National Book Day.

[sandyRoe]

This might be an American thing, but what book are you reading now?

For me it's V2 by Robert Harris. I bought it for £1 from a shelf in the local Tesco.

The books are donated and the money goes to charity.  When I've finished I'll probably return it.

 

[Barmaid]

Naomi, Katherine is one of my all time favourite books by her or, in fact, by anyone.  I was actually going to write a biography of Katherine de Roet/Swynford, but Alison Weir got there first (and that is a very good historical study).  I read a lot of Anya Seton's books when I was in my early teens.

[barry1010]

I enjoy the Karen Pirie series and have just downloaded two from the library.

I'm very tired at the moment so I'd re-reading an old Reginald Hill book in the Dalziel & Pascoe series.

[naomi24]

BM, wandering around Lincoln cathedral, I was chatting to one of the guides who happened to mention that Katherine Swynford is buried there.  I was so excited - don't ask me why - I don't know why - but I was.  History popping out at me has that effect - coming to life I suppose - even though she's been dead for hundreds of years. Actually the guide was quite excited too.  I don't think she'd come across many people who'd ever heard of Katherine.

[Canary42]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Arts-and-Literature/Books-and-Authors/Question1879519.html       

 

[Canary42]

I too am reading Unruly

[Tilly2]

Just finished Kate Atkinson's 'Death at the Sign of the Rook.' (disappointing).

Next of the pile is 'Crazy Rich Asians.' by Kevin Kwan.

[Barmaid]

She is buried in Lincoln with "her Joan".  I have been there a few times, I've also been to Kettlethorpe, but nothing of the old manor exists now apart from the gatehouse and unfortunately, the church was locked (I wanted to see the Swynford tombs).  I first read that book when I was about 12 and just fell in love with her story.  I only listened to the book  again a few weeks back and I STILL cry at when she and Blanchette are reunited (although that did not actually happen).

Other authors I loved for their historical books were Jean Plaidy (and Victoria Holt and Phillipa Carr), Mary Stewart and Daphne Du Maurier.  

[naomi24]

I liked Jean Plaidy too, BM.  I think she also wrote as Victoria Holt and Phillipa Carr?

[naomi24]

Ooo .... Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca.  Now there's a book that stays.  Superb.

[Barmaid]

Jean Plaidy did write as the others - that is why I put them in brackets!  I think by the age of 14 I had gone through them all at the local library.

Love Rebecca, but also Frenchman's Creek and Jamaica Inn - I sometimes think that Jamaica Inn is better than Rebecca.  But also loved the Kings General and Mary Anne. I once had a full leather bound set of her works, which I bought for peanuts at a flea sale.  Unfortunately, it is now a few short due to an idiotic person.   

[ToraToraTora]

I usually have 3 books on the go, currently they are:

Bog book: WWII - Churchill

Lounge: Gun Fight - Ryan Busse, no it's not a western

Office: Dishonesty is the second best policy - David Mitchell

My new Boris book arrived today!

[douglas9401]

Enjoy the lie-in.

[jourdain2]

Mary Stewart, of course!  Much underrated - beautiful writer.

[Barmaid]

The first I read of hers was Nine Coaches Waiting, Jourdain. But I think "Touch Not the Cat" is probably my favourite. 

Another one I loved was R F Delderfield.

[Canary42]

I'm loving this thread, keep 'em coming folks.

From the number of responses, Chatterbank is obviously where to post Books stuff, not Books & Authors sub-category where I occasionally put mine (sometimes with nil replies).

The whole category selection could do with pruning, many haven't been used for years.

[ToraToraTora]

you're right canary the sub categories are like the marie celeste most of the time.

[Buenchico]

Having enjoyed one of Simon Brett's 'Fethering Mystery' series, that I picked up in a charity shop, I bought several more books in the series  from Amazon.  I'm currently reading this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1912523.Death_on_the_Downs

[Cloverjo]

I'm reading Miranda Hart's account of her debilitating illness. 
So far (about a fifth of the way through), it's not amazingly funny or interesting. Surprisingly! 
 

I intend to read some Terry Pratchett. My son has read them all and he has left them here. I would love to get stuck into them, but Rincewind gets on my nerves in The Colour of Magic, so I never got much further. 

[Ken4155]

Nearing the end of The Corporal's Wife by Gerald Seymour. Ever since Harry's Game, i've found Seymour's books to be a bit hit and miss and there are some which i haven't got beyond a third of the way in. This one's fair decent.

His Jonas Merrick series of books are a decent read, too.

[Toorak]

Like barmaid i read so much other work related stuff that I find it hard to read for enjoyment. However on holiday recently I read the first book by Peter james in the Grace series. At this rate I might finish the ten I have in ten years' time 🤞