What are you reading just now?

[numberplease]

Ags, I do tend to stay up rather late at night, just to have a little peace on my own, that`s when I do the majority of my reading. I`m about to Google C.J.Sansom to see if there`s another book imminent in the Matthew Shadlake series, I have so enjoyed the 4 that have been written so far.

[numberplease]

I have just finished The Neighbour, by Lisa Gardner, a bit different to other books of hers that I`ve read, but enjoyable all the same. Am now reading Gone Tomorrow, by Lee Child, I do so love Jack Reacher!

[Ags]

Am now reading Gone Tomorrow, by Lee Child, I do so love Jack Reacher!

I think all us ladies love him Numberplease
I managed to finish "Caught" by Harlan Coben at the beginning of the week! I made good use of the Monday Holiday!!
It was good but not his best! A missing girl - a sexual predator who may have taken her and a reporter who turns good and tries to find out the truth. A few good twists and a very obvious one at the end but I enjoyed it all the same.
I have now started "House Rules" by Jodi Piccoult about a young boy with Asberger's obsessed with crime scenes and accused of murdering his tutor. I think I have read 5 of her books - 3 I really liked and 2 I really disliked. It will be interesting to see how she handles this one.

[numberplease]

I was strongly recommended to try Jodie Picoult by a friend on another forum, but after reading 2 of her books they didn`t really appeal to me, but after hearing her talking about House Rules on TV recently, I may give it a try, as I have a young nephew with Aspbergers and some of the things she was talking about rang a few bells.

[numberplease]

I finished Gone Tomorrow this morning, LOVED it! I wish Jack Reacher was real, he`s great. Am now reading Roadside Crosses by Jeffrey Deaver.

[riggbeck]

I just finished reading Philip Pullman's new novel, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. I like the way he pulls apart the myth and puts it back together again as the relationship between twin brothers, Jesus and Christ. It also says a lot about the temptation of writers to supply meaning above and beyond the story. Very interesting take, as you would expect from a writer and an atheist.

[Govangirl]

Riggbeck, I agree - this is a very lovely read and a thought provoking book. I have not got to the end of it (although I obviously know what is going to happen at the end it's a very interesting journey) but I have loved every word of it so far. I know some think it's controversial but I think it has been done with reverence and Pullman certainly knows his Bible. I love books that get people thinking and this ticks all the boxes!

[riggbeck]

I obviously know what is going to happen at the end

Perhaps not, Govangirl. I don't know how far along you are with the book, but Pullman added some twists in the tale (tail?) which I'm obviously not going to tell you about, though they are sort of foreshadowed.

Not sure about the reverence. I know Pullman is best mates with Rowan Williams, but he is out to thoroughly subvert the myth in a much more subtle way than Richard Dawkins, who tramples all over it like an enraged rhino, snorting about Bronze Age superstitions. You're right about Pullman's knowledge of the Bible. Atheists should know their Scripture.

If you like this book, then you'd probably enjoy Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, by Christopher Moore. It's much funnier than Pullman's book and paradoxically less subversive. Biff has this surfer dude persona. I loved it.

[Govangirl]

Not sure about the reverence.

I think (?) I meant that there is reverence in his critical works - I get confused about all the complaints about his 'blasphemy' as although he is certainly anti-church / institutionalised religion (particularly the Catholic Church), I don't think he is anti-Christianity - and an atheist is capable of that! Anyway, I'm now looking forward to reading to the end!

[riggbeck]

I think (?) I meant that there is reverence in his critical works - I get confused about all the complaints about his 'blasphemy' as although he is certainly anti-church / institutionalised religion (particularly the Catholic Church), I don't think he is anti-Christianity - and an atheist is capable of that!

Have to think about that one. Certainly not the Bill and Ted aspect of Christianity ("Be excellent to each other!"). But he does comprehensively trash God - a senile dotard - in His Dark Materials, as well as institutionalized religion.

[numberplease]

I finished Roadside Crosses last night. It was Okaaaay, but not the best Jeffrey Deaver that I`ve read, maybe that`s why it took me a little longer to finish. Am now reading Scream for Me, by Karen Rose, which promises to be very good. I`m a recent convert to her books, and enjoy them.

[numberplease]

I loved Scream for Me, but it turned out to be the book preceding Kill For Me, which I read a while ago, so I knew what was going to happen to some of the characters, but still very enjoyable. Just coming to the end of The Burying Place, by Brian Freeman, an author new to me, it`s been very good.

[bill]

John Connolly's latest in the Charlie Parker series "The Whisperers"was released last Thursday13th.May whilst I was away in sunny climes.Unfortunately since my return I have been unable to get hold of a copy,as it is sold out . Justifies my opinion that he is the cream of the crop.
One of the books I read on holiday was R.J.Ellory's latest "The anniversary Man".Brilliant.Just as good as his previous"A Quiet Belief in Angels"and""A Simple act of Violence".
Must look out his earlier four books.

[numberplease]

I`ve never read John Connelly Bill, maybe I should seek him out and give him a try. Am now reading Reckless, by Andrew Gross. I usually enjoy his books, both on his own and with James Patterson, but so far this one is failing to excite me, let`s hope it improves soon.

[numberplease]

After a slow start, Reckless built up into a very good story. Am now coming towards the end of Blood Born, by Kathryn Fox, an Aussie writer I`ve found to be quite a good story teller.