Snapshot June 2016
June 1 was a momentous day at work as the company for whom I work was aquired by a much bigger corporation. We’ve been working on the communications around this for six months so it was a relief to get to the end of yesterday without any glitches. By the time I got home however I had zero energy stores left to even think what I was reading on the first of the month.
I can’t imagine however that anyone but me is bothered in the slightest degree that my snapshot of the month is a day late….
Recently Finished
I finished a run of highly enjoyable novels (The Gathering by Anne Enright, Rites of Passage by William Golding and The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso) I went into a dip with Nina Bawden’s The Ice House. This was published by Virago in 1983 in their Modern Classics series as a novel about a friendship between two girls that lasts the decades from early childhood but is threatened by an act of deception. It started well but about two thirds of the way through I began to lose interest. It’s the third of Bawden’s novels I’ve read. A Little Love, A Little Learning was the first – and by far the best. Next up was The Solitary Child, an early work which I thought very lacklustre. The Ice House fell somewhere in the middle. Maybe I just need to choose more careful next time.
Currently reading
Having taken the plunge and joined the 20 Books of Summer Challenge (I’ve opted for the gentler option of 10 books), I’m delighted that the first book – This Must be the Place – is a delight. Maggie O’Farrell is one of those authors that you can buy with a high degree of confidence that between the covers will be some laser-eyed observations about life, emotions and relationships. With other authors that could send alarm signals about pretentiousness but with O’Farrell there is no BS factor, just a darn good story told usually in fragments. This Must be the Place is little short of a delight. It leaps across multiple continents, decades and people as it gives a portrait of a marriage and decisions that could put it in jeopardy. The only challenge in reading this book is that I’m reluctant to put it down at the end of the evening and go to sleep.
Sounds like a great start to the summer and congrats on the successful acquisition!
Happy to read that ending note! I’ve heard so much about O’Farrell… I’ll get to her one day. Regarding the Bawden, one out of three isn’t so bad, in the average stakes 🙂
I get antsy if I don’t meet my self-imposed time for posting, so I know what you mean. It’s silly, and you’re right, it’s really ourselves who worry, but at the same time I suppose having those thoughts of lateness keep us on track.
We have enough pressure at work, no need to add some to your blog life. Looking forward to see how the 20 Books of Summer Challenge goes.
That’s certainly true Emma. I go through periods where i have zero energy for the blog. How you manage to keep up your reading and blogging levels of activity I have no idea.
I’m like you, sometimes I have no energy to switch on the computer at night and blog.
That’s why I don’t read as many reviews from other bloggers as I’d like.
I have a rather demanding corporate job, a husband, kids and me & my reading. I’m juggling.
Fellow O’Farrell fan here. I just won a copy of This Must Be the Place, so I am happy to hear that it’s good.
It’s one I’m confident you’ll enjoy TJ
Glad you’re enjoying the O’Farrell. I agree she’s always a safe bet.
Are you planning to read her new novel Rebecca?
Just finished it and if this doesn’t win some awards I will be astounded
I so agree with you about Maggie O’Farrell although I haven’t read This Must be the Place yet.
are you planning to?
Yes I do plan to read it, amongst others. I read her book – The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox not too long ago and really liked it.
Another fan for Esme Lennox. Yeah
Nina Bawden seems to divide readers. I generally like her books but I have been slightly underwhelmed by her earlier work. Like a lot of fairly prolific writers her books vary in quality.
Anything in particular you would recommend Ali? i’m afraid if I find another so-so title that might put me off her entirely
Perhaps Circles of Deceit or The Ruffian on the Stair. I found both excellent
Thanks ali, will make a note for the future to look at these first. I’m not giving up on her yet!
I am pleased to hear you made great start to the 10 Books of Summer challenge with your first book – I’ve also made a great start to the challenge with The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris 🙂
this is her newest title isn’t it?
I’m afraid I’m not sure. This is the first novel by Joanne Harris I have read and all I know is it came out a year or so ago.
I read Afternoon of a Good Woman which I found only so-so.
shall give that one a miss in that case Guy. Thanks for the warning
Ha! Ha! I think you’re correct! We’ll all be happy to read your post, no matter what day it is posted! 🙂 I trust the changes at work will be good ones! While I love books that hold my interest so much that I want to just keep on reading, regardless of the late hour and the fact that I must get up in the morning, but…typically I stay up too late and regret it that very next morning! 🙂 I have never read Maggie O’Farrell, but have several of hers on my TBR listing. Which one would you recommend I start with?
I think my favourite Lynn is the one that I read first – The Disappearing Act of Esme Lemmox.
I am fascinated by that title! Thanks for the recommendation!