Read any good books? Reviews welcomed

I find books like that heart breaking. I cannot watch films with bad endings (tragic or with cruel content) more than once and hate gangster books and films. I think I immerse myself in history because I can disconnect from the violence of the times, but when I read or see that stuff going on today it makes me so depressed and upset at man's inhumanity to man.

To me, the second world war is not history as I was born too close to the end of it but I know my granddaughter learned about it in history at school. They don't seem to teach anything pre Victorian these days, but I can understand why.

I absolutely loved that book!

I loved that book! Are you enjoying it?

My ex husband was in the navy when my boys were born and he was away for 9 months with the first and 6 with the second. In a way (despite missing him dreadfully) it was such a lovely time and I was able to devote myself to the children and not worry about ironing shirts, cooking dinners etc. I soon had a good routine going until he came home and wrecked it lol! But reading time was plentiful.

But I digress, I have devoured books since childhood and always have one on the go. I used to love the Nancy Drew mysteries, the Dimsie books, all the children's classics like Black Beauty, Lorna Doone before working my way through loads of Georgette Heyer, Dennis Wheatley, a few Dickens. I am a terrible romantic and books are my escape as I certainly cannot find romance in the real world!

Anyway if this gets any more comments (doesn't seem to be many readers on here) you can still see what we are up to and make a future reading list and join in. Your input is always sensible and welcome.

Lynibis I have loved books since I was a child! I use to devour them! I would read anything and everything! I also love romance novels!

The last book I read was called Where's Spot? Spoiler alert he is under the rug! I do love reading to my son! He loves looking at the pictures and feeling the pages and on occasion turning the pages over.

He has a routine but due to his heart condition he doesn't sleep well and when he is teething or going through a growth spurt it is even worse. He can be up every hour at night! So the free time I have is spent sleeping!

But I like the idea of building up a future reading list. There might be some books mentioned that I have read, so I can offer my opinion on those.

MrsCraig oh yes, please do. When I have finished Lionheart I will be starting a trilogy recommended by angemski.

I can see why your spare time is spent catching some zzzzz's and I hope the prognosis for your son is good. I am sure he will be an avid reader too.

When you do get a bit of time give us a review of the last really good book you enjoyed x

Lynibis he needs a major operation but will be fine after he recovers. Well he won't be allowed to play many sports so reading will be a good pastime for him! X

MrsCraig ah bless his little cotton socks, as the older generation used to say. So glad the future looks good for his health once you have got over the final hurdle.

Lynibis thank you. He is such a wee fighter and to look at him you wouldn't know there was anything wrong. He is such a wee star

Lol that made me laugh. I may have to read them all again before number 9 is published, something about telling the bees I have gone. But do come back before you read someone else and give everyone a review of Outlander. I am sure lots of people would enjoy them.

angemski I am well into the first book of the Thomas Hookton series, Hellequin. I can see the similarities with Masters of War and am enjoying it very much. I like Bernard Cornwell's style of writing.

Lynibis I am so glad you're giving it a try and enjoying it. I really enjoy Bernard Cornwell's style - he is very easy to read. Look forward to your review of the book so we can compare notes.

Look forward to you telling us about it Jamala, it is one I have never read but I have seen snippets of films.

Lynibis Anne of Green Gables is set in Canada in the early 1900's, this is the story of a shy brother and his no nonsense sister who decide to adopt a boy to help on the farm and end up with a skinny red headed girl with a wonderful imagination and lust for life. The story follows her life from 11 yrs to 16 yrs and her exploits ... getting her best friend drunk, dyeing her hair green and having to be rescued from the river by her nemesis Gilbert. It is a children's classic, but I enjoyed it very much as an adult.

Jamala sounds good. Have you ever read Heidi? It is also a children's classic but can be enjoyed by adults. Also Louisa M Alcott's Little Women series which includes Good Wives, Jo's Boys and Little Men?

Lynibis I have read all of those but many moons ago so it would be nice to revisit them. Now reading Tom Clancy Executive Orders. Although I knew of Tom Clancy, I had never read any of his books until the end of last year but am now working my way through the Jack Ryan series

All books count lol. Certainly isn't my cup of tea but it will be for many others. I think you will have to be careful with your review though. LD robots may have a field day!

