What are you reading?

Och well, what can you expect from someone as petty and ill-informed as myself!   

Back to the topic, folks?

I'm now reading 'How We Lived Then: A History of Everyday Life During the Second World War'. 

Thanks for getting us back on track!

I'm reading "The Sleeping Beauty" by Elizabeth Taylor ... no, not that Elizabeth Taylor!

Currently reading a variety of British-based books:

* Anne De Courcy’s 1939: The Last Season
* Roger Scruton’s On Hunting
* Miranda Carter’s biography of Anthony Blunt (was inspired to this by watching the BBC DVD Cambridge Spies that you could buy for about £3 when buying the Times recently)
* David Cannadine’s The Rise and Fall of Class in Britain (I think I’ll systematically read all of his books, they’re really fascinating analysis of Britain in particular and the western world in general.)

And, of course, miscellaneous Wodehouse stories.  (Actually I’ve set a goal this year, to read a short story by Wodehouse, Fitzgerald, and Cheever each every week, as well as a novel and a nonfiction book each fortnight).

I also just bought Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty, the winner of the 2004 Booker Prize.  Has anyone read it yet?

I’m putting together some Top Ten lists for Amazon.co.uk’s ‘list mania’ on ‘Top Ten Books to Entertain and Elucidate an American Moving to England (Fiction)’ and a second list that’s non-fiction  -- and I’m curious what others at UK-Yankee would nominate.  What is your “must read” eye-opener on England?

     ~ Mark

I'm reading The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein.  I'm on a Young Adult kick as I am taking a YA writing course. I read Are you there God it's Me Margaret on Monday.  I love Judy Blume!!!!

I also just bought Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty, the winner of the 2004 Booker Prize.  Has anyone read it yet?

I've read it, Mark. I thought it was OK ... but maybe not Booker-worthy. Just my take. I've read a couple of the other books that were shortlisted for the 2004 prize and preferred them -- the one about Henry James was particularly good.

I love Wodehouse, too! I'd definitely include one of his on your UK reading list. I'd also add "The Queen and I" by Sue Townsend -- satirical novel about what happens when the royals fall on hard times and have to move to a council estate. Very funny!

I love Wodehouse, too! I'd definitely include one of his on your UK reading list.

Wodehouse is simply top-hole.  First selection on any list. Ah, but which to choose?  He wrote, what, ninety-eight books?  Having read abouthalf of them, my personal favourite is Psmith in the City...but I think if pressed for a single volume I’d succumb to the recently published What Ho! The Best of P. G. Wodehouse, with Stephen Fry’s loving introduction.  Spiffing stuff all around, and (speaking as a former schoolmaster) it contains my favourite story, “Gussie Presents the Prizes” in which an unwittingly drunk Gussie Finknottle is called upon to officiate the Market Snodsbury Grammar School end of year prize giving.

but I think if pressed for a single volume I’d succumb to the recently published What Ho! The Best of P. G. Wodehouse, with Stephen Fry’s loving introduction.  Spiffing stuff all around, and (speaking as a former schoolmaster) it contains my favourite story, “Gussie Presents the Prizes” in which an unwittingly drunk Gussie Finknottle is called upon to officiate the Market Snodsbury Grammar School end of year prize giving.

I own "What Ho!" and it is great! Good starting place for people new to the UK ... or new to Wodehouse.

I'd also add "The Queen and I" by Sue Townsend -- satirical novel about what happens when the royals fall on hard times and have to move to a council estate. Very funny!

I read that on holiday last summer... it was good!

'No Greater Love' by Mother Theresa

I'm halfway through Rupert Brown's Group Processes which is a comprehensvie narrative of how group behaviour influences our lives. From how we function within groups to how our identity is bound up in the groups we belong to, the scholarly detail is brilliant.  Brown facilitates understanding of group dynamics in a clear, definitive way - it's a must for understanding the group mentality, and especially for learning (whether at home, at work or at play!) to deal with difficult or severe personalities.

I'd highly recommend this book.


edited to add a  lackadaisical gerund

I'm currently reading two books at the same time.  Because. I. am. a. lunatic.

Perdita - The life of Mary Robinson by Paula Byrne

and

The Black Company by Glen Cook

Perdita - The life of Mary Robinson by Paula Byrne

That's on my list of books to read! Let me know how it is, OK?

I'm currently reading two books at the same time.  Because. I. am. a. lunatic.

Perdita - The life of Mary Robinson by Paula Byrne

and

The Black Company by Glen Cook

I read Perdita- The life of Mary Robinson! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
I just recently finished rereading (for the umpteenth time) the Northern Lights trilogy by Philip Pullman- I really love those books (first one especially)!

I'm currently on a crime kick. I just finished an advanced copy of Karin Slaughter's new one called Faithless. I'm really never disappointed with her books (although I occasionally think "Whoa- that was too much gorey information, thanks")  I'm now reading another promo copy --- Kathy Reichs Cross Bones

I'm debating whether or not I'm going to reread Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix before the new one comes out on July 16th....


Some people have a vast and varied social life. I think I just READ! 

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife.  Just adored it!  Very sweet, sentimental book.   

The Rule of Four