What are you reading?

[Katybarstool]

I've recently discovered Philippa Gregory's books about the wives of Henry VIII, and I'm  thoroughly enjoying them - even though I'm counting my blessings that I wasn't around in the 16th century, and don't have to hide my faith.

What are you reading? And do you prefer books or e-readers? I have a Kindle but much prefer books.

Let me know.

Kathyx

[Pisces24]

I prefer the paper version of books. I have always been "into" history books especially ancient history and England history. I especially like Henry VIII & Queen Elizabeth and ancient Egypt. Yeah I know, weird? LOL

I have been working on my family tree off and on so that is interesting too. I do a little research reading of the area an ancestor was from to get a feel of the time and place.

I don't have a kindle, e-reader or whatever. A paper book doesn't "crash" and you loose everything and you get them from the library free. Some technology isn't all it is cracked up to be. 

[litliwlowa]

I'll have to get me a copy of that book, especially as I descend from Henry...lol EDIT: correction, I descend from his sister, Margaret. Ooops - so that would be Henry the VII, not VII.

I'm reading "Beyond Survival" by Capt. Gerald Coffee. He was a POW in Nam, I actually, back in those days when we'd have the bracelets for POWs and MIAs, wore one with his name on it. I'll never forget the day he was finally released - front page news on the Washington Post, huge picture of him stepping off the plane that finally brought him home.

I prefer books myself. I don't like eBooks at all. Mostly due to TBI residuals that affect my reading. I forget what it's called, but I have to use a card with a cutout to separate the lines as I read.

@Pisces, I am also working on my family tree - up to about 7000 ancestors thus far and some branches back as far as 160 AD. Weird but I've come to the conclusion that is the best way to learn history. Fascinating actually!!

[Carolina]

The Philippa Gregory books are marvelous!

I love my Kindle, and reading on the cloud on my Mac.  I have the cloud, iBook and e-Book.  I'm currently reading:

Life after Life (which I like better than I should for some reason!) by Kate Atkinson

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

Inferno by Dan Brown.

Yes, all three, switching back and forth.  No wonder I don't remember them well.  That's why I'm in book clubs, so I HAVE to discuss the books and that helps me remember.

So many books, so little time.

And then I play Words with Friends obsessively on FB.

Hugs,  Elaine

[grammad97]

Huge reader of books here..I have a Kindle my hubby got for me because he knows how much I love to read and a Kindle is good for traveling( I don't overload suitcase with books) and I love kindle for reading in bed when I cant sleep and I don't want to disturb hubbys sleep. I have a stack of paper backs and hardbacks too.
I am a history lover - favorite fiction authors Diana Gabaldon( Outlander series). Reading Drums of Autumn in paper.
I keep up with what grandchildren like too so have City of Bones on kindle I am reading.
All my kindle books are free - from several free e book sites or the kindle owners lending library.
In my dream job I would be a librarian....;-)

[Katybarstool]

Amanda, so we are friends with royalty

Thank you all for your posts. I may well follow up on some of your books, once I've had my fill of history.

By the way, has anyone read Sarah Dunnant's historical books? They were the ones to whet my appetite.

Kathyx 

[harrigan]

A fantastic thread Kathy - thankyou!  I loved 'The Other Boleyn Girl' when I read it last year.

I'm part way through 'Shadows of the Workhouse' as I loved the TV series 'Call the Midwife' but am not enjoying it as much on my kindle.  You can't beat a nice, well used bookcase!

For UK posters - I have been utterly enthralled with 'Last Tango in Halifax' and I think of you when it's been on Kathy as it's your neck of the woods-ish.  I got the 1st series on DVD as a gift and spent 6 hours watching one day last week. 

My next read is going to be a school read - Dodger by Terry Pratchett, which I'm looking forward to starting soon.  Happy reading everyone!  xx Ailsa

[Jasper]

I just finished two books, Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder and The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. Both were excellent. I am currently reading Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxis. Ir is a powerful book and I am enjoying it immensely. I guess it is obvious that I enjoy both historical fiction as well as nonfiction.

[SjoGirl]

I recently finished a book by a Franciscan that could appeal to anyone, particularly those like us who have to so dramatically change their lives. It's titled Falling Upward. the premise is that we must fall before we can rise (sure felt like I fell a long way when I developed Sjs).

I'm now reading a novel called Knit the Season. I'm not a knitter, but I loved the interplay between the women in the first book of the series so am reading the second.

I want to start a book called Survival of the Sickest, interesting perspective about illness that I want to learn more about.

[Katybarstool]

We are a pretty diverse lot, aren't we. I'm going to keep a list of all the titles you have mentioned, and dip into it when I run out of reading material.

Ailsa, I'm reading the Constant Princess now by Philippa Gregory. It's from just before the Other Boleyn GIrl, and is about the life of Katherine of Aragon. It's fascinating. I think these books have pushed me into more historical literature - there's so many questions about issues that come up in these books, that I'll have to find answers for. In fact, I think I will be reading about the War of the Roses before too long.By the way, Halifax is about 20 minutes drive from where I live, and Harrogate about double that time in the opposite direction. When you have a day free in the summer, we should meet for lunch there.

Happy reading everyone.

Kathyx

[Velcro]

I normally read all the time, but currently, I'm writing instead   I started a book four years ago, and I'll write a couple of weeks and then set it down again for a couple of months.  I decided I wanted to finish it this year, so I'm trying to be more dedicated.  Nothing for publish, just a goal of mine to write a book.

[Katybarstool]

That sounds exciting - and hard work, Velcro. But I bet you will have a real sense of achievement when it is finished. What is your book about?

Kathyx

[rosa]

They all sound good.  I cannot be without a book on the go.  Currently, Louise Penny's "How the Light gets In".  Nothing like a good mystery.

[ellieas]

Love historical fiction, too.Reading the second of Ken Follett's trilogy, Winter of the World. I am reading that in a real book! .Also, on my kindle ,I am reading "The Husbands's Secret". Not great literature, but it takes place in Australia and has been on the best seller list for several months. Its a good story.
I really have to keep myself away from the computer and iphone because I get too hooked and then I don't read. Maybe that should be a New Year's Resolution!

Enjoyed your recommendations.

Lesley

[Joe S.]

Disease Prevention and Treatment