I saw this blog entry from Stuck in a Book and I thought I’d provide my own list. The responses to Simon’s blog were really interesting.
1.) The book I’m currently reading:
War by Sebastian Junger: An incredible book based on the year Sebastian Junger spent with the American Army’s 2nd battalion in the Korengal Valley in Eastern Afghanistan. So far I’ve read about 50% and it’s a fascinating insight into modern warfare and the impact it has on soldiers and their relationships with each other. It’s pretty brutal and blunt at times but it’s also gripping. The fact that the war in Afghanistan is on the news almost everyday only serves to emphasise the relevance of this book. Highly recommended.
2.) The last book I finished: 
Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut: A really interesting read. It was quick and easy and actually really enjoyable. When I read the blurb, “Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore.” I didn’t really know what to expect! So I was pleasantly surprised and on a more serious note, it’s a novel that highlights the impact of war in its own way.
3.) The next book I want to read: 
Blackout by Connie Willis: Three young historians travel from 2060 to early 1940s Britain for firsthand research. I’ve got a copy of the hardback version from the library and I’ev read the first few pages, it seems really easy to read and I’m intrigues as to how much period detail there will be and how she integrates the future. I’m looking forward to settling in with this one.
4.) The last book I bought: 
Tell No One by Harlan Coben: It was on offer on Amazon and even though I’ve already read it I couldn’t resist! It’s a good book to have to hand in case I need something I can leave behind on holiday. It’s a typical Coben mystery/thriller; enjoyable and easy.
5.) The last book I was given: I was actually given a present of 3 books recently:
Reality Hunger by David Shields: Apparently this book “questions every assumption we ever made about art, the novel, journalism, poetry, film, TV, rap, stand-up, graffiti, sampling, plagiarism, writing, and reading.” I’ve no idea if this is true, but I look forward to finding out!
The Interrogative Mood: A Novel? by Padgett Powell: This book poses question after question – it looksa bit odd but I reckon it’ll get me thinking!
and finally, Stone’s Fall by Iain Pears: Historical fiction, which I like and it’s a mystery, which I also like. That’s all I know about this one so far, but I’m looking forward to it.
This is interesting. You have two common themes there – history and crime, and some books being the combination of the two. I have been trying to change genre between each book that I read but it’s not always that easy if you aren’t in the mood. Here is my version:
1 – Currently reading Howard’s End, E.M. Forster.
2 – Last read Case Histories, Kate Atkinson.
3 – Next book I want to read is probably 84 Charing Cross Road. I still haven’t got round to it.
4 – Last book I bought was Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand on my Kindle, which is for my next book club. The last non-ebook was German for Dummies 🙂
5 – The last book given to me was The Confession by John Grisham, kindly donated by the lady I sat next to on my last flight back to London.
I can’t really see any theme there but feel free to point one out if you can see a connection!
Sarah
1. Currently reading ‘Romancing Miss Bronte’, Juliet Gael – it’s about Charlotte Bronte and her lovers. Hoping that there’s a fair level of gritiness!
2. Last read ‘The Actor and the Housewife’, Shannon Hale – relatively interesting and engaging, an easy read!
3. Next book – I have ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘The Lacuna’ all lined up for my trip to Tonga in two months – looking forward to some beach time with long books!
4. Last book bought – Books are expensive here so I’ve been using the library loads – but the last book I bought was ‘Freedom’ by Jonathan Franzen, also in my pile for Tonga!
5. Last book given – I was given two copies of the AA’s ‘Great Kiwi Road Trips’ for Christmas!!
Hi – how was Romancing Miss Bronte? Would you recommend it? I hope you enjoy Wolf Hall, I did!
Romancing Miss Bronte was actually really interesting – I would recommend it. Gave you a really good picture of what their lives were like and focused on Charlotte’s life in particular and how she actually became quite famous and successful.
Counting down the days to my holiday and Wolf Hall!