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☼♄Jülie wrote: "Marianne wrote: "I am REALLY enjoying The Sudden Appearance of Hope"

It sounds really intriguing Marianne, it's great when you find a book that grabs you like that isn't it? :)"

all of Claire North's have grabbed me...

Veronica wrote: "I've finally finished The Lake House at almost 600 pages it was a long book but I loved every word of it."

I've been meaning to get to The Lake House since the start of the year. Sounds so good!

I'm reading Beyond Fear by Jaye Ford. I actually picked this up after reading Carolyn's review. Seeing her post prompted me to post this update. So glad I finally read one by this author. Loving it so far :)

I'm reading The Snowman by Jo Nesbø. It's pretty creepy!

I startedThe Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman and I do a Harry Potter reread. Every day 3 chapters, I am reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets right now.

Carolyn wrote: "Veronica wrote: "I've finally finished The Lake House at almost 600 pages it was a long book but I loved every word of it."

I've been meaning to get to [book:The Lake House|2110482..."

I kept putting it aside because of its size but the pages flow so well I felt no need to skim or skip a single word.

This was a winner, everyone! Beyond Fear Written by Jaye Ford

My review:

/review/show...

Do you still have your lucky coin, Brenda?

Can't decide between Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah or The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

Sorry Sharon - definitely have! Winter Garden

Enjoy!

Just finished The Fireman. Not bad. Not bad at all.

I have my eye on TimeStorm next, which I've been wanting to read for a while now.

Brenda wrote: "Sorry Sharon - definitely have! Winter Garden

Enjoy!"

Ok thank you Brenda :)

I'm reading My Last Continent: A Novel, set in Antarctica. good so far...

With some trepidation (748 pages!!!), I started reading A Place of Greater Safety this afternoon. Already I can see glimpses of what I loved about Wolf Hall etc; the wit and so very dry humour. But it's had very mixed reviews including an 'abandoned' from a fellow GR reader whose tastes closely match mine. We'll see...

I just started Blood Song and had neglected to mention that about a week ago I also started I Am Pilgrim, which I know a couple of you absolutely loved. I think I'll be giving it at least four stars.

I’m enjoying The Killing Season Uncut, about a truly remarkable time in Australian politics, and I’ve just finished re-watching the TV series on which the book is based. If anyone is curious about whether the book adds anything to the TV series, the answer is �� Yes! Both the book and TV series stand alone, but the book adds so much more to the series that it’s worth reading. (Then you’ll want to re-watch the TV series, too.)

Finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Fabulous read.

I loved it too Nicole :)

Nicole wrote: "Finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Fabulous read."

You are getting into the circus scene Nicole :)

Yesterday I started Ulysses by James Joyce. I think it's going to be a very long read.

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Fabulous read."

You are getting into the circus scene Nicole :)"

Isn't it funny how sometimes things like that happen. Reading one book and you get another out of the blue that's similar.

Ryan wrote: "Yesterday I started Ulysses by James Joyce. I think it's going to be a very long read."

The best of luck as you embark on this literary journey!

Thanks Elias. I am already dreading picking it back up.

That good, huh?

I read classics not because I expect them to be enjoyable. But I prefer when they are. Maybe my brain will learn to read it better during the course of reading?

A lot of them definitely aren't fast-paced enjoyable reads but I think they should at least be engaging in some way. They're still stories after all, no matter how much they appear to be wrapped up in literary and artistic merit [I think this is what turns a lot of people off of reading them in the first place]. A lot of these classics can be very difficult to read and sometimes you have to re-read and go over certain sections just to try and get an idea of what was being said. I guess the more you read, the more you'll get used to their use of language [this hasn't happened to be me yet but I'm optimistic].

Jerusalem: the biography
By Simon Sebag Montefiore

Tim wrote: "Jerusalem: the biography
By Simon Sebag Montefiore"

Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore

Finished Lilac Girls which earned 4�� from me. No review as I've spent far too much time lost on the internet referencing Caroline Ferriday, Ravensbruck and Dr Herta Oberheuser. Then got sidetracked into in-depth sites about the experiments carried out there. I feel helpless that I can't change the past for these poor women, The Rabbits.

Needing something totally different, I started A Perfectly Good Man by the talented and thoughtful writer, Patrick Gale.

Elias wrote: "Ryan wrote: "Yesterday I started Ulysses by James Joyce. I think it's going to be a very long read."

The best of luck as you embark on this literary journey!"

I read Ulysses (Joyce) about 40 years ago, it was not easy. But what helps is reading one chapter of Ulysses and one chapter of JAMES JOYCE'S ULYSSES A STUDY BY STUART GILBERT (Peregrine). This book explains what you are probably going to miss. It makes it much clearer, but perhaps more complex, as you find out one thing is a symbol or metaphor for something else, or has some deeper meaning.
Or you could go straight the the last chapter, the one with only one super long sentence. This is more understandable, and worth reading. I think it would be true to say this is what gives Ulysses it's greatest value, why people read it. Personally, I found this more interesting than the rest of the book.
Good Luck.

