You’ve convinced me to have another go at Tom Sharpe, guys 
My daughter lent me 10 books on Christmas Day :shock: and I’ve some given as gifts…so I won’t be at the library for some weeks, Sharpe will have to wait.
Todays book is one in the series, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Number 17 I think - my dil started buying them for me, not in order, and I have quite a collection. I enjoyed the tv series too, would like to see that back.
I’m reading The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey . Its a good read I got it for a xmas present and i’ve almost finished it …
My next book will be Dolly by Susan Hill also a xmas present .
I’ve just finished reading Ant Egg Soup (the adventures of a food tourist in Laous) by Natacha Du Pont De Bie. An excellent read, informative and entertaining but I won’t be trying any of the many recipes given in the book !
Tonight I shall begin a new book, Snakepit, by Nick Brownlee. I have quite a few of his books and have enjoyed them all.
From 1976 - 83 I actually worked at a Polytechnic and ‘Wilt’ became almost ‘de rigeur’ reading for the ‘minor’ clerical staff. We were all convinced that he had based all his characters on ‘our’ Poly. Had forgotten all about that, may revisit those books some time.
Just finished “Standing In Another Man’s Grave” - the latest in Ian Rankin’s “Rebus” novels. Every bit as good as all the others - especially as I have grown old as Rebus has aged and now we’re both unashamedly grumpy, cantankerous old men. Great atmospheric descriptions of the less salubrious areas of Scotland as well!!
Mick
I always said that Stott was born to play this character and was so thrilled when he eventually took over the t.v. part in series 2.
Couldn’t agree more. I liked John Hannah in the role, but Ken Stott brought so many more dimensions to the character - Brilliant actor!!
Mick
Just started JK Rowlings ‘The Casual Vacancy’ it is taking time to get into the story and there are a lot of characters to get to know. Dunno if I will see it through, but someone said it was a worthwhile read.
I am sorry to say that I found the Tom Sharpe books very dated, rather like watching ‘Open all Hours’ or Porridge you know that at the time they were brilliant but somehow time has made them unbelievable.
Ohhhh I didn’t realise there was another Rebus out, I’ll have to see if I can find it for my Kindle. I love all the DI. Stories. DI. Banks, DI. Logan McRae, DI. Harry Bosch and Hamish Macbeth.
J K Rowlings - Casual Vacancy - I borrowed it from a friend and have just finished it. I enjoyed it. Didn’t know quite what to expect having never read the Potter books but her descriptions of English village life and her ability to make characters spring to life is definitely very good. There isn’t a great deal of ‘plot’ until close to the end but it doesn’t matter because her characters and her insightful and humorous social commentary keep you reading. I’d be surprised if you don’t enjoy it.
Similar thing happened to me. I was teaching special needs teenagers at the time and could definitely relate to Wilt and his students! Not sure about re-reading. I tried his latest one recently and didn’t find it as funny. Not sure if it was the book or me.
Jean, that’s how I feel - not sure if it’s me or the book, sometimes 
I’ve finished the No.1 Ladies Detective (17) and I enjoyed it, they are easy reading.
About to start ‘Into the Darkest Corner’ by Elizabeth Haynes, not read any of her books before but dil bought this as a gift.
I have to say that I really enjoyed the t.v. adaptation of the Ladies Detective novel and subsequently really looked forward to reading the books but found them a vast disappointment. Although I cannot put my finger on it, something just read ‘wrong’. They felt, I don’t know, patronising maybe? As if they were written for/by a child ? Like I said just cannot quite say what it was but they made me feel awkward. Sorry if that does not make sense, but whatever it was it made me not want to read any more.
I read the books first then saw the TV adaptation. I enjoyed the books in some ways but did wonder, probably like you, what the native people of Botswana would have made of them. I’ve seen McCall-Smith interviewed and he appears to be a very intelligent and caring man so I don’t believe he meant them to be patronising but I know what you mean.
After the first three or four I haven’t felt the urge to read any more.
I’m not the one for reading books, they have to be easy reading and exciting for me to carry on reading it.
At the moment I am reading ‘50 Shades of Grey’ this is just to get me started. Has anyone read this book before? Give me your views on it.
Myself, I have found it very badly written, as she seems to repeat her sentances and also uses the ‘F’ word a lot.
Sue x
Susie. It has to be the worst book that I have ever read. My daughter gave it to me but I declined the offer of the other two. If fact I found the first so poor I didn’t even finish it.
Hi Mesco, I agree with you. Did you think that it was written badly? and its quite boring, nothing that i never knew about before!!!
I would love to get gripped by a book/novel but nothing seems to absorb me. It must be my age or I’m not eatiing enough fruit…
The last book I read in one sitting was
“THe curious case of the dog in the night time” by Mark Haddon.
I believe he has written another book, I might try that.
As a matter of interest do any of you still buy REAL books or do you have one of these new fangled CANDLE things.
Yes boring, repetitive and very poorly written. How on earth she could churn out three books all in the same vein and sell them is beyond me. I think her days as a writer are over but she has made a fortune from trashy paperbacks.
I love reading but usually fiction. At the moment I am reading “Kill For Me” by Karen Rose. A sordid but largely believable story of the grooming, kidnapping and the use of young teens in the sex slave industry. A well thought out and well written plot.
I have an i-pad and download books from Amazon but I use that on holiday. It will never replace the feel of a real book it’s part of the pleasure of reading.