Alternative advent calendar #20

I lost my reading mojo a little this year and haven't read as much as I normally do.  I stopped writing my Month of Reading posts because I found I was reading less for enjoyment and more for content filler.  As we wind down 2013 I thought I would share with you my year in books, for the purposes of this list I have given each book a rating out of 5.

1. Pantheon of the Dead by Jon Rosenberg - daft but brilliant! {4.5}
2. Never the Bride by Paul Magrs - just daft, not really my thing {2}
3. The Killing Floor by Lee Child - surprisingly good, super gripping! {4.5}
4. The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson - An awesome adventure and a great story - {4.5}
5. Bedsit Disco: How I Grew Up and Tried to be a Rockstar by Tracey Thorn - a bit lengthy in places but overall a really interesting life story {3.5}
6. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - captivating and just a bit magical {4}
7. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce - a touching story about bridging the gap and reconnecting {4}
8. Dominion by C.J. Sansom - I always love a bit of C. J. Sansom and this is no exception, very moody but an awesome story {4.5}
9. Uglies by Scot Westerfield - Utter. Bobbins {1}
10. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - there is something of the Scandinavian fairy tale to this one, an ok read, not entirely my thing {3}
11. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - ohh love a World War II spy novel, especially where the lead is a woman, really enjoyable read {4.5}
12. The Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - this story captures the essence of my friendship with my lovely friend Charlotte and therefore I love it {5}
13. The Most Beautiful Thing by Fiona Robyn - meh. {2}
14. Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher - Double plus meh. {1}
15. Capital by John Lanchester - a mystery weaving in and out of the lives of the residents on one street in London with an awesome undercurrent of mystery {4.5}
16. Homeward Bound by Emily Matcher - the most thought provoking book I have read so far this year exploring the world of blogging and the implications of the resurgence of women returning to homemaking {5}
17. Lets Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson - the most hilarious autobiography I have read {5}
18. I Can Make You Hate by Charlie Brooker - Charlie Brooker can do little wrong in my eyes, more books please Charlie {5}
19. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch - the Peter Grant series continues with this stonking addition, Aaronovitch cannot write books quickly enough they're just awesome {5}
20. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch - yeeeah I loved Broken homes so much I went back and read the whole series again from start to finish {5}
21. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch {5}
22. Whispers Under ground by Ben Aaronovitch {5}
23. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch - (don't judge me ok?) {5}
24. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - I really didn't expect to like this book (I don't know why) but really, really did but I'm not really sure why... {4.5}
25. Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valents - it's never easy reading about how far the fight for equality has to go but this book is thought provoking and educating {4}
26. Remarkable Creatures by Tracey Chevalier - I used to love Chevaliers' books but either she has lost her mojo or I've moved on from her style, this was a bit meh {3}
27. The Chronicles of Narmo by Caitlin Moran - you all know how much I love Caitlin Moran so when I saw she had another book out I pre-ordered and couldn't wait for it to download to my Kindle, I didn't realise she wrote this book as a teenager.  It's great, dang this woman has talent! {5}
28. Grayson Perry: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl by Wendy Jones - I have a fascination with Grayson Perry which grew ever stronger after hearing his Reith Lectures earlier this year.  I read these following them, Perry has such a fascinating story to tell with buckets of humour {4.5}
29. Mr Penumbra's 24 Bookstore by Robin Sloan - in a similar vein to the Aaronovitch books I loved the interweaving of 'Old Knowledge' with the vast and growing Google empire's pursuit of New Knowledge, a great read {4.5}
30. 50 Shades of Feminism by various authors - I'm currently reading this one, so far I'm loving every chapter written by a different female writer, artist, CEO etc. So far, so very good.

Well that's my list, not a very full one but from the number of 4.5 and 5 reviews I've dished out I think it has been quality over quantity.  Which books have you enjoyed this year, I'd love to know as I'm always looking for my next book to read!

