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I love hearing about good books that people have read and a little bit about them
Anyone read anything good lately - for me it has to be library books as I can't afford the latest best seller but don't let that stop you
I pinched my sons kindle and got a disc of Dick Francis novels, total fantasy but its nice to get away from the real world occasionally.
Another great new thread!
You're right, books can be expensive but you can think about charity shops, we have a great one here that specialises in books and music. Some places have a scheme where you get back half the value of the book if you bring it back, there was a market stall where I grew up that did this and so much of my teenage reading was done like that.
It is fab to take our children to the library if we can get to a local one, and a good introduction to the world of books and learning for pre-schoolers and beyond (although regulars on here will not be surprised to hear that my experience was taking both boys, helping bookworm eldest choose his selection, while the youngest went through the library wastepaper bin, collecting and eating old apple cores, having the dregs of any cans etc 
)
I am also in a Book Club, ask at your local library, it is a great way to read books for free, meet new people and talk about what you have enjoyed. AND it is World Book Night on April 23rd (Shakespeare's birthday) See here for details. There are 25 books featured. I have only read five of them! Have a look and see if you have read any, they will be giving away copies after World Book Night I believe.
I like books about poeple who survived the haulocaust, Elie Wiesel's Night is good and also Livia Jackson's Elli.
There are many more and I regularly scouer local charitty shops and look on eBay for second hand stuff, I order from my library too.
Incredible stories of bravery, survival... and kindness... and the horros that people can inflict on others.
: )
Hi Bubblegum !! Have you read/seen The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
I've seen the film yes, very good : ) also The Last Train and Eichmann and a few others, I search out anything I can find to watch or read.
I read a realy good book recently it was the biography of the comondant of Colditz, I read it along with the biography of one of the British men who escaped, both were very good but the Comondants one was really interesting : )
He said how for him it was his job and he went home to his family, but for the prisoners it was twentyfour hour a day, constantly trying to find new ways to escape, that it was impossible to keep up with all the ingenious ideas.
: )
Ahhh books! I love them, here are a few that will stay with me:
I loved The Help, which has now been made into a film, its about black nannies in the deep south of America writing their stories - brilliant!
Another favourite is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - fabulous - really amazing what women have had to face and still face in Afghanistan.
Has anyone read Red River by Lalita Tademy? Its the story of the authors family from slavery to the present day, fascinating 150 years, so much has changed but only over 5 generations - food for thought.
I love everything by Margaret Attwood - very clever woman.
And just to add another favourite author Malorie Blackman - mostly a children/teens author, so get the book for your children and sneek a couple of evenings with it yourself, especially Noughts and Crosses and Boys don't cry 
Loved the Kite Runner
Anna!
Have you read Sold by Zana Muhsen and also Shame by Jasvinder Sanghera both good books.
Jasvinder Sanghera started a charity support group called Karma Nirvana to support victims and survivors of forced marage and honor based abuse, her book bought tears to my eyes.
littleredhen. I liked the film of Kite Runner.
Hi bubbs, I had forgotten Sold, yes I have read that, but not Shame, I think I will have to go and get that, especially as she has started her charity due to her experiences.
I was thinking of you and yours when I mentioned Malorie Blackmans Noughts and Crosses. Noughts are white people and Crosses are black and Crosses are the dominant race. Very interesting read for all. Raises the issues about the smaller things like having 'nude' coloured plasters - nude for who?
I have read the Kite Runner and loved it, not seen the film though
Anna I struggled with the film the Kite Runner but bought it cos I loved the book so much - my eldest loved Malorie Blackman - think I will go and have a peep
LRH have you read a Thousand Splendid Suns that Anna mentioned? same author as Kite Runner.
We are (re) reading Rebecca for Book Club.
Hi I have finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, a totally amazing read that I didn't put down and then felt that empty feeling when I read the last chapter.
I have yet to see the film, and I don't usually enjoy seeing somebody else's interpretation of characters you love.
I find Charity Shops a great place to pick up a copy of the new books, most are priced under £2 and you donate once you have read it.
