What are you reading?

[Jeannie's Hunter]

I am just returning a couple of Zadie Smith's books to the library. I tried before to get into them but with no luck. However, I heard her on Desert Island Discs this week and thought that I would give them another go, but they are just obviously nit my thing!
One was White Teeth and the I other was NW. I have Patrick Gale's Rough Music waiting for me, so should enjoy that.

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

[Lesley Martin]

I never got into Zadie Smith either - I failed to finish White Teeth. I'm re-reading Good Omens (Gaimand and Pratchett) for a bit of light relief at the moment after Atwood and Kingsolver, and then there are several new teenage novels published this month which I want to catch up on.

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[glenc]

I am relieved to hear the above. I felt I should be enjoying Zadie Smith (which I don't) since she seems to be a much-vaunted author.  I have tried several times.  Hope you enjoy 'Rough Music' Jeannie.  Don't think I shall be joining you on the teenage novels though Lesley.

We had a book group meeting yesterday at which it was my turn to present.  As I have mentioned, I chose 'The Cleaner of Chartres'.  We had a really interesting discussion.  Everyone loved it apparently but one member (who is ex-social work) felt that Salley Vickers could have expanded the Psychotherapy aspect more, as she did in 'The Other Side of You'.

Our book this month is "The Bookman's Tale".  Again, it has had good reviews but everyone's taste is different.

My friend is presenting that book but at the moment she in is Kenya, of all places!!!!

[Claire Hawes]

Having been slowly sorting through our bookshelves and taking some novels down to the charity bookshop, I have realised I have laods of good books which I have read onceand not gone back to. So this winter I am re-acquainting myself with some of them, and have started with Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy (the current dramatisation on Radio 4 guided my choice!) I am really enjoying Men at Arms, possibly more than I didon first reading about 30 years ago!

[Elspeth Scott]

Gosh, I haven't read Sword of Honour since it was on the BBC with Edward Woodward - must have been in the 60s I think. I've just finished Kate Muir's West Coast, quite a good read but not great literature. Also re-reading the Pern books.

[glenc]

Evelyn Waugh, and 'Sword of Honour' particularly, are favourites.  We have a book for the Reading Group which is 'The Round House, and I am not much keen on reading it to be honest.  I cannot find it in the catalogue at the local library and I don't really want to spend £10 or so on something I will never pick up again.  However, I feel I must buy it because that is the'loyalty' gene kicking in!!

[CarolB was MNKB]

Having to check a few books for work.
I had to listen to
A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway
I enjoyed this book although a little bit boring in places. ( I think the reader if the book does make a difference though.

Jamaica Inn - Daphne du Maurier
I thought I would just Listen to a part of this book. But I was hooked and loved the reader (Tony Britten) so listened it the whole book In a week. I listen at work with headphones whilst doing other work.
It was so tense and gripping.

Now at the moment I am. Listening to
The Fountains of Paradise - Arthur C Clarke
Again I thought just a few tracks to listen to but I have found this interesting and have reached halfway. (Another good voice too)

While on holiday someone gave me a Montalbano book. I wonder when I'll get back to it!!

[Jeannie's]

I love audio books Carol and listen whilst I am gardening, ironing or working in the kitchen. The one I have on at the moment is one of my Scandi writers - Marin Fossum's 'In The Darkness' - absolutely gripping!

Sent from Jeannie's iPod today!

[CarolB was MNKB]

I'll have to look this author up. I wonder if we have any in the Library?

I think I know every book we have and then find we have books and I wasn't aware.
Like we have the first 4 Montalbano books. There are about 17!

[Fran]

I am really keen to introduce some of the classics to the children I read with and have Children of the New Forest to read with the gifted and talented members of year 6 so age 10/11.

Do you think this is a suitable book?  Would welcome your comments.  Thanks.

[Lesley Martin]

Gosh, I remember reading that and I was probably around that age. But I don't think I've read it since and can't remember much about it! I'd be interested to know how you get on.

 

My girls loved E Nesbit when they were around that age - The Treasure Seekers particularly, because it is so funny.

 

Lesley

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[Shaun Finnie]

I'm an audiobook fan too - it's just another way of absorbing literature.
I'm currently listening to "A Touch of Frost" read by David Jason. It's the
first in the series that became the TV detective show.

Shaun

[Claire Hawes]

Yes E Nesbit kept my two entertained but I don't recall ever reading Children of the New Forest either as a child myself or with the boys.

My y6 group at school really enjoyed Treasure Island, but they were all boys and we didn't "just" read it - we created drama, wrote our own pirate stories, did some historical research about pirates and if I'm honest, these were the bits they enjoyed most (only one was a good reader so reading through the story by themselves would have been too difficult for them.) If the children are G&T they should be fine with it

Jack read and adored "The Riddle of the Sands"  by Erskine Childers  when he was in y6.((Read at home, not at school.) Perhaps not a "classic"  book but a ripping yarn! (I remember Jack using the word "expectorate" in a conversation after he' d read it and when I asked him where he'd heard that word he said there was a sentence in the book, "He expectorated noisily" so he 'd looked it up in the dictionary! )

[Jules]

I've read two historical fictions recently, as a direct result of the course.  Both I'd recommend.  The Love Artist, Jane Alison, about the poet Ovid.  Amazing writing - really lyrical - and a quite dark take on what he might have experienced (fictionalised bit).  She gave a seminar on the course, which was awesome (I can't share it, unfortunately), but I really want to read her memoir, themed around jealousy, as her parents swapped partners when she was young, and she grew up in a kind of shadow family…….

The other is The Physik Book of Deliverance Dane, Katherine Howe, about the salem witches - with a twist and a modern context too.  It was very absorbing, but it took me a while to get into it.  A kind of mystery, but the writing is very strong, particularly in the 1680-1692 period.

Next is one about the Plague - haven't yet opened the cover - but my fellow students are posting that they enjoyed it.  I'm so behind!!

[glenc]

The book on Ovid sounds good Julia, is much of his work used to illustrate it?   I keep fancying one of these free courses but have yet to explore the site fully - must try harder.

I have just finished 'The Other Side of You' by Salley Vickers after three attempts.  It was worth it in the end but I would be interested in what others have to say.

[CarolB was MNKB]

Finished listening to Fountains of Paradise today. It was really good. But I felt quite bereft at the end.
Now I have to listen to a children's book. (Review)
It's called : A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean for age 9+ Group. (That's me then!)

[Claire Hawes]

I''m now on the second of the Sword of Honour trilogy, Men At Arms, and I am loving it, much more than when I first read it. It's having a really good effect on me in a surprising way. Because my reading tme is in bed, I'm going to bed earlier so I can read more, and turning off the radio earlier, going to sleep earlier...I feel so much better for having just a half an hour's extra sleep!

[Jean Hunter]

I do try to read in bed Claire, but, usually, about the third page, my eyes start to droop and that's it until 5.45 a.m.! My internal  alarm clock is still working well and I get loads done before Bill is on the go. I've written my Christmas cards and have presents sorted out for posting to London already!

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

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[Fran]

I've just finished reading The Happiest Workplace On Earth by Shaun Finnie.  A really good read, and thanks Shaun, a book I couldn't put down as I wanted to know how it ended!!  If you haven't already read it please do I can highly recommend it.

[Shaun Finnie]

Ah, thank you kindly Fran. That means a lot, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

 

Shaun

 

From: Fran

Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 4:42 PM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: What are you reading?

 

[Jean Hunter]

I have just finished Henning Mankell's last Wallender book A Troubled Man, and the ending was unbelievably poignant - the saddest but believable ending ever. Because of Bill's situation, it made me sob out loud.

I am now going on to read Peter Robinson's Children Of The Revolution then Ian Rankin's latest Rebus novel - I'm so glad to see Rebus resurrected! Both of these, courtesy of the library.

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

[Shaun Finnie]

Among the many, many “how to write” books I’m dipping into at the moment I’m re-reading Gervais Phinn’s ‘The Little Village School’. We have tickets to see him speak at a local theatre next week (five minutes walk from home!).  Looking forwards to that.

 

Shaun

[Lesley Martin]

Shaun, he is hilarious. He used to be President of the School Library Association and his after dinner speeches make me laught till it hurt. A lovely man.

 

Jean, The Troubled Man was the first Wallander I read - I didnt realise it was also the last! As you say, very poignant...and I'm looking forward to the new Rankin too. He's doing an event in Cambridge at the beginning of December and I am really gutted that I can't go!

[Elspeth Scott]

I haven't tried Mankell - is he very bleak?

My copy of Tracey Chevalier's The last runaway has just arrived, so I'm looking forward to starting it this weekend.

[Jean Hunter]

The Wallender books are great Elspeth, but you would have to read them in order. Some of his other books are very difficult to get in to though!

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

> On 15 Nov 2013, at 20:10, Elspeth Scott <elspet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I haven't tried Mankell - is he very bleak?
>
> My copy of Tracey Chevalier's The last runaway has just arrived, so I'm looking forward to starting it this weekend.
>

[CarolB was MNKB]

I am currently listening to "The Grapes of Wrath" and really enjoying it too.
I suspect you real bookies read this years ago.

