chesilbeach

It is strange how some people seem to be polarised into either chick-lit/romance or crime/mystery/horror! I'll bet there's some research out there about it somewhere, claiming it defines what personality type we are, or which part of our brain dictates why we would prefer one over the other

The reading group I go to is made up of all older women (certainly over 50, most over 60) except me. They all prefer to read crime novels as their "comfort" or less challenging reading in between their more literary novels. My preference is for chick-lit as my lighter reading, and personally, I can't see the appeal of the crime, murder, mystery type of book. Whenever a crime book comes up in the book list for the reading group, they all rave about it, or if it's not a good one, they'll come up with a million other crime books or authors everyone should read instead. I just sit there gaping open mouthed at them, wondering how these sweet, lovely mothers and grandmothers can sit and read about mutilated bodies and psychopathic serial killers with such glee? And yet, not one of them has been able to explain to me why they like reading these books so much.

Thank goodness my mum kept all my childhood books, I've still got the original copy I read, so it's exactly as Blyton wrote it.

Thanks for the review. I'd been contemplating buying these books, but I don't think I'll bother now.

I've finished Brazzaville Beach, and although I enjoyed it, I preferred the two other books by William Boyd that I've read. I definitely want to read some more though, and will be on the lookout for my next read from this author when I go to the bookshop next time. I've also started and finished Chosen, the third in the House of Night series. I like these books as light entertainment, even if they are a bit formulaic. I was going to read March by Geraldine Brooks next (for my reading group next week), but I've only started the first page, and I've put it down already as I'm not in the mood for it, so I'll probably try Mourning Ruby by Helen Dunmore instead.

I read all thirteen books as well, and I did enjoy the first half of the series a lot, but felt that the last six or seven books got a bit repetitive, and also predictable. I know the books aren't aimed at my age group, and I can understand why children would love the series, but I don't think there was enough originality by the end. However, as I'd started them, I had to finish the saga just so I knew how it ended!

Hey Jessi

Finished Brazzaville Beach last night by William Boyd. It was good, but I preferred both of the other books of his I've read, Any Human Heart and Restless. Leisurely day today and both started and finished Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast. I have two books to read for my book group meeting next week as well as this months reading circle book, The Moonstone, so need to decide which one to start next.

Anything easy and/or light-hearted is comfort reading for me, so chick-lit, most YA books and books like Agatha Raisin are the sorts of things I'll turn to when I want cheering up. However, I've never noticed any seasonal variations in my reading, it's usually just based on how rubbish my day/week/month has been.

Sorry, never heard of her. Perhaps you could tell us about some of her books, and you might even get her some new readership

I've read another 150 pages of Brazzaville Beach today, which leaves me about 150 pages to go. Will try and get a few hours reading in this evening and see if I can finish it. Visited two Waterstone's branches today, and came away with nothing

Although it wasn't a particularly well written book, I did learn a lot about leprosy in Victoria Hislop's The Island. I don't have much interest in history, and most of my knowledge comes from having to watch Time Team while my partner has it on the television, but I'd always assumed that leprosy was a medieval disease, and didn't realise it was still prevalent in the twentieth century.

I thought it was later than this. Doesn't Scruples fit in with the likes of Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper type novels? Aren't they known as "blockbusters"? Although they're aimed at women, I personally don't consider them to be chick-lit books. From memory, it was Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, that was the beginning of the recognition of chick-lit as a new genre (certainly in the UK anyway). That's certainly my starting point for chick-lit. I think the term is supposed to be a take on chick flick, as in a romantic (usually comedy) film that women tend to go and see together in groups, or drag a partner along to. Based on that, I'm thinking of 1995/6 as the start of chick-lit.

I live on Brazzaville Beach. Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd

ii, I think this is a great idea. There are plenty of options for comparing books, and I've recently been reading some of the latest offerings from some of the authors I read years ago when the term "chick-lit" was first coined, so I've been doing comparisons between their early work and more recent to see how (or if) they've developed their writing style, characteristics and lifestyles for their heroines, etc. I'd definitely take part in this sort of reading and subsequent discussions.

The third book is The Bolter by Frances Osborne - had my eye on it for ages, and couldn't resist it in the 3 for 2 offer.

I didn't vote for it, but I bought it today as the third book on a 3 for 2 offer, so I'll make a start on it later this week.

I've read almost 100 pages of Brazzaville Beach today, and I'm really enjoying it so far. Bought three new books as well - Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (for this months reading circle) and another I can't remember at the moment! And I've left them in the car I'll have to come back later with the title of the last one

Welcome back, Larry.

Had a good reading day today, and finished Oath Breaker by Michelle Paver. This is the fifth book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, and is another excellent read. The characters development is interesting, and the author is not afraid to take the story in unexpected directions, and deal with difficult themes for young readers. Having said that, I'm glad the next book will be the final one in the series, as I can see how the story is developing, and the final book will bring Torak's journey to a (hopefully) satisfying conclusion. Next up is Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd. I've read a couple of books by this author, and enjoyed them both, and I watched a very interesting interview with him by Mark Lawson last week, so I'm eagerly looking forward to this book.

Finished Oath Breaker by Michelle Paver this afternoon, and will be starting Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd this evening.

Love Actually

Hello Katrina

Sometimes there's no warning. Nothing at all. Oath Breaker by Michelle Paver.