Soupdragon's 75 in 2011- continued

Thank you for joining me on my continuing challenge- the challenge now being not so much getting the books read but getting them all recorded here.

I have included a Zen like image to inject some calm and tranquility while I manically try to catch up!

51: The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale



From my Orange thread. The Book of Fires was shortlisted for the Orange new writers award last year and was the first book I read for Orange July.

The Book of Fires is an excellent historical novel set in the eighteenth century with a lot of familiar ingredients: London setting, ingenue protag learning from older man, prostitution, fireworks! However the writing has a definite fresh and individual feel and doesn't follow any formulas. The author takes a thoughtful approach and whilst some reviewers have said they found the pace slow at times, I enjoyed the more contemplative sections of the book and found the issue of our heroine's pregnancy alone (not a spoiler as it happens very early on) and the possible consequences of this enough to want to keep turning the pages. It finishes with a satisfying and not at all obvious ending.

52: Swamplandia by Karen Russell



Another Orange. This one was longlisted this year. I enjoyed the wonderful descriptions of Florida swamps, alligators and tourists and loved the characters. It wasn't always comfortable reading though- there were some very dark elements to it and the overall feel was somewhat sad! For a full review, please refer to the excellent ones on the book's main page. The ones which led me to read it were by Luci, Bonnie and Jill. Thank you all, as it wasn't one which initially appealed but I'm glad that I did read it. I wasn't quite like anything I've read before and I think it will stay in my memory.

53: Gilgamesh by Joan London



My final Orange, so far this year and probably my joint favourite alongside The Memory of Love. I was particularly keen to read this after being impressed by The Good Parents earlier this year and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

Gilgamesh tells the story of Edith, a young woman who has begun life in rural Australia. When we first meet her it is the late 1930s, her Australian father has recently died and her English mother is struggling to cope. It is common knowledge in the district that Ada "could never take the life" and Edith and her sister watch and do what they can as their mother's mental state deteriorates.

A lengthy visit from two young men stirs life up for Edith. Leopold is a cousin from England and Aram his Armenien friend. The men tell Edith the story of Gilgamesh in the ancient, epic poem. The symbolism surrounding the character of Gilgamesh and his friend, their quests and their ultimate fates reoccurs throughout the book.

After Leopold and Aram have left, Edith's life can never be the same again. To say much more would be to risk spoilers but Edith travels through Europe and towards western Asia, in search of love but becoming a pawn in a political game.

Joan London's writing is an absolute pleasure to read. It appears deceptively spare initially but positively resonates with underlying feeling and meaning. I liked the way London gives clues as to characters' true motivations which are only confirmed at the end of the book.

The story's conclusion returns to the theme of the questing heroes. Edith comes to realise the greatest satisfaction could come from the challenge of staying where she is and a hero from the next generation takes the first step on his own journey which follows on from Edith's.

Don't forget to link this to your previous thread!

The Book of Fires is one I really want to read. I haven't heard of the Joan London one before, will have to investigate further.

54: How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran



How much did I love this book? It is both the memoir of a fat girl without any friends but plenty of attitude who wins a Melody Maker competition and becomes a journalist and television presenter in her teens- and also a Feminist tract. Okay, so it's feminism-lite, and some of her arguments were a little confusing (I finished some chapters still not quite clear on what Moran's stance was on it's subject ) but it could actually make some of the issues dealt with in books like Living Dolls, cool. I think women who would would never usually read a book about feminism will read this and actually start to think about issues such as pornography and er, whether they really do need a brazilian!

And Moran's own story is so funny and so moving. I missed her when I'd finished the book!

55: A Week at the Airport by Alain de Botton



De Botton receives funding to sit at Heathrow airport for a week and makes rather piquant and insightful comments on what he observes. Airports do seem to have a certainly poignancy and de Botton is the perfect person to take on the role of the cool, detached observer. Interesting but somewhat slight. I would recommend taking this with you on your travels alongside something more substantial.

I would refer anyone interested in knowing more, to Sibyx's review on the main page which I think sums it up prefectly.

Thank you for being the first person to visit my new thread, Luci!

I am quite confident that you would enjoy Book of Fires and Gilgamesh!

Just checking in on the new thread, Dee!

Thank you, Stasia!

We're discussing How to be a Woman at the second meeting of our NCT branch reading group next month. I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm here! You're starred!

Found you! :) Lots of good reading going on here.

Hi Dee! Thanks so much for visiting my thread. You've been reading some really interesting books! How to be a Woman looks especially intriguing. As for Sisters Brothers I think I'd recommend that to all and sundry!! Oh I so enjoyed that book! So much fun -and something very different for me.
I've got you starred.

Found and starred the new thread. Funny, I was looking at a copy of How to be a woman in a little radical/community bookshop in Liverpool which I visited on my holiday. Didn't buy it, but it did look interesting.

Looks like folks found you! I also link to your first and current threads on the group wiki so folks can look you up in the Threadbook.

Hello! Just popping in to star you so I don't lose your new thread.

Enjoyed your recent reviews, got the new thread starred, and love the picture at the top - I felt at peace straight away.

Happy New Thread, Dee. I want to get to your three Oranges, so I've added both Gilgamesh and The Book of Fires to my procure list. I also love the Zen calm that starts the thread.

Yay, visitors!

Hello, Luci, Laura, Marie, Deb, Genny, Jim, Katie, Leonie and Peggy- thank you for stopping by!

Jim- I don't know exactly what Threadbook is but it sounds great and thank you for linking me to it!

Luci- I would love to hear what your NCT group make of Caitlin Moran's book. The chapter where she talks about abortion could possibly prevent it from being loved by everyone at an NCT group.

Genny and Deb- I do recommend How to Be a Woman, despite the above!

I've just had another busy week but with the work audit over and the last of the summer guests departed, I'm now hopefully anticipating a little time to myself. This bank holiday weekend looks gloriously unplanned so will try to catch up with reporting my reading in the next couple of days!

#20: This bank holiday weekend looks gloriously unplanned

Sounds like you will have plenty of time to catch up! Have a wonderful weekend, Dee!

The Threadbook - scroll down to the bottom of this: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/Groups:75booksin2011

Found your new thread Dee! Hope you are finding the bank holiday weekend relaxing.

Thanks Stasia, Jim and Heather. Yes, very relaxing- the only problem is I kind of collapsed into an exhausted slump at the beginning of it and have only just regained the power to do anything! So I'm keeping my book reports brief!

56. The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch



There was a lot to like here. Murdoch can certainly write and the lead character, retired theatrical director Charles Arrowby is wonderfully deluded and egotistical. The story is told in the first person and initially we are entirely in Arrowby's company, at the house by the sea where he is living as a recluse. There is some great imagery and I enjoyed reading about the minutiae of Arrowby's daily life (there are lots of details about his lunches) and his recollections of the past.

Curiously, I was less interested when the cast expanded and various actors and ex-girlfriends re-emerged into Arrowby's life. There was much conversation about affairs and the limitations of marriage which had a bit of a seventies feel and which eventually I found a bit boring. The storyline around the childhood sweetheart certainly kept my interest though and made its own point about marriage. And I liked the buddhist cousin a lot!

Ultimately a good read but I think I was expecting more. Maybe I missed something?!

57. Young Romantics: The Shelleys, Byron and Other Tangled Lives by Daisy Hay



Daisy Hay uses nineteenth political journalist Leigh Hunt as a focus and then uses his story as a link to his poet friends, Byron, Shelley and Keats so we learn their story too and the links which bound them together.

As someone who knew little about this generation of romantic poets, I found this fascinating. It did leave me very glad I wasn't the wife, child or sister-in-law of these poets however. Most of them seemed to fare pretty poorly! I would also have liked to read more about Byron and Keats. The emphasis is definitely on Shelley and Hunt's families and Byron never comes across as completely real, more of a mad, bad and dangerous shadow! The Shelley family however, came completely alive for me and I feel like I lived Mary and Clare's eventful but painful lives alongside them!

Hay's style is readable but objective and the book appears well referenced.

58: The Legacy by Katherine Webb



This was a bit of a treat for me as I have been craving a good old dual narrative novel which features a big old country house, for some time. Yes, they seem to be everywhere at the moment but the ones I'd picked up previously ( Kate Morton and Rachel Hore spring to mind) seemed to written in a style that would drive me mad. I never got beyond the first chapter.

So I was delighted to read the first few pages of this and be drawn in straight away. This was well written, psychologically convincing and had me fixed to the page. The present day narrative is probably the strongest and involves two sisters who have inherited a huge pile in the country. This story is told by younger sister Erica who is trying to resolve the truth about an incident from their childhood which has psychologically scarred her older sister. The story from the past features the sisters' great-grandmother who moved to the deep west for love but things do not end happily.

So everything that I was looking for. Until the end -which annoyed me for at least three different reasons! A shame but it didn't put me off reading more by this author.

Some nice recent reads, Dee. I am very interested in reading the Daisy Hay book. Now, if only my local library would get a copy!

Hi Dee! Thanks for visiting my thread. Yes, I very was impressed and enjoyed Pigeon English. Initially, A Cupboard Full of Coats seemed to very dark -but now that I'm to page 110 or so- it's a little less dark and a real page turner!!! I'm enjoying it very much! I've got Snowdrops on hold at my library -another Booker LL - but it's still being processed at the library. At least I am first in the Queue for it.

Looks like you have had some great reads yourself!

Hi Deb- thanks for visiting back ;-)

That's good to hear about A Cupboard Full of Coats. As it's a library book, I will probably be reading it pretty soon. I ordered Snowdrops from the NewBooks website (mentioned by elkiedee somewhere) for postage only but don't know how long it will take to arrive!

I'm reading A Cupboard Full of Coats at the moment - I don't suppose it will make it to the shortlist but it's shaping up to be a favourite for me on the longlist.

>30 elkiedee:: That's recommendation enough for me, Luci!

Book 59: The Glass Room by Simon Mawer



I don't remember the last time I read a book where my opinion changed so drastically whilst reading it!

To begin with I was swept away by the elegance of the writing, so in keeping with its initial focus on the modernistic work of art which is the home of our central characters. I looked forward to finding how this image of a sparkling new future at the beginning of the 1930s, would change along with the decade. I feared for how the coming years would affect Liesel, Viktor and Hana whom I was initially interested in and prepared to care about. I was impressed by the immediacy of the tone which made me feel like I was there in 1930s Czechoslovakia rather then looking at it with a nostalgic, sepia tinged view which some war time novels have made me feel.

However what started off as a little niggle became increasingly aggravating until about half way through the book when I stopped caring about the characters or really believing in them. The character's sexualities become central to the story and the main defining thing about any of them. Which would have probably been fine if they hadn't all shared the same sexuality which seemed pretty much what you would expect of a heterosexual man. Women who were supposedly heterosexual had unbelievably sexual friendships with their best friends. Liesel accepts her husband's lover when she notices her attractiveness herself! Hmm, dream on Mawer! I tried to overlook this but eventually it became overwhelming. I was still affected by some chilling scenes from the war years but really Mawer had lost me by then. Shame!

>31 Soupdragon:: OK then, that's one I don't need to read!

>32 lauralkeet:: Laura, in many ways this was an impressive book and it is highly regarded by other LibraryThingers whose opinions I respect. The emphasis on the characters' sex-lives made a significant point about real life being too untidy to display in a "glass house". I just couldn't get over the unlikely feelings and behaviour of the female characters!

For Virago August, I read the three Rose Macaulay's novels which have been published as Virago Modern Classics:

60. Told by an Idiot



Macaulay's ironic, satirical tone immediately grabbed me in Told by an Idiot. There is not much of a plot but Macaulay relates the history of the different brothers and sisters of a clerical family through the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. There is a lot of social commentary here but very entertainingly done. Macaulay notes how modern we all feel at the beginning of the twentieth century and how dismissive of those fusty Victorians but questions whether human nature has really changed at all. Reading this in the beginning of the twenty first century, it was fascinating to note what has and hasn't changed since! I would highly recommend Told by an Idiot but don't expect a traditional novel! 4 Stars.

61. Crewe Train



Young Denham Dobie has spent her childhood living a wild, uneducated and pretty reclusive life in Spain with her anti-social ex-clergyman father. When her father dies she is forced to live in London with her relatives, the well-dressed, literary and arts and gossip-loving, Greshams. Although the Greshams are happy to welcome her into their family, they cannot understand Denham's matter of fact, practical approach to everything and she cannot understand why anyone would be interested in the arts, books or clothes.

