What are you reading at the moment?

[ok-mrs-bee]

Tell us about the book which you're enjoying.  Why is it so enjoyable?  We all like different things so your impression of a book is helpful. 

I added many of the books, which were recommended on the previous thread, to my reading list, based on the poster's comments.

I've been having a crime-fest.  The most recent are ...

Scent of a Killer by Kevin Lewis - I don't really like Brit-cop books - too depressing - and this was no exception.  (What is it with British cops?)  However, apart from some mistakes which should never have got past a decent editor, it was very readable with a good, if meandery, storyline.

The HIdden Man by David Ellis - This author has been likened to John Grisham crossed with Harlen Coben.  Being a fan of both, I poo-pooed this idea.  That was, until I read the book.  How wrong I was!  It is a gripping, fast read and deserves the comparison.

[starbuysforlittleones_sophie]

I have just finished James' Bowen autobiographical account of his meeting with Bob the street cat. 

Didn't think I would enjoy it at first as autobiographies are not normally my cup of tea. My friend who works in a book store said it had been a big success so I thought I would give it a try.

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. Well written, a very honest, touching story that almost had me in tears. A wonderful insight into the life of a "vulnerable" young homeless / recovered drug addict. Changed my perspective on buskers and people who sell the big issue.

[ok-mrs-bee]

Hi, Star, I really enjoyed the 'Bob-cat' book. I mentioned it in Post #18 - what a moving story it is.  I looked for a catch-up to see how James and Bob are doing now - there is  a Facebook page which is worth exploring.

I have recently finished re-reading, Green Mansions, by R.H.Hudson, trying to discover why this book made such a strong impression on me in my early teen years.  I was disappointed.  I couldn't recover the thrill of the first reading.  In the late fifties the world was unknown to me and Hudson's descriptions of unchartered Venezuela was magical.  There is still magic in the book but my first thrill couldn't be recovered.

Would you believe that I have only just got around to reading, To Kill a Mocking Bird.  I've watched the film several times and the film about Truman Capote who was, allegedly, the model for Dill in the book, he being a childhood friend of Harper Lee.

[starbuysforlittleones_sophie]

Ah yes I can seen your post now, I have looked at Bob and James' s facebook too, I feel so protective of them!

Have you seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ba1PEHRAZo

James looked a little bit nervous there bless him!
He seems like such a lovely man though, I hope he finds a nice girlfriend who loves equally as much as he does 🙂

I have never heard of "Green Mansions" but then again I am French so....

I am not sure what I am going to read next, maybe the Life of Pi.

You are right when you mentioned James Bowen is not scared to mention his ghost writer.

I have recently read Cheryl Cole's biography (I live in Newcastle so was interested to hear where she came from etc). Surprisingly well written and she too mentions her ghost writer which I thin kis very honest of her.

[taylor-books]

I am reading Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphreys, this was made into a film called Oranges and Sunshine, I recently saw the film on television and wanted to read the book. The author is a social worker from Nottingham who in 1986 investigated a woman's claim that, aged four, she was put on a boat to Australia by the British Government. She found that this was just the tip of an iceberg, up to 150,000 children had been deported from Britain to a new life in Australia, Canada and Rhodesia, also New Zealand. They were mostly taken from childrens homes and orphanages. Many were told their parents were dead and their parents were told they had been adopted. In fact for many of the children it was to be a life of horrendous physical and sexual abuse, they were treated as servants and labourers on farms, etc. many of them received no schooling.  Margaret and her team reunited thousands of families before it was too late, brought authorities to account, and brought worldwide attention to an outrageous miscarriage of justice. This was happening throughout the 1940s and 50s and continued right up to 1970. Some of the children they did not even know who they were, they had no birth certificate and no idea if they had families in Britain, for many it was too late as their mothers had died before they could be located. This is a very important book as most people may not have heard about this, many childrens' charities and the government joined forces to allow these children to be sent away.

[ok-mrs-bee]

Thanks, Pinkie, for the heads up about Jutta Profijit's books.  I've looked at the reviews and they sound most interesting.

Thanks also to Star for the James/Bob link - I hadn't seen that.

Taylor - I've read the reviews of the book and the film and didn't think I would be interested but you've made me think again.

... and so to bed with Jem and Scout and Atticus, Dill and Boo.

[ryalto-books]

i saw that film in the cinema last year,  on the monday matinee at our local theatre / cinema.    not bothered about the book,  does not appeal to me particularly,  although the film was quite interesting,   it was a topic i was already aware of.

have been reading peter james but now finding them too same-ish and predictable so going back to biogs for a while

[cat_power_nap]

Oh that sounds very interesting.

