April Wrap Up

A varied month but with a bias towards historical fiction, I guess. That wasn't planned, it's just the way it worked out!

The month began with a library book, Richard Osman's The Bullet that Missed. I've read all of his Thursday Murder Club stories now and I have enjoyed them all. They become formulaic to a degree but there is a comfort somehow with the feeling of hanging out with old friends. And as I am older myself I am always pleased when stories feature older people.

I belong to Readers First which is a book reviewing community. They

require you to read a first look at a book and then offer 

your first impression of that book from reading the extract. You are then entered into a draw for that book. I suppose it's a little like the old Bookbridgr in that you request a book without knowing whether you’re going to be successful or not as there are limited numbers of copies. I was a fortunate enough to win a copy of Stacey Halls The Household. I loved her book The Familiars and I still want to read her other two books. I did review the story on this blog so I won't repeat myself. 

I am also a member of the Penguin community Bookmarks. I have been for years and have never yet been picked as one of their monthly draw winners. By the law of averages you'd think I would have been by now but no matter because their prize system is very generous. You earn points by participating in activities and discussions and the points accumulate into various tiers and the last tier I achieved awarded me £75 worth of Penguin books of my choice! Such an amazing prize. One that I chose was Curtis Sittenfeld's Romantic Comedy. It seemed to have done the rounds on social media and I was curious. It's been reviewed on the blog.

I had booked to go to the book launch of Syd Moore's latest book. She is a local author but I'd never read any of her books. I wanted to do so before attending the event and I'm so pleased I did. I chose Strange Magic the first of a series featuring Rosie Strange who inherits a witch museum. I wrote about the book on the blog.

Elisabeth Gifford's The Lost Lights of St. Kilda was a charity shop find. I had previously read The Good Doctor of Warsaw and enjoyed it so I figured this would be worth a read. And it was. A palpable depiction of a remote community, one of the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The book is a love story not just about the two people who meet on the midland, one a resident, one not but I think it is also a love story to the island itself. WW2 intervenes which doesn't help our separated lovers. It is a love story but not a mushy one. There's plenty of history and adventure here too. 

My sister lent me Lev Parikian's Light Rains Sometimes Fall, my only non fiction book this month, again not by design just how it happened! It's an absolute delight. Parisian uses the Japanese micro seasons - 72 in all - to chart the observed changes in nature through his walks in his local cemetery and nearby woods. His garden also yields an abundance of flora and fauna. The book begins just before lockdown and for me, certainly, brought back floods of memories of my similar early morning walks - my essential exercise. I don't like to think I ever disconnected from nature but my lockdown walks did strengthen that connection and somehow this book encapsulates those feelings. 

The Grand Illusion by Syd Moore I bought at the author event I attended. I've just finished it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's historical fiction involving WW2 and the occult. I'm looking forward to books 2 and 3 in the trilogy. I wrote about this on my blog too.

An entertaining end to the month with the very undemanding The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. Many years ago, I loved the Stephanie Plum series. It’s been a long time since I’ve revisited Evanovich, but this was a gift and a very pleasant way to end my months reading. A good old escapist yarn, with plenty of action and excitement, and the typical Evanovich humour.

I may not receive proofs, ARCs and review copies very often nowadays but my passion for books and reading will never diminish. I may have passed my sell by date in the eyes of publicists but this old blogger ain’t going anywhere. 

The Grand Illusion- Syd Moore

 

Great excitement in our town in December as a new independent bookshop opened. We had been without one for some years. The previous one was lovely with an in-store travel agent and cafe. In fact it was the last place where I had coffee with my late Mum although we didn't know that at the time. 😢 But this new shop hosts events in the evenings which was joyous news to my ears. I didn't venture out during the winter as my age and dark evenings don't match too well! But I was determined to attend events when the evenings were lighter. 

And that happened the other Friday evening when local author Syd Moore presented her latest book The Grand Illusion. For a couple of hours she had us spellbound (pun intended) as she detailed the research and background to the book. The first of a trilogy featuring the intrepid Daphne Devine the story focuses on the Nazi's intended invasion of the British Isles that may or may not have been thwarted by the occult. Hitler was apparently a firm believer in such matters. 

With a detailed plot that exploits the skills of Daphne, and Jonty, her boss, who engage in pursuits of magic and illusion, the story bounces along with gusto. But this is no frivolous jaunt. The history is there and it's fascinating. I guess you could call it unashamedly feminist as the role of women during WW2 are detailed. I certainly learnt a lot. But the protocols and rituals of hierarchical defence systems and the utilisation of resources, human and otherwise, are engrossing. There's a little hint of romance, too, but it never overshadows the main thrust of the story which explodes into a nail biting conclusion. 

Daphne is a a great character, feisty but level headed and self analytical. I look forward to seeing how she develops in the next book. The story is from her POV. The other characters are interesting but they circle around Daphne as moths around a flame. I'm sure some of them will reappear in the next books and it will be entertaining to see who and where the writer will go with them. I can't wait for book two!!