As with TBAI, I enjoyed Macaulay's delightfully ironic tone. However I began to wonder if the characters weren't rather two-dimensional and my appreciation diminished. I think what saved this book for me was that I was also reading a Macaulay biography which helped me understand how the seemingly two-dimensional characters were aspects of Macaulay which she was exploring in her novels. I enjoyed reading the novel alongside the biography but I'm not sure if I'd recommend it. I don't think it should really be necessary to read a biography to appreciate the author's novels! 3 stars

62. The World, My Wilderness




Although there was little of the amusing satirical voice here, this was my favourite of the three Macaulay's I read. There is a similar theme to Crewe Train as seventeen year old Barbara Deniston is forced to move to England to live with her respectable lawyer father after a wilder childhood in France.

It is 1946 and there is a real feel of damage and brokenness after the war. There are hints of how Barbara has been damaged personally by the war, some of which but not all is revealed at the end of the book. Barbara can not fit in with the respectable society around her in London and takes instead to haunting the wrecked and flowering bombed wastes around St. Paul's. The imagery here is just wonderful and reflects both a physical beauty to the scene and the way the destructiveness reflects Barbara's psyche.

It is not a perfect novel but there was a real beauty there and it showed me post-war London in a new light, which is impressive considering how many WW2 books I seem to have read. 4.5 stars.

I second Luci. I just finished A Cupboard full of of Coats and while I have to think a bit before I create a review, I have to say I have not read such a compelling , page turner in quite a while.

Nice review ofThe World , My Wilderness. Like you, I feel that I have read quite a fewbooks relating to WW11 -but if you see post- war London in a new light from this book - it might just be the read for me. Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks Deb. I am keeping my reviews brief until that mythical day in the future when I finally catch up!

63. The Unseen by Katherine Webb



I have also seen this referred to as The Elemental but am not sure whether the title was changed or if this is a non-UK name for it.

I found The Unseen at my local library and couldn't resist it after enjoying The Legacy.

It's another dual narrative historical novel though the 1911 story is by far the stronger. The contemporary story is rather slight and seems to exist mainly to add tension to the story from the past which modern day Leah starts to research.

The 1911 story is a wonderfully intriguing and entertaining tale of a newly wedded young vicar and his wife whose lives are changed by the arrival of a maid with suffragette sympathies and charismatic theosophist (he studies fairies!), Robin Durrant. The characters were wonderfully depicted, the plot raced along and I kept on turning the pages. There was however, a certain amount of suspension of disbelief required, particularly around the housemaid, Cat. For example- when did you ever hear of a woman living in 1911 called Cat? I'd never heard of Cat as a first name at all until television presenters started calling themselves that in the 1990s! I enjoyed the book enough to be prepared to swallow a few of these sort of details, though and I found the ending very satisfying which was a relief after loving The Legacy until the ending!

Hey, thanks for stopping by my thread and visiting, Soup! As you said , I'm finding Our Spoons Came From Woolworths by Barbara Comyns to be a really interesting read. Yes, I agree, Barbara Comyns had a very unique voice, which I am really enjoying. What interesting is that the story is somewhat of an autobiography - and I can't believe the abject poverty in which Sophia is so far willing to live in with Charles!!!! I know things will change - but still - what a shocking way to live.

BTW - I daringly picked up The Fifth Business by Roberertson Davies today at the bookshop. You and Wookie got me interested in reading it!! Thanks for that. ;)

>37 vancouverdeb:: I'm pleased you're enjoying Our Spoons Came from Woolworths, Deb. I think it is based upon experience though the ending is probably a little more fairy tale than Comyn's actual life.

I hope you also enjoy The Fifth Business. As you probably know it's the first in the Deptford Trilogy. It's the strongest of the three and can certainly be read alone but reading all three adds some depth to the story.

And if you don't like Robertson Davies, at least you'll have an answer for people who ask you about him because you're Canadian! ;-)

Well Dee somehow I missed the thread change and lost you for awhile as you reviewed scads of good books. Gilgamesh and The Book of Fires are definitely on the WL after those two reviews. They sound too good to pass up. I have The Sea, The Sea and will get to it eventually although with your lukewarm reception, it probably won't be any time soon. I also have The Glass Room sitting on my shelf and I really wish you had thought more of it but I'm going to read that one for sure, sooner rather later. I guess it's just one I want to find out about myself.

The World, My Wilderness is definitely going onto my WL. That one sounds fabulous and how can I be expected to resist 4.5 stars?? I mean really?

Hi, Dee. I had a great-aunt Cattie, whose name was shortened to "Cat," and she would have been born about 1875 or so.... I do need to reread Davies and to get to more Macaulay. I had hoped to be carried away by The Towers of Trebizond and wasn't. The Sea, The Sea is my least favorite Murdoch so far. I have The Glass Room on Kindle. *Cupboard/Coats* looks more and more appealing. Always good stuff going on here!

The Unseen looks incredibly interesting! I'm definitely going to have to track that one down. :)

Adding Told By an Idiot, My World, My Wilderness and The Unseen to the BlackHole. Thanks for the reviews and recommendations, Dee!

>39 brenzi:: Hi Bonnie- it's lovely to see you here! I'm glad I haven't put you off reading The Glass House. It is an elegantly written and intelligent novel. Unfortunately I had one issue with it which got in the way of my enjoyment of the book but many others loved it. I will be interested to hear your thoughts when you have read it.

I have to admit I wavered between giving The World, My Wilderness 4 or 4 and a half stars. In retrospect, I might have been a bit generous but it is a striking read.

>40 LizzieD:: Maybe I've been a bit unjust to Cat, the suffragette maid then, Peggy. What was Cattie short for?
I have mixed feeling about Macaulay. I'm a sucker for a wry, ironic voice which she certainly has but her characters can come across as two-dimensional. I'm finding Jane Emery's Macaulay biography fascinating and hope to finish and review that eventually!

>41 dk_phoenix:: Hi Faith, thanks for visiting! I do think you would like The Unseen.

>42 alcottacre:: I hope you find them and enjoy them, Stasia!

64: When Will There be Good News by Kate Atkinson



I love Kate Atkinson's writing! Why on earth has it taken me so long to get to this one? Actually, I think I was a bit disappointed with the second in the Jackson Brodie series -so thanks to Laura for mentioning in her review that she thought this one was better!

There are several story threads going on in the book which eventually link up through a series of unlikely events and coincidences. These would madden me with any other author but are part of Atkinson's charm.

My favourite character was sixteen year old, orphan Reggie who tries to discover the truth about the disappearance of her employer, Dr Joanna Hunter. Joanna, herself, lost her mother at an early age, due to a brutal murder thirty years ago and as the murderer has just been released, Detective Chief Inspector Louise Monroe is also concerned. Oh and then Brodie Jackson turns up on the scene due to a train accident on a train he takes by mistake!

The main themes of the book are death and loss but this is far from bleak reading. Atkinson's writing is as humourous, quirky, symbolic and at times fantastical as in her early books and this makes for a wholly entertaining read. There are various lost souls in this book and if the ways they find each other seem unlikely, I'm not going to quibble. Of course, Brodie and his companions lose each other again by the end of the book but I'm sure his story continues in a similarly chaotic vein in the next installment!

Four stars

Would Cat not have been short for Catherine, or the Scottish name Catriona?

>45 elkiedee:: The character in the novel is Cat, short for Catherine. I suppose that's possible but it struck me as a modern and not very likely diminutive for an english housemaid. Having said that, Cat in The Unseen is not your average housemaid!

#44: Thus far, that one is my favorite in the Jackson Brodie series although I have not read the fourth book yet. I am glad to see you enjoyed it, Dee!

47: I think it was probably my favourite though I remember liking the first one a lot too. The fourth is hopefully on it's way to me via a book swap.

Book 65. The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen



I was surprised by how much I loved this, after my one and only other Bowen experience when I failed to finish The Last September.

It is the 1930s and recently orphaned, Portia Quane has moved to London to live with her older half-brother, Thomas and his wife, Anna. The book opens with a beautifully described scene in the December snow on a bridge near the the Quane's house. Anna is telling a friend that she has read Portia's diary and is uncomfortable with what Portia's written.

Bowen goes on to paint more perfect scenes of time and place but initially we observe the characters from a distance. Gradually, we gain a deeper understanding of the central characters, their interior lives and the gaps that lie between each character. Bowen had me pondering on how well anyone really does know anyone else!

Anna and her friends have developed links based on the expectations of the social world they live in. Portia has no understanding of this sophisticated world and is completely adrift. She is also a teenage girl and responds gratefully to handsome Eddie's easy friendliness and charm. Unfortunately, Eddie's charm is a construct he has developed to overcome shortcomings of his own!

The novel concludes with the tensions between the characters finally exposed and a rather ambiguous ending!

Not a pacey, plot-driven novel but one which is perceptive and exquisitely told.

A confident 4.5 stars.

66. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick



This is a sequel to the paranormal romance, Hush, Hush which I admitted to enjoying in my last thread. However where Hush, Hush was a guilty pleasure, Crescendo was a waste of time. The thing I loved about Hush, Hush was the characterisation. In Crescendo, all thought of characterisation has been thrown out of the window and the characters just say and do whatever will move the plot along nicely. Even though this makes them pretty unrecognisable as the people (or angels) they were in the previous book!

No more arch-angels for me! 2 stars.

67. The Bed I Made by Lucie Whitehouse



I remember this getting a fair amount of attention when it was first published but I wasn't sufficiently drawn to seek it out.

I ended up reading it this summer because I found it free, courtesy of a Bookcrosser when I was visiting my mother in Hampshire and because I noticed it had a local setting. Most of the book is set on the Isle of Wight and I read it outside my mum's beach hut on Hayling Island where I could see the Isle of Wight across the Solent!

I think Whitehouse managed to get across a sense of the potential isolation of a coastal tourist area out of season and the narrator had a readable, lyrical voice.

However, the story didn't really work for me. The narrator (I can't check her name as the book has now been bookcrossed on) goes into hiding on the Isle of Wight, from an abusive, psychopathic ex-boyfriend. It's pretty obvious that he's abusive and a psychopath very early on, so the suspense element I was expecting didn't happen. There was a sub-plot involving some new friends on the Island but nothing really happened there. That seemed to be mostly padding around the very predictable psycho-ex story.

Quite a nice writing style but wouldn't recommend. 2.5 stars.

68. Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
69. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
70. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I don't think I could possibly come up with anything that anyone doesn't already know about these!

I am reading the series to my ten-year-old son. They are re-reads for me- the first time around I was reading them to my older son. It is of course, a complete joy to meet all the characters once more. I love Professor McGonagall much more this time round and hate Snape less- for obvious reasons, though the fact that he's played by Alan Rickman in the movies prevented me from ever really hating Snape anyway.

I was quite surprised by how simple the plotting seemed in the first two books but that was not the case in The Prisoner of Azkaban. As my older son said, "now things get sirius"!!

Looking forward to starting The Goblet of Fire, this evening.

Glad your son likes the HP books to! I can't wait until I have a little one to read them to.

Oops, catching up again.

#24 I read The Sea, The Sea a couple of years ago and found it completely absorbing but I'm not sure I 'got it' either. Did you see this Guardian article about it? The reviewer also seemed to have mixed feelings about it.

#34 I've added Told by an Idiot and The World, My Wilderness to my wishlist.

#48 And The Death of the Heart sounds interesting.

#51 Oh yes, wasn't Alan Rickman brilliant as Snape? (In fact, what is he not brilliant at?)

'Now things get Sirius' - groan.

>44 Soupdragon:: I'm so glad you enjoyed the 3rd Jackson Brodie!
>51 Soupdragon:: how fun to be reading these to your younger son. I remember taking my girls to a midnight release of the 7th book, and we had to choose a badge to wear: 1) Snape: Friend, or 2) Snape: Foe (I can't remember exactly what they said, but you get the idea). We all chose "Friend" ... I was definitely influenced by the Rickman effect!

Also groaning at the "sirius" pun!

Wow, so many great reads, you are powering through those books. I've just added about 5 titles from your recent readings to my great big white elephant of a list which sits in the corner and we do not talk about!

52: Hi gogs! Yes, both my boys are Potter fans now. My younger one is not so much of a reader as his brother so I'm glad he's finally caught the bug!

53: Thanks for the Guardian review link, Heather. It was interesting to read, particularly as other reviewers I'd read seemed to either love it or hate it. I haven't read any other Iris Murdochs but read this one because my next door neighbour told me it's her favourite Murdoch.

