Has anyone read...

[Janet]

I thought I'd start a thread where people can ask about books that they are thinking of reading - and if anyone has already read it, then they can give their opinion of it (without spoilers of course!).

I don't know if the thread will work, but it's worth a try and I have one to ask about, so...

Has anyone read Queen Camilla by Sue Townsend? If so, did you like it? Would you recommend it?

I read The Queen and I many years ago, and I seem to remember that it didn't live up to my expectations. Is this one worth looking out for?

[Fiona]

Good thread!

I would have said 'The Inheritance of Loss' but I've started it - would be interested in other people's opinions of it though who've read it.

[happyanddandy]

IHas anyone read Queen Camilla by Sue Townsend? If so, did you like it? Would you recommend it?

My son of 14 has read it and often quotes from it - he thought it was ace!!

[angerball]

Good idea for a thread! I'm interested in reading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. I have read a lot of positive comments on it, and seen it frequently popping up on Top 100 book lists, but I'm not sure if it would be my kind of book. I'm not into fantasy books really, yet given the things I've heard about it, I'm thinking of giving it a try.

[Kylie]

This thread has come along at a good time. I was given some books yesterday and was going to ask if people had read any of them.

Donna Tartt - The Secret History
Donna Tartt - The Little Friend
Colette - The Claudine Novels
Angela Carter - The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories
Michael Chabon (ed) - All New McSweeney's Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories (collection of short stories by Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, David Mitchell and many others)

[Fiona]

Good idea for a thread! I'm interested in reading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. I have read a lot of positive comments on it, and seen it frequently popping up on Top 100 book lists, but I'm not sure if it would be my kind of book. I'm not into fantasy books really, yet given the things I've heard about it, I'm thinking of giving it a try.

Read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is one of THE best books I have EVER written. Great writing, great characters, gripping story and fantastic all the way through. It is so imaginative and brilliant. You don't need to be a fan of fantasy, I'm not a fan of fantasy as such... this is different. It is fantasy, but it is also um... based in this world too, but with a bit of imagination. It isn't all dwarfs and pixies rear up for a fight against evil war lord with a magic egg or whatever. It is so much deeper and better and the bestest of books ever to be written.

READ!!!

[Echo]

This thread has come along at a good time. I was given some books yesterday and was going to ask if people had read any of them.

Angela Carter - The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories

I haven't read that exact Angela Carter, but I've read The Magic Toyshop, and The Bloody Chamber is next on my list. Her books are really interesting, and I read The Magic Toyshop in about two days. Definitely try it out! I believe that The Bloody Chamber is a re-telling of some traditional fairy tales.

I haven't read any of your other choices, but I've heard really good things about Colette.

I hope that helps!

[Echo]

There are a few titles on my TBR list that I'm curious about, if anyone can give me some insight.

The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
The Professor by Charlotte Bronte
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield

By the way, I agree, this is a great idea for a thread!

[Kylie]

I haven't read that exact Angela Carter, but I've read The Magic Toyshop, and The Bloody Chamber is next on my list. Her books are really interesting, and I read The Magic Toyshop in about two days. Definitely try it out! I believe that The Bloody Chamber is a re-telling of some traditional fairy tales.

I haven't read any of your other choices, but I've heard really good things about Colette.

I hope that helps!

It does help, thanks! I looked up Colette on Wikipedia and read that originally her books were published under her husband's pen name and he locked her in a room until she had written the required number of pages! I love looking up info about authors and books - it helps give me some perspective when I'm reading them. I didn't know what The Bloody Chamber was about - it certainly does sound interesting!


The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield


Unfortunately I haven't read any of the books on your list elbereth, but I have heard good things about The Thirteenth Tale - so much so that I would like to read it myself! :mrgreen:

[Kell]

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
A few of us here have read this one as it was our Reading Circle (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1114) choice at one point. I think the general consensus was that it was pretty good - I certainly enjoyed it.

You might enjoy it more if you've already read Dracula by Bram Stoker and perhaps have a little background knowledge on Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), but that's not essential - just related reading that might mean you get more out of it. It did seem to drag a little in the middle, but it was worth getting past that point and continuing with it.

