Claire's book list 2012

[chesilbeach]

Congratulations Claire! I'm full of awe at your magnificent feat (not to be confused with feet, although I'm sure they're awesome too ).

 

Thanks Kylie! You made me laugh as my magnificent feat almost matches my magnificent feet, which for a woman are huge )

[chesilbeach]

I can confirm that my first new book is ... *drum roll* ... The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde, the latest in the Thursday Next series. I've been dying to read this since it first came out, and now I can!

Edited September 3, 2012 by chesilbeach

[Chrissy]

I am in awe, and I am definitely in agreement as to your choice of 'first' book.

[Kylie]

Yep, excellent first book! (Well, I haven't read it yet, but I know it'll be awesome. ) Does it feel even better buying books now that you know you have 'earned' it?

[chesilbeach]

A Carpet Ride to Khiva by Christopher Aslan Alexander is the account of how the author originally travelled to Khiva, a remote city in Uzbekistan to work for a charity, but falling in love with the country, eventually set up a carpet weaving school for those people who would normally not be fit to work and would claim disability benefits. Through his story, we find out not only about the history of this city and country, but the process of searching for the traditional designs and techniques of carpet making, the difficulties of providing a fair wage while avoiding the corruption of the authorities and most of all, the warmth from the local people who embrace him as part of their families.

 

A mixture of travelogue and memoir, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned so much about a country I knew almost nothing about. Told with warmth and humour, but recounting the frustrations of a stranger in a foreign land, a genuinely interesting and insightful look at Khiva, conjuring up the colourful and exotic along with the mundaneness of every day life.

[chesilbeach]

Yep, excellent first book! (Well, I haven't read it yet, but I know it'll be awesome. ) Does it feel even better buying books now that you know you have 'earned' it?

I'm not sure about that, but it certainly is enjoyable just picking what book I want to read next and downloading it to start immediately. It was a fantastic book to start a new era with, and I'll hopefully get my review of it done this weekend!

[chesilbeach]

In Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous, the colourful residents of an apartment building in Rome each tell their own version of events relating to the murder of a neighbour, all the while revealing their own story, tales of immigration, religion, culture and above all, their relationships with each other.

 

I bought this book from my favourite independent bookshop, Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath. I always look for the unusual when visiting the bookshop, and try to find something I wouldn't find anywhere else, and this was a classic example. I'm not always a fan of multiple narrators, but it's a device used to beautiful effect in this book. Each chapter is the story from one residents point of view, and as it builds, you find out how they all view each other, who is friends with whom, the prejudices, the misconceptions, and the clash of cultures, and the individuality of each person.

 

Both warmly humorous and satirical, the story is wonderfully developed in this novella (just 140 or so pages), and throws you a few curve balls along the way, before ending with a rather surprising conclusion. A lovely gem of a book.

Edited September 15, 2012 by chesilbeach

[chesilbeach]

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is the story of Conor, who has been having the same nightmare ever since his mum started the treatment for her illness, but one night, the monster of his dreams appears at the window of his room, and it's a powerful, ancient creature who wants one thing from Conor - the truth. The story is based on an idea by the author Siobhan Dowd who died before she could write the story, and was taken up by Patrick Ness. The edition of the book I read was illustrated by Jim Kay, and the book has won the both the Carnegie Medal and its sister prize for illustration - the first time in the history of the award.

 

I'm often amazed at how powerful children's books can be, and this was one of the most powerful stories I've read. It's actually difficult to know what to say about this book, other than it's completely and at times, overwhelmingly wonderful. Evocative illustrations, honest and affecting storytelling, and at times I had to put it down as I was sobbing and unable to see the pages through my tears. For anyone who has experienced anything like what Conor is going through, you will appreciate this story, and may well bring a sense of relief to know that you are not alone, and that what you are feeling is not wrong, but often what others are going through too.