54: I considered the midnight launch of the last book but my boys weren't quite old enough! (Nipped out first thing on saturday morning for our pre-ordered copy though.) I would have definitely have been on the Snape-friend side!

53 & 54: Still groaning at the Sirius pun, myself!

55: Hello, Leonie. Actually I read some of these books quite a while ago. The thing is, I am just about at 75 books read but haven't kept up with recording them. I am now rushing through the reviews so that I have the satisfaction of doing the "da...da....number 75!!!" thing.

I have an elephant like yours, too. I don't seem to be able to stop buying, swapping and generally acquiring new books. I am under notice of possible redundancy (depending on whether funding crisis at work gets resolved) which you would think would stop me but I'm now thinking, hmm I'd better stock up with the books I want now because it will be more difficult to justify it when I don't have a job! There's no hope for me!

Book 71: Night Waking by Sarah Moss



Set on a remote Scottish island, Night Waking is an intelligent account of the trials of new parenthood entwined with a story from the past involving worryingly high levels of infant mortality on the island.

It was the present day story which drew me in initially. It is told in the first person by Anna, a historian who is desperate to resume her career whilst bringing up two children with little support. Anna's voice is cerebral, analytical and very, very convincing. I'm still not convinced that she was an entirely fictional character! The floundering relationship between Anna and her husband, Giles is also all too believable. Giles is not a stereotypical cad but both Anna and Giles fail to respond to each other's needs on a regular basis with the reader witnessing the awful drip-drip effect on the relationship!

By the end of the book, the historical mystery is resolved and turns out to have social and political implications involving Giles' own family. Happily, Anna and Giles reach an understanding but I wish Anna could have come to a better understanding of her older son. I suppose it's an indication of how much the book got under my skin, that I was practically shouting at her at times to pick the kid up and give him a hug!

3.5 stars.

I like your honest assessment of Crescendo. I haven't bothered to pick it up and don't feel I'm missing anything, so I'll just leave it be and likely won't bother with the series anymore.

Sorry to hear about possible redundancy - it doesn't surprise me but I'm dismayed that your employer is likely to face cutbacks around the country at a time when people are going to need advice more not less. Stocking up seems like an excellent plan. And if it does come to it, I'm sure Sue would love to have you as a Bookbag reviewer (so you can get a few tasty new books that way)!

Hahahahaha. "Sirius"! I think I may have made a pun like that one or two times in my life. Hahahaha.

Also, I thought your review of Crescendo was funny also. Yeah, I don't think I'll ever read the sequels to Hush, Hush...

Sorry to hear about the possible redundancy Dee. I know that uncertainty can be quite stressful. We were told a couple of weeks ago that we're going to hear whether we're up for redundancy soon (again). Stupid global financial crisis.

I think my attitude to book buying is like yours, suddenly having c. 400 books in my TBR piles seems like a nice safety net to have!

I liked your review of Night Waking, please put it on the book page so I can thumb it. You've reminded me that I was intending to try Cold Earth, her first novel.

And congratulations on reading 75 books! (I know you haven't caught up with the reviews yet but I can still congratulate you).

58 & 60: Hi Faith and Nathan! I don't think I'd recommend Crescendo unless you absolutely loved Hush, Hush and were desperate to read more. In which case, I suppose, you wouldn't wait for my recommendation anyway!

59 & 61: Thank you, Luci and Heather! Uncertainty does seem to be the norm with so many jobs at the moment. Working in the charity and voluntary sector, I am kind of getting used to it. Funnily enough, I could cope with losing my job but the worst possible scenario of the whole bureau closing does horrify me! As you say, Luci, there is a real need for advice on debt, housing etc at the moment.

I liked your suggestion about possibly getting new books through reviewing if I have to give up buying them, Luci. I would have to spend a bit more time on my reviews than I have been doing but Hey! I would have more time!

Hi Dee, also sorry to hear about the threat of redundancy - it's a crazy aspect of so many of the current cuts that the services being cut are precisely those most needed in times of financial crisis and uncertainty. I do hope the bureau survives, preferably with your job intact too!

But I'm glad to hear you have a good stock of books to keep you going should the worst happen...

Sorry to hear about the job crisis as well, I agree with the comment of 'stupid global financial crisis'! I use GoodReads to keep my white elephant TBR list in order and they have an excellent giveaway programme, so many books and you just have to write and post a review in exchange. Another great way to get free books.

Dee Hi first time stopping by which is unforgivable for an exiled Yorkie. Hope your travails on the job front can be resolved and that it wont affect too much your impressive reading.

Hi there Dee! Thanks for visiting my thread. Jar City has to beArnaldur Indriðason weakest book in the series. They just get better, that for certain.

Hmm....Night Waking sounds fascinating.. another book to add to my wishlist.....
Sorry to hear about the job redundancy.

Hi Dee!
I moseyed my way over to your profile page and saw that we share 60 books in common so I'm going to have to place a star here and come back and check what books you will be reading for the rest of year. :)

Hi all! Thanks for visiting my thread and for the good wishes re. the job situation!

Genny- Thank you, Genny. I am indeed well stocked up for possible employment disaster though the book I want to read is often not any of the hundreds on my shelves!

Leonie- Thanks for the tip about Goodreads, I have signed up with them. Not too many books for the UK but then that's the same with LibraryThing.

Paul- Thanks for visiting. I see from your profile page that you've transported yourself from Yorkshire to Malaysia. Sounds a very sensible move!

Deb- I enjoyed Jar City so it's good to hear the others are even better.

Valerie- I couldn't resist checking what books we had in common and then what I should "borrow" from you and have ended up adding yet more to the ever-expanding wishlist!

Now for some book reviews....

Some Booker nominations. As everyone already knows, Snowdrops and The Sense of an Ending are on this year's shortlist and A Cupboard of Coats was longlisted. Funnily enough, I rated each of these books a solid four stars.

72: A Cupboard of Coats by Yvvette Edwards

The story of Jinx, a thirty year old woman living in Hackney whose mother was killed by her violent boyfriend fourteen years ago. The sense of responsibility and guilt Jinx feels about her's mother's death has frozen her emotionally affecting her adult relationships and the bond she has with her five year old son.

When Lemon, a friend from that time turns up on Jinx's doorstep she is resistant at first but lets Lemon stay. I loved the way that Lemon gradually thaws Jinx's frozen self with mouth watering Carribean food, stories from the past and... Well I won't say what else but you might guess! Ultimately it is learning the truth about what really happened on that night which affects Jinx most of all.

I enjoyed this book, finding the writing understated but evocative and ultimately quite powerful.

73: Snowdrops by A. D Miller

I wasn't sure if I would like this one. Weak, misogynist protags with an attraction to the seedy side of life aren't usually ones whom I want to spend my reading time with and other LibraryThingers have been less than impressed. However, I found Snowdrops addictive reading and liked it a lot.

No, it probably doesn't deserve to win the Booker prize and if you're looking for a classic Russian thriller you'll be disappointed too but I don't think either of those were what the author intended with this book. I read it as an account of a weak middle-aged, middle-class English guy's love affair with the dark side of contemporary Moscow. Although Nick speaks critically of the corrupt side of Moscow, it is clear he loves the city and that the freedom of being reasonably well off in a foreign country gives him the opportunity to live a life more dangerous and exciting than he perceives his life in surburban England to have been.

When Nick meets the beautiful Masha, she instantly becomes the embodiment of everything that he loves and hates about Moscow. He knows there will be a price to pay for their relationship and when the price is eventually revealed it is not a real shock to Nick or the reader. Any shock value comes from realising quite how far Nick has allowed himself to go in denying what has been going on and the consequences of this.

I loved Miller's writing, particularly his ability to evoke a perfect sense of place. The details of living day-to-day in contemporary Moscow came alive for me and I felt as if I was walking down the streets with Nick, smelling the frost in the air.

The story is told in the form of a confessional account to Nick's current girlfriend. I thought this worked reasonably well though I doubted Nick's abiity to maintain a healthy equal relationship with a woman, especially after she had read this!

74: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

An unusual legacy from the mother of his first girlfriend leads retired Tony to look back to his youth, examining events from the past and our ability to truly recall and understand our pasts. Some shocking twists at the end reinforce this as both Tony and the reader are forced to re-evaluate what they thought they knew.

This is a concise, well-crafted tale, sophisticated and beautifully written novel. I can see why it is so many people's favourite Booker nomination this year.

#68 "the book I want to read is often not any of the hundreds on my shelves"

Sadly all too often true for me as well.

#69 Despite your good reviews (and the others I've seen) I still don't feel drawn to anything on this year's Booker list. Which may well be a good thing given the size of my TBR piles!

Congratulations on almost reading 75 books - or are you at 75 already?

Adding my concern on the job front and my appreciation on the book front. You have come closer to leading me to the Bookers this year than anybody else although I do have some curiosity about The Sisters Brothers. I'm glad that I have you starred so that I can look again at the ones that attracted me on a quick read-by.

Hello and thank you, Heather and Peggy!

I enjoyed all three of the Booker list that I read but don't think any of them were totally unmissable.

I have now read over 75 books but I would like to write a proper review for my 75th rather than just list it- it would add to the occasion somehow!

Dangerous thing to check out that feature, but I'm off to do the same. :)

Waiting for the 75th book in anticipation.

>69 Soupdragon: This is a concise, well-crafted tale, sophisticated and beautifully written novel. I can see why it is so many people's favourite Booker nomination this year.

I'm waiting to get this one from the library Dee (I hope I'm the first one on the list because I actually asked the library to order this one!) and I love your description of it.

Great reviews of Cupboard Full of Coats and Snowdrops as well as a The Sense of an Ending. I think I rated a Cupboard Full of Coats with 4.5 starts. I really thought it was a very well told thoughtful read. I've got Snowdrops and The Sense of an Ending. I read a Pigeon English and enjoyed it, and also loved Sisters Brothers. I'm currently " Bookered Out" , though I hope to get to The Sense of an Ending fairly soon!

Congratulations on reading 75 books already,Dee! Even if you are waiting to write a review to make it official - still - you've hit your goal! Congrats!

Hi Valerie, Leonie, Bonnie and Deb!

Valerie- That feature certainly is dangerous. I have discovered that I "should borrow" 358 books from elkiedee! Just leave them on my doorstop next time you're passing, Luci ;-)

Bonnie and Deb- Looking forward to your thoughts on Sense of an Ending! Deb, I'll also be interested to see what you think of Snowdrops. I seemed to have liked it more than many people!

Leonie- The 75th book is..................

here!!!!!

75: Good Behaviour by Molly Keane



Molly Keane is an author whom I've taken my time to get around to, despite regularly picking up her books in various charity shops. Now that I've read Good Behaviour, I am hungry to get to all those charity shop finds as soon as possible.

The story opens with Aroon in middle-age behaving in an awful way to her elderly mother leading the reader to wonder what sort of monster she is. We then go back to the early twentieth century and meet Aroon as a child and her Anglo-Irish, land-owning family. Aroon is clearly no monster here but a little girl looking for acceptance and attention. There is little love displayed in this household however but a great sense of the importance of keeping up to the social standards and etiquette expected of members of this class at this time. Aroon's brother is punished for reading poetry rather than pursuing more acceptably boyish activities. When Aroon develops into a hefty, graceless and less than beautiful young woman, her fate appears sealed. Opportunities to transcend this fate are sabotaged, possibly unintentionally by Aroon's mother.

I heard someone recently say that they felt uncomfortable about Aroon's self-delusions and the possibility we are supposed to be laughing at her. I didn't feel that to be the case. My interpretation was that Aroon was painfully aware of her situation but created alternative possibilities as a way of dealing with it. There are lines which suggest this, such as this one when Aroon is desperate to find signs of love in a letter from a man we know will never love her.

"I had breathed my own truth between the lines- it was the breath of hope, to shelter and harbour and keep secret."

There are some cruelties in this novel however. There is also humour and some deliciously vivid descriptions. Sometimes these combine. I giggled guiltily at the line describing the governess in her swimsuit as a "frilled torpedo"!

More than anything, I found this a moving and poignant novel which shows that financial privilege alone is no guarantee of happiness. It is cleverly structured with a wicked ending which left me with that wide-eyed OMG feeling!

4.5 stars

Ooh, that sounds really good, Dee. I don't have that one in my collection but I'll be on the lookout for it!

Molly Keane was one of my first VMC favourite authors - most of her books were reprinted by them when I was in my late teens/early 20s. Dee, if I can persuade you to come over to TIOLI, you could read most of her "M J Farrell" books under the pseudonym challenge for October.

