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...and what do you think of it? (not that everyone's gonna say this much) A nice new shiny one of these threads for that back-to-school time of year. Just finished by Douglas Coupland http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0006551270/qid=1095149327/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-4305711-4459830 . Ironically - given its glaringly obvious 'message' - I found myself thinking that "there has to be more to this"; so many intelligent people love Coupland and this novel had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. After reading a few old reviews & crits, found that practically its only interesting feature (besides the Smiths references!) is that it can be viewed as his manifesto for the 'New Sincerity' movement, and rejection of his previous pop-culture driven style. Well, there's sincerity, and there's not being given anything to think about. And started by Luke Rhinehart http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0006513905/qid=1095149412/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-4305711-4459830 . Men I know or meet keep talking to me about this book, and ask if I've read it. Gonna have to set targets to get this one finished. It ain't that great and there's 550 pages of it. The sick humour of the narrative is quite amusing, esp if imagined in a film noir voiceover stylee. But this time capsule (from the late 60s - early 70s) hasn't travelled too well. The discussions of psychotherapy are tedious as there have been so many developments in the field since. And the self-satisfied tone of the protagonist who sees the world as his plaything reminds me what Germaine Greer and her mates must have been railing against.
Bachelorette, thanks for starting this up again. I've just finished a book so want to see recommendations before I start a new one. I've just finished reading Tama Janowitz's "A Certain Age" which was brilliant. It's about an amoral thirty-something woman in NY, desperately trying to meet a rich man. Definitely not Chick-Lit. Funny, depressing. Actually very sad. And very realistic in parts about social status issues for single women. I have in my reading pile Graham Greene's The End of the Affair but I don't know if I fancy that right now so looking for other suggestions.
Michael J Fox's autobiography. Only just started it though so can't really comment. Have hardly read any non-fiction but am branching out after Notes on My Travels by Angelina Jolie and Dream Brother, the biog of Tim & Jeff Buckley (can't remember who by!) and liking them. So will report back...
I'm reading The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum and really enjoying it. A self-help book with a difference. 
Erm, doing some light reading at the moment: Jackie Collins - New Hollywood wifes or something like that. Just finished Mary Higgins Clark - The widow
Been non-fictiony recently, Bill Bryson-Short history of Nearly Everything, and just finished A.N.Wilson The Victorians....fascinating! slightly TOO much detail, but a good read all the same. Now going to start Anne Tyler The Amateur Marriage as some light relief. xx
Have just read "Memoirs of a Geisha" which I really enjoyed but found it took me ages to read as I could only read one or two chapers at a time. Have now started "Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Have never read it. My brother in-law has lent it me - it's his favourite book ever. Am actually enjoying it so far. The book he's lent me is the omnibus edition so I may have to leave off after book one for a break!
At the moment im reading Jordan's autobiography 
I only got it yesterday and im half way through already its that kind of book that you just cannot put down, before that I was reading Lesley Pearce - Charity, that was fantasic it had a really good story to it
I only got it yesterday and im half way through already its that kind of book that you just cannot put down, before that I was reading Lesley Pearce - Charity, that was fantasic it had a really good story to it
Reading Oliva Joules and the Overactive Imagination and enjoying it. Great concept and has got a nice pace to it. Before that I read Nikki French Land of the Living (?) (book free with Eve) and quite liked it. Good for an interim read, quite well written as entertainment.
Its by Karin Slaughter, but I cannot remember the name off the top of my head. It is really good though, I am gripped!
I'm reading gone with the wind & really enjoying it - not the kind of book I normally read at all but it's great. One of them books that totally takes you away from it all!
I'm just about to begin Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchey. I find her books are perfect for reading in the bath.
Currently reading Bill Bryson - Short History of Nearly Everything. It's really good, but some of the bits about the universe and aprticle physics are hard to get your head round! Planning on reading Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials triology after that as I have been meaning to read those for ages!
I've nearly finished the third short novel in The Earthsea Quartet http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140348034/qid=1095335637/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_11_1/026-1718559-0487657 by Ursula Le Guin - lent to me by Mr BF. Interesting books - not as gripping as say something by David Eddings, but much more thought provoking.
I'm reading the water babies - my mum said it was one of her favourites when she was little. It's a bit strange but it's very sweet!
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