I love this thread.
Me too!
Yes, I have seen the trailer for "The Help" and would like to see it.
I am getting on well with "Rebecca", which I am reading through my book club. What a difference from the last book club book we read (which was really boring)
What sort of books do you like in general, Murray 72?
The book 'the Help' was far better than the film Louise. I still can't believe it was set in the late 1960's 
I read lots of historical fiction, Phillipa Gregory is one of my fav's but I will most things, I have exhausted most of the Library now and moved onto Charity shops.
Memoirs of a Geisha how could I forget I love that book.
Have also read lots of Ian Rankin, would love to do the Rankin Tour one day.
Enjoy Rebecca.
Ooh, I enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha too, I had went on a 2 day break with a new boyfriend when that came out, I hardly spoke with him, far too busy with nose in the book! Bliss!
I read the first of the Hunger Games trilogy... a word of caution..if you don't want to stay awake all night reading, don't read it at bedtime..you won't be able to put it down. I daren't start the 2nd one , I know I'll be hooked...
Next - Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Came out in paperback a short while ago.
Also - The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. She knows how to tell a story; good escapism.
I've read most of Phillipa Gregory's too. I know some might turn up their noses at her but I'd recommend it to teens today as it will tell 'history' from a different perspective. Better than those horrible 'teen vampire' so-called books that is all the rage at the moment. Sorry if there's any 'teen vampire' fans out there...
Lastly; does anyone remember Secret Island by wait for it........Enid Blyton ? It was magic for me...
I was about 8 or 9 when I first read it. Still has the same effect on me now. Who wouldn't want to live on an island without the grown ups ?? On the other hand Swiss Family Robinson turns out to be rather unbelievable ....I mean where on earth were they shipwrecked? Sounded like they were in a zoo from the description of the animals they encountered..!
I know I have gone on about a couple of 'children's' books but they do take us to another world...sometimes more effectively than adults' fiction..
My friend said the same about the Hunger Games, Phoenix.
I am a big Philippa Gergory fan, I love historical novels. I am readung Lady of the Rivers at the moment.
As for children's books, I still read them! Including Anne of Green Gables, What Katy Did and something we have mentioned on here before, The Magic Faraway Tree (we used to have a wishing chair thread)
I absolutely adored 'those Dreadful Children' by Enid Blyton - anyone ever read that?
Hi y'all !
Loved Lady of The Rivers. Glad to hear others re-reading children's books. They are like comfort food aren't they ?
Loved the thought of The Magic Faraway thread ....that must be rather amusing..
Oh Anna! I have never heard of Thosed Dreadful Children by Enid Blyton. How ever did I miss a book by the great writer ? I'll definitely check that one out. BBC did one of their documentaries on her (and of various personalities) once. Did you guys catch that one ? Such a sad tale of her life and her own children...
Guess what I did today ??? Was in town for an appointment today and went into a certain bookshop; came out with the 2nd of The Hunger Games...
It is my only luxury in life right now, that's my excuse anyway. Never mind the holey shoes....lol ...Others have their hairdos, clothes or makeup...Actually it's great now that my older one can read the 'older' fiction...we swap books now and then...
Ahh glad you got the second Hunger Games
I used to like The Naughtiest Girl in the School by Enid B, and also The Put-Em -Rights about a group of children who went round doing good to people, though it often went wrong. Yes, I saw the docu-drama, I think it starred Helena Bonham Carter
Here is some info about Those Dreadful Children
just ordered it Those dreadful children for youngest!
There goes a lucky kid...a new book used to be such a treat for me...I still think it's a treat. Thanks for the link, Louise. Will definitely look at it.
Oh yes it was Bonham Carter. She was excellent in it, I thought.
I Love reading, but I bought a kindle and now it takes me ages to complete a book! The Kindle is brilliant but I miss having the paper and being able to sneak a read at a page 10 pages on etc. The Kindle has killed my reading pleasure am afraid.
