Books I Read in 2008

Books read in December 2008

'A Puree of Poison' by Claudia Bishop – an American murder mystery, very frothy and lightweight, with a thin plot and thin characters. Not a keeper.
'The Irish Manor House Murder' – ditto. Bought these books on remaindered sale, and I can see why. A pleasant way to while away an hour, but ultimately forgettable.
'The Untamed Heiress' by Julia Justiss. A Regency Romance – the first M & B book I've read in a thousand years – and part of the same remaindered sale, yet this one I really quite enjoyed. It stretched incredulity – but the romance was competently handled and I at least enjoyed the read.
'Bad Girls and Wicked Women' by Jan Stradling. This is a collection of autobiographical sketches of mad, bad and dangerous women through history. Very interesting. I actually read more than half of this last month, but finished it in December so it gets included here.
'Spin Straw to Gold' by Barbara Sleigh. A 1964 collection of fairy tales from round the world.
'The Pere-Lachaise Mystery' by Claude Legris. A historical murder mystery set in 19th century Paris. A little slow, but filled with interesting and vivid detail. I enjoyed it!
'The Rose Bride' by Nancy Holder. I've been slowly reading my way through the 'Once Upon A Time' fairy tale retellings, and have not been swept away by any of them. It's not that the writing is bad – they are all competent writers – I think it's due to a lack of surprise and suspense because the original stories are so well –known (at least to me). Pretty cover.
'The Iron Tsar' by Geoffrey Trease, who never disappoints. A first edition copy, written in 1975, towards the end of his writing life, it is filled with action, adventure, romance and humour. What more could anyone want?
'A Masque for the Queen' by Geoffrey Trease. One of his slighter books for younger children, but extremely well told. One of my internet buys – a first edition 1970 copy.
'The Firemaster's Mistress' by Christie Dickason. A historical romance set in the time of James I, built around the Guy Fawkes plot to blow up Parliament. Brilliantly done, making me understand the period and the politics so well. Definitely an author I'll read again … eagerly.
'Devil May Care' by Sebastian Faulks. I love Sebastian Faulks, and so I was a little disappointed by this James Bond novel which was a fairly straightforward, connect-the-dots spy thriller. No doubt it'll make a good movie.
'More Mere Mortals' by Jim Leavesley. An absolutely fascinating book about medical maladies in history. More, more, more!
'Camelot's Honour' by Sarah Zettel. I just loved this book! I had really enjoyed Sarah Zettel's fantasy trilogy, but steered clear of this one as I had read so many Camelot romances. But this is a zinger! Fantastic.
'Carbonel' by Barbara Sleigh. A girl buys a cat and a broom from a retiring witch, and finds herself in all sorts of magical mayhem. I loved it! I think I must've read it as a child and forgotten it, for it seemed so familiar in the very best of ways. A classic of its kind.
'The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, or the Murder at Road Hill House' by Kate Summerscale. This is a fantastic book! I really loved it, and stayed up past midnight to finish reading it. It's a non-fiction book as full of suspense and surprise as any novel, and that tells the story of a true life murder which rocked Victorian society. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a good detective novel.
'Number the Stars' by Lois Lowry. A beautiful, simple and moving story about the Danish Resistance during the Second World War.
'The Duchess' by Amanda Foreman. I saw the movie with Keira Knightley, and loved it, so I was very keen to read the book and get the real story. An absolutely fascinating book about an absolutely fascinating woman. I felt such a connection to her – so many of her faults are mine too, and I shudder to think how I would have survived in the narrow, strict, and artificial world of the 18th century aristocracy. Loved it.
'Green Boy' by Susan Cooper. Susan Cooper is one of the writers who most profoundly affected me as a child reader. I will read and love anything she writes. I had to order this from the US over the net, as I couldn't find it here in Australia – I thought it a beautiful, moving, intelligent and insightful book that I immediately passed over to my 10-year old son and niece to read. A humbling writer.
'Whispering to Witches' by Anna Dale. Another one I ordered over the net – and I enjoyed it immensely. Pitch-perfect.
'Her Royal Spyness' by Rhys Bowen. A lovely frothy confection to end the year with. Very light reading, but fun and clever.

