General Chat

glad you agree Jen

Ann
Glos

Arthur and George by Julian Barnes

A very entertaining extremely well researched and written book. I did find the start a bit slow until I could see where it was taking me! I had not realised at first that the Arthur of the title was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame.

I had not heard of the George Edalji of the book nor of the miscarriage of justice of his case, so, for me, it was educational as well as entertaining. A further dimension was Arthur's fascination with and belief in spiritualism, or spiritism as he preferred to call it.

It was interesting to note Arthur's remarks re the fact that his mother had, with help from relatives, been able to trace her descent over a period of five centuries. Sir Arthur was proud of how many of 'the great ones of the earth have roosted in our family tree'. and then to note the thoughts of the wife of the chief constable that 'if you paid an investigator to elaborate your family tree you would always end up being connected to some great family. genealogical detectives did not, on the whole, send in bills attached to confirmation that you were descended from swine herds on one side of the family and pedlars on the other. (She had obviously not seen my tree!)

I cannot say better than the comment by the critic in the Spectator who said. " A crime novel, a two person biography, a romance, a historical novel and a philosophical speculation all rolled into one.

I have not read any books by this author before but I found the book really gripping and hard to put down. It is a very enjoyable read, i recommend it and I will be looking for other books by this author.

Ann
Glos

Why doesn't anyone else put their recommendations on here now?

Last book I read "the Kite Runner" soon to be made into a film, author (escapes my mind) has a new book out soon.

Good read - recommend

thank you cariad, I have seen that one in Tesco and wondered what it was like.

ann
Glos

Has anyone else read any books they can recommend to us please?

Ann
glos

im a bit of a bookworm my other half says i read to much lol
one of the books i have read over and over again is
ps i love you by Cecelia Ahern

its about a couple called holly and gerry who are married and they adore each other unfortunately gerry dies and leaves holly on her own what holly doesnt realise is before gerry died he left a series of letters for holly to open once a month and in each letter contains one thing she has to do that month
its basically Gerry's way of getting holly to cope without him and move on with her life without her realising
not only is this book really moving its also very funny in places would recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape for an hour it might also make you realise true love really does exists (don't worry its not a mushy book]

also i would recommend all the books by Jodi picoult (read them all lol)

and anyone who loves a good laugh the Stephanie plum books by janet evanovich they are set round a bounty hunter called stephanie but unfortunately she isn't very good at it and gets herself into a whole heap of trouble at the moment there is 13 books in this series and i really enjoyed them all and because she recaps on all the characters in the beginning of each book you dont necessarily have to read them in order
i could go on for ages as im really passionate about books but i dont want to bore you all so i'll shut up now lol
kirsten

Thank you kirsten, not boring at all. I too loved PS I Love you.

and I will make a note of the others.

Ann
Glos

another book i can highly recommend is the memory keepers daughter by kim edwards

"this stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins.
His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. Compulsively readable and deeply moving, The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a brilliantly crafted story of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love. "

this book is a page turner and is really moving

The Scarlet Lion - Elizabeth Chadwick

In this book, the follow-up to the Greatest Knight, we find a more mature William Marshal and the trials and tribulations he faces during the reigns of King Richard I and King John.

William is torn between loyalty to the English monarch and his wife Isabelle de Clare as King John takes their eldest two sons hostage. And when eventually the king dies and William should be taking life easy, yet more responsibility is foisted on him.

In The Greatest Knight I fell head over heels in love with William Marshal the dashing knight of the tourneys. In the Scarlet Lion that love turned into respect and admiration.

I don't think I'd be giving too much away to tell you that he dies in the end....after all it is his life story! Just make sure you've got a box of tissues handy! lol

Jeanette x

Thank you Kirsten for adding, I missed your post, sorry.

Thanks Jeanette. Will make a note of that one - as if I have not got enough waiting to be read!!!

