Jessi's Reading List - 2012

[Jessi]

News from the Front – Martin Farrar (4/5)

 

This was such an interesting book. Journalism in the First World War had to be censored, and this book tells the that story of how it was. Explaining the changing relationship between the press and the army from 1914 to 1918, Farrar’s book takes a unique point of view and is a highly enjoyable read. I read this primarily for my uni course this year and am so glad I took the course as I don’t think I would have otherwise!

[Jessi]

The Reader – Bernard Schlink (3.5/5)

 

The Reader was an interesting book that makes you question the morals of the tale. Hanna and Micheal’s story is a sad tale, steeped in the horrors of the twentieth century. That said, I’ve read more compelling books this year.

[Chrissy]

I red 'The Reader' when it was a Reading Circle read a while back, and I think you have managed to sum up the book brilliantly in few words.

[Arukiyomi]

I’ve read more compelling books this year.

I thought The Reader was excellent. So, now I'm intrigued, what were your "more compelling" books?

[Jessi]

Oh, Chrissy, I didn't realise there had been a reading circle on it! Will definately have to sit down and read that in the next few days!

 

Arukiyomi, Canon Doyle, Jennifer Worth and Amanda Vickery's books have been my highlights so far this year! I found them far harder to put down than 'The Reader'.

[Jessi]

Just Henry – Michelle Magorian (5/5)

 

Even though ‘Just Henry’ was a ‘children’s’ book, I just loved it! I read the novel after having watched the film at Christmas and found the story was, as ever, even better when on page than when on screen. Magorian is also the author of Goodnight Mr Tom, one of my all time favourite books. Once again she just drew the most wonderful characters and wove them seamlessly with a great plot. Henry and all his dysfunctional family jump off the page into life. Great book.

[Jessi]

Creation by Randal Keynes (4.5/5)

 

Creation was a tale which tore at the soul. Keynes if a descendant of the Darwin clan and his emotional connection with the tale makes the story he tells even more out wrenching than it already was. Exploring the influence of Charles Darwin work had on his personal life and vice versa. The early death of his daughter Annie Darwin is the heart of the book. Indeed, her ‘box’ (in which her mother kept her belongings after death) was the inspiration for it. Superb, educational and very much pulls on the heart strings.

[Jessi]

Tess of the D’urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (4/5)

 

Tess is, of course, a classics and personally one I really enjoyed. I can so see why it is among the best known and enduring of Hardy’s work. Wonderful characters and descriptions kept me entranced. That said, I dislike Angel as a leading male intensely. I just hated him for leaving Tess. And poor little Sorrow’s death was too sad.

[~Andrea~]

I loved Tess. I read it years ago (for school in fact) and of all the dry and dusty texts I had to read, this one stood out as being very vivid and gripping. I'm a bit of a Hardy fan these days.

[Jessi]

I've already downloaded the Mayor of Casterbridge! If it is anything like as good as Tess, I'm pretty sure I'll consider myself a fan of his work too

[Jessi]

Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian (5/5)

 

Goodnight Mr Tom is just one of my favourite books EVER!!! Set in the second world war, it is about an evacuee arriving in the country, having left his abusive mother in the London. There are very few fictional characters I love as much as Tom Oakley and William Beech. The friendships which develop between the two leads is such a lovely flowering, as if Will’s and Zach’s. There are so many lines in this book which touch me. I could re read this weekly.

 

The idyllic village, the horror of Will’s mums and the extreme highs and lows – I love EVERYTHING about Goodnight Mr Tom.

 

I will be reading this when I am 80.

[~Andrea~]

I've already downloaded the Mayor of Casterbridge! If it is anything like as good as Tess, I'm pretty sure I'll consider myself a fan of his work too

I listened to that on audio last year (abridged unfortunately) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope you do too!

[Jessi]

I'll let you know

 

 

Destined by PC and Kristin Cast (4/5)

 

I really enjoyed the latest House of Night book. Raphiem, Stevie Rae and Kalona are keeping me hooked and I loved the ending. I still can’t take to Stark very much, but I remained gripped. I can’t wait for the next one in November.

[Jessi]

The Unquiet Western Front by Brian Bond was a read solely for uni purposes and pretty short - I don't feel as if I can really rate it properly. It was quiet interested but I enjoyed the other books I read on WWI more - this was far more about the history of the history of the war if that makes sense.

[Jessi]

The Two of Us by Sheila Hancock (4/5)

 

The Two of Us was a very emotional book. Intertwining her husband’s final days with her immediate period of grieving, Hancock reveals what life was with her husband, John Thaw, and how she coped after him. I laughed and cried in equal measure within pages of each other. A book of huge emotion.

[Chrissy]

I read this when it first came out, and it really is a terrific read. You are spot on when you say,

I laughed and cried in equal measure within pages of each other. A book of huge emotion.

