Tally Report post Posted March 6, 2008 I am reading Notes From an Exhibition by Patrick Gale. It's about a woman with bipolar disorder. She is an artist who dies. Her family prepare an exhibition of some of her work, and a lot of her life history comes to light. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 12, 2008 I'm reading "Can Any Mother Help Me?" Its a compilation of magazine articles written by women in the middle of the last century. It began when a woman wrote in to Nursery World Magazine feeling lonely & asking for like minded women to correspond with, & it grew into a magazine to which 12-20 women contributed from the 30s right through to 1990. Some of the women are centenarians now & still feisty! It was like an early forum, lots of diverse personalities & strong opinions etc, all the women wrote items about their lives & sent them to one woman who was the editor & bound up all the articles, then it got sent to each in turn & they added their comments. A fascinating bit of social history & at times very moving, they describe the births of their children, war time experiences, bereavement, divorce etc. I dont want it to end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tilly Report post Posted March 13, 2008 I'm reading A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner. The dramatisation After Thomas was based on this book. Lovin' it so far. Tilly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted March 13, 2008 Presently reading a book called the 'Stone of Farewell' part two in the 'Memory, Sorrow and Thorn' trilogy. (First book is the 'Dragon Bone Chair'). I enjoyed the first one of the series and the second seems to be continuing in the same way. It does seem to be slowly increasing in complexity a bit with the number of parallel events gradually increasing. It is a level I can keep track of at the moment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I've just started One Unknown, by Gill Hicks. She had to have both her legs amputated, after being involved in the London Bombings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I'm reading a book (unknown for me - I've just never been into novels - I love books, but not novels - my tutor recommended it though as something other than my PhD to do, so I guess I have to read it, but I'm struggling to make sense of what's going on). It's called "On Our Own" by Anne Atkins. If anyone has read it and can explain what's going on, I'd be most grateful - I'm about halfway through, but it's taking ages, because I have to keep going back to remember who the characters are - names alone just don't do it for me. It seems to be about an author writing a novel and a non-fiction book, so there's the plot-line of the writing, of her life as a writer and of the two book contents too. Maybe I've got it completely wrong, though and I should just stick to what I know. It's quite strange, because the boy who is one of the central characters (I think ) appears to me to be exhibiting many autistic traits, but I'm not sure if that's part of the story or not or me just over-analysing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScienceGeek Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Clash of Kings by George R R Martin. Nice to have more time to be reading and relaxing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
something vague Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Misery...Stephen King. I've seen the film and the play so thought it was about time to read the book . I cant think of a good smiley for Misery so ...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pookie170 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Ooh, I LOVE stephen king's books!!! Especially 'The Stand', its awesome! Just finished Daniel isn't talking by Marti Leimbach and am rereading The war of the flowers by tad williams. Also, just finished a book called 'Jinh-Shei' but can't remember the author. FABULOUS read- very much worth a try! Esther x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxgirl Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I'm reading a really good book called 'The Ledge' at the moment, can't remember the author and can't be bothered to go downstairs and check at the mo. ~ Mel ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Great to be able to read through a whole thread without 'muuuuuuuuuuuuuum' (monkeys at daddys ) Kathryn - LOVE Torey Hayden - i also have all of her books - most a bit battered! I was introduced to them when i was training yeaaars ago. Great books. Also love Lionel Shriver 'We need to talk about Kevin' facinating read - i was totally gripped and couldn't put it down. I was lucky enough to meet her and have a signed copy of The post birthday world Also quite like Jodi Picoult - but her books are getting a bit 'samey' now........ At the moment i've got a couple on the go.... Spiderwick - i read one chapter, monkey reads one chapter........... Fantastic book Depressive Illness - The curse of the strong. NOT as bad as it sounds! I hate with a passion all those 'this book will solve all your problem' american blurbs - this ones a goodie - and something i return to from time to time. The TEACCH Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorders - but only 'coz i have to 'coz i is doin' the training! And A thousand splendid suns - but i can't get into it - bit boring! Quite a mixture then! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted March 22, 2008 This week i are mostly reading... The Book Of Lost Things by John Connolly... pretty good so far Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted March 22, 2008 The Book Of Lost Things How are you finding it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted March 22, 2008 How are you finding it? Well, it's hard to put down... mainly 'cos if you do you can't find it again I've had the same trouble with my DVD of 'Lost In Space' and my copy of Lou Reed's 'Magic & Loss' album...... And I can't find my marbles anywhere (and don't call me "Shirley"... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted March 22, 2008 This week i are mostly reading... The Book Of Lost Things by John Connolly... pretty good so far I like his stuff too. I'm re-reading George Mackay Brown's Orkney books. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hev Report post Posted March 22, 2008 i just this minute finisheda really good book about a woman who had an affair hen her husband found out ohe l her,she realised she loved her husband and they got back together i knew what the ending was gonna be but i couldnt put it down Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted March 22, 2008 i just this minute finisheda really good book about a woman who had an affair hen her husband found out ohe l her,she realised she loved her husband and they got back together i knew what the ending was gonna be but i couldnt put it down I used to work in a bookshop as a Saturday job, and so it was my task to find the book for people who came in and said "It's a really good book about a woman who had an affair then her husband found out ohe l her,she realised she loved her husband and they got back together. Have you got it?' And I would ask "Do you know the author, or the title?' And the answer would be "It's got a pink cover with silver writing...' The surprising thing is, I'd often find the book! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted March 22, 2008 The surprising thing is, I'd often find the book! Ahhh... well you're obviously the person to ask! It's originally in German (I think) and the lead character is a man who buys himself dark glasses and a cane and 'opts out' by pretending to be blind... I only got through about thd first two chapters when I was 16 or so (It was recommended by my German penfriend and i did track it down in an english translation but i had so many books on the go I sort of overlooked this one)... i think he (the non-blind blind man) might have lived in an hotel (?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted March 22, 2008 What colour was the cover? Mr CD! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Grey, I think Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tally Report post Posted March 22, 2008 I'm reading On Green Dolphin Street be Sebastian Faulks. I am only a few pages in, so I can't really comment on it yet. But he introduces WAAAAAY too many characters too early, and I'm a bit confused so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted March 28, 2008 Well I haven't finished the other book yet, but I found a really cheap copy of Oliver Sacks' "An Anthropologist on Mars" in a charity shop, and I thought I'd read it when I finished the other one, but I was just tidying my bookshelf, and you know how you pick things up and start to read them .... Not being one for doing things as expected, I'm reading the last 'case' in the book first which is about Temple Grandin. It's stuff I've read before - I've read, enjoyed and admired Grandin's work - but it's still interesting and well written. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lya of the Nox Report post Posted March 28, 2008 you are all too brainy for me lol x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted March 28, 2008 I've just started One Unknown, by Gill Hicks. She had to have both her legs amputated, after being involved in the London Bombings. I finished this book today. Kinda put my window probs into perspective. amazing lady, with an amazing attitude to life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted March 28, 2008 I have been nagged and nagged and nagged and nagged and nagged by J to read Artemis Bleedin' Fowl so that's what's on my bedside table at the moment. I guess I'll be the good little mummy and just get on with it. Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharron Report post Posted March 28, 2008 The lovely bones by alice seabold. i am really enjoying it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 28, 2008 Just finished The Life of Pi. However s****y life is at the mo, at least I'm not trapped in a lifeboat with a 450lb Bengal Tiger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Just finished The Life of Pi. However s****y life is at the mo, at least I'm not trapped in a lifeboat with a 450lb Bengal Tiger Oh I LOVE The Life Of Pi! You may have inspired me to read it (yet) again. Once I get rid of bleedin' Artemis... Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Yes I really enjoyed it, complete escapism. I've heard Artemis is vg, JP has all of them but I've yet to read them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScienceGeek Report post Posted March 29, 2008 We have life of pi but haven't got around to reading it yet. It is in the ever growing pile of books to be read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Put it to the top of the pile SG. I have renewed my library copy for mr p to read & I dont often do that Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted March 31, 2008 I've just started Rachel, a life lost.....it's writtan by Wanda Moran, whose daughter, Rachel, was murdered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxgirl Report post Posted March 31, 2008 I'm most of the way through, 'Not the End of the World' by Kate Atkinson. It's short stories, which I don't usually like, but I'm making an exception because I really like this author and it's the only one of hers I haven't read yet. ~ Mel ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brooke Report post Posted March 31, 2008 im reading a lesser evil by lesley pearse its really good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tally Report post Posted March 31, 2008 I now have 60 books on my "To Be Read" shelf, and it's getting plain silly. Now I am reading a book about communication in autism (I forget the actual title) by Olga Bogdashina, and next up is another of hers about sensory issues. I also just bought Engelby by Sebastian Faulks. I should read it soon because it will be popular if I try to swap it quite soon, but I have only just read another of his. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 31, 2008 I read Engleby a few weeks ago Tally & enjoyed it. I like Sebastian Faulks but this is different from his usual style. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted April 1, 2008 Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre. Can't put it down Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted April 1, 2008 Can't put it down Perhaps you had traces of super-glue on your hands when you picked it up? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted April 1, 2008 Perhaps you had traces of super-glue on your hands when you picked it up? I'll be honest, it makes eating sandwiches a real pain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tjololo Report post Posted April 1, 2008 I'm currently reading, 'Leave None To Tell The Story'. by Alison des Forges. It is a very thorough account of the Rwandan genocide and it describes in detail the historical and contemporary circumstances that saw ordinary civilians (teachers, priests, farmers, etc) slaughter their Tutsi neighbours, friends and even family members. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites