scottishmags
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Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1322
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She was so interesting to listen to and was talking mainly about where she got inspiration for her novels and how the themes have changed over the years to reflect current trends.
For example, she was at a party and talking to a friend whose adult son had moved back home. This lady was loving having her boy home to spoil and fuss over... but Joanna could see from the look on her husband's face he felt completely differently! And this inspired a book ... can't remember the title, maybe someone else knows....
I was wondering whether we enjoy books which reflect our own experiences or do we prefer to read about lives which are completely different?
Mags
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Ginnie
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Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1065
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Hi Mags
I'll try again. I've just replied to you but it has disappeared into outer space.
It must have been so interesting listening to Joanna Trollope.
To answer your question I like lots of different types of books by many authors. I have even found that I have loved an author's books and then find one I can't get into.
The last two books I read were the Return by Victoria Hislop and Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson. Totally different but I really enjoyed them both.
Ginnie
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scottishmags
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Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1322
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Hi Ginnie
Have you read The Island too? I thought it was even better than The Return. We actually ended up on holiday in the same Mark Warner complex as Victoria Hislop. Very petite and glam! Her husband Ian was lovely, always said hello and quite the opposite of full of himself. Spent most of the time in the shade playing bridge and my son hung around desperately wishing he knew how to play and could join in!
I've just started to collect books to take on holiday. So far have The White Tiger, The Northern Clemency( both up for the Booker Prize ), The Meaning of Night ( a Victorian crime novel ) and The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory ( Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I ) Any other suggestions would be great
Mags
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Ginnie
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Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1065
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Hi Mags
Yes I have read The Island and I thought it was brilliant. Definitely a book I couldn't put down. I was a bit unsure of The Return a t the start as it seemed a of chic lit but once it got going properly I was hooked.
I've got 2 holiday books ready. The latest Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith - The characters are so believable and Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell. OH is taking something about the economy by Vince Cable (much prefer my choice).
Love Philippa Gregory and haven't read The Other Queen so that could go with me too.
Ginnie
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paulagalvin
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Reged: 20/07/2007
Posts: 170
Loc: leixlip
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Hi Ginnie and Mags
That sounds wonderful to have met Joanne Trollope,I absolutely love her books,so moving and realistic,
My favourite was"Other peoples Children"
have you read that one?
We are having our Writer`s festival here at the moment.
have just come in from listening to Melvyn Bragg speak,a truly fascinating and disarmingly honest man.Spoke about his French wife(as told in "Remember Me")
Tomorrow night I go to see Zoe Heller and Colm Toibin and Sunday ,Sarah Waters.
Have any members of the Forum read their works and what do you think of them?Would love to know.
:I know I prefer to read books that have some connection with me,rather than books which are completely outside my experiences. (to answer your question ,Scottish Mags.
Thats why I love Anne Tyler so much and Carol Shields too.
What do you think of these writers?
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scottishmags
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Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1322
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Hello again Paula
Reading Anne Tyler's Patchwork Planet at the moment and I've just read another of hers.... can't remember the title and I've lent it to a friend... about adopting a little girl from Korea ... so accurate in depicting people's emotions, I really enjoyed it. My memory for titles is shocking!
Also like Carol Shields. If you enjoy these two writers have you tried Anita Shreve... The Pilot's Wife is very good. One of my favourite authors is Sue Gee and she seems to have missed becoming famous, can't understand why. The Mysteries of Glass, about a young curate arriving in a village, set in Victorian times, and being drawn into a relationship with the vicar's wife, is excellent, and Earth and Heaven is brilliant too.
I really like Melvyn Bragg as a person but, as I think I said, not so taken with him as a writer.. have you read any of his novels? Enjoy the rest of the Festival and do give us an up-date!
Ginnie, I have a lot of time for Vince Cable but not sure he would be my first choice for a holiday read! Did you read Alexander M-S's Ladies Detective Agency books.. I enjoyed them too.
Off to bed now... see you soon!
Mags
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paulagalvin
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Reged: 20/07/2007
Posts: 170
Loc: leixlip
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Ah ,"Digging to America" it was called,loved it!
Yes i also love Anita Shreve...Loved "Wedding in December"
have never heard of Sue gee but will definitely look her up..thanks for that,love to have new authors to try out.
Sweet dreams
Paula
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norfolkbroad
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Reged: 03/05/2007
Posts: 683
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Hi Mags, Ginnie and Paula
I was at the Hay on Wye Festival last weekend and the weekend before and had a fabulous time. The sun was shining and I felt a complete groupie meeting all my favourite authors and hearing them talking about their latest books and how they write - all so different.
I saw Victoria Hislop, Kate Atkinson, Zoe Heller, Sarah Waters - and Marcus Zusak who wrote the Book Thief which I loved - amongst others. I can't wait to read Sarah Waters' latest, as soon as my daughter finishes it! I now have a pile of books beside my bed to keep me going through the summer holidays.
