Simon's Five Books Meme

Perfect timing.  I was in the mood for a meme and Simon at Stuck in a Book has come up with one--One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four and Five.  Do check out the comment area of his post, too, and see what everyone else is also reading.

1.  The (well in my case "a") book I'm currently reading:

I just started reading S.J. Bolton's Now You See Me, which is coming out in June.  I won it through Library Thing's Early Reader's program.  I've enjoyed her other books, but this one on first impression seems even better than her previous books.  Almost from the first page I've been hooked.

2.  The last book I finished:

A long time ago I read a novel by Thomas Cook, which I thought was very good and have always meant to read more of his work--he's a prolific author and I've been collecting his books over the years (now it's time to read more of them I think).  Places in the Dark was staring at me from the top of the pile and when I started reading I didn't want to put it down either.  I hope to write about it later this week.

3.  The next book I want to read:

Last week at work a book of criticism crossed my desk about Theodore Dreiser and his book An American Tragedy in particular.  I started reading it once before, but I think the sheer size (just short of 900 pages) put me off in the end.  I always try and have one classic on the go, so I need to finish my current read, but I think I'm going to give this another try.  I've been very much in a mystery/crime fiction mood lately, so this would actually fit in nicely with my other books. 

4.  The last book I bought:

I'm cheating since I added two new books to my stacks yesterday.  I've never tried Tess Gerritsen, but I was tempted by Ice Cold at the supermarket (of all places) yesterday.  I was meant to be food shopping, not book shopping, but you know how it goes.  This is a Rizzoli & Isles novel, and while I don't like to read series books out of order, maybe it won't matter in this case.  And it was a good mail day, too (how sad if we stop getting mail on Saturdays....I like getting mail).  I recently read Domingo Villar's newest mystery, liked it so much I had to order the first book he wrote, Water-Blue Eyes.

4.  The last book I was given:

Sadly I don't often get books as gifts from people as I have so many I think they're afraid of buying something I might already own.  But I was recently surprised when a collection of short stories by Edna O'Brien showed up on my doorstep from the kind people at Little Brown.  Saints and Sinners is due out tomorrow as a matter of fact.  I'm working on a book of stories by Daphne du Maurier at the moment, but I hope to start this one when I'm finished.  I love short stories and am trying to be better about reading them more often. 

Feel free to share your five books.

Comments

[Simon T]

Thanks for playing! I've been curious about American Tragedy since the Provincial Lady tried to read it...

[LindaY]

1. The book I'm reading: CUT THE CLUTTER AND STOW THE STUFF
2. The book I just finished: WHITE CORRIDOR (Bryant and May Mystery)
3. Next book I want to read: I pulled THE LITTLE ICE AGE from the reading pile
4. The last book I bought: that would be today, Julia Child's MY LIFE IN FRANCE
5. The last book I was given: I don't remember; it was a Christmas gift and not the type of book I read--I donated it to the library

[Danielle]

Simon--I didn't remember that the PL wanted to read the Dreiser--was that in Diary of a PL? Maybe she was defeated by the size of it as well! :)
Linda--I think I need Cut the Clutter, too! I've been trying to pare down lately, and that always feels good! I'd never had a lot of interest in reading about Julia Child, but after seeing Julie & Julia I became interested in her life--she lived in such an interesting time--I might have to get that book as well!

[Caroline]

I could repeat the last point. People don't dare to offer me books and unfortuntely, the few times someone did recently, they managed to give me something I already had.
An American Tragedy is a novel i wanted to read as well but, yes, it's a bulky one. I bought Sister Carrie instead. It sounded and looked good too.
I quite like memes.

[litlove]

This is a fun meme. isn't it? I so nearly bought an S. J. Bolton novel in the supermarket the other day and now I wish I had! Never mind - there'll be other opportunities. And the Edna O'Brien stories look lovely too.

[Annie]

I'm glad to hear that about the Bolton. I've loved all her books, but I haven't thought any was quite as good as the first. I hope I agree that this one is.

[catharina]

Played it last week, but the situation has changed a bit, so I allow myself to play again:).
Currently reading: Adam Nicolson The Smell of Summer Grass.
Last finished: Beryl Bainbridge Master Georgie
Want to read: Trygve Gulbranssen Björndal Trilogy
Last one bought:Peter J.Conrad Iris Murdoch Letters & Diaries 1938 - 1946 (weekend)
Last given: Mary Stewart: The Moon - Spinners.

[Stephanie]

I really want to read An American Tragedy too, or any Dreiser for that matter!

[Vipula]

Nice one...and I am going to flick it and use it on my blog !

[Danielle]

Caroline--I have a good friend who buys me books, but she always checks my Amazon wishlist! I think I am going to read the Dreiser, but I will finish the classic I am reading at the moment first. I also have Sister Carrie!
Litlove--I like her suspense stories. The endings might occasionally be a little over the top, but she does atmosphere so well. They are fun, creepy reads. This one's a tad different but equally as enjoyable--maybe more so for me. Edna O'Brien is great--I've not read any of her short stories, so the book will be a real treat!
Annie--I hope you'll like it. I really enjoyed her first as well. This one has a different feel since it is set in London and is sort of a detective story. But with her you know you always get something of a twist!
Catharina--Thanks for sharing your books. And thanks for the email with the info on the Gulbranssen--it sounds good and I am going to try and get a copy. I think used ones are cheap, but I can also ILL it. There is a new Beryl Bainbridge coming out that I want and I've been contemplating buying one or two of those newly reissued Mary Stewart novels!
Stephanie--I think I am going start An American Tragedy next. I only hope I can stick it out this time...
Vipula--Please feel free to grab the meme! I've been enjoying reading the books other readers have been sharing. I'll watch for your take on it.

[Stefanie]

Fun meme! I might have to use it later this week :)

[Danielle]

Stefanie--Pleas do, I look forward to seeing which books you're working on! I love memes--they are so handy when you have a busy week.