“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”
Roald Dahl, Matilda
I've been thinking this month about why I read and I have come to the conclusion that I read for two reasons: to learn something new or to escape. This affects my choice of books and I found that challenged last month with the book club book. But I have joined a book club to be challenged and find new authors and books. That said, I know that I also need to read my favourites - the authors and books that I enjoy and relax to. Now onto the books themselves...
Books I read in February
A Classic:**Book of the month**
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Vol 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien This book has been on my 'to read' list for many years now, but I've never persevered with it. A couple of years ago I got hold of a dramatise audio version of The Lord of the Rings trilogy which I have listened to in the car. I think this has really helped with getting on with the book. In fact I have loved it so much that it is my book of the month! I have loved the detail, especially the different languages:
"Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul"
I'm looking forward to the next book and the next stage of the story (along with watching the second film and listening to the dramatisation again!)
Bookish Mama Book Club:
The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
What a lovely book! After the last Bookish Mama book I was a little nervous of what February's book would be like but I couldn't put it down and finished it within a day!! I found it to be a comfortable read about the uncomfortable topic of mental health. This book is set in 1919 and is written from the perspective of a young girl called Henry whose mother is unwell, father is a way with work and brother has died. In the Bookish Mamas Book Club it received very mixed reviews with some finding it underdeveloped and obvious. I, however, enjoyed it and feel that the more simple plot was due to it being aimed at young teens (9-13ish).
Unfinished Business:
The Whistler by John Grisham
I had got halfway through this book and then for some reason stopped. I suspect that it was when I was ill and I needed an easier book that a meaty Grisham legal thriller! Like many of his books this is complex and needs concentration, but I didn't enjoy this as much as some of his others. The basic storyline is based around an anonymous tip-off about a corrupt judge's involvement with the mafia. It was tricky at times to keep track of the different characters and their place in the story. I'm pleased to have finished it, but it won't be on my re-read list.
Others:
Redemption by Karen Kingsbury
Kari Baxter Jacobs discovers her husband’s affair and decides to love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This is not an easy topic to read about, but it was really encouraging and refreshing to have a Christian viewpoint. The book sometimes come across as a little too perfect, but the approach was refreshing.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
What a book! I'm not sure how I would sum this book up: it is a "sci-fi historical romantic mystery"! This is a whopper of a book at over 800 pages and it kept me reading, but I still can't decide what I think of it! I finished the book and enjoyed reading it, but I'm not itching to read the next one in the series, nor do I think I will re-read it. However, it was a fascinating read and it raises some interesting comparisons between life in Scotland in the 18th century and life in post-war Britain.
Grand Depart (The Yorkshire Dales Mystery Book 7) by Susan Parry
I was given this book a few years ago by my sister who lives in North Yorkshire. The book is set in Yorkshire (Wensleydale and Swaledale) in the months before the 'Grand Depart' of the 2014 Tour de France. It is a cosy mystery but has enough twists and turns to keep my attention, with the added bonus of knowing some of the locations and, being a fan of the Tour de France, enjoying the cycling storyline.
(NB: I actually started reading this book as I wanted something to read in the bath and didn't want to take Outlander in as it's a library book!! We had been without hot water for a couple of weeks and I was looking forward to a relaxing evening...)
Five Give Up The Booze (Enid Blyton for Grown Ups) by Bruno Vincent
I have been a Famous Five fan since I was 8 years old, and even now I will return to the imaginary world of Kirrin Island with lots of affection. We love holidaying in Dorset in the area that Enid Blyton used to inspire the books and visit places such as Corfe Castle, Brownsea Island and Studland which I can spot in the books.
I picked up this book in a charity shop having read a few others last year. It is very predictable, but I love it as it takes me back and makes me laugh! A quick and easy read.
The Whistler by John Grisham
I had got halfway through this book and then for some reason stopped. I suspect that it was when I was ill and I needed an easier book that a meaty Grisham legal thriller! Like many of his books this is complex and needs concentration, but I didn't enjoy this as much as some of his others. The basic storyline is based around an anonymous tip-off about a corrupt judge's involvement with the mafia. It was tricky at times to keep track of the different characters and their place in the story. I'm pleased to have finished it, but it won't be on my re-read list.
Others:
Redemption by Karen Kingsbury
Kari Baxter Jacobs discovers her husband’s affair and decides to love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This is not an easy topic to read about, but it was really encouraging and refreshing to have a Christian viewpoint. The book sometimes come across as a little too perfect, but the approach was refreshing.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
What a book! I'm not sure how I would sum this book up: it is a "sci-fi historical romantic mystery"! This is a whopper of a book at over 800 pages and it kept me reading, but I still can't decide what I think of it! I finished the book and enjoyed reading it, but I'm not itching to read the next one in the series, nor do I think I will re-read it. However, it was a fascinating read and it raises some interesting comparisons between life in Scotland in the 18th century and life in post-war Britain.
