What are you reading?

The Decameron-Giovanni Boccaccio.  It's going really well.  A lot easier than I expected.  Maybe I just have an awesome translation.  I struggled with some of the texts we read in my mediaeval literature courses, although I came away with some favourites.  This is totally different.  I was expecting Dante and seem to have gotten something else.

I had an absolutely wonderful professor when I read The Decameron; he made the whole thing both hilarious and meaningful.
I picked up the newest Connie Willis Blackout. It's amazing. She's such a great writer. I am worrying DH as he is convinced I will sacrifice shoes and clothes for books in the suitcase. He may be right. Who needs more than flip flops on holiday anyway?

I love Connie Willis - I need to search for more of her books as I've only read a couple.

This thread is causing my library reservation list to grow uncontrollably.

Just started the Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. I'm not quite sure if it's supposed to be an autobiography, or fiction, or a bit of both. But, the writing's good and interesting, so, I'm giving it a chance. Has anyone else read it?

Just started the Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. I'm not quite sure if it's supposed to be an autobiography, or fiction, or a bit of both. But, the writing's good and interesting, so, I'm giving it a chance. Has anyone else read it?

I read that years ago and I remember liking it, but it does keep you guessing like that all the way until the end!

I read that years ago and I remember liking it, but it does keep you guessing like that all the way until the end!

Excellent, thanks!

I have read Life of Pi as well and enjoyed it. As was said, the end makes it a bit more clear.



As for me, just finished reading the new PD James, The Private Patient, and Lorrie Moore, A Gate at the Stairs.  The first was definitely rubbish and the second was pretty rubbish except for some parts. 

I am not terribly picky about books and have never disliked two in a row.  I don't know if I am getting older and just don't want to waste my time on nonsense.  And I was really upset that both of those stunk.

I just picked up My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier.  Got it for my trip across the pond to my brother's wedding.  I am really looking forward to reading it!

I'm re-reading Emma. It's so good.

I'm re-reading Emma. It's so good.

I love Austen, but it took me ages to finally make myself finish Emma, and I have no real desire to re-read it. I just kept wanting to smack Emma for being so nosy/micro-managery, and I couldn't understand why Knightley would fall for her. Plus then her father would say something and I would just put the book down.

The Book Thief - my step-daughter lent it to me.  At first I thought it was rather odd and felt that I might give up but the style changes after about the first 25 to 30 pages and settles down - now I'm really enjoying it.

I picked this up the last time I was at the library and I am really enjoying it! I was hooked immediately!

I love Austen, but it took me ages to finally make myself finish Emma, and I have no real desire to re-read it. I just kept wanting to smack Emma for being so nosy/micro-managery, and I couldn't understand why Knightley would fall for her. Plus then her father would say something and I would just put the book down.

Well, Austen did say of Emma, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like."

Persuasion is my favourite Austen book.  I am a Janeite and really enjoy reading all her books, but I really think that had she lived today, she would have been a screenwriter...her stories translate so well on the screen because she had such a lively sense of humour and irony.

Persuasion is my favourite Austen book. 

Mine too!! (But I'm reading Emma for book club, so I can't choose which Austen it is at the moment.)

Mine too!!

And mine!  I love people who love Persuasion!

And mine!  I love people who love Persuasion!

Count me in as well.  I've never understood why people favor Pride and Prejudice over Persuasion.  But my least favorite is Northanger Abbey.  Catherine needs a good smacking.  Although not nearly as much as the Brontes for hating on Austen in the first place!