Having read 20 books this month, it was hard to pick a winner. 'The Firemaster's Mistress' by Christie Dickason, 'Camelot's Honour' by Sarah Zettel, and 'The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, or the Murder at Road Hill House' by Kate Summerscale are my top three adult books, with 'Carbonel' by Barbara Sleigh, 'Green Boy' by Susan Cooper and 'Whispering to Witches' by Anna Dale winning on the children's front. Sorry, but they were all so good!

That brings my books to the year to 154 books! Not bad. That's an average of 12 books per month, or 3 per week. A very happy reading year.

Books read in November 2008

'Loving Frank' by Nancy Horan – an absolutely fascinating novel based on the true life story of Mamah Cheney, who left her husband and children to run off with Frank Lloyd Wright. Beautifully written, compelling and ultimately very sad, its definitely the best book I read this month.
'The Silent Pool' by Patricia Wentworth – I quite enjoy these murder mysteries from the 50s but this is not one of her best. She wrote it only 5 years before she died so perhaps was not at the top of her game.
'The Silver Curlew' by Eleanor Farjeon. I bought this first edition at a second-hand bookshop in Dee Why and am quite thrilled with it. A classic Eleanor Farjeon tale, told with her usual vim and charm, and quite a reasonable price since it had been inscribed 'To Susan' from her aunt and uncle in 1955. Inscriptions drop the price of old books, but I love them – they give me a sense of the history of the book. I love to think of Susan curled up and reading this book – maybe in an orchard while eating an apple or in a big wing-chair before a fire – eleven years before I was even born. Lovely.
'The Titian Committee' by Iain Pears. I loved 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' by this author, and tend to pick up his detective novels when I see them though they never really dazzle me. This is a clever plot, but the characters never really charm me.
'Recipe for Cherubs' by Babs Horton. I had high hopes of this book since it has all the ingredients to please me – art, history, food, mysteries – and I loved every word of it. I think the plot got a little tangled at the end – but maybe that's because I stayed up past midnight to read it and so may have missed a crucial clue. However, I definitely want to go on and read more of Babs Horton's books.
'A Novel In A Year' by Louise Doughty. A refreshingly honest, practical and down-to-earth guide to writing a novel – I'd recommend it to anyone trying to write a book, though I'm not sure it would really help you to actually write one within a year!
'Jessamy' by Barbara Sleigh. A time travel story for children written in 1967. I don't think it's as good as 'Tom's Midnight Garden' – which is strongly resembles – but enjoyable nonetheless.
'The Bookman's Wake' by John Dunning. I really enjoyed this! Clever, complex mysteries coupled with lots of info about book collecting which I find absolutely fascinating. I'm looking out for more.
'Mister Pip' by Lloyd Jones. This was my Book Club choice, and I really loved it, though it was not a happy read at all – the book is sad and shocking and quite compelling. I was fascinated by how cleverly Lloyd Jones wove the life and writing of Charles Dickens into his story of a girl growing up in Bougainville. It sent me back to Dickens' work, which is how I came to read:
'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens. I had read this at school and hated it. Now I really enjoyed it, though I wish it was much shorter. I found his characterization extraordinarily vivid – to the point of caricature – yet it made me wish mine had half the life and energy and instant recognisability (if that's a word).