[chesilbeach]

I won The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price, Purveyor of Superior Funerals by Wendy Jones in a competition here on the forum, and am delighted to say it was a charming story. The description in the title sums up perfectly what the book is about, following undertaker Wilfred Price in a small Welsh town in the 1920s, and the tangled mess he gets himself into while taking his first steps into the world of love and marriage, and the weight of expectation and duty.

 

This was a charmingly told story from debut novelist Jones, deceptively gentle in its style, but with serious undertones about the secrets and lies told to conform to the expected morals of period. I loved the character of Wilfred, a young man, trying to live up to the expectations and standards set by his mentor Mr Auden during his apprenticeship, who loves the father who has single-handedly brought him up, and finds himself unexpectedly proposing to local doctor's daughter, Grace. After believing he has extricated himself from the engagement, he falls in love with the enigmatic Flora.

 

I think the author develops the story well and felt that the resolutions seemed authentic for the characters, but there is a plot line about Grace I don't want to spoil, but I have to say, I did figure out what was happening about a third of the way through, so I wasn't as shocked as I think the author wanted the reader to be, and was perhaps a little bit predictable for me. However, I definitely enjoyed reading it, and will be interested to read more by the author.

[chesilbeach]

Still have a few reviews to write, but I finished Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson for this months Reading Circle. My thoughts on it can be found here.

 

I downloaded a couple of books this morning - Hope and Glory by Stuart Maconie which I've been wanted to read for ages, and A Moment of Silence by Anna Dean, which vodkafan reviewed a little while ago and sounded interesting.

 

I met up with Kay in Bath today, so a trip to Mr B's bookshop was inevitable, and I came away with Qissat: Short Stories by Palestinian Women (edited by Jo Glanville) and Divorce Islamic Style by Amara Lakhous, whose other book Clash Of Civilisations Over An Elevator In Piazza Vittorio I read a few weeks ago and loved it.

 

Made a start on A Moment of Silence first.

[Janet]

I've done it. I've just finished A Carpet Ride To Khiva, the last of the books on my TBR challenge, and another cracking read.

I can't believe I missed this, Claire! I was on holiday and reading from my iPhone - I'm not very good at reading forums on that - I'm so sorry. Huge belated congratulations to you.

 

I was gutted not to be able to meet up with you and Kay today. I did have a lovely lunch with my friend but I wish I could have postponed it to come and see you guys. Definitely (hopefully!!) next time.

[chesilbeach]

Not to worry Janet, I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities in the future! We did have a lovely chat, and I introduced her to Mr B's

[poppyshake]

You did .. and I think I was still in there over an hour later. I bought a book even though I swore I wouldn't be buying any until my ship came in.

I had to have it, it was on my wishlist and I've only ever seen it online.

Had a lovely time Claire and it was great to see you .. thanks for introducing us to Mr B's .. good job it's not THAT near.

Hope to see you next time Janet

[Janet]

and I introduced her to Mr B's

Good one!

 

Hope to see you next time Janet

Me too.

[frankie]

No, I've read at least four now, I think (might be five, I'll have to go back and check). His books are challenging to read. Some people find his style too much, as he doesn't use dialogue as such, although the characters speak, it's as if it's reported speech and can be difficult to follow. He also uses very long sentences and paragraphs - sometimes spanning pages - which may the writing dense and requires the utmost of concentration to really take it all in.

 

Hum bug! I've only recently discovered that I don't cope well with books with rather little of dialogue. I also think I wouldn't be too keen on long sentences and paragraphs... =(

 

He's also a very political writer, and often chooses to write fiction based on historic events but concentrating on the ordinary human experience rather than the main protagonists of the event. There is sometimes satire and humour in his writing as well, but always challenges the reader to consider their own perceptions and opinions on the subject matter.

 

I'm also not very keen on political writers, but I do like the idea of reading books based on real historic events but which concentrate on the average people. So I guess I shall just give Saramago a go (that rhymed!) and see how I'll do. Thanks for the information =) Blindness is actually the book I've been meaning to read first by him, because it's on one of my lists, but I think TYotDoRR would be a more apt choice.