I liked the 50 shades books more than i thought i would...but hated the films!

They were 3 books I couldn’t put down.

Yes, it is hard to squeeze a book or series of books into a film so always good to fill in the detail. I find it hard to watch films of the teen variety so would therefore not bother with the books. But we all are different ages and have different tastes so again, look forward to you review when you have finished.

With those,other way round.liked the films,the books not so much....

Sounds fantastic. This sounds just like the sort of book my Dad would love, so will have to suggest it to him. Now he has retired he spends his time gardening, golfing and reading.

MrsCraig the second one is even better. Until I read it I had no idea that Richard was held for ransom for such a long time, that he spent only 10 months of his 10 year reign in England or that he died as a result of bad luck after so many battlefield near misses.

Lynibis I knew that as I studied it at uni, but was shocked when I first learnt about it. There was a programme about him last year, think it was channel 5, my husband and I watched it, it was fascinating. Will definitely mention both of these books to dad. He is where I get my love of reading and my love of history from.

I can remember trying a Kate Mosse many years ago and not getting on with it, don't think it was Labyrinth though. I know she is a well respected author so I must give her another go now my tastes have matured bookwise. I will download a sample on kindle.

Lynibis It was a situation where someone falls back in time. Some heavy duty history - set in Carcassonne with Crusaders and the Holy Grail.

angemski will deffo try that. Time travel and history!

I must agree about all the war stuff, it was very heavy going. I nearly gave up on Drums of Autumn as I do find she loses her way sometimes. I am finding the same with the Grail trilogy of Bernard Cornwell. Pages and pages and pages of battle descriptions with a bit of story in between and even half way in to the second book I do not feel any connection with the characters and cannot visualise them. I think personally that Masters of War, while similar, was a better read as I really identified with the characters and cared what happened to them.

Not heard of Lisa Gardner, what does she write about to induce this jealousy lol!

Lynibis I think I'm more envious that he is enjoying his reads and he is getting through them quickly and proving the point. Lisa Gardner, I'm told, is a American crime writer - these are based on the Boston Police Dept. It's not really my genre but he bought one half price at Asda and seems a little hooked. (friend recommended) Having said that I do l enjoy the occasional James Patterson read - short but full chapters that can be put down and picked up at any time without losing the plot. I have to agree with your opinion of Masters of War - a good read.

Come back and tell us about it when you have finished. The love story in Outlander is what made me continue to read and it has been transposed to screen really well.

angemski this seemed the best place to let you know (if you liked and are interested) that a new Masters of War book by David Gilman is ready to pre-order on kindle but it is not out until next February. I can't wait.

What are you presently reading? I have recently finished my second read of The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Penman. Better second time round. Currently struggling through The Templars by my favourite historian, Dan Jones. Interesting but not an easy read as I must admit I like the fictional aspect of my usual historical novels. Going once more to Winchester in November to see and hear Dan, Sam Willis and Alison Weir.

Lynibis Thank you - will definitely be looking out for that one. I have been a bit lost lately with quality books - I've even stooped to some, what a librarian friend of mine calls, bodice rippers. Not quite that bad but some pretty bland Georgian tales. I usually find this is the norm when the weather is good and I tend to listen to music in the garden as reading is a 'slippery sunglasses and much face wafting' affair. I can't seem to settle on a good book until I've had my fill of fresh air. (not sun!) I think that comes from being a winter hater and trying to make the most of the daylight hours. Update on the gazebo with feathered squatters - the ribboned door curtains worked a treat and haven't had a repeat invasion all summer. This has allowed evening meals outside as well so no time for reading. I will soon start to get some serious titles ready for the dark days.

I saw her name crop up when going through books on kindle yesterday. I am not into fantasy at all but love real history with a fictional story woven into it. I am a history geek and can't seem to enjoy anything else, pure escapism.

angemski thanks for that, it sounds great, especially Hugh Jackman!

I am almost at end of book 6 in the Masters of War (Thomas Blackstone) series and David Gilman has certainly kept up the gripping narrative.