What was the last book you read? & Would you recommend it?

Hannah_Alumni

Midway through the year, I realised that I don't read as much as I'd like to. I also realised I haven't read many of the "classics" since I was in school, so I wrote down two lists of books one for classics and one for new releases. 

I'm currently reading 'This Much Is True' the autobiography by Miriam Margolyes and roaring with laughter. 

So, I thought I'd ask you lovely lot here; What was the last book you read? & Would you recommend it? 

leeCal

How to see yourself as you really are, by the Dalai Lama. Good book but take it slowly it needs careful thought to really get it at times. 

Hannah_Alumni

Thank you @leeCal I had a friend recommend Siddhartha which I believe is one the Dalai Lama has recommended before? And that's on the list

What did it mean to you? 

Tori_Scope

I'm currently (slowly) reading 'How To Kill Your Family' by Bella Mackie, which I'm quite enjoying  

Before that, I read 'The Man Who Died Twice' by Richard Osman, which was really good. 

I'm not too much of a big reader either, but am trying to get back into it a little more!

chiarieds

I'm afraid I get through rather a lot of books - part way through the 9th in about 2 weeks. I've been re-reading 6 of Tim Weaver's 'David Raker' novels, which I find a little different, as he investigates people who have gone missing. Also re-reading the Santa Montefiore (her husband is the historian Simon Sebag-Montefiore) books I have; the last I read, 'The French Gardener' being one of my favourites. They're romantic, but certainly not great literature, just a little escapism.

Don't limit yourself to the classics & new releases; there's way too much in between! If you're determined to read classics, do include those from other countries. I'm trying to reduce the number of books I have, but regret letting some go when we had a secondhand & antiquarian bookshop such as Mikhail Sholokhov's 'And Quiet Flows the Don,' & 'The Don Flows Home to the Sea.'

My favourite author is Robert Goddard; very hard to define the genre, but mystery novels with often a historical context. I like crime novels, one of my favourites being Peter Robinson, & Iain Pears who has written art world mysteries & other novels, oh & Derek Wilson who has also done art world mysteries. I could go on.....

I also read about history (Russian Revolution, French Revolution & the Spanish Civil War mainly).

My son is as bad as me, & collects anything from Rudyard Kipling & maritime history to Sci-fi. As he's left many books in my house, as we do share some books we love, then at least I'm allowed to borrow them too! 

ShirleyW

I've been reading my way through the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwall. 

They are quite good but rather too much of the gory details of all the battles.  

I always enjoyed the TV series of Sharpe starring Sean Bean and that's why I decided to read the books.  

Not enough about Sharpe's personal life in the books though.  Too much war theory and the tactical details of each battle.   But I expect many people would enjoy that.

life

Jeffrey archer a prison diary. I like true stories. 

life

Oh and yes I would definitely recommend.

Hannah_Alumni

Tori_Scope said:

I'm currently (slowly) reading 'How To Kill Your Family' by Bella Mackie, which I'm quite enjoying  

Before that, I read 'The Man Who Died Twice' by Richard Osman, which was really good. 

I'm not too much of a big reader either, but am trying to get back into it a little more!

Oh, I saw some great things about 'How To Kill Your Family' on Facebook. The Richard Osman books I am a little hesitant, I always wonder if people love them because they're written by him, or because they're good. I may have to give them a try. I'm trying to read a few chapters before I go to bed, rather than look at my phone I'm currently doing both.

chiarieds said:

I'm afraid I get through rather a lot of books - part way through the 9th in about 2 weeks. I've been re-reading 6 of Tim Weaver's 'David Raker' novels, which I find a little different, as he investigates people who have gone missing. Also re-reading the Santa Montefiore (her husband is the historian Simon Sebag-Montefiore) books I have; the last I read, 'The French Gardener' being one of my favourites. They're romantic, but certainly not great literature, just a little escapism.

Don't limit yourself to the classics & new releases; there's way too much in between! If you're determined to read classics, do include those from other countries. I'm trying to reduce the number of books I have, but regret letting some go when we had a secondhand & antiquarian bookshop such as Mikhail Sholokhov's 'And Quiet Flows the Don,' & 'The Don Flows Home to the Sea.'