 

There are quite a few on the list I'd like to see, but I'll need to be a bit careful, as it's not that close to me, so I'll need to drive there and back in the evenings and need to make sure I choose the ones I really want to see. Here's a link to the list: http://www.toppingbo...uk/events/bath/

 

That's one heck of a list of authors to see and listen to! Quite oddly I thought I would recognise them all, us being on an English speaking forum and you guys talking a lot about British authors, but I'd say two authors out of three were unfamiliar.

 

Oooh, and David Mitchell's there, too! I think Janet and poppyshake should be alerted to this fact

 

Ah, Persephone books. I'm so in love with them, I started a whole thread on them a while back! http://www.bookclubf...s.

 

Independent publisher, specialising in rediscovering novels and non-fiction from twentieth century (mostly) women writers, that are either written about women or for women.

 

Thanks for the info! As minor a detail as this is, I'm not very convinced about the editions, though. They are too samey for me. I think that takes away from their concept of introducing people to lesser known novels. I wouldn't want any novel to disappear in the bulk of all those books that look the same. But that is only my humble opinion, I hope you don't mind

 

I loved maths before I started school. Most of my cousins will say their first memory of me is reciting my times tables at the age of three, and I remember getting my Mum to write sums for me in an exercise book as something fun to do on a Sunday morning when I was little! I loved English in junior school (age 7-11), but when I went to comprehensive (age 11-16), they put me in the second set, and I never felt the same after that. I always felt like I wasn't good enough, despite being near or at the top of the class most of the time. Even now, I still feel inadequate when it comes to writing. On the other hand, maths was mine, I was in the top set, and I loved it. No one could take that away from me, and I still love it today.

 

You were doing times tables when you were three years old?! Sweet!

 

I don't understand this thing about first and second sets. What, do they quiz you guys on certain subjects and then divide you guys into two groups, the 'more capable' and the 'less so'? That's appalling! No, that's traumatizing, and what you said about you always feeling inadequate is proof of that. What a fricking thing to do! =(

 

I can confirm that my first new book is ... *drum roll* ... The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde, the latest in the Thursday Next series. I've been dying to read this since it first came out, and now I can!

 

Great choice! Although I've still only read one of his books (the first in the very same series), but I do have this feeling that I'll love all the rest as well. Frankie approves!

 

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is the story of Conor, who has been having the same nightmare ever since his mum started the treatment for her illness, but one night, the monster of his dreams appears at the window of his room, and it's a powerful, ancient creature who wants one thing from Conor - the truth. The story is based on an idea by the author Siobhan Dowd who died before she could write the story, and was taken up by Patrick Ness. The edition of the book I read was illustrated by Jim Kay, and the book has won the both the Carnegie Medal and its sister prize for illustration - the first time in the history of the award.

 

I'm often amazed at how powerful children's books can be, and this was one of the most powerful stories I've read. It's actually difficult to know what to say about this book, other than it's completely and at times, overwhelmingly wonderful. Evocative illustrations, honest and affecting storytelling, and at times I had to put it down as I was sobbing and unable to see the pages through my tears. For anyone who has experienced anything like what Conor is going through, you will appreciate this story, and may well bring a sense of relief to know that you are not alone, and that what you are feeling is not wrong, but often what others are going through too.

 

 

Sounds great, this is going on my wishlist. Your reading log is dangerous You'd better hope I don't go over to my log and start counting how many books on my wishlist have been added because of your reviews!

[chesilbeach]

Sorry guys, I'm a bit behind with this thread!

 

You did .. and I think I was still in there over an hour later. I bought a book even though I swore I wouldn't be buying any until my ship came in.

I had to have it, it was on my wishlist and I've only ever seen it online.

Had a lovely time Claire and it was great to see you .. thanks for introducing us to Mr B's .. good job it's not THAT near.

Hope to see you next time Janet

It was lovely to see you too, and I'm glad you loved Mr B's - somewhere to go when you feel like treating yourself!

