Hi All
So what books,plays are we reading at the moment.
Just finished reading 'The Curious incident of the dog in the night time' by Mark Hadon
Funny read
I have been on tour for almost a year now but in between the usual drinking sessions have managed to read a few great books.The stand out novel by far is a book called 'Shantaram' by David Gregory Roberts or Gregory David Roberts,not totally sure as passed it sraight onto a friend.A mesmerising story of a fugitive who escapes a brutal prison in Australia and begins a new existence in the Bombay slums of India.It really is sensational,READ IT NOW!
I've read both of the Haddon's and thoroughly enjoyed them both.
Back to chick lit now. I don't suppose you boys would be much interested.
But I love Marian Keys and Ian Rankin. Both very different genres, but occassionaly I have to have a break fom boy meets girl, girl hates boy, boy gets off with girls best mate, then discovers he's gay, girl meets boys brother, fall in love and live happily ever after.
Although books like this are great for me with two kids I only get to read about a page a day. lol
The Curious Incident is an amazing read and one I would recommend to anyone working with Children. Similarly, I am reading some Gervase Phinn at the moment and these are a must read if you have ever worked with children, simply due to the way he describes some of the things these children say!
Other than that I must say I will read anything and everything. The only book I have not yet succeeded with (despite trying about six times) is Lord of The Rings. In fact, I may just try again soon because I really want to see the films but am one of these people that likes to read the book first!
Having seen the film I am now reading 'P.S. I Love You' and I'm loving it. I just keep having to put it down cause I don't want to cry in public ;-)
I had a great surprise not long ago when I read Russell Brand's 'Booky Wook'. I hadn't expected to finish the first chapter but ended up loving it. It certainly explains a lot!
its taking me ages to get through, nothing to do with the book being uninteresting- its far from it. its just i only read when I'm on a train or waiting on set etc. so I'm only up to chapter 6. . .
Further thoughts (especially with a view to fitting invisibly into a pocket on set, and thus avoiding the episode of the Highland officer at Culloden Who dropped a copy of War and Peace out of his ammuniton pouch - never lived that down)Susan Hill - Strange Meeting;Fatty Batter (or, if you're not into cricket, What's my Motivation)-both Michael Simkins; On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan.
'Running with Scissors' which was far better than the film, as invariably books are; so unlike you Lianne I tend to try and watch the film first because I know I'll enjoy the book more later.
I also have problems with 'Lord of the Rings' though. I've started them about four times and just lose interest...I think I should have read the books when most other people did...at the age of about 14!
Other reads are Steve Martin's 'Born Standing Up' which is a fascinating insight into his struggle and sheer tenacity to get where he is today...it's a lesson to all I think.
I then started to read another of his 'The Pleasure of my Company', but I have to admit I'm struggling with keeping an interest.
Lord of the Rings is a weird one. I read it when I was 12 actually, and it was my favourite book at that age. Even today, I know an unfeasibly large amount about it, but have never, in fact, ever read it through the whole way again.
My basic feeling is that, aside from the fact that Tolkien starts everything off on the wrong foot by doing a sort of rural comedy for half of the first book (which was unlikely to win him fans amongst those who like a bit of high octane drama!), Lord of the Rings is actually a book of set piece moments. When they happen, the moments are unforgettable (hence why Lord of the Rings made for such great films), but there is a lot to plough through before you get to these points.
I became aware of the books through Raplh Bakshi's obscure 1979 animation version of the story, and listening to the BBC Radio adaptation from the early 80's, and these were both very good at cutting through the unimportant stuff and getting at the interesting bits of the story. So I think when *I* read Lord of the Rings, I was sort of able to get through the tedious sections because I knew the next great setpiece was just around the corner.
It is certainly one of those books you have to 'get into' before it starts to seem remotely rewarding, however. Unfortunately, the first hundred pages are not concerned with great sieges, surprise deaths, tremendous heroism and maddened kings, but with scrumping for mushrooms, organising birthday parties and riding ponies, which doesn't have quite the same appeal, I suspect.
I love LOTR although I'm another one who read it at about 12 so maybe that does make a difference?! I think the best way into it is by reading The Hobbit first - its a bit easier to interpret but the style prepares you for LOTR. I've just started One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson at the moment... then A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian is next. Anyone read it? xx
I really liked 'Time Travellers Wife too'. I'm also in the "couldn't read LOTR" camp as well - i did try...twice! I've just finished really 'The Memory Keeper's Daughter' which was pretty good.
Recently read, for a book club, 'Mister Pip' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' both interesting but ultimately dissatifying in their own ways, but provoked a lot of conversation. We're reading the new James Bond by Sebastian Faulkes next - 'Devil May Care' which should be good.
I am currently reading 'I Know This Much Is True' by Wally Lamb (loved 'She's Come Undone' that I read last year) and 'The Gift Of Fear' by Gavin De Becker - recommend it highly that EVERY woman should read this book.
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