What are you reading?

I'm reading 'Special Topics in Calamity Physics' by Marisha Pessl.

http://www.calamityphysics.com/main.htm

It's an interesting read although I find it a bit tiring, like the author is trying to hard to be clever.  But I'm into it.

Ayurveda and the Mind by Dr. David Frawley.  Two of my favorite studies in one--holistic medicine and psychology.

I'm on winter break and I just discovered Mary Wesley's novels.  I finished "Part of the Scenery" two days past, and then "Not That Kind of Girl" yesterday. There are several more at the library, so I might have to go on a raid of the fiction racks.

She's really great, a bit like Cold Comfort Farm and I Capture the Castle, but cheerfully aged fifty years.

I'm on winter break and I just discovered Mary Wesley's novels.  I finished "Part of the Scenery" two days past, and then "Not That Kind of Girl" yesterday. There are several more at the library, so I might have to go on a raid of the fiction racks.

She's really great, a bit like Cold Comfort Farm and I Capture the Castle, but cheerfully aged fifty years.

That sounds great! Cold Comfort Farm and I Capture the Castle are two of my favourites! I have two Mary Wesleys on my bookshelf that I've never read, so I might have to give them a go. Thanks for the recommendation, therani! (The two I have are A Sensible Life and The Vacillations of Poppy Carew - have you read either of them?)

The Book of Dave- Will Self.  So far it's a bit tough to get through because one of the book's timelines is written in a future dialect based half upon a book written by a modern London cabbie and half upon text messaging.  It's worth it so far.

The Book of Dave- Will Self.  So far it's a bit tough to get through because one of the book's timelines is written in a future dialect based half upon a book written by a modern London cabbie and half upon text messaging.  It's worth it so far.

I struggled with that one and eventually gave it up. I heard Will Self read from it at the Hay Festival, though, and it really inspired me to pick it up - even though the passage he read was VERY DISTURBING (I won't say any more in case you haven't got to that bit yet ... and maybe you won't find it as disturbing as I did, anyway). But I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try the book again just yet.

I struggled with that one and eventually gave it up. I heard Will Self read from it at the Hay Festival, though, and it really inspired me to pick it up - even though the passage he read was VERY DISTURBING (I won't say any more in case you haven't got to that bit yet ... and maybe you won't find it as disturbing as I did, anyway). But I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try the book again just yet.

There was a pretty disturbing scene right in the first section.  I don't know if it was what you are talking about, but when I read it last night, it made me warn Mr. Moggs that he might not want to read it after I am done.

I love visiting my parents: it gives me lots of time to read.

I just finished The Careful Use of Compliments by McCall Smith and The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde (I loved the Thursday Next series but I think The Nursery Crimes one is even better!)

Right now I'm switching between Walter Isaacson's biography of Einstein and The Yiddish Policemen's Union.

The two I have are A Sensible Life and The Vacillations of Poppy Carew - have you read either of them?

Give me three days and I'll let you know if I liked them I thought I wouldn't enjoy "Not That Kind of Girl" since it's written about a pensioner and I didn't know that I would relate, but her style is very cheery and engrossing, there's emotion but she doesn't dwell on it interminably like some fiction I've read (ten pages for the heroine to get out of bed. Please.)

The humour reminds me a bit of Wodehouse (dry, clever), and the settings are usually pre/post-WWII. Definitely read them when you get a chance!

I settled on Three Men on the Bummel, and it's hilarious! 

Just finished Ugly by Constance Briscoe. God, it was heavy and depressing! I never would have finished it if I hadnt of known that she triumphs at the end.... Her mother was truly a monster. 

Nancy Mitford's Love in a Cold Climate.

Christmas Books!!  Yay!   

I mean books I got for Christmas, not books about Christmas.  A few pages of this, a few pages of that.  Gaa!  Can't read them all at once, must decide.

At Large and At Small, Confessions of a Literary Hedonist - Anne Fadiman (most excellent already)

Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks

The Famished Road - Ben Okri

Tales from the Teacher's Lounge - Robert Wilder

Audio Book - Dylan Thomas reading his poetry and other works.  (Have already listened to "A Child's Christmas in Wales" on our Christmas morning drive down to Devon  )

Audio Book - Dylan Thomas reading his poetry and other works.  (Have already listened to "A Child's Christmas in Wales" on our Christmas morning drive down to Devon  )

I have that! Isn't it lovely! I listen to it every Christmas. What a voice!

If you read Human Traces, let me know what you think. I've always really liked Sebastian Faulks, but this one didn't do it for me.

I'm reading Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M. Forster.

Coming home by Rosamunde Pilcher for like the millionth time.  Total girly comfort book with a hot cup of tea.