Alternative advent calendar #8

1. Lost Christmas by David Logan

A couple of week's ago I noticed an article on the Guardian website featuring Eddie Izzard, in it Izzard talks about Lost Christmas as he is starring in the adaptation of it.  Lost Christmas is a young adult book and follows the life of Goose, whose one seemingly insignificant action leads to devastating consequences.  Mysterious stranger Antony (to be played by Eddie Izzard) enters Gooses' life when he is at his lowest ebb and the two go on a 'journey of discovery' together.  Have I made this sound naff enough?  It's not but there is no hiding the fact that this is a 'journey of discovery' type book.  I don't think this book will blow you out of the water but it did bring a little festive cheer, it's young adult fiction and sometimes that means the plot is predictable but no less enjoying.

2. My Family and Other Disasters by Lucy Mangan

Pfft.  I have never read the work of someone so highly regarded by their editor whose articles are so dreary and hateful of almost everything.  Not hateful in a racist, sexist, ignorant type of hateful way, but more a stark, condescending observation of people who might have fun, or feel joy.  Mangan pities these people because clearly these people are stupid for they don't like to stay in their flats or homes reading books like she does.  Jeeeez this one got binned.

3. A Week in December by Sebastien Faulks

This one isn't crossed through because I didn't enjoy it, I didn't finish it because my Kindle arrived and it was unceremoniously shoved back on the 'to read' pile whilst I revelled in the soft glow of a backlit e-reader *cozy*.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Ahh John Green, I'm resisting the temptation to go all misty eyed and I'm stopping myself staring off into the distance whilst I think about how much I love his books.  Once again Green has written what can only really be described as a modern classic.  The subject matter will make you cry, you will care about the characters, you will enjoy the story, if you haven't read his books before but do on the basis of this or any of my previous recommendations you will thank me for it, and most importantly you will have found a new favourite author.  A quote for your viewing pleasure:

"You don't get to choose if you get hurt in the world, old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you.  I like my choices.  I hope she likes hers."

If you have 3.47 minutes to spare watch this video of John Green recommending books.

5. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

So I tried describing this book to MozzyMr and when talk of detectives consulting with ghosts and the whole idea of a London filled with magic came up he thought it sounded bobbins.  WRONG!  I loved this book, it's like Harry Potter for adults based in London not Hogwarts, expect it's nothing like Harry Potter and there is lots more murdering afoot.  I was delighted to find that it isn't a stand alone book it's part of a series of three, hazaar!  Put this book of your Christmas wish list you won't be disappointed!

6. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Sensing a John Green theme?  Will Grayson, Will Grayson has me caught up with everything that I am aware of John Green writing, so frankly the man needs to step up and release another book.  This time in collaboration with Levithan the two authors explore the lives of teenage boys Will Grayson, and Will Grayson.  The first Will Grayson has Tiny, his overweight but uber fabulous out-and-out gay best friend, whilst the second Will Grayson is only just coming out whilst dealing with a case of serious cyber bullying.  Green in all of his books deals with some of the very serious issues that teenagers face, but writes about them in such a normal and human way, not in an overtly Hollywood 'look how they've overcome adversity' type way *insert montage here*.

Books 1, 4, 5 and 6 listed here would make great Christmas reading so if you have a bit of spare cash, treat yourself to one of them, if you're stuck for something to buy as a gift buy a book, one of these or any book!  Buy them from an actual book shop where you can go and talk to people who really love reading and can tell you what they've enjoyed reading.  I know I bestow the virtues of the Kindle but I won't give up the smell of a new book for anyone and will be pressing my face into an actual book or two over the Christmas holiday!

A Month of Reading

Yep, a month and I've only managed one book.  To be fair over the past month we have driven approximately 1,700 miles, seen most of our families attended two birthday parties, one funeral and a wedding.  Reading hasn't been high on the agenda, nevermind here we go!