Grand Depart (The Yorkshire Dales Mystery Book 7) by Susan Parry
I was given this book a few years ago by my sister who lives in North Yorkshire. The book is set in Yorkshire (Wensleydale and Swaledale) in the months before the 'Grand Depart' of the 2014 Tour de France. It is a cosy mystery but has enough twists and turns to keep my attention, with the added bonus of knowing some of the locations and, being a fan of the Tour de France, enjoying the cycling storyline.
(NB: I actually started reading this book as I wanted something to read in the bath and didn't want to take Outlander in as it's a library book!! We had been without hot water for a couple of weeks and I was looking forward to a relaxing evening...)
Five Give Up The Booze (Enid Blyton for Grown Ups) by Bruno Vincent
I have been a Famous Five fan since I was 8 years old, and even now I will return to the imaginary world of Kirrin Island with lots of affection. We love holidaying in Dorset in the area that Enid Blyton used to inspire the books and visit places such as Corfe Castle, Brownsea Island and Studland which I can spot in the books.
I picked up this book in a charity shop having read a few others last year. It is very predictable, but I love it as it takes me back and makes me laugh! A quick and easy read.
Books I hope to read in March
A Classic:
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Vol 2) by J.R.R.Tolkien
Having enjoyed The Fellowship of the Ring so much I have decided to read The Two Towers this month. Hopefully there will be a bit of momentum, but I am also planning on watching the film to help me identify the key characters and storyline.
Bookish Mama Book Club:
How to stop time by Matt Haig
I hadn't heard of Matt Haig before this book was nominated for this month's book club read so have no idea what I have in store... It looks to be an interesting read, especially following on from Outlander in February!
Unfinished Business:
Belgravia by Julian Fellowes
This book looked promising as it came with great reviews and has been written by the creator of Downton Abbey, but when I started it I only managed to get 2 chapters into the book; it didn't really grab me. But I will give it another bash this month and see what happens!
Others:
I have three books carried over from last month. February is 3 days shorter (that is at least one book worth!) plus February had some pretty hefty books on the list!
Walking the Himalayas by Levison Wood
Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford
Simplify by Bill Hybels
In addition to these three I am also hoping to read:
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
I picked this book up in a charity shop yesterday having read most of Michael Connelly's books in the past. This is another one about the character Harry Bosch and he is now a private investigator. I'm looking forward to the mystery...
Le Bumper Book of Franglais by Miles Kington
I did French for my degree and have always had a love for the language and the country of France. I spotted this book in the charity shop this week and thought it looked like a fun read.
Simplify by Bill Hybels
In addition to these three I am also hoping to read:
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
I picked this book up in a charity shop yesterday having read most of Michael Connelly's books in the past. This is another one about the character Harry Bosch and he is now a private investigator. I'm looking forward to the mystery...
Le Bumper Book of Franglais by Miles Kington
I did French for my degree and have always had a love for the language and the country of France. I spotted this book in the charity shop this week and thought it looked like a fun read.
Total list of books read in 2018
18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Vol 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien
17. Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent
16. The Whistler by John Grisham
15. Grand Depart by Susan Perry
14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
13. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
12. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury
11. Walking the Nile by Levison Wood
10. Valley of the Shadow (Cornish Mystery 3) by Carola Dunn
9. The Black Ship (Daisy Dalrymple 18) by Carola Dunn
8. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult
7. The Power by Naomi Alderman
6. Without Warning (Elite Guardians 2) by Lynette Eason
5. Always Watching (Elite Guardians 1) by Lynette Eason
4. The Bloody Tower (Daisy Dalrymple 16) by Carola Dunn
3. Requiem for a Mezzo (Daisy Dalrymple 3) by Carola Dunn
2. Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth) by M.C.Beaton
1. Black Raven (Shetland Book 1) by Ann Cleeves
17. Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent
16. The Whistler by John Grisham
15. Grand Depart by Susan Perry
14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
13. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
12. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury
11. Walking the Nile by Levison Wood
10. Valley of the Shadow (Cornish Mystery 3) by Carola Dunn
9. The Black Ship (Daisy Dalrymple 18) by Carola Dunn
8. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult
7. The Power by Naomi Alderman
6. Without Warning (Elite Guardians 2) by Lynette Eason
5. Always Watching (Elite Guardians 1) by Lynette Eason
4. The Bloody Tower (Daisy Dalrymple 16) by Carola Dunn
3. Requiem for a Mezzo (Daisy Dalrymple 3) by Carola Dunn
2. Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth) by M.C.Beaton
1. Black Raven (Shetland Book 1) by Ann Cleeves