I bought my copy at my local independent bookshop AND I have it personally signed by the writer! Did I ever mention I'm a sucker for signed copies?! 😉 

Strange Magic - Syd Moore

Since December our town has had an indepedent book shop. The previous one closed down a few months before the pandemic and as a book lover I have keenly felt the loss and absence of a book based emporium! What's delighting me even more about this new one is that they hold regular events in the evenings. Since I am old and not as steady on my pins as I once was I decline to tramp the streets in the dark but now the lighter evenings are upon us I am going to attend as many of these events as possible. The first one I've booked for is a reading by a local author -  Syd Moore. I hadn't read any of her books and in fact I knew very little about her. But when I started to research her I found that she has written several books many of which (pun) are about - witches! I didn't want to go 'cold' to her reading so I purchased a copy of her first Essex Witches novel. I didn't know what to expect but I absolutely loved it! It is the first in a series of four featuring Rosie Strange who inherits a Witch museum (as you do!). It was funny, exciting, evenly paced. The dynamic between the two main characters was well sustained and it's made me hungry to read the rest of the series. Sam and Rosie travel the length and breadth of the British Isles -  well maybe that's an exaggeration but they do get about - trying to track down the bones of a witch executed in the 1500's! It's escapist and touches on the magical and supernatural giving plenty of material for discussion. Comfort zones are breached and opinions are reviewed. Historical facts abound and will have you indignant at the way women were treated. There is an attempt too to dispel the Essex girl myth. 

I expect I will buy a copy of her current book when I go to the reading and I'm hoping she might sign it for me. Watch this space!!

Romantic Comedy - Curtis Sittenfeld

This book seemed to garner quite a bit of attention on social media. And I'm never sure whether such books are worthy of the attention or whether they are the beneficiaries of a well oiled publicity machine. I know it was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick which can sometimes propel a book into a wider consciousness.  I was awarded a copy of this book for an activity on an online forum that I participated in. and I realise that I am a) late to the party and b) I haven't read any of the author's previous works. 

At the beginning I was wondering what the fuss was about. That's not to say I wasn't enjoying it, far from it, I was, but it didn't strike me as being exceptional in any way. That was until I got to a third of the way through and the epistolary section started with the emails between Noah and Sally. And then I kind of "got it". And I could begin to see why the book was garnering a lot of praise. Structurally it's very clever. 

I enjoyed the way the writer dealt with notions of celebrity particularly with the email exchange during lockdown, a situation that put people on a level playing field in some respects. Also it's a story about love and work.

I liked the character of Sally who seemed real in a world that could encourage delusion and falseness. I don't know much about the world of TV scripts and skits but I think I am better informed having read this story.  I also think the perception of celebrity is a fascinating one. I always remember being, envious, no, downright jealous, when I found out that Gary Numan had married a fan! It seemed a paradox that a famous person could even entertain then idea of consorting with a 'commoner' let alone pursue nuptials! So that aspect of the book was compelling. And for those of us who aren't celebrities we are pushed to imagine how it is for the paparazzi pursued superstars. 

I also liked Noah, although at times he came across as too damn nice! But we only ever get to see the real him through the emails because the story is told from Sally's perspective. But it is told with humour and compassion and the narrative style is easy and almost deceptive because there are some deep truths being discussed here concerning romance and fame. 

Ultimately I enjoyed the book and I'm pleased I read it but I am not motivated to seek out the writer's previous works with any urgency. Perhaps I was expecting more because of the social media buzz? 

I think Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling would be great in a movie of this book!

My thanks to Bookmarks for my copy. 

The Household -Stacey Halls

 

I read Stacey Hall’s first book, The Familiars, and loved it. I made a mental note to keep an eye open for her future work. I'm ashamed to say that I still haven't read The Foundling or Mrs. England but I will. And if I needed any extra motivation reading The Household was the best thing I could have done! 

The book is what I like to call 'faction' - it's an historical novel based on true facts. The titular household refers to Urania Cottage, the property that Charles Dickens founded with the aim of helping 'fallen' women. He did this with the help and financial assistance of Angela Burnett-Coutts.

The residents of that cottage, selected from inmates of prisons and workhouses, provide the substance of the novel and their stories unfold alongside that of Angela Burdett-Coutts which offers a neat balance between two different social groups. 

Although Dickens is referenced many times in the story centre stage is given to the female characters. What I enjoyeded very much was that the supposed 'fallen' women were portrayed, not as victims to be pitied, but as resourceful, and determined people trying to make the best of the lives they were leading. Their stories nestle alongside that of Ms. Burdett-Coutts as equals.

In some ways I had the feeling that it was what I like to call a 'big house' story but that may have been because of the moneyed Ms.Burnett-Coutts!

All the women have their stories and they interlink very cleverly with some tight plotting. But you can’t have an historical novel without some serious research; not just the facts of the period but the essence of the period. Dialogue, locations, attention to the smallest detail bring the narrative to life and transport the reader back to Victorian England. 

There are mysteries to ponder, obstacles to overcome and the notion of freedom explored between the rich and the not so rich. There’s compassion and drama, in fact there’s a little of everything! A most absorbing and captivating story. I’m off to procure copies of Mrs.England and The Foundling. 

My thanks to Readers First for my prize copy.

Mystic Orchards - Jonathan Koven - Blog Tour

A Mystic Orchard whose word trees bear the most exquisite and ripe fruits. A crop that explores the berries of family, the hips of trauma, the drupes of love and relationships, dripping with juice and sweetness.

 

And so Jonathan Koven’s collection of poems has the poetry hungry salivating until the last page when the willing reader will sit back, utter a sigh, completely satiated. 

 

The poems are lyrical, pastoral, ethereal. The language and ideas are elaborate and reading aloud is, in my opinion, essential. (But then I think ALL poetry should be read aloud!)

 

The collection is cohesive as themes and images recur. There are some prose pieces alongside the poetry which just seem to fit perfectly amongst the verse. There is a complexity to the expression of ideas which set the reader contemplating the fabric of life.

 

You get a sense  of someone entrusting you with their deepest, innermost thoughts and feelings which gives the collection an intimacy that is immersive. I also had the sense that each piece is so very carefully and lovingly crafted and I was reminded of Sylvia Plath.

 

As I read I compiled a collection of my favourite lines and expressions ;

 

‘……….silence will take

The shape of an old slow morning….’

 

‘Spread me wide 

With this brand of summer.’

 

‘….unfurl as a poem

No one reads….’

 

‘We wear November….’

 

 

‘having waited to understand charm in the sorrow

Of waiting…..’

 

‘millennium of moments…’

 

‘….sonnets of patience….’

 

‘Childhood a jewel.’

 

‘…….hideous blanket of ineloquence.’

 

If I had to state my favourite poems I think I would choose Insomnia Wish, Our Talisman and I Read a Name in the Sun but that’s always a tricky business, narrowing them down! I think I would like to take this book to a secluded area of natural beauty and read the poems aloud to the birds and the butterflies, perhaps the flowers and trees, maybe an orchard even!

 

Thank you to Isabelle Kenyon of Fly on the Wall Press and to the poet himself for a signed copy. 

  

March Round Up

 

Sarah Pearse – The RetreatI read The Sanatorium and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was interested to read the follow up. I enjoyed that, too, but I thought it had many similarities with the first story. I suppose it’s not necessarily a bad thing – if the formula works use it? But I think it could only work for so long before it became tedious and as a reader you knew exactly what was coming.

 

Andrew Hyde – To Muddy Death

Andrew is a local author, and I had the pleasure of attending his book launch at our local library. He signed a copy of the book for me. I didn’t know anything about him before the event. This is his debut novel, and I was impressed for the most part. It’s a crime story and its pretty gripping. 

 

Richard Osman – The Last Devil to Die

I’ve been borrowing these from my library. Reserving them as it happens, because they are so popular I don’t think they even see the shelves!! But you can’t control when they are going to become available, so I read this last in the series before The Bullet That Missed. I don’t think it matters. They’re easy reading and very entertaining.

 

Brian Chaucer – Seventy-Seven and Counting

This was a delightful autobiography by a gay man who, in his seventies, upped sticks and relocated to Lithuania – as you do! It’s a delightfully honest and entertaining account of a life lived to the full. Brian tells of the challenges he faced when moving to another country as well as his past life in this country. He has turned his hand to any number of jobs and ventures which he recounts in the most readable detail. 

 

Alex Michaelides – The Fury

I have a prized signed copy of The Silent Patient, but I’ve not read his second book yet. This, third, was another loan from my brilliant library. Full of twists and turns but I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Silent Patient.  I fear my expectations were too high, I found myself underwhelmed. That’s niot to say I didn’t enjoy it for I did but I wasn’t wowed.

 

Christina Maraziotis – Ghost

I’ve had a copy of this for a while but at over 700 pages I needed to know I had plenty of time to read it! It’s the third in the series and they are all hefty tomes. They are historical novels set in the US. There are many more books planned for the series and I am always astounded by the author’s passion and commitment for her stories and characters. 

 

Lionel Shriver – Mania

This is a fascinating dystopian tales of an alternate 2011 where there is ‘Mental Parity’ No such thing as intelligent and no such thing as stupid, all are equal. So anyone can be a brain surgeon! Chaos ensues and woe betide anyone who might oppose the regime. Shriver’s main character does and how. Thought provoking read. 

 

William Shaw – The Wild Swimmers

I’ve read all of William Shaw’s books from Breen and Tozer to Alex Cupidi. As well as being darn good crime yarns, they are set in a part of the country that I’m familiar with which I always think adds something to the story! Or is that just me?

Jonathan Koven - Mystic Orchards

Won't say too much about this as it is for a future blog tour! It's a beautiful collection of poetry.