Still on the same author!

I have just finished The Dearly Departed by Elinor Lipman, and again really enjoyed this story. All of her books seem to have the same theme, with some character having a surprise double life. This one has a half-brother and half-sister meeting for the first time at the funeral of their parents. The book is full of interesting characters and has a good storyline. In honesty though, I think my favourite is still the first one that I read: Then She Found Me.

In love with books!

Another book from Elinor Lipman, has distracted me from pretty much all other activities. The Pursuit of Alice Thrift is a great story about a trainee surgeon, whose lack of social skills causes a few problems. I enjoyed this one so much, I moved straight onto another book by the same author, and I have another one waiting after that. Roll on half-term holidays. I think I am becoming a serial chain-reader!

Not sequels, but same author...

Well, I thought I would give the author of The Jane Austen Book Club another shot, so I read The Sweetheart Season. This one took me a while to get into, I have to admit. I got a little confused because of the flashbacks, but by the end I was completely gripped again. Interesting characters, complicated relationships, but well written, and set in the post-second world war period, it is about an all-female baseball team.

I have also just finished My Latest Grievance, by my new favourite author, Elinor Lipman. Slighly uncomfortable at times, but brilliantly written. She tackles some unbelievable issues with humour, compassion, and excellent plots. I loved this one.

New author discovered!

Well, new author to me. I picked up Elinor Lipman's "Then She Found Me". I hadn't realised that it has just been released as a film. I read it in a weekend and really enjoyed it. It was about a teacher just getting on with her life when her birth mother, who is a talk show host, makes contact. It is quite a simple story focusing on the emotions and confusions arising when an adopted child meets their birth parents. It was a very entertaining read, with romance, humour, sadness, and some lovely characters. I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I also read When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro, author of The Remains of the Day, and that was an interesting story about a detective trying to find out what happened to his parents who disappeared in Shanghai when he was a child. The story is so innocent, but has an unexpected ending. It was beautifully written, describing childhood friendships intertwined with politics and corruption.

Latest Laurie Graham

Well, not really the latest, but the latest one that I have read. Gone with the Windsors is about the rise of Wallis Simpson and her eventual relationship with the King of England. It was very entertaining, although I did feel a little uncomfortable at times with what seems like a very calculated and manipulated relationship. The descriptions of the lives of the wealthy in those times sounded so frivolous, but the book contained some very interesting debates about the politics of that time. Laurie Graham's books all sound very factual, but there is never a bibliography included. I would like to know how much of her books are based on fact.

New favourite author!

Well it is the Summer holidays and I have discovered a new favourite author, which is why I haven't been blogging. I had already read one of her books The Unfortunates, but then I read a write-up about Laurie Graham's The Importance of Being Kennedy, in the Sunday Times, and I could not resist! It was so interesting. I learnt so much about history, but in such an easy-to-read way, full of rich character, and stories about different lifestyles. It is about a country girl from Ireland who becomes nursery maid to a family in the United States of America, in 1917. The family turns out to be the Kennedy family and so begins a description about the development and roles of each member of the Kennedy family. The prelude says that these are the memoirs, published by her nephew, but the publishers say it is a work of fiction, and yet, it is so believable. A really good read. So, the next one that I bought was called The Future Homemakers of America. No famous family in this one, but again some brilliant characters, the main ones being the wives of US air force pilots based in Norfolk during the war, and what happens while they are in England and when they get back to America. Again, absolutely brilliant, and really good to read. The next one, by this autor, is Mr Starlight. Quite different, although focusing on particular characters, two of whom are musicians who move from England to America to become celebrities. As the title suggests, one makes it while the other doesn't or does he....there is so much to this book, and the ending has an unexpected modern twist, but in keeping with the times, 1930s onwards, through the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. My next on in the Laurie Graham series is "Gone With The Windsors". The title is ace in itself. Can't wait to read the rest... I did deviate slightly by reading Sepulchre and The Sonnet Lover, both by authors that I have read before. Sepulchre is by Kate Mosse and is set in 19th century Paris and the South of France. It is similar to Labyrinth, in that the story is set in two eras, but joined, and the main subject is tarot cards. It was enjoyable, although a bit harsh in places, but the story was very romantic and dramatic, and made me want to return to France again...one day! The Sonnet Lover is by Carol Goodman, who also wrote the Lake of Dead Languages, among others. This was set in Italy, and was also very romantic and dramatic, and the key focus was on Shakespeare's sonnets, and whether or not he had a romance in Italy. It was very good, beautifully written. So, this is why I have been so bad at keeping this blog up-to-date. There just isn't enough time in the day :-)

Current state of play...