 

Hum bug! I've only recently discovered that I don't cope well with books with rather little of dialogue. I also think I wouldn't be too keen on long sentences and paragraphs... =(

 

I'm also not very keen on political writers, but I do like the idea of reading books based on real historic events but which concentrate on the average people. So I guess I shall just give Saramago a go (that rhymed!) and see how I'll do. Thanks for the information =) Blindness is actually the book I've been meaning to read first by him, because it's on one of my lists, but I think TYotDoRR would be a more apt choice.

He may not be the writer for you then, frankie. His books definitely need concentration and dedication, but I think they're worth it, but I appreciate they're not going to be for everyone. If I was to recommend where to start, I'd go with The Stone Raft as that's my favourite, and the one I first read, but it's been a long time since I read it.

 

 

That's one heck of a list of authors to see and listen to! Quite oddly I thought I would recognise them all, us being on an English speaking forum and you guys talking a lot about British authors, but I'd say two authors out of three were unfamiliar.

 

Oooh, and David Mitchell's there, too! I think Janet and poppyshake should be alerted to this fact

After looking at the dates and locations, I'm not actually going to be able to go to any of the events after all, but I do keep an eye on their website for their events as they have some fascinating authors there. I went to the book shop for the Ali Smith event, which I've raved on and on about, so they're high up on my list of places to check for author events! I notice that poppyshake has already procured her tickets for the David Mitchell session.

 

They do have a lot of authors of non-fiction at their events, and I think there's much more focus on the fiction on this forum, so perhaps that's why there are some unfamiliar names for you.

 

Thanks for the info! As minor a detail as this is, I'm not very convinced about the editions, though. They are too samey for me. I think that takes away from their concept of introducing people to lesser known novels. I wouldn't want any novel to disappear in the bulk of all those books that look the same. But that is only my humble opinion, I hope you don't mind

 

Of course I don't mind! I love to see order on my shelves though, and already have dedicated shelves for collections such as Penguin books (the orange spines), Penguin Classics (a pale green spine), Virago books (a dark green spine), etc, and I love how the Persephone books line up against each other on the shelves. The other thing is they have a beautiful typeface, with a well spaced, clean layout of the text, which makes them so readable, that even when you're not looking at the cover, they are still make for a very enjoyable reading experience.

 

You were doing times tables when you were three years old?! Sweet!

 

I don't understand this thing about first and second sets. What, do they quiz you guys on certain subjects and then divide you guys into two groups, the 'more capable' and the 'less so'? That's appalling! No, that's traumatizing, and what you said about you always feeling inadequate is proof of that. What a fricking thing to do! =(

 

I don't know if they still do it, but when I was at school at the beginning of every year the teachers would assess what level they thought you were at with Maths and English based on the previous years grades, and split the year into various sets so that all the pupils in the class were of a similar ability.

 

Great choice! Although I've still only read one of his books (the first in the very same series), but I do have this feeling that I'll love all the rest as well. Frankie approves!

Excellent! I can also confirm it was a great book. Review to follow next ...

 

Sounds great, this is going on my wishlist. Your reading log is dangerous You'd better hope I don't go over to my log and start counting how many books on my wishlist have been added because of your reviews!

A Monster Calls is really excellent - one of my favourite reads of the year so far. Hope you enjoy it too. As for my reading log being dangerous - this whole forum is dangerous as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going to feel guilty though!

[chesilbeach]

It's difficult to know what to write about The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde as the seventh book in the series, I know a lot of people on here haven't read all the series yet, so I don't want to spoil it. The story starts with Thursday recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty, and is going off for a job interview after being forced into a semi-retirement during her convalescence.

 

I really enjoyed this instalment of the Thursday Next series. I did feel a bit disappointed after book six, which although, again, I enjoyed, it didn't have the same heart to me, so to be back with Thursday, Landon and their family was great. Budget woes, library cuts and the consequences of a mindworm left by a master criminal make for a fantastic storyline, and it cranks up nicely throughout the book.

 

Again, without trying to spoil it, there is a point where there's a subtle change in the events that are happening, and at first you wonder if it's a mistake, but immediately realise where the story is going, and I absolutely loved the twist in the tale. Another fantastic yarn in this funny, entertaining series.

