Tuesday 4 February 2014

Winter reading


Last night I finally finished my January choice for Laura's The Year in Books link-up. You may recall I was reading The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling. 

It was a long book. I'd read a few reviews which described it as 'dark' - I suppose the first book for adults by someone known as a hugely successful children's writer would be expected to be fairly lightweight. It isn't. It's funny in places; her character observations are great and I did find it difficult to put down of an evening. But it was also gritty, sad and by the end, downright depressing.

Would I recommend giving it a go? Yes. Is it a feel-good read? Most definitely not.

So my next book is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey: set in 1920s Alaska it tells the tale of a couple who find themselves visited by a mysterious little girl and of the impact she has on their lives. I'm looking forward to it. My glasses are at the ready.

I've noticed that The Goldfinch (Donna Tartt) is a popular choice and is getting some good reviews so have put my name down on the waiting list for it at the local library.

Of course, there's the usual pile of books beside the bed vying for my attention. I dip in and out of them as the mood takes me: cookery books, poetry and a few on Scotland. Joe and I went to the library after playgroup today and I let him loose in the children's section. He was more interested in rearranging the furniture than looking at books so I chose him some and he made a huge fuss when I put him back in his pushchair to leave. Fortunately it didn't last. The self-checkout facility distracted him nicely.

There are also a couple of books sitting on the stairs: the story of Liz Jones getting married (frothy, I'm sure) and To Kill a Mockingbird. Both were given to me to pass on to the charity shop. I may try the latter. Various people have either raved about it or been left indifferent after reading it so I'll have a look. Sometimes you get along with a book, sometimes you don't. But I've always believed that life's too short to stick with a book you're not enjoying. There are far too many gems waiting to be discovered and enjoyed and, sometimes, treasured and re-read.

These are the books you pass on to others. Cold Comfort Farm is one: I read it and knew my mum would love it, and indeed she did. It's one of her all-time favourites. Likewise, she passed on Daughters of the House by Michele Roberts and I loved that too.

Books are wonderful things, aren't they? (I wouldn't say no to a Kindle though)...

20 comments:

  1. Kindles have their place, Sarah, but you can't beat a lovely, crisp book. I have a kindle but I still love the feel of a beautiful book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, definitely! I adore books... a Kindle would just be for occasional use.

      When I read about the author of my current read I found out she lives in Alaska and works in an independent bookshop. My dream life!

      Delete
  2. Fab to find another bookworm joining in Laura's Year in Books. Casual Vacancy is my choice for March, I've read her book under her pseudonym and absolutely loved it so hoping this won't disappoint. You should definitely read To Kill A Mockingbird, one of top 5 favourites!
    Happy reading.
    Zoe x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! You're well organised, having a book lined up for March (or, like me, have a pile of them you want to read as soon as you get the chance!)
      I hope you enjoy The Casual Vacancy. The characters are really well-observed. I have to say, I picked it up for some reason thinking it would be a twee little tale about a boarding house! Not a bit of it...
      Looking forward to hearing what you make of it.
      Sarah x

      Delete
  3. I started ' A Casual Vacancy ' but didn't finish it. Read about 50 pages and realized that I didn't care what happened to any of the chapters,, so decided life was too short. I loved to 'Kill A Mocking Bird' . It's a long time since I read it and I'm thinking of re-reading this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know how you feel. I've been given books people have recommended highly to me, only to find I just cannot get into them so I always move on.
      Good to see people have enjoyed Harper Lee... I'll keep hold of the book and get around to reading it :)

      Delete
  4. Hi Sarah. I have read "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey. I enjoyed the story and I really liked some of the characters in the book. The story also gives a good insight into the lives of settlers in the far North. I have "The casual vacancy" on my list of books to read but might leave it for a while, I need something light and cheerful just now. Cx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good idea! I did enjoy it a lot but it's probably not a February book. Gritty realism has its place but so does escapism... I'm a fan of the latter.
      Once I was feeling really down (bad relationship, hated my job etc) and decided to read Prozac Nation. That was a bad move!
      I'm enjoying The Snow Child so far - there's nothing better than knowing you have a good book awaiting you on the bedside table x

      Delete
  5. I love to read. I really enjoyed The Snow Child. I read that last winter and it really stuck with me. You'll enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird, I think. It's one of my favorite books. I used to teach high school English and my students always loved it too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used to be an English teacher too! Strange though, we never did read To Kill a Mockingbird. Maybe I'll revisit The Catcher in the Rye too. I last read that when I was in my early teens and was unmoved. Sometimes things are better the second time around...

      Delete
  6. I think I might save The Casual Vacancy for when it's brighter and more cheerful outside - not sure I fancy depressing and dull at the moment! I read The Snow Child over Christmas - it was a good read. It appealed to my memories of reading Little House on the Prairie as a child! I won't say any more as I don't want to spoil it for you. There's something nice about reading snow-filled, frosty books when the weather is the same though (not that we've got snow, just piles of rain).
    I find the self-checkout is a great distraction too - sometimes slightly too distracting though, as Isla then just fetches piles of books to put in the machine... xx p.s. please burn the book about Liz Jones getting married...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brilliant! Liz Jones can go straight to the charity shop then. I'm always a bit wary of books with cartoony covers anyway (unless they're for Joe).

      You've reminded me, too - I've always wanted to read Laura Ingalls Wilder. I'll jot that down. I started The Snow Child last night and we got along very nicely:)

      Library visits with toddlers are fun but you're aware that people like a bit of peace and quiet in there too. Hopefully our little ones will discover their 'indoor voices' soon!

      S x

      Delete
  7. Nooo, not a kindle ... it's not a book if it's not also a tactile object ... I truly believe that paper and print, pages that turn and carefully chosen typefaces, are very much part of the experience of reading!

    I have The Snow Child here but I'm thinking my February choice should be a book about building an ark!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree completely with you on books, I love them and collect them and they're an important part of my home... but I do fancy a Kindle too, for late-night reading (so I don't get the guilts about keeping Jay awake with the light on). Still, as far as priorities go, that's waaaay down the list!

      I'm getting a bit tired of the rain too. Snow would be most welcome. Having said that, I started The Snow Child last night and the wind was howling outside and it was one of those perfect moments :)

      Delete
  8. There's a place for many many books, and a Kindle. Whilst I'd always choose to read a paperback, sometimes a Kindle is a lot easier. If I'm reading a book which is very fat it's just so much easier to have it on my Kindle, especially when commuting, or even just to avoid thumb ache from holding back the pages! I tend to read a fatter book at home, and then have something else on the go which I can read whilst travelling,

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi! Yes, I'd imagine a Kindle is useful for taking with you - particularly on holiday or journeys where space and weight are a consideration. I think it would be good for bedtime reading with the lights out, but then maybe that contradicts all the advice about switching off devices to ensure a good night's sleep!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello, I found your blog via A Year In Books. I loved 'To Kill A Mockingbird' but it has been a looong time since I read it! Will have to give that J.K. Rowling a go sometime. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! Nice to meet you. The J K Rowling was a good read but perhaps best saved until summer when everything seems a bit brighter and optimistic! I even cried at the end - I suppose that means it affected me emotionally but it was a bit depressing too... maybe a good idea to have something light and cheery on the go at the same time!
      S x

      Delete
  11. The Snow Child is my backup choice for March - I managed two books in February, rather incredibly, so am planning accordingly! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura - I have to say, the link-up has really made me focus on trying to read more often and to make some considered choices. It's looking as though I may manage two in March.
      Who'd have thought?
      S x

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...