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The Blind Assassin is great. The other one I read was Handmaid's Tale, which gets praised a lot, but didn't couldn't quite grab me as much.

On my third Margaret Atwood of the year.. and ever, so far. This one is the first in a trilogy and is going well

Now a few stories into Sylvia Plath's Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams It only got so-so reviews, but there's really good stuff in here. Terrific writer.

Aimee Bender: The Color Master Short Stories - often hit or miss with me. But just finished this collection, and it was deadly. Slightly off-kilter/ magic realism vibe, but beautifully written.

Ha! What have you read by him?

I wouldn't say he's a terrible writer, but he frequently leads you up the garden path. I always liked Timbuktu - the narrator is a dog.

Paul Auster's early novels were really interesting, with the main protagonist finding himself in intriguing situations. But more often than not, they just ended up with him getting into his car and driving off, leaving the rest to the reader's imagination. Still pretty good though! I must read...

I'd suggest reading The Secret History first. I think you would be more inclined to read The Goldfinch then afterwards, but perhaps not visa-versa.

I used to be constantly disappointed/ infuriated by the endings of novels. I just had to get over it and accept that it must be the most difficult thing for authors to get right. What I find more disappointing is when the decline begins within the final third or quarter of a book. Years ago...

Finally reading my first ever Margaret Atwood

I just ordered one of my favourite Stephen King stories... for £0.01p on Amazon. It's a stand alone book - a story which I previously only had as part of the Bachman Books (one of 4 stories in one collection). I might seek out stand alone versions of Rage, The Long Walk and The Running Man now)

Ray Bradbury is great. Dandeline Wine is my favourite - a lovely book. But "Something Wicked'" or The Illustrated Man is probably more typical of his work. His short stories are supposed to be great too.

The Wolf in Winter by John Connolly Halfway through and really enjoying it. Will probably read more in the Charlie Parker series now. I'm afraid to get into the crime/ thiller genre 'cause I've heard it becomes addictive, and there's way too much out there.

That makes three of us

I agree with @Bernie Lomax - that's just typical sour grapes from literary snobs, for all the achievements mentioned in the first paragraph there. If it was a debut novel, they would probably would be all over it. Or maybe not, I don't really know where they are coming from. I suppose I like her...

Hearing a lot about this lately - mostly echoing your comments. A lady on the radio yesterday say it was horrific but the experience of reading it was mesmerising. It's nominated for the Impac this year International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

Renata Adler - Speedboat Loving this. Beautiful luminous observations on life. The writing is dazzling, yet very easy to read. How have I only now found her now?!

I can see where you're coming from, but if you trust a book enough, re-reading usually rewards greatly. Apart from the pleasure of the writing, it can clear up plot confusion, bring to light cool early scenarios that were missed first time round, and also offer sheer comfort in the familiar...

That is very impressive! I've been re-reading books since I was a kid, but don't think I ever went back-to-back. People I know still find it amazing that I bother doing this, given that "I know what happens". I've given up trying to explain.

Reached that section this morning on the 40 to town. I laughed. It was a great chapter, as was the one preceeding it (the two having the affair). It is totally addictive now. Pretty sure I'll be re-reading it at some future point, cause the writing is so good. Liking how he's jumping around...