I just finished Rupture by Simon Lelic. Following the aftermath of a school shooting (UK based) it made me cry. Was a fantastic novel. Just started Pariah by David Jackson. Really good so far, a bit Coben esque and the writing is great.
What are you reading at the moment? (Part 4)
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Now just onto Tidal by Emily Snow. I'm getting really into the YA/NA genre, although not the best written books it's good escapism!
Originally Posted by D2BD:
“We need to talk about Kevin.....I have found this book very hard going and at times it is an effort to continue reading. I am hopeful that the story will pick up soon and hold my attention for longer. It is probably the longest time it has ever taken me to read a book.....
That neither nature nor nurture bears exclusive responsibility for a child's character is self-evident. But such generalizations provide cold comfort when it's your own son who's just opened fire on his fellow students and whose class photograph--with its unseemly grin--is blown up on the national news. The question of who's to blame for teenage atrocity tortures our narrator, Eva Khatchadourian. Two years ago, her son, Kevin, murdered seven of his fellow high-school students, a cafeteria worker, and a popular algebra teacher. Because he was only fifteen at the time of the killings, he received a lenient sentence and is now in a prison for young offenders in upstate New York. Telling the story of Kevin's upbringing, Eva addresses herself to her estranged husband through a series of letters. Fearing that her own shortcomings may have shaped what her son has become, she confesses to a deep, long-standing ambivalence about both motherhood in general and Kevin in particular. How much is her fault? We Need to Talk About Kevin offers no pat explanations for why so many white, well-to-do adolescents--whether in Pearl, Paducah, Springfield, or Littleton--have gone nihilistically off the rails while growing up in suburban comfort. Instead, Lionel Shriver tells a compelling, absorbing, and resonant story while framing these horrifying tableaux of teenage carnage as metaphors for the larger tragedy--the tragedy of a country where everything works, nobody starves, and anything can be bought but a sense of purpose.”
“We need to talk about Kevin.....I have found this book very hard going and at times it is an effort to continue reading. I am hopeful that the story will pick up soon and hold my attention for longer. It is probably the longest time it has ever taken me to read a book.....
That neither nature nor nurture bears exclusive responsibility for a child's character is self-evident. But such generalizations provide cold comfort when it's your own son who's just opened fire on his fellow students and whose class photograph--with its unseemly grin--is blown up on the national news. The question of who's to blame for teenage atrocity tortures our narrator, Eva Khatchadourian. Two years ago, her son, Kevin, murdered seven of his fellow high-school students, a cafeteria worker, and a popular algebra teacher. Because he was only fifteen at the time of the killings, he received a lenient sentence and is now in a prison for young offenders in upstate New York. Telling the story of Kevin's upbringing, Eva addresses herself to her estranged husband through a series of letters. Fearing that her own shortcomings may have shaped what her son has become, she confesses to a deep, long-standing ambivalence about both motherhood in general and Kevin in particular. How much is her fault? We Need to Talk About Kevin offers no pat explanations for why so many white, well-to-do adolescents--whether in Pearl, Paducah, Springfield, or Littleton--have gone nihilistically off the rails while growing up in suburban comfort. Instead, Lionel Shriver tells a compelling, absorbing, and resonant story while framing these horrifying tableaux of teenage carnage as metaphors for the larger tragedy--the tragedy of a country where everything works, nobody starves, and anything can be bought but a sense of purpose.”
I read this book in two sittings and it stayed with me for a long long time. I couldn't put it down !
Originally Posted by Lizzy11268:
“I just finished Rupture by Simon Lelic. Following the aftermath of a school shooting (UK based) it made me cry. Was a fantastic novel. Just started Pariah by David Jackson. Really good so far, a bit Coben esque and the writing is great.”
“I just finished Rupture by Simon Lelic. Following the aftermath of a school shooting (UK based) it made me cry. Was a fantastic novel. Just started Pariah by David Jackson. Really good so far, a bit Coben esque and the writing is great.”
Just bought Pariah. I thought looking at reviews it wouldn`t stay at 95p for long. Made that mistake before not getting books when they were cheap.
Safe House - Chris Ewan
Great read.
Exciting, entertaining but brutal.
I liked the way the hero was just ordinary, beginning the story by repairing a boiler, then getting mixed up with a blonde in a near fatal motor cycle accident, and as nobody claims to have seen
her, when he asks about her, he sets about tracing her.
The Isle of Man location added depth to the story, and I loved Rob's relationship with his dog and his grandfather.
Great read.
Exciting, entertaining but brutal.
I liked the way the hero was just ordinary, beginning the story by repairing a boiler, then getting mixed up with a blonde in a near fatal motor cycle accident, and as nobody claims to have seen
her, when he asks about her, he sets about tracing her.
The Isle of Man location added depth to the story, and I loved Rob's relationship with his dog and his grandfather.
The Eerie Silence: Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence by Paul Davies. He explores the scientific quest for extraterrestrial life, showing how the current efforts of SETI are limited in nature and he suggests other ways to look for ET.
Originally Posted by MissMusique:
“Yes you did! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! My aunts just started reading it too and is finding it pretty addictive!
I started Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green last night- it's written from the POV of Budo, little Max's imaginary friend. About 40% through and it's very endearing and captivating so far!”
“Yes you did! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! My aunts just started reading it too and is finding it pretty addictive!
