Dee (soupdragon) reads 75 in 2012

Hi, I'm back for a second year with this wonderful group. Who knew recording your reading could be so much fun?

Over the last few years I've been reading mostly fiction. My favourites are often early twentieth century novels of the sort published by Virago and Persephone though I also love well-written contemporary fiction and read some YA and crime fiction. I have posted some of my 2011 favourites below.

One of my goals this year is to pay more attention to the TIOLI challenges which should hopefully help me get to those "hard to reach" elusive books which have been hanging around for some years. I am also hoping to be more discerning with my book buying. There's no way I could stop buying books for any length of time at all but I want to try to keep to the ones I know I want and leave behind the ones which look mildly interesting!

Will try to add ticker thing soon but need to go and get ready for visit to in-laws now!

My favourites from 2011:

Classic novel:
The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen

Contemporary novel:
The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker

Virago Modern Classic:
A Touch of Mistletoe by Barbara Comyns

Persephone:
The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski

Historical novel:
The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue

Crime novel:
Still Midnight by Denise Mina

YA novel:
Memory by Margaret Mahy

Urban fantasy:
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Short story collection:
Winter in the Air by Sylvia Townend Warner

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

Memoir:
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain

Other non-fiction:
Every Man in this Village is a Liar by Megan Stack

Audio- book:
The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy and narrated by Alan Rickman

Welcome back, Dee!

Hello, Stasia. I'm so glad you're back. It wouldn't have felt like a 75 challenge group without your warm welcome!

Thanks!

Hi Dee, Happy New Years!

Hello Dee, Happy New Year's Eve! The only one of your favourites for 2011 that I've read is the Thomas Hardy, many years ago - but I'm hoping to get to Every man in this village soon.

I hope you have a fabulous year in 2012!

I'm glad to see you here, Dee. I look forward to having my coffeee and reading your thread once again in 2012.

Hello, hello! I hear you on the book-buying front... I need to actually READ the ones I purchase and only spend money on the ones I'm sure I'll read. Here's to only good books in 2012!

Welcome back!

Welcome back Dee! Looking forward to see what great books you will be reading this year. :D

Gotcha starred again Dee! Happy New Year!

Look forward to keeping up with you in 2012 Dee. Happy new year.

Happy New Year, Dee!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear Dee!
I"m bringing a star and a hope that 2012 bests 2011 in wonderful books and conversation!

Happy new year Dee!

Hello and Happy New Year, Marie, Genny, Donna, Faith, Jim, Valerie, Bonnie, Paul, Stasia, Peggy and Cushla! Thank you for visiting my shiny new thread. I'm really looking forward to lots of reading and book conversation (and the occasional virtual coffee, Donna) with you all!

Still working on the ticker...

Happy New Year, Dee! What a wonderful range of books you've read this year. Look forward to more from you ...

Happy New year, Dee!

I also loved The Sealed Letter and Still Midnight - someone else I know last night described Denise Mina as her favourite crime writer. I enjoyed Caitlin Moran and love Barbara Comyns' work, though I'm not sure if I've read Mistletoe (must do something about that this year!).

Now, all you need to do is put your reads, when they fit, into the TIOLI.

Happy New Year Dee, good to see you back!

*waving* as I pass through the threads, Dee

Hello and waving back to Nancy, Joanne, Luci, Leonie and Stasia!

Luci, yes I'm determined to TIOLI this year. I've just seen two challenges so far, one I will be leaving rather than taking but I might do the China one. Do you think a book set in Hong Kong would count? I have White Ghost Girls to read which is also an Orange Prize nominee.

I have you to thank for introducing me to Denise Mina, Luci. I think she may well now be my favourite crime writer. It used to be Ian Rankin in the Rebus days, I've obviously still got a thing for Scottish crime despite having read several Scandicrimes last year!

I read a book and it was a good one!

1. Sorry by Gail Jones



Source: Bought new from Amazon
Reason for reading: Orange January

Sorry was not quite what I expected but none the less impressive for that. The title and references to Aboriginal characters led me to expect that the book would be focused on Aboriginals and their exploitation. Whilst this is a theme which Jones obviously wishes the reader to consider, the central storyline features the domestic situation of a British family: a little girl called Perdita, her mentally unstable mother and her weak and sadistic father who exploits the Aboriginal people who he is studying whilst attempting to become a successful anthropologist.

The book is beautifully written. We are introduced to the family’s life in late 1930s and then 1940s, rural Australia with elegant and poetic descriptions which are a joy to read. However the story is a bleak one and the power of Jones writing makes it particularly chilling. I was pulled right into Perdita’s life in the cluttered little shack with the increasingly difficult parents. The advent of WWII brings with it disturbing political events. There are occasional moments of happiness for Perdita which are made particularly moving by their rarity and come mainly through her friendships with a neighbour’s son and with Mary, an Aboriginal girl who comes to work for her family.

Each character finds refuge in books at some point. Perdita’s father hoards books, her mother quotes Shakespeare but says nothing else in times of stress and Perdita herself finds an escape in her father’s books. I liked this passage which followed the confusion of a non-reading neighbour who discovered Perdita and Mary reading, “otherworldly and somewhere else.”

“For those who do not read, for whom reading is not part of the texture of knowing, the gorgeous complication, the luxurious interiority, the thrilling extrapolation from black marks to alternative reals; for those who might not understand what it is to collaborate in making a world, or building a thought, or consolidating, line by line the salvage of something long gone; for those bereft, that is, and booklessly broke, those word-deprived, craving, caught in dull time, it will seem odd two girls with not too much to do, spend a few hours of each day hidden in the valleys of pages. Proxy lives, new imaginings, precious understandings.”:

After the death of Perdita's father, the story becomes bleaker still. It concludes with a personal apology to Aboriginal Mary which Jones clearly intends to be symbolic of the wider apology owed to indigenous Australians. A powerful and haunting read, beautifully done.

4.5 stars

Oh, Dee, fabulous review! Love the quote! I'm most impressed that you've read a book already this year; well done!

Nice review! I never seem to read books that take place in Australia (or about Australia) and your review makes me want to rectify that.

Wow! Seems like an impressive book, and your review is excellent. I have you starred, Dee, and I am looking forward to what else you will read.

Terrific review, Dee! I have had Sorry in the BlackHole for a while now. I just wish my local library would get a copy.

Happy New Year and a welcome back Dee! Sorry has gone straight on to my wishlist (for purchasing only when I have read books from my TBR pile of course) but I couldn't find your review on the book page to thumb - please post it.

Thank you, Nancy, Marie, Eris, Stasia and Heather!

Marie, I would also highly recommend Australian author Joan London.

Heather, I wasn't going to bother as there are some great reviews on the book page already. But seeing as you asked I will pop over and post now!

Werhay, I'm up to date with this year's reviews! Wonder how long that will last?!

Am feeling virtuous as I was also quite restrained on the Bookhopper swap site. I have some free credit and spotted a book which I've read positive reviews of and which sounds interesting. I was tempted but thought of the 600 books I have on my TBR and left it! I'm not going to mention the title in case anyone tells me it's absolutely brilliant and damages my resolve!

Well done for holding out on the book website and for not mentioning the title to us. You're made of sterner stuff than me. Love the book review of Sorry, will be looking out for that one.

Good reading start to the year Dee when we get an unexpectedly good read. Must stick it into my sylvan and very dense TBR forest.

I admire your fortitude, Dee :)

There's an Orange Prize TIOLI category too! I meant to ask about Hong Kong (and Taiwan).

Hi Leonie, Paul, Laura and Luci!

Don't be too impressed, Laura. I'm still lurking around Bookhopper and now I've spotted Paul Auster's New York Trilogy which wasn't on my wish list but sounds interesting...

Thank you, Luci. I've found and starred the thread with the full list of challenges so should be able to start TIOLIing properly now! I've just started The Magician's Assistant which has a winter scene on the cover, as required by one of the challenges! (As well as being an Orange nominee, of course.)

I love Patchett and really need to get to The Magician's Assistant one of these days. I look forward to seeing what you think of it, Dee.

I've only read TMA and State of Wonder and need to get to Bel Canto and the others or reread TMA as it was probably getting on for 10 years ago and I loved it.

Hello Stasia and Luci! I am about half way through The Magician's Assistant and liking it a lot.

I have now arranged this month's reading according to TIOLI challenges. Most of my planned reading fits into the Orange Prize challenge but I'm putting The Magician's Assistant under challenge 4 as the cover of my edition has a winter's scene on it.

As a break from Oranges, I've found two books which have been calling me for ages and fit into other challenges. The second Shardlake book, Dark Fire has a word in the title which can be used as a verb and another part of speech and Midsummer Night in the Workhouse has a beverage on page ten (hock cup)!

There is something about the combination of organisation and randomness which appeals to me about the TIOLI challenges though it does involve having to plan my reading more in advance than I generally do unless it's an Orange month or Virago August! I'm going to try and keep going though as it seems a good way to focus my attention on the books I have on my shelves.

I have just arranged my LT Library according to date entered which helped me discover that I acquired 404 new (to me) books last year. It really is about time I read them!

Wow! 404 new books. You have a lot of reading ahead of you, Dee. Isn't that wonderful?

Hi Dee, in all the chaos this is the first time I've visited since the new year. I did thumb your excellent review of Sorry though a couple of days ago. I was absolutely floored by her lovely prose and will be looking for more of her books.

Wow 404 new books last year! I thought I was bad with about 200 new acquisitions.

Hmmm I'm not sure if Sorry is for me at the moment, but great review! Dropping a star!

There is something about the combination of organisation and randomness which appeals to me about the TIOLI challenges though it does involve having to plan my reading more in advance than I generally do

Well said Dee. Both the TIOLI and 12 in 12 Challenges are great fun but trying to do both together will stretch some of the challenge categories as far as they can go.

Once the TIOLI challenges have been posted I normally end up with a huge list (30-40 books) that I could read to fit the challenges and then I just read from that list as I feel like it - so it's sort of organised but still reading as my mood takes me.

The Magician's Assistant was a Patchett that reall appealed to me after enjoying Bel Canto so much although I have State of Wonder so I should probably read that first...

39: Hi Stasia. Yes, I do find it comforting knowing I have lots to read-just have to keep reminding myself that I don't need any more!

40 & 41: Hi and thanks for the thumbs, Deb and Bonnie!

42: Paul, I tried the 99 books in 2009 challenge and gave up because I felt too restricted when I'd completed most of my categories and was just left with crime fiction and short stories. All of a sudden, the last thing in the world I felt like reading was crime or shorts!

43: Heather, I like the idea of listing possibilities rather than books you're making a definite commitment too. I'm much more likely to stick with that so thank you!

I liked The Magician's Assistant a lot and described it on my Orange thread as "well written, original and moving". I hope to post a full review in the next few days.

I am now reading Lullabies for Little Criminals (an Orange nominee) and Of Love and Hunger (which I started for no challenge based reason at all but have realised that the words "hunger" and "love" can be used as a verb and another part of speech and I really should add it to the TIOLI wiki!)

I'm doing quite well with the buying with more discernment goal. I somehow found myself in Waterstones after work on Friday and picked up but didn't buy Florence and Giles, Married Love or Hangover Square! It is the charity shops which are my biggest weakness though. There are several near my office and also one at the end of my road which has recently put the price of novels up from twenty pence to forty pence. Very difficult to say no to a book at forty pence especially when the money's going to charity!

"Very difficult to say no to a book at forty pence especially when the money's going to charity!"