Ann
Glos

The Sound of Laughter - Peter Kay

I bought this for my OH quite a while ago and was desperate to read it as he was laughing his head off all the way through. But my daughter grabbed it next and then I forgot all about it. I rediscovered it a couple of weeks ago whilst having a tidy out of the bookcase.....and I also laughed all the way through it.

If you like Peter Kay you'll love this book. If you don't like Peter Kay may I suggest you get yourself a sense of humour! lol

Peter Kay`s book sounds just like him when he`s on the telly.
I`ve just got John Barrowman`s auto/bio --gets a good write up in paper today,
Ros xx

Sam's Letters to Jennifer - James Patterson

My OH and daughter absolutely raved about this book, but to be honest I wasn't over impressed. I normally like James Patterson's 'different' books such as The Jester, but this didn't do alot for me. I think perhaps it was too lovey-dovey and had a happy ending. Oh what a killjoy I am!

Thanks Jeanette, good to see somebody adding tot his thread.

Ann
Glos

I read too much to be able to give a good critique on any of them, but 'Rebecca'.... one of my favourites, and the only book I have ever read more than once.

I have often started the book and read and reread the first chapter two or three times.
I think it is a beautiful piece of writing.

I am at the moment reading two books... and I am not a person who can read two books at one time.

The first one is REBECCA'S TALE by
Sally Beauman;
it starts in 1951 20 years after the death of Rebecca, and looks at the story from a different angle.
It starts with Colonel Julyan receiving an anonymous parcel. in it is a black notebook containing two handwritten words.... Rebecca's tale, on the title page. A post card of Manderley, and two photos of Rebecca as a child.
The story then carries on with the memories of those who knew her.... and the second Mrs De Winter.

I am having a great problem with it because it seems that Rebecca may not have been the nasty person she was portrayed. the second wife may not be so sweet either.
I am ploughing my way through it at the moment, as I am finding it difficult accept that that sweet young woman may not have been who she was!
Do you get that involved in your books, or am I the only idiot here?

The other is a John Grisham book.
THE INNOCENT MAN.
It is the true story of Ron Williams, who was imprisoned for the rape and horrific murder of a young girl called Debbie Carter.
The book contains photographs and is a dreadful story of the abuse of power. Because it is written by Grisham, it is a very good read.
I don't know why I am not finished it yet.

I started to read it to my husband (an old pleasure we used to read to each other)
but I found myself loosing a grip of story.
I am reading it alone now.

Bored yet.... I could try again. ;-0)

Deanna X

Hi Deanna

I bought my OH The Innocent Man on Audio CD just for a change, but he keeps falling asleep listening to it! lol

I think it's all credit to the author if you get involved in the books you are reading. If you don't get involved in some way then you're probably not enjoying the book

Jeanette x

I agree with Jeanette Deanna, If I have really enjoyed a book I have been really involved.

haven't read the two you mention. I have got one on the bookshelf waiting to be read by Susan Hill called Mrs De Winter.

Ann
Glos

Oh Jeanette and Ann, please don't blame the books.... well not THE INNOCENT MAN anyway.
I have just probably had the whole experience wasted a bit by having to wait for Allan to sit and have me read to him.

As I said the other one, is upsetting me as I can see them telling me that the second Mrs De Winter was not a nice person!!
I CAN'T HAVE THAT!!
But I will be finishing it as I am not able to put down a book. I have to finish it.

I must try that Mrs De Winter Ann, let me know how you get on with it.

Have any of you read BEN ELTON'S new book? I can't even remember what it's called.
I found that *dreadful*. I bought it because of how he explained it on the Television. I thought , how true that is, we are as a people very materialistic, and morals seem to be disappearing.
SO I bought it. I paid £9.99 at ASDA, but the cover price is £17.99!
It was awful. I did finish it as I had started it..... it did become a little better towards the end. Not a good buy.

Deanna X

Deanna, wont buy that one then, thanks for that.

Ann
Glos