The worst of the winter is behind us. January, what a month – lasts 7 weeks, all of them cold and overcast, and all the big events are disasters. February, short but bitter. Good thing we have books. This wasn’t a comfort read or comfortable, but highly enjoyable. Set in Kyiv in 1919 it concernsContinue reading “Glad that’s over”
Tag Archives: Reading
Words in Winter
This was the perfect winter read. Set on hot humid days (and nights) in New Orleans, the novel perfectly captures the dreamy, hazy, insubstantial quality of that place. The characters are charming, funny, doomed. The scale of the story is small, but the emotions and consequences are epic. The novel was published in 1997 butContinue reading “Words in Winter”
May
After visiting Gibraltar I thought I really ought to read more about what does still appear to be its defining characteristics – natural fortress, maritime haven, strategic treasure. This book romps along with tales of derring-do, heroism, idiocy and many many deaths. Rankin doesn’t hide anything away, and he carefully puts the human at theContinue reading “May”
March into April
This book was fascinating and challenging but I felt excluded. The writer explicitly states she’s writing for women in their 40s and 50s so older women don’t form part of her analysis. The examples are chilling, but the last person I want to disagree with is another feminist. A good read though, well written, equallyContinue reading “March into April”
January
I’m not sure why I selected this book and having finished it I’m still bewildered by it. With a weirdly complicated and meandering plot and a large family of only mildly pleasant characters it held me in thrall despite myself. It was overwhelmingly moving at times and perfectly captured the haunting power of a favourite children’s book.Continue reading “January”
Reading Light
Bringing the year to an end with some comforting reading and some challenges. This was a cosy treat – quite a predictable story of a well-educated young man getting lots of chances (and being brave and confident enough to take them) and making his mark. Funny and frank and a great insight into a period inContinue reading “Reading Light”
Recumbent reading
Why is reading different on holiday? We have more time, yes, but there’s more to look at, new experiences, unconquered territory. And why should we read different things? The classic “beach read” is a glossy paperback, usually based somewhere exotic, and often sporting some sun-tanned flesh on the cover. It might be easy reading, butContinue reading “Recumbent reading”
What I Read in Feb
Most of the month was taken up with this whopper and I have to admit I was glad when it was done. February is a short month, but filled mostly with this book, and a couple of other delights. I wanted to find out how this reserved and private man managed to assemble and leadContinue reading “What I Read in Feb”
What I read in (half of ) January
Started the year with a blast of pink. Yes, I did judge this book by the cover – that’s the point. I was taken aback when the very young woman on the counter raved about the book. She used words like “strange” and “disturbing.” I pressed on. Honestly, I think I started this just beforeContinue reading “What I read in (half of ) January”
Enough books?
In 2010 I started recording the books I read each year in a slightly feeble attempt to simplify my life. Once read and recorded, the book could be passed on, kept or (mostly) returned to the library. As always, my list contains some classic and classic-style crime (I’m not into gore) and some re-reads ofContinue reading “Enough books?”
Suzy D Harris 