Just finished The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. I was a huge fan of her first book, The Secret Life of Bees and was delighted to find this book in a second-hand bookstore. She writes beautifully, although being religious, it did raise some confusing feelings. However, the end was good and as it should be, and I finished reading with no unease. It is a story about saints, legends, and relationships, and it is set on a mythical island off South Caroline. It was very thought-provoking and a wonderful tale.

Ballet Shoes

I have just finished Ballet Shoes and am beginning to pick up on a pattern. This is the second of Noel Streatfeild's books that I have read, and both have involved 3 children, whose circumstances have changed so that they need to help support the people who are caring for them. I like the way the author seems to identify two of the children as high achievers, with one person being a "plain jane" or "plain john", the latter child coming to the rescue of his/her siblings. They are good books as they are very descriptive of the characters and their surroundings, and make you realise that anything is possible if you are prepared to work for it.

Secrets and adventure!

I have just finished another children's book, The Secret Passage, by Nina Bawden. An adventure about three children who are sent to live with their seemingly grumpy aunt. There are lovely descriptions about the adventures they have and their surroundings. The people that they meet all really believable, and the author displays such sensitivity about their characters. I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

Gosh! How time flies!

I hadn't realised how long it was since my last post. My life has been a little complicated and work has been hard, but good, but my brain has needed some easier reading. And reading is exactly what I have been doing lots of to relax and escape. As previously, I have reverted back to childhood and read some recognisable titles, with a grown-up viewpoint. The Enid Blyton Omnibus is an old favourite - good vs bad, right vs wrong - no hazy areas, everything clear. If you are nice, you get a reward from the fairies; if you are bad, then the goblins will get you!

I was delighted to find two Chalet School books by Elinor M Brent-Dyer, in one of my local charity shops recently. They are such a pleasure to read. The perfect grammer, and beautiful descriptions of the characters and the scenery. I would have loved to have been a pupil there. I love the use of different languages to make you feel that you are experiencing the different cultures attending the school. I have just read Jo of the Chalet School and am looking forward to the next one. I am also going to keep a close eye out in the charity shops to find some more. I know I can get them on eBay, but there is something special about finding them by accident!

I then went onto some classics. First of all, I read Anne of Green Gables, by LM Montgomery, which is such a great story about an orphan moving to Prince Edward Island, who has such a wonderful imagination and keeps everyone in her village entertained, including the family she lives with, who were originally expecting a boy to help them on the farm. I then read A Little Princess, which is just lovely, and similar as it is about a little girl who users her imagination to conjure up the most exciting stories. I love the scenes with the Indian friend and his monkey, and the magic they created. After that, I read The Painted Garden by Noel Streatfeild, which was accidently most appropriate because one area of this story was about a little girl acting in the film of A Little Princess, so I could re-visit the book I had read earlier. I did enjoy this book although sometimes the children quarrelling was a little too realistic!

Another book I got from the charity store is Jumping To Conclusions by Christine Jones, a story about a woman who moves into a little village to open a bookshop. This is my dream! Anyway, it is an easy read, describing the horse-racing industry and rural life. Very much a good holiday read!

I have been taking advantage of 3 for the price of 2 offers, and have recently read By The Shore by Galaxy Craze, which is a story about a 12 year old girl living with her mother and brother in a guesthouse by the sea. The story is told from the girl's point-of-view and it is just a really good tale. The second book out of this collection was The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson, which is the story about a woman who finds the body of her neighbour's daughter floating in her swimming pool. The story looks at her complex relationships, with her own daughter, her husband, her family, in particular her sister, drawing on past history, and watches her work out what has happened to this girl in her pool. It is very entertaining, sad in places, but keeps you turning the pages until the end. The last one in this collection is Gifted by Nikita Lalwani, about a girl, born in England to Indian parents, who at the age of 5 is discovered to be a maths prodigy. From that discovery, her life changes as her father becomes obsessed with her fulfilling this prophecy that she is a maths phenomenon. The story looks at the differences between East and West, and the expectations of Asian females in England. It is a very human story, because you can feel that the father just wants the best for his daughter and is supporting her as best he can. But you can also sympathise with her, because as she grows into a teenager, she has different desires, and inevitably clashes occur.

