the year in books: january

The year in books. After failing to complete recording my reads last year, I am excited to be joining in again with Laura for a year long feast of literary goodness. 

I am determined to stay on course this year. I won't allow life's distractions to get in the way of my reading. I will enjoy taking time to lose myself in the wonderful world of words.

This month I've been reading Time's Echo by Pamela Hartshorne and The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. Laura's pledge to source her books from independent, second hand or charity bookshops has inspired me to try to do the same. So this month, Time's Echo was a charity shop find and The Cuckoo's Calling was passed on to me by my brother.

I'm looking forward to seeing what I find for February.

Joining in with Laura for the year in books.

the year in books: september

Last month's read Perfect by Rachel Joyce was just that, perfect. I loved it. The writing is beautiful. Insightful and very descriptive. The story held me captivated all the way to the end. The characters were so well drawn they seemed real. Perfect definitely deserves a recommendation.

Rachel's first novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has also been added to my reading pile.

I've just started reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

Joining as always with Laura for the year in books.

the year in books: august

By the skin of my teeth. My year in books August post. Last month I read That Summer at Hill Farm by Miranda France. It is a well written first novel set on a farm in the English countryside.

The main plot centres around Hill Farm and Hayes, the farmer, his wife Isobel and their three children. The village inhabitants, who are a little stereotyped, play a role in the drama which unfolds in this idyllic rural setting.  The author has a natural writing style which I really enjoyed. She eloquently describes life in the countryside. Both the good and bad.

The novel does drift occasionally though and comes to an unresolved end which left me feeling slightly shortchanged. Despite this, That Summer at Hill Farm is worth reading. I'd definitely read future novels by Miranda France.

For the year in books in September I've chosen Perfect by Rachel Joyce. I'm hoping it lives up to its recommendation from The Times. 'You will end up recommending this wild, searching book to everyone you know.' I'll let you know next month if I reckon a recommendation is deserved.

Joining in as always with Laura.

the year in books: july

For the year in books last month I read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. I loved it. Unreservedly, in fact.

It is beautifully written, brimming with well drawn, interesting characters and has an original, unstructured format. The novel raises the question 'What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?' 

There have been rave reviews about Life after Life but I know some people haven't gotten on with it. Persevere, I think it is well worth the effort. I loved it and quickly became wrapped up in Ursula's lives. It will be a joy to read again.

This month I am reading That Summer at Hill Farm by Miranda France.

Joining in as always with Laura.

the year in books: may & june

May has flown by in a flurry of family celebrations, leaving little time for curling up with a cup of tea and a good book.

Not a great excuse but the only one I have. But I do have good intentions. I will get back on track.  This month, I need to finish The Land of Decoration, my May read and I have a copy of Kate Atkinson's Life after Life waiting in the wings.

I am really enjoying this project and despite life getting in the way sometimes, I'm delighted with how being part of #theyearinbooks has revived my love of books and reading.

Joining in as always with Laura.

the year in books: april

My book choice for April is a lovely hardback I bought a while back called The Land of Decoration. I love the illustration on the cover and the end papers. Not the most sensible reason for adding a title to my reading list but an irresistible one all the same.  I am a complete sucker for a pretty book.

I am looking forward to seeing if the story will equal its prettiness.

For #theyearinbooks March read, I chose The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  I really enjoyed it.  It was utterly absorbing from the start.

The Book Thief is the story of a little girl living in Germany during WW2. The story is told from the perspective of working class Germans during wartime.  Not a usual perspective, but very interesting.  Death narrates the novel, guiding the reader through the story, providing insights into the characters and future happenings. The writing style is unique and really adds to the experience.

I particularly loved Liesel, the little girl, her desire to read and her unquenchable love of words.  Qualities at the heart of every bibliophile.

I also finished The Night Rainbow which I started as a second read in February. It was fairly enjoyable. Definitely not a page turner.  Although short it took me a while to finish.  A 'slow burn', I would say.

Joining in with Laura.

the years in books: march

Oh how I love #theyearinbooks. Laura's project has motivated me to get on with reading again. The pleasure gained from allowing myself to become lost in a book is a delight. 

For my February read I had chosen Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple. I wasn't disappointed. Persephone books are beautiful. And I loved this title. I hadn't read any other books by Dorothy Whipple so had no preconceptions about the story or writing style.

Dorothy Whipple is a very accomplished author. Someone at a Distance is an exceptionally well written tale of the disintegration of a family in the 1950s. The characters are well drawn and I found myself becoming rather attached to them. The author uses sharp observations of men and women of the time and while the novel begins slowly, it quickly becomes so gripping I found it difficult to put down. 

Someone at a Distance is a beautifully written and absorbing novel about adultery, love and sacrifice and how hope shines through in the end. I look forward to reading more books by this wonderful author.

I also started a second book, The Night Rainbow in February which I will finish very soon. I have chosen The Book Thief for my March read. It seems to be everywhere at the moment with the recent release of the film version. I hope its a good one.

As an aside, I'm not sure I am providing you with very useful reviews. I am conscious of not giving away too much of the story, so maybe I am not supplying enough information. This is a result of personal preference. I really dislike knowing too much about a book before beginning reading and so apologies if I seem to be holding back on the details.

Joining in with Laura.

the year in books: february

Joining in with Laura for #theyearinbooks, my choice for February is Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple.

I perused the Persephone catalogue happily for a few hours, eventually settling for this novel. It arrived by post a little while ago and I have loved delving into it.  

For my January read I chose This Perfect World by Suzanne Bugler.  A book from my bookshelf which had gone unread until now.  The novel is well written, tackling the difficult subject of bullying head on.  

The story focuses on Laura, as she enjoys her seemingly blissful existence, that is, until her less than perfect past comes back to haunt her. It is a quick read which is dark and uncomfortable at times.  The story vividly illustrates how perfect existences can collapse like a tower of cards. Whilst I couldn't say that I really liked this book it made interesting, if unsettling reading.  

I am looking forward to my next book and will be having a look through Goodreads to help me choose.

If you fancy joining in or finding inspiration for reading more you can find Laura and lots of lovely bibliophiles here. 

the year in books: january

I have always loved to read. Ever since I was little. Any reading material would do. When I ran out of books, my granny's People's Friend and Ireland's Owns provided me with words to fuel my desire to read.  

My mum who isn't an avid reader, could never understand my love for the written word.  I think it infuriated her that I constantly had my head in a book.  But reading transported me to new and exciting places. Reading provided me with a great escape.

As life took over and time constraints infringed, I have not made time to read my beloved books.  I still read lots of magazines, blogs, craft and cookery books, short bursts to satisfy my love of words.   But not nearly enough books.  

I love the experience of reading.  The smell when you first open a new book. Turning the pages as you become engrossed in the story.  Marking your place with a bookmark until the next opportunity to cosy up and enjoy another few chapters.

I have been perusing the lovely Persephone Catalogue over the weekend, deliberating over which book to choose.  I will make my decision tonight and place an order.  A little gift for me.

I have already started to read This Perfect World, a novel unread on my bookshelf.  Number one of many more books, I hope. 

Linking up with the lovely Laura for #theyearinbooks.  If you love to read you too should visit Laura at the circle of pine trees.  Her blog is beautiful.

I have also opened an account at Goodreads.  You can find me here.