Books read in October 2008

'Poseidon's Gold' by Lindsey Davis. A light, amusing murder mystery set in Ancient Rome. Touches of romance and a wry protagonist add to its charm, though I don't think this is one of her best.
'In the Land of the Mogul' by Geoffrey Trease. A children's historical adventure novel based on the true story of how English merchants began trade with India and laid the foundations of the East India Company. Interesting story, told with verve and style (but once again, not one of his best books)
'The Ice Queen' by Alice Hoffman. I loved this book! A story of two lightning victims who are drawn together by their shocking experiences (forgive the pun), it is aptly described as a fairy tale for grown-ups. Alice Hoffman has a way of finding the extraordinary and the strange in the everyday, so her books are filled with magic and science, allusion and fact, fantasy and reality. Spellbinding.
'Gold Dust' by Kimberly Freeman. This is the story of two sisters and a cousin who use trickery and deceit to escape Post-Stalinist Russia, but find their shady past comes back to haunt them. Engrossing and moving.
'Tolkien's Gown' by Rick Gekoski. I wish this book was twice as long. I found it absolutely fascinating. The story of an antiquarian bookseller's encounters with famous books and their writers. It concentrates only on the better-known writers of the 20th century, and is a little snobbish, but a fabulous read nonetheless.
'Sepulchre' by Kate Mosse. I love books which weave past and present stories together, and the historical detail in this was excellent. The plot veered out-of-control a couple of times, but maybe only because the reader has so much to keep track of. A lovely, thick, meaty read that kept me happy for hours.
'Girl In Hyacinth Blue' by Susan Vreeland. I've been talking about this book all month. It's an absolute beauty. Clever, moving, meticulous – it's a masterpiece in itself.
'Pardonable Lies' by Jacqueline Winspear. The third Maisie Dobbs mystery. I really enjoy these murder mysteries set in post-war London. Filled with fantastic historical detail, with a clever and intriguing heroine.
'Angels and Insects' by A.S. Byatt. I loved this book when I first read it as an undergraduate, and I still enjoyed it this time – though I skipped pages and pages of subtext and discussions on religion and physiology. I think I'm too old to be bored.
'The Damascened Blade' by Barbara Cleverly. This is an historical murder mystery set in India in 1910. No real plot twist, or surprise, but enjoyable reading nonetheless.
'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman. An odd, spooky tale that lingers in the mind. He uses the device of the holey-stone which is what I've used in my latest book ... I guess we all draw upon the same wellspring of inspiration...
'Booked To Die' by John Dunning. A detective-turned-antiquarian bookseller is the protagonist in this book – I loved it!

Best books of the month – definitely 'Girl In Hyacinth Blue' by Susan Vreeland and 'The Ice Queen' by Alice Hoffman. 125 BOOKS THIS YEAR AND COUNTING!

Books read in September 2008

'The Game of Kings' by Dorothy Dunnett. This is a thick, complex, difficult yet exhilerating novel, set in the early days of Mary, Queen of Scots, and filled with Machiavellian politics and intrigue, and a very enigmatic hero. thisis a novel which would bear several re-readings, and you would understand more with each reading.
'Down In The Cellar' by Nicholas Stuart Grey. I'm a big fan of this post-war British writer, who sets the mystery, wonder and strangeness of magic side by side with the ordinariness of British children. This book was published in 1961, and is an absolute classic. I first read it as a child, and pounced on it when i saw this copy in a second-hand store. Wonderful.
'Black Jack' by Leon Garfield - another one of my favourite classic writers for children. This book was first published in 1968, and I'd never read it before - I fond it in a fabulous second-hand bookstore in Inverness, Scotland , when I was there earlier this year. A beautiful story, dark and frightening and filled with exquisite use of language.
'The Ghosts of Glencoe' by Mollie Hunter. I bought this signed first edition copy in the second-hand bookshop in Inverness, Scotland- I wish this bookshop was in Sydney, Australia! I love Mollie Hunter, who seems largely forgotten now - this is a tense and gripping retelling of the massacre of Glencoe in the 17th century, first published in 1966, the year of my birth.
'The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer. A wonderful book, written by an elderly librarian who did not live to see it published. Such a shame to think we'll have no more gems like this from her. It was recommended to me by one of my publishers - I bought it on the way home from lunch, took it to bed with me, and read it into the midnight hours, unable to put it down. I laughed, I cried, and I put it down with a sigh of regret that it had to end. Perfect!
'Nine Parts of Desire' by Geraldine Brooks. I love her fiction - she's one of my favourite writers - and so I read this with great interest. She's always an elegant and accomplished writer, but since this is a a journalist's view of women in Islam, it lacks the charm and spark of her novels. Enormously interestinga dn illuminating, though.
'Dissolution' by C.J. Sansom. A murder mystery set in the time of the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, this is a clever, evocative and beautifully written book, which I enjoyed immensely. I'm now looking for other books by this author, always a sign of a wonderful read.
'A Company of Swans' by Eva Ibbotson. I love Eva Ibbotson! I always grab her new books as soon as they come out, go home and read it straightaway. They are very comfortable and comforting - like a long, hot bubble bath when you're really tired. This is not one of her best - but I love ballet and so that added a degree of interest - i just wish her heroines were a little more feisty. They're always so sweet and charming, I could wish they'd show a bit more gumption.
'No Mistaking Corker' by Monica Edwards. Another classic children's author - this time writing a pony holiday book. This was her first ever book, written in 1947 (my copy is another first edition) - its more conventional than her other books, but has her usual sharply drawn characters and beautiful settings.
'The Thief Taker' by Janet Gleeson. A murder mystery set in Victorian England, one of my favourites settings for crime novels due to the mist and the squalid back streets and the divide between upstairs and downstairs. This book does not disappoint. Perhaps a little slow on action, but filled with marvellous and evocative period details.
'The Naming of Tishkin Silk' by Australian author Glenda Millard. A perfect little gem of a book, fulfilling all my requirements for beauty - I wish I could write like this.
'A Drowned Maiden's Hair - a Melodrama' by Laura Amy Schlitz. I loved this book! I want more! Please write more, Laura! Just my kind of children's book - filled with secrets, mystery, drama, sadness and joy, it tells the story of Maud Flynn - a "plain, clever and bad" orphan who is adopted by a trio of elderly spinsters who are not what they seem. Not a false note anywhere in the book - very highly recommended.

