Festive reading

The Christmas break was a great opportunity to catch-up on my books and here's what I read:

Nelson by UKCC edited by Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix
This was a gift from P for Christmas, guided by me as I'd seen a copy previously. This was the beautifully illustrated story of Nel, created by 54 talented British artists. Each artist illustrated one day from a year of Nel's birth starting with her birth. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next in Nel's life and the constantly changing illustrative style just pulled you along too. I'm not normally a comic book girl but this story did what it set out to do and showed that British illustration is more than just Marvel, Beano, Dandy or MAD. I definitely recommend this as a good read and as it's sale supports Shelter you can feel good about spoiling yourself. Oh and if you enjoy 1978 then check out my friend Katie's blog for more of her work or indulge in her bimonthly zine, Green Bean.

Against All Odds: The Most Amazing True Life Story You'll Ever Read by Paul Connelly
This was a tough read as the true life story of a boy's life in a children's home. When the police turn up at Paul's home he is shocked to find that most of the boys he grew up with are dead and this book looks at the horrendous abuse these children suffered at the hands of those to whom their care was entrusted. Hard reading that brought a tear to my eye not sure I'll be reading it again though.

Last Train from Liguria by Christine Dwyer Hickey
I enjoyed this book as a family mystery, set in immediately pre-war Italy this story follows the tale of an English girl sent out to be governess to a young boy. This story is told from two people's perspective, the English governess and the granddaughter of an old lady lying in hospital. My one problem with the story is that it never told you what happened to Alec (the boy) or Edward (his piano teacher). These two characters were central to the story and I was sad never to find out what happened to them. If you don't mind the alternating chapters and the hanging end then this is definitely worth a read.

That Summer in Ischia by Penny Feeny
Another family mystery with collapsing friendships added to the mix. Helena and Liddy worked as au pairs on a beautiful, remote Greek island and what happened that summer broke their friendship seemingly forever. Allie, Helena's daughter meets Liddy and what she learns from Liddy sends her back to Ischia to find out what really happened that summer and most importantly to find her father. A story of betrayal, innocence, love affairs, friendships and intrigue which from the moment Allie gets involved moves forward quickly and satisfyingly answers al your questions by the end of the book.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (Book club)
A great choice by my book club that I can't wait to discuss. This book was based on the events of Vel' d'Hiv, the French mass round-up of their Jewish citizens in occupied France. This wasn't something I had ever heard of and this book does a great job to bring distressing actions to the broader general public. Another story told from two perspectives, a little girl (Sarah) who was rounded up on the night of Vel' d'Hiv and an American journalist (Julia) who is tasked with writing about it on the sixtieth anniversary. I found Julia a little self-absorbed and so slightly annoying but that wasn't enough to break my interest and I read this book in just 24 hours.

Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain
I didn't connect this book to The Midwife's Confession read and reviewed in June last year but the writing style was definitely familiar. This book was the story of Laura's attempt to get her daughter Emma to talk after she witnesses Laura's husband commit suicide. Another gripping tale with stories from across the generations. Perhaps a little far fetched at times but with interesting approaches to Alzheimer's, mutism and psychiatric experimentation. Based on this and The Midwife's Confession I think I will be reading more of Diane Chamberlain's books.

A Sister's Gift by Giselle Green
Hollie and Scarlett have a strained relationship right from the start of the book, two sisters with a secret or two between them. When Scarlett offers to act as a surrogate for for Hollie has she really changed, is it really a gift or will the terms be too high? A good read, as secrets are created, revisited and shared and world's come tumbling down and are rebuilt on stronger foundations. The book leaves you wondering what is really important in your life and what would you be willing to sacrifice for it? 

Winter reading

So I've failed again at updating this regularly but here goes with the books I've been reading recently.

Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min
I read The Last Empress years ago and loved so trying this book seemed like a good idea. This biography style book is written somewhere between fact and fiction and offers an insight into life behind the closed doors of Mao's life. Although Madame Mao is not exactly a lovely character you can't help feeling sorry for her at times throughout the book. What really came out in this book was the level of suspicion and back stabbing that went on at all levels within the regime. I think perhaps my next step is to read a true fact book to see how much of this was true.

I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson
This one really indulged my old love of girly books. Following the fast track life of high flying banker and mother of two Kate Reddy. If Kate had been a real person I too wouldn't know how she did it. Her banking job felt not just full time but double time, at one point Kate even leaves her family on holiday to get back to the office. Although not completely typical of the genre this book still delivered laughs, tears and a little bit of can't put it down. I'm pleased to say that as you might expect it all works out well for Kate in the end and I recommend this read for anyone that used to love chick-lit but finds it just a bit too predictable now.

