What are you reading?

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.  Powerful depiction of life in Afghanistan from a female perspective.  I'm in the middle now, and it's starting to be difficult to continue as the story gets grimmer and grimmer.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.  Not my choice, but was a birthday gift and thought I'd give it a go. 

For my book club, I'm re-reading Scoop by Evelyn Waugh for the umpteenth time. Not that I mind - it's one of my all-time favourites!

'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre. He is a doctor and researcher who writes the regular 'Bad Science' columns in the Guardian. It is very readable even to a non-scientific person like me. He debunks (with extensive proof) a lot of complementary treatments, and devotes an entire chapter to 'Dr' Gillian McKeith.

Couldn't put it down. I didn't know he wrote a regular column though until I read about him. I'll def be reading it now.

Couldn't put it down. I didn't know he wrote a regular column though until I read about him. I'll def be reading it now.

Glad you enjoyed it. I think it should be compulsory reading for anyone who is worried about MMR injections!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.  Powerful depiction of life in Afghanistan from a female perspective.  I'm in the middle now, and it's starting to be difficult to continue as the story gets grimmer and grimmer.

Oh no! I just started this book yesterday, and had to keep looking out of the window to stop myself from crying on the train. I'm not going to be able to read this in public at all.

I'm in the final stages of my Ph.D. program, and I want to submit by Valentine's Day, and with all the activities around the end of term-time pressure has been mounting at an alarming rate over the last few weeks.

Obviously it's time to read the Baroque Cycle.  Three books, 800-odd pages each.

I kill myself sometimes.

Oh no! I just started this book yesterday, and had to keep looking out of the window to stop myself from crying on the train. I'm not going to be able to read this in public at all.

I just finished this a few days ago - although it is grim, it is one of the best books I've read this year, or even ever.  And if you haven't already read The Kite Runner, that is also a fantastic book about Afghanistan.

The Third book in the Twilight Series.  Totally addicted.  I never thought I would be.

Duma Key by Stephen King.

He really is a very good writer.

The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas

Regarding King, he can be an excellent writer, but my main beef with him is that he repeats themes and issues a lot.  When he's writing a sub-par book, it's horrible.  When he's writing something brilliant, it's amazing.

Regarding King, he can be an excellent writer, but my main beef with him is that he repeats themes and issues a lot.  When he's writing a sub-par book, it's horrible.  When he's writing something brilliant, it's amazing.

To me, he's a lot like Margaret Atwood.

She, too, can be shockingly brilliant when she puts her mind to it.

He seems to have put his mind to it this time round.

Bits of Simon Hoggart The Christmas Letters

Thanks again this year, Chary. 

Thanks again this year, Chary. 

 

I just finished this a few days ago - although it is grim, it is one of the best books I've read this year, or even ever.  And if you haven't already read The Kite Runner, that is also a fantastic book about Afghanistan.

I've read both and found The Kite Runner to be far better than A Thousand Splendid Suns...Not sure why now, just remembered that I didn't like it as much.

The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir-quite good if predictable