That's 12 books this month, most of them children's books or historical mysteries - my best picks were 'The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society' for adults and 'A Drowned Maiden's Hair' for children.

That brings my total for the year to 113 books - and still so many books in the world to read!!!

Books read in August 2008

'Jim At the Corner' by Eleanor Farjeon. She is one of the wonderful and almost-forgotten authors who I collect, and this book cost me $15 second-hand.It's an old library book, rather tattered, but a short and sweet collection of tales for young children.
'Fivefold' by Nathan Burrage. A religious thriller by a first-time Australian author. I was brought up by atheists and so this sort of book has no shock value for me (it's tagline is "what if the first 5 books of the Bible weren't about good and evil at all"?) It was a little slow for me, but I enjoyed it, and I can see potential for even better books to come.
'The Scarlet Pimpernel' by Baroness Orczy. i read and oved this as a teenager, and bought it second-hand to read again. Loved it just as much again, though its a little flowery and over-wrought by modern standards. But fabulous, nonetheless!
'The Household Guide to Dying' by Debra Adelaide. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was beautifully written. It didn't make me laugh, though, or cry ... though i nodded my head a number of times in empathy ...
'Grimbold's Other World' by Nicholas Stuart Gray. I've been seaarching for books by this author for a while, and found this in an old second-hand shop for practically nothing. It's a strange yet beautiful book, quite slim, and filled with magic.
'The Riddle', 'The Gift', 'The Crow' and 'The Singing, a quartet of heroic fantasy books by Alison Croggon, an Australian author. This books are wonderful, I really loved them. Beautifully told and quite compelling, these are not your usual sword-and-sorcery, but literary fantasy with a high tone and clear moral centre. Just wonderful.
'Ring Out the Bow Bells' by Cynthia Harnett. Recommended to me as a children's historical author writing in my period of interst (ie books published in Britain after the war) - this book is set in medieval London, at the time of Dick Whittington, who appeared as a character in the book. Slow and thoughtful and filled with vivid and exacting historical detail, it was a charming read (if a little too slow for me).
'When Gods Die' by C.S. Harris. A murder mystery set in Regency London. I'm really enjoying this series and am definitely looking out for more! Excellent reading!
'Fireworks and Darkness' by Natalie Jane Prior. A children’s historical fantasy novel, drawing upon the fascinating world of firework makers - I enjoyed this very much.
'The Iron Hand of Mars' by Lindsay Davies. Not nearly as good as her other books I've read - which was a shame - but I will try more.

