The Book thread

[andrews]

Last night I finished Jodi Picoult's book, 'Handle With Care'. It is the story of a child with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), and about her family's struugle to deal with it, and their inability to meet all the costs incurred in raising such a special child. A very good, if sad, read.

[tweedledumb]

I've just finished "The Return" by Victoria Hislop which I couldn't wait to read having found her first novel "The Island" rivetting. As a result of probably high expectations to some extent, I found "The Return" disappointing.

However, I thoroughly recommend "The Island" despite the unpromising setting of its location - on a leper colony!

[sarahjc78]

Just got Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa's autobiography. Only read a couple of chapters but finding a young Patrick Swayze highly amusing.... especially swinging from branches showing off the Swayze crown jewels!

[destresserai]

Have just read "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer who sadly died before the book was published.

An interesting but at times harsh look at the german occupation of Guernsey from the locals point of view as they tell of their experiences to a London based bookwriter. What I found most likeable is that the book is a series of letters rather than the traditional story layout.

[andrews]

I am currently reading 'The Brass Verdict' by Michael Connelly. I have enjoyed most of his books, especially his Harry Bosch novels. Are there any other fans out there?

[pcRock]

I'm reading "The Trial" by Kafka. My German is starting to get rusty (have nobody to practice with since I moved out of Germany), so I decided to read it in German :)

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Has anyone been reading the new Dan Brown book, The Lost Symbol? Just finished it and I quite enjoyed it. Its a typical Brown formula (ie Langdon, the protaganist chases and deciphers one clue after another whilst being chased himself) but it doesnt meant its all predictable and there are some very cool plot turns.

The subject matter about Free Masons is fascinating and is impressively researched but man there's a hell of a lot of "lectures" to trawl through which does drag the plot to a halt (and the negative critics will pounce on this, I'm sure). A lot of the information goes over my naive (alright stupid) head but I am sure it would inspire many to investigate the myths and legends for themselves. But once again, Brown dares to challenge multiple religion beliefs but not without respect to other religions in my opinion but I sure there will be many outraged.

What really tries my patience is not the lectures but the time it takes for Langdon and co to work out these damn cryptic clues. If I could do it with them then great but no, we as a reader are forced to boringly read how they are solving the clues. I hated these parts of the book.

As for his writing style, its popcorn entertainment. Simple, and crass. I like it, easier to consume! So all in all, I enjoyed it and there are moments of supreme plot thrills but it does also try my bloody patience often.

err... sorry, that turned into a mini review lol.

Not sure what I'll read next. Either a Dean Koontz book, a Discworld novel (I've read about 7 books so far) or a children's book. I'm sure of one thing though, I'm not b*ying another book as my next read, I have a plethora of books at home I havent got round to reading yet! I wonder if anyone else here are like me, b*ying books at faster rate than able to read them!

[jupe17]

Just finished David Nicholl's ONE DAY last night... Liked his Starter for 10 a lot so tried this one but wasn't quite the same... It was witty in parts, the two leads were not completely uninteresting but the book lacked a li'l something... and it was a good 50 pages too long...Got tiresome towards the end.

[elmqueen]

Just finished Bret Easton Ellis' Glamorama. I'm a huge fan of his anyway but this book absolutely blew my mind. Was quite tough to read but was well worth it. Best book i have ever read.

[Ms Thrifty]

I'm reading "The Trial" by Kafka. My German is starting to get rusty (have nobody to practice with since I moved out of Germany), so I decided to read it in German :)

Wow, I'm impressed! Not just reading in German but Kafka, too. I think it was forcing myself to read in German as a teenager which improved my ability, but it would be nice to be able to keep it up. Did sign up for conversation classes some years ago but they were cancelled for lack of support. Maybe Beate would know of something, perhaps via the Goethe Institute?