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What book are you currently reading?

Thought this would be a good place to share your taste in literature! What books have you read recently, what are you reading now and how would rate them? Would you recommend anything to a fellow Silverhairs friend?


Do you use a Kindle or similar or do you prefer a real book to hold?


I have just finished reading the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which my youngest daughter is studying for ‘A’ Level. It is a devastating, masterful and painfully honest story … it tells the gripping account of a boyhood friendship destroyed by jealousy, fear, and ruthless evil.


The Kite Runner is an astonishing, powerful book that had me riveted from the first to the last page. It is a story of fierce cruelty and yet redeeming love, as well as of an intimate account of family and friendship.


I found it compelling and disturbing and opened my eyes to how evil reigns in the Middle East. Next on my list is A Thousand Splendid Suns written by the same author.


How about you?


Created By on 04/10/2012

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Stoic
26th Apr 2015 09:10:29 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 18:11:58)
1
Thanks for voting!
The book I am currently reading is "The Ancient Giants who Ruled America" by Richard J. Dewhurst. The missing skeletons and the great Smithsonian cover-up. It is especially interesting to me since I had never heard of these really ancient people called the mound builders. The mounds used as burial places are scattered throughout the United States are of differing sizes, some small and some very large indeed. The people evidently had no obvious relationship with the present native Indian population. They were extremely tall and well built, standing from seven to nine feet tall and over. Their civilisation goes back to 10,000 BCE, they mined copper and were very skilled in its treatment to make tools. As yet in the book it is not known what fate it was that overtook them. I am spellbound that the powers that be have never made a seriously study of this subject. The book is mainly made up of newspaper reports of diggings and recovery of artefacts and skeletons of these giants that existed so long ago. 😕
Response from Robs sister made on 12th Sep 2016 17:18:01
I am going to look for this book, not my usual read but it sounds fascinating.
Response from Joanielee made on 15th Oct 2016 20:45:05
fascinating, will look for it too, I love history and especially mystery history lol
Response from jeanmark made on 3rd Nov 2016 19:18:44
I haven't read Richard Dewhurst's book but it brought back a memory. Many years ago I was discussing 'body bags' (professionally as I worked in infectious Diseases and HIV) with a rep. He was trying to sell me a particularly type that would accommodate large and tall bodies. He kept going on about the zip that was the only part not biodegradable and I suddenly got the giggles as I was picturing archeologists in the future finding a zip and thinking "Those men were really tall if their trouser zip was 7 foot long"!
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 8th Nov 2016 18:11:58
Oh, jeanmark, thank you for that! I've just burst out laughing and slopped my mug of coffee everywhere! 🙂
Craftyfox
15th Oct 2016 19:14:37
0
Thanks for voting!
A Briefer History of Time. I'm trying to understand 'relativity'.
Waikikigirl
23rd Sep 2016 13:56:44
0
Thanks for voting!
I also read kite runner and wasnt impressed with it. It is not representative of all the Middle East, only one country. I lived in Middle East for many years and found the people friendly and helpful. There is good and bad in all countries and one must balance things out, if you live in someone else's country you should abide by their laws and traditions not try to change them.
I am halfway thru the book "The Dress" by Kate Kerrigan ( I think her name is) fascinating romance, well worth reading. I like to read both proper books and kindle. Kindle is easier for travelling.
Robs sister
20th Sep 2016 12:18:21
0
Thanks for voting!
One of the most enjoyable books that I have read is HER BENNY by Silas K Hocking, its a tale of hardship in Victorian Liverpool, its a difficult book to get hold of now, the price on the cover £1.80.
beneDictus
18th Sep 2016 12:27:30
0
Thanks for voting!
At the moment, i`m still ploughing through Edward Rutherfurd`s ''Russka''....It`s over a thousand pages in length, so it will take me a little while yet to finish. The insight, and the historical narrative of different periods in Russia, from just before the Empire of the Mongols, right through to the early part of the 20th. century, are very interesting.
Terrysoldgal
6th Feb 2016 16:55:30 (Last activity: 15th Sep 2016 13:08:29)
0
Thanks for voting!
Right now I am reading 'About a boy' by Nick Hornby. It's an easy read, humourous and engaging.