Happy reading!
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Ginnie
member
Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1065
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Hi Girls
I can't tell you how lucky I think you all are to have listened to these writers.
From your list of favourites I love Anne Tyler, Anita Shreve, Zoe Hellier (perhaps I should stop and just say I love reading).Someone recently said to me that she didn't think people read anymore because of DVDs. I was speechless (not a common occurrence). I panic if I haven't the next 2 or 3 books lined up.
Mags I agree with you about Vince Cable but his book is not my idea of holiday reading. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of AMcS's books.
Paula love Anne Tyler books but don't know Carol Shields. I'll have to look out for her.
Norfolkbroad I will have to organize a trip to Hay-onWye. I'm sure I would be a groupie too.
So many books.............
Ginnie
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paulagalvin
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Reged: 20/07/2007
Posts: 170
Loc: leixlip
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HI norfolkbroads
I saw Zoe heller last night,she was great,not I must say an immediately endearing person,but nonetheless interesting.
Am going to see Sarah Waters tomorrow night in the Abbey Theatre,really looking forward to that.
Two years ago at the end of the festival at which Jeannette Winterston had spoken brilliantly,inspiringly and funnily of her very strange childhood,we were invited to the post festival party,in the most lovely Georgian house where there was beautiful food and wine so am hoping tomorrow to be invited too.
Her`s hoping....
Ginnie,do look up Carol Shields,she is great.
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norfolkbroad
member
Reged: 03/05/2007
Posts: 683
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Hi Paula
I rather liked Zoe Heller - quite feisty, and definitely interesting. The chap interviewing her at Hay kept wittering on and at one point she told him he was talking baloney - I fully agreed! The characters in her books are certainly not particularly endearing!
Sarah Walters is pretty feisty too and she's a particularly good speaker. I wonder if they hate having to promote their books in this way.
Hope you get invited to to the post-party - sounds terrific!
Can't wait to read the books now!
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Ginnie
member
Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1065
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Hi again
I've just read a Zoe Hellier short story in today's Sunday Times. Quite a dark tale. They are doing them throughout June.
Ginnie
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norfolkbroad
member
Reged: 03/05/2007
Posts: 683
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Wish I'd seen it, Ginnie.
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Ginnie
member
Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1065
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Hi Norfolkbroad
I've just googled sunday times and then searched zoe heller short story and it came up. About a girl called cheyanne ?sp on holiday.
Ginnie
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norfolkbroad
member
Reged: 03/05/2007
Posts: 683
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I've tried to find it, Ginnie, but it doesn't work. Would love to read it.
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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1322
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Hi everyone
I'm missing Hay-on-Wye this year as my son's in the middle of A-Levels and I need to hang around at home and nag him! What a lot of brilliant authors this year. Northfolkbroad, I agree with you about the Book Thief..such an original concept wasn't it? I would love to have seen Sarah Waters and Kate Atkinson too.
Paula, did you get to the party? Sounds excellent.
Ginnie, nice to hear from you too. I haven't read the story in the Sunday Times yet but will soon.
I think reading has really made a come-back with all age groups and it puzzles me that we don't have more TV programmes reviewing new books. I listen to Simon Bates on Radio5live and that's about it. Surely there would be an interested audience?
Mags
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paulagalvin
member
Reged: 20/07/2007
Posts: 170
Loc: leixlip
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No,sadly did not get to the party this year but it was wonderful to hear all these wonderful writers speak about their work.I really liked Sarah Waters and bought "The night watch" to read.There was a huge queue to have books signed and I could not wait but did get Colm Toibin and Seamus
Heaney to sign theirs.
So all in all a great festival.
Has anyone read any Geoff Dyer?He was there too,terrifically funny...
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norfolkbroad
member
Reged: 03/05/2007
Posts: 683
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Mags, there used to be a terrific programme on TV called Bookworm presented by Griff Rhys-Jones - I don't know why they dropped it because it used to have really interesting little snippets from authors, bookclubs, etc. I liked Richard and Judy's book club too.
Paula, I'm glad you managed to see Sarah Waters. She's a really good speaker, isn't she. I've read the Night Watch and really enjoyed it, but prefer her spooky gothic ones like Affinity and Fingersmith. I'm looking forward to reading her new one. I haven't heard of Geoff Dyer, is he worth reading.
At Hay we also saw Arthur Smith - he was hilarious and I thought I'd get his autobiography for my OH who never reads, but I think even he would enjoy this!
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paulagalvin
member
Reged: 20/07/2007
Posts: 170
Loc: leixlip
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Looked for Geoff Dyer in library(no,not the man,the book!!!!)
No joy,his book is called something like Death in Venice,blah,blah in Varanassi...
Sorry I know that`s not enough info.,maybe google it and see,he was funny and book sounded good!!!
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