[Echo]

You might enjoy it more if you've already read Dracula by Bram Stoker and perhaps have a little background knowledge on Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler)

That's great! I actually read Dracula about seven years ago. I've been thinking about re-reading it, so maybe I'll do that before I try out The Historian. Thanks for the advice!

[angerball]

Donna Tartt - The Secret History
Donna Tartt - The Little Friend

I loved The Secret History. It's one of those books that I definitely must re-read. It's a psychological thriller, but it's also so much more than that. It's not a quick and easy thriller, but one that is very rich in detail and story-telling. I say, go for it. :mrgreen:

I picked up The Little Friend, after having read The Secret History, and I have to say, I didn't enjoy it half as much. In fact, I gave up on it. :blush: However, I think it was probably down to the mood I was in, as the plot was very interesting. I'd like to give it another go sometime, however I suggest that you start off with The Secret History. It's generally thought of as the better of the two. :)

Read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is one of THE best books I have EVER written....<snip>

:lol: OK, you've sold me on it, Fiona! I'll have a look for it next time I'm in the library. As a side note, they are making a movie of one of the books, called The Golden Compass (I think one of the books goes under two different names, depending whether you're in the UK or USA). You can find more info here (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/).


The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova


Hmmm, this is another one that I gave up on towards the end. I loved the first two-thirds of it, but then I just felt it dragged on too long, and I wanted it to be over. :tong:

[Fiona]

Read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is one of THE best books I have EVER written. Great writing, great characters, gripping story and fantastic all the way through. It is so imaginative and brilliant. You don't need to be a fan of fantasy, I'm not a fan of fantasy as such... this is different. It is fantasy, but it is also um... based in this world too, but with a bit of imagination. It isn't all dwarfs and pixies rear up for a fight against evil war lord with a magic egg or whatever. It is so much deeper and better and the bestest of books ever to be written.

READ!!!

Look at that nasty type... I meant EVER read not written. Obviously I could never write such a fantastic trilogy. Silly me.

[angerball]

Look at that nasty type... I meant EVER read not written. Obviously I could never write such a fantastic trilogy. Silly me.

:lol: I didn't notice that, Fiona. :lol:

[Fiona]

I even made a typo when trying to type typo. I used to be a pretty good typer, honest but it is this stupid laptop I'm sure. :/

[Leona]

i'm not entirely sure how to do the quote thing from other peoples replies but i loved 'the thirteenth tale'. it's a pretty good story but what i really liked about it was all the references to reading and books and what a joy it is being a book addict.


love this thread!


has anyone read 'the glass books of the dream eaters' by gw dahlquist?
i thought it looked like a thumping big historical read, i started it and wasn't sure,.it looks a bit fantasy-ish, and that's not really me' then i was going on holiday and flying ryanair-i didn't want to be done for excess baggage(seriously, this book weighs a ton) so i brought a few others intsead, now i'm looking at it and wondering 'is it worth the effort?-life is short, my list is long..... etc!
would love to know if anyone else persevered.

[maclsj]

I'm currently reading 'The Way of the World' by Elizabeth Aston. It's ok but I probably wouldn't recommend it. I've taken a look at her list of other books and having read the blurb of 'Mr Darcy's Daughters' I'm wondering if its the same book as 'The Way of the world' just under a different title. Anyone read any of these and can help prove/disprove this?

[Michelle]

has anyone read 'the glass books of the dream eaters' by gw dahlquist?
i thought it looked like a thumping big historical read, i started it and wasn't sure,.it looks a bit fantasy-ish, and that's not really me' then i was going on holiday and flying ryanair-i didn't want to be done for excess baggage(seriously, this book weighs a ton) so i brought a few others intsead, now i'm looking at it and wondering 'is it worth the effort?-life is short, my list is long..... etc!
would love to know if anyone else persevered.

I was sent the 10-part version, and I think I managed the first four or so. It just seems to go on and on without getting very far, and I think the language was just kinda losing me. It looks good on the shelf though! :lol:

[Leona]

hey michelle, thanks for that, i feel less guilty now about flinging it!