Definitely! Well done on not buying books in Waterstones :-)

Valerie sent me Lullabies for Little Criminals, but I have not gotten to it yet. I am not sure when I will either. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it, Dee.

Good for you on not buying books at Waterstones!

I find it harder to resist books in charity shops than in new bookshops, especially chains. Waterstones might not always be there, but it will next week. I actually do try to find things to buy in our local indie bookshop, even if they do cost more than Amazon. The trick is to find the things that aren't discounted all that much at Amazon, as they do have quite a good loyalty scheme - spend £10 or more and get a stamp for every whole £10, then when you have 5 stamps you get £5 to spend on books there. They've opened up a secondhand section, too.

And they have a website, for anyone who fancies a look, or even to buy postfree in the UK:

http://www.biggreenbookshop.com/

Dee, I thoroughly enjoyed Lullabies for Little Criminals, and hope you will too. It wasn't like anything I'd read before. On another note, I think charity bookshops are a fabulous idea, and wish we had one where I live.

Thank you for visiting, Heather, Stasia, Luci and Nancy!

I will check out that link, Luci. I like the idea of supporting independent bookshops but sadly all the independent bookshops in Hull have either closed completely or are solely website based now. I'm aiming not to buy new from Amazon this year despite the discounts but will, no doubt, carry on using the market place.

Nancy, thank you for reminding me that I am lucky to have charity shops nearby even if we're a bit short of actual bookshops!

Lovely review of Sorry, Dee. It's been on my WL for some time now. So many books...

I'm also back on TIOLI to help guide my reading for the month. Like you, I am trying to multitask with my choices. This keeping up with the new groups I've signed up for is going to keep me hopping.

I depend on used bookstores and our semi-annual Friends of the Library sales to keep my bookshelves well supplied. It's been years since we've had an independent bookstore in my area that specializes in new books. I'm looking forward to visiting The Tattered Cover next week in Denver. What a mecca for booklovers!

Hi Dee! Thanks so much for the thumb. The Siege is truly a wonderful book. Prior to LT, I would seldom have considered reading historical fiction but that has certainly changed for me. It's exciting to see that The Twin was one of your favourite reads of 2011 as I was so keen on that book too. I cannot wait until the end of April , at which time a second book by Gerbrand Bakker, author of The Twin has a second book released in North America - The Detour.

Well Dee now you have me wondering if I should read The Magician's Assistant which is staring at me from my shelf rather accusingly.

Nice work on promoting The Detour, Deb! Let's see if we can gather some more company for our April read!

50: Hi Donna, Love the sound of The Tattered Cover, what a great name!

51: Deb, I'm hoping The Detour will be out here in time for it to be a birthday present for me next month! Amazon says it will be but Waterstones is saying March. Will save it for the group read anyway. Unless I get really, really tempted and then I'll save my comments for the group read!

52: Bonnie, review should be below very....shortly....

53: Yay to that ;)

Book 2: The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett



Source: Bookhopper swap
Reason for Reading: Orange January and Luci liked it!

An unusual, well-written and moving story but one which required me to initially suspend some disbelief.

Sabine is in her early forties and mourning the death of her husband, Parsifal with whom she has lived since their twenties, in Los Angeles. As well as being a successful trader in rugs, Parsifal has worked as a magician and Sabine as his assistant. We soon realise that this is a more realistic description of their relationship than husband and wife as Parsifal was gay with a partner, Phan whom he had recently lost to AIDS. Initially I had problems accepting that Sabine (who is stunningly beautiful, intelligent, well-educated and still obviously doted on by two loving parents) would devote the whole of her youth to a gay man. However before too long, I did accept this and I think it was because Patchett’s portrayal of emotion was so convincing that it began to feel callous not to believe in Sabine! There are also regular scenes where Sabine converses with Phan during her dreams which might worry those who aren’t keen on magical realism though I quite enjoyed these!

Throughout the book there are references to the act of magic. As the story unfolds we realise things are not as they have seemed and illusions created are broken. Sabine learns of secrets from Parsifal’s past including a mother and sisters in Nebraska who enter into her life. Each are affected by their loss in different ways and look to each other to understand who Parsifal really was. I found the growing relationships between Sabine and Parsifal's family to be convincing and affecting: initially awkward with some more disturbing discoveries for Sabine but also with moments of shared understanding and eventually comfort.

Patchett’s writing impressed me. It was affecting with a light touch and had a light touch without being lightweight. As I’ve said elsewhere, I wasn’t wowed by Bel Canto but am now wondering if I missed something! I will be looking out for more by Ann Patchett.

4 stars

Hmm... I wonder if I'd like this. It sounds like it might be too literary or too much on the side of family drama for my taste, but it sounds quite interesting. I may see if I can find it at the library and at least give it a shot.

Dee, wonderful review of The Magician's Assistant. Your evolving response to Sabine I find very interesting - love it when that happens with a book/character. I've read so many mixed review of Bel Canto that I haven't picked it up yet; but I'm hearing a great deal about Patchett's writing. Thanks for that!

>56 dk_phoenix:: It's probably worth a try if you can find it at the library, Faith. It's not a particularly literary- except in the sense that it's well written- novel and it's not what I'd consider a family drama either!

>57 lit_chick:: Thank you, Nancy. It's funny, I started off feeling unconvinced by Sabine but then I must have become convinced because I then felt guilt that I'd been judgemental about her life choices!

That's such a wonderful review of The Magicians Assistant! Thanks so much for putting it on the main page so I could give it the thumb!Your review finally helped me understand what the Magicians Assistant is about. I confess, Ann Patchett's writing intimidates me.. I'm never quite sure whether it's for me or not.

Hi Dee. I just thumbed your review of The Magician's Assistant. I tried Bel Canto years ago but couldn't get into it and ultimately put it aside. But Ilana just reviewed it favorably and I'm going to give it another try. Maybe after that I'll look for The Magician's Assistant. You write great reviews.

Great review Dee, another bullet that hits the mark.

I just skimmed your review Dee because, well, I saw those 4 stars and thought, "maybe I'll read that later this month. Or in July." Definitely one or the other.

Hi Dee! I just got caught up on your thread!
Great review of The Magician's Assistant, another one to add to my list!

Hello and thank you, Deb, Pat, Leonie and Chelle.
Bonnie, I look forward to hearing or rather reading your thoughts!

My plan for this afternoon was to stay in and write reviews for the two books I've just finished, Of Love and Hunger (almost perfect, 4.5 stars) and Lullabies for Little Criminals (flawed but moving, 3.75 stars).

However, I changed my plans and went shopping instead! So no reviews but I do have a new dress from White Stuff and these books which came from the Beverley Oxfam bookshop and a charity shop that was something to do with abandoned cats.

A Little Original Sin by Millicent Dillon
Biography of Jane Bowles

The People with the Dogs by Christina Stead
Quite difficult to find Virago Modern Classic for my VMC collection.

The Last Of Summer by Kate O'Brien
Quite easy to find Virago for my collection.

Larry's Party by Carol Shields
Have read some great reviews of this and it's an Orange prizewinner.

The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
Another Orange nominee which is well reviewed.

Claudine at School by Collette
Have this in an omnibus edition but liked the look of this single volume.

Also received in the post, Prospero's Children from a ReadItSwapIt swap and The Slaves of Solitude from Ebay.

Just as well, I didn't sign up for the read more than you buy challenge as I'd be struggling to catch up already!

Nice haul, Dee! Now, about those reviews ... :)

Woot, Dee! What a day you've had! Sounds like Of Love and Hunger is a keeper! Looking forward to your comments. Of your new acquisitions, I've also read good things about Larry's Party and will anticipate your thoughts on that one, too.

wow! What a great haul of books, Dee! I confess that I"m not familiar with any of your new books, except for Larry's Party. Once again, it's one of those books that I look at and think -is for me??? I've read another book by Carol Shields - The Stone Diary and that was at least a 4 star read for me. I'll be looking for your reviews on the two books that you've just read ;)

Now I seem to be enjoying shopping by proxy and at Beverley no less! Such a long time since I was there, remember taking SWMBO there in 1996 on a sweltering day - the two of us young (well she was and I was younger!) and very much in love. Speaking of whom I am about to take her out for a one-on-one evening out san les enfants.

Nice collection of books you picked up in Beverley, Dee - including a couple of VMCs, always welcome! Like Deb, the only one I know is Larry's Party - I really enjoyed that, like all of Shield's work that I've read.

I haven't read The Magician's Assistant yet; I did love Bel Canto myself, but that was some years ago and I've not managed to pick up another Patchett since then...

#55 Nice review of The Magician's Assistant Dee. That's on my wishlist but I need to read State of Wonder before I let myself buy any more Ann Patchett's.

#64 Nice book haul Dee.

65: Hi Laura! Reviews coming up very... shortly :)

66 & 67: Hello, Comrades Deb and Nancy! I wasn't sure about Larry's Party before and I've left it behind in charity shops in the past but I was convinced by the recent reviews at the Orange January group.

68: A bit of book shopping by proxy can be quite satisfying can't it, Paul? I'll remember to pick up a few scandicrimes for you to vicariously enjoy next time I'm charity shopping! I hope you have a lovely evening with the beautiful SWMBO.

69: Hi Genny. Nice to have another thumbs up for Larry's Party and yes the VMCs are always welcome. They've seemed more difficult to find recently but that makes it even more exciting when I do find them.

Now there should be some reviews appearing very shortly unless I get distracted. One of my lovely boys keeps bouncing in and out of the room to talk so if there are no reviews below assume there's been another bounce.

70: Hello Heather, nearly missed you! I think you would like The Magician's Assistant but understand the need to get to State of Wonder first. I used to have a rule, a long time ago, that I wouldn't buy a book if I had another by the author waiting to be read! That one definitely fell by the wayside....

Book 3: Of Love and Hunger by Julian Maclaren-Ross



Source: Bought used from Awesome Books
Reason for Reading: Wanted to read Slaves of Solitude which I didn't have at the time- and this was compared to it. Have since realised it also fits the TIOLI challenge about words being used as other parts of speech.

On the surface, this story may appear a slight one. It is told in the first person by late-twenty-something Richard Fanshawe who, despite a reasonably privileged background, is struggling to get by in 1939 England. Fanshawe lives in a boarding house in a seaside town on the south coast, attempts to make a living as a vacuum cleaner salesman and falls in love with his friend's wife.

Yet there is much more going on within and beyond the surface. The first thing which drew me in was all the wonderful 1930s detail. Of Love and Hunger was intended to tell us about life in Britain immediately before WWII and Maclaren-Ross paints a very convincing picture. Perhaps partly because it was written in 1947 when 1939 wasn't too far away, the story comes across as completely authentic. I loved the descriptions of cups of tea drank at Woolworths and was chilled when Fanshawe notices how many more Fascist supporters there seem to be these days. Reading the book in 2011, it was worrying to see parallels with contemporary Britain where young men like Fanshawe fail to find decent careers, the economy is in crisis and support for the British National Party is on the increase.

The descriptions of life as a vacuum cleaner salesman are alternately grim and amusing. There is a culture revealed of requent scams, although as this is the 1930s they are not described as scams, of course but as jobs which turn out to be "another swizz" or "a lot of cock".
Bossman Ferdie purports to be supportive of "his boys" whilst driving a brand new Hillman and handing out cigarettes from a gold cigarette case. (Woodbines. He'd filled the case up ready for us on the way over. He kept Players in another pocket to smoke himself.)

