Finished Karen Joy Fowler's 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves'. Beautifully written full of humour and err.. monkey buisness
I purchased this on my kindle through recommendations from many friends, whose opinion I trust. It was the biggest pile of lame, meandering and thinly plotted drivel I've read in a long time. The characters were mainly hateful and to me it read like someone who has a strong interest in and has possibly studied animal psychology trying to write a story round it. It just didn't work. I couldn't bear it, sorry.
Have started 'The Plantagenets' by Dan Jones. I wanted to learn more about this era as am shaky with my knowledge of the eras from Henry I up to Richard II. I heard that it wasn't like a dull history book and is indeed very involving and readable. From Amazon:
This brilliant new book explores the lives of eight generations of the greatest kings and queens that this country has ever seen, and the worst. The Plantagenets – their story is the story of Britain.
England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to become a highly organised kingdom that spanned a vast expanse of Europe. Plantagenet rule saw the establishment of laws and creation of artworks, monuments and tombs which survive to this day, and continue to speak of their sophistication, brutality and secrets.
Dan Jones brings you a new vision of this battle-scarred history. From the Crusades, to King John’s humbling over Magna Carta and the tragic reign of the last Plantagenet, Richard II – this is a blow-by-blow account of England’s most thrilling age.
Having read 4 in a row of the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, I've decided to take a break and read something completely different before I start the last 2, so I've started The Lord God made Them All by James Herriott.
Finished The Cuckoo's Calling yesterday by Robert Galbraith. Now onto the Silkworm, the 2nd Cormoran Strike book. I've had these on my kindle for almost a year now and only just fancied reading them. I really enjoyed the first one.
The Quiet Game - Greg Iles
Legal thriller about a celebrated lawyer/author who returns to his home town in Mississippi to solve a thirty year old murder.
Great storytelling and many diverse characters to keep you hooked.
Is that good? I enjoyed "Gone Girl" and I have "Dark Places" on my "To read..." list.
I struggled to get into it but then there were times once I had that I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure it will be one I re-read but it is worth a go if you can get it at a reasonable price 😊
Comments
Hi Smithy,
I have yet to get to Stolen Child but saw your later suggestion of From The Cradle - i really want to get that now too
It is encouraging as we seem to have somewhat similar taste!
I have started Girl on the Train recently, i'm liking it so far. Had to find out what all the hype is about
Book 1 in the Empire series of Roman novels set around Hadrians Wall
I purchased this on my kindle through recommendations from many friends, whose opinion I trust. It was the biggest pile of lame, meandering and thinly plotted drivel I've read in a long time. The characters were mainly hateful and to me it read like someone who has a strong interest in and has possibly studied animal psychology trying to write a story round it. It just didn't work. I couldn't bear it, sorry.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plantagenets-Dan-Jones/dp/0007213948/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427550581&sr=1-1&keywords=the+plantagenets+by+dan+jones
At some stage I want to read the sequel also by Jones which is 'The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses and the Rise of the Tudors'.
We definitely have similar taste - I have Girl on the Train on my Amazon want-to-read list for the same reason!
I'm about halfway through From the Cradle now and still enjoying it.
I read this recently too - what do you think of it?
I'm halfway through, quite liking it. He reminds me of Thorne
Did you like it?
Legal thriller about a celebrated lawyer/author who returns to his home town in Mississippi to solve a thirty year old murder.
Great storytelling and many diverse characters to keep you hooked.
I have, however already seen the film.
That's on my to read shelf, the first one - A Foreign Country - is great
Is that good? I enjoyed "Gone Girl" and I have "Dark Places" on my "To read..." list.
I struggled to get into it but then there were times once I had that I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure it will be one I re-read but it is worth a go if you can get it at a reasonable price 😊