Thinking about possible posting topics for this site I began to wonder if there is a "typical" Cornflower Books reader - are there large overlaps in our reading and conversely, periods or genres we tend not to venture into? I'm not proposing to conduct a poll or do any kind of in-depth survey but I wondered if we might glean some useful information by asking everyone who is willing to tell us (and please don't be shy) to leave a comment listing three things:
1. What you are currently reading.
2. Which book you have enjoyed most since the beginning of the year, or thereabouts, and whether that is fairly representative of what you read.
3. What is at the top of your wishlist (real or putative), that is, which book you are most looking forward to reading.
Ooooh great questions, the second are quite tough!
1. The Passage - Justin Cronin
2. I wanted to say Homer & Langley by Doctorow but it was a chancer kind of read so not typical so maybe I will go with the new O'Farrell.
3. There are three (is that cheating)... the next Kate Atkinson when it comes out, 'Queen Lucia' by E.F. Benson and 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters both of which I own and am soon to get around to.
Posted by: Simon (Savidge Reads) | 30 April 2010 at 01:16 PM
1. I'm always reading quite a few, but the one I'm *mostly* reading is Secret Lives by EF Benson
2. Nella Last's War - it is representative for period, but I usually read fiction (although my favourite reads for the last four years have been non-fiction)
3. Looking forward to reading... well, if it's something that's not available yet, then it's whatever is the next translated book by Tove Jansson! On the tbr pile, next up is The Sandcastle by Iris Murdoch.
Posted by: Simon T | 30 April 2010 at 01:21 PM
1)I am reading Black Water Rising by Attica Locke from the Orange shortlist
2) My favourite read of this year has to be Wolf Hall-outstanding on all counts.I don't usually read much historical fiction but love anything by Hilary Mantel
3)I am really looking forward to reading the new David Mitchell book
Posted by: Evelyn | 30 April 2010 at 01:21 PM
1) Music at the Limits by Edward Said
2) Probably (1)! Yes I think that is a fairly typical book for me.
3) Kari by Amruta Patil (see here if you don't know anything about it http://www.paulgravett.com/index.php/articles/article/amruta_patil/)
Posted by: Dark Puss | 30 April 2010 at 02:01 PM
1. Brotherly Love by Elizabeth Pewsey - it's a re-read, the last in a series of 6 books, all revolving around the same family but defintely not a family saga!
2. Very difficult - probably The Lyre of Orpheus by Robertson Davies. Yes, it's typical.
3. Titus Awakes, the fourth book in the Gormenghast trilogy (shades of Douglas Adams), finished by Mervyn Peake's widow. Had been on the top of the putative wishlist (no-one knew of its existence) - now at the top of the real one.
Posted by: GeraniumCat | 30 April 2010 at 02:35 PM
I am currently reading The many conditions of love by Zama which is rather enjoyable.
I can't possibly limit it to 1 book as I have read 375 books already this year - highlights include Still missing (Gutcheon), Hearts and minds (Craig), The still point (Amy Sackville) and almost the entire Elizabeth von Arnim oevre.
I don't have a huge amount on my wishlist at the moment or anything particularly pressing on my TBR but I think I'm most looking forward to reading the new volume of Nella Last when it comes out in October.
Posted by: Verity | 30 April 2010 at 02:39 PM
1. I just finished "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom and absolutely loved it. I would rank it way up there with my favorite books of 2010.
2. The best book so far woud have to be "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie", the first Flavia deLuce mystery by Alan Bradley (the second one was great too).
3. I really want to read Sarah Dunant's new book "Sacred Heart." I loved her "The Birth of Venus".
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 30 April 2010 at 02:43 PM
You've read 375 books in four months?? You must not do anything but read. I thought I was doing great to have read 50 books so far this year.
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 30 April 2010 at 02:46 PM
1. Towards the End of the Morning by Michael Frayn. Re-read but I haven't read it for years.
2.The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
3. Nothing, unfortunately.
Posted by: Barbara | 30 April 2010 at 02:47 PM
1) I'm rereading Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers as light relief in between reading Cutting Stone by Abraham Verghese
2)The Children's Book by A S Byatt which I really loved and is fairly typical
3)I'm looking forward to reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel but am saving it for when I can have good stretches of uninterrupted reading!
Posted by: karen | 30 April 2010 at 02:51 PM
PS -
I'm not a typical Cornflower Books reader because I'm American and read a lot of books by American authors that you may not know about. Conversely, you and your readers mention so many books that I have never heard of before. Even in the comments today there are so many books and authors that I don't recognize.
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 30 April 2010 at 03:04 PM
It's approximately a page per minute reading non-stop for 10 hours per day, 7 days per week!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 30 April 2010 at 03:36 PM
1) I'm reading Eustace and Hilda by LP Hartley.