Fanshawe is a wonderfully believable character, seemingly thwarted by both circumstances and his own nature. His attitude is initially dour and cynical but occasional flashbacks to his early life reveal more about who he really is. The growing attraction and eventual affair between Fanshawe and Sukie is told through dialogue as well as Fanshawe's own words. The affair leaves Fanshawe bewildered but the reader looking on, understands more.

I found the prologue which takes place three years later particularly poignant. I won't say too much but Fanshawe has returned to the seaside town on embarkment leave and comments:
"It's a damn funny world where there has to be a war before a chap gets a second chance."

I didn't know anything about Julian Maclaren-Ross before reading this novel but according to the introduction to my Penguin Modern Classics edition, he was an infamous Bohemian writer, part of the 1940s London Fitzrovia set. I wasn't surprised to learn that he had lived in Bognor Regis during the 1930s and earned his living as a vacuum cleaner salesman! The author clearly states however:

All the characters, vacuum-cleaner firms etc., in this novel are completely ficitious.

I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone with any interest in fiction from this era or anyone willing to give fiction from this era a try.

4.5 stars

Book 4: Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill



Source: ReadItSwapIt swap
Reason for Reading: Orange January

I found this book a difficult book to rate because there were some aspects of it that I loved and others that I found frustrating.

The novel is centred around twelve year old Baby who has been brought up by her single, heroin addict, dad. I loved the character of Baby and her creative, imaginative approach to life which seemed the prefect response to her early life experiences. She also completely gained my sympathy without ever obviously looking for it. There is a passage where she desperately wants someone to rescue her from a nasty piece of institutionalised abuse at a detention centre which will stay with me for some time. Looking at Baby's life it made sense that she should use whatever strengths she had. When her main strength appeared to her, to be her sexuality, I could understand how certain events happened, even though as a reader you know it can only end badly for her and are willing her to make different choices.

So there was a lot to appreciate but I had a big problem with the structure of the book. It did not really read as a novel to me. I didn't feel that one section was leading to another section. When I put the book down there didn't seem to be anything I had just read that would pull me back to read more. Characters are introduced and then dropped continuously through the book and I didn't get to really know anyone except Baby and her father. I do realise, however, that this was probably reflective of Baby's life and telling myself this helped me to continue. If things had been wrapped up well at the end I might have felt better but I thought the ending was quite weak too!

I do think that this book had a lot to offer but that it would have been improved by some editing or by more thought going into its structure. Maybe a series of inter-connected stories would have made it more digestible for this reader at least.

I did love Baby though and after some thought am giving the book 3.75 stars!

Excellent reviews, Dee! I am also not familiar with Julia Maclaren-Ross, but she certainly sounds worth exploring. In terms of Lullabies, I like the point you make about characters being introduced, dropped, one section not leading to the next - I think you're spot-on that this was undoubtedly a reality in Baby's life. I read the book pre LT, so I don't have detailed thoughts to look back on, but I think I rated it much as you have. I remember also not being entirely convinced by the ending; in fact, I wasn't certain that Baby would be alive at all were the story to have wrapped up more genuinely (for lack of a better word).

Thank you, Nancy.

I don't think I would have been completely satisfied with any ending to Lullabies. A feel-good one wouldn't have been realistic and as you suggest, a realistic one very depressing. I think I had a particular problem with the actual ending as it seemed so unrelated to anything else that had happened but again, I suppose that was typical of the randomness in Baby's life.

Great review of Of Love and Hunger Dee and duly thumbed. That's a book I've never heard of before I saw you mention it here but it's got straight onto my wishlist.

Lullabies for Little Criminals also sounds interesting but perhaps one I can get from the library rather than needing my own copy.

>74 Soupdragon:: I commented on your review on your Orange thread, but have just noticed the cover on your edition. I like it so much better than my version which was kind of cartoonish. Yours captures Baby just as I imagined her!

Well Of Love and Hunger goes straight onto the WL thanks to your excellent review. I already own Slaves of Solitude and hope to get to it this year.

Of Love and Hunger is calling me, thanks to you, Heather! I'm off to track it down. Like Bonnie, I already own The Slaves of Solitude and haven't read it yet.
What a great collection of books from Beverly! The only one I've read is The Septembers of Shiraz, which I liked well enough, but apparently not as well as many other folks here. Lisa's review said pretty much what I thought.
I envy you your acquisition of The Last of Summer and not at all that of The People with the Dogs. My only Christina Stead read was a disaster! And too late! I already own a copy of Lullabies for Little Criminals. Oh well.

Wonderful reviews of both The Lullabies for Little Criminals and Of Love and Hunger. It's just me, but Lullabies for Little Criminals was a story I really loved. I cannot remember the ending, though somewhere on LT I've written a review for it! But differences in our feelings about books is what makes the world go around. Of Love and Hunger sounds very good! Thumbs up on both from me. Oh! You've only put Of Love and Hunger on the main page, so thumb up that one! Great job, Dee!

And thanks for the recommendation on another book by Helen Dunmore - I've got House of Orphans on my wishlist! Thanks so much, Comrade! ;)

Thank you for visiting, all you lovely people :)

77: Heather, I would say Lullabies for Little Criminals is well worth reading. It's possible that reading a row of exceptionally well written books prior to it made me over critical!

78: Hi Laura. I think I prefer my cover too! A more realistic cover seems more in keeping with the realism in the story.

79: Thank you, Bonnie. I couldn't resist buying Slaves of Solitude and hope to read it soon. I've read good things about here and Simon rated it his favourite book of last year on his stuck-in-a-book blog.

80: Peggy, I have to admit I was more excited about finding a Virago Modern Classic which I didn't already have than at the prospect of reading a Christina Stead! However, the introduction claims that The People with the Dogs is Stead's "most amiable novel" so you never know! As I said to Heather, I do think Lullabies is worth reading and you may well be more patient with the flow of it than I was.

81: Thank you, Deb! I will go and check out your review of Lullabies. I can understand your loving it despite all my quibbles. I did love the central character!

As you said you're okay with dark, I'd probably recommend any Dunmore though some of them do go into unusual territory. I remember being absolutely blown away by my first Dunmore, Burning Bright about fifteen years ago.

I am now reading a Persephone collection of short stories, Midsummer in the Workhouse by Diana Athill which is just lovely. I notice elkiedee has read it already this month and given it 4.5 stars. I will probably start Sin by Josephine Hart, soon, as it has been sent to me to review by Virago and fits in with the TIOLI challenge about words that can be used as other parts of speech.

Edited to adjust touchstones

I've been sent a copy of Sin too. I was a bit worried that the Athill stories were going to be a terrible disappointment, but obviously I needn't have worried.

81: Deb, I couldn't find the Lullabies review you wrote yourself but I did find this published one which you added to the main page. The author obviously appreciated the form of the book more than I did and I am adding it here to redress the balance! I kind of wish I'd read it before the book, as it might have prepared me for the book's structure.

Baby’s story, episodic in form, unfurls in the arbitrary, unscripted manner of “real life,” with none of the archetypal, cut-and-dried bad guys you might expect from an account so steeped in street-kid tragedy. Jules can be a neglectful creep, and Alphonse, Baby’s abusive boyfriend, has his genuinely sympathetic (and pathetic) moments as a character. ...This is a nuanced, endearing coming-of-age novel you won’t want to miss.

Quill and Quire

83: Indeed no, Lucy! I'm finding the Athill stories a complete delight. I'm not sure what I'll think of Sin. I read Damage years ago when it was first published and seem to remember being slightly disappointed but can't remember why!

Hi Dee. After reading your review about Of Love and Hunger it goes right on my Must Read Soon list! Uhhh, could you elaborate on the cover? I can't quite make it out (is it a stone figure?) or understand how it might fit with the story. Not that it matters, but I must say it is a pretty blah cover. ;-)

I'm finally catching up on your thread - wow, you're off to a brilliant start for 2012! Great review of Sorry, which is on my WL already. I have another by her somewhere in a storage box - Sixty Lights - and since I want to read more Australian fiction this year I'll try to find it soon. (We are still using several book boxes as chairs and table till our furniture arrives!)

Well done on the Waterstones restraint...

Well, Dee, LOL! I didn't find my review of Lullabies for Little Criminals - so I guess I only put comments on my thread! ;) Perhaps I was more prepared for the content of the book as it was a Canadian Award Winner - and so I'd heard a lot about it. I recall loving what seemed to be the gritty realism of it, and also the courage of the protagonist. But really, don't worry! I'm one of those who does not like plenty of celebrated authors' works, like Atonement by Ian McEwan and The Handmaiden's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

Each of us is so different in what we love to read - that really , there is no need to apologize at all!

Hi Dee, Nice haul of books you got the other day. I love Carol Shields and, although it's been years since I read it, I know I loved Larry's Party. I've also read The Septembers of Shiraz and liked it as well.

Dee - Nancy, Deb et al are right - two great reviews and the Orange book I have on my schedule for July and the other joins the burgeoning hitlist.

85: Donna, I thought the cover looked like some kind of weird stone statue before I'd seen an actual copy, too! It's actually a grainy, sepia photo of the lower face and upper torso of a young man with a cigarette in his mouth- presumably intended to represent Fanshawe who does smoke quite a lot throughout the book. It's part of the Penguin Modern Classics series from 2002, when they were printed in the UK with silver spines and usually a rather stark image on the front cover. I do like these editions but Of Love and Hunger isn't my favourite cover from the series!

86: Hi Cushla, thanks for visiting! I have to admit, I don't remember reading any Australian fiction before I joined LibraryThing but have since discovered and loved Kate Brenville, Joan London and M J Hyland as well as Gail Jones and given them all five star or 4.5 star ratings. I keep meaning to try Helen Garner, too.

87: I recall loving what seemed to be the gritty realism of it, and also the courage of the protagonist.

Deb, that's what I loved about Lullabies too! I thought Baby had a wonderful voice and I loved her musings on leaving childhood for adolescence and the creativity and imagination in much of her approach to life. I also appreciated the book for giving a voice to someone from a social group not generally well represented in quality fiction. The problem I had with it was the lack of structure which Quill and Quire describes as "episodic in form", "unfurling in the arbitrary, unscripted manner of real life." Unfortunately, I didn't always have the patience for that whilst I was reading so left the book unread for fairly long periods of time which resulted in my not being as engaged with the story as much as I could have been. It's possible that returning to work after the Christmas break made me crave something that I found more compulsively readable and it was the wrong time for me to read the book- but I did still find lots to love when I did get around to it!

88: Hi, Joanne! Thanks for visiting and for another thumbs up for Larry's Party. It sounds like one I should get round to sooner rather than later.

89: Hi, Paul! Thanks for stopping by. I must pop over to your thread later. It doesn't seem long ago that I was there, chatting nostalgically about The House Martins but I know things move fast there and I've probably missed all sorts by now!

I haven't read much since last posting due to a busy day at work yesterday followed by an evening babysitting a neighbour's little girl while her dad visited her mum in hospital. Anticipating any enquiries whether the neighbour is ok, I don't really know! The husband didn't say too much and I didn't like to ask as the five year old daughter was with us and I thought maybe he didn't want to talk about it in front of her! All I know is she's having an MRI scan today and that will determine whether she returns home today or has to stay in for longer.

I did manage to read some Molesworth on the bus home from work which put a smile on my face!

Oh, Molesworth! That brings back memories! Down with skool!

Just catching up with your thread...

