(member)

01/07/2009 16:43

Calling all you readers

When DO you read? All the time?(so what about work/housework/gardening etc etc) Are you a commuter who reads on the train?Do you read just before going to sleep?Do you always have a book on you wherever you are so that NO time at all is wasted even in traffic jams or waiting for some-one to turn up? Do you just read----and read ---and read.I have constantly more than one book on the go and in this weather can happily sit and just read.(But then feel slightly guilty that nothing else has got done)And does anyone know what has happened to Dryad?I have missed her revierws,while also enjoying so many others.

(member)

01/07/2009 17:16

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi nannieconnie

I read in bed mostly; have a huge square pillow to prop myself up with. Also on the train and in cafes .. I wouldn't go out for the day without something to read in my bag. Was on the train from London to Manchester yesterday, and hadn't had time to buy a paper.. couldn't contemplate 2 hours with nothing to read and all the online shop could offer was Men's Health, or Cosmopolitan! So I ended up buying Cosmo for the first time in over 20 years. A bit different from W&H but better than I expected to be honest..

What I find really hard is sitting down during the day with a book; I don't know why, it just feels wrong. Apart from on holiday when I feel it's "allowed"! I need to get over this!

Mags

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01/07/2009 17:17

Re: Calling all you readers

I read when I go to bed at night, but also during hte day if having a coffee or lunch or when sitting in the garden or down the beach...

(member)

01/07/2009 17:29

Re: Calling all you readers

I read whenever I can, especially if it's a really gripping story that I can't put down. Sometimes if I wake up int he night I go downstairs and read. I had several years when I couldn't seem to concentrate on reading and I'm SO pleased to get back to it. I've got a huge pile of books in my spare bedroom

(member)

01/07/2009 17:42

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi nannieconnie, mags and jacqui-o
My favourite time to read is first thing in the morning and by that I mean anything from 5am onwards till I have to get ready for work. I.ve found that I love to read in peace and quiet these days but having said that if I get into a book I really can't put down I will carry it round with me whilst I'm cooking etc. I remember doing that with Virginia Andrews books when I was a lot younger and at home during the day with my children.
At the moment I'm just about to start a new book by Sebastian Faulkess called Engleby. I picked up his name off this website and have not read any by him before. What are you all reading at the moment?
Like you mags I do tend to feel guilty if I read during the day but I will sit down and read with a coffee if I'm on my own in the house. Billie

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01/07/2009 20:04

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi All,

I read any time I can! Usually before I go to bed, but on these really nice days Im out in the garden reading on a garden chair when I get back from work....come to think of it I think Im going to do that right now!

(member)

01/07/2009 21:19

Re: Calling all you readers

I am a commuter so read to and from work...love it but is sometimes troublesome when I'm at a good bit and my stop arrives...at these times I continue reading on the walk to the office or home!!!!

(member)

01/07/2009 22:19

Re: Calling all you readers

I read anything and everything but not before I go to sleep or I just keep reading and forget to sleep. I have to do crosswords to get to sleep now. Being at home all day and needing to rest alot means I can read all day if I want to. For a while I couldn't concentrate on books and just read mags. but thankfully I am back into books again cos I've got 160 books I haven't yet read. I kept buying them even though I wasn't reading them. I think it might take me a while to get through them all.

Suziedee

(member)

01/07/2009 22:35

Re: Calling all you readers

I read anytime, anywhere I can. Waterstones is my first stop whenever I hit town. Have even been late to work because I picked up a good book with breakfast. Blamed the traffic, it only usually takes me 20 mins drive so was suprised they believed me. Whoops mustn't do that again. The joys of reading, luckily have passed it on to daughter, so we book swop regularly.
Mazl

(member)

01/07/2009 22:47

Re: Calling all you readers

Hello Ladies,so nice to see how you all read.Suziedee I dont know how you are going to get through 160 books but I would like to hear what they are and how you do get on.Billie I shall be very interested to hear how you enjoy "Engleby" as that is in my pile but haven't read it yet.However I have read a few of his books and loved them,my favourite was "Birdsong".So do keep us informed. I enjoyed the "torey Hayden" one,thank you so much and now I am reading two.The one is a Martina Cole and the other is "Eat,Pray,,love" reccomended by a forummer I met in Belfast.I must say I am enjoying that one much better than the Martina Cole one.