2) Tough -- I've enjoyed quite a few -- EH Young's Miss Mole, perhaps, as it was an author I'd never heard of and absolutely loved. Fairly typical -- it's a Virago published in the 1930s -- but my tastes are pretty catholic.
3) I have Wolf Hall sitting by the bed so I think that will be next.
Posted by: Harriet Devine | 30 April 2010 at 03:50 PM
1. I'm reading Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
2. The best book so far would have to be The Children's Book by A S Byatt. I still feel haunted by images in it.
3. I'm waiting and hoping that Susan Price will complete her Srerkarm trilogy.
Posted by: Juliet | 30 April 2010 at 04:04 PM
that should have been Sterkarm...sorry
Posted by: Juliet | 30 April 2010 at 04:05 PM
[1] The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. It's a copy passed to me by my daughter. In the car I am half way through the 21 CD audio book Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.
[2] Everything is Connected - The Power of Music by Daniel Barenboim
[3] I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I learned about it on your March 15, 2010 blog. I also enjoyed the 28 comments so headed off to the library for a copy which I am about to start.
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 30 April 2010 at 05:03 PM
Just finished Mark Mc Allister There is a Wideness and starting Kathrin Schmidt (alas not yet translated)Du Stirbst Nicht.
Most enjoyed this year so far and fairly representative William Trevor Love and Summer.
Looking forward to reading Sappho If Not Winter(translation Anne Carson)
Posted by: catharina | 30 April 2010 at 05:03 PM
1. I am reading Higuchi Ichiyo's "Child's Play"; I am listening to Gaskell's "Wives and Daughters". (I do a lot of "reading by audiobook" while I'm knitting)
2. So far this year, enjoyed reading "The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World" by Wade Davis and most of all listening to "War and Peace;" my second reading via an outstanding audiobook.
3. Looking forward to: listening to "My Cousin Rachel" for your book group and finishing "The Fires of Vesuvius", by Mary Beard.
Looking at this list the theme is clearly historical, which is very typical for me, I think.
Posted by: Mary | 30 April 2010 at 05:30 PM
I think we have similar reading tastes--at least I enjoy looking at the books on your sidebar and often write down titles I want to read!!
1. Am currently reading too many books to list, but I'll list Anna Karenina since that is the most distinguished (and the Night Ferry for pure thriller edge of your seat escapism)
2. I'm reading slow this year (not as many this year compared with last) and I feel so-so about a lot of the books I've finished--my favorites so far are A Room with a View and The Crimson Rooms
3. Another hard one--I am going to start Someone at a Distance this weekend which I've been looking forward to, but I have lots more that I have waiting in the ready (several crime novels, a few from the Orange prize list and David Mitchell's newest!).
Posted by: Danielle | 30 April 2010 at 05:54 PM
Today I am reading "Instances of the number 3" by Sally Vickers.
Most enjoyed The Glass House by Simon Mawer - probably. Also, if allowed two on the enjoyment front, "Mariana" by Monica Dickens.
Most looking forward to the new Maggie O'Farrel. Also "Henrietta sees it through" by Joyce Dennys.
Posted by: henrietta | 30 April 2010 at 05:58 PM
1) The Blue Flower Penelope Fitzgerald, also in odd moments such as when the kettle is boiling I read another section of Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer Jane Brocket
2) Along with several others here- must say something about us Cornflower readers; The Children's Book A S Byatt. A book which has sent me on all sorts of research trails.
3)As I am on our boat for the weekend I have a limited choice here, so think it will be The Secret Scripture Sebastian Barry
Posted by: Fran | 30 April 2010 at 06:53 PM
1. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez - simply a love story and The Solitude of Prime Numbers, Paolo Giordano.
2. Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami - quirky, alienating and intriguing. This is not a typical book for me or the Cornflower Group, I think, but I enjoyed the challenges it posed for me, the reader.
3. My wishlist is so long . . . Beside the Sea, Veronique Olmi from a new publisher I read about on this site, Peirene Press.
Now, I will go back and read the earlier comments. I'm sure they will be interesting!
Posted by: Deirdre | 30 April 2010 at 07:35 PM
Reading "Lives like loaded guns: Emily Dickinson & her family's feuds" by Lyndall Gordon.
Most enjoyed this year "The Blue Fox" by Sjon
Looking forward to reading Donna Leon's latest Commissario Brunetti novel "About Face" & also whatever wins the "Lost Booker".
Posted by: Alison M | 30 April 2010 at 07:52 PM
1. Dorothy L. Sayers - Gaudy Nights and The Wise Virgins - Leonard Woolf for two challenges
2. Most enjoyed Songs for the Butcher's Daughter - Peter Manseau (for the storytelling, focus on typesetting, translation of Yiddish writing), and a 'catch-up' of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series.
