Holiday treats

With more than 100 books in my To Be Read pile there's no real need for me to add any more to the tower. But this morning I couldn't resist going on a little splurge. I figured I wouldn't really feel as if I was on holiday (I don't have to go back to work until Monday June 4) unless I had some shiny new tomes with crisp-smelling paper in my hands. So after a trip to the hairdresser (nothing like having my hair dyed, washed, chopped and blow-dried to make me feel truly relaxed) I popped into my local Books Etc and did some serious browsing.

I came away with three novels: B.S. Johnson's Cristie Malry's Own Double-Entry, T.C. Boyle's Talk Talk and Yasmin Crowther's The Saffron Kitchen.

These will compliment the free book -- Nancy Pickard's The Virgin of Small Plains -- that popped through my letter box this week courtesy of Random House.

Meanwhile, I'm still reading Chuck Palahniuk's latest book Rant, which is proving to be hard work. There's a great story there, but it's told in the form of an oral history by a large cast of characters, so it feels slightly too disjointed for me to really get stuck into. Mind you, I've not had much inclination to read lately, so I'm not sure it's very fair to blame Chuck Palahniuk if I'm not enjoying it that much.

What are you reading -- or buying -- at the moment?

Comments

[Emma]

I have just bought 10 books today. There is a real mixture in there from historical murder mystery to chick Lit and I am looking forward to be able to indulge in my favourite passion over the bank holiday weekend.

What is your favourite author and/or book?

Emma

[Maxine]

Is that Nancy Pickard a series one? I read a few of hers set in Florida with a female main character, I think she was a novelist? I quite liked them, but they got same-y after a bit. If this is another type of book by the same author, I might give it a go, if you think it is good when ;-) you've read it.

[kimbofo]

Emma, wow, 10 books! What a treat! I think my favourite author is John McGahern, whom I discovered last year. He writes the most beautiful books in a very simple but lyrical style. I've reviewed most of his books on this site now.

As to my favourite book, it is an old Australian classic by George Johnston called "My Brother Jack".

[kimbofo]

Maxine, no, don't think the Pickard is part of a series.

[Heather]

OOhh.. a few of those will be added to my wishlist. Borders had a ton of $1 and I stocked up on Weds. 22 new books, listed on my blog. So delicious.

[Julia]

I recently read The Saffron Kitchen so I'll be interested to hear what you think.

[Kinuk]

I'm finally getting around to reading Donna Tartt's "The Secret History", which was slow to start. I am loving it right now, just about half-way through. Really lovely read (but I think you've read it before, Kimbofo).

I'm not buying anything at the moment (Miriam Stoddard's New Babycare on ebay does NOT count as a book). Instead, I'm enjoying the school library's stock while I still can.

I'll be interested in your thoughts of the Saffron Kitchen; a friend read it and was quite complimentary...

[Lianne]

I just bought Beyond Black, Unless and The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency from the local Cancer Research Shop for £1.50 each. They had so many good books there I could have picked up quite a few more, but had to restrain myself! And I'm about to trawl through Abe books now for a copy of Madame Depardieu and the Beautiful Strangers (I rarely buy books brand new anymore)which I want to read on holiday next month.

Recently finished reading Ghost Story, which I mooched from you Kim. I had a very strange relationship with this book. At times I couldn't wait to get a few quiet minutes to get back to it and other times when I did have a chance to read it I didn't want to. It really picked up towards the end though, and that will-she won't-she sequence (don't want to say too much for those who haven't read it!) was truely heart-in-mouth stuff.

[Kate]

I reviewed Talk Talk last year sometime, and I look forward to your review!