>78 lauralkeet:: I'm sure you'd like it, Laura. Especially as I remember from your thread that you enjoyed another Molly Keane recently

>79 elkiedee:: It's funny but I was never really sure if I would like Molly Keane but I loved that one. I am getting closer to TIOLI. I've come round to the idea of it but find all the different threads overwhelming and am confused by the point scoring element to it. i.e how it works and what you have to do to keep score! I might investigate it further and start properly in the new year.

Book 76: The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen



One of my favourite books so far in a year of many wonderful books!

The first characters we meet are two children who are both staying temporarily in Paris. They immediately engage our sympathies and also trigger our curiosity regarding the truth about young Leopold's birth and the mother he has never met. The story which then enfolds is given heightened tension by our knowing the outcome but wanting to know how it all came about and the ultimate consequences for Leopold. I also couldn't help longing for the reunion with his mother that Leopold was yearning for! This is not a sentimental read, however. The writing is exquisite, psychologically perceptive and perfectly controlled!

I'm wavering between giving this 5 and four and a half stars so we'll say 4.75 for now!

Also read:

77: The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Settenfeld 3.75 stars

78: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith 4.5 stars

79: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender 3 stars

80: Heaven Eyes by David Almond 3.25 stars

81: Rose Macaulay: A Writer's Life by Jane Emery 4 stars

82: Daphne du Maurier by Margaret Forster 4 stars

#80 The point scoring element is optional - you get points for shared reads but I never stop to work out how many points my reads have garnered, SqueakyChu adds it all up at the end of the month.

Thanks, Heather.

I've just noticed a challenge thread to do with reading a book assigned in a English class which is tempting as I'm hoping to read The Age of Innocence next month when Donna will be studying it. And the thread Luci mentioned sounds an excellent excuse to read more Molly Keane! I must read and star the TIOLI intro threads and that will probably remove any remaining confusion!

Congrats on hitting 75!

Congrats on hitting 75!

>77 Soupdragon: It is cleverly structured with a wicked ending which left me with that wide-eyed OMG feeling! And just like that Dee Good Behaviour hops onto the teetering tower. The House in Paris came along for the ride too;-)

I was going to say exactly the same as Heather. I don't worry about the points. And you don't need to bother with all the extra threads if you don't want to.

Thanks for the congrats Gogs and drneutron!

Bonnie, I don't think you'll regret it!

Thank you, Genny, TIOLIing doesn't seem as complicated as I feared!

Woo woo congrats on 75!

I'm glad you say TIOLIing isn't as complicated as you feared. I keep saying I will try it every year and then I look at the thread and feel instantly lost. One of these days! :)

Thank you, Marie!

And I'm pleased it's not just me who's a TIOLI wuss ;-)

Hi Dee! So lovely to have you visit my thread today : ). You are reading wonderful stuff! The Macaulays you've reviewed are all new to me, but I think that has to change. Also, you've spurred me on to read When Will There be Good News - like you, I found the second in the Brodie series a bit so-so, and as a result I haven't yet picked up the third. So thanks, Dee!

Hi Dee! Congratulations on reading 75 books!!! Fabulous! Smack me now, because I still have not read Snowdrops or Sense of an Ending, even though they are on my shelves. I did read somewhere that Snowdrops has sold the most books of all the Booker Contenders, so you aren't the only one too very much enjoy Snowdrops.

>92 lit_chick:: Thank you for seeking my thread out and visiting, Nancy! I'm sure you will enjoy When Will There be Good News.

>93 vancouverdeb:: Thank you, Deb! Snowdrops is also on some sort of Richard & Judy type list isn't it? That probably helps. It's the only one I've seen available in mass market paperback in the UK, too. The others seem to be for sale in hardback or equally pricey trade paperbacks. I think a lot of my enjoyment of Snowdrops was to do with my mood when I read it. For some reason, I was absolutely ready to be taken around the snowy and seedy streets of Moscow at that moment in time!

The Sense of an Ending is definitely a better book and feels like a potential Booker winner. Snowdrops doesn't at all!

#94 For some reason, I was absolutely read to be taken around the snowy and seedy streets of Moscow at that moment in time! I love when that happens with a book!

75!! Wahoo!! Congratulations!!

Hooray for 75!! I am a big fan of both Molly Keane and Elizabeth Bowen although each has written at least one stinker. They ought to be up for rereads in the next few years.
I haven't read any of the Booker nominees - none of them appeals except maybe *Sisters Bros*.

Belated congrats on reaching 76 Dee!! :)

> 80

Do not fear the great and powerful TIOLI, Dee (and Marie). ;)

You simply list at least one book under the challenge of your choice on the wiki, finish the book before then end of the month, and mark it COMPLETED. That's all there is to it! If you don't like the book you chose, you simply "leave it" and delete it from the wiki. I take care of any points. It's all just for fun and is really much simpler than it sounds.

Hope to see you both there soon!

Hi and thank you, Nancy, Leonie, Peggy and Valerie!

Thanks for the guidance and encouragement, Madeline! I think I am very, very close to TIOLIing. I can tell because I found myself looking at the author's name on one of my current reads and thinking, hmm Megan Stack, first name and last name has same amount of letters....

I haven't been on LT much recently due to a combination of reasons, partly computer related. I am typing this on my husband's iPad while he does the supermarket shop. What a wonderful husband I have! I would love to catch up further with listing my reading and with everyone else's threads but I know that any minute he will be returning and expecting his iPad back and me to help with putting shopping away. Both entirely reasonable expectations, of course!

In the meantime I will share with you my wonderful evening last night, at the Beverley Literature Festival. I listened to Julie Myerson and Margaret Drabble speak. Julie was delightful and Margaret was impressive and formidable. I may have prevented a sticky moment when I pointed out to my friend who told me how much she enjoyed Drabble's book Posession, the many reasons why it would be a bad reason to mention this to Drabble, the fact that she didn't actually write it being only one of them!

> 100

hmm Megan Stack, first name and last name has same amount of letters....

LOL!!

I listened to ... Margaret Drabble speak.

My best friend would have been so jealous of you. She is truly a devoted Margaret Drabble fan.

100: Ouch, just as well you were able to avert that particular diplomatic incident.

I'm excited that you got to hear Drabble!!! I can't even be envious, that opportunity is so far out of my realm. I do wish I could have had the spot of the woman who thought she was hearing A.S.B. though.....

Hi Dee, I've enjoyed having my coffee with you this morning! Your thread is *groan* starred. Not a groan because of you but now my LT time is going to be even longer. I'll try to stay caught up with you.

Random thoughts about your reading: First of all, thank you for that review of The Glass Room. I bought it after Darryl (kidzdoc) recommended it some time ago. I appreciated your comments about it even though they were somewhat negative. Like Bonnie, I'll have to read it and see for myself. Btw, I'm from Missouri, the "Show Me" state. I guess I'll have to show myself. ;-)

>77 Soupdragon:: Congratulations on reaching (and now surpassing) your reading goal of 75 books - and with such an enjoyable read at that.

>100 Soupdragon:: I love TIOLI! My favorite time of the month is when the new challenges spring up. Like many others, I'm scurrying around trying to fit some TBR books into the categories. Thank you for pointing out how Megan Stack figures into a challenge. I'm currently reading and enjoying Every Man in this Village is A Liar.

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the group read of The Age of Innocence. It's my favorite book by Edith Wharton...so far.

Dee, hope you get your computer problems sorted out and glad to see you have a life partner who overlooks his gadgetry in favour of grocery shopping. I am averse to supermarkets I must say - I think it is more to do with Hani checking every brand of every product to make sure that she gets the best deal possible - I really can't figure out with her being so careful how she picked me from the crowd!
I've not been keeping up for a while but this is far more the computer operator rather than the computer as I somehow inadvertently unstarred you. Would like to promise that it will never happen again but it isn't easy typing with ten thumbs!
Very belated congrats on passing the 75 (and leaving it well in your wake I must say).
Also very interesting Booker reviews - was especially interested that Snowdrops got a thumbs up (thumbs again?) despite near universal disapproval elsewhere. I bought it anyway when I was in UK and will give it the benefit of the doubt soon.

Btw I started TIOLI this month - please be very careful - it is addictive.

it is addictive.

That's our secret! ;)

Ohh Dee! Congratulations reaching and surpassing 75 books!! That a milestone to be celebrated! I still have not gotten to Snowdrops but the day will arrive.....

I also very much enjoyed your remarks about Snowdrops, Dee.

#100 Sounds like you had a lovely evening at the festival, Dee. But a good thing you stopped your friend from committing that faux-pas re Drabble and Byatt - I don't know how much of the famous literary sibling rivalry is blown out of proportion by the media, but being mistaken for your sister is never a good thing!

Spouses who understanding our book addictions and LT addictions on top of that are truly a gift! I know my husband shakes my head at my obsessive need to buy books but yet for gifts, he still gives me GC's to bookstores. Now that is love right there! :)

We miss you Dee! Hope your computer problems get sorted soon...

We do miss you, Dee. It's been a long time.
Don't worry about catching up reviews - just come back!

Missing you too...

Hello! I'm back to dust away the cobwebs off this thread and didn't realise how many messages I had waiting for me. It's absolutely made my day!

I have had some computer problems recently but think they have been resolved. I've also been distracted by current work dramas and having to go in extra days to attend meetings re. these. Once I've been away from work for a day or so and spent time with my family, books and cat, I can take quite a detached view of it all but when I'm in the midst of it all it gets quite overwhelming and going in extra days has made it more difficult to unfry my brain!

101 & 103: Peggy and Madeline, I wish you and your Drabble loving friends could have been there!

102 & 109: Yes, indeed, Luci and Genny!

104: Donna, I love that you had your coffee with me and am glad I haven't put you off The Glass Room. It's a well written, intelligent book and not everyone had the issue with it that I did.

105 : Hi and thanks, Paul. I must pop over to your thread and see if you've read Snowdrops yet!

107 & 108 : Hello and thanks, Nancy and Deb. I wonder if Snowdrops would have been better received by library thingers if it didn't have the booker expectation hanging over it.

110: I agree totally, Valerie!

111, 112, 113, Heather, Peggy and Genny, Thank you so much for visiting my thread even when I didn't and for leaving your very sweet messages! It's always so lovely to have you visit my thread and it's always nice to be missed!

I have been reading and do hope to post some reviews soon, though Peggy, I appreciated your comment that it wasn't compulsory!

Edited because the iPad I'm using self-corrected library thingers into library thinkers!

Hooray, Dee's back! It's nice to hear from you.

Thank you, Laura!

Book 83

The Proof of Love by Catherine Hall



I wanted to write about this one as it is a beautiful book which I think many Librarythingers would appreciate but it doesn't seem to have had much attention.

The Proof of Love is set in a village in England's Lake District during the long, hot summer of 1976. Spencer, an awkward, shy young mathematician from Cambridge arrives in the village hiding a secret from his past that we discover later.

Spencer takes on unpaid work at a local farm in return for free food and lodgings, aiming to live a quiet life and work on the mathematical research he need to master in order to establish a career at Cambridge University. However, Spencer's presence makes waves in the village and his life becomes increasingly less peaceful!

Hall's writing is understated but perfectly captures the routines, tensions and frustrations of rural life at this time. The characters are wonderfully believable. I loved ten year old Alice who forms a moving friendship with Spencer and also eccentric, older lady, Dorothy Wilkinson. I loved to hate the snobby vicar and the arrogant housewife who tries to lure Spencer into bed!

It is when others begin to look to Spencer to give them what they want that the story becomes increasingly darker. Spencer finds love for the first time in his life but as events unfold we realise that his story is ultimately a tragic one.

If you like your book to finish with at least a glimmer of hope then you might to avoid this one but otherwise I would highly recommend this evocative and very moving tale of tensions in 1970s England.

Edited to say, I tried to put a picture of the book at the top but instead have turned my first sentence into a hyperlink! I have no idea why...

Edited to say, photo now present, hoorah! Thank you very much, swynn, for pointing out my silly mistake!

4.5 stars

I know a few people who've read it - I really liked her first novel Days of Grace which I found on sale in the supermarket.

Hi Luci. It seems to have more publicity in the UK than America- there are lots of reviews on Amazon.co.uk but none on Amazon.com.

I liked Days of Grace too but think Proof of Love is (even) better!

Glad to see you back and posting, Dee! I'm off to do a little more investigating into Proof of Love. It sounds like one of my things.....and Library Thinkers is pretty good! A little flattery for some of us, but I like it.

