15 April 2013

Reading


As I recover - ever so slowly - from pneumonia, I have to sit for long periods. I simply don't have the energy to do much else. Early on, when I first came out of hospital, I couldn't concentrate on anything. Flicking through social media was all I could manage. Now I can concentrate I've turned away from the laptop and have been doing a lot of reading. I wanted to share a few good books (not The Good Book) with you, because I'm kind like that.

All book images have been shamelessly nicked from the almighty Amazon.



I recently finished The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler. I have loved all of her novels, but this one has really got under my skin. She has again floored me with her ability to express thoughts and actions. That unconscious gesture you use to emphasise your own self-importance, for example? She sees it. Nothing escapes her.





I also enjoyed Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess). I liked this so much more than I thought I would. I didn't buy it. It was in the Mumsnet Blogfest goody bag. Jenny was a fantastic speaker there (via G+), but I've never been blown away by her blog. This memoir completely grabbed me and I laughed and cried my way through it.





I've happily made my way through all of the novels by Maggie O'Farrell. She is a stunning writer. The Hand That First Held Mine is an amazing piece of work. It made me exclaim out loud while I was reading it. I'm looking forward to reading her new novel, Instructions for a Heatwave.





I'm also making my way through Jojo Moyes' back catalogue. She is a talented storyteller. The Girl You Left Behind is enthralling. The Horse Dancer and The Last Letter From Your Lover are slow-burning and (not in a Mills and Boon way) romantic. If it's a wham-bam, in your face, awesome read you're after then pick up Me Before You. You won't be able to put it down. It makes me happy that she has been so prolific.

I also read Secrets by Freya North. Not my usual choice, but my mum gave it to me, her friend gave it to her... I read the first (pretty filthy) sex scene and cringed. MY MUM READ THIS and recommended it to me. I don't want to know that my mum read this filth and liked it. LA LA LA. Sorry, Freya, I'd rather have a cup of tea.



I enjoyed The Twilight Saga. There, I said it. Stephenie Meyer can tell a story. The Host is a page-turning body-snatching sci-fi yarn. Not my usual choice of novel, but I thought it was pretty good.




Finally, I'm currently reading Atonement by Ian McEwan. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize twelve years ago. Adapted into a successful film. Why hadn't I read this before? Of course I'm rectifying that now. It's an incredibly evocative piece of writing, full of brooding foreboding. I'm going to finish reading it before I publish this post to avoid spoilers. You wouldn't do that to me, would you? Then I am going to hit publish, before I read something else and have to tell you about it.

I get the jitters if my 'to read' pile is lower than a metre high. Currently in the pile: Khaled Hosseini, Kate Atkinson, Tim Atkinson, Rachael Lucas, Melanie Clegg, Helen McGinn, Marian Keyes and Helen Dunmore...

What have you read lately that you loved? Do let me know.



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20 comments:

  1. Oh I love Jenny from The Bloggess.I read some excerpts on her blog and they make me laugh.I think I'm going to go for that one next.Currently got a 6 pile stash of books to read through myself.

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    1. @Aly, PM me your address and I'll send it to you.

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  2. I would have to choose Let's Pretend this Never Happened but purely for the cover - I choose most books by the cover which is not the right way I'm sure!

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    1. @Mammasaurus, hmm, I've heard that somewhere before...

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  3. I've just finished The Good Father by Noah Hawley, it's about the relationship between a father who is a doctor and his son who has just assassinated the future president of the United States. I loved it, I read it for the book group I'm in - can't recommend it highly enough.

    Get well soon xx

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    1. @Jean, thank you for the recommendation, it's on my list. I need to find a book group... x

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  4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn was an unputdownable page turner and I've had real problems maintaining any kind of concentration since my son was born. If you've got a Kindle and fancy reading something light, fluffy and soap opera-esque I can really recommend the monthly 'Arcade' serial by Kitty Charles.

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    1. @Cally, fantastic, thank you. I know what you mean about struggling to concentrate after a baby. I've been meaning to read one of your books, so 'Heaven Can Wait' is on my list too.

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  5. I know I have a list of must reads - but it isn't at my fingertips at the moment. But you *have* to read 11/22/63 by Stephen King is at the top of that list - even if you aren't a Stephen King fan. It's amazing.

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    1. @Gigi, I haven't read a book by him since I was at school. I'll definitely read this one, thank you.

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  6. I have switched to audio books and it has been a revelation! I find I am too tired to read at the end of the day but I can listen to a book in the car, in bed while doing my crochet (multitasking!) and in the kitchen when cooking and washing up.

    I read Me before You Jojo Moyes on holiday and cried like a baby at the end. It was a brilliant book. I have also read The Host twice - the second time was when I was in hospital waiting for Piran to be induced. That was probably the last time I had free time!

    Recently I have been reading / listening to:
    The Rivers of London series - Ben Aaronovitch
    The Hunger Games Trilogy (didn't think I would like it. I did. A lot.)

    A discovery of witches by Deborah Harkness was brilliant, and the second in the series I have on my to read list.

    And I love both of Cally Taylor's books so I recommend those too.

    I am now going to add some of your list into my to read list! Thanks.

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    1. @Kelly, I've never tried an audio book, but I love the idea of multi-tasking. It looks like we have similar tastes in books. I loved The Hunger Games, but didn't think I would. I'm half way through Heaven Can Wait now :) I'll give Aaronovitch and Harkness a try, thank you.

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  7. Fab post - I'm always on the lookout for new reads. I recently read (and loved) Tigers In Red Weather by Liza Klausmann. Gorgeous escapism and a gripping finale. Hope you're feeling better soon, Sandy!

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    1. @Danielle, thanks for the recommendation, that's another book I need to read :)

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  8. Think I told you before The Night Circus is brilliant, I also enjoyed The Life of Pi recently and The Casual Vacancy (surprisingly). Feel better soon and I will come and visit (or come here soon) I know ive been rubbish! xxx

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    1. @Claire, yes, The Night Circus is on my list. I loved The Life of Pi. You're the first person I know who's mentioned The Casual Vacancy, I'll pick that up too.
      We must put a date in the diary... x

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  9. Apologies for the delay in replying to your comments. There are so many fantastic recommendations here that I'm a bit scared to add any more books to my 'to read' pile.

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  10. Atonement is on my list of all-time favourite books. I love Maggie O'Farrell too.


    How about The Help? Bet you've read it. Also, the quartet of books by Elizabeth Jane Howard, currently being serialised on Radio 4 as "The Cazalets". I read them 15 years ago, but when I hear them on the radio, it sounds so familiar. They must have made a deep impression. I can't believe they haven't been made into a TV period drama. They are really a very good read.

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  11. Oh gosh did my comment disappear? Bother. In a nutshell, my suggestions were The Help, and the four books by Elizabeth Jane Howard that Radio 4 is currently serialising as "The Cazalets".

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    1. @Iota, thank you for taking the time to comment again. I have comment moderation on for older posts. Thank you for the recommendations, much appreciated. And no, I haven't read The Help yet.

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