3. I have Anita Brookner - Strangers, Vickers - Dancing Backwards, Chevalier - Remarkable Creatures and Alis Hawkins - Testament on my TBR pile. There are lots of new publications I would like to read e.g. Naomi Andelman's new novel The Lessons, Amanda Craig - Hearts and Minds and a new Kate Atkinson.
1. is not my typical read. I have eclectic tastes and usually follow up authors I have enjoyed in the past as well as new writers.
Posted by: Linda P | 30 April 2010 at 07:57 PM
Thanks for the heads up on the Salley Vickers book. I am quite a fan of her "Miss Garnet's Angel".
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 30 April 2010 at 07:59 PM
Currently reading Instruments of darkness by Imogen Robertson, from the Saturday Guardian's new paperbacks list.
Best this year so far is the new Susan Hill - The shadows in the street. Totally gripping and so much more than a crime novel.
Looking forward to the new C J Sansom and the latest Isabel Dalhousie. Just keep them coming please.
Posted by: Georgina | 30 April 2010 at 08:00 PM
apology - The Lessons - Naomi Adelman
Posted by: Linda P | 30 April 2010 at 08:12 PM
Oops. I forgot. The Stieg Larsson books. Rainy holiday reading par excellence.
Posted by: Georgina | 30 April 2010 at 08:16 PM
1.Currently reading and ehjoying Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada.
2.I really loved The House of the Mosque - Kader Abdolah - a wonderful fable like tale.
3.Really looking forward to Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna as she is one of my favourite authors. Also looking forward to the last of the Stieg Larsson trilogy - saving it for the holidays though.
Posted by: Caro | 30 April 2010 at 08:44 PM
Sorry, try again! The Lessons - Naomi Alderman (First novel Disobedience)
Posted by: Linda | 30 April 2010 at 08:51 PM
1 I am reading "A Stain on the Silence " by Andrew Taylor.
2.I enjoyed "The Little Stranger" by Sarah Waters. Have not read any of her books before and was surprised I enjoyed it so much.
3.The next Simon Serraillier book by Susan Hill. Another in the series 44 Scotland Sreet by alexander McCall Smith
Posted by: anne | 30 April 2010 at 08:55 PM
Current:
A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks (not enjoying in much--over rated in my opinion), but I'm nearly finished.
Most enjoyed (2010):
The Glass Room, Citizens of London, Nothing to Envy, Children's Book (fairly represents what I read--1/2 fiction, 1/2 non - about dozen/month)
Next: Thousand Autumns..., The White Woman ... Green Bicycle, The Music Room, Remarkable Creatures.
I'm American and much enjoy your blog to learn about British books.
Posted by: Linda C. | 30 April 2010 at 09:15 PM
Deirdre, I suggested, in early CBG days, Kafka on the Shore. Sadly it didn't "make the cut" but for me it was one the best novels I have read in a decade.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 30 April 2010 at 09:23 PM
1. I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantell.
2. I enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
3 Can't wait to start The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith, just the thing for a wet, windy and cold Bank Holiday weekend.
Posted by: Lesley | 30 April 2010 at 09:31 PM
1. Reading 'Their Finest Hour and a Half' by Lissa Evans - marvellous romp through propaganda film-making in WWII written by a former 'Kumars at 42' scriptwriter. Also listening to David Mitchell's 'One Day'. Typical that I'm reading one and listening to one.
2. Just finished and most enjoyed book this year 'I Know This Much is True' by Wally Lamb. Representative in that it came highly recommended from a friend.
3. Looking forward to 'The Crimson Petal and the White' by Michael Faber - a meaty Victorian-style novel.
Posted by: serenknitity | 30 April 2010 at 09:35 PM
1. Auden's "Selected Poems" (ed. Mendelson 1979) together with John Fuller's Commentary
2. "The Spy who came in from the Cold" by John le Carre.
3. "A Murder of Quality" by ditto
Posted by: Mr Cornflower | 30 April 2010 at 09:49 PM
1. I'm reading Nancy Mitford's Don't Tell Alfred. Wasn't really intending to but I pulled it down from the shelf and before I knew where I was, I was half way through it.
2. I don't think the last few months have been great for reading; last year, on the other hand, it was one great discovery after another! But absolutely the best book I've read this year (I felt bereft when I'd finished) has been Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety, belatedly catching up with your book group. I hadn't come across him before but it's representative in that I love that very clean, taut American writing. (Nancy Mitford is okay as far she goes, but it's not very far!)
