Have just got started on Tom Wolfe's I am Charlotte Simmons [= too early for my cack-handed attempt at any 'reviewage', though ] . However, recent news items + recollections of a relevant terrific TV dramatisation, made me put my name down to borrow David Peace's Red Riding books. But while I'm waiting, Mr Peace's The Damned United is sitting here, waiting to be read

I have not read it but The Bonfire of the Vanities is one of my best ever books. Will be interested in your views on it.

Just finished Jumper, quite a good book considering I hated the movie. One question, who in their right mind thought that Hayden Christiansen was right for the lead? or to paraphrase who exactly did he bl-w to get the role (seems to me the only logical reason to cast him)

Finished "the killing floor" by lee childs. My first book by him and the first book in the Jack Reacher series. I enjoyed this book a lot. There were some bits where you thought, "there was no way you could have known that" - mainly the way he located Hubble. Apart from that, it was a good read.

Moving onto the next book in the eagle series, "the eagle in the sand". Looking forward to this.

Anyone recommend any good crime/thriller books?

Looking Good Dead, by Peter James.
I've not read anything by him before, which I probably should've done, given this is part of a series about detective Grace!
I'm getting into it, nevertheless, and quite liking it (although I think I've sussed what's going to happen!)

I have just rediscovered Herman Wouk Winds of War & War & Rememberance, just so epic, well worth a 2nd, 3rd, read.

Kimberley Chambers- The Schemer

With Love At Christmas Carole Matthews

I Should Have Been At Work! - My Autobiography ---- Des Lynam

Reading "A street cat named Bob " by James Bowen. Fabulous book. Unfortunately not far off finished the book.
I can't praise it highly enough. A must for anyone who loves cats and who enjoy a real heartwarming story. It has been a pleasure reading this book.

Ken Follett's "Fall of Giants"
Superb so far

W D Pereia's Another Eden which is about the human colonisation of another planet. It's little known but it is a favourite of mine.

One of my 'bedside cabinet' books atm, looking forward to it but it looks daunting at 1000 odd pages!

A Night to Remember - Walter Lord

Got it from the library today and halfway through already - compulsive stuff

Is that about the Titanic? I seem to remember it.

Yes, it was written in the 50s and is seen as the definitive account by many.

It was made into a film of the same name.

No, I don't think you're wrong there. That series gets worse as it goes along too.

Currently reading the latest John Connolly - The Wrath of Angels. I love these books, combining gritty crime with other-worldliness. I hope Louis and Angel make an appearance soon.

Bleeding Hearts ~ Ian Rankin

The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 23 ~ edited by Stephen Jones

Brian McGilloway- Borderlands

Oh good, I thought I was becoming a snob!

It makes for superb reading- I'm about 70 pages in so a way to go yet !!!

I have that to read. I read extracts from it in the paper (last year I think). Even from the extracts it was tugging at the heart strings.

I'm currently reading 'Throne of Jade' by Naomi Novik

It's the 2nd book of the Temeraire series. I really enjoyed the first one, it was such an imaginative and charming book. The one I'm reading now however hasn't quite lived up to it. Although still enjoyable.

I'm reading 'Monuments Men' by Robert M Edsel - it's about a group of men and women of the MFAA of the Western Allied Armed Forces in WW2 and after who helped trace confiscated (stolen) by the Nazis works of art and list and secure damaged abbeys, cathedrals etc and monuments at that time. Sounds pretty dry eh? Not so - a good read and strangely enough this would make a good film if one hasn't been made already.

I,Partridge (we need to talk about Alan) by Steve Coogan and others. A hoot!