A good mix between old children's books, some new literary stuff, and - for the first time in quite a while - some adult fantasy. A happy reading month!

Books read in July 2008

'Rosamund's Tuckshop' by Elsie J. Oxenham - a friend in the Uk sent me this book as it is one I am missing from my collection. Any book collector will know how pleased I was to get it! A charming old school story.
'Rosamund's Castle' by Elsie J. Oxenham - another sent to me from the UK. Not an old copy, but a modern reprint of a very hard to get book. I'd rather have an original, but glad to fill in gaps in the story.
'Five Runaway Together' by Enid Blyton. I had the worst 'flu imaginable this month and so spent a lot of time in bed, blearily reading comfort books. This is one of the best, as good as eating a whole family size block of chocolate.
'These Old shades' by Georgette Heyer. More comfort reading! I had to go and dig this one out of a box in the garage, but it was worth it. one of my favourite Heyer books.
'Calabrian Quest' by Geoffrey Trease. Not his best by a long shot, but GT can't write a bad book. Another of my internet indulgences ...
'Tomboys At The Abbey' by Elsie J Oxenham. I bought this from the same internet dealer as the book above and they helped brighten a dreary winter's day confined to bed. Plus added to my collection (if you haven't realised, I collect post-war british children's books)
'Friday's Child' by Georgette Heyer. Another old favourite!
'Cotillion' by Georgette Heyer. Ditto.
'The Nonesuch' by Georgette Heyer. I like this one too, though its not a favourite - basically i dug out the top layer from the box and this was one of them.
'The Time of the Hunter's Moon' by Victoria Holt. I had just about run out of comfort books to read and so heaved myself up out of my sickbed and ventured down to the second-hand bookstore to buy some more. I hadn't read VH since I was in school. It wasn't as good as I remembered. Though it helped while away another day in bed.
'Duet' by Kimberley Freeman. A family drama spanning two continents - very readable with lots of interesting stuff about music. I'll look out for more of her books.
'Bootlegger's Daughter' by Margaret Marron. A clever murder mystery with a lot of personality. A lttle too deep south American for my taste, but well written with quite a lot of charm.
'That's Why I Wrote This Song' by Suzanne Gervay. This book was written by a friend of mine, and contains lyrics written by her daughter too - apparently you can download the songs off the internet and watch the music video. Amazing!
'An Expert in Murder' by Nicola Upson. This is an historical murder mystery which features the real-life writer of early 20th century crime novels, Josephine Tey, as the amateur detective. I really enjoyed this book. It was fresh and clever and I didn't guess the murderer at all!
'Devil's Cub' by Georgette Heyer. yes, another one, but you can never have too much Heyer, can you?
'A Walk in Wolf wood' by Mary Stewart. Lady Mary is one of my favourite writers but i couldn't find her box in the garage and so I read this children's book of hers that I hadn't ever seen before. She's a gorgeous stylist, a little old-fashioned but in the nicest possible way.
'The Rider of the White Horse' by Rosemary Sutcliff. The queen of children's historical fiction! This book was published in 1959 and is perhaps a more adult book, being the story of the relationship between a Roundhead soldier and his wife during the Civil War. It is subtle and warm and clever and perhaps a little slow for modern-day chidlren, but I loved it. One of the books I bought in Scotland.
'Fivefold' by Nathan Burrage. The tagline for this book is "what if the first five chapters of the Bible weren't about good and evil at all?' This is a supernatural thriller which moves a little too slowly to really thrill, but was an engaging read nonetheless. I was brought up by good old-fashioned atheists and so suffered greatly from a lack of knowlege of, or interest in, the Bible and associated arcana - but I just skipped those bits :)
'The Forgotten Garden' by Kate Morton. What a fabulous book! I loved, loved, loved it! It's definitely jumped into my list of all time favourite books. I could have read it forever. A foundling child, a mystery, a secret garden, a maze, dark fairy tales, a romance ... sigh! I want Kate to write another book now!
'Bath Tangle' by Georgette Heyer. The last of the Heyer books I brought up from the garage! Lovely comfort food on a miserable, grey, wintry day when you're sick in bed. It may be the last Heyer book i read in a while, though!
'Venus In Copper' by Lindsey Davis. This is the second book by this author that I've read and i'm so thrilled! I love discovering a new author and then realising they have a nice hefty back list. These are murder mysteries set in Ancient Rome, and they are clever, funny, wry and romantic. I think they need to be read in order, like so many murder mysteries with the same central character - but if you can do that then are really very, very good. Such a pleasure to read.

