian McEwan. However, I did enjoy it. The characters were interesting if a bit one-sided. And the whole book had a nice conceit about it which was very pleasing. However, for a short novel, I much preferred his 'Saturday'. Gripping.
I finished Amsterdam yesterday and I agree that the characters were interesting, but I felt the plot was a little predictable insofar as that once they made the pact it seemed obvious it would be acted upon; that said it was an enjoyable read.
The only other McEwan novel I have read was Black Dogs and I found that to be an absorbing book.
I heard Saturday on Radio 4's Book at Bedtime a while back, I appreciate that is not the best way to experience a novel - especially as it was an abridged reading - but I agree with you that it is a gripping story.
Currently reading At Home by Bill Bryson. Written in his own inimitable style he covers a wide range of topic triggered by consideration of the rooms in his house. Entertaining and well written it is a good follow up to his Short History of everything
I've read a few Brysons; always entertaining and companionable. I particularly enjoyed 'Neither Here Nor There,' and 'Mother Tongue.' I was introduced to his books when on a long coach trip across Europe: a bloke on the seat behind me kept breaking into spontaneous giggles, and I had to find out why.
I've got 'A Short History...' but have twice failed to get very far through it I'm afraid. Perhaps oneday, when I've grown up...
Absolutely love Bill Bryson, just from the little stories that go with the history that make me giggle. It may show up my dirty mind but I find it easier to remember historical events etc if there is a daft story or odd fact attached.
I've just finished 'Lucky Jim,' by Kingsley Amis, and I loved it. Dixon is such a flunkie, but makes you feel good because of his honesty, self-indulgence and dislike of unlikable people. If you feel that you're a drop-out, you should read it!
I'm reading Henning Mankell's The troubled Man, at the the moment and finding it hard to put down. Was it really 2009 when the Book Club had his book The Man from Bejing as reading for members, (bragging now, I won the £20 voucher for my report). I have it and will definitely read it again. It was my first time reading this author and then only because of the club. Thank you Book Club.
Reading somebody else's kids by Torey Hayden about a special needs class in a mainstream school. Not very far into it yet but its a good read so far. The last book I read was The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald which sort of dragged until the end and then seemed to finish too soon.
I've enjoyed all the Torey Hayden books I've read to date (and it's quite a few now).
La Bete Humaine by Emile Zola and The Wings of The Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri
Just finished The Troubled Man by Henning Mankell. Enjoyed the first half but it was difficult to finish so a bit disappointed. Maybe its me as I have just started Joanna Trollope's Daughters in Law and finding it hard to get into and I have enjoyed all her books and was looking forward to this new one.
currently re-reading Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series.
I've got two rather different books on the go at the moment - Northanger Abbey and Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Book One - The Final Empire.
Oddly I'm finding it easier to get into Northanger than the fantasy fare that I usually read like Brandon Sanderson at the moment. But secretly I'm just waiting for Adrian Tchaikovsky's next Shadows of the Apt book - absoutely love the characters and world he's created in that series. Such an enviable unique idea.
I'm reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee...only half way through and can't quite believe I've waited so many years to pick it up!
Have 3 bks on the go at mo. No Way Down-Graham Bowley, A certain Justice- P.D. James, Lady in White Wilkie Collins. All Different but really enjoying them.
The Help by Kathryn Sockett
Ooh, I want to read The Help. My friend's just been to see the film and said it was incredibly emotional but I always like to read the book first. I get a break from my studies over Christmas so I'm hoping I can swap course books for a fiction novel then.
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Hi Robyn
I finished it four days ago; I would thoroughly recommend it, a cracking read.
Denise
I'm reading 'Five past Midnight in Bhopal' it's excellently researched and written it is heart breaking reading about the events but interesting and has a lesson for us all.
Currently reading The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde. Not quite as good as The Big Over Easy but still engrossing. Anyone who can somehow turn the Gingerbreadman into a twisted Hannibal Lector personality is ok in my book. :-D
Currently started reading the Millennium 3 by Stieg Larsson.... i am probably one the last people in my circle of friends who is finally reading.... I read the other 2 books and i really enjoyed every second of it...but with all the studies and TMA's .....sometimes you just feel guilty reading anything else but your study material....
I've just started reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It's a bit of a slow starter but it's getting more and more intriguing on the turn of each page. I can't put it down.
Just finished The Shadow of the Wind. A decent read but I found it to be quite predictable with very few surprises and a bit boring in parts towards the end. I don't feel inspired to read any more of his books.
Started reading Accused by Mark Gimenez - the sequel to The Colour of Law which I really enjoyed. Both are 'unputdownable' reads which I highly recommend. Not quite Grisham but you won't be disappointed.
I Have just finished P.D. James, A Certain Justice, An Adam Dagleish Detective Story.
I like the books she has written with him as main Character. Not keen on others. I heard her in an interview lately saying she would like to go back to writing his cases again, she enjoyed them herself. I can't wait.
Started reading To Kill A Mocking Bird recently but I just can't get into it at all. I keep picking it up, reading a few pages and putting it down again. It's supposed to be a really good book so I'll persevere with it a bit longer.
Page 1 of 2