Books - what are you reading just now?

I read a lot more non-fiction than fiction. Currently on "Hidden Figures - the untold story of african american women who helped win the space race" (on which the film of the same name was based). An interesting insight into the barriers that some very talented individuals had to overcome just because of their gender and colour. 1940's/50's/60's America does not seem a very nice place if you were not white. (Some might say not a lot has changed ...)
 
Cold Shoulder, a Lynda La Plante crime thriller. Prior to that a couple of Jack Reacher stories. Definitely reading more than normal during this lockdown!
 
Anyone reading Chaucer - anyone ever read Chaucer - apparently some consider it essential reading? TBH - despite my love of the classics I just don't fancy it. Instead I think that when I have finished The Wind in the Willows I'll tackle King Lear...it's a long time since I've read any Billy Shakes :)
 
Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Only a few chapters in, seems ok

finished the Looking Glass War this morning, excellent
 
Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham - about an anti-aging medication given normally by injection with much controversy over who should get it first. Elderly or youth. Interesting parallels with today. And King Lear proving more engaging than I thought it would. But not easy to read.
 
Hobbit said:
Shute was English.

One of my favourites is Trustee from the Toolroom. Requiem for a Wren is another good read. A bit old in style, harking back to a very different time but I like them because of that.
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Just finished Requiem for a Wren. Not at all what I expected - a marvellous story, and one so heartbreaking that I admit to having had a little tear in my eye (must have been due to dust) as I read the final pages...

and yes - also a fascinating historical insight into the part some played in the lead up to Normandy landings. I know a lot more about Oerlikon 20mm cannon than I did before I read this.?
 
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Just finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.

A tough and uncompromising story of poverty, abuse and alcohol addiction in Glasgow of the 1970s and 1980s, but one also of love, despair and struggle in a Glasgow I’ve always been aware of but never really known; a Glasgow I could see as I grew up in the city and occasionally touched on, but fortunately never dropped into through circumstance or misfortune.

A very insightful and thought provoking read.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Just finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.

A tough and uncompromising story of poverty, abuse and alcohol addiction in Glasgow of the 1970s and 1980s, but one also of love, despair and struggle in a Glasgow I’ve always been aware of but never really known; a Glasgow I could see as I grew up in the city and occasionally touched on, but fortunately never dropped into through circumstance or misfortune.

A very insightful and thought provoking read.
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Hmmmm,a good critique there SILH, I've had an email from the local authority inviting me to avail myself of their 'order and collect scheme',think I'll try booking this one and see if they have it/will also try for 'The Young Team'-set in Airdrie-heard on the radio that it's going to go on the box,but would like to check it out 1st.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Just finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.

A tough and uncompromising story of poverty, abuse and alcohol addiction in Glasgow of the 1970s and 1980s, but one also of love, despair and struggle in a Glasgow I’ve always been aware of but never really known; a Glasgow I could see as I grew up in the city and occasionally touched on, but fortunately never dropped into through circumstance or misfortune.

A very insightful and thought provoking read.
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Interesting. My fourball/foursomes partner mentioned this book a couple of weeks ago. This post reminds me i was was going to check it out.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Just finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.

A tough and uncompromising story of poverty, abuse and alcohol addiction in Glasgow of the 1970s and 1980s, but one also of love, despair and struggle in a Glasgow I’ve always been aware of but never really known; a Glasgow I could see as I grew up in the city and occasionally touched on, but fortunately never dropped into through circumstance or misfortune.

A very insightful and thought provoking read.
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Coincidentally I also finished this last week. A pretty grim read but well written and engaging. It would seem it's autobiographical to a degree judging by the author's comments at the back of the book.
 
Just finished Children of Men, by PD James

Can’t decide on my next one ?
 
Just started Bloods a Rover by James Ellroy

If it’s half as good as it’s predecessor’s American Tabloid and the cold six thousand, then I’ll be happy.
 
Getting towards the end of " The heart of the Game " by Jimmy Greaves.
Some really good stories in there. He has a view of football that I share.
I used to play it and watch it a lot when younger, but now I find it's values and standards a shadow of what they were.
 
rudebhoy said:
Coincidentally I also finished this last week. A pretty grim read but well written and engaging. It would seem it's autobiographical to a degree judging by the author's comments at the back of the book.
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I had a quick double take of the title when I first heard the book talked of, as a Hugh Bain was our coal merchant back in the day ?

On a lighter note I enjoyed the book reacquainting me with many Glaswegian words and phrases that I had dropped using over the time since moving south nearly 40yrs ago.

Now reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver...

And so here’s a related question. Other than Jane Austen, Daphne du Maurier and George Elliot, what female authors have you read? Why not? @JamesR need not answer that second part ?
 
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