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Three Gentle Reads

Regular readers of my blog will know that I’m not a big fan of gentle books. I know a lot of you love them, so here are three for those who enjoy quieter books:

All is Song

All Is Song by Samantha Harvey

Five words from the blurb: brother, alone, rootless, unite, questioning

I loved The Wilderness so was excited about Samantha Harvey’s new book. Unfortunately, although it could be argued that her writing quality has improved since her debut novel, she has done so at the expense of a compelling plot.

All Is Song follows two brothers who reunite after the death of their father. Very little happens. This book is a simple study of the relationship between two siblings and the way this affects the emotions of everyone around them.

If you enjoy character studies then I’m sure you’ll find a lot to intrigue you, but I’m afraid I found it all a bit dull and gave up after 90 pages.

Don’t be put off by me though – I’m sure this will end up on the Orange/Booker shortlist later this year.

Rules of Civility 2012 TV Book Club Selection

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Five words from the blurb: New York, coming-of-age, woman, society, change

The blurb of this book held no interest for me, but I was persuaded to read it by its inclusion on so may ‘best of 2011’ lists. I’m afraid that on this occasion my instincts were right – I do not enjoy charming coming-of-age stories set in New York high society.

From the very beginning I was aware of the very high writing quality in this book. New York came alive and the characters were very well developed. Unfortunately I seem to have a thing against rich characters and their relationship issues. Very little actually happens in this book and everything that does could be described as “charming”…… Arrghhh! *Runs away*

If you enjoy well written books about finding love in Jazz clubs and cocktail bars then this is for you, but I couldn’t finish it.

 

The Lady's Slipper

The Lady’s Slipper by Deborah Swift

Five words from the blurb: 1660, steals, orchid, exile, memories

I was drawn to this book because of its Lake District setting, but although I enjoyed reading some historical fiction set outside one of the big cities it didn’t contain enough specific local detail for me to be able to recommend it to fans of books set in Cumbria.

The Lady’s Slipper is set in the middle of the seventeenth century and focuses on a woman who discovers a rare orchid on her neighbour’s land. She steals the flower and attempts to propagate it, but the land owner is determined to get his flower back, leading to a battle of power.

The period atmosphere in this book is fantastic and it has clearly been very well researched, but I found the plot too slow and gentle for my liking. This book has over 400 pages, but the pace made it seem even longer. I know a lot of people love simply being immersed in another time period, but I prefer a bit more action.

Recommended to fans of gentle historical fiction.

 

 

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Other Recommended books

My Favourite Reads in 2011

Happy New Year! I hope that you’ve had a wonderful few weeks and are enjoying 2012.

I’ve already posted about my favourite books published in 2011, but last year I also read a lot of fantastic books published in previous years.

Here are the best:

The Illustrated Gormenghast Trilogy

Gormenghast – Mervyn Peake

Titus Groan – Mervyn Peake

My favorite reading experience of the year was my Gormenghast read-along. The first two books in the series were leagues above anything else I’ve read recently and it was wonderful to be able to share the reading experience with so many other readers.

I highly recommend these atmospheric books. They are packed with the most vivid characters you’ll ever come across and I’ll never forget reading about their adventures in that spooky, sprawling castle.

Mountain People

The Mountain People – Colin Turnbull

The Mountain People gives an insight into a society with a very different structure to our own. In times of trouble could we ever leave our closest family members to die? This is a shocking, but thought-provoking look at the way one African tribe copes with a famine.

Things Fall Apart (Pocket Penguin Classics)

Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe

This African classic shows how a traditional community was torn apart by the arrival of Europeans. It is one of those books that everyone should read.

The Wasp Factory

The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks

You wouldn’t have thought a book about a child who tortures animals could be so good, but somehow Iain Banks manages to create something that is both enlightening and entertaining.

Leviathan – Philip Hoare

This book contains everything you’d ever want to know about whales. Nearly a year after reading this Hoare’s enthusiasm for his subject is still affecting me.

Independent People – Halldor Laxness

This isn’t an easy read, but I think it is worth the effort. The remote Icelandic community cope with many difficulties in ways I often found surprising. More people should read Laxness.

Year of Wonders – Geraldine Brooks

This book about how a small village is affected by the arrival of the plague is both gripping and devastating. It is historical fiction at its best.

Have I tempted you to read any of these books?

Do you love any of them as much as I do?

 

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A Blogging Break

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the last few days of 2011.

I’ve been rushed off my feet entertaining 7 adults and 4 children and so haven’t had a spare moment for blogging (or reading). Things are a bit quieter now, but in the next few days I’ll be visiting friends and spending time with my family so I have decided to have a break from blogging.

Have a wonderful New Year celebration – I’ll be back in 2012.

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2011 Other

The Most Important Books Published in 2011

Some books are not enjoyable to read – they can be filled with horrific images or reveal uncomfortable aspects of society, but this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be read.

The following books contain important messages about society and I think the world would be a better place if more people were aware of their contents.

The Death of the Adversary

The Death of the Adversary by Hans Keilson

This modern masterpiece was recently rediscovered after years of obscurity. It plots the rise of a dictator and what life is like for those who have to live under his influence.  There are original, powerful statements about the human psyche on almost every page and I wish that more people were aware of it.

The Wandering Falcon

The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad

This book gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the nomadic people who lived in the remote border region of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a stark warning about what happens when modern culture and bureaucracy are allowed to affect traditional tribes.

The Fat Years

The Fat Years by Chan Koonchung

China has an increasing role in the global market place. This book gives a realistic, but shocking prediction of what life could be like in the near future; explaining how Chinese influence on the world will increase and what life might be like for those living in China. At first some of it seems a little far fetched, but on doing some research I discovered that some of the more unrealistic scenarios had actually happened already. Scary stuff.