1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I don't usually read translations (originally Spanish) of novels, obviously you can never be 100% sure that you're reading exactly what the author intended you to read, however I needed a book for going on holiday and this one came to hand when I ran into the charity shop.  It took me a couple of chapters to get used to the flamboyant descriptions but that really is my only criticism, this is a great story full of suspense and interesting characters, at times quite bleak and genuinely scary in places but that's why I loved it.  I would recommend it to anyone, although perhaps not if you wanted a beach read.  

Hopefully next month I'll have a bit more time to chill out a read some books, I've got loads stacked up and read to go.

A (couple of) Month(s) of Reading

Oh dear, what a woeful attempt at a 'regular' feature on my blog, it's a good thing I have a day job!

1. Enigma by Robert Harris

This is a re-read for me, but I'm planning on visiting Bletchley Park at some point this year so thought I would read a couple of books either about or based around the park.  I love this book and will probably re-read it again and again.  The story doesn't skimp on detail or intrigue, and is packed with facts about Enigma and Bletchley.

2. By Royal Command by Charlie Higson

The final Young Bond in the series and frankly the weakest, I found it a bit of a struggle to get through this one.  I should probably add a caveat to that statement; I have read three or four of the series in quick succession which probably wasn't the smartest move and the story was still good but the fantastical nature of Bond just gets boring after a while.

3. The Secret Life of Bletchley Park by Sinclair McKay

More Bletchley research with this one.  Good grief McKay is perhaps one of the most pompous writers I have ever come across, so patronising towards the women he interviewed I can almost visualise him patting them on the bottom and telling them to fetch his slippers.  It was only a wish to read something of the history of Bletchley that I actually bothered to read to the end of this book, and thankfully there were lots of really interesting nuggets of information to be had.  Did you know that maps of buildings were disguised within illustrations of butterfly wings and that there was a hut at Bletchley that was only every used as a hair salon?  

4. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Ahh The Book Thief *looks at book with dewy, soft focus, besotted affection* this was the book I gave away as part of World Book Night on 23rd April.  I had to keep a copy for myself and I had to re-read this book in celebration.  What an amazing story, with amazing characters, a completely refreshing piece of prose that everyone should read.

5. I Left My Tent in San Francisco by Emma Kennedy

My colleague Anne lent me her copy of Kennedy's first book 'The Tent the Bucket and Me' which was genuinely laugh out loud (and for those that know me I don't often laugh out loud, but don't worry I'm not dead inside I just don't laugh out loud much).  I Left my Tent [...] is a good tale, perhaps not as funny as The Tent [...] but still I would definitely recommend it and perfect for reading on holiday because no matter what, your holiday can never, ever be the disaster Kennedy and her friend Dee got themselves in...

Well that's it for now, I will hopefully get back on track with A Month of Reading especially because I have some interesting books line up that I've been told are worth a look, I'll let you know my humble little opinion when I've read them...

A Month of Reading

I feel I need to start this post by saying don't judge me!  There is a whole heap of young adult fiction contained within this post which quite often makes people scoff but this month of reading is a gold mine of fantastic reads which with the summer just around the corner you might want to consider...

1. Double or Die by Charlie Higson

A number of years ago an ex-colleague of mine recommended and lent me Silverfin the first of the Young Bond series by Charlie Higson. I never thought it would be a book she would read so thought I would give it a go and was very glad I did, it was great. I quickly purchased Bloodfever the follow-up but at that point Double or Die was in hardback and on principle I won't buy hardback books they're just too expensive. 

Wanting a quick read I thought I would give Double or Die a try. Crikey, it's just a bit action packed, very far-fetched but ultimately great.  The good thing about young adult fiction is an absolute disregard for what can't happen and as the young James Bond gets chased, and chased and escapes and escapes in more and more ridiculous scenarios I loved every page. Higson keeps the slightly kitsch elements of the original Bond's but thankfully without the sexist Pussygalores etc.

2. Hurricane Gold by Charlie Higson

I told you I liked the young James Bond's.  As I was nearing the end of Double or Die I got slightly edgy and nervous that I didn't have the next book in the series to immediately move on to.  Hurricane Gold provides a ludicrous villain, fast cars, horrendous but inventive ways to die, guns, gore, and lots of page turning goodness.  Buy it, do it now, off you go....