Molesworth brings back memories for me too, Dee! I loved Back in the Jug Again . I still have that book on my shelves, it was such a fav of mine when I was a kid!

Hello Genny, Ren and Deb! I remember Molesworth from my childhood when I read my dad's copies and am finding it even more hilarious as an adult. I think a lot of the satire was lost on me then and I hadn't quite realised how perfect Searle's illustrations were. I have the omnibus edition, have just finished Down With Skool! and am saving the others for another right moment.

As Helen Dunmore is one of my favourite contemporary novelists and it's Orange January and I've read lots of great reviews of The Siege and then Deb wrote a great review of The Siege....it suddenly became impossible not to read it!

Only a few chapters in but how I do love Dunmores's writing. I'm fond of the characters already and hope things don't turn out too terribly for them. I especially love Anna's five year old brother after this passage...

She laughed, squatted down by him, seized his round little body in its padded jacket, and snuffed the scent of his skin. He laughed back at her, his eyes squeezed into slits.

How adorable is that? Deb, could you please reassure me that nothing too horrible happens to Kolya? Or if it does, tell me so that I can stop reading right now!!

Edited to add: I do realise that they will be suffering from starvation in the near future and my hopes are unrealistic!

I think you can carry on reading The Siege, at least on that score.

Luci, hello!! I was just thinking about you and that you hadn't posted for a while. Hope things are good with you and your family. And thanks for the reassurance!

Dee, another wonderful endorsement of both Helen Dunmore and The Siege. Love the quote you included in your post. Deb's persuasiveness is working its magic on you : ). She's SO good at that!

I really liked Slaves of Solitude, so I'm adding Of Love and Hunger to my WL.

Dee I agree with you about Helen Dunmore- she is versatile, serious, readable and her books are an attractive length! Will push The Siege up the TBR list.

Hi Nancy. You're quite persuasive yourself! I am seriously considering reading The Outcast after your review and that one's been lurking at the bottom of my TBR for a very long time!

Hi Deborah. Thanks for visiting my thread. I now have a copy of Slaves of Solitude and am looking forward to getting to it before too long.

Paul, you are so right about Dunmore including the length of her books which I'd never considered before but now that you mention it...

I read some more of The Siege yesterday evening but then it was M's bedtime and I had to leave Leningrad to join Harry Potter and his friends in their search for the last horcrux at Hogwarts. Very exciting even though I've read it twice already!

Reviews for Sin and Midsummer in the Workhouse may be arriving shortly...

Hi Dee - The Siege is on my Orange January pile although I'm starting to wonder if there are enough days left in January to get through everything! It looks like Dunmore had a new book out next month - The Greatcoat.

Hi Heather. The Greatcoat does look good, an interesting spooky premise which should work well in Dunmores's hands. My library has copies on order so I'm trying to wait patiently for them to arrive (it usually takes a while) rather than pre-ordering my own copy.

I must start catching up with the rest of my Dunmores, so I should hold off from The Greatcoat until I've done so - I'd like to reread the two novels and collection of stories I've read a long time ago - Zennor in Darkness, Burning Bright and Ice Cream. I gave my mum and her husband The Siege and The Betrayal for Christmas.

There are still so many books I really want to read, including lots I already own, among the Orange lists - and a new list to look forward to in March.

Oh I'm glad you're enjoying The Siege!

Oh, Dee, make me smile - leaving Leningrad for Hogwarts! What a varied and wonderful life you lead : ). Tickled to have unknowingly persuaded you toward The Outcast : ) - I think you'd enjoy.

Like Deborah, I really liked The Slaves of Solitude, so Of Love and Hunger goes into the BlackHole! Thanks for the review and recommendation, Dee.

Dee, that's exciting that Helen Dunmore has a new book coming out called The Greatcoat. That's going on my wishlist right away! :) If it comforts you to know - you can read finish both The Siege and The Betrayal without to much worry about young Kolya!;)

Isn't Kolya a cute name? Maybe when one's sons grow into their twenties like mine, Koyla would not be so suitable, but it's such a cute name!

I think Kolya is short for Nikolai.

Dee, thanks for that explanation of the Love and Hunger cover. It makes perfect sense now that I know what it is!

Have a great Sunday of reading; although your day is much further along than mine. Hope it was a good one!

Just stopping by to say hi, and yes, as #108 says, Kolya is short for Nikolai. Still I suspect my sons would not want the name Nikolai, though these days anything goes!

I've been away for a few days (due to family stuff and a cold which is making me feel blurrgh) and if feels like I've been gone for months! I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone's threads- I'm sure I've missed loads...

103: Luci, Dunmore is well worth reading (and re-reading) isn't she? I've just finished The Siege and think it's one of her best but they are all so well written. I'd like to read The Betrayal before long and also have a couple of her Ingo children's novels to read.

104: Loved it, Laura! Thanks for your review which was one of those which nudged me to the point where I couldn't not read it!

105: Well yes Nancy, having been through sieges at both Leningrad and Hogwarts school recently, it's no wonder I am feeling a little tired ;) . You have shot The Outcast up the TBR pile and I will probably read it for Orange July unless I get overly distracted by all the new Orange nominees!

106: Hi, Stasia, I'm not sure but your thread might have been the first one to make me aware of The Slaves of Solitude. Thanks for the recommendation, I'm sure I will be reading it soon.

107 & 110: Loved The Siege, Deb. Thanks for your great review which was the final push after reading all those other fab reviews by Laura, Bonnie, Donna, Jill and others!

107, 108, 110: Luci and Deb, thanks for the reassurance about Kolya and yes, very cute name but Nikolai more distinguished. One of my boys used to have a Nikolai in his class but he was always known as Niko!

109: Thank you, Donna! I seem to remember a visit from my in-laws got in the way of last sunday's reading but I intend to make up for it this weekend!

I think I said this last week but reviews should be following soon!

Hi Dee. Nice to see you posting. Hope you feel better soon!

How I LONG to read Helen Dunmore and The Slaves of Solitude. And I will - I just can't say when. Shoot. I live in an attract/attract/attract/attract world!

112: Thank you, Pat! I'm fine, really. Just one of those colds which would be fine if you could just tuck yourself up and forget about all the day-to-day stuff but which makes the day-to-day stuff more difficult when you can't!

113: Peggy, I know exactly what you mean! I flit around LibraryThing finding more and more things I want, like some kind of greedy book-eating butterfly! Probably a very plump one ;)

Boo to your cold! I hope you can get some rest this weekend.

Book 5
Midsummer Night in the Workhouse- Diana Athill



Source: Bought from Persephone books
Reason for Reading: TIOLI challenge- beverage mentioned on page ten

Last week a friend of mine passed a collection of short stories by Lorrie Moore onto me saying, "I know you have a high tolerance of short stories." I took the book but wasn't entirely sure she was right. I have been known to have a very low tolerance of short story collections! However when the stories are well written, when characters are drawn so accurately we quickly understand them and when there is an underlying mood or theme connecting the stories then I am a fan!

Midsummer Night in the Workhouse passes on all three counts. The writing is accomplished, every line seems just right and the stories' protagonists easy to sympathise with. The majority, though not all, of the stories are centred around young women. They were written by Athill between 1958 and 1973. Athill is, of course, best known for her memoirs and it was difficult to avoid the idea that there was something autobiographical about many of these stories. There is a theme of women with the potential to be strong, creative and passionate and intelligent forces, looking for something to complete them and completely failing to find that within their relationships. As a generalisation, the men in these stories make their partners unhappy not through cruelty but by being weaker, less imaginative and less intelligent than them! I think it is significant that the majority of the stories were written in the sixties just on the cusp of feminism being taken seriously in the seventies. I should add, though, that not all the central characters are women. In An Afternoon Off, reliable Roger, confused by unfamiliar and vague feelings of disatisfaction takes a subversive afternoon off work to do nothing in particular at all!

My favourite stories were the first two about very young women learning about relationships for the first time. My favourite paragraph is at the beginning of Laughing Matter where Jane looking back at her childhood and youth realises that the source of all her youthful passion had not been him but herself!

There had been things not so long ago (or, by Jane's reckoning, years ago) that could become strange and tormenting for no reason: a bonfire throbbing and blazing as though for ever, the flames rushing her eyes up into dizzy night; water folding around the pier of a bridge, into which her inability to flow was suddenly an absurd limitation; an afternoon in summer when she had squatted in a tree, wearing a stolen string of amber beads, and something wonderful had been going to happen-something so wonderful, so imminent, that its not happening had been unbearable. She had suffered the unbearable there in the tree because of the happening which went on keeping itself to itself through a whole hot afternoon. When she was older love was like those things. At first she was not sure whether she was thinking of clothes or a party or men (or a man) because the dazzle of love could be on any of them, not coming out of them but streaming into them from the source in herself out of which the flames and the water and the imminent happening had come. Now, in her first year at university, it was Stephen who received it.

In these stories Athill looks at love, relationships and their limitations at a time when marriage was still widely believed to be all a woman needed.

edited to add picture which is from the book's endpapers.

115: Thanks Heather, Here's hoping for a lovely restful weekend for us both and enjoy those extra few days you've got too!

Feeling too lethargic for any more reviews so will list my recent charity shop buys instead. Most of these were on my wishlist so I don't feel too guilty:

The Birth House - Ami Mckay (in an actual Canadian edition, very exciting!)
The Woman on the Green Bicycle- Monique Roffey (Orange shortlister)
The Sorrows of an American- Siri Hustvedt (wanted to read more after The Summer without Men and this one appeals more than What I loved.)
They Came like Swallows- William Maxwell (interested in Maxwell because of his connection with Sylvia Townsend-Warner)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone- Laini Taylor (YA fantasy. I'd read the first few pages on amazon and was drawn in. It's a fairly new book so felt quite lucky to find it at a charity shop.)

These were from a remainder bookshop. Not on wishlist but couldn't resist:

Foolish Mortals by Jennifer Johnston (seems to have awful readers reviews but I've enjoyed her books in the past)
The Rare and The Beautiful- Cressida Connolly (looked interesting. Biography of some sisters with Bloomsbury connections)

Wonderful review, Dee! I'd love to give it a thumb, and I think I might be able to tolerate short stories with such lovely writing.
Those are exciting acquisitions. I have to see what I remember about *Birth House*. And I need to read my one and only Maxwell.
Take care of your cold and plan to pamper yourself over the weekend. I'm off to take an Allegra (sneezing like March for heaven's sake) just as soon as I check out the McKay.

#116 Seconding what Peggy said Dee, please post your review! I've just seen that you have posted it - thumbed!

#118 I've heard a lot about Ami Mckay on LT recently and The Woman on the Green Bicycle will hopefully be a good Orange read. And you shouldn't feel guilty about any books acquired whilst you have a cold (that's a new rule that I've just made up).

And another thumb from me, Dee, for your wonderful review of Midsummer Night in the Workhouse. Like you, I have a low tolerance level for short story collections; but your comments here inspire!

Wonderful new book haul! I've probably already told you that Birth House is one of my all-time favourite books. I read it and Fall On Your Knees (which Peggy just read) back to back a few years ago. And both are on my list (a relatively short one) of all-time perfection. Don't mean to throw your expectations out of whack, it's just I can't help but exude when either of those titles comes up!

Thumb up from me for your review of Midsummer Night on the Workhouse. Personally, I enjoy short stories , but they are challenging to write a review about because the short stories are often uneven in quality.

So glad that you loved The Siege and have The Birth House. I so loved both of them!