(member)

01/07/2009 22:49

Re: Calling all you readers

I used to read all the time, but since joining this forum I seem to have lost interest in books. I am on the lookout for a good book as I have a few days off next week and intend to relax and try to read. I hope I'm just out of the habit.

(member)

01/07/2009 23:01

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Bobcat,nice to see you.hope you find a good book to read and keep you occupied when you have your few days off next week. Presumably coffee in Bangor is not on the cards!!!!

(member)

01/07/2009 23:05

Re: Calling all you readers

I read anywhere and every where I can get away with it. On buses when I have to catch one, trains, used to read a lot on car journeys, but since my OH hasn't been able to drive due to Health probs. thats stopped. Always read in bed though have done since I was a child.

(member)

01/07/2009 23:14

Re: Calling all you readers

nannieconnie I have everything from Emma Blair and Josephine Cox to Frank McCourt and Thomas Hardy and Tess Gerritsen to Audry Hepburn auto biography, my biggest problem is which one to read next.

Suziedee

(member)

01/07/2009 23:41

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi nannieconnie, no coffee in Bangor, unfortunately. Who wrote "eat pray love" if you are enjoying it, I might just start there.

Did anyone read "My sister's keeper" Jodi Picoult, the film has just been released but apparently with a different ending.

(member)

02/07/2009 06:52

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Bobcat
Yes I've read My Sisters keeper and loved it and somevody at work has been to see the film and said how good it is but you do need your tissues! Great to see everyone chatting well done nannieconnie. Glad you enjoyed the Tory Hayden book. Billie

(member)

02/07/2009 07:28

Re: Calling all you readers

I always read in bed before I go to sleep and also when I have a coffee or any time in the day.I dont feel guilty reading!!...I feel guilty coming on this Forum when I could be reading which to me seems more worth while. I love chatting on here but some how I do feel a bit guilty as if I am wasting time. I read a lot on holiday. Read 5 books last week in Tenerife.
See you soon Nanny!
xx

(member)

02/07/2009 07:57

Re: Calling all you readers

Bobcat, I read My Sister's Keeper because it was the chosen book at my local book club. It wasn't really my sort of book, although it was quite compulsive reading .. I found the characters a bit one-dimensional; Jodi Picoult's strength as a writer lies in the issues she tackles I feel, rather than in the quality of the language. I'm in a minority I know, as her books get passed round the staffroom like wildfire! I'd be interested to see the film; I wonder how they changed the ending..

Mags

(member)

02/07/2009 08:07

Re: Calling all you readers

Can someone please tell me what "GUILTY" is?

Obviously it is something that I have missed out on but it does not sound nice - is it an illness or mental condition?

Whatever it is I definitely do not have. Thank goodness.

Now reading is a passion I use to have but like a lot of you lost it over the last few years. Glad to say it is now back in force..................... BUT I have burnt so many potatoes, pots, dinners etc because I just could not put the book down that I have now "reprogrammed" myself. I read at any time but now find that if I have a nice cup of ovaltine at bedtime and whilst drinking this read some of my book, I have a nice nights sleep. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHh

(member)

02/07/2009 08:37

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Ladies, I can read anywhere / everywhere currently have a book on the go at work for lunchtimes and another book at home for bedtimes. Any other time i do feel guilty as I should be doing other things but if i can get away with it i will..

During the winter months I read on the Bus but April - October I cycle to work so listen to radio/music... I keep meaning to try audio books but somehow the appeal just isnt there.. has anyone else tried audio books and do you recommend it?