3. I keep promising myself a re-read of Middlemarch and Anna Karenina.
I don't know what this proves except that I like my fiction to mellow for a few decades ... I'm not very attracted by the latest prizewinners' lists
Posted by: m | 30 April 2010 at 10:51 PM
1. Just finished (20 minutes ago) Joanna Trollope's Second Honeymoon.
2. Best book: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Loved it, partly because I knew my husband would love it as well (he did). Pretty typical read though it is so. well. written. that its quality of writing is hard to find!
3. I guess I would say that I'm looking forward to the next Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency: my library doesn't have The Double Comfort one yet!
Posted by: Becky | 30 April 2010 at 11:16 PM
I wonder how you'll like Lacuna. . . a friend of mine who is also a huge Kingsolver fan was incredibly disappointed. I have it from her, but after that review I'm not rushing to pick it up!
Posted by: Becky | 30 April 2010 at 11:18 PM
1. Just finished Trespass by Rose Tremain
2. Most enjoyed (a re-read) The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
3. Wolf Hall - hard to start because it is just so big!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 01 May 2010 at 01:43 AM
1. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
2. The Eye in the Door by Pat Barker
3. The Ghost Road by Pat Barker
Frances Partridge by Anne Chisholm
Posted by: Susan P. | 01 May 2010 at 03:24 AM
1. Re-reading a short story collection, Proudflesh by Deborah Robertson.
2. Too much happiness by Alice Munro for fiction, Changing my mind: occasional essays by Zadie Smith and Reading by moonlight by Brenda Walker for non-fiction.
3. New books by Kate Atkinson, Maggie O'Farrell and Benjamin Black.
Posted by: Sarah | 01 May 2010 at 04:35 AM
Peter Lovesey Skeleton Hill
The Mitfords Letters between six sisters
Major Pettigrew's last stand
Posted by: Sue | 01 May 2010 at 06:15 AM
1. currently reading two: Murder on Nob Hill, by Shirley Tallman and The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, Alexander McCall Smith.
2.A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry
3. The next book I can get my hands on by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I loved Purple Hibiscus last year, and am eager to expand my experience with this stunning author.
Posted by: Marina McIntire | 01 May 2010 at 07:12 AM
1. Just finished Constitutional, short stories by Helen Simpson & just started The flesh tailor by Kate Ellis.
2. High wages by Dorothy Whipple. Very representative of my middlebrow reading habits!
3. More short stories by Daphne Du Maurier & the new Simon Serralier book by Susan Hill.
Posted by: Lyn | 01 May 2010 at 07:55 AM
I am from Sri Lanka and read whatever I can lay my hands on. The choice is limited in this part of the world.
1. I am reading a Rosamund Pilcher right now.
2. I loved Arranged Marriages by Chithra Bannerjee Divakaruni and Nine Lives by William Dalrymple.
3. For the reason mentioned above no specific genre but I do like historical fiction, books with an asian theme and particularly those written by immigrants. The current lot published are wonderful (all countries)
Posted by: Mystica | 01 May 2010 at 01:59 PM
Current reading: The Poet as Spy, a biography of Basil Bunting, by Keith Alldritt. A friend and I were discussing how much we loved a book trail, and he said Bunting was a good one.
Most enjoyed, rather unexpectedly: Virginia Woolf, A Writer's Diary.
Looking forward to more books by the French writer Pierre Magnan, having discovered him while doing research for own work. Magnan's novel Innocence is quite brilliant.
Posted by: Deborah Lawrenson | 01 May 2010 at 02:55 PM
1. I am currently reading Mrs Tim of the Regiment
2. I loved Mariana by Monica Dickens, which is very representative of my normal reading material
3. I can't wait to get a copy of Juliet Gardiner's The Thirties: An Intimate History
Posted by: Claire (The Captive Reader) | 01 May 2010 at 02:56 PM
1 Oscar and Lucinda Peter Carey
2 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Mary Ann Shaffer
3 Among the Mad Jacqueline Winspear
Posted by: Joan | 01 May 2010 at 03:07 PM
1) Currently reading shortlist for the Lancashire book award. "Are these my basoomas I see before me?" by Louise Rennison at the moment.
2) Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner and a terrific upcoming thriller by Tana French called Faithful Place (August)
3) The new Maggie O'Farrell; the new CJSansom; the new David Mitchell; Security by Stephen Amidon but most of all and will buy next week, THE GATE AT THE STAIRS by Lorrie Moore whose short stories I love. I hope she wins the Orange prize, and still can't understand why the Judges omitted Amanda Craig's Hearts and Minds which was a cracking good book.
Oh, and there's Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada. That should have gone into category 2! And I loved High Wages. Only reason Wolf Hall and Children's book aren't in here is because I read them last year...oh, I must STOP!
Posted by: adele geras | 01 May 2010 at 04:35 PM