So, I have been reading, and enjoying all my books, I am currently reading The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler, so I am going to log off for now, and get back to finishing that one.

Seeking inspiration!

Well, after I finished Charmed Life, I couldn't find anything else to read, so I re-read some old favourites, including Anne Tyler, Alice Hoffman, Peanuts, and Asterix and Obelix. A friend of mine, has recommended "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." The film is one of my favourites, so I must get a copy of this book. I have however, just finished a fabulous book: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It was fantastic, the intrigue and twists, and it was beautifully written. I have to admit, I couldn't get started with it at first, but I think that was my frame of mind and not the fault of the book, because a couple of weeks later, I started it again, and was gripped to the extent that the book came with me everywhere so that I could carry on reading whenever I had a break. The characters were brilliant, and the final twists were completely unpredictable.

I did forget to mention another book that I greatly enjoyed, and that was The Savage Garden by Mark Mills. I read this quite recently, and it was set in Italy and described the interpretation of the design of a landscaped garden, and the resulting torrid love affair. Again, full of mystery and intrigue, with wonderfully, rich characters.

Potter replacement

Well, having finished all the Harry Potter stories, I decided to try the Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman. I didn't really like The Northern Lights. It was so dark and I really didn't like Mrs Coulter, so much so that I didn't see the film. However, I thought there must be something to it, and I was curious to see what would happen to the characters. So, I went to buy the Subtle Knife and the lady in the shop said that I really should buy the Amber Spyglass because once I had finished the Subtle Knife I would just want to carry on. And, she was so right! I did, and it was superb. So after that, I needed another replacement, so I decided to try Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones, about two children who have been orphaned. One of them is a witch, but rather arrogant and spoilt. I haven't finished this one yet, but I am three-quarters of the way through and I am really enjoying it. One book I have just finished, which was fantastic, was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It is so wonderfully written, and completely unexpected. It is narrated by death and tells the story of a girl living in Germany during the Second World War. It is entertaining, but also incredibly moving. Not sure what I will read next. Recommendations gratefully received!

Summer spent reading

Yet again, time has flown past. Work and holidays has interfered with my reading, but I have managed to find some gems as well as some favourites. Obviously, I read the final instalment of Harry Potter - the Deathly Hallows, and JK Rowling really could not have created a better ending. It was perfect, and I shall enjoy re-reading it in due course.

I have just finished reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and it was wonderful, only the second book to make me cry (the first being Shadowlands - the true story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman). The whole book describes the lives of a group of women who attend a knitting club, which was set up quite spontaneously, and is not just focused on knitting, I might hasten to add. There are wonderful tips for people who are actually interested in knitting, but the majority of the book is about the differences between the women, but how they all complement each other. It is fun, serious, happy and sad, and completely brilliant. You can read more about it on their web-site. I cannot wait for Kate Jacob's next book.

At the moment, I am reading Jeffrey Archer's Cat O' Nine Tales, which are stories of some of the people he met while at Her Majesty's pleasure. I have read and enjoyed all his short stories, and from his novels, I have read Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less, A Matter Of Honour, and his most recent on A False Impression, and I have enjoyed the twists in all.

I also read over the Summer, Probable Future, by Alice Hoffman, and Digging to America by Anne Tyler. They definitely continue to be on my favourites list!

Finally, I read The Other Side of the Bridge, by Mary Lawson, which was about the turbulent relationship of two brothers in rural America. This was such a well-written story. I really felt all the conflicts and struggles, and I felt the love that was given throughout. It is a tremendous story with really strong characters. Crow Lake was written by the same author, and I found that story equally gripping. She is another wonderful storyteller to add to my collection.

So now you can see why I struggle to find time to blog. Until next time....

Pottermania!

Lots going on, and although time to read, no time to blog. I am currently re-reading old favourites, which includes the Harry Potter series. When they first came out, I just could not get into them, but about a year and a half ago, I started reading them, and couldn't stop. My least favourite is the Order of the Phoenix, not because it is a bad book, but because I find Professor Umbridge really disturbing, but then I am a bit of a scaredy cat! I really enjoyed the Half Blood Prince, but I think my favourite is the Goblet of Fire. JK Rowling has a great website, really well-designed.

