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Read The Living Mountain yesterday, very good indeed, nature writing at its best. Review here

I loved that book too.

Finished Slaughterhouse-Five great book.

Ahhh ok Jim, gotcha.

Oh yes I remember seeing people comment on their Magic Square, Paul. I think they're a good idea those challenges but they'd be no good for me. I just read for pleasure and can't think of much worse than having to read something I didn't choose. I'd have loads of empty squares lol..poetry (eeek!), sci fi, re-reads (never do that) & so on!

Just finished reading Never Coming Back by Tim Weaver. Quite gripping and very dark, just the kind of book to read on a dark, rainy day.

Finished The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. Gave it 4 stars. Wasn't sure I was going to like it at first - I didn't like the book within the book story (planets with 3 suns or whatever it was, bleurgh) but got over that and thoroughly enjoyed the book as a whole. Her writing is fab.

Finished Alphabetical: How Every Letter Tells a Story, the non fiction read a couple of days ago. A really enjoyable read overall, and learnt a few things. Review here

I'm listening to Robber Bride on audiobook. I had forgotten how wonderful Margaret Atwood is. Such a good storyteller.

Finally got around to reading Angela Carter, she has been on TBR list for years. Really liked her style of writing in Heroes and Villains. Not had much reading time lately.

Finished Wonder by RJ Palacio. Really good kids/YA read. Might pass it onto my youngest boy. I found it happy, sad & uplifting.

I just finished reading The Boys in the Boat. I loved it! Even though I knew how the Olympics race turned out, the many trials the athletes had to overcome made the story suspenseful. Quite an inspirational story.

Someone had recommended that one to me Cindy. Haven't got round to reading it yet though

Pat wrote: "I'm listening to Robber Bride on audiobook. I had forgotten how wonderful Margaret Atwood is. Such a good storyteller."

Make sure to read the stone mattress after as there is a short story in there based on the characters from robber bride.

Thanks Jason.

I recently read The Secret History. This is the second book by Donna Tartt that I've read and i found this, like The Goldfinch, very frustrating. The author makes me want to read (for most of the books) but then I feel unsatisfied. In my opinion both books have plot holes, lack of character development and weak endings. (So why did I feel compelled to read on??!)
Here's my review:
/review/show...

Thoroughly enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes - might just get round to watching the film one day!

It's excellent.

Finished Refusal, a Dick Francis novel by his son Felix Francis. Great escapist thriller; undemanding but gripping.

Finished the third of the Sandman series yesterday. Gaiman has an vivid and dark imagination. Great though, review here

Finished Bastard Out of Carolina. Pretty grim & disturbing. 3.5 stars if poss.

Thought The Almond Tree was really good. Stopped short of giving it 5 stars as it just seemed a bit rushed in places.

Finished Landmarks this morning. Excellent as always. Robert Macfarlane is a fine writer indeed. Review here

Finished The Silkworm. Good mystery/ light thriller, which kept me entertained. It's the next in the series following The Cuckoo's Calling and the characters develop further in this one, though you could read it as a stand-alone novel.

Just read The Deaths which I thought was really good. My review is here:
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Jackie wrote: "Finished Bastard Out of Carolina. Pretty grim & disturbing. 3.5 stars if poss."

that's one I've been debating reading...it got good buzz when it was 1st published, but does seem more than a little depressing.

Donna wrote: "I have just finished Under the Skin. I can't say I "like" this book because the subject is so dark. Having said that I liked how it was written, it definitely made me stop and think a..."

saw the movie version of it a few months ago. definitely different

Jackie wrote: "Thoroughly enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes - might just get round to watching the film one day!"
I loved this book and the film is a classic :D

Charlotte wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Thoroughly enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes - might just get round to watching the film one day!"
I loved this book and the film is a classic :D"

Great film. The secret is in the sauce...

I've just finished Shadows as a more light-hearted read after reading some pretty intense thrillers/ghost stories

Finished The Signal and the Noise: The Art and Science of Prediction late last night. Thought it was pretty good for a maths and statistics book. Review here

Finished A Colder War. Really good page turning read. Going to read the other one with this main character and eagerly await any follow up. I am an absolute sucker for a thriller, and throw in a handsome been-round-the-block-a-few-times 40-something spy I cannot help myself. I am also, clearly, very shallow. ;-)

:-0

When I was young I wanted to marry a spy when I grew up, rather than a prince. That's all. I blame The Saint, James Bond and The Man From Uncle myself.

Jo wrote: "When I was young I wanted to marry a spy when I grew up, rather than a prince."

I think I wanted to be a spy, myself. It's such a shame I never had a chance to meet the real spy my mother knew.

I wanted to marry McGyver. Would have been handy.

I just had to google that Lisa!! Never come across it before

You have never heard of MacGyver?! Here one of the classic quiz questions is his first name. I believe it's mentioned only in on episode. And again, I think I might rather have been a "MacGyver"...

Nope. Not until 6 minutes ago Tytti

He basically got out of sticky situations with a piece of wire, a sponge and a cardboard tube Paul. And was moderately easy on the eye.

And what was his first name, Tytti? Enquiring minds need to know!

Angus, of course!

I can still remember the theme music after all these years. And he was also quite anti-violence, didn't like and never used weapons, if I recall correctly.

Kind of Blue Peter meets Bond?

Lisa wrote: "I wanted to marry McGyver. Would have been handy."

McGyver! Oh heavens, forgot about him. I think you are just that bit younger than me perhaps.... And the Professionals. Was it Bodie? or was it Doyle? I loved them both.

I had a thing about Daisy...

Jo wrote: "And the Professionals. Was it Bodie? or was it Doyle?"

I haven't seen that but I do like Martin Shaw in Inspector George Gently. I think he looks much better now that he's older.

Exactly that, Paul. And yes, anti-violence!

I am a bit young for the Professionals so my love for Martin Shaw comes from Judge John Deed!

Sorry, have dragged this thread totally off topic!

Elizabeth Is Missing is an amazing book. I did find it quite harrowing at times, as it brought back memories of my own mother's dementia in her final year of life, but I also found it so sharply observed and ultimately satisfying.
This is my review:
/review/show...

Finished The Colour of Magic. Enjoyed it but found it a bit episodic to be a real 'story'. The characterisation was great and there were lots of bits to make me smile. 3.75 stars, so that will be 4 since GR is still incapable of allowing fractional ratings.

There are better books in the series. The guards sub series are really funny.

Finished The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control a day or so ago. Wasn't a bad book, review here

Read a couple of lightweight books over the last few days:
A Decent Interval which is 'cosy crime' and is the latest in Simon Brett's Charles Paris series (murders in theatres, solved by an actor.)
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon from the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Both enjoyable, undemanding reads.