General Chat

Just to ask if any one has a book they have read more than once. I'm a bit addicted to Angelas Ashes. I've bought it four times, loaned it out and never got it back. It made me laugh on one page then cry on the next (must be my Irish blood). I loaned it to my friend and she fell asleep on the bathroom floor at four a.m. trying to finish it before she fell asleep!! Also loved The Kid and The Lovely Bones.

Haven't read Angela's Ashes, should do though my husband is from County Limerick. Did like The Lovely Bones. I tend to like authors, and read all their books, such as John Grisham, and the Kellaman's. I just love to read, and have read a few books more than once. In fact just finished The Runaway Jury for about the fourth time.

Yes, I too have read Angela's Ashes. Well worth reading. Sylvia

I too have read Angelas Ashes. Also seen the film. I do like true stories. Frank M'court?? did a follow on book called "Tis". About his life in America. It continued the story & was also very good. Elaine x

Books I've read more than once: Fiction: all Jane Austen Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier. I find it very haunting. Nice work by David Lodge. Also enjoyed the tv adaptation with Warren Clarke & Haydn Gwynne. Non-Fiction: The Aspirin Age, edited by Isobel Leighton. This is a series of essays about America between world wars. Topics include prohibition, Aimee Semple McPherson, various crimes. All the contributors write superbly and it really captures what Scott Fitzgerald called "the hangover years" Book by the blokes who wrote the Elephant Man - called The Ghost Disease & other medical mysteries. It is a series of chapters about different mysteries regarding illness & death, including how an ambassador was nearly poisoned accidentally by arsenic in paint, whether Robert the Bruce died of leprosy, a wierd outbreak of jaundice in Epping which was finally tracked down to a sack of flour being transported in the same van as some dangerous chemicals, etc. H.

Just also thought of a brilliant set of books I've read several times, the first one was called A LONG WAY FROM HEAVEN that starts with a family in Ireland during the famine, the books follow the family through three generations. I can only remember two of the others DICKIE & ERINS CHILD. I didnt just cry at the end of them I sobbed. I was sitting on the seafront reading the last chapters and crying so much a stranger came and asked if I was allright!!

I too have read all Sheelagh Kelly's books several times and enjoyed them just as much each time. A Long Way From Heaven, For My Brothers Sins, Erins Child, My Father,My Son and Dickie. All a terrific read especially to me as I was born in York, and lived there before coming to Australia. Pat in Australia.

Yes, I also read 'Tis, sad and funny. Other books I have read and loved are D.H. Lawrence books. I think I now have every book he has written! Sylvia

kATE Yes Angelas Ashes was the better book of the two. It was interesting to find out what had happened to frank in Tis. I also own some books that I keep to re read again. (my fav ones) But I also buy books, read them & pass along to someone else for them to enjoy. A kind of book go round ! Elaine x

Harry Potter, Stephen King books (The Stand in particular), Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, Pride and Predujice and my favourite, Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. I know, I know, not at all the sort of book you would expect to be my fave! I too found the Lovely Bones FANTASTIC, but only read it for the first time recently, so not reread it yet! Maz. XX

Has anybody read "It's a long way from penny apples"? by Bill Cullen. This book is on my list to buy when I'm in England in September. For those who have read "'Tis" I would ask have you also read "Famine"? A fascinating book which enlightened me a lot more into the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. Sylvia

Hiya Sylvia, yes Iv'e just finished A LONG WAY FROM PENNY APPLES. Not as good as Angelas ashes but a very good book all the same. It sounds as if you like the same type of books as meso maybe you could reccomend some. Maureen

Has anyone read 'The Running Years' by Claire Rayner? (Yes the agony aunt ) I have just re-read it for the first time in about 15 years. It was first published in 1981 I think. It's about the history of two Jewish families, and I couldn't put it down. Reading that makes the book sound boring, but it truly isn't! Sue

Maureen, I like some of Doris Lessing's books, but not all. I find some Russian authors also good. Have you read Solhenitzyn? Don't think I've spelt that correctly, but you will know who I mean. Chekhov also wrote some short stories which I found amusing. Sylvia

Another book which I've mentioned before in a thread is LONDON by Edward Rutherford. A bit heavy reading, but really interesting. Sylvia

Donna my husband rarely reads a book but like you he's into Harry Potter. I've just discovered DAVID PARK but I got his last book first SWALLOWING THE SUN. I think he's done about three previous books the first one is THE HEALING but I haven't read that one yet, once again theyre set in Ireland, I must be drawn to the Irish books!