My favourite author is Robert Goddard; very hard to define the genre, but mystery novels with often a historical context. I like crime novels, one of my favourites being Peter Robinson, & Iain Pears who has written art world mysteries & other novels, oh & Derek Wilson who has also done art world mysteries. I could go on.....

I also read about history (Russian Revolution, French Revolution & the Spanish Civil War mainly).

My son is as bad as me, & collects anything from Rudyard Kipling & maritime history to Sci-fi. As he's left many books in my house, as we do share some books we love, then at least I'm allowed to borrow them too! 

I'd love to be able to do the same! I don't think I could ever do 9 in 2 weeks though! Go chiarieds! 
Escapism is the best part about books, music, movies and TV. Thank you for the advice! I never thought of looking at what other countries consider a "classic". Will definitely be updating my list! 
I love crime dramas, so Robert Goddard will be one for me to look at. 

My family are the same, passing books to each other. Most of the time I have to pop a sticky note in the back, so I know whose it is! I once read that having 1,000 books is considered a 'library'. Think you and your son are on your way to that? 

woodbine said:

Lat book I read (finished it yesterday) was The history of the Labour Party by Martin Pugh, would recommend it to anyone interested in political history.

Thank you I have seen political topic books becoming more popular. I believe there is one called "A Decade In Tory" ? It's due for release soon and highly anticipated. 

ShirleyW said:

I've been reading my way through the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwall. 

They are quite good but rather too much of the gory details of all the battles.  

I always enjoyed the TV series of Sharpe starring Sean Bean and that's why I decided to read the books.  

Not enough about Sharpe's personal life in the books though.  Too much war theory and the tactical details of each battle.   But I expect many people would enjoy that.

I like when a TV series or Movie influences you to read the book and vice versa. Maybe someone here has the same opinion, and can offer something else? If you do like Bernard Cornwall's style of writing, I know he has an extensive release list, maybe he has a series less gory.

life said:

Jeffrey archer a prison diary. I like true stories. 

Do you like true crime? There is an author called Mitzi Szereto who writes books made up of lots of individual stories. I'd highly recommend her. What other true crime stories have you read?

Thank you for all the suggestions, keep them coming! My local Waterstones is going to love me

life

@Hannah_Scope I just downloaded one of her books, the best new true crime stories on audio book. Didn't hear of her before but this book seems like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation 👍

ShirleyW

Fed up now with the Sharpe books, too much the same and becoming boring.

My main love is sci-fi and fantasy.  Just downloaded the first book from the Wheel of Time called The Eye of the World.  It's supposed to be very good and there's even been a TV series made of it.  Will be back to comment on how I found it.

Tori_Scope

It depends what you're into @Hannah_Scope I'd say they're gentle and humorous murder mysteries with loveable characters. There are usually some twists and turns, too!

Tori_Scope

I look forward to seeing your review @ShirleyW!

Hannah_Alumni

life said:

@Hannah_Scope I just downloaded one of her books, the best new true crime stories on audio book. Didn't hear of her before but this book seems like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation 👍

I hope you like it! you'll have to let me know  

ShirleyW said:

Fed up now with the Sharpe books, too much the same and becoming boring.

My main love is sci-fi and fantasy.  Just downloaded the first book from the Wheel of Time called The Eye of the World.  It's supposed to be very good and there's even been a TV series made of it.  Will be back to comment on how I found it.

I've heard very good things about the TV series, hopefully the books are even better. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Tori_Scope said:

It depends what you're into @Hannah_Scope I'd say they're gentle and humorous murder mysteries with loveable characters. There are usually some twists and turns, too!

I'm very much a, "I'll read anything" person. True Crime and Nicohlas Sparks takes up a lot of my book space I will probably read the Richard Osman ones, mainly because I'll do a swap with my dad, and he currently has them.

Tori_Scope

I've also borrowed them all from my dad @Hannah_Scope Though I don't think he has the newest one.