Tuesday 3 June 2014

The Year in Books: June


May was a funny month for books. I read, as mentioned here, The Crow Road by Iain Banks. It was a bit of a departure for me but that's never a bad thing. Male author, story set in recent times... I did enjoy it. Not enough to say I'd read it again, and I wouldn't describe it as one of those books you just can't put down, but it was good. Funny in places, interesting characters. I'd say (if I were to mark it out of five, which isn't something I generally do) it's probably a solid three.

Despite The Crow Road being quite a lengthy novel, I finished it in plenty of time and found myself at a bit of a literary loose end. A small amount of my birthday money went on a couple of books but while I was waiting for them to drop through the letterbox I realised I had nothing much to read.

Never a good situation to be in.


Once upon a time I used to pick up interesting old poetry books on my travels. Some I've read, some I haven't. And at the bottom of a dusty pile was 'A Countryman's Anthology'. I'd never even opened it before. I was in for a nice surprise. The pages are beautifully illustrated and the paper is tissue-thin and very delicate. My copy dates from 1946; the poems are themed and dreamily evocative.


My birthday books arrived a few days later: The Darling Buds of May (just because), and Elizabeth Jane Howard's The Light Years.

I've read the Larkin books many times but want to have my own set. The Darling Buds is still an absolute joy to read and I devoured it in three evenings. The food, the countryside, the characters - wonderful bedtime reading (if you don't mind going to sleep hungry and fantasising about fried breakfasts and roast goose).

I wanted to try the Cazalet books as I've heard some of the dramatisations of various chronicles on Woman's Hour. Elizabeth Jane Howard is by all accounts a very good writer and, several pages in, I have to say I'm definitely getting along with The Light Years (despite the daunting list of characters which greets you at the start of the book).

It's right up my street in terms of era (I love anything set in the early to mid-twentieth century) and subject matter (family drama). So yes, back to the familiar. Interesting, really - we're gearing up for the house move back home to the hills and I've returned to my reading comfort zone. Sometimes it's a good thing.

Joining in with Laura's Year in Books.

15 comments:

  1. Hello Sarah:

    Well, there is plenty of food [and in some instances not necessarily metaphoric] in this post. We both delight in the sound of your 'A Countryman's Anthology' both for its content and for its appearance. It certainly sounds to be a lovely addition to anyone's bookshelves.

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    1. It is a beautiful book... I'll have to be careful in old bookshops though - the last thing we need prior to moving house is even more books to pack into boxes!

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  2. I think I would enjoy this book (The Light Years) very much. That's the same general subject I like in fiction too. I also pick up books of poetry, and short stories, when I'm traveling, or just in thrift stores. I used to do it a lot and had quite a huge collection but various moves forced me to pare down after awhile. :(

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    1. I'm the same. Sometimes I buy books just because I like the covers, but the content is pretty awful so I have to let them go.
      I'm also a bit of a one for having lots of books by the same poet (Tennyson's one where I seem to have gone a bit mad)...
      The Light Years is proving to be a really good read - I'm surprised I haven't discovered Elizabeth Jane Howard's writing before to be honest.

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  3. I have fallen behind completely with my reading ... May was so busy but I hope to make up for it this month ... I love your description of your poetry book ... it sounds like it is a joy to own ... I think this is the very reason ebooks won't replace paper ... Bee xx

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    1. I'd quite like a Kindle, but only for travelling or something. Like you, I do love 'real' books. And they add such character to a home too - not to mention telling you quite a lot about who lives there!
      S x

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  4. 'The Crow Road' is one of my favourite books by Iain Banks. I quite the idea of the Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazelet books as I love family sagas. Perhaps a summer read.

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    1. Give it a try! I recommend it - and am looking forward to reading my way through the rest of the series.

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  5. I'm glad you managed the Crow Road. I really enjoyed it. I love Elizabeth Jane Howard too and have a couple of hers lined up on my kindle. I read "Odd Girl Out" a while ago and was hooked!! Hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation! It's great when you discover a writer you get along with... especially one who's been quite prolific. Better get saving up!

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  6. Your poetry book sounds wonderful. Hope you enjoy the Cazalet's saga, I too remember the hundreds of characters :)

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    1. I felt a bit panicky when I first saw that long list of who's who but she writes in such a way you're gradually introduced to each of them and it all makes sense (big relief).
      I'm really enjoying it so far :)

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  7. I tend to gravitate towards male authors and really like Iain Banks. I really love the audio versions of his books, which are always read by bona fide Scots, adding to the delight. I know what you mean by comfort zone reading, every so often, I try to break out of my comfort zone and have discovered many authors I would not have previously chosen. The Light Years might just be a book I like. I am listening to The Luminous Life Of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin. It is set in the early twentieth century and I thought that you might like it. Happy reading, and good luck with packing up the house. x

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  8. I've always really enjoyed the Cazalet sagas on Radio 4 (largely for Penelope Wilton's wonderful voice and reading of the text - so measured, considered and full of meaning) and have been toying with the idea of buying and reading them for some time. I think it will be right up my street too! I remember reading The Darling Buds of May about twenty years ago and loving it - I must re-read it. x

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  9. Oh, those all sound like lovely books. x

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