[Janet]

A bit of a strange one, but I don't suppose anyone has read any of Spike Milligan's books? His 'fiction' ones I mean, such as Hitler - My Park in his Downfall.

At parent's evening, his English teacher mentioned that our son should read more fiction because he mostly reads non-fiction. However, getting him to do so is easier said than done!

He does like Spike Milligan's poetry, so I wondered whether he might be interested in the books but I really don't know whether they're suitable or not.

He's 12.

Thanks in advance!

[samgrosser]

I read Hitler - my part in his downfall when I was a teenager. I thought it was hilarious and quite brilliant but I'm afraid I can't remember exactly how "suitable" it was.

I also remember being really into Alistair Maclean novels when I was about 13, which might appeal to him.

Good luck in finding something that he likes, and keep us posted.

[Janet]

Thanks Sam. I will look out for some Alistair Maclean books.

I took him to The Bookbarn today and he chose a Michael Morpego (sp?) book and also Milligan's The Bible - The New Testament... According to Spike Milligan - a bit irreverant, and I'm not sure what his English teacher will make of that, but she did say it had to be fiction! :lol:

He was laughing about "...and there was light... but the electicity company said it wouldn't be available until Thursday!"

[Liz]

Just wondered if anyone had read any books by Neal Stephenson?
I have recently been thinking about giving him a try and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on him.

[Laramie]

I've not read anything by Neal Stephanson, I was just thinking of reading some Stephen King books as they seem to be very popular, and I was wondering if there's a particular one I should start with, and if there were any series I need to read in the right order.:)Thanks in advance:)

[angerball]

Just wondered if anyone had read any books by Neal Stephenson?

No, so I can't really comment. :mrgreen: However, I have heard rave reviews about Cryptonomicon, and would eventually like to read it. Heard it's quite chunky and heavy going though. :thud:

[carm]

doctor who- i've read most of stephen king's books and out of all of them my favorite is the stand- it's long but its so well written i think you'll enjoy it- carm

[Echo]

I agree with carm...The Stand is my favorite Stephen King ever. Here's others that I've read that I really enjoyed:

Needful Things
Dreamcatcher
The Talisman
The Dark Half
Rose Madder
Pet Cemetery

[Kell]

DWMG - Yes, Stephen King is a very diverse writer with, I believe, something for everyone. My own favourites of his are:

The Stand
Different Seasons (four novellas in one book - all excellent)
Carrie
Gerald's Game
Misery
Dolores Claiborne
The Dark Half (originally published under the name of Richard Bachman)
The Shining

Each of them has something different about it, and most of them are not strictly horror, which might surprise some people who may have pigeon-holed him as a genre writer!

[lovesreading06]

has anyone read swimming pool sunday by Madeleine Wickham. I just started to read it and i'm finding it a bit slow at the mo.
Does it get better through out the story or worse?

[Michelle]

DWMG - try doing a search, as Stephen King's books have been discussed a few times. As Kell said, he is actually a varied writer, so take a look at a few, and see what you think.

[Janet]

has anyone read swimming pool sunday by Madeleine Wickham. I just started to read it and i'm finding it a bit slow at the mo.
Does it get better through out the story or worse?
I read it a few years ago. I remember it being a bit slow too and I can't really remember the storyline, which I guess speaks volumes. Sorry!

[lovesreading06]

thanks bagpuss. No need to be sorry,

[pontalba]

There are a few titles on my TBR list that I'm curious about, if anyone can give me some insight.

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf


I'm a bit late with a response here, but the above is the only one on that list that I've read. I did enjoy it quite a lot, but it was difficult to get into for me...but once I did I was very glad I'd finished. To me it was one of those books you just have to allow to wash over yourself and not try to analyze too much until the reread, or at least not till the last part.
I didn't fully appreciate the characters until I'd finished and gone back and at least spot reread.

[Laramie]

Thanks guys :)

[happyanddandy]

Has anyone read 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire?

Daughter keen to read as we have seen the show (see how desperate I am to get her reading). Reviews on Amazon mixed saying that story is quite different and difficult to get into.