I also enjoy reading the classics written by such writers as Thomas Hardy, Anthony Trollope, Wilkie Collins, Jane Austen, JRR Tolkien etc.
I am finally going to attempt to read 'War and Peace' after seeing the series on the telly. I hope that I can keep track of all of the names of the characters 🙂
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 13th Mar 2016 19:26:17
I'm currently reading a biography of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber. Gruesome, but fascinating!
Response from Milliesmum made on 23rd Apr 2016 19:02:58
I tried recently to read War and Peace for at least the third time. Perhaps it's because I read at bed time, but I still can't get my head round it. I remember reading Dr. Zhivago in the seventies and although it was complicated at first I got into it fairly easily. Now could age have anything to do with this or perhaps having seen Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in the film?
Response from Pam1960 made on 24th Apr 2016 05:47:51
I too enjoyed reading About a Boy by Nick Hornby. I thought the film disappointing but I often do having read the book first the exceptions being the classics which I find I am inspired to read. Overall I enjoy the classics but sometimes find it difficult to keep track of the number of characters. Modern fiction tends to concentrate on three or four characters which makes for an easier read. I've never managed to finish War and Peace though did enjoy reading Dostoevsky many years ago. Maybe we could all give War and Peace a go again and discuss on the forum.
Response from KEITH_WL made on 15th Sep 2016 13:08:29
(Response to Milliesmum on Russian novelists) You might be right about the influence of age. I read War and Peace several years ago and am now reading The Brothers Karamazov, which I'm finding much harder. On the other hand it has been suggested to me that it *is* harder. Opinions?
Robs sister
12th Sep 2016 17:09:22
0
Thanks for voting!
I am reading SMALL ISLAND by ANDREA LEVY, its an award winning book and makes you stop to think about immigrants after WW2, I wasn't sure about it but as the book goes on its quite funny yet moving at the same time now I find it difficult to put down.
KEITH_WL
31st Aug 2016 22:17:31
0
Thanks for voting!
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevski. I had read some way into it a while ago but got side-tracked so I've started it again and am still fairly near the beginning.
Baileybird11
23rd Aug 2016 16:57:32 (Last activity: 23rd Aug 2016 21:18:02)
0
Thanks for voting!
I have just started reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

I think a lot of people have read this already - I have only just got around to it.