Marcus wrote: "Elias wrote: "Ryan wrote: "Yesterday I started Ulysses by James Joyce. I think it's going to be a very long read."

The best of luck as you embark on this literary journ..."

Sorry about the it's! Damn those pesky apostrophes.

It definitely can be helpful but, at the end of the day, I think it's all about what the reader takes from it or decides to take from it based on their own experiences rather than what they're supposed to be taking from it. Of course, the reader might not get anything out of it at all and there's nothing wrong with that either! It's all subjective and there are just too many interpretations of texts like these to able to come out with one definitive idea of what it is all about.

I just finished Father Found and gave it three stars. Here is my review:
/review/show...

I'm reading The Dry by Jane Harper. I'm only a third of the way through but am enjoying the crumbs of information sprinkled along the way and the gripping hooks at the end of each chapter. For her first novel, Harper's does the crime/mystery genre with aplomb. Drought-stricken Australia: the heat, dust and the fears of a struggling farming community are masterfully penned.

How do you add a link to a novel when using an iPad. I've fluffed around and can't seem to work it out. Any help would be appreciated.

Moraig wrote: "How do you add a link to a novel when using an iPad. I've fluffed around and can't seem to work it out. Any help would be appreciated."

Just above the text box when adding a comment you will see add book/author Moraig, just click on it and go from there ;)

I'm half way through Wilbur Smith's Monsoon - loving it! Beautifully written and crafted.

Moraig wrote: "How do you add a link to a novel when using an iPad. I've fluffed around and can't seem to work it out. Any help would be appreciated."

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Just above the text box when adding a comment..."

You can't add a link while using the GR app (or not the last time I used it), but if you're using the desktop version in Safari, then click on "Add book/author". You might not be able to do that using the mobile version in Safari, either (I'm not game to try in case it's tricky to get back!).

I am using my ipad in desktop mode..

Moraig wrote: "I'm reading The Dry by Jane Harper. I'm only a third of the way through but am enjoying the crumbs of information sprinkled along the way and the gripping hooks at the end of each chapter. For her ..."

I've heard The Dry by Jane Harper is really good Moraig :)

Rita wrote: "I'm half way through Wilbur Smith's Monsoon - loving it! Beautifully written and crafted."

Monsoon by Wilbur Smith

Moraig wrote: "I'm reading The Dry by Jane Harper. I'm only a third of the way through but am enjoying the crumbs of information sprinkled along the way and the gripping hooks at the end of each chapter. For her ..."

Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll see a heap of writing across the page - "switch to: mobile version" (if you're on desktop) or "switch to: desktop" if you're on mobile. You need to be on desktop version to do the "add book/author" etc I think :)

I have started my last June challenge book Just This Once by Rosalind James - is for my J for title or author task - I got J in both so well covered :)

/review/list... Link to The Dry - not sure if I'm on desktop. I just cut and paste

Just finished Armada by Ernest Cline. I really enjoyed it! Cline is an author that I'll definitely be keeping a closer eye on from now on.

Just finished the short story, The Hostage by James Patterson as part of his "Bookshots" series. Great, lean, no-nonsense storytelling. Just the way I like it! It flew by!

I’ve just finished The Killing Season Uncut, which has far more detail and analysis than the TV series it was based on. I’d say it's a must-read for political junkies, or anyone who is curious about the Rudd-Gillard period in Australian politics.

Just starting All That is Lost Between Us by Sara Foster

Susan wrote: "I’ve just finished The Killing Season Uncut, which has far more detail and analysis than the TV series it was based on. I’d say it's a must-read for political junkies, or anyone who..."

Did the book reveal that Rudd is not the Mr Niceguy that he likes to make out he is? I've read reports he can be a real Bad Kevin behind the scenes.

I am reading Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by Agnès Martin-Lugand which has been translated from French.

It is women's fiction - and came recommended by a few people.

I am loving it!!!

The MC is a women whose husband and daughter are killed in a car accident in the first few pages. She completely and utterly breaks down and withdraws from the world. A year later (chapter 2) she is still at home living in her PJs with only one person caring enough to try and get her arse into gear again.

Possible spoiler: (view spoiler)[Then she ups and moves to Ireland to get away from everyone who wants her to live again. She thinks she can continue to wallow in her grief as no one will know her. But I am half way in and she is slowly coming alive. (hide spoiler)]

Sounds good Sally! Although being French shouldn't it be Happy People Read and Drink Wine?

I'm reading Dark Horse by Honey Brown. About two thirds the way in and knowing that all is not as it seems and that one or both characters are not playing it straight with each other. Racing towards the end now to find out what is really going on!