Thumb from me too! I love the picture of the endpaper.

119: Thank you, Peggy. Wishing you a sneeze free weekend too!

120: I like your new rule, Heather and will add it to my many excuses to buy new books! I hope you're enjoying your birthday weekend.

121 & 122: Nancy and Deb: I thought of you two as soon as I saw The Birth House! I know you both loved it and I was particularly excited to find that it was a Canadian edition! I think I already told Deb about this but there's something odd about the edges of the pages which are very roughly cut as if they were cut with a knife in the traditional way. Not sure if this is intended to add to its period charm or if I have a reject copy!

Deb, I agree about short story collections often being difficult to review because of an inconsistency in the writing. One thing I appreciated about Midsummer was that the quality was consistent.

123: Thank you, Pat. The endpaper is lovely isn't it. Because I ordered direct from Persephone, I got the matching bookmark too.

Err, I think you may have a reject copy of The Birth House but perhaps as with stamps, it will prove to be very valuable in the future!;) Well, maybe I'm wrong. I'd better check my copy. Perhaps it's meant add to it's period charm. I'm not sure, Dee!

My copy of Birth House is just as yours, Dee. I think, as you say, the roughed edges were intended to add to its period charm! Oh, I do hope you'll enjoy! So fun that you found a Canadian edition : ).

I'm wondering if it's the deckle edge that so many American books come with these days. I happen to be a fan of short stories Dee and will be adding this one after reading your excellent review. Thumb!

I had to Google "deckle edge," but I think that's exactly what it is. I didn't know what it was called, so thanks Bonnie : ).

Yes, Dee , you are the first to my new thread! Thanks for dropping by! Yes - mystery solved by brilliant Bonnie re The Birth House - deckle edges!! ;) Ahhh!

Hello Bonnie, Deb, and Nancy and thank you for your interest and helpful information on my new book!

I would, of course, love it just the same if it had been a reject but there would have been a nagging fear that there might be something else wrong with it like pages blank where there was supposed to be writing, for example!

So thank you! I wasn't aware of a new trend in deckle edges or even what a deckle edge is but maybe it hasn't reached the UK yet. I discussed it with my husband, Steve who is a professional craft bookbinder and ought to know about these things! He was quite sniffy about it and said it wasn't actually a deckle edge which would have been created by hand. I suppose it's a kind of pseudo deckle edge effect for mass produced books!

I've just finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone, a YA urban fantasy that was a real escapist pleasure. I'd like to review it whilst it's still fresh in my mind so further thoughts should be posted soon...

Book 6

Daughter of Smoke and Bone- Laini Taylor



Source: Found last week in charity shop
Reason for Reading: TIOLI challenge about words being used as diferent parts of speech.

This book did a wonderful job yesterday, of captivating me and transporting me to another world! Well two other worlds actually. Seventeen year old Karou has a double life spending half her time as a art student in Prague and the other half elsewhere in another world, running slightly macabre errands (generally involving buying teeth from strange characters who deal in such things) for the strange Chimera (part human and part animal) who have brought her up and are the closest to family she has.

The book can be divided into two parts, each with quite a separate feel. In the first part, Karou is still spending much of her time in Prague. Taylor really can create a sense of place and I loved Karou's Prague with its cobbled streets, gothic architecture, actors and magicians on street corners and the bohemian cafe, Poison Kitchen where Karou spends time with her puppeteer best friend, Zuzana. Everyday Prague is painted with a magical touch which makes ordinary life less distant from the fantastical than you would usually expect. I was hooked from the first page where:

The falling snow and the early hour conspired to paint Prague ghostly, like a tintype photograph, all silver and haze.

As for Karou, my seventeen year old self would have been so envious of this beautiful art student with azure blue hair who can speak twenty five languages and has a mysterious other life. I mean, how cool is that?! Although, of course, life isn't all that easy for Karou, despite the hair, beauty and languages. She has an underlying loneliness and confusion about who she is and why she was brought by the Chimera.

Before we move onto the second part of the novel, a good looking Seraphim enters the scene and we start to move into paranormal romance territory. My heart sank at this point having been put off angel romance last year. However all was not lost. The book was saved for me by a quick move into new plot developments. Not only does the pace pick up drastically but many mysteries from earlier in the book are explained including the attraction between Karou and Akiva. It turns out they have a history and Karou's story including her attraction to Avika is part of a wider one involving epic wars and attempts for peace. I couldn't really begrudge them their mushiness after that! The ending was a little shocking and Taylor obviously intends for there to be more to come...

A superior YA fantasy which has some lovely writing, a great sense of place and which also felt original to me.

4 stars

#131 Glad you enjoyed that one and relieved to read your comments about the romance. I feel a little tired of paranormal romances so I wasn't sure about this aspect of the book either but your comments have reassured me. I am slowly creeping up to the top of the reserve list at the library. I think she's announced a sequel to be published later this year.

Heather, the romance was my least favourite part of the book but made bearable when it was put into context!

Thumb for a wonderful review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Dee. I love the gorgeous writing you quoted: The falling snow and the early hour conspired to paint Prague ghostly, like a tintype photograph, all silver and haze. It made me think of Where White Horses Gallop - its writing also completely captivated me from the first page.

Great review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone Dee. I might try and track this down at my library for Mark's Fantasy February thread. I haven't read any fantasy books that I can think of but there are so many people who love them I sometimes think I'm missing something.

Great review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Dee. I liked it, too, and look forward to the next one.

Dee enjoyed your review of Daughter of SMoke and Bone - enjoy what's left of your weekend.

134: Thank you, Nancy. I'm a sucker for the Amazon "look inside" feature and many books have been bought or rejected because of the first few pages. If I hadn't used it for Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I don't think I'd have remembered the book when I saw it in the charity shop. Must look out for Where White Horses Gallop.

135: Well fantasy isn't for everyone, Pat. I always approach it with trepidation because it can go so badly for me. As with any genre, there is dross alongside the quality writing and also certain pitfalls that sometimes get me. I get very unhappy about the term "evil" being used in the media and don't always feel comfortable with the polarity between characters who are good and characters who are evil in some less sophisticated fiction. I also need a bit of realism to leaven the fantasy, I can't walk straight into a completely unknown world! In this way the new trend for Urban Fantasy suits me, as long as it doesn't overdo the paranormal romance (another possible pitfall)!

However, if a fantasy novel is well written and avoids the issues above, it can be a real pleasure for me. My favourite fantasy novelist, Alan Garner seems to blend mythology, reality and magic to produce something transendent and almost spiritual. I think part of me is always hoping to get that when I read a fantasy novel but it's only Alan Garner who has ever produced it for me!

136 & 137: Hi and thanks, Joe and Paul!

End of Month Wrap-Up

Read and reviewed:

1. Sorry by Gail Jones 4.5 stars
2. The Magician' Assistant by Ann Patchett 4.0 stars
3. Of Love and Hunger by Julian Maclaran-Ross 4.5 stars
4. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill 3.75 stars
5. Midsummer in the Workhouse by Diana Athill 4.25 stars
6. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor 4 stars

Read but didn't review:

7: The Siege by Helen Dunmore 4.5 stars
Beautifully written, believable characters and very readable despite the harrowing subject matter of living through the siege of Leningrad in WWII.

8: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling 4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these books again with my younger son who absolutely loved them. I know every eleven year old does but Matthew has never been as much of a reader as his older brother so I'm delighted the series was a success. He is now to keen to read more, so hoorah!

N.b I don't usually say too much about my boys because they get cross if they find out! My older son, Joe, is actually a LibraryThing member, username Starsoon. He has only used it to catalogue books, not post, as far as I know.

9: Sin by Josephine Hart. 2.75 stars
Eurrgh..........
I need to write a review of this as I was sent a copy by Virago for their online bookgroup but haven't quite found the right words yet!

My biggest reading success was finally joining in with the TIOLI challenges and I was surprised to find that all my reading this month fitted.

Am now enjoying myself, finding places for February's reading and am looking forward to a Vintage February featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Molly Keane and Jane Austen!

#138 "I also need a bit of realism to leaven the fantasy, I can't walk straight into a completely unknown world!"

For me that's something I can really enjoy in science fiction, fantasy, or even just things set in far away corners of our world -- to be dumped into a strange world and to have to figure it out from the inside out. Discovering the underlying rules and patterns... it's like playing the computer game Myst, or being a detective, or scientific exploration. But I understand that its not for everyone.

I admit I'm a fantasy wuss, L but that's an interesting way of approaching alternative realities. I'll remember it next time I'm confronted by one!

>116 Soupdragon:: It's coffee and catch-up time! Thanks for reminding me to get busy on my short story category for the 12 in 12 Challenge. I'm doing a 'step' version so only have to read five collections but that's a lot for someone (else) who has a low tolerance for short stories. I've read an Athill memoir and like her writing so Midsummer Night in the Workhouse might be a good one to try... although I own several ss collections I should read first.

Deckle edge is a new literary term for me. I just call them "hard to turn" pages! I love your husband's "sniffy" retort - spoken like a true craftsman.

A big welcome to the crazy world of TIOLI. I'm a charter member and haven't gotten tired of The Great Book Search that goes on in my house every month when the new challenges are listed.

>142 Donna828:: Hi Donna! I was just now in the middle of posting on your thread when a friend rang in tears (nastiness from ex-husband) and I lost the post! I was in the middle of saying how much I appreciated your Narnia facts. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was a favourite of mine as a child and I remember studying it during a religious education class at school.

I'm amazed at how much I'm enjoying the TIOLI challenges especially the Great Book Searches!

I never managed to read all the short stories I was supposed to complete for my 99 books in 2009 challenge. I gave up on the whole challenge when I was left only with my short story and crime categories and didn't feel like reading either! I hope you enjoy your short story collections and fare better than I did!

What a fabulous month you've had, Dee, with mostly 4 star (and better) reads!

I'm looking forward to your comments on Sin!

Dee, what are your favorite books by Alan Garner?

144: Hello, Nancy. Yes, I had a great start to my reading year and am hoping it continues into February!

145: Ah yes Luci, still struggling to find a less visceral response to it but I will get there! Have you read it yet?

146: Pat, my absolute favourite book by Alan Garner is The Owl Service which is one of those children's books which adults often enjoy more than children. Actually I loved it as a child for its atmosphere but didn't really understand it. I've re-read it three times as an adult and each time got something different out of it.

From Wikipaedia
The Owl Service is a novel by Alan Garner first published in 1967. It is a contemporary interpretation, which Garner described as an "expression of the myth", of the story of the mythical Welsh figure of Blodeuwedd, whose story is told in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi.

The legend concerns a woman created from flowers by a Welsh wizard. She betrays her husband, Lleu, in favour of another, Gronw, and is turned into an owl as punishment for inducing Gronw to kill Lleu. In Garner's tale three teenagers find themselves reenacting the story. They first awaken the legend by finding a set of plates (a "dinner service") with an owl pattern; this gives the novel its title.

I also loved Garner's more recent adult novel, Thursbitch but you do need to get into the rhythmn of the eighteenth century country dialect before you can fully appreciate it.

Red Shift had a powerful effect on me when I read it many years ago but I didn't understand a lot of it!

I'd probably recommend starting with The Owl Service and going onto Thursbitch if you want to after that! I know Genny is also a Garner fan and may have different recommendations. I haven't read all his books.

Neil Gaimen is quoted on Wikipaedia as saying "Garner's fiction is something special" in that it is "smart and challenging, based in the here and the now, in which real English places emerged from the shadows of folklore, and in which people found themselves walking, living and battling their way through the dreams and patterns of myth".