On a sadder note, I read Alice Hoffman's book "At Risk" a story, written in the 1980's about an eleven year old girl who contracts AIDS after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion. It is so moving, and describes the stigma associated with AIDS.

So many books, so little time!

With all these bargains in the bookstore and all these new books coming out, it is a wonder I get anything done! So, where do I start? Well Brooklyn Follies is just brilliant, and I can't wait to read Paul Auster's other books. It is an inspirational book about an uncle and his nephew who have both reached a crossroads in their lives, for different reasons, and find their futures' defined when a little girl comes to live with them.

I have long been a fan of Adriana Trigiani, since here first book, Big Stone Gap and the whole series, that goes with it, to Queen of the Big Time, Lucia Lucia, and the wonderful Rococo! Her books follow the theme of Italian culture, often with strong female leads, and covering a span of generations. And, one of the best things about these books, is that the author provides delicious recipes to any of the dishes described in these stories.

Another book that enhances a beautiful story with tasty recipes is "Pomegranate Soup", a story about an Iranian family that sets up a restaurant in a small Irish town. It is a special tale about romance, friendship, and the meeting of different cultures.

The Mercy of Thin Air is an amazing book, which sensitively covers the subject of death, focusing on two main female characters, one living in the 1920s and one living in the 1990s, describing the role of women in both of these eras.

The Apothecary's House is a thriller set in the art world in Amsterdam. The story is set around the ownership of a painting, stolen by the Nazis. There is history, drama, and mystery, everything required for a gripping read!

So, that's it for now. I have another pile of books to get through, plus work to get to, so until next time....

The Shadow of the Wind

I spent my Christmas break engrossed in one of my presents. A work colleague bought me a copy of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. What a fantastic book! It was so beautifully written, and I felt that I knew each character. The language was so descriptive, and the story completely gripping, that I didn't want it to end. It is a treasure that I enjoyed entirely.

Lovely Christmas book...and all year round!

Fannie Flagg writes brilliant stories. You may remember Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The film is excellent, but the book is even better. She even has recipes at the back of the book, and on her website. Her books are absolute treasures, and you can really feel all that is going on, and long to be a part of it.

I have just read A Redbird Christmas, which was completely magical! It was so beautiful, telling the story of a man who is told he won't make it past Christmas unless he moves to a warmer climate. He does, and sees his whole life change and extend, and grow in value. Hope for everyone.

Another great storyteller

I have just bought this wonderful book, Pilgrims and other stories, by Elizabeth Gilbert, another great storyteller. Very similar to Annie Proulx, with sharp contrasts between the rougher side of life and the hidden gentleness that all people seem to possess. My favourite stories in this compilation are "The Many Things That Denny Brown Did Not Know (Age Fifteen)" and "The Famous Torn and Restored Lit Cigarette Trick." All the stories, in this book, made me feel so many emotions, and I could believe in every character.

No time to write....too many good books!

I have been too busy to write because there are so many good books to read! I started off with Alice Hoffman's "Ice Queen" and as per usual, she did not disappoint. It was such a beautiful story, really enjoyable. After that, came "The Geographer's Library". Well designed, with one chapter set in modern times, and the next chapter on history and antiquities, continuing in this manner throughout the book. Informative, entertaining and well-written. I have just finished "Prep", a very useful insight into the thought processes and behaviour of teenage girls in a mixed boarding school. Again, very well-written and informative. And now, I am reading "Between Georgia". I have already read "Gods in Alabama" by the same author, which was a really good story, and this is turning into another excellent story. The author's description of the experiences of a deaf and blind lady are so well described, you can feel the frustration she feels. I hope it continues to grip!

The Last Secret of the Temple

Written by journalist, Paul Sussman, The Last Secret of the Temple, was really enjoyable and very interesting. It is described by the Independent as 'the intelligent reader's answer to the Da Vinci Code.' I am not sure that does the book justice. I found it very educational. I have a tendency to avoid politics, because I feel confused by all the different views. In my opinion, this book clearly set out Arab-Jew-Muslim relations, identifying the issues, presenting clear arguments for all, and describing, very movingly, the pain that they are all going through. The language is quite strong, but not unnecessarily so, just expressing the frustration that they feel. There is a treasure that they are searching for, so it is still a thrilling adventure, but together with the history, and the characters, which were very plausible, I found it a really good book.