smilerbabeuk

The Lincoln Rhyme stories by Jeffrey Deaver.

Try The Empty Chair by Jeffrey Deaver.

Try A Short History of Nearly Everything and At Home both by Bill Bryson. They are very readable and cover quite a bit of what you're looking for. Not academic work as such, but he does reference his sources and there is an index.

Is Emma donoghue the author of Room, the book about a woman held captive, from the perspective of her 5 year old son who was born there and doesn't know any different? That's on my the list.

the only one that sprung to mind for me was Samwise Gamgee, and I love Anne Eliot in Persuasion too, which makes me want to read the rest of these!

I have never heard of this book, but this line makes me want to read it!

I have had that happen to me. mostly I would search out more by the same author, but I have a couple that I almost too dear to risk others! I think its because I have been disappointed by second books I have read before, and if a book is really special I couldn't bear to spoil it.

I have just read the first two of Elizabeth Chadwick's books, which were out of print for some time and re-released when she got popular. She has reworked both, and says that she wouldn't have done it if they hadn't let her work on them. I agree, its rarely good to go backwards in an authors catalogue, as most tend to get better as they go. It's a bit cheeky to simply release old material with a new cover if the book has not been reworked at all. Feels like they are trying to trick you.

The Red Queen is out next week, there is an interview with the author on the BBC radio 4 iplayer.

Try The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer for a good insight to Japan. It's based around real events.

I've read 2 Kate Furnival books, and thought they were pretty good. I remember them clearly which must be good. Reading this thread has made me realise that historical fiction is my preferred genre. I have read a vast amount, all ages from the dawn of civilisation to the 20th century, and all over the world - China, Japan, Russia, USA, Europe, Afghanistan, south America, Australia.... I can't believe its taken me so long to notice!

I started The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick yesterday and finished it today. I found myself unable to put it down, which is always a good sign. Its the third book by Elizabeth Chadwick I have read, and she has become a favourite as I find her books gripping and memorable.

I was reading in the garden while my dad burnt some garden rubbish once. He asked me to fetch him something so I put the book on the floor, and a branch promptly rolled off the fire straight onto it, left big black marks. I was only about 10 at the time, I would never be so careless with a book now! I did drop one in the bath when I was a kid too. Guess I've learnt the hard way to be more careful.

Thanks for your replies. I guess I shall have to learn to look better, I have been oblivious for too long! It is interesting to see where you look, it does give me some ideas.

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, so forgive me if its not. Where do you go to look at newly released books and reviews? Do you look in newspapers or publishers or somewhere else? I have been a prolific reader since I was about 12, but I have always simply gone to the library or a bookshop and got what looked interesting. its been a revelation to discover the world of book reviews and recommendations! I have compiled a list of books to read from reviews and comments on the various threads on here, but where is the best place to look out for new books? thanks in advance. jo

I am three quarters through The Castle of Otranto. It's taking much longer than I expected because I keep getting interupted, and I really have to concentrate or it doesn't make sense!

I haven't read the Ghengis Khan series, but I have read other books by Conn Iggulden, and I would recommend him as his books seem well researched, but are also a great read. He did a Roman series, can't remember the name, but they had me running to the library for the next book.

I loved Gone with the Wind, but found the sequel Scarlett a terrible let down. It didn't follow the characters at all, and I couldn't get past her just leaving Tara after all she had gone through to keep it. It was mildly entertaining on its own, but seemingly unrelated to the original except in names.

I don't often give up on books, but I do so without hesitation or guilt if something really isn't grabbing me. The last book I gave up on was last week though. It was a thriller and I had the solution pegged within two chapters so I skimmed it to see if I was right, and I was.

I never miss a bill bryson book, and I like crime/thrillers such as Kathy reichs. But I have been reading things off the recommended wall at the library recently, so it has been much more varied. I read a fantasy book called City of Dreams and Nightmare by Ian Whates that I really enjoyed so I'll look out for the sequel later this year. I read almost anything, least favourite is chick lit, but I've read plenty of that too!

I finished The Other Hand by Chris CLeave yesterday and I read The Lovely Bones today. Now I have a choice between Serena by Ron Rash or The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been looking through threads, seeing how it all works. just finished reading my book club read for the month The Other Hand by Chris CLeave. I've also read the Lovely Bones today too. I feel like I'm coming late to a lot of these though, I've been oblivious to reviews and recommendations before now, just picked up what looked interesting at the library! Anyway, thanks for making me feel welcome>

try searching for great war instead of world war one.

Hi everyone, my name is Jo and I love books! I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, but have recently joined a book club, and I found you by researching potential books for the club. I am 31, I live in Nottingham with my husband and two small children. I have just finished a post-graduate course and am looking to go back to work after the summer. I read pretty much anything.