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!

Getting started...

When I moved jobs I got a Kindle as a leaving gift, this has meant I've refound my love of books especially as a I'm basically carrying a book shop in my handbag. So I thought that I'd try keeping a bit of a list of what I read and what I thought about it for my own memory and just in case it is of interest to anyone else out there.

I started later in the year than I intended so the first post is a list with just a few comments, I'll try and write more about some of these titles later. A final note before I start on the books I'm a member of the London Girly Book Club and I have identified which books I read for my book club.

January
No Angel by Jay Dobyns
A fascinating insight into the inner workings of the Hell's Angels in the US. Not my usual fare but glad I stumbled across it.

Farenheit Twins by Michael Faber
I bought this book because I remembered lots of talk about, but I was disappointed, a series of short stories that were just a little to off the wall for me.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Similarly to Room by Emma Donoghue this is an amazing but disturbing book.

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge
A childhood favourite that was free on my Kindle and still loved it. The ultimate bad girl turns good!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I finally gave in to the hype and tried this, sadly I was let down. For me it started slow, the middle was just what I wanted and then the end went on for too long. Not sure yet whether I'll read the rest of the trilogy.

Painless by Derek Ciccione
Another disturbing book but about a fascinating topic. I love books with a medical take and this one takes an interesting look at children that can't feel pain.