Which 2011 books do you think are important?

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My Favourite Books of 2011

Over the past few weeks I’ve enjoyed reading all the end of year summaries online, but few ‘best of 2011’ lists contain any of my favourites. Is this because I’ve read more obscure books or because I have an odd taste in fiction?! I’ll leave that for you to decide, but I hope you find some interesting reads amongst my favourites of the year.

The History of History – Ida Hattemer-Higgins

Interesting facts about Berlin, the issue of suicide during WWII and buildings that turn to flesh combine to produce a fascinating book that pushes the boundaries of novel writing. I’m a little sad that hardly anyone has even heard of my favourite book of the year. Hopefully I’ll be able to persuade a few people to give it a try.

You Deserve Nothing

You Deserve Nothing – Alexander Maksik

A book that deals with many moral issues within a school. It controversially may be based on real events, but I think this only adds to the intrigue. Compelling and thought-provoking – I highly recommend it.

The Afterparty

The Afterparty – Leo Benedictus

This is the ultimate in meta-fiction. The structure is phenomenally clever and the plot is entertaining. It divides opinion, but I think it is worth the gamble as if you’re one of those who loves this insight into celebrity culture it may well become a favourite.

The Nobodies Album – Carolyn Parkhurst

An author realises that her outlook on life has changed with age and so she decides to rewrite the endings to her previously published novels. This combines with a murder mystery to create an intelligent, but compelling read.

Anatomy of a Disappearance

Anatomy of a Disappearance – Hisham Matar

Simply, but beautifully written this literary novel contains an amazing number of different issues in a small number of pages. I’m sad that it was overlooked for all the literary prizes this year.

The Report

The Report by Jessica Francis Kane

Do we need to blame someone whenever a tragic accident occurs? This book is a moving account of the Bethnal Green Tube disaster and the public’s need to hold someone accountable.

The Book I’ve Recommended to the Most People

How I Became A Famous Novelist – Steve Hely 

This satire of the publishing industry should be read by everyone with an interest in the subject. Even those who don’t have an insider knowledge will find this book very amusing.

The Best Premise

What would happen if you could see pain?

The Illumination

The Illumination – Kevin Brockmeier

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Did you enjoy any of these books?
Have I persuaded you to try any of them?

Come back later in the week to see my lists of:

  • The most important books released in 2011
  • My favourite books released in previous years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2012 Other

The Best Books of 2012? Part 2: Authors We Know and Love

Last week I posted: The Best Books of 2012? Part 1: Debut Authors

This time it is the turn of the authors that we are already familiar with. Here are the 2012 books I am looking forward to reading:

Note: UK release month shown in brackets, date may be different in other countries.

Intrusion (Note: UK cover not available yet – this is the French translation which is available now for all those lucky enough to speak French)

In by Natsuo Kirino (August, Harvill Secker)

Out by Natsuo Kirino is my favourite thriller so I’m very excited that her new book is going to be published here later this year. In contains an investigation into a best-selling author and promises to question the differences between life and literature. I hope it lives up to my exceedingly high expectations.

 

Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama

Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel (May, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Alison Bechdel’s darkly comic memoir, Fun Home, introduced me to the graphic novel. She returns with a graphic novel about her mother. I’m sure this will be one of the most talked about books next year.

The Greatcoat

The Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore (February, Hammer)

The Siege by Helen Dunmore is one of the best pieces of historical fiction I’ve ever read. The Greatcoat is described as a chilling and atmospheric ghost story set in 1950s Yorkshire and my only hope is that her amazing writing skills don’t scare me too much!

.The Chemistry of Tears

The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey (April, Faber and Faber)

An automaton brings two strangers together. Using clockwork objects as the basis for a story worked for Hugo Cabret – I think this sounds wonderfully original and I look forward to trying it.

Arcadia

Arcadia by Lauren Groff (April, William Heinemann)

The author of The Monsters of Templeton returns with a new book about a group of people who set up a commune in the grounds of a decaying mansion. The premise doesn’t sound that exciting, but Groff has the ability to turn very ordinary situations into engaging reads so I think this is one to look out for.

All is Song

All Is Song by Samantha Harvey (January, Jonathan Cape)

The Wilderness was one of my favourite books in 2010 so I’m looking forward to reading her second novel. A few people suggested that this one about brotherhood is even better than her first. I’m not sure that is possible, but I look forward to finding out.

The Child Who

The Child Who by Simon Lelic (January, Mantle)

Rupture is one of the best novels published in recent years. I love the way Simon Lelic forces the reader to look at difficult situations in a different light and this book about a solicitor defending a child murderer promises to be just as compelling. I’m lucky enough to have an ARC of this book and look forward to reading it over Christmas.

Phantom

Phantom by Jo Nesbo (March, Vintage)

Jo Nesbo returns with the 7th book in the Harry Hole series.

Bring up the Bodies

Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (May, 4th Estate)

I wasn’t a big fan of Wolf Hall, but if you were you’ll be excited to learn that the sequel is out next year.

Other books to look out for:

The Red House by Mark Haddon (May, Jonathan Cape)

Lionel Asbo by Martin Amis (July, Jonathan Cape)

Capital by John Lancaster (March, Faber and Faber)

Mo Said She Was Quirky by James Kelman (July, Hamish Hamilton)

In One Person by John Irving (May, Doubleday)

The Girl Who Fell From The Sky by Simon Mawer (May, Little, Brown)

If you’re in the US then you’ll be happy to know that Harper recently announced that it will be publishing new books from Michael Chabon and Barbara Kingsolver in the Fall. Unfortunately those of us in the rest of the world will have to wait a little bit longer for them.

Which 2012 books are you looking forward to?