Joining in with Laura at A Circle of Pines for The Year in Books.
In May I read three books a page turning crime novel called Natural Causes by James Oswald (link in my side bar) which I mentioned in my post for May's book and the two books below.
I loved reading both of these books, both so well written they flowed along in a perfectly seamless way from beginning to end.
Trains and Lovers - The Heart's Journey by Alexander McCall Smith is about four people sitting together on the train journey from Edinburgh to London. They start talking to each other and each tells their story of a love that has affected their lives. It isn't though a book of romance but rather a book about human nature told in a warm and sympathetic manner. This book was very different to the Isabel Dalhousie and 44 Scotland Street novels which I love but even so I found myself immersed in the story very quickly.
How Many Camels are there in Holland? - Dementia, Ma and Me by Phyllida Law is about how she dealt with her mother's increasing dementia whilst still working at her acting career and with the help of her two daughters the actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson. As Phyllida flies and flits between her mother's home in Scotland and various film locations across Europe she writes with great humour about her own life and with dignity and tenderness about her mother's struggles and those of her family to cope with the awful condition of dementia.
One of the books I will be dipping into in June is Wild Wales by George Borrow which I picked up for a modest sum from a second hand book shop. Written in 1854 it starts with a railway journey from East Anglia across the country and into Wales. I've read a little into it already and George Borrow, his wife and daughter have journeyed as far as Chester where they are spending a few days before travelling into Wales. I love the details of the journey and the humour of the writer so far and we haven't even got into Wales yet!
I have two books reserved at the local library including the latest Cooper and Fry novel by Stephen Booth, which I can't wait to read, but I am way back in the queue so I may seek out something else to read for June whilst I am waiting.
Happy reading!
I have two books reserved at the local library including the latest Cooper and Fry novel by Stephen Booth, which I can't wait to read, but I am way back in the queue so I may seek out something else to read for June whilst I am waiting.
Happy reading!
I also read Phyllida Law last month... times when it made me laugh out loud and times too, when it was sad, touching. But enjoyable definitely.
ReplyDeleteIt is good isn't it - I enjoyed her first book Notes to My Mother-in-Law too:)
DeleteRosie you are a prolific reader! I have been reading the same book for months! I guess I need to find a book I can engage with to keep me wanting to read it. Trains and Lovers looks as though it may interest me. I remember as a teenager reading Flowers in the Attic , I think by Virginia Andrews. I was fascinated about the children hidden in the attic. I wish I could find a book that had such an impact on me today. x
ReplyDeleteGosh, I don't think I'm a prolific reader my sister-in-law reads about two books a week!! I've heard of Virginia Andrews but never read any of her books perhaps I should seek some out. Trains and Lovers is quite a short book and draws you in straight away:)
DeleteThe Phyllida Law sounds especially interesting, I think that she seems like a very kind person whenever I have seen her on a talk show or anything. If only I didn't already have so many books in my pile I would like to add this one to the heap. Hope that you enjoy your reads for June! xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely book and easy to read in the sense that it draws you in and has little illustrations and is vey amusing but touching too, She seems like a person with lots of warmth and caring for other people:)
DeleteI'm going through a 'dipping into' phase at the moment with my reading so non fiction books are ideal such as the one about Wales. The Phyllida Law one would be good for our book group discussions although I don't get to organise our reading as one of our members gets a special set from the library and our choice is limited to older publications. I'm going to a local book launch event next week to hear one of our local authors give a talk about her latest novel which should be interesting even though I'm not doing much reading at the moment.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, the Phyllida Law would mae a great book for a discussion group. The Wales book is a 'dip into' book as you can start anywhere. I hope you enjoy the book launch and that you can get back into reading soon:)
DeleteAnother great selection. I must admit that most of my reading comes from the local charity shop these days, but fortunately someone who donates has great taste in books!! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's the local library, The Works or the Brierlow Bar bookshop for me - I picked up the Wales book at an NT second hand book shop recently:)
DeleteA good month's worth of reading! Thanks for joining in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura:)
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