3. Looking for Alaska by John Green

You may remember I read Paper Towns by John Green in last month's A Month of Reading, and I LOVED it.  You might have guessed from this post already that when I like an author I tend to rush out and buy all of their books and read, read, read (thank god I don't like Patrick O'Brian I'd be broke) and John Green's books are great!  Looking for Alaska is an exploration of beginnings and endings. What I love about Green's books is that he writes about teenagers and their lives in such an ordinary non-Skins way and doesn't pretend that life as a teenager isn't mostly boring and filled with the complicated relationships with friends and family.  I can't say too much about the plot because I don't want to give much away and I do want you to go out and read this book.

4. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Ahhh the exquisite pain of a heart broken teenager.  Colin; anagramer, prodigy, and dumped by 19 Katherines works his way through the heart break with friend Hassan on a road trip (Hassan is one of the best characters I've come across).  This wasn't my favourite John Green book, but that's like saying it's not my favourite cake, it's still cake damn it which means it's still great.  Once again Green's characters are full and normal and funny and smart, the story is something everyone can, on some level relate to and I will eat my imaginary hat if you don't enjoy this book.

That's it for me  and this month of reading, allotment season is kicking off so I suspect my consumption of literature is going to nose dive.  But I'm very excited to say I have been chosen to be a World Book Night Giver!  But more of that later...

A month of reading

Last year I made a resolution to not buy new books.  I could borrow from friends or the library, buy from car boots sales and charity shops but that was it.  A good plan I thought, especially as I do tend to spend a lot of money on books, however the problem with this plan is you only really get a certain type of book, lots of Bridget Jones' Diary, The Da Vinci code and more copies of Tony Parson's work then I care to remember.  This year I scraped that rule and here is what I've been reading this month:

1. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

You may well suspect this is a book aimed at 9 - 12 year olds, and well  yes you'd be absolutely right, but don't let that put you off.  Katy my friend of almost 14 years now (gulp), and ex-colleague from the Waterstone's era lent me this book.  97% of the time Katy recommends great books (End of the Affair, and Persuasion aside, sorry Katy) and this is one of them!  I seem to remember kid's books being quite patronising when I was young, so much so that it put me off reading and it wasn't until I started doing my A-Levels that this started to change so it is great to read a kid's book that is funny, sarcastic and doesn't have flaky, boring female main characters.  Skulduggery is a skeleton who happens to also be a detective and the series of books follow him on his adventures in a completely non-Harry Potter magical way. 

2. After Dark by Haruki Murakami

In my last 'month of reading' post I asked for recommendations as I was running low on inspiration and my cousin suggested anything by Haruki Murakami.  I'd already read Norwegian Wood back when I was at uni and really enjoyed it so I don't really know why it has taken me so long and a prompt from my cousin to read more.  Reading the first chapter it struck me how cinematic the writing was and how easy it was to imagine the story, as I read from chapter two onward Murakami begins to describe scenes from the camera's point of view so my first interpretation of the writing really hadn't been far off.  This isn't a happy novel, nor overly bleak just an exploration of the good and the bad, the mundane and the violent, loneliness and companionship.  I will certainly be reading more of Murakami's books now that I remember how good they are (dur).

3. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

4. Street Gang - the Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis

Both of these books are completely my thing and definitely what I would choose to read (again both lent to me by Katy) but my concentration span at the moment is virtually nil.  I tried reading both of these but either the size of the novel (Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell) or the density of the text (Street Gang) put me off on this occasion.  I'm hoping when things start to calm down at work and I can relax a little bit more I'll have the time to read and enjoy them....