[chesilbeach]

I've been wanting to read Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch for ages. I even gave it to someone for Christmas last year, but still hadn't got round to getting it for myself and after finishing my TBR challenge this one had to be right near the top of the list.

 

The book is the first in a series following London police officer Peter Grant, who after finding out there is a supernatural element in the capital city, becomes a Detective Constable - and trainee wizard - in an obscure unit of the Metropolitan Police force and investigating a series of murders.

 

Another book I really enjoyed! A proper detective story with a magical and paranormal twist, and it rattles along at a great pace, and it funny and original in its own way. As always with any sort of mystery, I like to see if I can figure out where the plot is going early on, and I did get the theme of the murders but not the culprit, although I loved how that was revealed as it was very intriguing to read.

 

As always with a first book in a new fantasy series, there has to be some introduction to both the characters and the world the author is creating, but I thought this was done really well, blended throughout the story, and never felt like it was being shoe-horned in.

 

I will definitely be coming back to the series, and have the next two books on my wishlist already.

Edited September 30, 2012 by chesilbeach

[chesilbeach]

The Six Sixters series by M. C. Beaton are Regency romances, each book based on one of the six Armitage sisters, following how their clergyman father attempts to marry off the girls to rich husbands in order to improve the family finances, and allow him to keep his beloved horses and pack of hunting hounds.

 

All the sisters have their own unique personality, and have their own ideas of what they want in a husband, and their stories intertwine nicely, with rather ridiculous parents and relatives almost ruining the girls chances of ever making a good match, but as you would expect, love trumps all in the end! The books are exactly what I would expect from this author - great fun, slightly silly, funny and very easy to read - I read six short books (a couple of hundred pages each) within a few days - and were the perfect entertainment for a lazy holiday reading session.

Edited September 30, 2012 by chesilbeach

[frankie]

He may not be the writer for you then, frankie. His books definitely need concentration and dedication, but I think they're worth it, but I appreciate they're not going to be for everyone. If I was to recommend where to start, I'd go with The Stone Raft as that's my favourite, and the one I first read, but it's been a long time since I read it.

 

You might be right, he might not be for me. I feel a bit gutted, because I've been wanting to read his novel Blindness for a long time. I cannot remember why, really. Somebody must've raved about it, or maybe it was featured in some magazine. I know it was in some context outside the forum, though.

 

Maybe I'll tackle him in my forties when I must have acquired a more intellectual, concentrated level of brain At least I hope there's some development...

 

After looking at the dates and locations, I'm not actually going to be able to go to any of the events after all, but I do keep an eye on their website for their events as they have some fascinating authors there. I went to the book shop for the Ali Smith event, which I've raved on and on about, so they're high up on my list of places to check for author events! I notice that poppyshake has already procured her tickets for the David Mitchell session.

 

That's a real shame you're not able to go! However, you live in the promised country of literature, you will surely have other oppotunities Yes, poppyshake's been and done it, she apparently had a fantabulous time And apparently Mitchell smelled nice

 

Of course I don't mind! I love to see order on my shelves though, and already have dedicated shelves for collections such as Penguin books (the orange spines), Penguin Classics (a pale green spine), Virago books (a dark green spine), etc, and I love how the Persephone books line up against each other on the shelves. The other thing is they have a beautiful typeface, with a well spaced, clean layout of the text, which makes them so readable, that even when you're not looking at the cover, they are still make for a very enjoyable reading experience.

 

I do agree that it must look great to have a special kind of series of books neatly together. And I do enjoy well spaced novels! Oh how I loathe books with small print and the teeniest spacing they can find! It should be banned from the face of our earth!

 

I don't know if they still do it, but when I was at school at the beginning of every year the teachers would assess what level they thought you were at with Maths and English based on the previous years grades, and split the year into various sets so that all the pupils in the class were of a similar ability.

 

That's bloody awful. I mean I guess it's easier for the teachers to know what and how to teach, but it's no great prize to be put on the 'lower' level of the class.