The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch
An historical thriller was the description on GoodReads, sounds right up my street (although only in books, films described this way are not my thing). Some fascinating insights into life in Germany in the 1600s, the fear and suspicion with which the town hangman was viewed. A little bit of witch hunting thrown in for good measure along with a 'devil' with a bone hand and a number of murders. As the hangman and the young doctor join forces that story takes a number of twists and turns as you try and figure out who is behind the mystery and why they are doing it. The graphic descriptions and torture sequences mean this book isn't for everyone but if you read Dracula's Guest then this book would be good for you.

Nee Naw: Real Life Dispatches From Ambulance Control by Suzi Brent
Back to the ambulance blogs now, this one was recommended by Tom Reynolds whose own books I reviewed in previous posts. Suzi writes from a new perspective, behind the phones and I thought it was really interesting to see what goes on when you call an ambulance. I was amazed at the number of people who apparently don't think they need to give an address and also the crazy things you might call an ambulance for. I was also interested to learn that there is a whole team for dispatching separate from the call-takers. Not as much blood as in Tom's books but still some crazy tales of medical drama on the streets / telephones of London, for a Casualty lover like me well worth a read.

Rapid Response: True Stories of My Life as a Paramedic by Lysa Walder
More ambulance drama and this time back on the road. More mad call outs, I mean who calls an ambulance for a cold? Or even worse goes to A&E thinks the wait is too long, goes round the corner and calls an ambulance, note to the wise this won't get you a queue jump. Much like Tom and Suzi, Lysa is an engaging author and once again I am willing on all these ambulances to hit their government targets on response times. If you didn't like Tom and Suzi's books, don't read this, if you did then i suggest this is a must read title for you.

Later this weekend I will bring you a review of Gaucho's in Richmond and the Richmond theatre's Cinderella, my first panto in years. I'm sure Christmas will bring me new books and failing that plenty of time to fill with reading and maybe even blogging so here's to better blogging over Christmas and the New Year!

Apps not books

So I've been really bad and got distracted by lots of apps on my iPhone and so I haven't read as much as I usually recently. However I thought you might like to hear about one app I have found, www.goodreads.com.

I have the iPhone app but you can simply use it on the web if you like. I love this app as I can put books on three shelves: Books I want to read, Books I am reading and Books I have already read. I can rate the books and review them right there as well as seeing what other people have said about them and it seems much easier than Amazon as you can search an author and then look at their titles, knowing you're seeing reviews from like minded people.

But the best thing is in the app version. I miss browsing in book shops these days and Amazon just isn't the same. But with the Good Reads app I can browse without worrying I'll forget the books I want. I can simply scan the bar code and assign to books I want to read, so simple.

My only problem with Goodreads is that I don't want to link it to my twitter or facebook as it will post on my wall which I hate! I know there are a few of my friends on Goodreads but I can't find them without connecting it with my social media accounts. If I find a solution I'll be sure to let you know and if you do join please add me :-)

So the books I am currently reading are Becoming Madame Mao and Eats, Shoots and Leaves, reviews on these and more soon.

Summer reading...

So I'm nearly back up to date on the book front and August was a light month on the book front, possibly due to the distraction of a new iPhone...

So just three books to get through in August.

Back on Murder by J Mark Bertrand
Another who dunnit, I think perhaps best suited for a Rankin fan like me. A grumpy US detective that goes off-piste and gets himself into trouble reminds me of Edinburgh's Rebus, they even had the young, good looking girl detective. I'm not sure if it was because I missed the Edinburgh element or the case was not as unusual as Rankin's but something about this just didn't click for me. I wanted to find out what happened but I wished I was reading it in paper so that I could flick to back and see, I'd pick up a Rebus novel rather than this if I was you...

A Mourning Wedding by Carola Dunn
A misleading title if ever there was one as there was no wedding... I think the biggest shock in this whole thing was that Daisy's best fried who should have known better invited Daisy to stay, the result two deaths and her fiancée was also nearly killed. That said it was still a good read although not one of the best in the story I worked this one out just too early.

More Blood, More Sweat and Another Cup of Tea by Tom Reynolds
I love Tom Reynolds straight to the point approach, I read his first book just before I started this blog and so when I saw the second one floating around I gave it a try. It was just as good as the first and amazingly it never got boring, the number of cases an ambulance crew sees gives Tom a wealth of material, from matern-a-taxi, to colds, to A&E queue jumpers including just a few real emergencies. I guess you have to be one of those people who likes to watch Casualty for this one to hit the mark, but as I'm one of those folk that's fine and I loved it...

Catching up on the books...

So without my own laptop it is pretty hard to keep up my blog and then the Edinburgh Fringe Festival distracted me so I now have a lot of catching up to do and that means the detail is going to drop off, sorry...

June's reading list
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
I loved this book, another book I found by chance on Amazon, but so glad I did. Now I love stories about life at home during World War 2 and this one starts with the story of an old man but quickly goes back to his childhood. A beautiful story of a little Chinese boy who struggles to fit in, with Americans calling him Japanese and his own community laughing at him for going to American school. His one friend a little Japanese girl, his father forbids the friendship and when she is interred he goes to great lengths to find her. The story is fascinating but also a moving story of childhood friendship, try it yourself if you see a copy...

The Godless Boys by Naomi Wood
This one was just a bit odd, and kind of 'Lord of the Flies' but still a good read. Everyone who does not believe in God has been shipped off to an island of the coast of the UK (maybe a Shetland Island). On  the Island a group of boys are 'policing' the island and punishing those they suspect of believing. I warn you the end will make you cry...

My Dad is Ten Years Old, and it's Pure Weird by Mark O'Sullivan
This story was another tough one, the story of a man who is severely brain damaged in an accident, to the point his children can't call him dad any more in case he freaks. This story is told from the perspective of his young daughter and it is a fascinating insight into the impact of severe brain injury on a family, both the adults in the relationship, the children and the person themselves. At some points I was shouting at the characters in the book, frustrated that they couldn't see the cracks forming and widening, but at the end of the book I was satisfied.

The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain
Another book that made me cry right from the start, the book opens with a moving tale of a woman committing suicide. From there the mystery deepens as her two best friends try to work out why she did it. Then each chapter a new twist comes out and the mystery deepens, the final twist I worked out a good way before the end and was a little frustrated that the characters couldn't see it. That said if you liked 'The Memory Keeper's Daughter' you will like this so give it a shot...

Shadow of the Serpent by David Ashton
This one I remember little of, however I do remember the way that I could feel Edinburgh under my skin. Although the book was set in history the alleys of Edinburgh still feel the same. There are a number of grisly murders in this book and if you're squeamish then don't read this one.

Murder on the Mind by LL Bartlett
Another whodunnit but this one with a new angle... the central character has a brain injury and ever since he has been plagued with images of a brutal murder. But is this because he did it or does he have another sense thanks to his injury? Well I'm not about to give it away so you'll have to read it to find out...

July's reading list
Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn
I love the drama of these books although I'm sure I don't why anyone would invite Daisy Dalrymple to stay any more as every time she comes to stay at least one person dies. That said in the post-war period it would appear that most of the upper class families had an insufferable older member and a killer in their midst, so I'm sure Daisy was happy to marry 'down class' to an Inspector Detective of Scotland Yard. Another in the same vein as her other novels but still a puzzle I wanted to unravel.

Dead in the Water by Carola Dunn
This novel is set at the Henley regatta, once again Daisy proves to be an unlucky house guest as another man dies.

Sick Notes by Dr Tony Copperfield
As a healthcare PR practitioner, I have been known to read Pulse magazine (A GP publication) and Dr Copperfield's column on the back page was always the highlight, the one article I would definitely read from start to finish. So when his book came up on Amazon at a good price I snapped it up. It was a truly amusing read and had me gasping at the amazing inability of some people to work out whether they are really sick. It was also interesting to read a bout a GP's frustration at the inadequacies of the referral system. An amusing insight into the life of an NHS GP, anyone with a slight interest in healthcare / loved Dr in the House will love this too...

It's Your Time You're Wasting by Frank Chalk
As the child of a teacher this looked amusing and I wasn't let down. Although Mr Chalk is just a supply teacher his stories of the one school he worked at rang true. Some of them I still can't believe how children talk to their teachers these days... I would never have dared when I was at school, in fact I still wouldn't dare.

Ain't no Sunshine by Leslie Du Bois
Another moving book of childhood friendship that grows to more. It was a heart rending read, with racial segregation and domestic abuse. The final twist in the book was surprising, despite working it out a good five years before it was really revealed. I think it was a really worthwhile read and I enjoyed it and would recommend it for others.

Never a Bride by Amelia Grey
A regency novel, a fun story with the usual, girl loves man, man eventually loves girl, problem happens and it all goes wrong then....you guessed it girl gets boy. An easy read that I whipped through and there was even a little mystery running all the way through that was satisfactorily solved at the end :-)

So I'm now just a month behind and with a new laptop on order I aim to get August up soon and then maybe even get through my other books as I read them or at least every other book... I definitely shouldn't leave it this long and I apologise for the sparse nature of some of the reviews above...