The Book Vipers discussion

This is the thread for the read along planned for this novel.

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Am I on the right thread for Black water lightship?

This is the one for Blackwater Lightship. There were a few comments a while back about Colm Toibin's novels - a few people wanted to read Brooklyn and other novels of his, so I amended the readalong thread to include any of his books anyone wanted to read, with an open-ended finish date.

I'll be reading Blackwater Lightship, when I get time to catch up with myself. Lots going on this week.

I am looking forward to reading it.

Have reserved it from the library

Paul wrote: "Have reserved it from the library"

Hope Dorset has more than one copy - off to library website now to have a look!!!

mine is in transit!

Essex doesn't have a copy, but I've found one on ebay for £1.50 including postage, so that is on its way.

PS. There is a film....

Jo wrote: "PS. There is a film...."

Didn't know that. Will investigate that too.

Paul wrote: "mine is in transit!"

Just been on Dorset's website and ordered mine. One copy is in transit - that must be yours then! I think mine will be the one coming up from Weymouth in a week or so's time. Just got time to catch up with a couple more books in the meantime.

I might try The Heather Blazing - the only novel left I have nt read

I know the local library has a copy ofBrooklyn. I can't remember whether I've read it or not(!). Hopefully I'll be able to tell once I've got it in my hand.

Just started Blackwater Lightship. Are we running this on one thread with spoilers removed?

I am hoping my copy arrives v soon. Lisa, I am going to try and start a new thread so we have a spoilers and no spoilers. If it doesn't work, I apologise, new to all this lark but need to start somewhere.

Still waiting for my copy to arrive from the library.

Good luck Jo.

I've got your copy Elizabeth!!

Oh! I'll take a look at the website and see if they are any closer to sending me a copy. Getting impatient now!

Mine has been despatched.... Suppose can't expect express mail when it's £1.50 all in, book and postage!

I've had an email from the library - my copy is ready for collection. Why do they always email me on the day when Gillingham Library is closed? Frustrated!!! Will pick up tomorrow morning.

Elizabeth wrote: "I've had an email from the library - my copy is ready for collection. Why do they always email me on the day when Gillingham Library is closed? Frustrated!!! Will pick up tomorrow morning."

Mine has arrived too.

I've got to press on and read Instructions for a Heatwave, which I like so far. Need more reading time! Should finish it over the weekend, with any luck, then on to this book.

Jo wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I've had an email from the library - my copy is ready for collection. Why do they always email me on the day when Gillingham Library is closed? Frustrated!!! Will pick up tomorr..."

The emails are automated. As soon as the library has registered that it is on the reserved shelf it fires an email off at 5am the following morning

Paul wrote: "Jo wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I've had an email from the library - my copy is ready for collection. Why do they always email me on the day when Gillingham Library is closed? Frustrated!!! Will pic..."

I know, just frustrating that they always seem to arrive on a Wednesday!

I've got it. Picked up this morning :)

When are you looking to start Elizabeth & Jo?

I've got about 130 pages to go on my current book, hoping to finish that this weekend if I get time. Aiming to start the Toibin on Monday.

I have 470 or so to go. Monday it is then

I am going to finish reading Instructions for a Heatwave, then might read it next ahead of Grapes of Wrath which looks quite weighty.

What do you think of Instructions for a Heatwave, Jo? (Veering way off topic :D)

I had to abandon my plan to read Grapes of Wrath unfortunately, otherwise I'd never have been able to read these two.

I'm not that far into it yet to be honest, but keen to read on.

I finished Instructions fo a Heatwave this evening, and am on track to start the Toibin novel tomorrow.

I got sidetracked with Terry Pratchett today. Will start tomorrow evening

And you'll probably finish reading it days before me :D

Well....

It's hard to read this novel and remain unmoved. It's had me close to tears today.

The mark of a good novel if it can do that.

I should be reading it by the end of the week, possibly sooner now I've finished my audio book and I don't have one to replace it. Yet.

I picked up a copy of The Empty Family when I was in the library this morning. I shall be packing it in my suitcase for part of my holiday reading.

I m so thrilled at the good press being received by Colm, and delighted you enjoyed The Blackwater Lightship Elizabeth. I'll be posting a review of The Heather Blazing when I get round to it- but its another great read.

I finished reading The Empty Family this evening. Whilst it was good, some stories were better than others.

I'll read most things, but if you are uncomfortable reading descriptions of graphic homosexual sex then you might want to avoid this collection of short stories. It's honest, I'll say that for it!

I picked up The Testament of Mary on the last visit to the library. Will read and add my thoughts to here.

Hope you enjoy, Paul. It's good. I'll re-read sometime next year.

I absolutely loved The Blackwater Lightship. I could not put it down.

And Paul, I'd be interested to know what you think about TToM. Wont take you long (you especially!). I would definitely re-read that one too.

The Colm Toibin read along book thread is still open. We have just had a tidy up of the home page and marked the books as read, in order for the Group Read books to show up. But the read along is still running.

Is anyone else reading any more from this thread?

I'm going to archive the threads - you can find them in the Read Along Archive.