Hello Peggy! If you're investigating further into The Proof of Love, I recommend this inspiring review from Simon Savidge's blog. It inspired me to read it anyway!

http://savidgereads.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/the-proof-of-love-%e2%80%93-catheri...

Dee - The Proof of Love sounds like a winner - into the TBR forest it goes.

Great to see you back posting, Dee! The Proof of Life sounds excellent. I'll have to do a little more research before I make my purchase. Library Thing thinks I will love it!

Hello Paul and Deb- thanks for visiting and hope you enjoy The Proof of Love if you ever get to it!

Deb, your touchstone leads to a fascinating sounding book about nineteenth century research into psychic phenomena. I'm seriously considering adding it to my wish list!

Morning, Dee. Just read your lovely post over at my place : ). At the risk of sounding pushy and demanding, you MUST listen to Alan Rickman read Hardy's The Return of the Native. As someone said on my thread, Rickman has to know Hardy's work well and love him - it could not be any other way when you listen to him narrate.

Thanks for your encouraging words re North and South. I read Ruth last year and have a goal to read more Gaskell in 2012.

Hello, Nancy!

Not too much pushing required when it comes to Rickman! I think I may well buy myself the audio book for Christmas. Quite tempted to download it now...

Hi Dee! Just stopping by to catch up with you. The Proof of Life sounds good and I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Hello Pat! It's lovely to have you stop by!

Since I've a weakness for mathematicians in fiction (and elsewhere), that one goes into the Someday Swamp.

I think I see your problem with the image ... I see you're using the code:

<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ELlx5ybDL._AA115_.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_top">

The "a" anchor tag signals the beginning of a hyperlink. You want to use the "img" image tag instead:

<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ELlx5ybDL._AA115_.jpg">

Good to see you back again Dee, and thanks for the review of The Proof of Love - that does sound interesting.

LOL! Sorry about the wrong touchstone! Thanks for the review of The Proof of Love and let's hope I get it right this time!

Hi Dee, good to see you back posting. And The Proof of Love does look good...

>128 swynn:: You're right, of course! Thank you Swynn, I will go and adjust it immediately!

>129 gennyt:: Hi and thank you, Genny!

>130 vancouverdeb:: No worries, Deb. Especially as I'm very tempted by The Proof of Life, so you may have led me to a book which I wouldn't have heard of usually!

>131 brenzi:: Hi, Bonnie. I was just thinking of you and that I hadn't noticed your thread recently. Have you started a new one? I will go and search...

LOL!Sorry to have led you to the wrong Proof of Life! I've just come Lit Chick's thread, where you mentioned being interested in reading Out Stealing Horses as Nancy has done. I've got that in my TBR pile, and I hope to get to in this year. I initially read and reviewed The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker.

It's also a Dublin Impac winner, like Out Stealing Horses. It was really well done! Apparently - or so I read - if you like Out Stealing Horses , you will enjoy The Twin. Just another recommendation.

Thanks, Deb.

It's funny but after reading Nancy's review, I went straight onto Amazon.co.uk to add Out Stealing Horses to my wishlist and was led to The Twin as one of the "customers who bought that also bought this" options. I did think it looked interesting too and considered adding it to my wishlist but am not sure if I actually did. The reviews there suggested it was a stunning book let down by a weak translation.

Edited to add: Deb, I've just checked out the LT reviews for The Twin one and saw your wonderful one right at the top. I'm don't how I managed to miss it but it has a thumbs up from me now!

Actually I think I might have missed it when I was pre-occupied with work and had laptop problems. Good news about work by the way! Looks like my office and my job is secure for the time being. Just keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to re-apply for my job!

Book 84.

Every Man in This Village is a Liar by Megan Stack



I haven't got much to add to Bonnie, Donna and Lisa's excellent reviews but wanted to record the impact this book had on me.

I have never read anything which describes the brutality of war with such poetic language. As Stack relates her experiences in the warzones of Afghanistan, Israel, Pakistan and Iraq, she not only describes what she witnesses but reveals how it affects her and also tries to understand how war affects the countries involved including her home country of America.

There are many quotable passages. In these passages Stack looks at the psychological consequences of war.

"Here is the truth: It matters, what you do at war. It matters more than you ever want to know. Because countries, like people have collective consciences and memories and souls, and the violence we deliver in the name of our nation is pooled like sickly tar at the bottom of who we are."

"one war breeds another war. We create what we try to kill. Gaze too long into the abyss and the abyss also gazes into you, Nietzche said."

A stunning book in more than one way. Thank you, Bonnie, for drawing my attention to it.

4.5 stars

Morning, Dee : ). I'm going to start The Twin today, having just finished Out Stealing Horses. Deb first told me about the two of them, and it's interesting to know that Amazon has recognized that "customer who bought this also bought that."

Me again, Dee. Think we cross-posted; I didn't see your review of Every Man in this Village is a Liar. Thumb from me! What a haunting quote. Another one for the TBR. Btw, also loved your review of The Proof of Love. Hmm, your thread will be expensive, hehe! LT needs different symbols for threads; I'd use a green $ for yours!

Hello, Nancy! It makes me smile that for the second time you're wishing me good morning when I'm wondering what to have for my evening meal!

I have The Twin and Out Stealing Horses in top place of my wishlist now but have so far refrained from buying them. Not so, with dear Alan and Thomas Hardy. I downloaded the audio-book this morning and have played just a snippet of it which sent shivers down my spine. I can't wait to start listening to it properly!

>135 Soupdragon:: I think I need to add that to my "books about war" reading list. Thanks!

#138 Oh, Dee, I am thrilled you downloaded Rickman/Hardy this morning. Only a fellow book lover could share shivers down the spine over the internet, but I know exactly what you mean! You will LOVE ...! Keep me posted!

>139 lauralkeet:: I think you do too, Laura ;-)

>140 lit_chick:: I certainly will! It is actually the first time I've bought an audio book, believe it or not, though I listen to a lot of radio dramatisations, so that will be an experience in itself!

Book 85

The Coward's Tale by Vanessa Gebbie



This is not a conventional novel in terms of plotting or structure and requires a little patience at first to fully understand and appreciate. Once I perservered however, I found I was well rewarded for it.

The Coward's Tale is an evocative and deeply moving story of the inhabitants of a mining village in Wales after the closure of its pit, the ironically named "Kindly Light". The sentence structure and the narrative give an authentically Welsh feel to the writing. Somehow you can hear the Welsh accent in the characters voices. There is also a touching, magical feel to the book without it ever developing into magical realism.

Different characters' stories are interwoven into the main story which is held together by the stories of beggar, Ianto who mistakenly believes himself to be a coward and lonely schoolboy Laddie who befriends Ianto. The pit itself plays a central role, having been both the heart of this community and the cause of destruction in so many of the villager's lives.

The stories made me think about the poverty and desperation that led miners and their families to put up with the risks of this kind of life and will stay with me for some time.

It's not a novel which I'd recommend to everyone however. It's an unusual book, the pace is slow at times and the structure closer to a collection of short stories than a novel. If none of that puts you off though, give it a go!

Four stars

Also read:

86. The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown. 3 stars
87. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. 4.25 stars
88. The Great Lover by Jill Dawson. 3 stars
89. A Visit from the Goon Squad. 4.5 stars
90. Westwood by Stella Gibbons. 4 stars
91. Advice for Strays by Judith Kilkerr. 3.75 stars
92. Every Last One by Anna Quindlen. 4 stars
93. The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller. 4.5 stars
94. The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton by Elizabeth Speller. 3.5 stars

Currently reading:

The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski
Only recently started but I think I'm going to like it a lot. I've been reading it beside a roaring fire which has felt rather perfect.

Harry Phoenix and The Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowling
A re-read with my younger son.

Magyck by Angie Sage
Reading this with my older son.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Started this ages ago and put it down to concentrate on other reads. I was enjoying it whilst I was reading it and should really pick it up again!

Busy! Busy! Busy!! I wish I were reading as much as you. I'm not sure why I'm not. Oh well.
Thank you for the link to the review of The Proof of Love. It's not easily gettable here although Amazon Marketplace does show a few copies starting at $11.65 for a used paperback. I hope somebody publishes it over here.

Hello, Peggy! It probably looks as if I'm reading more than I am because I didn't really record anything in October. Then again, I didn't have my laptop so I did end up reading a lot in October!

I hadn't realised The Proof of Love hadn't been published in America. I saw it was available on Amazon.com and hadn't noticed it was only import copies via the marketplace. I suppose that explains the lack of reviews then. I, too, hope it gets published soon. I think it deserves it.

Thanks for your review of Every man in this village. I have a copy of that which I'm meant to be sending as a gift to my god-daughter. But I haven't sent it yet - partly because I keep wanting to read it myself before I send it. Powerful quotations there. I'm meant at present to be putting together a short address to make at the ceremony at our local war memorial tomorrow morning for Remembrance. Honouring the memory of those who have given their lives without in any way glorifying war - or questioning our role in conflict without appearing to dishonour those who serve in the forces - not an easy balance. I might go and dip into the book and see if I can find any wisdom for tomorrow...

Dee, tickled to see you also found The Age of Innocence to be a wonderful read. I hadn't read it before; but it has become a new favourite, I liked it that much.

I nearly bought Megan Stack and then the Kindle book went up in price a couple of pounds. I'll have to look for a library copy, but maybe in a month or so when I've caught up on some books. I've either read or plan to read nearly all the books you mention as recent reading. I really enjoyed The Weird Sisters so I hope The Great Lover is another exception (we agree on ratings more often than not as well as having such similar book choices).

>135 Soupdragon: It was that dichotomy between the beautiful language and the horrors of war that really affected me Dee. I'm glad you liked it too.

BTW I also loved Out Stealing Horses and have been looking for his To Siberia too.

Dee, want to reiterate invitation/idea for Gaskell ... a few of us (Megan, Paul, Carsten, and I so far) are doing a group read of North and South Dec 15-Jan 15. I know you've already read it - you gave us the thumbs up for a group read : ) - but you're welcome to come along anyway! Bring friends : ).

Dee wow! Quiet for a spell then you suddenly drop 11 books in a day!
Some of them look fascinating too.

>146 gennyt:: Not an easy balance at all, Genny. I hope you managed to find the words you were looking for and are now able to relax!

>147 lit_chick:: Morning, Nancy! The Age of Innocence was my first Edith Wharton but I am definitely converted.

>148 elkiedee:: Hi Luci! My copy of the Megan Stack book was from the library. I suppose my response to The Weird Sisters was similar to The Great Lover. The stories both initially really appealed, ticked all the right boxes, had all the right ingredients yet there was something about, or perhaps missing from, the writing style which stopped me fully engaging with the story and the characters. I don't know exactly what! I will be interested to hear what you think of The Great Lover. I was really looking forward to that one but couldn't really believe in the central character, Rupert Brooke. It was quite entertaining though!

>149 brenzi:: Oh another respected recommendation for Out Stealing Horses, it's getting more and more difficult to resist. I must keep reminding myself I now have 600 books on my tbr shelves!

> 150: Thank you, Nancy. I will definitely star and keep an eye on that thread. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to comment as I read North and South just a little too recently for a re-read but too long ago to remember many details!

>151 PaulCranswick:: As usual Paul, I am desperately playing catch-up. And limited computer access does wonders for your reading time!

Hi Dee, I'm happy to see another Wharton convert here. I'm definitely singing her praises after spending almost the whole semester with her books. Also glad to see that you liked Every Man in this Village is A Liar. This is a book I wouldn't have looked at if Suzanne (Chatterbox) and Bonnie (Brenzi) hadn't raved about it.

I'm sorry about your computer woes, but glad for the upside of more time for reading.

Hmmm I think I"m going to add Every Man in This Village is a Liar. Sounds very interesting. Thanks for that -and to Donna too!

Hello Donna and Deb!

We all seem to be reading Every Man in This Village and thanking each other for it!

I think I also need to thank Donna, Bonnie and Laura for the final nudge towards reading Wharton. I plan to read my second, probably House of Mirth, next year.

>155 Soupdragon:: woo hoo!

I've got a copy of The Great Lover line up too - interested to see your lowish rating of it. I wasn't planning on rushing to that one anyway...

#114 Welcome back :-) Sorry to hear about the ongoing work dramas...

#115 The Proof of Love definitely sounds interesting - thanks for the rec.

#143 And looks like you have been enjoying some other great books too. A Visit From the Goon Squad, Westwood and The Return of Captain John Emmett have been on my radar for a while. Was there anything in particular you liked less about The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton?

