Reading Heart Liberals

[Squirrel]

I’ve got a massive stack of books to read, I’ve had a flurry of buying (second hand) books. First up is Paul O’Grady’s autobiography.

As a performer/media personality I managed to miss his career almost entirely. Drag/northern working class humour aren’t really on my radar at all, but then there was the outpouring of affection when he died and my friend recommended his book so it piqued my interest.

[Dutchie]

She should take a leaf out of Jane Harper's book; I cracked through Exiles in a day and a half. That woman is CLEVER.

Agree wholeheartedly! Having finished The Dry, I am now thoroughly enjoying Force of Nature and can't wait to start Exiles!

[sally maclennane]

I hope Jane Harper writes a female cop novel, she'd do it so well!

[Bat Macdui]

I hate the chaotic female cop trope, it's so predictable.

I second this, I am fed up with women fixating on their weight, their sex life, their menopause and coffee stains on their blouses instead of just solving crime. I gave up on Hostage because it was full of emoting women and stereotypical men.

[Dutchie]

I hope Jane Harper writes a female cop novel, she'd do it so well!

Yes! She could be Aaron Falk's younger cousin and she would kick ass better than her cousin.

[wendy james]

I may look up Claire Fuller's previous work. @Bats - did you ever ready any others as I can see you enjoyed this one too?

I tried one of them - I think it was Swimming Lessons - and the concept was a bit daft so I didn't get that far and that kind of put me off the rest. I've just looked her back up again, though, and I might try Bitter Orange, you've reminded me of how much I enjoyed the one I did read.

I might swerve Swimming Lessons for now then!

I started reading one called The Book Swap by JE Rowney, which was utter shit. I got partway through and then just jumped to the epilogue and marked it as read. Before that was The Forgetting by Hannah Beckerman, which was ok but not necessarily something I'd recommend. I'm now onto Rabbit Hole.

[Bat Macdui]

I have finished Birnam Wood and cannot decide what I thought of it. Overly floral prose, that was simultaneously excellent in parts. Overdone on character's philosophising, but also really close to the bone satire throughout. Bleak as all fuck in some ways, hilarious in others. Doesn't get going properly for ages, then when it does you kind of wish it hadn't. :)) I have no idea whether I am recommending it or not here, either. Probably neither. :))

[Pippedydeadeye]

I’ve just finished I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron and feel like everyone needs to read this book. She’s amazing.

[Montana]

I love that book!

[FiveO'Clock]

I've put it in my cart, thanks! I love her!

[Lily]

I’ve got a massive stack of books to read, I’ve had a flurry of buying (second hand) books. First up is Paul O’Grady’s autobiography.

As a performer/media personality I managed to miss his career almost entirely. Drag/northern working class humour aren’t really on my radar at all, but then there was the outpouring of affection when he died and my friend recommended his book so it piqued my interest.

One of the few autobiographies I would read again. He writes well and it's a funny but also sad story. I'll miss Paul.

I'm on Pilgrims by Matthew Kneale about a bunch of medieval, er, pilgrims, which is good, but I'm breaking this weekend to read the Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories. I've decided to collect the whole set if I can.

[Pippedydeadeye]

I just finished April in Spain by John Banville, it was a follow up to Snow, but could easily be standalone, and I also realised that it was linked to other books he’s written as Benjamin Black. I enjoyed it, it all neatly came together at the end.

[wendy james]

I didn't particularly rate Rabbit Hole. I've definitely read better Mark Billingham books. Talion, described as 'a Scandinavian noir murder mystery' was rubbish.

[Lily]

I tried I Know What You've Done by Dorothy Koomson but it was formulaic and disappointing, in the same "everyday thriller" ilk that sadly Lisa Jewell has opted for, so I didn't bother finishing. I'm on Shuggie Bain now, about a billion years after everyone else.

[Marth]

I've just finished Lessons in Chemistry and really enjoyed it. I do think it could have been a bit more robust at the end.

[sally maclennane]

I'm reading that just now, Marth.

[Dutchie]

I finished Force of Nature over the weekend and have started Exiles. I just know I'm going to miss Aaron Falk massively when I've finished it!

[Kenickie]

I've just finished Exiles and really enjoyed it. I've also realised I've not read Survivors yet so will do that soon but I need something else in between.

[sally maclennane]

I finished Lessons in Chemistry this morning, I enjoyed it but I found Elizabeth a bit annoying.

[Ismee]

Yes, she was quite hard to take to.

I am currently reading The Dictionary of Lost Words and really enjoying it.