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Wednesday 25 February 2015

Year in Books February roundup



There really is nothing better than a Sunday morning with a cup of tea in your favourite cup and a good book. This Sunday was no exception.  It's been a cold windy time across the Fens with occasional cloud bursts. There have been times when I have wondered if my little cottage will still be in the Fens when I awake with the howling gales we've had of late. 




This month has been another busy month of reading. I was given Kate Mosse's The Mistletoe Bride and other Haunting Tales as a gift for Christmas.  I had previously read her novel Winter Ghosts both books were very good, but this one was very easy reading as it was an collection of short stories and usually meant I could read a story a day. I would go on and read more of her writing in the future. Lulu Taylor's  The Winter Folly had been sitting patiently on my Kindle for a while.  I really enjoyed this book immensely. It was quite an emotive book in places. I liked the fact it covered two time periods covering the 60's and 70's and present day. The story is written around the Stirling family and the tragedy that surrounding the family. When Delilah marries John Stirling she decides she needs to find out what exactly did happen to his mother that would haunt him into his adult life. I would definitely recommend this one as a good read.  Sarah Butler's Ten Things I've Learnt About Love is her debut novel.  The story is centered around two main characters Daniel a homeless man and Alice who has returned home from her travels when she learns her father is gravely ill.  These two characters have one common link Alice's mother and through Ms Butler's writing you follow each of their journeys discovering just what it is that connects the two. Marjorie Celona's Y is set in Canada telling the story of a young girl who was left on the steps of the YMCA when hours old.  This is her journey to find the truth about her parents and why she was abandoned. A little predictable in places but overall a good read.   This year I challenged myself to re visit some of my favourite books from my childhood.  Anne of Greengables from The Complete Collection by Lucy Maud Montgomery, was one of my all time favourites. I downloaded the complete collection for just 99p on my kindle and as it contains all 10 books I thought this was an absolute bargain.  For now I have read the first of the books which is entitled Anne of Greengables and tells you Anne's story from 11 - 16 years. The remaining 9 books take you on Anne's journey through life up to the age of 53.  For those of you that don't know the story of Anne Shirley, she is a young orphan girl with the biggest imagination possible who is adopted by  a brother and sister Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert. I still think all little girls should read the Anne Shirley stories in their childhood.  I will certainly go on to read the remaining books at some time in the future. 


As for War Horse I've read this over a couple of days. It is my daughter's 21st this coming week and we are off to London next weekend for a mum and daughter weekend. Whilst there we are going to two shows Mamma Mia (daughter's choice) and War Horse (both our choice).  I had seen appearances of the puppets (I always have to remind myself they are puppets as they are so life like) on many occasions since it first went on the stage but had never had the opportunity to see it that is until now.  I have purposely avoided seeing the film and waited until now to read the book so that I knew the whole story before we go that way I can immerse myself in the stage show.  As you can imagine we are very excited. I don't see my daughter often as she is at Uni so this will be an especially exciting weekend for the both of us giving us the chance to spend some quality time together.





I think I have saved the best of my February reads until last.  The Supremes at Earls All You Can Eat is the début novel by Edward Kelsey Moore and my book of the month. If you liked The Help you will definitely love this one.  It tells the story of three middle aged women who have been friends since high school. They were nicknamed The Supremes as teenagers by Big Earl when they frequented his diner all those years ago. They have been through everything together, love and loss good times and bad.  Seeing each other through some of the toughest times in their lives.  It's just as it says on the cover of the book The secret to life is friendship and their friendship has survived some 40 years.  I loved the way in which Edward Kelsey Moore was so 'in tune' with these three women and their character, so much so that they could be real, it will make you laugh and it will make you cry but it is definitely a must read in my book. The only downside is with this being Edward Kelsey Moore's début novel there aren't any others to seek out. YET  I just hope it won't be too long before he releases a further novel.


What have your favourite reads been this month?

Now it's decision time. Time to make my selection of books for my Spring reads.. I know Spring doesn't officially start until the end of March but here at The Willows  it's going to start next week, especially as the first of my Daffodil's has opened.

Decisions, decisions so many great reads do I have enough years left to read them all. 

Happy reading one & all. 

Mx

13 comments:

  1. You will LOVE War Horse!!! It is such an incredible and moving portrayal of the story, you really do forget that they are puppets and become totally engrossed in it as though there were real horses and animals on stage. The film is good too, slightly different, but well worth watching when you have seen the play. Watch out for the goose when you see the play - you will see why I say that! I cannot comment on Mama Mia, but I do hope that it is just as good and that you have a wonderful time away!! xx

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    1. Had a great time Amy. Yes you do forget they are puppets after about 10 minutes of it starting. There were a few tears around the theatre. Fortunately I had recently read the book so I knew the story and managed to get through it without the need of the tissues. I had seen Mamma Mia a number of years ago in Manchester but I had forgotten how good it is. Far better than the film but that's just my opinion. My daughter really enjoyed it and fulfilled her dream of getting to see the stage show.

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  2. Two favourites for me this month: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and The Ice Twins by S K Tremayne. Well worth a read if you like a psychological thriller. Happy March reading!

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    1. I was listening to radio 2 when Paula Hawkins was a guest. The Girl on the Train sounds really good. I have seen the Ice Twins on the supermarket shelf this week. It sounds like the sort of book I would read. It's gone on the wish list.

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  3. Thanks for the recommendations! I already like Kate Mosse and love Anne of the Green Gables so am curious to try the rest.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I would definitely read more Kate Mosse. I have read alot of the Anne of Greengables series when I was a child. I will at some point read more of the collection.

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  4. The 'Anne' books are among my favourites, I've also got the DVDs! I didn't read her until I was in my forties..... I catch on eventually! Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  5. The 'Anne' books are among my favourites, I've also got the DVDs! I didn't read her until I was in my forties..... I catch on eventually! Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. I think every girl should read at least one of the Anne books at some stage in their life and why not in your forties.

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  6. Hey Mitzi,
    A confession. I have never read Anne Of Green Gables. But I see that Edwina only found them in her forties, so perhaps there is hope for me. I am going to download them too. I often return to The Secret Garden. My favourite childhood read of all. Thank you for visiting my blog, and leaving such lovely comments. They are all very much appreciated. Blogging is such a wonderful community to belong to, don't you think?
    Leanne xx

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    1. I don't think I will ever grow tired of The Secret Garden, it is also my daughter's favourite too. I hadn't realised they went right up until she was in her 50's I always thought they stopped when she was a young women so I'll have to read more to see what else happens in her life and at 99p for 10 books you can't go wrong can you. I have only been blogging since 2013 but I love it. Its nice to see what everyone else is doing. I have this one for all the books (of which there tends to be many) that I read and I also have Lazy Days and Sundays at Willow Cottage which is more the everyday life. I love your neck of the woods so when you put all pics of the beach and surrounding areas I get to have my little Cornwall fix for the day. I've been to St Ives many times over the years. I have visited your little blog space this morning and left you a comment.

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  7. Hello Mitzi - thankyou for popping round earlier - thought I would come and see what you've been reading. I love your header image - all cake gone! I've been toying with War Horse, but think I would just cry all the way through - when I'm feeling really robust I might tackle it.

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    1. Hi Jennifer, I read The Accidental Husband a while back but I love my header too and I can't bring myself to change it. I read the book War Horse before we went last week so I knew what the story and had shed a few tears when i read the book which I think helped because then when we saw the show I was prepared for what was coming. It was a fantastic show and if you ever get the chance it is definitely worth seeing.

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