Hi Dee, browsing your profile pics. Erica is adorable : ). Hearing a fair bit about Every Man in this Village; not sure yet whether I'll give it a go or not.

Ohh Dee, do read The Twin. I thought it was just marvelous!! Really a thought provoking book for me. I enjoyed it very much! Currently I am not getting much LT time - husband recovering from foot surgery -sigh!;) I've got Out Stealing Horses in my TBR pile. I think that there are quite different in theme/ plot - but similar in that both have that slow moving laconic prose. Personally, I think The Twin is the better book - but that's just me.

>156 lauralkeet:: Hi Laura! Thanks again for helping convert me!

> 157: Hi Genny! The Great Lover was quite fun and not badly written or I wouldn't have given it three stars. I got the impression Dawson was in love with the subject, Brookes and the era and probably had a lot of fun writing it but it felt a bit like a pastiche to me. I found the continued references to Brooke's golden good looks a bit wearing too!

>158 souloftherose:: Hello and thank you, Heather. Latest news about work (and it's been in the local paper so I know it's safe to say!) is that we have secured funding until September with a possibility of this becoming more long term. Hooray for that! Will involve a change of premises though and also some, er, "re-structuring" so will have to see how that pans out...

I enjoyed both The Return of Captain Emmett and The Fate of Kitty Easton enormously and would definitely recommend them both. I gave the first one a higher rating because it was a perfect read which I couldn't fault. The second one, whilst still a great read, didn't seem to flow quite as successfully for me. Speller seemed to pick up ideas and then drop them. Sometimes I felt she was trying to put too much into one novel. Also I had mixed feelings about the ending. There was something unconvincing about how the big mystery about Kitty Easton was eventually uncovered. As I said, I did enjoy reading it, I just couldn't quite justify giving it as high a rating as Captain Emmett.

Oops, accidentally posted before replying to Nancy and Deb so will quickly write on...

>159 lit_chick:: Hello Nancy. Every Man in this Village did take me a long time to read because I wasn't always in the mood to pick it up. Beautiful but bleak reading. Er, I dont actually have any profile pics ( except for my dragon) so I think adorable Erica must belong to someone else! I do have two adorable sons and an adorable cat though. Perhaps I should add them to my profile page!

>160 vancouverdeb:: Hi Deb. The Twin and Out Stealing Horses are both still near the top of the wish list but am trying not to buy new books until January. We will see. I have thinking of you and your husband. Not easy for either of you!

#162 Duh moment for me, Dee! Someone has a profile pic of a cat named Erica. Obviously NOT you - but I love your profile pic nonetheless : ). It's perfect!

Dee on Thursday in Singapore I was in the Marina Bay Sands casino (only for a drink and a look around I hasten to add) and if I was a gambling man (which I'm not really) I wouldn't put all my money on you not buying another book this year!

163: Thank you, Nancy. I'm very fond of that picture too especially since last Christmas, when my Virago forum Secret Santa made me my own book bag with the same image appliquéd on the bag!

I tried to begin listening to my audio of The Return of the Native last night without success. However I tried the prayer to Steve Jobs, as recommended by Donna and my own Steve (Mr Dragon) synchronised my laptop and his iPad and all seems to be well now.

164: "lol"ing away here, Paul, not least at those little caveats you've added! I have to admit that it is quite unlikely that I won't be buying any more books this year. I don't usually even pretend I might curb my book buying but with Virago Secret Santa time coming up, I don't want to buy something that Santa might be giving me!

And I really have bought enough books this year. I made the mistake of adjusting my library to list books according to when they were added and it was astonishing how many books I've added this year! Some free review copies, some gifts, some library books, some swaps but the majority bought by me!

Dee, cracked me up with your prayer to Steve Jobs, LOL! Delighted to hear that Mr Dragon seems to have the iPad and the laptop playing nicely : ).

#161 Good news about work although the restructuring word always makes me nervous. And thanks for the comments on the Elizabeth Speller books, that's a series I very much want to get round to reading soon.

Just stopping by to say hi!! Yes, let's see if we can " talk" Nancy into Oranges in January! ;)

You ladies are most persuasive when you set about a mission. Deb, I knew about your persuasive powers, but Dee is equally adroit! (Seriously, thank you for helpful messages on my thread).

Hello Heather, Deb and Nancy!

Heather, Do, do, do read the Elizabeth Speller books.

Yay, Nancy's joined Orange January and Paul looks to be following her! A result, wouldn't you say, Deb? I'm sure you'll both love it, for all the reasons Deb said on Nancy 's thread!

Yay! New recruits for Orangey goodness!

Make me smile. Thanks, everyone!

#163 Erica can be found on Heather's (souloftherose) profile page!

Thanks, Genny! You've rediscovered Erica for me : ).

I've got my Oranges all lined up.

Hey Dee! Let's hope I can keep up with you for the rest of the year. :)

Well, Dee, I had this hope that I would not purchase any more books prior to Christmas, but who I am kidding? I had to purchase a couple of books for my kindle this evening... ;)

Hello Laura, Nancy, Genny, Bonnie, Valerie and Deb!

I had a feeling that Erica might be Heather's cat but never got round to checking!

Well amazingly, I haven't bought any new books since last posting but I have agreed to five swaps with readitswapit and why that is any better, I really can't explain! The Twin and Dark Matter arrived last week and three more: an Angela Thirkell, an Anita Brookner and an interesting looking gothic novel called The Seance are on their way. Apologies to my secret santa if they are reading this!

Book 95

The Outlander by Gil Adamson



It is 1903 and 19 year old Mary Boulton is on the run in Canada's Rocky Mountains. She has killed her own husband and the husband's brothers are searching for her. The Outlander is the story of Mary's adventures whilst on the run, the desperation of her circumstances at times, the friendships she forms and also the story of how she got to be in such desperate circumstances

The book is beautifully written with lyrical prose. It is descriptive but not overly so and creates a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. Throughout Mary's journey, we meet new characters whose stories are entertainingly told. It is Mary, herself, who is most difficult to understand. The constant references to Mary as "The Widow" distances the reader, at first, particularly as we know she is a widow, "by her own hand". Gradually we do learn more about Mary through references to her previous life. Many of these passages were psychologically convincing and powerfully done yet I never quite felt I completely knew Mary.

With its beautiful writing, exciting story, entertaining characters and psychologically interesting protag, this ticked lots of boxes and I liked it a lot but, for me, it fell just short of being wonderful.

Wow, great review of The Outlander, Dee. Thumb!

eta: Can't find your review to thumb. Will you post it? There aren't many reviews, and this one would be an excellent contribution.

Well thank you, Nancy. I didn't really feel I had anything to add to the reviews already existing but will certainly add it to the main page as you have been so kind about it!

RISI: Well, it's not buying books, and you had to send something out to get them so it's not piling up more books either.

I went to a RISI meet up yesterday, I reckon that I took at least 40 books out with me, afterwards I had 18 of which I donated 12 to the Oxfam bookshop (and then bought 11, oops, plus 2 from Any Amount of Books).

Luci, a ReadItSwapIt meet up sounds fun. I used to go on the RISI forum a fair bit until one day when somebody posted a link to LibraryThing. I'd never heard of it before but once I was here, I got hooked and never really went back to the RISI forum!

You did well in passing on forty books. I'd say you deserved those books from Oxfam and AAB :)

Hi Dee, just short of being wonderful still sounds awfully good and another plus---I have this one sitting on my shelf. Wonderful review.

Great review of the Outlander , Dee. I might just have to put a hold on that at the library!!! Thumb up from me!

>183 brenzi:: Hello, Bonnie. It's great when you read a positive review of a book you already own, isn't it? Sometimes I think I should only read reviews of books on my TBR but obviously that's not going to happen ;)

The Outlander is a great read. I wrote the review in a bit of a rush but I think what made it "just short of wonderful" was that whilst I enjoyed it and admired it while I was reading it, I didn't finish the book with that feeling that I'd found a perfect gem that would stay in my mind and possibly be re- read in years to come. I would still recommend it, though!

>184 vancouverdeb:: Thanks, Deb. It's definitely worth a library hold!

>164 PaulCranswick:: Just to let Paul know that he has won the hypothetical bet that he would have placed, had he been a betting man which he claims he is not! I popped into my local hospice charity shop this afternoon and couldn't resist the following at one pound each:

Ruby's Spoon by Anna Lawrence Pietroni
The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw
Family Album by Penelope Lively

I don't regret breaking my short shopping fast at all as I have had Ruby's Spoon and The Girl with Glass Feet on my wish list since they first came out and am keen to read more Penelope Lively, having enjoyed the two of hers that I have read.

#186 Looking forward to some more wonderful reviews of your recent purchases, Dee!

Haha Dee....now if only I had laid down my brass! Have only heard of the Lively so will be interested to know what you make of your forbidden treasures.

Interesting new books, Dee! I'll be interested in your take on them!

>187 lit_chick:: Thank you, Nancy. You are very kind!

>188 PaulCranswick:: Hello, Paul. Did I read somewhere that you'd bought 600 books this year or am I thinking of someone else? Whoever it was, it made me feel better as looking at the books I've listed on LT this year, I "only" seem to have bought about 300. And in my defence, most of them came from charity shops so they were almost charitable donations!

>189 vancouverdeb:: Hello Deb, thanks for visiting. I have been regularly visiting your thread too but haven't posted because...um... *small voice*, I didn't really get on with the first and only Flavia book that I've read and didn't want to say so and spoil any of the Flavia joy. Having said that, your enthusiasm is making me wonder if I should try again! I think I know what the problem was: early on, Flavia came out with some american terms which made it dificult for me to believe in her as a twentieth century english girl and then there was a large picture of the portly and bearded author on the back of the cover of my copy so that I kept thinking of him writing the words instead of Flavia saying and living them!

Book 96

Perfect Lives by Polly Samson



I often enjoy books of inter-connected short stories and this one was a nice example. With fluid and readable prose, Samson tells the stories of a group of families, all of whom own nearby houses by the coast in an un-named British seaside town. Connections are made between different characters and between events from the present and the past. The families are generally well-off, living lives that appear to be straight out of a Sunday newspaper supplement but Samson’s stories gradually reveal the cracks in the polished surfaces.

Although I shouldn’t really be glib about such a sophisticated book, I’m tempted to say that there was a theme around “posh people having problems too”. Perfect Lives is far from being an issue-based book but subjects such as marital infidelity, hereditary illness and post-natal depression are introduced with a subtle, light touch and with great effect.

One I'd recommend as long as you don't have a problem spending too much time with the upper/middle classes.

LOL! Don't worry ! The Sweetness is not for everyone. In fact, I'm slightly embarrassed at my Flavia a thon!!! ;) I'm nearly finished the last book in the series so far - so sometime soon you can visit my thread and hopefully I'll be onto something more literate. I'm surprised that I looked at The Sweetness at least 4 or 5 times, and even took it out of the library and returned it -and then all of a sudden I actually read the first and was delightfully surprised! Don't worry if you do not like the Flavia Series. shhhh but I don't care for the Louise Penny series which so many seem to love. Shhhhh - I tried two of the books and I did not like Inspector Ganache - too full of himself , among other problems for me... I'll now be a pariah here on LT for saying that! ;)

I actually got a couple Penelope Lively books out of the library today- Family Album and Photograph. But I got a few other books... so we'll see which one is next....I looked for The Outlander but it was not at the library branch that I as at today...big sigh!

Thank you Deb for making me feel better, particularly with your brave admission about Louise Penny. I haven't read any of her books but they certainly do seem popular around here...usually ;-)

I've had The Photograph on my TBR for a while now but I never seem quite in the mood for it. Family Album is calling louder at the moment!

Did you get sent Perfect Lives as the Virago Book Club read or did you borrow/buy it elsewhere? One of the many things I've failed to post on my own thread or the Virago group was the Book Club event with her the other night. I couldn't find my copy of Perfect Lives which I reviewed for the Bookbag last year, no idea where I've put it, but I did find my copies of her other books (more than 10 years old, still not read) so I took them along for signing, and am going to try to read at least one this month.

Luci, my copy was, indeed, from Virago to review for the book club. I'm glad I got a free copy as I hadn't planned to buy Samson's books after reading an interview with her when she made snide comments about an Amazon reviewer who didn't like Perfect Lives! I think I've forgiven her now though ;-)

Sorry Dee that was before I have crossed the 700 barrier already! Will make it no doubt (a little shamefaced it must be said) to an average of two books per day for the whole year! Suz and Elkiedee could probably keep up with that level of purchasing without being under an avalanche of books but my room is filling up rapidly with unread tomes.

