Books - what are you reading just now?

Have recently decided that I'd get to grips with Charles Dickens - something I've never read before. So just starting out on Tale of Two Cities. The 19th century style of writing is taking a bit of getting used to.
 
Seem to have got stuck on autobiographies. Finished John Cleese and Miles Kington (you can't really call it an autobiography though) and am now on to Hunter Davies.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Was struggling with To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf until yesterday when I googled 'is Virginia Woolf difficult' and found that To the Lighthouse is in some bibliophile website's Top 10 difficult reads...It advises readers to not try and work out who the heck is thinking what about whom (it seems to be mostly the thoughts of the characters about themselves and each other, and not a lot of dialogue) and just read it...so I can now read it accepting that I'm not going to have much of a clue, but just enjoy the words and wait and see what happens.
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For some reason I read to the end of To The Lighthouse and rate it as probably the most boring book that I've read.
 
Two Wheels over Catalonia by Richard Guise, an interesting book about a bike journey through the region. We've holidayed there a couple of times so its interesting hearing someone else's opinions of places that we stayed / visited.
 
Flamingos in the Desert by Kevin Borman. A bit like Tongo's above its a book done by a local to us, about 5 miles away, and his hikes around eastern Andalucia. There's so many things in it that are within 50 miles of us. For anyone that does get over to the little corner of paradise between May and August I'd very much recommend visiting the lakes down near Cabo de Gata, Cape of the Cat. And if you're there towards sunset it spectacular as the flamingos come in to roost - thousands of them.
 
Hobbit said:
Flamingos in the Desert by Kevin Borman. A bit like Tongo's above its a book done by a local to us, about 5 miles away, and his hikes around eastern Andalucia. There's so many things in it that are within 50 miles of us. For anyone that does get over to the little corner of paradise between May and August I'd very much recommend visiting the lakes down near Cabo de Gata, Cape of the Cat. And if you're there towards sunset it spectacular as the flamingos come in to roost - thousands of them.
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Have your read any of the Driving over Lemons series by Chris Stewart? He and his wife moved to the Alpujarras thirty odd years ago and he's written 4 books about their life there. They are a very good read, especially the first three.
 
Tongo said:
Have your read any of the Driving over Lemons series by Chris Stewart? He and his wife moved to the Alpujarras thirty odd years ago and he's written 4 books about their life there. They are a very good read, especially the first three.
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Thanks for the reminder. I read the first one and had since forgot about them. I must see if Amazon has them for the Kindle. Cheers
 
Am currently reading Martina Cole's " no mercy" typical Cole fare hard hitting lots violence and swearing but one again superb story telling from the author who has spent more time at no1 in the best selling charts than any other writer
 
GG26 said:
For some reason I read to the end of To The Lighthouse and rate it as probably the most boring book that I've read.
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I am struggling as I have never struggled with a book before...blimey. Dickens is an easy read in comparison.

But I will see it out. Jumping from the inside of one person's head and their stream of consciousness to another's - is just so hard to hang on to...but it's certainly different
 
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Footbridge to Enchantment by Nigel Tranter.

Over the wee wooden bridge to the Gullane side of Aberlady Bay. All about the wildfowl, nature plus local stuff.
Beautiful written and a total change from his wonderful historical novels.
 
Just thought I would mention that if you are a member of your local library you can download ebooks for free loans. (but perhaps it may not be nationwide)
 
First to fight- shedding a large light on the German - Polish, USSR-Polish war that started WWII, as a much overlooked theatre of war compared to the rest of WWII.

I went to a talk by the author at the BBC history magazine weekend in Chester last year, and promised myself I'd get the book in due course. Glad I did so far, as it debunks lots of "whig" history views like Cavalry vs tanks, and how much the UK and France didnt stick to their promises etc
 
Max Hastings Bomber Command... Had read much of the book previously but couldn't bring myself to read the chapter about my old Dads squadron... So, for whatever reason, decided to do so this evening... Knew Dad didn't get a name check but wasn't surprised to read the squadron was considered the most ill disciplined of Bomber Command... Struggled to get through some parts as it brought back memories of the old man... He very rarely spoke of the war years but one incident he spoke of is described within the chapter...

Aside from that, have been reading The Chamber by John Grisham... Long time since I've read one of his works and finding a good read...
 
Moved onto Tales from the Fast Trains by Tom Chesshyre. Have read a couple of his books (Slow Trains to Venice and From Source to Sea) and been very impressed so have high hopes for this one.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Was struggling with To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf until yesterday when I googled 'is Virginia Woolf difficult' and found that To the Lighthouse is in some bibliophile website's Top 10 difficult reads...It advises readers to not try and work out who the heck is thinking what about whom (it seems to be mostly the thoughts of the characters about themselves and each other, and not a lot of dialogue) and just read it...so I can now read it accepting that I'm not going to have much of a clue, but just enjoy the words and wait and see what happens.
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Well it has taken me nearly 6 weeks to read the 160 pages or so of To the Lighthouse...a book unlike any I have read before. And not at all easy.

As the wiki article about it says... the novel includes little dialogue and almost no action; most of it is written as thoughts and observations. Quite - and no plot to talk of so nothing to grab hold of. Apparently now that have read this then Joyce's Ulysses should be a piece of cake..but not sure that I am ready.

Think it might be a bit of light adventure stuff - Walter Scott's Rob Roy...:eek:
 
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