It is intriguing because the main character's are so unlikeable
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 23rd Aug 2016 21:18:02
'Gone Girl' is a very readable book, quite liked it because it was a bit different, lots of twists, but I didn't think it was as good as it was made out to be.
Fruitcake13
5th Aug 2016 20:57:14
0
Thanks for voting!
Currently reading 'The Angel's Game' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (a Spanish writer), just over halfway through it and enjoying it immensely. I've no idea where or how the story will end, but it's very well written and very intriguing.
Lyndaw
26th Jul 2016 19:37:17
0
Thanks for voting!
I have just finished reading 'I Saw that Man' by Owen Sheers. It was excellent.
audra68
12th Jul 2016 16:53:41 (Last activity: 12th Jul 2016 18:13:36)
0
Thanks for voting!
Found this site and thought I'd check it out. I too am a reader and always looking for a good book. "Unbroken" by Laura Hildabrand and "The Book Thief" are both great WWII reads. Thanks for all the suggestions. On my way to the library now.
Response from Silversurfers Editor Original Poster made on 12th Jul 2016 18:13:36
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Pam1960
10th Jun 2016 19:56:15 (Last activity: 2nd Jul 2016 05:49:57)
1
Thanks for voting!
Just finished Girl on Train by Paula Hawkins. This is probably the most enjoyable book I have read this year. The film is out in September 2016. I do 't usually like watching the film after having read the book but I will give it a go. I picked up A Few of the Girls by Maeve Binchy. Binchy was one of my favourite authors. Her characters always seemed so real. I can't wait to read this book.
Response from Jansm63 made on 2nd Jul 2016 05:49:57
I've read a few books that I have seen as movies after with mixed results. One being the book Paranoid. The book was excellent, but the movie wasn't much to be desired. I understand when authors tell the producers if they change anything, they will pay for it. There is a reason the book is popular. Its good.
Jansm63
4th Jun 2016 01:07:27
0
Thanks for voting!
Working on a biography of the U.S. President John Adams. I enjoy history, and that is a great period in the world. I have just finished one on Thomas Jefferson. I tend to flip between fiction and non fiction, but even my novels tend to be historical.
Bluesman1955
7th May 2016 22:26:00 (Last activity: 27th May 2016 19:11:22)
0
Thanks for voting!
I'm reading under the ivy. It's a biography of Kate Bush. Hard going but I'm determined to get through it.
Response from Pam1960 made on 10th May 2016 07:48:28
I've just finished A Shop Girl, My Memoirs by Mary Portas, loved it. It brought back so many memories of growing up in the 60s and 70s from home life, brands, clothes, hairstyles and music. A great book really enjoyed it.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 27th May 2016 19:11:22
Thanks for that, Pam1960, sounds like a nice wallow in nostalgia, will try and get a hold of it and read it.
Gigi55
20th May 2016 19:16:32 (Last activity: 27th May 2016 19:05:45)
0
Thanks for voting!
When I read something I like to lose myself in the story, something that wont't let me put the book (or kindle) down. Some of the books I have been reading and enjoyed immensely are: The Hunger Games Trilogy, Me before You, To Kill a Mockingbird and my all time favourite The Fallen book series by Lauren Kate. I can't wait for the film to come out this year (I am still a teenager at heart).
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 21st May 2016 18:25:16
If I've read a book that I've really enjoyed, I almost always find any film of it hugely disappointing in comparison with the book. I can think of a couple of exceptions though, one is definitely 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which I saw as a child (my Mum was a massive Gregory Peck fan!) before reading the book, and I loved the film so much I had to read the book, which I also loved. The other was the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. LOTR slayed me as a 13 year old, then when the films came out when I was an adult, I was convinced I'd hate them (in comparison to the books), but I didn't, I loved them, not quite as much as the books, but I definitely loved them.
Response from Pam1960 made on 21st May 2016 19:47:51
I agree with you Fruitcake13, I too am disappointed watching a film after having read the book.I love both films you mentioned. However I did find watching Shakespeare films more enjoyable than the books, it certainly helped in understanding them
Response from Gigi55 made on 21st May 2016 21:36:03
I didn't even know that there was a film 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. I'll certainly try to get hold of it. Thank you for mentioning that Fruitcake13.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 27th May 2016 19:02:06
Yes, Pam1960, I find watching Shakespeare films more enjoyable and more understandable than reading them written too.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 27th May 2016 19:05:45
You're welcome, Gigi55, the film is very true to the book so I think you will enjoy it!
Anbeywillow
20th May 2016 18:23:47
0
Thanks for voting!
I am reading Amy Snow byTracy Rees it was Search for best seller by Richard and Judy
It's about a baby found in the snow by a young girl a sparkling and compelling
Mystery. Really enjoying it I have a Kindle but prefer a book in my hand
Mick p B
10th May 2016 20:45:30
0
Thanks for voting!
Hello first time here. Currently reading Game of Thrones.
My daughter in law lent me the first series on DVD.
The old adage that the book is always better than the film, I found to be accurate in this case. Although in fairness the film did help me
sort out a clearer Who's Who's when reading the book.
Pam1960
21st Apr 2016 17:14:48
0
Thanks for voting!
Just finished Maestra. Billed as the most shocking thriller ever. Very much 50 Shades of Grey with a good twist at the end. Overall quite disappointing
Shadowman
14th Apr 2016 04:45:08
0
Thanks for voting!
I usually read non-fiction and am currently reading Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America by Shawn Lawrence Otto.
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