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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Reading

My Top 5 Books of 2011

These are my top 5 6 books of 2011, in no particular order.

The Lacuna - Barbara Kingsolver
This book is so beautifully written that I feel illiterate by comparison. I felt bereft when it ended.

Cold Light - Jenn Ashworth
A wonderfully chilling story. A bleak, but stunningly written, slice of awkward teenage life. I still feel unsettled by it.

How To Be A Woman - Caitlin Moran
I haven't finished this yet, but it easily makes it into my Top 5. Guffaw out loud funny, but also wise and makes you go RAWR in agreement.

If Morning Ever Comes - Anne Tyler
I love it when I discover a book by the mighty Anne Tyler that I haven't read before. She is my favourite author. I also read The Clock Winder and Noah's Compass this year, both fantastic. Her characters are so full and engaging you get drawn into their lives, even though they are all quirky and all live in Baltimore.

The Starting School Survival Guide - Sarah Ebner
This is an invaluable guide, especially if you are pretty clueless about schools these days. When I were a lad you went to the local primary. How times have changed.

The Hand That First Held Mine - Maggie O'Farrell (Not pictured)
As I was writing this post I remembered this amazing book. It wasn't in my 'have read' pile, I must have given it to someone. This book made me gasp out loud, twice. Fabulous.

What are your top books of 2011?

Any recommendations for me?

I can't let my 'to read' pile dwindle to single figures, I get jittery.


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My Top 5 Books of 2011

Tiny Acorns

Earlier this year the fabulous Tim from Bringing Up Charlie ran a free creative writing e-course. I thoroughly enjoyed it and picked up plenty of writing tips.

You know the saying about tiny acorns? Well, Dotterel Press has published the course and selected pieces from those who took part in a mighty oak of a book, called 'Tiny Acorns'.

I am delighted that two pieces wot I wrote are in the book.

You can buy 'Tiny Acorns' direct from Dotterel Press for just £8.99 plus £1 p&p (no matter how many copies you buy). 

'Tiny Acorns' is also available internationally from Lulu for £9.99 and to download there for £2.99. 

All proceeds will go to Children In Need.

I am immensely grateful to Tim and so so proud of all those who took part in the course, especially Nickie from Typecast and Mummy Limited - my wonderful writing buddies.

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Tiny Acorns

Words and Pictures

I was tagged (oops, ages ago) by the lovely Kelly at A Place of My Own with the Photo Tag.

Here are the rules:

• Mention who tagged you.
• Go to your photo files…Select the 6th photo folder.
• Select the 6th photo in that folder.
• Post that photo along with the story behind it.
• Then challenge 5 blog friends to do the same!

This is a photo of Presley taken by Andy about a year ago. I must have been out, or feeding Cash or something. Andy thinks it's hilarious to give the boys guitar magazines to read. This is one of Andy's technical manuals. Presley looks quite interested - or perhaps he's contemplating what it will taste like!

Rather than singling out five of you, I'll throw this open to anyone who fancies it.

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Far more recently Kelly also tagged me with the Randomness of the Book Meme, as did the wonderful Lorraine at Ramblings of a Mum on the Run.

So here are the rules…

• Collect the book that you have most handy.
• Turn to page 161.
• Find the 5th complete sentence.
• Site the sentence on your blog.
• Pass it on to 5 other bloggers.

Funnily enough the book I'm currently reading, 'The Philosophical Baby' by Alison Gopnik', is the book Kelly used for her tag. So I'm going to pick up the next book I'm planning to read.

"Describe the problem:

'I'd like to help you out. The problem is the electrician is coming in the nest half hour' "

This is from 'How to talk so kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk' by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. This book has been recommended to me by so many parents. I'm looking forward to reading it. When I get a minute!

Again I'm going to pass this on to anyone that fancies it, but I would specifically like to invite those who have contributed to the "What are you reading?" stream on British Mummy Bloggers.

Words and Pictures