I read most things fiction, not good with any sort of autobiog style book and definitely not anyting celebrity.. Saying that I did have aaudio copy of Richard Hammonds book detailling his life and the crash - that was amazing - and yes the crash part had me in floods of tears - slightly embarrasing as was laying beside a pool in Greece at the time!

Now there's another thing - holidays are all about pool/beaches and LOTS of books

Anyway I have now been at work for 40 mins and so far have only been on this forum.. really MUST do some work..!

(member)

02/07/2009 13:31

Re: Calling all you readers

Well most of my morning has been spent with my head in a book(not feeling too guilty Thimble) so I have just popped on here for a change of reading material..

"Eat,Pray,Love" is by Elizabeth Gilbert, Bobcat,and Amanda from Dublin recommended it to me.Not one I would normally have chosen myself but I am enjoying it----hope you do too.I have also read "My Sisters Keeper" and enjoyed it but as scottishmags said I also think Jodi Piccolt's strength lies in her subject matter.Compulsive reading nevertheless.

Audio Books do not appeal to me at all.I imagine my mind would wander far too much.

(member)

02/07/2009 22:53

Re: Calling all you readers

Billie and nannieconnie

Let us know how you get on with Engleby; I found it quite a challenging read. I absolutely loved Birdsong and still think it's Sebastian Faulkes' best book. I was lucky enough to hear him speak at Hay-on-Wye about the research for Birdsong: he talked about visiting the archives and reading the letters which soldiers wrote home during WW1, and the letters the young officers had to write to the bereaved families .. it was fascinating. He is such a versatile writer.

I have Eat, Pray, Love in my pile of holiday books after the recommendations on here - not my usual choice but I'll let you know..

Mags

(member)

03/07/2009 18:12

Re: Calling all you readers

Like Thimble I dont suffer from guilt but I am lucky I am retired and live alone so if nothing gets done there is always tomorrow.

(member)

03/07/2009 19:25

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Mags
I've started "Engleby" and reading the intro its apparently very different to what he usually writes so we'll see as I've nothing to compare it with as this is my first novel of his. I shall put Birdsong on my list, seens as both you and Nannieconnie recommend it.
I've also been given a very interesting book today called "Emma Brown" by Clare Boylan. This is a novel that Charlotte Bronte started just before she died and Clare has finished. It's got really good reviews on the cover. Has anyone read this book? or anything by Clare Boylyn? Billie

(member)

03/07/2009 21:45

Re: Calling all you readers

Anytime,any place ,anywhere,I love summer evenings when I can sit outside,a glass of wine at my elbow and a good book on the go.On holidays I sit in the shade and read and read and read...have been known to sit up all night reading...i simply LOVE it!!
Audio books just would not be the same for me,I love the written word.

(member)

06/07/2009 10:25

Re: Calling all you readers

Hello everyone. I am a bit late catching up on this topic but I would like to add to all your comments which I find fascinating to read.
I love reading especially now that I am retired and have a lot more time to myself. I read mostly when we are down at our caravan in Porthmadog as I find that we can both 'switch off' there and totally chill out.
I love crime thrillers and two of my favourite authors are Harlen Coben and James Patterson. I have just recently discovered Jillianne Hoffman and her book 'Retribution' was very powerful stuff. I also like Ken Follett.
My second favourite place to read is in bed here at home, all snuggled up in my duvet and lots of pillows - sheer decadence eh?

(member)

06/07/2009 15:58

Re: Calling all you readers

Can someone tell me what "Eat Pray Love" is about please

(member)

06/07/2009 22:28

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Moco

If you go on the Amazon website, you can read a synopsis and reviews of Eat, Pray, Love.

I haven't read it yet, but have bought it as one of my holiday reads on recommendation of the ladies in Belfast when we were on the forum weekend (like nannyconnie).

(member)

07/07/2009 22:03

Re: Calling all you readers

Thank you bizebee, I was racking my brain trying to remember who wrote Pillars of the Earth, going to order the sequel to add to my holiday reading list.

