In order to keep myself on track regarding my Personal Challenge and reading in general, I am going to do a summing up at the end of each month just to see how I am doing. I feel I have started the year off well. I have read 12 books in January (I know it's not quite finished yet, but I am halfway through a book which I will finish before Wednesday so have counted that in) and have now drawn a neat line under my book list for the month..
So, how have I got on? My penchant for detective stories is still flourishing and this month they have been of the 1930's variety, two by Dorothy L Sayers and one Ngaio Marsh. Then, as part of the Winter Classics Challenge, I have read Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott and my umpteenth read of Jane Austen's Persuasion. My warm and fuzzy read was Maeve Binchy and I have also read quite a lot of the Transita output in the last few weeks: The Jigsaw Maker by Adrienne Dines; The Crowded Bed by Mary Cavanagh and Stage by Stage by Jan Jones (thank you to all these kind and generous authors who have sent me their books to review). The Ladies of Gracie Adieu is next up by Susanna (Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell) Clarke which I loved and gorgeous book to have on the shelves too, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Today which I also loved but know others didn't. Apparently, it was discussed on Newsnight the other night and I am most irritated to have missed it, but am going to see if I can track it down on the BBC website and have a look. Very funny and witty with a satirical political slant to it.
And then I come to the two killer books I have read in the last ten days. Two books that totally pole axed me emotionally for differing reasons. My first Ian McEwan, Enduring Love - I shall read more of him (after I have had a period of recovery) and then the final one which I have just posted about over the weekend, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I will say no more about this as I have already made my feelings about this wonderful book very clear, but will just urge everyone who can to get hold of it and read it. Please, do have the tissues handy.
I am simply staggered and stunned to announce that out of these twelve books, 8 were written in the 21st century and, what is more, all the authors are ALIVE!!!
Yes, yes I know....don't clap me I know I am good...