The books I read are all true painful lives books I love reading how strong the human spirit can be and just how much one can overcome. Most the books I read are very disturbing and require lots of tissues. The first book I ever read was A Child Called 'IT' absolute heartbreaker. I also read Broken by Shy Keenan - she is such an inspirational woman.
LRH just be warned that the language (unless it has been updated) is very old fashioned. John can be feeling gay and Pat a little queer. My daughter used to think that was hilarious!
I also got into Mallory Towers, my mum used to read them when she was young and she gave me her old books - again the language is a bit strange to say the least!!
littleangel, I have had a go on the kindle and No its not for me either! As for painful life stories - I don't do those - I know that at the end you see the strength in the author and how they overcame their difficulties, but I find it desperately sad.
Hi folks! No, the kindle will never substitute the printed word...I love the smell of books and the feel of the pages; not to mention the colours and actual illustrations. However, I will say that it is unrivalled in its convenience. I know; I had to pack 5-6 books for a week's holiday and more if staying away longer. And that is just for my older child. That's also before I pack the one and only for me...and then there's the 2nd child's......naaa, I definitely rather the Kindle for travelling. The other plus is the free samples that you can download....! WOohoo! Can't do that at book shops ....I also found that I can get books much cheaper (generally) on the Kindle. The digital price for The Hunger Games for example is about £2.85-£4.00. The books themselves cost £6.99 ....so I save some pennies on the Kindle..
I do think they supplement each other. I have been looking at out of print Uncle Arthur's Bedtime stories which I read when I was little...so it will be nice when I can afford them to have them in print rather than digital format.
Do I gather there are folks wanting to sell their Kindle's on then. Having said that, I'm oogling at the new ones with touch screen.
Yes Anna is right about the language of older generation books. When it comes to the kids, I always explain the context and the 'era' they were written in.
Happy reading!
Hi Phoenix,
Have you finished the Hunger Games trilogy?? I have finally made a push and finished Mockingjay and I wondered how you found the last two by comparison to the first?
My sister and I share most of our book purchases but she got halfway through Hunger Games and sent it back as it gave her terrible nightmares!
(My favourite Enid Blyton was 'Sea of Adventure' and I spent a good year asking my parents to send me to boarding school after reading Mallory Towers & St Clare's!)
Hi Selaneen,
I'm enjoying The Hunger Games very much. I'm still reading Mockingjay. I find it slower compared to the first but it's nice to have a slower pace...make it last longer It's very different from anything I've ever read. I'm looking forward to the last one, definitely.
I can understand why your sister had nightmares...though.
I love Blyton's Adventure series. They are amongst my favourites ! Good luck with The Hunger Games.
I am re-reading "Light a Penny Candle" by Maeve Binchy
Not read any M Binchys are they any good?
They are often a bit samey, the one I mentioned is my favourite, it is about an English girl and an Irish girl and the English one goes to stay in Ireland during the Second world war....and they become great friends and it follows their stories as they grow up into women. It's very light reading.
I do think it is worth joining the library and trying new authors for free! and it's great for the children to go, too. When my eldest was at his very, very worst (13-14) the ONLY thing I could get him to be even vaguely pleasant about was a weekly visit to the library. He joined the adult library early on, and is about to graduate in English Lit so the interest remained (he is very charming and handsome now!)
What a lucky lady you are, to have a charming and handsome son who loves the written word ! Hope mine turn out the same !
I am sure they will turn out charming and handsome, Phoenix, but you can't guarantee they will love to read. My youngest always says "if it's any good, it'll come out on DVD" 
LoL
Ooh we have not talked about books for a while. It was my book club last night, we have read The Long Song by Andrea Levy, which is about slaves in the Caribbean. I did enjoy it ...more than the rest of the group.
This month's book is Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Eldest has (of course) read it, and tells me it is very good. It is a recent film with Carey Mulligan I believe. Son has also given me a book by Amitav Ghosh but I have not read it yet. However, I have read a Ruth Rendell, always very absorbing
I really do need to get back into reading...