Yes, I've read Sin, I didn't hate it but I wasn't that impressed, and don't really see what it brings to the VMC list.

Book 10

Inside the Whale by Jennie Rooney
source: Charity shop
reason for reading: TIOLI challenge with animals and beverages



A moving story of Stevie and Michael, now in their later years and living entirely separate lives as they relive the stories of their youth, in particularly their love affair which was interupted by WWII and never resumed due to circumstances, guilt and pride.

This is a story of undoubtable charm but I didn't quite love it. There were passages which moved me but then pasages which failed to engage me and I found myself skim reading at times. The two narrator's voices didn't strike me as being distinct from each other and I had to occasionally check who was narrating. I know a lot of people did love this one, though and despite my quibbles, I can see why!

3.25 stars

149: Wow, you found a book that matches that crazy TIOLI challenge. I think I looked at it twice in disbelief before moving on to the others. :) I do love a good WWII story, so I think I will keep my eye out for this one...

Dee, thank you so much for all that information about Alan Garner. I know someone on LT (and I can't remember who) recently read Red Shift but actually of the three books you mentioned my library system only has The Owl Service. So as soon as I can clear my current hold list (we're only allowed to hold 5 items at a time and mine is backed up with DVDs I'm waiting for) I'm going to put that one on hold. I should be able to get it in a couple of weeks and then I can read it for Mark's Fantasy February thread! I'm off to "favorite" your message above so I have it for future reference.

Dee, excellent review of Inside the Whale. I'm another one who tends to skim when I'm not engaged by the writing. And I appreciate your honesty in that you had a different opinion from many others who loved the book.

150: In fact, almost any book which has page numbers (some kindle ebooks still don't) matches that challenge, it sounds crazy but it really isn't that hard. Has anyone found a book which has page numbers and not been able to match it?

I really liked Red Shift, I should probably try to reread his work.

Catching up Dee but I am very interested to check out Alan Garner now after that info you posted. It sounds like a fantasy book that gets the formula just right.

150: Hello Marie! I think you would like Inside the Whale. As Luci says, it is a lot easier than you'd think to find books to meet that challenge. The main problem with it, is avoiding spoilers as you search.

151: Hi Pat. I hope you enjoy The Owl Service. As I said, it is my absolute favourite Garner though I haven't read all of his books.

152: Thank you, Nancy. It was an odd reading experience for me because at times I was really charmed by Inside the Whale and at other times left cold. Maybe I wasn't concentrating properly!

153: Luci, the only book that I couldn't get to fit was Birds of America by Lorrie Moore and I didn't really try that hard. I wouldn't be surprised if I tried a second time and found something. Actually, I think it would fit if the word animal is allowed rather than it having to be a specific animal.

154: Oh yes, Leonie, do try Alan Garner! I think you'd enjoy his books.

Hi Dee! Thanks for your kind words regarding As Long as the Rivers Flow by James Bartleman. I'm so behind!!!

Looks like you've had some wonderful reads -as have I. I'm not sure what is going to measure up for me to read next!! ;) I also got to The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar which was wonderful!!!! A new favourite for me. Lit Chick assures me she very much enjoyed it too...so if you are casting about for something to read.... ;) hehe!!!:) No review for The Space Between Us - just a few comments from me.

Like you - fantasy kind of eludes me. I feel your pain...:)

Book 11

Palladian by Elizabeth Taylor



Reason for reading: Virago group read and also fits a TIOLI challenge as has a double L in title.
Source: Bought new from Amazon last year.

In Palladian, Taylor is clearly playing with the form and content of traditional, gothic romance novels such as Jane Eyre and Rebecca. However, this is far from being a straight forward pastiche and it is certainly not a parody.

Written in the 1940s, the characters themselves, influenced by a world recently gone and depicted romantically in these classic novels, try to place themselves within this world and often fail. The nanny complains of "trapesing in my kitchen" and then "flushes" as she remembers she is not a cook. Landowner Marion is prompted to remember his responsibilities to his villagers but can't quite bring himself to perform them.

Memories of Marion's beautiful, possibly mentally unstable young wife who died in childbirth and was loved by both Marion and his cousin, form the gothic core of the novel, leading to the usual jealousies and mysteries.

Marion's cousin Tom is the most vivid of the characters but clearly damaged with an alcohol addiction and an abusive relationship which is uncomfortable to witness.

We initially learn about the household through the eyes of Cassandra who has come to act as governess to Marion's daughter, Sophy, a dreamy child who fantasises about the dead mother whom she never knew. Cassandra is a bookish young woman and so the undercurrents in the household seem familiar to her. She believes it is her role to fall in love with her employer and create a happy ending. In a way, she eventually gets what she wants, though circumstances have become so bleak by this time that the reader doubts a happy ending is likely for anyone in the household!

There is a bleakness and cynicism about the book but despite the darkness, it was the novel's ironies, wit and attention to detail which made it a real pleasure for me. And not all the humour is dark or sophisticated. I loved it when Cassandra and Nanny tried to persuade Sophy to watch Pride and Prejudice with them at the cinema.

'What does "Prejudice" mean?' Sophy struggled into her coat.

'It means a pre-conceived opinion', Cassandra replied.

' I don't think I shall enjoy it', said Sophy.

It was Taylor's way with words which really made Palladian for me and I think it is one which I will re-read one day.

4.25 stars

#157 Great review of Palladian Dee. I'm really looking forward to reading it but I have a few books I need to get finished first...

(post your review, post your review)

156: Hello, Deb, must have missed you whilst I was deliberating over my review! The Thrity Umrigar is on my wishlist already and no doubt you will help shoot it to the top!

158: Thank you, Heather! I will probably post the review on the main page and link it to the group read at some point but am just doing a bit of editing to it at the moment as I posted it in a bit of a rush! I'm looking forward to hearing your and everyone's elses thoughts on it. So far, there seems to be the feeling that it's not one of Taylor's best but I would probably rate it second of the four I read (after Mrs Palfrey but before The Soul of Kindness and Blaming).

>157 Soupdragon:: It was Taylor's way with words which really made Palladian for me
Yes, me too ... and that's the case with others I've read so far. It's not so much what happens, but how she describes it.

#157 - Great review - more Elizabeth Taylor for my wishlist. I plan to read her this year and am trying to figure out which novel to choose.

160: It's not so much what happens, but how she describes it.

That's it exactly, Laura!

161: Hello and thank you, Dors! Will you be joining us for the year round Elizabeth Taylor group reads which Laura has organised at the Virago group. We're reading a different novel of hers each month this year, so that might help you choose! I feel quite excited about it, particularly as I suspect I have some of Taylor's best novels still to read.

Edited to add a link to the Palladian group read.

#162 - Thank you! Yes, I've been following the general discussion thread, but I'll have to explore the individual book threads and choose a novel.

Dee: You've done some great reading this year. I've added several books to my wishlist. Great comments/reviews, too.

164: Thank you, Beth :)

Interesting and well done review of Palladian . Thumb from me. I confess I did not write a review about The Space Between Us -but it was a wonderful book. In many ways heartbreaking , and not romantically. It was an enthralling read about class systems, friendship and betrayal.Thirty Umrigar is a gifted story -teller and I'll be looking for more books by her.

Wonderful review of Palladian, Dee, and thumb from me also! I can certainly see the references you mention to Jane Eyre and Rebecca: She believes it is her role to fall in love with her employer and create a happy ending. Interesting perspective!

Dee: Which Taylor novel would you start with? I haven't read any of her work.

Well I thought I was going to read this one this month but I don't have a copy and neither does my library. I will have to look further for it because 4.5 stars and It was Taylor's way with words which really made Palladian for me both spell out a description of a book that I'll love. Thumb for your review Dee.

166 and 167: Thank you for your kind comments, Deb and Nancy!

168: Well Beth, I might not the best person to ask, as the ones I've read seem to be the ones which are the least popular! The first Taylor novel I read was Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont which made me want to read more and is still my favourite of the four I have read. A View of the Harbour seems a popular one but not one I've read. Have you visited the Virago group recently? I recommend it for info on Taylor and other authors and also for the wonderful company!

169: Thanks for the thumb, Bonnie. I did enjoy Palladian but several have said on the discussion thread that it isn't their favourite Taylor. I'm now really looking forward to even better Elizabeth Taylor novels ;)

My library only has five of Elizabeth Taylor's books and Palladian unfortunately isn't one of them. I think I first heard about it on Heather's(?) thread. But it does have Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont so I think I'll give that one a try. I need to make my way over to the Virago group.

Great review btw!

Mrs Palfrey is one of her later works, but like Dee it was my first Taylor and I loved it. Over in the Virago group we're reading her novels in order of publication, so Mrs P is up in November. But Pat, I wouldn't wait that long to give Taylor a try!

Thank you for that helpful review, Dee. Thumbed! A View of the Harbor is certainly still my favorite E. Taylor, and I think it's coming up soon, so you should jump in, Pat.

Mrs. Palfrey is my absolute favorite Taylor book too!

Dee Palladian looks a winner and goes onto my already overwhelmed hitlist.

>173 LizzieD:: I think it's coming up soon... Yes -- A View of the Harbour is scheduled for March. Jump in, Pat!

My second Thingaversary is this Wednesday so I'm going to get myself a copy of A View of the Harbour and I'll join you guys in March! Thanks for the encouragement to try a new author and for the links to Virago threads. This will be fun.

>177 phebj:: woot woot woot! Happy Thingaversary, Pat!

#177 Yay - so pleased you'll be joining us Pat :-)

>176 lauralkeet: A View of the Harbour is scheduled for March. And I already have it (it's even a Virago!).

>180 brenzi:: "like"

Thanks for the Thingaversary wishes, Laura! Looking forward to reading A View of the Harbour with so many LT friends. :)

Hello Pat, Laura, Peggy, Deborah, Paul, Heather and Bonnie!

So pleased you'll be joining us for March's Elizabeth Taylor read, Pat and Bonnie. And Happy Thingaversary for today, Pat!

I finished Taking Chances by Molly Keane yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it although it's an early one of hers and not as polished as her later Good Behaviour. A review may possibly be following shortly. Or it may not ;)

In shopping news: some excitement at the beginning of the week when poor Mr Dragon revealed that he had no idea what to buy me for my birthday on Friday. We resolved the little problem by Steve giving me some money with which to buy my own presents.

I bought a top and scarves from White Stuff, some L'Occitaine stuff and, ahem, a few books. Popping into Waterstones, I found lovely, brand new, fresh off the press, hardback copies of The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, The Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore and Advent by James Treadwell (which doesn't seem to have a touchstone). And also a paperback of 22 Britannia Road. I have given them to Steve to wrap and present to me on Friday. Most exciting :)

I just checked out that book you bought, The Snow Child, and I found out that it's based on a Russian fairy tale that I loved as a little girl! I am so happy that someone did a retelling of it. I will have to get this book, so thank you for mentioning it, Dee. :)

184: I'm not familiar with the fairy tale, Eris but I think that would make the book extra special so yes, you must get The Snow Child!

I can't believe that I am now recommending books which I haven't read yet! I have read the first few pages via the Amazon look inside feature though and was captivated.

Oh, Dee, what an exciting birthday! Happy, happy! White Stuff is not a shop we have here in Canada, but your top is lovely! And I LOVE L'Occitane stuff - that we do have here : ). Some books, too! Doesn't get any better. And btw, I laughed out loud at your "poor Mr. Dragon revealed to me ..."

