Likewise!

It's too early for me to form any strong opinions, but I'd be interested to share our thoughts once I've finished

'Winter in Madrid' by CJ Sansom. It's OK, but not really my cup of tea, as I'm not overly interested in all the political history (Spanish civil war and WW2) which is a big focus of the book. Not sure if I'll finish it.

It's really only a stopgap till my reserved audio copy of 'Heartstone' is ready to pick up.

I'm also reading 'Every Hand Revealed' by poker pro Gus Hansen, in which he analyses every hand he played in the Aussie Millions tournament 2007 (which he won). Definitely only of interest to serious poker enthusiasts, but if you are one of those (and I am) it's very readable. Quite interesting to get inside the mind of one of the top poker players in the world.

Halfway to the Grave - Jeaniene Frost

I'm trying to read some older books for a change, and I've just started Bram Stoker's Dracula. I'm about 3 chapters in and am finding it quite hard going. Anybody else read it and can advise if it gets more exciting?

Reading 1984 atm, really really enjoying it.

When One Door Closes by Peter Sissons,

Certainly - I'll wait til you've finished reading Sid

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson

I really enjoyed Dracula, but can't remember if I found it hard at the start.

Persevere (sp?) it is really easy once you get into it. One of the things to look out for is the role reversal and the sexual imagery (think vampirism/sucking blood as a metaphor for sex) - once you start seeing it it's everywhere - particularly of note for me are Jonathan Harker swooning when the vampire women act like sexual predators and the thrusting and pounding and thrusting and thrusting when they kill one of the vampires later in the book

Its a typical dark gothic novel, you either love the style or don't. Stick with it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


I'm currently reading Kenneth Williams biography.

Just to echo other comments, do persevere with Stoker if you can It will be well worth it.

Though, I do warn you It's a gateway book and can lead to darker tomes.

Hit a bit of an impasse with Doomby And Son. Been on Page 600ish for about two months now...very unusual for me.

Finished Queuing for Beginners, social historian Joe Moran's study of the minutiae of every day life .. from breakfast dow the ages to changes in sleeping habit .. it an encyclopaedia of interesting facts

In The Woods - Tana North

and I have "The Likeness" also by Tana French on my next to read list, I'd picked them up from a charity shop, anybody read either?

Thanks for all the "Dracula" advice guys. I have new enthusiasm.

Thanks newkid. I think I'll try So Many Ways To Begin next - any book described as beautiful and touching is definately worth a look.

So true about McGregor's realistic portrayal of the desperation of addiction and he's never patronising with it. Great writer. So glad I picked up Even The Dogs.

I've read The Likeness and really enjoyed it. I haven't read Into The Woods, but from what I can gather, parts of that story are mentioned and have an impact in The Likeness.

Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison

I read the first one, I quite liked it, I really can't say any more until you finish it, as I would hate to ruin your expectation of it!

Stephen Booth- The Kill Call

Thanks to you both, I am quite enjoying Into the Woods, and now look forward to The Likeness

I'm reading Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte, at the moment. I finished Fall of Giants - Ken Follett last week and found it very enjoyable.

Jo Nesbo 'The Snowman' - I am half way through and still can't quite decide if I am enjoying it or not

Harvest - Tess Gerritsen

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, I started it last year, but had not read Oryx & Crake so decided to shelve it, SO glad I did as it makes more sense so far knowing the context etc