Well done on reading the book after seeing the film, I never manage to do that, hence telling friends and family "am not going to see the Life of Pi until I have read it!!"

[haymilo]

I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It hasn't necessarily been the easiest of books to read but I love the period its set in and it really is like going back in time. I shall read Bring up the Bones. Has anyone else read either of these?

[ok-mrs-bee]

Oh that sounds very interesting.

Well done on reading the book after seeing the film, I never manage to do that, hence telling friends and family "am not going to see the Life of Pi until I have read it!!"

I felt the same, Cat, so I bought and read the Life of Pi.  The book is more interesting than I expected but it put me off wanting to watch the film.  If it comes on the telly I'll catch it.

However, there are many books which I have only read after seeing a film/TV production:   Jane Eyre and Precious Bane after the BBC's late fifties dramas:  Pride and Prejudice, ditto.  What a very tedious book.  I know it's the 200th anniversary but I don't 'get' Jane Austin.

I finished, To Kill a Mocking Bird.  (Book after film, Cat!)  It really is superb.

Encouraged by recent reviews I bought, The Fault in our Stars, by John Green.  I'm half-way through it in one sitting.  I have no idea how it is going to end but that is part of it's appeal.  It was a New York Times best seller and, already, I would say that it's number one position was deserved.

[ok-mrs-bee]

I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It hasn't necessarily been the easiest of books to read but I love the period its set in and it really is like going back in time. I shall read Bring up the Bones. Has anyone else read either of these?

Hay, I have an aversion to any book which wins the Brooker Prize so  I read your post with interest.  Janet Street Porter announced in an article yesterday that she had had to take a weekend off from reading Hilary Mantel because the book was so long drawn out.  For me the Booker Prize winners remain a no-no.  I do wonder what the judges are looking for.

[taylor-books]

Has anyone read any of Katherine Webb's books?  They are excellent, I have read The Legacy and The Unseen and have bought her latest one A Half Forgotten Song. They combine modern life with a mystery from the past.  They are really interesting and keep you reading avidly.

[haymilo]

It is a bit drawn out Bee, I would have to agree, and it hasn't always been an easy read but I quite like a challenging book now and again and its sense of history coming alive is remarkable and for that among other reasons, I enjoy it.  My main reason for choosing this book is because I love History books especially from about this time in History. I have read some Booker prize winners and enjoyed them but I would have to be interested enough in the subject to want to read it. That said I am always open to peoples suggestions who ever they may be if I think it will be something I might enjoy. If a book is popular it sells itself without having to win a prize. I have a very varied taste in reading and like to try things. 🙂

[margaret*e]

Les miserables, got to be the most boring book I've ever read.

[ryalto-books]

film was pretty dull too

[pinkie_05]

I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It hasn't necessarily been the easiest of books to read but I love the period its set in and it really is like going back in time. I shall read Bring up the Bones. Has anyone else read either of these?

Was looking at that one myself, the other reviews I read didn't look too bad so I'll give it a go.

[ok-mrs-bee]

Margaret, I never thought to read Les Miserables.

Ryalto, is the film really that bad?  I saw the stage performance in the late eighties and found it a most depressing experience.  Some of the music is wonderful but it did little to lift the spirits - the story is so lowering: squashing any natural optimism.   I thought I might buy the DVD when it comes out, but now I have doubts.  I don't want a wet fish slapped in my face again.

I am reading Brideshead Revisited, having just re-watched the DVDs of the 1981 Granada production.  What an amazing writer Evelyn Waugh was!  I read a couple of his humorous books years and years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them.  Now I feel I ought to read them again with a more appreciative eye.

[ok-mrs-bee]

I've just discovered Susan Howatch.  I'm reading The Heartbreaker. Wow!  After 50 pages I nearly gave up, thinking it was a sleazy porn book - how more wrong could I have been?  She should have got into the story a bit earlier but once it got going it was a page turner.  I'm off to see if I can get her earlier books at a sensible price.

[ryalto-books]

i found the film depressing and heavy,    the music was okay but its not a cheery topic i guess, other half did enjoy it.   

[mumsie-to-three]

In bed with a streaming cold but don't mind too much as I'm reading Rachel Johnson's "A diary of The Lady - my first year as editor".  It's a real hoot, as she struggles to bring The Lady magazine into the 21st century.  Rachel is sister of Boris Johnson which goes a long way to understanding her humor and whackiness.  Anybody else read it?

[rednoise2001]

I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It hasn't necessarily been the easiest of books to read but I love the period its set in and it really is like going back in time. I shall read Bring up the Bones. Has anyone else read either of these?

Hi, tried and failed three times to read Wolf Hall, maybe it was me, but could not make head nor tail of it 😞