Woman in the 5th

[rana]

The great war for civilisation, by Robert Fisk. A self opinionated, self centred journo, but a very good read indeed, he also wrote one of my 3 fave books ever, Pity the nation

Got to agree about your views on Fisk but his experience of middle/near eastern political, religious and social issues over many decades is unparalleled.

[bobleponge]

Consider yourself Hurrummpphheedd Rana. The guys knowledge base is awesome, but very much a question of I love me, who do you love?

[Incy]

I am thoroughly enjoying 'Shelters of Stone' by Jean M Auel for the second or third time. There are not many books I can re-read but the Earth's Children series are fab (in my opinion anyhoo)

I love that series, must have read it half a dozen times.

Hey Incy, check out Bernard Cornwell - he does good historical stuff in my opinion. I'm just reading the Grail quest triology (which is absolutely nothing like the Dan Brown stuff thankgoodness), we talking gritty fights between France / England, England / Scotland, mud, swords, arrows, blood, not looking for the Grail, a bit of kissy kissy and politics thrown in.

Recently read the Bernard Cornwell series about King Alfred. Recommended for my OH by a friend who described it as a 'boys book' pish tush... ripping good yarn if you ask me, finished the whole series in a few days.

Incy, try 'The Tenderness of Wolves' by Stef Penney. Set in 1860's Canada, but the author is British, so no annoying and distracting spelling 'mistakes'. It can't seem to make it's mind up whether it's a murder mystery or a love story (neither genre I'm particularly fond of) But I loved it.
Just about anything by Sebastian Faulk, Especially, 'Birdsong', 'The Girl at the Lyon D'Or,' and 'Charlotte Grey'. Sort of a trilogy...but not. Covers the years just prior to WWI until late WWII And the writing is beautiful.
For more recent history one of my all time favourite books is 'The Poisonwood Bible', by Barbara Kingsolver. Now she IS American, drops Us all over the place and talks about Betty Crocker cake mixes, but I've decided not to hold it against her.
Also, another all time favourite is 'The Shipping News' by Annie Proulx, Not really historical, but set in Newfoundland at a time when the old, traditional way of doing things is conflicting with the new.

I won't have a word said against Betty Crocker cake mixes! I swear by them. Absolutely fail proof fuss free chocolate cakes. Plus she uses the same recipe as my Mum
Thanks for all the recommendations guys, will be on Amazon before you know it

[SlugLobber]

I can second The Poisonwood Bible and The Shipping News!

One non-fiction I'm reading at the moment is 'Forgotten Voices'. I can't remember the Editor, but it's a compilation of first hand accounts from WWI. Very melancholy and quite an edumacation.

For Historical Novels, I love Philippa Gregory. Just started The Other Queen, but life has got on top of me at the mo, so I'm struggling to find time!

[bobleponge]

SL, should you find the time, non fiction along the same lines as Forgotten Voices, is an authoress called Lyn Macdonald. She has done many books on WW1, all on a similar thread, letters to and from home. Very evocative reading.

[HeyWayne]

I've just finished two books.

One was Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer (sp). It's the true story of a chap called Christopher McCandless who goes off on an "adventure" to live in the wilds of Alaska. I actually preferred the film to the book, but worth a read none the less.

I also finished Ghostwritten - David Mitchell. Not a bad book, but hard going. Much preferred Cloud Atlas (after 4th attempt reading it), and if anyone like me, grew up in the eighties, then you'll probably like Black Swan Green by the same author. Just started Number9Dream by David Mitchell - fingers crossed.

I will always recommend Jasper Fforde for fiction - brilliant in my opinion if you're looking for something a little different. Takes fiction to another level entirely.

Tom Holt's alright too.

[zazen999]

I've probably said before but Number9Dream is brilliant. Was reading it when the twin towers collapsed [ie looked up from it when I was told the news]....

I've recently discovered Scarlet Thomas - 'The End of Mr Y' and 'Popco' - both wickedly entertaining, and up to date but really excellent on the historial aspect. I want her to write lots more!

Currently reading White Tiger the Man Booker winner, really good so far,

[bluemoon]

Cloud Atlas is not normally my sort of thing, but I actually enjoyed it. Ghostwritten was OK, wouldn't call it heavy going, but it was difficult not to picture the politician as Tony Blair, which detracted from it a bit as I was hearing the character speak in his voice.
Currently reading 'The Book Thief' and I have to say it's the best book I've read for a week or two, this is a little behind the times for me as I bought it a while ago then lent it to a friend before I'd read it myself. I usually get through 5 or 6 books a week, so I find it infuriating when someone borrows one and I don't see it again for months.

[bluemoon]

Currently reading 'The Book Thief' ... this is a little behind the times for me as I bought it a while ago then lent it to a friend before I'd read it myself. I usually get through 5 or 6 books a week, so I find it infuriating when someone borrows one and I don't see it again for months.

Just realized the irony of this.

[Alison]

Cloud Atlas is not normally my sort of thing, but I actually enjoyed it.

I was recomended Cloud Atlas but found it very difficult to get into and rather boring so didn't finish it. Might get round to it sometime but thought it went on a bit without much happening but maybe I didn't get far enough in.

[Two_Sheds]

I was recomended Cloud Atlas but found it very difficult to get into and rather boring so didn't finish it.

me too

[HeyWayne]

Someone (maybe The Times, or the BBC) compiled a list of the "most difficult" books to read - or something similar.

I think Cloud Atlas featured in the top 5.

It took me 4 attempts to read it - but I'm glad I persevered.

[NOG]

A good read with an insite on Autism is The curious Incident of the Dog in the Nite-time by Mark Haddon. Funny, Sad, shocking, sweet. it ticks all the boxes.

[zazen999]

Cloud Atlas is not normally my sort of thing, but I actually enjoyed it. Ghostwritten was OK, wouldn't call it heavy going, but it was difficult not to picture the politician as Tony Blair, which detracted from it a bit as I was hearing the character speak in his voice.
Currently reading 'The Book Thief' and I have to say it's the best book I've read for a week or two, this is a little behind the times for me as I bought it a while ago then lent it to a friend before I'd read it myself. I usually get through 5 or 6 books a week, so I find it infuriating when someone borrows one and I don't see it again for months.

The Book Thief - another great book.

[bobleponge]

I was recomended Cloud Atlas but found it very difficult to get into and rather boring so didn't finish it. Might get round to it sometime but thought it went on a bit without much happening but maybe I didn't get far enough in.

I very rarely read fiction (no imagination as my ex wives will tell you) but the world and its dog were raving about a book a few years ago, Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks.
Just didnt get it. Soooo boring, nothing happened, couldnt finish it.