Happy Birthday, Dee. I just picked up The Snow Child, too. You'll have to let. me know when you're going to read it.

Dee happy birthday to you from across the miles.

Happy Birthday, Dee! What exciting birthday!! How perfect that Mr Dragon gave you$$$$ for some great new books! That would be just my idea of a great gift too!

Happy birthday Dee! I hope you enjoy unwrapping your gifts :)

A big Happy Birthday to you, Dee. I like your approach to birthday gifts!

Thank you so much for your birthday greetings, Nancy, Beth, Paul, Deb, Laura and Pat!

Well, work was particularly busy yesterday and I was exhausted when I got home so not the most fun-filled birthday ever but had a lovely evening anyway! We had had vague plans to go out for a meal but Steve cooked the boys and me our usual friday night curry instead and also an apple crumble with a candle on the top! My mum bought me the Downton Abbey box set with series 1 & 2 and also the Christmas Special so I watched the first episode before reading Finding the Fox to the boys at 9 and collapsing into bed at 10! I will be meeting my good friend, Emma today for a post-birthday coffee.

My dad and my sister both gave me Amazon vouchers which will stall my 2012 goal to only buy books from real shops but I'm certainly not complaining ;). I'm very much looking forward to getting to my Waterstones buys once I've finished Dark Fire which is enjoyable but a chunkster. I have also been reading the 2011/2012 Child Support handbook in support of a friend who has a dispute with her ex-husband about access to their children. Not recommended bedtime reading!

Sounds like a pretty nice birthday, Dee! I like the idea of Friday night curry.

Happy belated birthday, Dee!

Oh, enjoy Downton Abbey, Dee! I've yet to watch the second series, but I have it recorded.

I just picked up the first two discs of Season 1 today. I'm recording Season 2. And sorry to have missed your birthday Dee but I see you ended up having a very happy one.

Hello and thank you Laura, Kerri, Nancy and Bonnie. Yes I had a quiet, but pretty nice, birthday thank you and am looking forward to catching up with those Downton Abbeys.

Book 12:

Taking Chances by Molly Keane



source: 1987 Virago Modern Classic edition bought from charity shop
reason for reading: Keane is this month's Monthly Author Reads choice. Also fits TIOLI two word title challenge.

Published in 1929, Taking Chances is one of Keane's earlier books and lacks the polish but also the complete cynicism of Keane's later Good Behaviour, the only other of hers which I've read. Keane seems to take the emotional lives of her young protagonists pretty seriously whilst knowing as we do that it will all end in tears. There is a great quote from The Irish Times on the back of my edition which looks at how Keane's writing develops after this book:

"The exuberance and melodrama of Taking Chances has a budding malice which ripened over fifty years into a glorious nastiness"

For me, this was one of those books where I could see the flaws but fell for it anyway. The story begins with Maeve, Roguey and Jer, a sister and two brothers living together in their grand Irish house, Sorristown. Maeve is engaged to be married to nearby landowner, Rowley and all is well until chief bridesmaid Mary turns up from England and attracts rather a lot of attention to herself!

Ok, a love triangle is not the most original of storylines, rich young people who enjoy fox hunting are not the most sympathetic of characters and unfortunately the ending of the book verges on the melodramatic. Yet Keane's writing is original and enjoyable enough to make the story feel fresh and the book a delight. The characterisation was well done and Keane has the ability to describe inner lives with utter vividness. My favourite character was the unfortunate little brother Jer but I was fascinated by Mary and could really believe in her charm.

I did enjoy this book and look forward to reading more of Keane's work, perhaps chronologically in future so I can watch the development of what the Irish Times calls that glorious nastiness but wonder if I might find I have a preference for the less polished and less nasty early ones?

4 stars

Edited to add: Taking Chances was originally published under the name M J Farrell. Keane preferred to be anonymous originally so as not to ruffle feathers amongst her upper-class associates. The introduction to my edition of Taking Chances says that by the time this one was published "Keane's literary life was no longer a secret" and the book "earned her some disapproval from the stricter brigade of local mothers".

Hm, that sounds interesting! Having read a couple of "later Keanes" so far, I am interested to start at the beginning now to see how her writing evolved. I'm enjoying that perspective on Elizabeth Taylor this year.

I've never heard of Keane before, but based on your review I should look into her. Nice review, and I love that quote about the book.

#183 Oh, I missed your birthday - belated happy birthday! Good choices of birthday prezzies - the tunic looks lovely (I love tunics tops). I've had The Snow Child reserved at the library for a while as I saw a really good blog review back in Dec.

#192 Downton Abbey! And apple crumble with a candle - that's so sweet.

198: Hi Laura. Yes, I'm usually a bit haphazard in my approach to the order I read authors but the Elizabeth Taylor year reads have made me think about the merit in following an author's development (or otherwise ;) ).

199: I was vaguely aware of Molly Keane in the 1980s but thought for a long time that she made hats! I think I'd got her mixed up with another Molly around at the time who was a milliner! It was reading about her at the LT Virago group which made things a lot clearer!

200: Thank you, Heather. Your enthusiasm for Downton made me particularly excited about that present. I've seen quite a few positive blog reviews of The Snow Child. The publishers must have sent out hundreds of review copies in the hope of creating a pre-publication stir and it obviously worked! I'm hoping to read it this month or next at the latest.

I'm currently reading one of my other birthday books, The Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore. It's really good and also rather short. I expect to finish it this evening.

Dee, wonderful review of Taking Chances! Love the quote and would also be tempted to read her work chronologically in order to fully take in a budding malice which ripened over fifty years into a glorious nastiness. How perfect is that!

202: :)

Book 13:

Dark Fire by C J Sansom



source: bought new from Amazon two years ago
reason for reading: TIOLI challenge re. a book from two genres and I have wanted to get around to it since enjoying the first in the series some time ago.

As I think most people reading this are now aware, Dark Fire is the second in an excellent series of crime novels set in sixteenth century England. Sansom combines mystery, historical atmosphere and politics to great effect and there is also a protagonist to admire and warm to in the form of lawyer, Matthew Shardlake. In Dark Fire, Shardlake has an assistant in the form of rough and ready Barak who acts as a foil to Shardlake's more dignified ways.

It is the hot summer of 1540 and Shardlake is working as a lawyer and trying to keep out of politics. As a favour to a friend he takes on a case which looks hopeless and is outside his official area of expertise, property law. Sixteen year old Elizabeth is accused of killing her young cousin. Shardlake's friend and Elizabeth's uncle, Joseph believes her innocent but she won't speak and the rest of her family are adamant she is guilty.

Shardlake takes on the case with little hope. However help may be available from a powerful and surprising source, Thomas Cromwell, on condition that Shardlake takes on another assignment! Which leads Shardlake and Barak on a long and complicated trail for the secret behind a substance which may be an alchemists dream or alternatively a dangerous weapon which would give considerable power to its owner.

These books are intelligently told with plenty of Tudor England intrigue and the atmosphere always feel right with plenty of convincing detail of the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London.

A satisfying read of nearly six hundred pages in my paperback edition. I do think the story could have been told effectively in less but I enjoyed my time in Tudor England so I won't complain!

4 stars

Book 14:

Flyte by Angie Sage



source: passed onto us by my dad.
reason for reading: recent bedtime reading for my son!

The second in the Septimus Heap series for older children and early teens. There is something quite heartwarming about this series which includes a lot of humour along with its dragons, wizards and battles against darke magyck. I have enjoyed reading them to my older son but have to admit I wouldn't bother reading them on my own as I find the writing style a bit stolid. More concerningly, my son says he wouldn't read them on his own either but he enjoys my reading them to him and does laugh out loud on a regular basis!

3 stars

Dee, I'm reading the first Shardlake right now and have that one on my shelves! I'm enjoying my time in Tudor England as well.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Dee. I love the idea of picking out my own presents. My husband does not shop. Period. Well, in the stores anyway. He did well at Christmas, however, with fulfilling my Amazon wishlist. Apparently, he liked the brown packaging it came in, too! ;-)

I'm going back to Tudor England in March. It's been too long since I've spent time with my buddy Matthew Shardlake.

Wonderful reviews, Dee. I've not yet read any of Samson's but I appreciate the reminder that this is another series not to be missed. Sansom combines mystery, historical atmosphere and politics to great effect and there is also a protagonist to admire and warm to in the form of lawyer, Matthew Shardlake ... and you make it sound so perfectly enticing!

How delightful that you and your son laugh out loud over bedtime-story adventures! I don't think it gets much better than that!

I must get back to the Shardlake series myself. I think I own the first 3 but would like to get the others too (but I'm happy to go Kindle because of that space issue).

Hello Dee! Loved your reviews of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Palladian.

Hey, I'm reading the first Shardlake right now too! Got it from my Secret Santa this year...

Oh yeah, Matthew Shardlake. That's almost exactly what I said when I read Dark Fire Dee. He probably could have cut 150 pages off the book. I'm going to be reading #3 in a couple weeks. March Mysteries you know.

Hi Dee, I'm just catching up. Hope it's not too late to wish you a belated happy birthday!

I have my eye on The Snow Child - it's been getting some great reviews. I just finished 22 Britannia Road and really liked it - hope you do too, when you get to it!

Enjoy Downton Abbey!

Stopping by to say hi, Dee! Just catching up.

Hello, Laura, Donna, Nancy, Luci, Lisa, Jim, Bonnie, Joanne and Deb! It was lovely to see messages waiting for me after one of those kind of weeks which involved extra time at work, dealing with some office politics and then sadly hearing of the death of one of our volunteers, lovely Kath. I had been a bit concerned when she hadn't turned up on the previous Friday but assumed it was because of the snow as she lived 19 miles away in Patrington. We then learnt on Wednesday that she had died suddenly on Friday from a blood clot to the brain at the age of 65. I attended the funeral, the following Friday at the beautiful St. Patrick's Church at Patrington. The church was full and it was clear from the tributes that she had touched many people's lives in many ways.

I have since come down with a horrible cold which is my usual response to the slightest amount of stress in my life and am feeling too woolly to review the wonderful books I have read since last posting. The Greatcoat was an absolute gem, wonderfully written as you would expect from Helen Dunmore. Gillespie and I was great too and recommended if you like novels set at the turn of the twentieth century, spinsters and unreliable narrators. I am now reading a collection of short stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner called The Museum of Cheats which I am loving and am just sad it seems to be out of print. I don't think anything by Sylvia Townsend Warner should be out of print- I find her writing such a joy to read.

I hope those of you reading, or about to read, Shardlake enjoy it as much as I did.

Dee: My condolences. Take care of your cold; perhaps resting with a good book?

Dee, nice to see you after a horrible week. Delighted you've enjoyed some wonderful reading: another Helen Dunmore and also Gillespie and I.

215: Thank you, Beth. I admit I've spent much of the weekend in bed with a book, recovering from last week!

216: And thank you, Nancy, it is lovely to see you here!

I have just remembered that tomorrow is my fourth Thingaversary. I don't think I'll have time to buy books, even online tomorrow but will have to make a definite decision on my selections soon. As Pat was saying, the choosing can be as fun as the receiving and I have spent some time browsing through my wish-list and wondering. My current read, The Museum of Cheats has reminded me of how much I love Sylvia Townsend Warner so will have to include something by her. Bonnie decided me on The Frozen Thames so that's a definite and then so many other possibilities...