I started Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green last night- it's written from the POV of Budo, little Max's imaginary friend. About 40% through and it's very endearing and captivating so far!”
Finished Gone Girl yesterday. One of those books that I read so quickly as I love it, on the other hand I want to read slower as I don't want them to finish. I did really like it, although maybe a 'happier' ending would've satisfied me more, I would've liked to have seen someone get their just desserts as it were (trying not to give away spoilers here).
Just started The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney; seems OK so far, although I'm not 'hooked' yet.
Originally Posted by Button62:
“I read this book in two sittings and it stayed with me for a long long time. I couldn't put it down !”
“I read this book in two sittings and it stayed with me for a long long time. I couldn't put it down !”
Me too, loved the book, and didn't guess the twist at the end, which is always good. I was disappointed to see that the author's other book (can't remember the name of it) got really bad reviews.
Just finished Reckless by S C Stephens. Book is the final in a trilogy. Fabulous books by a fabulous writer of her genre.
Originally Posted by lesleyanne:
“Finished Gone Girl yesterday. One of those books that I read so quickly as I love it, on the other hand I want to read slower as I don't want them to finish. I did really like it, although maybe a 'happier' ending would've satisfied me more, I would've liked to have seen someone get their just desserts as it were (trying not to give away spoilers here).
Just started The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney; seems OK so far, although I'm not 'hooked' yet.”
“Finished Gone Girl yesterday. One of those books that I read so quickly as I love it, on the other hand I want to read slower as I don't want them to finish. I did really like it, although maybe a 'happier' ending would've satisfied me more, I would've liked to have seen someone get their just desserts as it were (trying not to give away spoilers here).
Just started The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney; seems OK so far, although I'm not 'hooked' yet.”
I know what you mean! As I got closer to the ending, I had no idea how it could end - there didn't seem a way out for me! Glad you enjoyed it! I think I'll reread it at some point, but at a slower pace seeing as I know what happens now, and then I can fully appreciate it!
I'm reading Losing It by Cora Carmack now, its ok so far, nothing amazing.
Originally Posted by Tiron:
“Just finished Reckless by S C Stephens. Book is the final in a trilogy. Fabulous books by a fabulous writer of her genre.”
“Just finished Reckless by S C Stephens. Book is the final in a trilogy. Fabulous books by a fabulous writer of her genre.”
An waiting for payday to get this book, cannot wait!
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. Sharply observant, beautifully spun-out cream and silvery sentences. Interestingly, 'would of' in the dialogue is used to undermine certain would-be sophisticates.
Originally Posted by dymafi:
“Finished "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce .. and an unlikely good read it turned out to be .. humorous and poignant as the story of Harold Maureen and Queenie is revealed along the 600+ mile trek from Dorset to Berwick-upon-Tweed.”
“Finished "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce .. and an unlikely good read it turned out to be .. humorous and poignant as the story of Harold Maureen and Queenie is revealed along the 600+ mile trek from Dorset to Berwick-upon-Tweed.”
This is on my too read list, glad you enjoyed it....
I am reading Capital by John Lanchester and I am really enjoying it. The way in interves the stories of his various characters is brillant. I love that he makes me want to know what will happen to them next..
Everything by David Mitchell! I saw the
film of Cloud Atlas recently and had, as
a coincidence just got the book as a gift
from one of my sons.Loved the film,so
immediately read the book.
Now working through the other four books
in publication order!
film of Cloud Atlas recently and had, as
a coincidence just got the book as a gift
from one of my sons.Loved the film,so
immediately read the book.
Now working through the other four books
in publication order!
Finished "Watching the Dark" the latest DI Banks. One of the best so far even though its largely based in Estonia.
Originally Posted by crazysusan:
“This is on my too read list, glad you enjoyed it....
I am reading Capital by John Lanchester and I am really enjoying it. The way in interves the stories of his various characters is brillant. I love that he makes me want to know what will happen to them next..”
“This is on my too read list, glad you enjoyed it....
I am reading Capital by John Lanchester and I am really enjoying it. The way in interves the stories of his various characters is brillant. I love that he makes me want to know what will happen to them next..
”
As it happens I've just started Capital . we can compare notes when we have finished!
My new audio book is The Wine of Angels by Phil Rickman, read by Rebecca Lacey. It's the first in a series of books featuring Merrily Watkins, the newly appointed priest in charge of the parish of Ledwardine, Herefordshire. There are sinister goings on in the picture postcard village. Quite good so far.
I'm still reading The Gathering Night by Margaret Elphinstone. Set about 8000 years ago, it's well written and obviously well researched. I'm nearly halfway through and am finding it a bit dull really. Hopefully it'll get going soon.
I'm still reading The Gathering Night by Margaret Elphinstone. Set about 8000 years ago, it's well written and obviously well researched. I'm nearly halfway through and am finding it a bit dull really. Hopefully it'll get going soon.
Empire Of The Sun.
Having to ration myself (oh the irony!) with it, because I'm enjoying it so much.
Only got two left from my pile that I bought the other week- The Buddha Of Suburbia & Hangover Square, so I need to get hunting for my next set.
Having to ration myself (oh the irony!) with it, because I'm enjoying it so much.
Only got two left from my pile that I bought the other week- The Buddha Of Suburbia & Hangover Square, so I need to get hunting for my next set.
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