Many thanks
:smile2:

[Michelle]

I picked it up and put it down again, because yes, I found it hard to get into. But.. I do believe manyhere really liked it, and I will give it another go at some point.

[Polka Dot Rock]

Has anyone read 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire?

Hey H&D! :) I read Wicked early on this year and posted a review of it... Here! (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2628)

Overall, I quite enjoyed it but I felt the first half was much stronger than the latter parts. (Funnily enough, I only sold my copy last week!)

[happyanddandy]

PDR - A great review thank you very much - daughter still keen to have a go so I will invest in a second hand copy from Amazon. :smile2: Sorry I missed your copy!!

[lovesreading06]

has anyone read any books by Pamela Oldfield?

[lovesreading06]

Sorry for double posting but spoke to a mod about and she said it was fine.

Has anyone read The Savage Garden
by Mark Mills

[Kylie]

Has anyone ever read any books by Georges Simenon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Simenon)? Seems he's quite the prolific writer and I was curious to know what his books are like.

[supergran71]

Has anyone read The Savage Garden
by Mark Mills

Yes I have. I found it a little slow to start with, and I found the main character a little dull. But it all perked up a bit as the end was looming up.

[kitty_kitty]

I haven't read that exact Angela Carter, but I've read The Magic Toyshop, and The Bloody Chamber is next on my list. Her books are really interesting, and I read The Magic Toyshop in about two days. Definitely try it out! I believe that The Bloody Chamber is a re-telling of some traditional fairy tales.

I haven't read any of your other choices, but I've heard really good things about Colette.

I hope that helps!

I loved The Bloody Chamber and The Magic TOyshop i now have Wise Children and Nights at the circus to read too

[WillowFae]

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova


I enjoyed this, but I know a lot of people who didn't. Yes, it was a bit far-fetched, but it's just a work of fiction :) Slightly tedious in the middle.


I picked up The Little Friend


I gave this away on bookcrossing as the cover photo was freaking me out!

Has anyone read 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire?

Daughter keen to read as we have seen the show (see how desperate I am to get her reading). Reviews on Amazon mixed saying that story is quite different and difficult to get into.

Many thanks
:smile2:

How old is your daughter? It's not a book for children. The show is a very family friendly sugar coated version of the book. So yes, it is very different and for that reason a lot of people don't like it, because they are expecting a book of the show. I personally love both the show and the book - but as a story the book is FAR better. Gregory Maguire says that the show is inspired by his book in the same way that his book was inspired by Baum.

[angerball]

I gave this away on bookcrossing as the cover photo was freaking me out!

Oh, the picture of the doll? Yus, I have to agree - it is a bit freaky looking. :hide:

[Janet]

(About The Little Friend by Donna Tart) Oh, the picture of the doll? Yus, I have to agree - it is a bit freaky looking. :hide:
On Amazon (UK) the cover photo is of a child on a swing!

ETA: Oh, I've just seen the cover you mean - yuk! The swing one is not at all freaky!

Has anyone read Huckleberry Finn? I've just started it as it's part of our English course, but I'm struggling to get into it.

[WillowFae]

What is worse is that it goes over onto the spine so you can see it on your bookshelf!

[happyanddandy]

How old is your daughter? It's not a book for children. The show is a very family friendly sugar coated version of the book. So yes, it is very different and for that reason a lot of people don't like it, because they are expecting a book of the show. I personally love both the show and the book - but as a story the book is FAR better. Gregory Maguire says that the show is inspired by his book in the same way that his book was inspired by Baum.

She is 12 years old WF and she finished the book a while ago now, enjoyed it and has now moved on to 'Son of a Witch'. She was inspired to read it because of the show and as it can be diffficult at time to encourage her to read she does appear to like this genre. :smile2:

[haniirani]

I have March by Geraldine Brooks with me. Has anyone read it? Do I need to read Little Women before reading this book?