I'm very sorry for your loss! And hope you're feeling better. Plus, happy Thingaversary!

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Dee. I am keen to see what you buy for your Thingaversary. Following so close on the heels of your birthday, it's an excuse to buy those you didn't receive as gifts!

Dee, I'm so sorry to hear about the death of one of your volunteers. That must have been quite a shock.

I hope a weekend of relaxing with good books does wonders for your cold.

And a slightly early Happy Thingaversary. I had a great time considering which books to order for mine and finally placed my order on Friday.

I hope this next week is a good one for you.

I just wanted to add my condolences and wishing you a speedy recovery from your cold.

Slowly making my way through various threads. Adding my condolences for your loss and hope you are feeling better!

Dee, so sorry to hear about your horrible week at work, dreadful cold and, certainly not least, the sad news about the death of one of your volunteers.

I'm glad to hear your recent reads have been good though. I've wanted to read Gillespie and I since falling in love with Harris' The Observations last year and another Dunmore to add to my wishlist.

I hope you start to feel better soon. And Happy Thingaversary!

Sorry about your loss and your cold. Hopefully your week improves greatly!

Happy Thingaversary!

I'm so sorry about the sudden loss of your volunteer Dee. I have Gillespie and I waiting for me at the library and I'll probably pick it up at the end of the week. It's always good to learn of another Dunmore but I have plenty of her previous novels to get to including Zennor in Darkness which is on my shelf. Happy Thingaversary!

Dear Dee, I'm getting here in my time to say Happy Thingaversary! I'm sorry for your loss and sorry that you were ill on top of that.
Your latest reading is causing my book glands to salivate. In my sort-of reading funk, I've picked up Revelation, but I really shouldn't be reading it yet. I have so much of the Rudge Trudge yet to walk, and my ARC, which is peculiar to say the least. Doggone reading goals anyway!

Thank you so much, Jim, Laura, Pat, Marie, Lori, Heather, Chelle, Bonnie and Peggy.

I now have a week off work, yay and hoorah! Exactly when I needed it! We will be spending the next couple of days in Manchester. Now this isn't most people's idea of a holiday destination but my boys love it, particularly the Northern Quarter which is an absolute haven of all things vintage, retro, manga and game related. Our hotel is a few minutes walk from Afflecks Palace which also does cooked breakfasts so despite my usual pleas for museums, the art gallery and book shops, we will probably be spending a lot of time there. We have a lot of fun there so I'm not really complaining!

I will be online but sharing one i-pad between four of us so probably not for long!

Have a nice holiday Dee!

Hope you enjoy the week off! Get some relaxation in, and find your balance again. :) Sounds like it'll be a good week!

Happy Holiday! Manchester sounds grand to me!

Dee, enjoy Manchester! Sounds like a break perfectly-timed!

Enjoy your week off!

Have fun, Dee!

Enjoy your week away DD, it certainly sounds like you need it.

So sorry for your loss, Dee. Have a wonderful break. I am very glad to hear that GreatCoat was a gem! On your recommendation I am nearly through House of Orphans by Helen Dunmore. That's my third Dunmore this year and I can't wait to get Greatcoat!

Mention of Manchester - my old firm in the shadows of Strangeways by Cheetham Hill, Coronation Street, Matt Busby, Charlton, Best and Law - Belle Vue dog track and betting stubs thrown in delight as trap number 6 brings home the bacon. Have a great time on a non-standard holiday!

Thank you Laura, Faith, Peggy, Nancy, Lori, Pat, Leonie, Deb and Paul for all your good wishes! It was good to get away with the family and we spent some time at Hebden Bridge as well as Manchester. Much of our evenings then and since have been spent playing an addictive board game called Carcasonne bought by the boys in a Manchester games shop.

As usual, I returned from my travels with some charity shop finds:

Carol by Patricia Highsmith (Also published as The Price of Salt- recommended by Val McDermid as her favourite forgotten classic)
The Book of Colour by Julia Blackburn (an Orange prize nomination and I enjoyed Blackburn's The Three of Us)
Fault Lines by Nancy Huston (an Orange shortlister, recently recommended by Laura)
The Swimmer by Roma Tearne (another Orange. I read this whilst I was away and liked it with some reservations)
The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds (have wondered about this one for a while)
Winnie and Wolf by A.N Wilson (looked interesting but doesn't have great LT reviews)
Union Street by Pat Barker (another Virago Modern Classic for my collection)
An Angel at My Table by Janet Frame (been on my wishlist forever!)

I also bought a couple of Elizabeth Taylor Virago Modern Classics which I'll be offering on the Virago group duplicates thread in the very near future.

I hope to catch up with reviews later on in the week and am now off to find out what's been happening on everyone elses threads...

#237 - What a successful shopping trip! I would like to get to the Pat Barker novels at some point. Isn't that one part of a trilogy? Trilogies sometimes scare me away, although I know they shouldn't.

Carcasonne is a really good game. We've had it for a few years now and it's one of the few that I can actually still beat my son at. I've been trying to persuade my husband that a city break in a non-touristy UK city (like Manchester or Liverpool) would be a good idea, but no-one apart from me is convinced.

Good to "see" you, Dee! Delighted you had a great week : ).

So glad you're back Dee. It sounds like a great vacation. I need to check out Carcasonne.

I was a student in Manchester and would have loved to stay there, my sister was a student there after me and still lives in Stockport. My last visits were a few years ago for Dead on Deansgate, an event Waterstones organised 2 or 3 times.

I also wouldn't mind revisiting Hebden Bridge, although if we have a Yorkshire holiday which includes anywhere other than Ilkley (mum) and Harrogate (Crime Festival - Dee, if I can tempt you this pretty much always the Friday and Saturday at the end of the summer term (I'm wondering how naughty it would be to take D out of school at this point (Thursday and Friday), I would probably choose Leeds where I was brought up, York and Whitby.

My ex boyfriend was from Hull (Anlaby) and I stayed with him there one Christmas. (I wonder if you've ever met him, he's an advice worker too, he started with Leeds CAB as a volunteer and briefly a paid worker).

Liverpool has bona fide tourist attractions, SandDune, but if you can't persuade him of that, York is more touristy but fun to visit, Ilkley and Skipton could be combined with a bit of countryside and/or a day or two in Leeds. I enjoy an excuse to visit Harrogate but I think tourism there is really driven by the conference trade. I used to stay in a lovely family run B & B there.

Hi Kerri. Pat Barker is worth reading. I think Union Street is a standalone novel and one of her earlier ones. You may be thinking of her Regeneration trilogy. I read the first and second of those and found them powerful reading. I can get intimidated by trilogies too. I'm sure I would have got round to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by now if it wasn't part of a trilogy.

Hello Rhian, thanks for visiting. You may find that as your son gets older he becomes more keen on a British city holiday. You'll be able to lure him in with the manga and retro games shops and then suddenly find yourself in the art galleries and museums after all! Your husband might be trickier to persuade though...

Ooh hello Nancy, Pat and Luci! You all posted while I was posting and now the door bell's just rung! Will be right back!!

Glad you had a good holiday. I love the Carcassonne board game - my parents-in-law got us the main game with a couple of the expansions a few years ago and it's great fun. And a nice book haul too - I have Union Street to read too.

*deals with inpromptu visit from in-laws and returns*

240 and 241: Thank you so much for the warm welcomes back, Nancy and Pat. Pat, I'd heard of Carcasonne before and didn't think it would be for me but it's surprisingly addictive and has a good combination of luck and stragedy.

242: Luci, I love York. Well, with all the history and second-hand bookshops, how could anyone not?! I had a great camping weekend in Whitby with my husband years ago, before he was my husband and before we had kids and loved the atmosphere. We keep talking about going back though we probably woudn't camp this time.

I've only been to Leeds for courses at work and would like to explore it a bit more. I have a feeling I haven't seen the best of it during my trips from the station to the Merrion Centre and back! Maybe I've met your husband at one of those courses?! Probably not actually, thinking about it as I've only been working in advice for a few years and you're in London now. Before having my own children, I was a primary school teacher. I had some time out when the boys were babies, didn't fancy returning to teaching, did some voluntary work with the local CAB and then found a paid job there.

I am tempted by the Harrogate festival but it always seems more complicated to get to Harrogate than it should be considering the distance from Hull isn't all that far!

245: Thank you, Heather. We're thinking about expansions for Carcasonne already. Which one(s) would you recommend?

Glad you're back, Dee, especially since you bring such an interesting list of books and the name "Carcasonne!" The Orange lists amaze me. I don' t think I've ever looked at The Book of Colour. As I checked the others out, I ended up adding Brixton Beach to my wishlist rather than The Swimmer. (Note to self: get to Pat Barker and Fault Lines and the Janet Frame that you own.)

Hi Dee, new board game, fun sights and book haul! What could be better? I picked up The Quickening Maze a few months ago but haven't gotten to it yet. Good to have you back.

No, it's my ex who is the advice worker - he works for DIAL near Leeds now and lives in Wakefield, but it seems less likely if you've not been an advice worker for all that time as he's been in his current post for even longer than I've been in mine, which seems funny to me as when we first met he was in so many ways the government stereotype of a benefit scrounger. He hasn't changed much in appearance but in lifestyle he has.

Hi Peggy. I don't think The Book of Colour has been talked about yet at the Orange group but I was quite wowed by Julia Blackburn's memoir so have been looking out for it.

Brixton Beach and Mosquito seem to have been better received overall than The Swimmer. I didn't dislike The Swimmer as much as Darryl who gave it 2.5 stars but did have some issues with it!

Hello Bonnie. You must have been posting here while I was posting on your thread! I have a feeling that The Quickening Maze will probably sit on my TBR, neglected for a while. I borrowed it from the library once but never got around to it. Ah well, at least it's here now if the right moment does come. Maybe I should devise a TIOLI challenge involving mazes or labyrinths!

249: Oh sorry, Luci. I'm not sure why I read ex-boyfriend as husband! I now have quite a strong image in my head of your ex and feel as if I should be able to recognise him if our paths ever crossed ;)

#243 It's definitely my husband who's the problem when it comes to visiting some of these cities. I have Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool on my list but he's not keen. I think the problem is that the last time he went to them was in the mid 1980's when things were much more run down so he doesn't have good memories. To be honest, my son will go pretty much anywhere as long as there's a hotel and eating out involved.

I know Hebden Bridge slightly as my husband's from that area originally. We've had some nice walks around there.

If you like board games have you tried Settlers of Catan? That's been pretty much our favourite over a couple of years - although it has the disadvantage that I very rarely win.

Hi Dee! Can't keep up with your thread!

Your mini vacation sounded delightful, Dee. Couldn't have come at a better time after a stressful week at work. So sorry about your volunteer Kath. A reminder to make every day count.

You picked up some interesting books on your trip. I think you have your Thingaversary covered. Belated congratulations!

252: Rhian, I've just noticed you live in Bishops Stortford. I lived in the South East before I moved up to Hull. Are you the Rhian from ReadItSwapIt by any chance? I'm sure I've swapped books with a Rhian from Bishops Stortford!

Settlers of Catan does look good. Thannks for the reccy!

253 and 254: Hello Ren and Donna! Donna, re. my Thingaversary. Well, yes that would be my five books covered but I also pre-ordered three books before I went away in celebration of that special day. The lovely new Virago Modern Classic editions of The Corner that held Them and Lolly Willowes arrived yesterday and I believe The Detour is on its way! 'Citing!

I suppose I should be thinking about a new thread...