Hobbies and Crafts

Tess for several years now I have kept a spreadsheet of the books I have read because I can never remember. The lists go back to 2001.

Reading Mark Haddon's The Red House at the moment. An unusual format, and didn't think I was going to get on with it at first, but stuck with it - glad I did! His ability to portray what is going on in each characters mind is amazing. :-)

Can't believe that it is so long since I last posted on this thread.

Have just read a few pages to catch up.
I read Round Ireland with a Fridge a few years ago and enjoyed it. I don't remember the details now, but do remember that when I read it I could picture some of the people Tony met and places he visited.

I will request The One Hundred Year Old Man ...." when Birmingham Central Library opens (early September).

Think that I might have read The Shoemakers Wife the title sounds familiar. Have def. read a couple by that author.

I don't have Kindle but do use the library a lot. Also recycle books to and from charity shops. This means that I often forget the names of books I've read (even recent ones). Have taken about ten booksback to charity shops this week (without making a nore of the titles) So can't tell you about them.


Recent books still in my possession are

Songs for the Butchers Daughter by Peter Manseau

and

East of the Sun by Julia Gregson.


East of the Sun starts in 1928, three young women are on their way to India, each with a new life in mind.
A bride to be who will be marrying a man she hardly knows. Her bridesmaid, eager to get away from her overbearing mother, and their inexperienced chaperone, in search of her childhood, ghosts from the past - and freedom.

Packed with detail about different parts of India and a varity of the people living there. It mentions well known historical figures and looks at the every day life as well as the extraordinary.
Very Good.


Songs for the Butcher's Daughter.
I really loved this book. Hard to believe that this is a debut novel. However Peter Manseau had aalready written two works of non-fiction including "Vows: The Story of a Priest, a Nun and Their Son"

Itsik Malpesh was born the son of a goose-plucking factory manager during the Russian pogroms; his life is saved on the very night it began by the daughter of a butcher. Or so he believes ....
Eventually he is exiled to New York, writing poetry to the butcher's daughter, whom he is sure he will never see again ....

His story is recounted in his memoirs thanks to the most unlikely of translators, a college student who has embarked upon a lie that will define his future and the most extraordinary friendship he'll ever know.

Now that I have read it I am surprised that everyone isn't talking about it (or have I not been listening?)
A wonderful, unusual story really well told. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Sounds promising Joy.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0754104990/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_top?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

"Who Do You Think You Are Kidding?" autobiography by Colin Bean

Synopsis
From shepherd in his school nativity play to Private Sponge in the ever-popular Dad's Army, Colin Bean looks back over the years at his colourful acting career. His is a spellbinding story of a lifetime spent in the world of entertainment. He recalls years of treading the boards, the hard work behind the scenes, the rich variety of roles he has played, his fellow actors and many amusing anecdotes from the world of show business. In particular he shares his love of pantomime and relates his hilarious experiences behind the scenes of Dad's Army. Colin Bean's fascinating glimpse into the world of theatre, television and radio captures the drama, excitement and appeal of show business - all the way from 'curtain up' to the grand finale.

I love knowing what books you read BC :-D <3, I don't think you can beat the one about the eyeballs...now that was pure class :-D :-D

Can't stop laughing at Round Ireland with a Fridge...it's been years since I laughed so much at a book. Would recommend it, will be sorry when I finish it :-( <3

Finished The Kingmaker's Daughter and now reading
The Devil Rides Out by Paul O'Grady

Emma :-)

BC I am waiting for Gone Girl.. not sure how long I started out as number 809 on the list that was about two and a half weeks ago and now I am number 650..

It is number one in the shops .. so will eventually get it..

Reading The Devil's Music as recommended by GlossieAnn in Greaders..

Now looks like I will have to see if I can get Round Ireland with a Fridge

I enjoyed The 100 year old Man who climbed out the window and disappeared... and my OH reviewed it on Greaders reviews last review lot... He enjoyed it as much as I did..

Persie

Round Ireland with a fridge, read it some time ago, a really funny book.

I shall put that one on my list, thanks Geordie :-)

BC - I loved Round Ireland With a Fridge, it was so funny. A Piano in the Pyrenees is pretty good, too. :-)

im reading alan carrs autobiography, i thought it would be funnier as i think hes hilarious on chatty man,

Thanks for bumping up thread for me, Mersey :-) I finished Gone Girl and really enjoyed it. It was about a wife who goes missing and it tells the story from the husband's and wife's side and believe, neither of them are very nice characters. It has a great twist which took me by surprise (I love surprises in books!). Would recommend. except I didn't like the ending.

I stopped reading Poppy Day by Amanda Prowse as I needed something lighter for bed time reading. I am now reading Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks and am loving it so far. Nice to go to sleep with a chuckle :-D

Happy Reading Folks <3

I've been a very busy reader over the last few weeks...the Promises to Keep freebie by Shayne parkinson was one of 4 !!! The rest of which were just under £2 each but I enjoyed it as an easy read.

Not sure what I'm going to read next..there's a new book by Edward Rutherford out and I'm currently trying to talk myself out of buying it lol

Nearing the end of The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani. I've read and loved all of her books, especially the Big Stone Gap series. This one is a bit more of an epic novel, involving Italian Americans, as all of her novels do. Highly recommended! :-)

I'm currently on the third book written by Steven Robinson. They are genealogy based crime mysteries and I have thoroughly enjoyed the two that I have already read.

Titles are: To the Grave, In the Blood and The Last Queen of England.

Three quarters the way through The Kingmakers Daughter,
good book, really enjoying it.

Emma :-)

Helloooooo me lovelies <3 <3

Im nudging this up as requested....

~~~~~~ All our lovely bookworms <3 <3

Well, I gave up on The Long Earth; found it very dull and it didn't seem to be going anywhere.

I've just read The Mysterium by Paul Doherty. It's one of his Hugh Corbett mediaeval mystery books - lots of deaths but, because it's so far away in time, the goriest bits don't seem quite real. Pure escapism but Paul Doherty is an historian so the background is well researched.

Off on a short holiday to Dubrovnik soon so I've downloaded The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir on to my kindle. Some of her books are a bit scholarly with lots of footnotes etc. but this one doesn't look too heavy for holiday reading.