[Jessi]

I felt drained when I finished it, Chrissy - it was one of the most heartbreaking books I've read!

[Jessi]

A War Imagined by Samuel Hynes (4/5)

 

A war Imagined is a book which looks at the mythology and literature of the war. The media which is examined ranged from the work which was published at the time. A very thought provoking work which detangles myths, makes you think and makes you want to delve further into the subject.

[Jessi]

Sorry for going out of order here guys... but I had to review while Colonel Roosevelt was clear in my mind...

 

 

Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris (5/5)

 

It is going to be a very long time till I get to read a book which is on par with this one. Morris’ Roosevelt trilogy was a joy to read from the start – and yet has left me bereft at the end. I don’t feel as if I have simply shut a book and learnt about the life of a great man. I feel as if Morris’ reconstructed this president’s life so successfully and so thoroughly that at the end, every reader feels a sense of loss. Inevitably, Morris had to end with the death of Theodore Roosevelt. But I wish he hadn’t.

 

Colonel Roosevelt tracks the final 10 years of TRs life, beginning with the African safari, the 1912 election, an assassination attempt on his life, his journey down the River of Doubt, his frustrations at America not going into WWI and then not being able to go in himself leading a regiment. His desperation to recreate his crowded hour of 1898, to die in action rather than to fade away was a wish that went unfulfilled (there was no doubt in his mind, if he went to France, he would not return to the USA. He would die in battle or his health would finally give way). His desperate pride in his sons was only equalled by the third greatest bereavement he had to endure in his life: his youngest child (and according to many his favourite), Quentin died in battle. His health soon went into rapid decline, yet Morris clearly believes it was TRs broken heart that finished him off.

 

As ever, the Roosevelt family was at the heart of this biography. As the six Roosevelt kids went off to find their own paths (with varying degrees of success) their father kept a watchful eye and a pen close by. If only one book was published about him, he wished it to be the collections of letters he wrote to his children. His paternal pride was matched only by the continued love he gave and received from his beloved ‘Edie.’ Morris leaves us in no doubt that TRs second marriage was one the deepest, mature love. He calls it ‘one of the great marriages in American history.’

 

Politically, TR was adored and loathed and then adored again in this decade. His rift with the republican party, fight and eventual reconciliation with Taft is documented and explored. TR was forever going off on his ‘last’ speaking tour. He was always trying to withdraw to a quiet, domestic life... but somehow he could never quite manage it.

 

Content aside, Morris has such a genuine gift as an author. There was not a word out of place and he in turn places you just where he wants to, catapulting his reader into political conventions, hospital rooms and crowds where to hear the Colonel speech. More gently, he opens Sagamores doors to allow his readers into the most intimate of family moments. His style is faultless.

 

The best book I have read in many a year. I cannot recommend the TR trilogy enough. Treat yourself, even if you don’t think it is really your thing as you are indeed missing out if you don’t read this book.

[Jessi]

I can not believe how late I get with reviews, every year!

 

The Silence of Memory – Adrian Gregory – (4/5)

 

This was a really interesting read, and one I had to get through for uni, but I am glad that I did. It explores the beginning and the development of ceremony and meanings around November 11^th. It covers the whole last century, from WWI not WWII, when it was still immensely personal to so many people, and then over the past five years as time brought distance to the anniversary. A very thought provoking read.

Edited December 14, 2012 by Jessi

[Jessi]

Emma Darwin – Edna Healey (3.5/5)

 

I enjoyed this biography of Emma Darwin – it was an informative read about her early life, her marriage and then her life as the wife of Charles Darwin. Having read some books about Darwin and a book on their marriage at the end of last year I felt as if I had a good back ground knowledge for this read.

 

The only problem was that having already done some that reading on this subject, I felt as if it was too general and didn’t really get into Emma enough and stayed focused on the family too much. I didn’t really come away knowing as much about the women herself as I wanted too.

[Jessi]

Ok, so I am not going to be able to review every book, but these books were my favourite from 2012 and have gone on the reread pile.

 

9. Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen

10. A Study In Scarlet - Arthur Canon Doyle

14. Call The Midwife - Jennifer Worth

16. In Shadow of the Workhouse - Jennifer Worth

19. Farewell to the East End - Jennifer Worth

23. Just Henry - Michelle Magorian

24. Creation - Randal Keynes

26. Goodnight Mr Tom - Michelle Magorian

29. The Two of Us - Sheila Hancock

35. A Feast For Crows - George R R Martin

49. Clementine Churchill - Mary Soames

73. Colonel Roosevelt - Edmund Morris

86. The Loves of Charles II - Jean Plaidy

88. The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien

89. A Daughters Tale - Mary Soames

91. Love and Conquest - Douglas Smith

 

Some new additions, a couple of rereads and some generally great tales. Recommend all of them.