 

I've been wanting to read Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch for ages. I even gave it to someone for Christmas last year, but still hadn't got round to getting it for myself and after finishing my TBR challenge this one had to be right near the top of the list.

 

....

 

I will definitely be coming back to the series, and have the next two books on my wishlist already.

 

Oh man, another member on the forum who's read the book and loved it! I'll be damned if I don't order a copy of this soon! It's just too promising! I'm happy you enjoyed it, apparently there are a few novels in the series to enjoy...

 

I should go over your first page to see your current TBR and all the crossed off books on the lists... but out of curiosity: Where's your TBR at right now?

 

Oh, and thank you for posting the picture of your bookshelf! It is bloody inspiring

[chesilbeach]

I'm so far behind on the forum, it's not even funny. A certain television programme has started its new series recently, and as usual, it takes over my life for a couple of months! So, I've got loads of book reviews to write, reading has dropped off, and I haven't even kept a record of what books I've finished the last few weeks Hopefully, I will have a bit more time this week, and will endeavour to catch up (frankie, I will reply to your questions later, but I need to do a bit of bookhousekeeping first, so please don't think I'm ignoring you ).

 

In short, though, My Year With Jane Austen reading going well, been to my library reading group and have a new book to read, built up a tiny TBR (still less than 10 books I think, and loans, reading groups, gifts make up the bulk, but I will find out later after getting my stuff in order ).

[poppyshake]

How clever of you to embark on your quest to conquer your TBR between series of Strictly Claire VF might have stood a chance if you had started last month.

 

Look forward to catching up with your reviews and seeing what's on your new TBR

[chesilbeach]

Ha ha, I'd never thought of it like that!

 

Reviews tomorrow hopefully, but I have managed to sort out my spreadsheet and database, so book lists are up to date, and TBR is reinstated on first page of this thread. Few more than I'd realised already, but on the plus side, I am reading four of them at the moment!

[chesilbeach]

My first ever Jane Austen read was Pride and Prejudice and I read it after watching the Laurence Oliver and Greer Garson film adaptation when I was a young teenager. Having never see or heard of Austen and her books before this, I fell in love with the film and the story, and decided to read the original book. It was probably the book written earlier than 1950 that I'd ever read, and I did find it a struggle on that first reading, as I was unused to the style of writing and the language. Despite the difficulties, I persevered and was rewarded with one of the most memorable books I've ever read, and the door was opened to the world of Jane Austen novels, as well as the multitude of screen adaptations I've since watched.

 

I had been thinking of leaving Pride and Prejudice to the end of my year of re-reading her works as a sort of reward for Christmas, but I just couldn't resist it any longer, and what a joy it was to read again. The characters of this novel seem like old friends, I know them so well. Elizabeth's hot-headedness and absolute loyalty to those she believes are good and right, Darcy's shyness displaying as an aloof and proud nature, the forthright, unabashed and highly melodramatic Mrs. Bennet and her determination to marry off her daughters, and the deliciously (to quote Austen and the most appropriate description of a character ever) obsequious Mr. Collins. The characters and the story jump off the page of probably my favourite love story ever, with a sharp and at times acerbic view of the society but with a lightness of touch that gives a wonderful and thought provoking insight into the lives of young women of that class and the necessity to marry in that period.

Edited November 11, 2012 by chesilbeach

[chesilbeach]

Wickham's Diary by Amanda Grange is a second book drawing on the characters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice for inspiration. Following George Wickham's story from a child growing up on the Pemberley estate, through his university career and upto the point where his proposed elopement with Georgiana Darcy is curtailed when her brother discovers the plan. I've really enjoyed all the diaries from Amanda Grange this year, and I did like reading it, but perhaps because Wickham is not a hero, I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. This one was also a little disappointing in the fact that it was so short! I would loved it to have continued the parallel story of Wickham throughout the entire story of Pride and Prejudice and felt a little cheated that I didn't get another view of the rest of the book as I've had with other diaries.