Book Club

[Smitch]

A book thread where we can discuss what we're reading, what we've enjoyed and books we really didn't like. I'm trying to read more rather than watch tv or scroll social media before I go to bed.

At the moment, I'm reading The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/443 ... utch-house

I'm really enjoying it, not the type of book I'd normally read.

What are you reading at the moment?

[KeenCook]

We read that last year with my book group - yes, we all really enjoyed it too.

We've just read The Magician, by Colm Toibin, about Thomas Mann, and I enjoyed it so much that for my turn this month - well, actually 2 months as it's a rather long book and people are away - suggested Buddenbrooks. I started it ages ago, shortly after finishing my German degree, (in German), but didn't get very far - can't remember why.

OH had come across some excellent Mann translations, by an American, John E Woods. I got his translation of Buddenbrooks and so far am really enjoying it. It's extremely readable.

[herbidacious]

I have been reading the Rotherweird trilogy by Andrew Caldecott. (The barrister who was involved in the Hutton and Leveson inquiries.) Very good, if sometimes a little nasty.
I am coming to the end of the third one, and not sure what to read next.

[scullion]

'an immense world' - book of the week on radio 4 a few weeks back - absolutely fascinating.
the abridgement was like dipping the half millimetre of the end of a toe into the water, it is a mind boggling view into the world around us that we are oblivious to.
definitely well worth the read (and i'm a long way from finishing it...)

[scullion]

i'm on to 'the thursday murder club' now.
from what people have said 'crawdads' is marmite - i might try it in a bit, after a few others on the pile - but then i might not...

[scullion]

thursday murder club - quick, light read.
started the second book in the series now.

[Suelle]

thursday murder club - quick, light read.
started the second book in the series now.

I preferred the second one, Osman had got into his writing style better, IMO.

I've just finished Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling), the latest Cormoran Strike book. After weeks of reading lightweight crime novels from my Kindle Unlimited subscription, it was good to get my teeth into a weightier novel.

I often read the lightweight novels in a day - this took 3 days of fairly solid reading during the heatwave, when all I was doing was reading, playing computer games or running to the tap for more water (or to the bathroom to expel it!).

If you've read any of the others, this one delves much more into the developing relationship between Cormoran and Robin, and their emotional and family backgrounds. They also solve a 40 yr old cold case with lots of twists and turns!

[herbidacious]

I am reading Piranesi (Susanne Clarke). It's a curious thing...

[Wic]

I’ve just finished listening to the audiobook that’s Felicity Cloake's second cycling odyssey, Red Sauce Brown Sauce. The first was a trip round France searching for the perfect croissant, this one is a cycle round the British Isles looking for the perfect breakfast. Good fun and some interesting stuff in it.

I like an audiobook, I can take the phone round with me while gardening or doing housework, but it does mean that if it gets to something you’d like to remember it passes too quickly and you have to fiddle about and go backwards.

[RockyBVI]

I enjoyed that Cormoran Strikes book Suelle. I see there is another one out next month.

I have read a few books by Clare Chambers recently. Quite light reading but enjoyable

[Stokey Sue]

The Cormoran Strike book has been filmed and will be the next TV serial, season 5, not yet clear if it will be in the autumn or winter schedule

I’m still struggling with audiobooks but need to get to grips with them, I have problems based on having been the sort of reader who could swallow a book in just one or sessions.

First, I’ve hated being read to since I was about 4 and could read myself. Then audio is so slow compared to that kind of speed reading I get a bit bored, and related to that I really can’t multitask while listening, I’m used to reading being totally immersive and I miss it if it’s not. Finally I’m procrastinating because I really need to get the hang of it, and Siri and Alexa too (hate those girls). I read much slower now, so speed is ceasing to be a reason

I’ve been stuck halfway through the Thursday Murder Club for ages, it’s read by Lesley Manville so it’s pretty good. As it’s going to be a dreich afternoon and my cough means I really can’t do any serious housework maybe I should just get on with it

Talking myself into it

[Suelle]

I've never tried them, but the speed at which I read makes me think I wouldn't get on with audio books either.

[Smitch]

Some of the people in my book group listen to audiobooks on 1.5x speed

I’ve not read much recently, missed the last book club read as I’ve been too tired after work. Must get back into it.

[Wic]

1.5 speed! I’ve tried that and can’t cope, it’s too annoying to my ears.

Listening to a book is definitely not an exclusive occupation for me, I need to be doing something else as well, like the ironing or weeding, on it’s own I would find it too slow.

I quite like a non-contentious book to listen to if I wake up at night. I have the speaker under my pillow. However, I can’t listen to a thriller then, it keeps me awake! I have it on a sleep timer, so if I do doze off I know, more or less where I have to go back to.

The hardback version of 'Troubled Blood' by JKRowling/Robert Galbraith is upstairs waiting for me, I got it in a book sale ages ago, but every time I think of starting it the sheer size of the volume puts me off, it’s huge.

[Stokey Sue]

Some of the people in my book group listen to audiobooks on 1.5x speed

Yes, I’ve tried that - and predictably, didn’t like it

I found the “babble” quite annoying, and it takes away the pleasure that there is in listening to a good reader like Lesley Manville or Stephen Fry, or hearing the author when people like Felicity Cloake read their own books

[Uschi]

Lovely suggestions. I did read the Buddenbrooks as my mother loved it. The Thursday Murder Club sounds good, too. I will try and get my hands on the Crawdads.

I am binge reading on my Ipod at the moment and right now it is "Cider with Rosie", which I read as a teenager. I had forgotten that Lee loves his adjectives and adverbs , but it is lovely. I now remember how I thumbed through my Cassel's at speed.

[scullion]

The Thursday Murder Club sounds good, too. I will try and get my hands on the Crawdads.

do you still have the link to the site i sent you? ...

[Uschi]

Yup. ... done and dusted ... thanks again.

[aero280]

Just finished the latest Anne Perry Daniel Pitt book. It's written in much the same style as the previous ones, but it sort of petered out at the end...

[Uschi]

Anne Perry is another one whose books I used to enjoy. Thanks for reminding me.

The harbour of Burgstaaken has a small shelf in the ladies' loo, for people to place books in that they have finished with and choose new ones. It is always well-filled with German titles, but also Dutch, English and Scandinavian languages. I picked up Galbraith's "Silkworm" and Barbara Vine's "Grasshopper" (the former in German and the latter in English). The gentlemen, it seems, do not read as they do not have a shelf library in their loo.
Actually, I saw a lady snapping the shelf on her mobile, so her husband could check for something interesting.