With a bit of spare time during the holidays, I was able to catch up on some reading (not that my to be read pile seems any smaller).
I tried to spread my wings a little and try some new authors as well as some old favourites.
Here’s a selection that I thought you might find interesting.
The Comforts of Home – Jodi Thomas
This the third of the Harmony books – from an author who is already one of my favourites. This series just gets better.
I have had many conversations with fellow writers about how many characters and how many different points of view should be in a book. Some stories are told through the eyes of just one character – or perhaps two. I can’t tell you how many character viewpoints there are in this book – I lost count. But that doesn’t matter. Because reading a Harmony book is like walking through the town, meeting old friends and talking to each one.
Loved it… and have just downloaded the next in the series.
Girl on the Run – Rhoda Baxter
I read this because I know Rhoda – and she is a smart, funny person. Not surprisingly, it’s a smart funny book.
It’s light and enjoyable – perfect for reading in bed on a lazy Sunday morning. I read it quickly – not just to avoid housework, but because I really wanted to know what happened next.
The hero Marsh is smart – and so lovely. I still have a bit of a crush on him.
I really liked the way it was set in the contemporary world – with a lot of the relationships involving as much text and e-mail and they did face to face meetings. After all, isn’t that how we keep in touch with people these days.
I have already bought the next book by Rhoda.
Agincourt – Bernard Cornwell
This was my first Bernard Cornwell book. I have been hearing friends rave about this historical novelist for such a long time – and I was not disappointed.
This is a big, rich book – not for the faint-hearted – in more ways than one.
Coming into the novel, I knew almost nothing about the famous battle – it wasn’t taught in Australian history classes. Cornwell has a reputation for historical accuracy – and the book is certainly written with authority and convection.
Cornwell uses fictional characters (or the fictional story of real characters) to tell his tale , and it works well. I was caught up in the battle – I could smell the blood and smoke and…. Well, let’s just say Cornwell doesn’t sugar coat the unpleasantness of a medieval battle field.
The battle scenes are written in great detail. Perhaps a little too much detail in places. There are only so many times I want to read how to kill a man in armour. And as most of the book is a battle, it did get a bit much towards the end. But having said that. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and read it in just a few days (no mean feat – it’s a thick book).
I will be reading more of Cornwell, but for the next, I might for something a little less battle-heavy.
Does he do books without battles?
A Lawman’s Christmas – Linda Lael Miller
This book had two complete stories – one a recently written western and a ‘classic bonus’ story first published (I think) in 1990.
What I found so interesting here was the difference between the two stories.
I’m a big fan of Linda Lael Miller’s western romances – and the first story was the equal of any of them.
The second story – called Daring Moves was quite short – an so very obviously an early work.
Although no doubt contemporary at the time, the lack of mobile phones and computers etc did date the story… as did the writing style. While there were flashes of the storytelling that I love in her more recent books, this was obviously an author still developing her style and voice.
The short was not as good as her other work – but gave a really interesting picture of how much she has changed and grown as a writer over time.
I hope that twenty years from now, a reader comparing my latest novel and an old one will say the same about me.
Woman walks into a Bar – Rowan Coleman.
I’m going to recommend this book for two reasons
First – it is a great read. It’s a novella – so it’s short, but perfectly formed. It’s real and emotional and funny and sad.
Not only that, the lovely author has donated 100 % of her royalties from this book to Refuge – a charity for the victims of domestic violence.
Very well done on both counts, Rowan Coleman.
When I fall in Love – Miranda Dickinson
This book was a delight. It’s my first Miranda Dickinson book, but it won’t be my last.
It’s funny and sad. There are really sad moment that had me fighting back the tears, and laugh out loud moments too.
The characters are people I would like to be friends with. Their problems are real and their happy ending is also real.
I think this is probably very much a girls book – I can’t see a lot of men reading it.
But girls, I’m pretty sure you’ll love it as much as I did.
Joyland – Stephen King
I’m going to make this book of the month – because I just could not put it down.
So much has been said – and argued – about Stephen King, there’s really nothing I can add – oh wait. Yes there is.
Joyland is a departure from the traditional King horror novels. Yes, there is a supernatural element, but it is a gentle ghost story. It’s a not-so-gentle crime story too that seems to cross a few boundaries.
The setting in a failing US theme park is a bit reminiscent of Ray Bradbury – but the story and the writing are all King. I was engrossed. There were unexpected plot twists to keep me guessing.
If you have been wary of trying King because you don’t like the gory horror bits – try this.
You might just like it.