[Claire Hawes]

I've never read it Carol! maybe ot'sone I need to add to my list.

I have now nearly finished the Sword of Honour trilogy, just a few pages of Unconditonal surrender to go. I find it interesting that the 3 books were published with years between them, yet reading them one after the other feels like it is one big novel. I think having to wait for the next book to come out wiuld have been frustrating.

Not sure what I shall read next, but it will be something off our own bookshelves I think.

[Jeannie's]

Yes, I read it many years ago Carol but enjoyed the film more.
I am currently reading The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. It was a recommended read on a book club and is a cracking read. I think it is a first novel and she will definitely go places!

Sent from Jeannie's iPod today!

On 8 Dec 2013, at 21:27, CarolB was MNKB <carol...@aol.com> wrote:

> I am currently listening to "The Grapes of Wrath" and really enjoying it too.
> I suspect you real bookies read this years ago.
>

[glenc]

Have read 'Grapes of Wrath' and Sword of Honour'.  I enjoyed both and am a particular fan of both authors.  'Sword of Honour' boxed set is currently staring at me as I type this.  Maybe I will give it another outing Claire.

Not heard of your title Jeannie, but you always seem to find unusual authors so I shall look it up.

I have just dug out a couple from the bookcase:  'The Oxford Murders' which is a very good mathematical puzzle, written by an Argentinian Maths Post Grad.  My son booked an evening talk with the author for my birthday (some years ago) but I went down with 'flu or something and was unable to travel down to Oxford for it.  I was disappointed....but the book is good. (The film is ok too).  Short of a bedtime book last night, I have started rereading "Mr Golightly's Holiday" by Salley Vickers.  I think I am enjoying it more than the first time, although I cannot think why since I now know the surprise ending!

[Fran]

Have given up on Children of the New Forest to read with year 6 and will, next term, read War Horse instead.  If anyone has any ideas for some interesting but challenging books for year 6 children I would be really interested in hearing about them.  Thank you.

[Lesley Martin]

Hi Fran, I would recommend the following:

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (there are many other good books by her too)

When Hitler stole pink rabbit by Judith Kerr

The Edge chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (series)

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, and the other Discworld for younger readers books

Larklight series by Philip Reeve

101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith - they will be surprised how much it differs from the film!

The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is lovely for this time of year

Anne Fine and Geraldine McCaughrean also write great books for this age group.

If you happen to have a big public library nearby which still has a children's specialist, you could ask them - or a bookshop with a decent children's section.

I've asked some colleagues who work with younger children for some suggestions too - my specialism is 13+ 

Lesley

Sent from my iPad

Lesley Martin

[Fran]

Lesley that is fantastic, many thanks.

[CarolB was MNKB]

Finished the Grapes of Wrath. Was left bereft at the end and wanted to know how the family get on.

[Elspeth Scott]

Would second all of Lesley's suggestions. You could also try Goodnight, Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian, any of the Wimpy Kid books (perhaps not very challenging but very popular and motivating) and there are several other Michael Morpurgos worth considering.

[Claire Hawes]

Goodnight Mr Tom was done (overdone, in my view) a lot when my boys were in primary school, so your pupils may already have read it, Frances. I read Kensuke's Kingdom, a Michael Morpurgo, with my Y7 class and they quite enjoyed it. I think I'm the only person in the world who finds Morpurgo books a bit too worthy - my failing, not his!

[Fran]

I've done quite a few of Michael Morpurgo's books and the children do seem to enjoy them.  I had actually made up my mind to do War Horse with year 6 next term. They have read Goodnight Mister Tom as they frequently tell me how much they loved it.  Am thinking of the Railway Children as I am keen to include the odd classic from time to time.  Funnily enough I tried Alice in Wonderland with one group who seemed to appreciate the humour but when I tried with another group it went down like a lead balloon.  We have just been given a year 1 child to work with who is so tiny and has the reading age and understanding of an 8 year old - amazing. Thanks all for the suggestions which are really useful.

[glenc]

I am sure this is not appropriate Fran but I thought it interesting.  I was in one of our local book shops today and I overheard a Grandfather getting books for his granddaughter.  She had given him a list..which included 'Swallows and Amazons' and 'Anne of Green Gables'.  Nice to see that the books that I remember from my young days are still popular.

I still love to read  the 'Alice' books.  Here in Oxford (Academic home of Lewis Caroll/Dodgson) they have a wonderful 'Alice' weekend and the children all dress up.  It is lovely.