Never tried Kazuo Ishiguro; read a few pages but not really grabbed me. Might try it again. The Long SOng was great for me; if you like that, you'd like Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (bit of a mouthful..)
Amitav Ghosh is ok depending on which ones..
Not read much these last few weeks...finishing work at 2 a.m then faling asleep reading downloaded samples on KIndle 
cheap reads.....
Recommended reading: Kate Morton's The Distant Hours was gripping.
Happy reading!
I take it you know you can get free kindle books - there arn't loads but some seem ok
Yes, and some mega bargains (my friend has one). She really does love it too.
I'd like to read 'Never Let Me Go' - really fancied the film (despite Kiera Knightly being in it - i can't abide her!) though never got to see it.
Both A and I are avid readers, hence my avatar...recently discovered Patrick Gale (from a book I picked up in a charity shop) and have now read 'The Whole Day Through' and 'Notes From An Exhibition'. I'd particularly recommend 'Notes' - found it unputdownable!
I'm a huge fan of Irvine Welsh and read 'Skagboys' (the prequel to 'Trainspotting') in about 3 days flat...then found 'Reheated Cabbage' which is a collection of some of his early work in a charity shop, so read that recently too.
If like Bubblegum you are interseted in the Holocaust and those who survived it 'The Book Thief' should be on your reading list. I'm currently working on Jeanette Winterson's memoir 'Why Be happy When You Could Be Normal?' - which is only hard going because I'm finding it so sad.
Did I say I like books?! 
Yes LRH, free kindle books are good to tie you over till your next one.. pick and choose some better than others. Also as I said, even just the samples are enough till I zzzz...
ALso Kindle books are cheaper (usually) than print. I know, I know...it's not the same but any ways to save money...Check out The Hunger Games' digital price, it's a saving!
Thanks for the recommendations Rudimentary Mary.
Oh I loved The Book Thief and I heard a radio serialisation of the Jeannette Winterson. In fact there is another top tip...if you can get radio stations on your telly check out which book is being serialised by Radio 4 each week, it is often on just after Woman's Hour then if it is something decent, set it to record all week then when (if) you get an hour's peace, play the whole lot in one indulgent splurge (bit like eating a whole box of chocolates but no calories )
Glad to have the recommendations about Kate Morton and Patrick Gale.
Great to see you The Phoenix and hope you are ok
Hi Louise,
That's a good idea, recording it from the radio. I'll have to give it a try. Trying to madly finish assignments then I can go back to eating those 'no calories-chocolates'
Good luck The Phoenix, and come back to us as soon as you have time.
It was assignments that stopped me reading "proper" books...
Yes !! Me too...I never wanna hear about another assignments again!
I know when I finish in the next couple of weeks, I'll be gone into my books again. Talk about cravings !
Sure Louise. Missed you guys.
Nice to meet you, ThePhoenix. If its any consolation, assignments stopped me reading 'proper' books for a long while too.
Just think of all those fabulous novels you can immerse yourself in in a few short weeks! In the meantime, good luck with completing your work.
I have recently read 2 'couldn't put them down' books by Lee Child - 61 Hours and Tripwire. Descibed as thrillers, but I just found them really absorbing and not my usual choice of books, really glad I tried them and have just bought another 2 from a charity shop by the same author ready for my holidays!! Also try car boot sales as there are always cheap books to be found.
Good to meet you too Rudimentary Mary. Always a pleasure talking to people who like reading. Yes, only a few weeks to go now.
I've had a scan of Lee Child's... will have a look again.
You guys checked out Fifty Shades of Grey yet ? What's the hype about ? Haven't read any yet. Just downloaded the samples.
Better go..
Have you read Angela's Ashes? (I know, I know, they've made a film of it. Drives me mad that. Book is ten times better).
Other than that, I really love thrillers - Elizabeth George (Inspector Lynley and yes, they've turned that into TV, too, and the casting is all wrong), Kathy Reichs, Henning Mankell, Donna Leon, Patricia Cornwell.... The list is endless! :-)