I just finished American Assassin by Vince Flynn. It was fast moving and pretty good.

I have just finished John Scalzi's wonderful debut novel Agent to the Stars first published in 1997, laugh out loud funny in quite a lot of places, but also poignant: I read the tenth anniversary revised version with a twentieth anniversary introduction which was also quite entertaining. Strongly recommended (along with most of his books)!

I'm reading 15th Affair, a Women's Murder Club novel, by James Patterson. It's the last unread book I have by him.

I just finished Wyrd Sisters, which is one of my favourite Pratchett books. It's a twisted and very funny take on Shakespeare.

I am reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. One of those books I had always been interested in reading but had never gotten around to it. And now I am, finally.

That's one I've never read, Marian. Let me know what you think of it. Oh, and happy birthday! I hope you had fun on your special day.

Hagatha,
I need a mood lifter, so I'm thinking about starting the Discworld series again.

Oldbroad,
Thanks for reminding me of the Women's Murder Club series. I have a couple of the books that I haven't read yet.

Lex,
Ever since reading Starter Villian, I have Scalzi's books on my to-buy list.

Right now I'm reading Gnomon by Nick Harkaway. So far it's like reading different in depth and fascinating stories about different characters that are being experienced by a tech-enhanced policewoman in a supremely interconnected and transparent future society.

LadyK, I've read the Discworld novels twice over a twenty year period, and the one thing I've noticed is that the books get better and better as the series goes on. The next one I'll be reading is the first Sam Vimes book. He's my favourite character in the series.

Thank you, LadyK, for your good wishes. Much appreciated. I am almost halfway through Dorian Gray and will try to remember to comment on it after I'm done.

I remember being fascinated by the Dorian Gray movie when I was a tot.

Am about half way through the last part of the Children of Time trilogy by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
If you like world building on a long time galactic scale I would highly recommend it.

That is a great trilogy, flotsam, and I have been enjoying a number of other books by Adrian, most recently Alien Clay.

I have also just started reading Word Puppets, a collection of short SF stories by the impressive Mary Robinette Kowal (new to me), with an amusing and fascinating introduction by Patrick Rothfuss who may on the strength of that be the author I try next.

Meanwhile, I am nearing the end of the Foreigner series with number 22, Defiance on the waiting list...