Twenty one books! That's a lot, even for me. That's what you get for spending a whole week in bed, and most of the rest of the month barely out of it. I haven't written a word, but I did enjoy the rest for my poor old overworked brain. Best book? Definitely 'The Forgotten Book' by Kate Morton, with Lindsey Davis highly recommended too.

Books read in June 2008

'Crime Brulee' by Nancy Fairbanks. A light, frothy murder mystery, very thin on plot, but I enjoyed the recipes.
'The Dark Mountain' by Catherine Jinks. This is a gothic historical mystery based on the true lives of an Australian settler family in the early part of the nineteenth century. It is told from the point of view of Charlotte Atkinson, who happened to be my great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. Her mother, Charlotte Waring, wrote the first children's book published in Australia while her sister, Louisa Atkinson, was the first Australian born novelist. The Atkinsons were an absolutely fascinating family, and this is a story filled with murder, mystery, and romance. I enjoyed Catherine Jinks' interpretation though it is hard to read about people who belong to you as characters in a book - quite hard to suspend one's disbelief!
'Zel' by Donna Jo Napoli. I love fairytale retellings and I've enjoyed other books by Donna Jo Napoli but I wasn't as entranced with this book as I expected to be. Perhaps it is because I am planning my own retelling of the Rapunzel tale and so I had all my critical faculties firmly switched on. Or perhaps its because one of the problems with fairytale retellings is that the story is already so familiar and so there is no sense of suspense or surprise.
'Face Down Beside St Anne's Well' by Kathy Lynn Emerson. This series of murder mysteries were recommended to me because they are set in Elizabethan times and are meant to have a great deal of accurate historical detail. This is true - but the plot was quite weak and the charaters hard to keep apart.
'The Rossetti Letter' by Christi Phillips. A wonderful historical mystery set in Venice. The best book I read all month, without a doubt. The action moves adriotly between modern-day and the 17th century, and is filled with the smell and feel of Venice. I loved it!
'The Island of adventure' by Enid Blyton. I actually read this one to my kids - they all loved it!
'A Knot In the grain' by Robin McKinley. I love Robin McKinley and had not yet read this collection of short stories. As beautifully told as ever.
'Popinjay Stairs' by Geoffrey Trease. This book was recommended to me by a writer friend of mine, Sally odgers, who is a big GT fan too. I bought a pile of them over the net and settled in for a few happy nights reading. This is a great historical adventure story for kids, set during the Restoration, and featuring Samuel Pepys as one of the characters. It's become a favourite!
'The Dutch Are Coming' by Geoffrey Trease. This is really for younger readers and so is more of a short story than a novel, but very satisfying nonetheless.
'The Field of the Forty Footsteps' by Geoffrey Trease. Another historical adventure set in the time of the Restoration, this one is about actors and a playhouse, and the girl who became the first female to tread the boards. Geoffrey Trease writes so effortlessly well, he makes it look all too easy ... but as we all know, its really not easy at all.
'Face Down Below the Banqueting House' by Kathy Lynn Emerson. Another Elizabethan murder mystery, a little better plotted than the last but still not that riveting.
'Death At Apothecaries Hall' by Deryn Lake - a much better read! A murder mystery set in 18th century London. Lively, amusing, romantic, and although the murderer was obvious, still a very enjoyable read.
'The Red Necklace' by Sally Gardner. I loved this book!!! I had really enjoyed her previous book, 'I, Coriander' and with this book she makes it into the list of one of my favourite writers at the moment. So beautifully written, and filled with just the sort of things I love - mystery, magic, romance, danger. I can't wait for her next book!
'Breath' by Tim Winton. This was my Book club book for the month, and I really enjoyed it. I'm not such a big TW fan but I liked 'Dirt Music' and this one was even better I thought. beautifully written and I feel it has truy illuminated the feelings behind those that go in for extreme sports, something I've never been able to understand before. Very worth reading.

