The Book Nook

[Little My]

I just finished The Southern Book Club's Guide To Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. It's basically Steel Magnolias meets Dracula.

[Pippedydeadeye]

I’ve got that on my to read list.

[Flora Poste]

I've just finished Moonflower Murders - it was good, but I think I enjoyed Magpie Murders more. It just felt quite long and I got a bit fed up with the book within a book thing. I wonder if he'll do any more? I'll probably read them as they are clever.

[Pippedydeadeye]

I was wondering whether to read that. I enjoyed Magpie Murders.

[Flora Poste]

If you enjoyed Magpie Murders, I think you'll enjoy it. I was just thinking that he's very clever when he writes as, despite loads of characters across the book within a book set up, I didn't really get confused as to who was who and what had happened. Compared to Thursday Murder Club when I was still a bit lost by the end.

[sally maclennane]

I'm reading Little Girl Lost which is a detective novel set in Derry. It's okay but I don't like the lead character much, she's quite annoying and the story is a bit depressing.

[Lily]

I'm on When She Was Good by Laura Lippmann. I love her stuff as a rule but the last one I read was so rubbish I'm a bit nervous of it.

[Pootle]

Klara and the Sun was a bit bleak. I know his books usually are, but still.

It was definitely bleak (it reminded me of Never Let Me Go) but I like the fact that he doesn't spell out from the start exactly what's happening in the world and leaves you to work it out a bit. I really enjoyed it anyway.

I also finished the Graham Norton which was good, but not as good as his others. Next I'm on to Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans - I loved Old Baggage so trying more.

[Ella77]

Yes, it was very like Never Let Me Go. No spoilers, but that ending .

[Pootle]

I know . He is such a beautiful writer.

[Annabella]

Klara and the Sun was a bit bleak. I know his books usually are, but still.

I also finished the Graham Norton which was good, but not as good as his others. Next I'm on to Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans - I loved Old Baggage so trying more.

Was that HomeStretch? I got that for Christmas and while I liked the story was a bit perplexed at the amount of gay men in such a small village - obviously all keeping it a secret (that bit I understood)

[Pootle]

That's the one! And it was clear from fairly early on what the 'twist' would be - was it even supposed to be a twist? - about the accident and the day of it.

[Pawpads]

I've just finished A Darker Shade of Magic about a million years after everyone else.

[Bat Macdui]

I have finished Shogun. It took me a month and there was a slight risk at one point where it might have gone the same way as Anna Karenina as I got to within 8o pages of the end and didn't pick it back up again for a week. I am now 1. an expert of 16th C Japan and 2. have no idea where to go next.

[wendy james]

I've just finished Our Fathers by Rebecca Wait and feel compelled to tell you all it's very good. if I were a reviewer I'd say stuff like 'sparse prose, beautifully observed, devastating'. Etc.

I shall now go back to reading loads of run of the mill crime.

I finally got this from the library. I’m enjoying it so far, if enjoying is the right word. It’s been pretty brutal.

[AshleyX]

I also read Our Fathers on your recommendation, Bats, so thanks - your description is exactly the type of book I love. It was pretty brutal, though.

I 'liked' it so much that I read another one by her, The View On The Way Down. Jesus. It was so well written, but harrowing. I can't face another of hers for a while, I don't think! I do prefer neat, happy endings, I think, even if they're not realistic.

[Chicky]

I’ve just finished the Appeal by Janice Hallett. I thought it was a really interesting concept, perhaps a bit clunky in places but I thought it was a very good read.

[Lily]

Several people have read The Interestings... does it get any more, er, interesting? I'm very tempted to bin it off. I have The Silkworm instead.

[Bat Macdui]

I 'liked' it so much that I read another one by her, The View On The Way Down. Jesus. It was so well written, but harrowing. I can't face another of hers for a while, I don't think! I do prefer neat, happy endings, I think, even if they're not realistic.

I was thinking of picking another of hers up next but I might have a little holiday into mindless crime before I do, after all the death involved in 16th C Japan. Though I discovered the other day a new Guy Gavriel Kay came out last year when I wasn't paying attention, that might do.

[AshleyX]

I'd definitely recommend a wee break! I've just downloaded the new Mhairi Macfarlane, which I think will be the perfect antidote.