More coffee with Dee this morning. ;-)

I'm glad you made The Outlander sound so compelling. Not every book has to be wonderful for me to like it. I bought it in Colorado at the summer meet-up and am looking forward to reading it early in 2012.

I like the true confessions you and Deb have going on about Flavia and Garmache. The inspector was an acquired taste for me and I have yet to read a Flavia book--but I did take some good-natured flak at the recent Joplin meet-up because I didn't love Major Pettigrew. ;-) I think it's great that we all don't love the same thing. I'm much too independent to drink the kool-aid of book hype!

Another enticing review, Dee! Thanks for that. Perfect Lives looks like one I'd enjoy. Chuckled at your comment about spending time with the upper classes - I think I wouldn't mind on the basis that Samson’s stories gradually reveal the cracks in the polished surfaces.

The Amazon Vine reviewer was pretty nasty, as I recall. Although the reviewer in question isn't a forum poster, there are some really quite unpleasant characters on Vine too, such as the guy who made snarky comments because I posted about the death of a musician he hadn't heard of, and suggested that the Vine forum was an unsuitable place to do so. (Whereas I often look up such posts further and sometimes read or listen to new to me stuff because of them).

197:Hello Donna, it's lovely to be sharing coffee with you again! I've just been catching up with threads on my posts read and starred lists and was looking forward to getting to yours which I spotted at the bottom. However when I'd finished looking at the ones at the top of my list, yours had vanished! No doubt, pushed out by some new posters. I will, nevertheless, search you out and have made a mental note to start reading threads from the bottom upwards next time, if you know what I mean?!

Interesting about Major Pettigrew. That's one that doesn't really call me even though I know a lot of people with similar tastes to me did enjoy it! I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Outlander.

198: I think you'd like Perfect Lives, Nancy.

199: Interesting. When I hear things like that about Amazon, it makes me appreciate LT even more. I did have a peek at the review in question after I read the Samson article. I think what sparked off the controversy was the reviewer heading her piece, " Polly Samson should leave home"! The following review explained that the writer thought Samson should start to explore issues beyond the domestic but it was soon followed by comments from Samson's family who had taken it personally. Unfortunate...

Edited to add: Keep forgetting to tell Nancy how much I'm enjoying my audio of The Return of the Native. Rickman's succeeded where my English teacher failed, in turning me into a Hardy convert!

Dee, just letting you know that it will soon be safe to visit my thread. I finished I am Half-Sick of Shadows - the last in the Flavia de Luce Series!;) I'm not sure what I'm going to read next. Still thinking on that one, but not for lack of choices.

Hi Dee, inter-connected short stories are among my favorite in the ss genre. A couple that come quickly to mind are Olive Kitteridge and In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniel Mueenuddin which was especially well-done because it wasn't about the sometimes very tedious upper/middle class, LOL. Anyway Perfect Lives goes onto the teetering tower.

Oh, Dee, I am thrilled to hear how much you are enjoying Rickman's Return of the Native!! Rickman is irresistible, isn't he? I'd love to listen to more Hardy, too - maybe Tess if I can find a good audio. Of course, there would be inevitable comparisons to Rickman, and I don't see how another could compare.

My thread is safe to visit now, Dee! The Flavia fest is over and I'm onto Out Shooting Horses , which I might do if I have to write too many more Christmas cards out tonight...

Oh sorry, Paul, just noticed I ignored you in my previous post! 700 books acquired in a year is indeed a lot but not, perhaps, something to be ashamed of. I am trying to think of my tbr list not as something that needs to be got through as soon as possible but as security- some protection against closing libraries, closing bookshops and economic insecurity. Whatever happens, I should always have a book to read ;-)

Deb, I'm there!

Bonnie, Inter-connected short stories do seem particularly satisfying, don't they? I'm really looking forward to reading Olive Kitteridge which I have in my, ahem, library and will look out for Daniel Mueenuddin. I would also recommend Love Me Tender by Jane Feaver and Not the End of the World by Kate Atkinson.

Nancy, I've always loved Alan Rickman but I never thought I'd learn to love Thomas Hardy. My old English teacher would be amazed. I'll probably read more Hardy in traditional book form. As you say, another audio wouldn't be the same without Rickman and I'd like the chance to read and re-read the words on the page!

Book 97

Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indridason



All the recent scandicrime talk reminded me that I have the second and third Erlendur novels to read in the series by Icelandic writer, Arnaldur Indridason. The first (Tainted Blood/Jar City) was a nicely done, police procedural and I was expecting more of the same. Wrong! Silence of the Grave proved to be much more emotionally engaging than a standard police produral.

At the core of the book is an investigation around the discovery of human bones at a building site in Rejkjavik. Meanwhile Erlendur's past catches up with him as he finds his drug-using daughter in harrowing circumstances and reveals a tragedy from his own past.

There is also a parallel storyline from the past, concerning a woman, her abusive husband and their children around the time of the second world war. I found this story the most affecting and though it concluded the way I suspected it would, I kept turning the pages, just to be sure!

I thought the domestic violence theme was well done and Indridason showed some awareness of the psychology behind it. I was less convinced by the rather stereotypical images of drug dependency, though to be fair, it would have probably been beyond the scope of the book to look into this in depth.

The mood of the book is bleak but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

Four stars.

Great review, Dee! I also thoroughly enjoyed Silence of the Grave earlier this year. Like you, I found it emotionally engaging which both surprised and pleased me.

Thanks, Nancy!

I've just spent a blissful afternoon in a comfy armchair, by a roaring fire with my cat Phoebe sat on my lap, reading a gothic mystery set in the nineteenth century: The Seance by John Harwood. Well it was blissful until Phoebe got her claws stuck in my leggings :(

#208 o-u-c-h!!

Hi Dee, liked the image of you reading by the fire, snuggled up with the cat, sounds blissful. Claws in legs - ouchy.

Yes, I caught myself at work today daydreaming about Dee's roaring fire and great book, snuggled up with meow.

Hi Leonie and Nancy! Yes, I was dreaming about it myself on Monday (without the ouchy bit) and you have prompted me to write about The Seances excellent fireside qualities before I forget. So...

Book 98

The Seance by John Harwood



My reading tastes change with the seasons. I am much more likely to read globally in the summer and in the winter, I start to get drawn to the dark, the gothic and the Victorian! The Seance is definitely recommended if you are looking for the above. Sub-titled "A Victorian Mystery", Harwood pays homage to Wilkie Collins, M.R James and Victorian sensation fiction and does it pretty well. His writing style comes across as authentic and not over- done.

In London 1881, young Constance Langton discovers that she is the new heir of Wraxham Manor, a derelict manor house near the Suffolk coast but is warned to:
"sell the house unseen; burn it to the ground and plough the earth with salt, if you will; but never live there"

From old journals, leading to two new narratives, Constance and the reader learn of strange goings on in the Hall concerning mesmerism, unexplained disappearances and alchemical experiments with lightening! As the book draws to a conclusion, we are left to work out what is the truth, what is illusion and who is deceiving who.

Well written and hugely enjoyable, I have just one criticism. Harwood does pile on the dark and gothic a little too heavily. There seems to be hardly a page without a reference to a death or sinister occurrence. I do think some of this was unnecessary to the plot and Harwood's shivers would have been more effective if they had been spaced further apart.

Recommended if you are in the mood for this sort of thing!

Four stars.

Edited to add picture.

Ooh, I have that one lurking on my shelves and it sounds like just the sort of thing that I fancy. Like you, I'm drawn towards all things Victorian in the colder months, so I'll have to ferret it out from the stacks and read it. Thank you!

21: Hi Katie, I've been thinking about you! I saw on my home page that you'd posted some excellent reviews and rated lots of books (good to see 5 stars for The Little Stranger and Human Croquet, two of my favourites!) but haven't noticed your thread for a while. Have I just lost it or is newly married life keeping you too busy to post? :-)

Hope you enjoy The Seance!

Excellent review, Dee. I'm so interested in your comment re winter/summer reading My reading tastes change with the seasons. I am much more likely to read globally in the summer and in the winter, I start to get drawn to the dark, the gothic and the Victorian! That's something I've never thought about! Makes perfect sense!

Hi Dee! I'm a big fan of Arnaldur Indridason. I"ve read all of the books in that series so far, and I really agree with you. Jar City was okay, but Silence of the Grave was so much more. I find that each book just gets better.

Hi, Dee! I came over to find your review of The Glass Room which I'm still reading, because I thought you had said what I'm thinking at this point. WAY too many loving descriptions of women's bodies! I guess I've read about one too many WWII novels this year too, and that's a shame because I have The Siege lined up for Orange January. I really, really like the parts about the house though.
Meanwhile, I got caught up in other discussions.... I am one with the non-admirers of Major Pettigrew and Inspector Gamache. I don't mind them, but I'm not all over them either. And one of my all-time favorite cats was Phoebe. AND I'm resisting The Outlander for now, but I will have it favorited for when I'm ready!

Hi Dee, My reading tastes change with the seasons. I am much more likely to read globally in the summer and in the winter, I start to get drawn to the dark, the gothic and the Victorian!

How interesting. I've never thought about it but you may be right. At any rate, The Seance sounds right up my alley.

Dee also interested by your seasonal reading comment. Since I moved to Malaysia with no discernible seasons I have of course noted no patterns - now I'm guided more by fads and dont think that the seasons in the UK still exert a pull over me. (Christmas Books up next!)

Hello, Nancy, Deb, Peggy, Bonnie and Paul. It is lovely to see you all here!

215: It's definitely true of me, Nancy. I'm glad it makes some sort of sense!

216: Deb, it's good to hear that the series carries on getting better. I have Voices to read and will no doubt gradually collect the others.

217: re. The Glass Room. Peggy, I found this an ultimately frustrating read partly because my expectations, initially, were so high. I read the first few pages and had that "this author really can write. I am prepared to go wherever they want to take me" feeling. But then it turned out I wasn't!

Our Phoebe turned out not to be Phoebe at all but an imposter. By the time we found out we were used to the name and kept it. Our next door neighbours were feeding a stray black and white cat who they called Phoebe and asked us to leave a bowl of food in the garden for her when they went away for six weeks. We did this and by the end of the six weeks, "Phoebe" had moved in. When the neighbours returned they told us this was not the stray they had been looking after who did eventually return looking very thin and hungry! We took our Phoebe to the vets and discovered she was chipped but the owners didn't want her back so we ended up adopting her. Will have to add a photo sometime...

218: The Seance does over do the gothic but I did enjoy it!

219: Having experienced frost, gales and sleet this week, I am trying not to be envious of Paul living in a country with no discernible seasons. Oh, you never did say why you left Yorkshire, Paul ;-)

Book 99

Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden



Published in 1939, Black Narcissus is the story of a group of Anglican nuns who we meet at the beginning of the book in India, travelling to Mopu where they plan to open a hospital and school for the local people.

The Sisters "rode on Bhotiya ponies that were small and thick-set like barbs, and sat swaying in their saddles, their veils tucked under them. They looked very tall in their veils and topees, the animals looked very small, and the grooms laughed out loud and said: 'These are women like the snows, tall and white, over-topping everything'."

The way the Sisters ride their ponies acts as an introduction to their characters. Sister Clodagh, leading the project, sits confidently, "upright and easy". Young Sister Ruth rides awkwardly, is nervous and complains. Clodagh has been warned by the wise Reverend Mother to allow her to feel important sometimes and to be "careful of her. Spare her some of your own importance- if you can."

The uneasy dynamic between the two becomes as important part of the book as the vivid scenes of tiredness, frustration and occasional successes as the Sisters establish the Convent of St. Faith. Written in the 1930s, the portrayal of India is, of course, dated but it is free of the extreme prejudices often present in fiction from this era.

Godden's writing carries with it an underlying wisdom and her humour is gentle. She is also psychologically astute and occasionally plays with expectations. For example, agent, Mr Dean is placed into the story like a romantic hero but proves himself to be much less than a hero.

This was my first Rumer Godden but I will definitely reading more and am looking forward to Virago's forthcoming editions. Lovely writing plus something more.

Hi Dee! I feel pretty confident that you enjoy both The Twin and Out Stealing Horses when you get the chance. Both are exellent reads! hmm, I'm trying to think whether I've read a book by Rumer Godden. . Great review.

Morning Deb! I've just remembered that I have read another Godden but it was about 35 years ago! My mother ordered The Diddakoi from the school book club after we'd watched a television serialisation of it.

Great review of Black Narcissus, Dee. Thumb! I'm not familiar with Rumer Godden - sounds like that needs to change!