(member)

08/07/2009 11:01

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Nannyconnie, I love reading especially before I go to sleep and on hols could read a book a day. Mostly light reading and love books by Patricia Scanlon and Tess Gerritsen. Read one recently by Mary O'Sullivan and Melissa Hill and enjoyed them also. Problem being I read so many that sometimes when covers change I don't realise i have already read it until I start into it and then am very disappointed!! What a great post that has carried on I see for days.

(member)

08/07/2009 19:16

Re: Calling all you readers

Yes Nannyconnie � a very interesting post which may well run for a while. I used to be a great reader, with 2 or 3 books on the go at once. But, like Bobcat, I have found that the forum seems to be taking over some of the time I used to devote to reading, especially before bed, and again, Im a bit out of the habit. So this post has encouraged me to get back to reading, and not to restrict it to a few minutes in bed, where I usually fall asleep after a few pages.

More recently however, I read �The Road Home� by Rose Tremain � my friend highly recommended but I wasn�t too sure � but I was hooked by the 1st few pages, & couldn�t put it down. One of those books you don�t want to end. At the moment I�m reading Irish �chick lit� � �3 Days in New York� by a Michelle Jackson - a reasonable read which just suits my mood at the moment. I also loved �The Return� by Victoria Hislop, & am keen to read �Winter in Madrid�, also about the Spanish Civil War.

We have all talked about the books we like � what about the books which you didn�t like? There have been a few books I just couldn�t get � no matter how hard I tried! I really struggled with �The Time Travellers Daughter� & managed to get just over half way - & gave up! And �A Thousand Splendid Suns� didn�t do it for me at all. If I don�t enjoy the 1st few chapters of a book, I don�t have the staying power to keep going.

Some other points - if you buy your books � probably mostly paperbacks � do you just add them to the already full bookshelves, or do you hand them out to friends or a charity shop? And � are there many books you do read again, or several times? The one book I love to read from time to time has to be �Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

(member)

08/07/2009 21:27

Re: Calling all you readers

Rosalie, I agree with you that The Road Home was excellent .. gave an insight into the lives of people struggling to survive in London, and was much more uplifting than that description would suggest. Have you read Rose Tremain's Music and Silence.. totally different, a historical account of a royal orchestra; you wouldn't have a clue it was the same author but also a great read.

I found The Time Traveller's Wife hard going too .. it was all the jumping around in time; I got in a knot over it and couldn't figure out who knew what when .. I struggle when the clocks go back an hour so there was no hope for me at all!!

I am trying hard to keep to the "one-in-one-out" rule to feel less swamped by books so only keep the ones I'm sure someone at home will read again and pass on the others to family, friends and charity shops..

Mags

(member)

09/07/2009 08:04

Re: Calling all you readers

Bille, try Clare Boylan's "Room for a Single Lady". Sadly Clare died a couple of years ago.

Regards,
Marie

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09/07/2009 13:46

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Marie
Thanks for the recommendation I'm just in the middle of reading "Emma Brown" and loving it! Can't wait for the school hols I'm really looking forward to doing a bit more reading.

Mags & Rosalie - I didn't care for the "Time Travellers Wife" either although I did read it to the end . Billie

(member)

14/07/2009 16:11

Re: Calling all you readers

Hi Everyone
I've just caught up with this post.
I love to read anywhere, anytime but I always read in bed. It doesn't matter what time.
I'm another who loved The Road Home. I thought it was brilliantly written and gave great insight into how naive some of the people who come to this country (and probably other countries) are.
On holiday recently I only managed 2 books
The Unbelievable Lightness of Scones by A McCallSmith and
Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell. Totally different books so you can see how wide my taste is.
Didn't like Time Traveller's Wife but loved the Accidental Time Traveller by Sharon Griffiths.

Nannyconnie - I have also been wondering about Dryad and hope that she is OK
Ginnie

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