Tuesday 29 April 2014

The Year in Books: May


April was a busy old month, book-wise.

Firstly I read the Alexander McCall Smith book I mentioned here (and thoroughly enjoyed it). I know some people find them too simplistic and even formulaic but the Precious Ramotswe books are, to me, comfort reading at its best. Funny, occasionally didactic, uplifting. Yes, they're an easy read but there's much to be said for that. Especially at then end of a long day.

I then started on The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. The reason was I'd seen it appear so many times in Laura's link-up (and people were giving it high praise), so I joined the waiting list at the library and was pretty shocked to see the sheer size of it. Needless to say, I didn't finish it. I didn't even get halfway through before it had to be returned and passed on the next person on the list.

I'd actually been enjoying it but was fully aware from the beginning I was reading on borrowed time. Still, I gave it a good go. The writing was great; the character observation spot-on and the story unusual and compelling. I'm now back on the waiting list (which has, inevitably, grown since the book won the Pullitzer Prize for fiction).

So, back to the library. I picked up The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart. Not quite a random choice as another of her novels, Thornyhold, is an all-time favourite of mine. My mum brought it home from work once when I was in my teens; a dog-eared, yellowing paperback I idly picked up and absolutely loved.

Not so much The Ivy Tree. I just couldn't get into it. I tried. I gave up.

Next (and this is the end, I promise): The Land of Decoration by Grace McCleen. It was on a display shelf labelled 'Book of the Month' so I read the back cover, liked the sound of it and gave it a go.

I couldn't put it down. Told by Judith, a young girl who lives with her widowed father, it describes the religious group they are involved with, her strange views and ideas, and the resulting bullying she endures at school. Judith is convinced the end is nigh, and that she can perform miracles by acting them out in a make-believe world she has constructed in her bedroom from little bits of rubbish.

There are echoes of Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit in the book, particularly in the way the religious meetings and group members are portrayed. Unlike The Goldfinch, I zipped through The Land of Decoration and found it at times sad, at others funny, and a real page-turner. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

So: May. Someone gave me a copy of The Crow Road by Ian Banks. I've made a start and have been surprised - it's shaping up to be a good read so far. I didn't expect that; I usually read books written by women. There's no reason behind this - it just seems to happen. I admit I never really fancied reading Banks - something to do with the masculine-looking covers, the subliminally disturbing-sounding titles.

It's good to try something new. 

19 comments:

  1. It's great to make time for reading, I usually curl up with a book and read before going to sleep. I am finding I sleep much better for it.

    I love Iain Banks and have read most of his novels. He has two genres of writing he also wrote science fiction, he puts an M in his name on those books! Hope you enjoy Crow Road :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am enjoying it! Funny how some writers (and books) turn out to be completely different to how you expected them to be. I do love a good family story.
      I have to say though, I think sci-fi would be a step too far. Not my genre at all!
      S :)

      Delete
  2. I love "Crow Road". There are so many familiar places in this book that I almost feel I belong. I love most of Banks books actually but haven't read any of his science fiction. I like the sound of "The land of decoration". I wasn't too taken by some parts of "Oranges are not the only fruit" but loved parts of it, and I was fascinated by the religious meetings and the characters. Maybe "The land of decoration" will read for me like "Oranges are not the only fruit without the parts that I found difficult. If I make any sense at all! Enjoy your May reading. I look forward to your thoughts on "Crow Road".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christina! I think you'd enjoy 'The Land of Decoration'... it is a little bit unusual in places I suppose but I remember reading 'Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit' for my degree and we had to discuss and dissect it... that took the fun out of it!
      I'm enjoying 'The Crow Road' a lot; it's always good to try something new when it pays off and you discover an author you hadn't read before.

      Delete
  3. Some interesting reads there, I haven't read any of them but they sound pretty good. I know what you mean about needing a little comfort reading at the end of the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely! Sometimes I read children's books and poetry too. Not too challenging and you can escape to imaginary lands. Perfect!

      Delete
  4. I haven't read any of them but I always appreciate reading others' opinions about books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! Although I'm not sure I'd want to join a book group as I like choosing what I read!

      Delete
  5. Oh, I love a bit of Iain Banks! I hope you enjoy it x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's proving to be a good one so far!
      S x

      Delete
  6. 'The Crow Road' is one of my all time favourite books. I really hope you enjoy it. I love Iain Banks' fiction (I've not read his science fiction) he writes so well. I've not thought about him as being so masculine but I guess now you mention it the titles and the covers are really!! I also enjoy Alexander McCall Smith...he really does know how to spin a yarn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He does indeed - particularly those of the feel-good variety!
      As for Iain Banks, his writing isn't blokey at all, is it? Talk about realising you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover...

      Delete
  7. Just catching up here. I love the Crow Road and feel sure you will too. Fab book :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems quite a few people are fans, including my family. Who knew?

      Delete
  8. Ah, Mary Stewart. I read (and loved) her books many years ago and re-read a couple fairly recently. They just weren't the same. May have to give Iain Banks a try (though my TBR pile is already toppling.) I've just bought One Step Too Far (lots of twists, turns and red herrings, I understand) after listening to a review and interview with the author, Tina Seskis, at the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strange, isn't it? The Mary Stewart book I read seemed very of it's time - and not in a good way. And I'm with you on the 'to read' pile... which I suppose is why I decided to leave 'The Ivy Tree'... life's too short to struggle along with a book you're not enjoying!

      Delete
  9. Like the sound of The Crow Road and The Goldfinch. These reading project is adding so many books to my list of those I'd like to read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that feeling - there's a pile of books by the bed and it'll be toppling over at this rate!

      Delete
  10. Agatha Christie is my comfort read. I suppose similar in some ways to McCall Smith!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...