*** 'THE OFFICIAL BOOK THREAD' ***

[Waz1892]

Yeah I have read it.  It is the kind of book that is very easy to read, fairly entertaining but not particularly memorable.  In fact I had pretty much forgotten I had read it until you just mentioned it but I must have enjoyed it because I read it in a few days.  The author does have a pretty high opinion of himself though.

Cheers. I will give it a spin next.

[Claw75]

I finished Bring up the Bodies the other day. 

Wasn't a huge fan of the writing style - the lengthy paragraphs and chapters and the writing from the perspective on one person, but not in the first person, made it quite difficult to follow the dialogue at times.  Another thing I struggled with was keeping up with the sheer number of characters - who was who and where they fit in to the overall picture.  A disadvantage to reading on the kindle (and therefore being thrown straight in at the start of chapter 1) was that I didn't realise until after I'd finished that, at the front of the book, there was a list of the cast of characters and some family trees.  If I'd known that was there to refer to as and when it'd have made life a lot easier.  That said, it didn't distract too much from following the bigger picture.

On the other hand, the kindle and it's built in dictionary was very handy at times as there were a fair few archaic words that I had to look up. Reading in paper form I simply wouldn't have bothered, so I am a little more edumacated in my vocabulary now

I hadn't realised upon starting the book that it was the second in a planned trilogy and I therefore should have read Wolf Hall first.  Bring up the Bodies stands alone well enough, and having finished this book I don't feel inclined to go back and read the first - I''ll definitely look out the next book when it is published though.

I didn't think it was a masterpiece. It was a good book, and Hilary Mantel is undoubtedly a very talented writer. I found it interesting reading a well-known story from an unusual perspective, and got myself a bit of a history lesson along the way as I broke off to read up on some of the lesser-known characters.  I can't really think of anyone I'd particularly recommend it to though, and will probably pick something a bit more light-hearted for my next read.

[redarmi]

I finished Bring up the Bodies the other day. 

Wasn't a huge fan of the writing style - the lengthy paragraphs and chapters and the writing from the perspective on one person, but not in the first person, made it quite difficult to follow the dialogue at times.  Another thing I struggled with was keeping up with the sheer number of characters - who was who and where they fit in to the overall picture.  A disadvantage to reading on the kindle (and therefore being thrown straight in at the start of chapter 1) was that I didn't realise until after I'd finished that, at the front of the book, there was a list of the cast of characters and some family trees.  If I'd known that was there to refer to as and when it'd have made life a lot easier.  That said, it didn't distract too much from following the bigger picture.

On the other hand, the kindle and it's built in dictionary was very handy at times as there were a fair few archaic words that I had to look up. Reading in paper form I simply wouldn't have bothered, so I am a little more edumacated in my vocabulary now

I hadn't realised upon starting the book that it was the second in a planned trilogy and I therefore should have read Wolf Hall first.  Bring up the Bodies stands alone well enough, and having finished this book I don't feel inclined to go back and read the first - I''ll definitely look out the next book when it is published though.

I didn't think it was a masterpiece. It was a good book, and Hilary Mantel is undoubtedly a very talented writer. I found it interesting reading a well-known story from an unusual perspective, and got myself a bit of a history lesson along the way as I broke off to read up on some of the lesser-known characters.  I can't really think of anyone I'd particularly recommend it to though, and will probably pick something a bit more light-hearted for my next read.

I started Wolf Hall when I wrote my post above and whilst I was enjoying it it wasn't/isn't compelling me.  I was also reading on a kindle and it is a bit of a pain to go back to the list of characters etc.  I think I need a long plane journey or something to really get into it.  Feels worthy though but not sure I won't read some other stuff in between.

Claw- think you would really enjoy 'The Marrying of Chani Kauffman'

[Claw75]

whilst I was enjoying it it wasn't/isn't compelling me. 

yep - pretty much my view on the other one too - I didn't ever see myself not finishing it, but it was far from 'unputdownable' and felt like a bit of perseverance was being utilised at times.

Claw- think you would really enjoy 'The Marrying of Chani Kauffman'

Cheers - can't sleep and was just debating starting something else. Was considering that one after reading your last review - I shall purchase it right now!

[Waz1892]

Excellent review for the book!

May have to get me one of these kindle's or start to borrow the wife's!

[Jon MW]

Excellent review for the book!

May have to get me one of these kindle's or start to borrow the wife's!

Proper books are still my mainstay but the kindle is an excellent substitute for if I'm reading anywhere not in the house.

[Claw75]

Claw- think you would really enjoy 'The Marrying of Chani Kauffman'

enjoying this so far - missed my stop on the bus which is always a good sign!

[Waz1892]

About to start "Cityboy" by Geraint Anderson.  Sounds good, so we'll see if it is.

Latest finished one, is not to all taste - The Top Gear Years - J. Clarkson.  Aware he is very much like marmite, so I'll leave the review alone.  If you like him, you'll get on with it, if not, then you won't!

Aim was 12 for the year, 5 down so far.

[Claw75]

Claw- think you would really enjoy 'The Marrying of Chani Kauffman'

enjoying this so far - missed my stop on the bus which is always a good sign!

Finished this - loved it thanks for the recommendation Stu

Reading some trashy chick-lit now that's probably of no interest to anyone else around here

[Waz1892]

Claw- think you would really enjoy 'The Marrying of Chani Kauffman'

enjoying this so far - missed my stop on the bus which is always a good sign!

Finished this - loved it thanks for the recommendation Stu

Reading some trashy chick-lit now that's probably of no interest to anyone else around here

a book is a book at the end of the day! Each to their own and all.

[Claw75]

Just started a crime novel (Nameless by Joe Conlan). Not far in enough to give a verdict yet. Next on the list after that is The Testament of Mary - has anyone read it?

[Waz1892]

Just started a crime novel (Nameless by Joe Conlan). Not far in enough to give a verdict yet. Next on the list after that is The Testament of Mary - has anyone read it?

can't say I have I'm afraid.  Crime novels if you like them, fictional that is..can't go far wrong with Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series

[Claw75]

Just started a crime novel (Nameless by Joe Conlan). Not far in enough to give a verdict yet. Next on the list after that is The Testament of Mary - has anyone read it?

can't say I have I'm afraid.  Crime novels if you like them, fictional that is..can't go far wrong with Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series

Not usually my bag really, but i'm working my way through an eclectic collection of free/cheap titles that had high review ratings that I downloaded when I first got the kindle

[Waz1892]

Just started a crime novel (Nameless by Joe Conlan). Not far in enough to give a verdict yet. Next on the list after that is The Testament of Mary - has anyone read it?

can't say I have I'm afraid.  Crime novels if you like them, fictional that is..can't go far wrong with Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series

Not usually my bag really, but i'm working my way through an eclectic collection of free/cheap titles that had high review ratings that I downloaded when I first got the kindle

Then you're on your very own little adventure!!

[Claw75]

About halfway through The Nameless now (on a slight tangent, it's reminded me of the Ramsey Campbell book of almost the same name I read about 20 years ago - must give that one a re-read sometimes).  Have to say, even though it wouldn't be my usual choice, I'm really enjoying it.  In a nutshell, it's the story of a serial killer and an FBI agent's hunt to find him.  Similar to Silence of the Lambs I guess.  At the moment, I'm really struggling to put it down and reading bits at any opportunity - recommend it to anyone who likes that kind of stuff.