Hi Dee, just passing the word that the threads are up for North and South group read. Everyone is welcome!

North and South (Non-Spoiler Thread)
North and South, Chapters 1-26 (Spoiler Thread)
North and South, Chapters 27-52 (Spoiler Thread)

I’ve also added the threads to our group’s wiki page.

Terrific review of Black Narcissus Dee. I have another one by Godden on my shelf that I've wanted to get to too---In This House of Breed.

Hi Dee! I remembered the Rumer Godden book that I read sometime in my youth - teens? Greengage Summer. I recall really enjoying it -and then being surprised to eat Greengage Plums! . Oh the memories!

224, 225: Hi and thanks, Nancy. I'll be interested to hear everyone's thoughts on North and South but though it wasn't that long ago that I read it, I don't think I can remember enough detail to properly contribute!

226: Thank you, Bonnie. I have three other Goddens to read but The House of Brede (which I don't have) is the one that appeals most. I'm hoping its one that Virago plan to reprint.

227: Deb, People have been talking about Greengage Summer on the Monthly Author Reads forum- Godden's this month's choice. You're not the only one with nostalgic memories of the book and the plums apparently. The link is here.

I am currently reading and absolutely loving The Twin. Thank you, Deb and Nancy for pointing me in its direction. I had never heard of it before reading your threads. I am now excited about the release of Bakker's new book early next year- The Detour. The blurb sounds fascinating

A Dutch woman rents a farm in remote, rural Wales. She says her name is Emilie. She is a lecturer doing some research, and sets about making the farmhouse more homely. When she arrives there are ten geese living in the garden but one by one they disappear. Perhaps it's the work of a local fox.

She has fled from an unbearable situation having recently confessed to an affair with one of her students. In Amsterdam, her stunned husband contacts the police and forms a strange partnership with a detective who agrees to help him trace her. They board the ferry to Hull on Christmas Eve.

Back on the farm, a young man out walking with his dog injures himself and stays the night, then ends up staying longer. Yet something is deeply wrong. Does he know what he is getting himself into? Does she have a grip on the situation? And what will happen when her husband and the policeman arrive?

Gerbrand Bakker has made the territories of isolation, inner turmoil and the solace offered by the natural world his own. The Detour is a deeply moving new novel, shot through with longing and the quiet tragedy of everyday lives.

It even features my (current) home town of Hull on Christmas Eve which I can guarantee will be grim, grim, grim! The bit of Hull I live in is actually rather nice, but I don't think "Emilie's stunned husband" will be hanging out with us, there!

Hi Dee! I just read your message on my thread. Yes - via Monica aka JustJoey here in the 75's, I had heard of The Detour - and I even loaded it up to LT! ;) You are so fortunate to get it earlier in the UK. I'll look for it on Abe's books or the Book Depository if need be. It sounds fascinating!

I must tell you that Out Shooting Horses by Per Petterson is fabulous too! I'm still digging up references to interesting portions of the book - I don't want to give the story away!....

Ohhh! and The Detour features your own town of Hull! Well! I love the cover of the book . hmm I wonder just what is happening as the geese in The Detour disappear? I can't wait for the book to be released in English.

Dee, delighted you are enjoying The Twin. Love the blurb from The Detour. It's one I'll definitely be looking for come spring.

Hi Deb and Nancy! I had read about The Detour on both your threads but was still excited to find the description above, maybe partly because it mentioned Hull! Will definitely be joining you with the group read.

Now off to check if my carrot cake's ready. I'm using a recipe from a woman at work and will be very disappointed if it doesn't turn out as yummy as hers!

Hi Dee - just catching up on some great reads on your thread and carrot cake - yum! The Seance has gone straight on to my wishlist and you've reminded me that the Arnaldur Indridason series and The Twin are already there.

I saw you in print yesterday - on the letters page of the new issue of New Books magazine.

233: Hi Heather. Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoy The Twin and The Seance if you get to them.

234: Oh really?! My copy hasn't arrived yet so am wondering exactly what I said! I think I emailed about world war fiction once... Thanks Luci!

234: Luci, my copy has arrived and you didn't mention that you too are in print with an excellent review of Lyrics Alley! It wasn't one that grabbed me when I first heard about it but it sounds like an interesting book. Just off to read more...

Wow! I'm impressed with both Dee and Luci! *waddling off to investigate New Books magazine*

Wow, famous people right here in our midst. Who knew?!

Another book magazine... goody gumdrops! And contributions by our own. Even better!

Dee, I have a few Rumer Godden books I inherited from my mother. It looks like I need to read them. I keep hearing good things about her.

I hope your carrot cake met your expectations.

This month's New Books Mag is a treasure, and Dee, as a subscriber you can sign up if interested to review books. There is an area where you can look at available books on the website but it's often a rubbish selection and you have to be able to choose 3 options you could imagine reviewing. However, they've started to send out an email, offering books with "tight turnarounds" - but still usually a few weeks. I read Lyrics Alley via the library when it was on the Orange longlist and jumped at this chance to acquire a copy of my own. There's a really interesting interview with Leila Aboulela in there this month too.

Hi Lizzie, Laura, Donna and Luci!

The new books magazine is obviously aimed to help publishers get their new books promoted and bought but no less enjoyable for that. I've only just started subscribing but have enjoyed the author interviews, extracts from new books and, of course, the reviews from subscribers!

Luci, I have requested a couple of books to review. I was delighted to receive Margaret Forster's Daphne du Maurier biography but didn't do so well with the three options on the website. I was sent a letter saying none of my options were available so they were sending me a medical thriller instead. Which would have been okay but just the words "medical thriller" make me feel a bit queasy! Not my sort of thing at all. Do you think not reviewing it will affect my chances of receiving further books to review?

P.s the carrot cake was delicious, thank you Donna!

Morning, Dee. Yum to your "p.s." in #241.

Dee & Lucy - Lyrics Alley is already calling from the shelves. As an avid subscriber to Literary Review I am aware of the assistance rendered by magazines and books about books. New Books will be another one now I try to track down in my distant tropical outpost!

Morning Nancy and Paul! Paul, New Books magazine also gives you a choice of three new or newish paperbacks for postage only which is fun though I suppose they might charge you rather a lot in postage. Details will probably be on their website here.

I haven't had much time to read or Librarything this week due to Christmas, work and a combination of the two in my having to organise the Volunteers' Christmas Party! It sounds fun but organising it is a bit of a headache. Part of the problem is that we have eighteen year old volunteers and eighty year old volunteers and they have very different ideas about what the party should involve! Anyway it came and went and most people were happy!

So I am still reading The Twin but enjoying it deeply!

I have had time to shop and found these new additions to the bookshelves in charity shops whilst supposedly Christmas shopping:

The Conjuror's Bird- Martin Davies (historical novel which was on my wishlist)
Jamrach's Menagerie- Carol Birch (Peggy's review made this sound a bit gruesome for my taste but I loved Birch's early books)
Betrayal- Karin Alvtegen (interesting looking scandicrime)
Mudbound- Hillary Jordan (keep hearing about this one)
The Transit of Venus- Shirley Hazzard (for my Virago Modern Classics collection)
Balthazar Jones and The Tower of London Zoo- Julia Stuart (looked fun)

Also received as swaps:

A Month in the Country- J. L Carr
The Junk Yard: Voices From An Irish Prison- Marsha Hunt

Hi Dee, what a job organizing Christmas party for volunteers! Chuckled at 18 and 80 year olds sharing the organization duties; no kidding some different ideas, hehe!

Fun to find such goods on the bookshelves of charity shops, Dee! We don't have such a shop here, but we do have a couple of used bookstores where one can occasionally unearth some treasures. Not familiar with many of these new ones, though Jamrach's Menagerie caught my attention with its Booker connection. Will await more reviews!

Delighted you continue to enjoy The Twin!

Wow, what did you do to appeal to the 18 and 80's? A dance devonshire tea party?

Terrific haul Dee. Hmmm, I have The Transit of Venus languishing on my shelves and maybe this is just the nudge I need; loved Mudbound and A Month in the Country.

Hello Nancy, Leonie and Bonnie!

I'm pretty glad the volunteers party is over for another year and in answer to your question, Leonie, large supplies of mince pies and lager seemed to do the trick!

Bonnie, I think it was your and Laura's reviews which prompted me to seek out A Month in the Country. The Transit of Venus does intrigue me, partly because it seems to be a "love it or hate it" kind of book!

Nancy, I have finished The Twin and was really impressed with it. Just wish I had time to write a review but I will point anyone wishing to know more in the direction of Deb's and your excellent reviews! I am also still loving Alan Rickman's narration of Return of the Native. As you said yourself, sublime!

#248 Morning, Dee (well, not where you are!). Tickled you enjoyed The Twin and that Alan Rickman continues to impress with Return of the Native. Both of these are top 2011 reads for me : ).

>244 Soupdragon:: Oh, Dee, you made me chuckle about the Christmas party planning. I can envision Karaoke on one side of the room and Andy Williams Christmas music on the other side. I'm glad it worked out - and that it's over!

Have a lovely Christmas and another full year of good reading in 2012!

249 & 250: Good morning and Merry Christmas, Nancy and Donna!

A quick line up of the rest of the books, I've read this year. A few I've read since last posting. The others, I really meant to write reviews for but let's face it, that's not going to happen now!

100: Annabel by Kathleen Winter 3.5 stars
101: The Victorian Chaise-longue by Marghanita Laski 4.5 stars
102: The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker 4.5 stars
103: Falling Slowly by Anita Brookner 4 stars
104: The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan 4 stars
105: Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller 3 stars
106: Occasion for Loving by Nadine Gordimer 4 stars
107: Selected Poems by Sophie Hannah 3 stars
108: The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino 3.5 stars
109: Oh Carol by Carol McGiffin 3 stars
110: Breakfast in Bed by Eleanor Moran 3 stars
111: Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro 4 stars
112: Then by Julie Myerson 3.5 stars
113: Winter in the Air by Sylvia Townsend Warner 5 stars
114: Betrayal by Karin Alvtegen 3.5 stars
115: Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum 3.5 stars
116: An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden 4 stars

Also, with my boys:

117: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J K Rowling 4.5 stars
118: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling 4.5 stars
119: Magyck by Angie Sage 3 stars

Edited to add one I'd forgotten:

120: The Summer of the Bear- Bella Pollen 3.5 stars

Holy cow, Dee. You've been a reading machine this year! I obviously haven't been paying attention to your numbers. Very impressive in both quantity and quality!

Merry Christmas, Dee!

Dee - 2011 has been a pleasure for me getting to meet so many new and well valued friends - your goodself included. I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful 2012 and beyond.

Hello and Happy Christmas to Laura, Peggy and Paul!

Laura, 120 books is a lot for me, although nowhere near what Luci and Heather manage. I have to admit to reading more short books this year, though! The only real chunkster was The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which I still haven't finished!

Merry Christmas Dee!

Merry Christmas Dee! Glad to hear you're another person who enjoyed The Twin so much - that's got to go on my list for 2012 I think.

Merry Christmas, Dee!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Dee!

Thank you for your Christmas greetings and a very Happy New Year, Chelle, Heather, Pat, Laura and Bonnie!

I finished one final book yesterday which turned out to be a five starrer and has been added to my list of 2011 favourites.

121:



The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue is a historical novel based upon records of a real life divorce in Victorian London. The story is told through the eyes of three different characters, flighty Helen, her older husband and her serious friend who works as a publisher and for women's rights. The charcterisation was wonderful. These three lived and breathed for me and I alternately felt exasperated by and sympathy for each one. Despite being a real life story it held real suspense and the twist at the end was both shocking yet in keeping with everything we had previously learnt!

Something about the book made me think of Sarah Waters and I would particularly recommend it if you enjoyed The Night Watch or Affinity.

That's definitely my last book for 2011. Thank you for joining me with my 2011 reading and making the challenge so enjoyable and please do join me at my new thread which is here.

261: Adding that one to my wishlist. See you next year! :)

Dee also signing off on your page for this year - see you over the other side - tomorrow!

>261 Soupdragon:: I just got hit by a book bullet!
I have your new thread starred, so I'll see you there!

#261 Thanks for the rec Dee. Although I still don't feel tempted by Room there's quite a few of Donoghue's older books which do sound interesting and The Sealed Letter is one of them (the others are The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits, Kissing the Witch and Life Mask.

I'm hopefully going to get to the 2012 group later today so I will see you on the other side!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for the encouragement re The Hero's Walk I've got the review on the main page. Thanks again, Dee!