5. The Driver's Seat - Muriel Spark

In the spirit of nil concentration the size of this book was what I was initially drawn to when I was on the scavenge in the library, plus I'd never read any Muriel Spark before and had heard good things.  This book is weird, and confusing and I spent most of my time wondering if I'd missed something really obvious as Spark's style of writing is fractious and seemingly random.  It was only when I read the final chapter that everything slotted into place and the book went from one I just didn't get to one that I thought was brilliant!  I get this little review of it might not make you rush out and buy/borrow it but it was really good and it felt good to ponder what I had read and see how it all fitted the puzzle.  Plus if nothing else it's really short so if you really don't like it, it won't take you long to finish and move on to something else!

6. Paper Towns by John Green

You have to read this book.  Seriously.  There are two books that I tell everyone they have to read; The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak, and How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran.  If you haven't read these books then seriously you must they're ace and I re-read them alot.  Paper Towns was recommended to Katy by another ex-Waterstone's Colleague Joe (little two's Joe if you read this) and then Katy announced to all on her Facebook page that it was great so of course being the little lambkin I am who just has to join in I hurried out and bought it.  And lo!  It is great.  A 'young adult' book this time (yeah I might get back to reading adult books, or I might not) it centres around Quentin Jacobsen and Margo Roth Spiegelman.  I don't want to give a synopsis of the plot the Wikipedia entry for it can do a better job of that than me.  Instead I'm going to rattle on about how well written it is, and how it makes me want to read all of his books and that I read it in a couple of days because I couldn't put it down.

Ok

Finally here is the reading seat, up in our bedroom low enough that people can't see me and low enough that I get to look up into the sky and sit in the odd sunbeam like the cat who usually circles me waiting for me to leave so she can steal the prime spot.

A month of reading

1. (not pictured) When God Was a Rabbit - Sarah Williams

I wasn't sure about this one, a number of people had recommended it but I suspected it wasn't for me.  Yes, I admit it; I judged a book by it's cover.  Unsurprisingly the old adage was correct, I really shouldn't have.  It was a pacy book and at no point felt like a struggle to read, the relationships between the characters are complicated at times, but touching as well.  This book hasn't changed my life and I don't think it is one of those books that everyone MUST read but is a good in between book when you've finished a really brilliant book and don't know what to read next. I've lent this one to my mum (hence not pictured) and I'm vain enough to not lend people books that I don't think reflect well on me!

2. The Imperfectionists - Tom Rachman

I read a review of this book on another blog and thought I would give it a go.  The story is set in the office of a failing newspaper, each chapter is written from the view point of one of the members of the office outlining the personal and professional politics, power struggles and ambitions of the staff.  I'm indifferent to this book, which sounds so much more damning than I really want it to.  It is a good book and I didn't struggle to get through it and at no point did I want to give up on it, but the characters were whiney and selfish and I struggled to find a redeeming feature amongst them (I am aware this was a necessary part of the plot, but it doesn't mean I have to like it).  Don't let me put you off this book but borrow it from the library, don't buy it new. 

3. The Confessions of Katherine Howard - Suzannah Dunn

Utter, utter meh.  My (not so) secret shame is an interest in the Tudors and I thought this one might be good.  It was eye meltingly dull I don't give up on books readily, and I didn't with this one but it came close a couple of times.

4. One Day - David Nicholls

This book didn't come to my attention until the film came out, now anything associated with Anne Hathaway makes me yawn, equally anything that is over-hyped switches me off so I wasn't that inclined to read it.  However last weekend my lovely sister-in-law gave me a copy, the copy she had received as part of World Book Night and I'm really glad I got over myself and read it because it was great.  My assumption had been that because Anne Hathaway was involved with the film that the character of Emma Morley would be a bit soft, but no, she was switched on, sarcastically funny and so well written.  This book was great because it portrays what I'm sure we've all experienced; the struggle to identify what we really want to do with our lives and how to achieve it.  Go forth and read this book!

So what have I learnt this month via the medium of books; I am very snobby and judgemental when it comes to choosing books, but equally am happy to admit when I'm wrong about these judgements so that's sort of ok, right?

What books would you recommend?