[Renniemist]

I have read both books. Certainly it may help to have some background information but I don’t think you would need to read Little Women first. Let us know how you get on.:)

[Kylie]

Has anyone read The Running Man by Richard Bachman (Stephen King)? I was just reading a plot summary and it sounds pretty interesting.

[Kell]

I've not read The Running Man, bnut it's the basis for the film of the same name starring Arnie Schwarzennegger - pretty decent film, but from what i've heard, nowhere near as good as the book (as per usual!).

[Michelle]

It's been ages since I read that.. if I recall, it's very different to the film.

[Mia]

The Running Man (the book) is very good and gets much more into the emotions and motivations of the characters. I really enjoyed it. The film is pretty rubbish in comparison, so don't let that put you off!

[angerball]

It's been ages since I read The Running Man; I remember the ending being quite different from the movie. Good movie, too! :)

[Gyre]

I've not read The Running Man, bnut it's the basis for the film of the same name starring Arnie Schwarzennegger - pretty decent film, but from what i've heard, nowhere near as good as the book (as per usual!).

'The Running Man' is a great story, Paul Michael Glaser made the movie and apparently Stephen King (the story was wrote under his alter-ego Richard Bachman) hated the movie, but I always heard he hated the movie version of 'The Shining' x

[Gyre]

This thread has come along at a good time. I was given some books yesterday and was going to ask if people had read any of them.

Donna Tartt - The Secret History
Donna Tartt - The Little Friend


I read both of the above, 'The Secret History' was readable, but I really enjoyed, 'The Little Friend' x

[SteffieB]

I read The Secret History and found it long-winded and predictable..difficult to finish. That said, I know a lot of people really liked it!
:blush:

[Gyre]

I read The Secret History and found it long-winded and predictable..difficult to finish. That said, I know a lot of people really liked it!
:blush:

I thought it was long-winded as well Steffie, the characters were frankly, pointless and so awful x

[Spooncat]

I thought it was long-winded as well Steffie, the characters were frankly, pointless and so awful x

what what what???¬!:irked: I thought it was a brilliant book ! I loved it the characters were amazing - blimey guys it took her 10 years to write have a bit of heart!:smile2:

[Kylie]

Donna Tartt's books certainly garner some different responses! I've heard a few people say The Secret History is definitely better, and others say that The Little Friend is far better. It will be interesting when I finally get around to reading them.

I had a dream last night that I was in a small bookshop that was full of Stephen King books and nothing else. I tracked down The Running Man and it looked reasonably priced so I think I was going to get it. I think I'll definitely add it to my wish list, thanks! :mrgreen:

[Roland Butter]

Nicola Barker's Darkmans has been getting some good reviews in the newspapers' pre-Christmas "Books of the Year" features. I'm tempted, but at 800+ pages it's a big commitment, so I thought I'd ask here first. Anyone read it, and if so, what did you think?

[chicken]

'The Running Man' is a great story, Paul Michael Glaser made the movie and apparently Stephen King (the story was wrote under his alter-ego Richard Bachman) hated the movie, but I always heard he hated the movie version of 'The Shining' x
I have read The Running Man and I really liked it. No films, with the notable exceptions of Misery and The Green Mile, made from SK's books do the books justice. He builds such great characters (even the nasty ones) and story lines that films cant fit it all in ! I would recommend a similar story called "The Long Walk" which is in The Bachman Books along with The Running Man. - It will make you think ! :readingtwo:

[Michelle]

I I would recommend a similar story called "The Long Walk" which is in The Bachman Books along with The Running Man. - It will make you think ! :readingtwo:

I think that's one of my all time favourites! :)

[chicken]

I think that's one of my all time favourites! :)
Really Michelle? I found it extremly unsettling, it was one of those books that it took me ages to get out of my system, I kept thinking about it after I had finished it. It freaked me out a bit :blush: What a woose !

[Mia]

No films, with the notable exceptions of Misery and The Green Mile, made from SK's books do the books justice.

Don't forget The Shawshank Redemption! :mrgreen:

I loved The Long Walk, and like you Chicken, it stayed with me a long time after I read it.

[chicken]

Whoops :doh: silly me, forgot all about that and its really good too - I love Morgan Freeman.