Books - What are you reading?

Bought MiniGB (12yo) the first of the Robert Muchamore Cherub series for Christmas.

Just ordered books 15, 16 and 17 in that series. She's developed a good habit of 30 mins reading before sleep.

Ive just had some chance to read a few and the standout was A gentleman in Moscow.. charming book .
I tried to mentally cast the Lead in my head , I was dismayed to find Kenneth Branagh seems to have been given it …

This is such good short story writing.
I know some people don't like short stories in general but I like to pepper my reading with them.

I've been enjoying A Wizard Of Earthsea on audiobook the last couple of days. I loved the series when I was younger and so far it's holding up well revisiting as an adult. I'm a big fan of Ursual K Le Guin in general though.

What do we think of Jonathan Franzen? I am on my fourth novel now and still feeling a bit vexed.

I've read a couple and think I found them more clever than actually enjoyable.

The fact that they're not thin and still haven't left much of an impression is probably the best review I can give.

Still enjoying John le Carre, on my 11th book this year. Done 1-8 of the Smiley books, Little Drummer Girl, Night Manager, and currently reading A Perfect Spy, it's a cracking book, probably joint favourite with T S W C I F T C.
Gonna give him a break after this though, picked up a secondhand copy of The Ginger Man, so that'll be next.

I’m starting my 4th Mick Herron book this evening.

I can’t stop reading them. The characters are really well described and you Really feel their sense of dispair.

My dad and sister keep banging on about him.
Off to my sister's to enjoy the extra bank holiday, so will give a chapter a go, may be someone else I can get hooked into.

I've just finished Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeeer for the second time. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time so I've just ordered the other two in the series. I remember the second book, Authority being awful, to the point that I didn't bother with the third. I'm not sure why I think I'm more likely to enjoy it now. Guess that book token was burning a hole in my pocket.

Currently reading A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. It's absolutely brutal in places but excellent thus far.

I just started the 6th book still hooked. I’ll be sad when it’s over

I’m up to date with The slow horses stuff

I’m enjoying the jokes.

I alternated with the Rivers of London series which are different but easy funny procedurals

Looking for something else now, nothing has really grabbed me since Piranesi

Just waiting for my sister to finish the 1st, then I'll have 1-4 to go at.
@Alf0nse I keep looking at Rivers of London in Whs, may be worth a go.
Piranesi is on the shelf.

Rivers of London is a joy..it’s silly funny nerd stuff but beautifully characterised with decent procedural crime solving

I really enjoyed that book too, although it's very similar to China Mieville's Kraken. I wonder who had the idea first?

On a short story tip, I'm currently reading this...

Cracking book so far.

Anyone read dispatches by Michael Herr? Worth reading?

Yes, and yes

stone cold classic

Once I’ve finished the mick Herron series that’s next then.

Any other ‘stone cold classics’ recommendations?

Chickenhawk by Robert Mason is the other Vietnam book I like, it's not as well written or "literary" as Dispatches but has some absolutely bonkers stories, and gives you a visceral feeling of being in the midst of war*

*I have never actually been in a war

The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien.

Probably my favourite book of all time. It's so good, also informed pretty much every classic Vietnam film.

Have we done Irwin Shaw, the Young Lions? That's my favourite war book I think.