Fourteen books this month, lots of history (again), lots of children's books (again), lots of murder mysteries (again). I also finished reading 'Musicophilia' by Oliver Sacks, but I'd already counted that earlier in the year. That 13 brings my total for the year to 68 books, so I've easily managed the goal of 50 books! I feel like I need a bit of a change to my reading diet - maybe I should read a chick lit book ...

Books read in May 2008

'The Dragonfly Pool' by Eva Ibbotson. I always get excited at the idea of a new book from Eva Ibbotson. I bought this at the airport in Heathrow and it was perfect for reading on the long flight home to Sydney. I don't think its her best book - not as good as 'A Song For summer' or 'The Star of Kazan' but still very charming and warm and funny and filled with memorable and eccentric characters. It left me with a lovely warm fuzzy feeling.
'The Art Thief' by Noam Charney. This book was described as a thriller about art thefts, and so I thought I would love it. I couldn't finish it, though. There were too many characters, and it was hard to know who was the hero - I always like to "imprint" on a character and follow them through their adventures. I actually really enjoyed the lectures on art history, that didn't really add to the plot at all - but they'd have been better as articles. A disappointing read.
'Murder in the Limelight' by Amy Myers. A Victorian Whodunit. I quite enjoyed this - i'm on a quest for a decent "cosy" murder mystery - one with a fantastic plot, charming characters, a great setting, and not a serial murderer in sight. So sick of hard-boiled crime thrillers about serial murderers!!! This one didn't quite hit the mark - I think it was all done a little fast - but I still enjoyed it. I might read another ...
'The school at the Chalet' by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer. This is the first in the chalet School series and I had never read it, so when I saw it in a second-hand bookshop I bought it. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the Swiss countryside, and the characters were vivid and sharp - i quite enjoyed it. I wonder why no-one writes school stories anymore? if they did, they'd be full of bullying and self-harm and so on, rather than midnight feasts and pranks that go wrong ...
'Heaven's Net is Wide' by Lian Hearn. This is a prequel to her multi-best-selling series of books set in an imagined Japan in feudal times. Lian Hearn writes exquisite, measured prose, filled with fascinating historical detail. This book, however, was not as riveting as the others in the series - perhaps because I already knew what was going to happen having read the later books. It'd be a great book to start with, though, reading all the books in chronological order. and it does fill in some of the background for fans of the other books.
'Hobberdy Dick' by K.M. Briggs. Another of the old children's books I bought in Wigtown, Scotland in April - an old classic (first published in 1955) told from the point of view of a hobgoblin on a farm in the aftermath of the English civil war. This is one of my periods of interest, as I set 'The Gypsy crown' in much the same time - and so I was very interested to read one of the very few historical children's novels set in the same time frame. It's not an easy read - I wonder how kids of today would find it - but I loved it. A true classic.
'The Fire in the Flint' by Candace Robb. This is a murder mystery set in 13th century Scotland. I was sure I would love it, but once again I was disappointed. I can't quite put my finger on why - but I think it was because I couldn't really connect with the main character, who seemed very diffuse. If I'd enjoyed this book, I would've gone on and read all of her books, but it didn't grab me, which was a shame.
'Life In His Hands' by Susan Wyndham. This is a non-fiction book written by the literary editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, telling the story of Charlie teo, a controversial but brilliant neurosurgeon, and a young pianist Aaron McMillan who at the age of 24 was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour. He was given just 6 weeks to live. The book tells of Charlie's life-saving operation on Aaron, and the weeks and years that follows, and is absolutely fascinating. This was without a doubt one of the best books I've read this year. Note-perfect in its style and composition, beautifully written, meticulously researched, it was both fascinating and moving. You must read it!
'Bearkeeper' by Josh Lacey. This was a book I got for my 10-year old boy Ben and he really loved it and told me I must read it. It tells the story of a 12 year old boy in Shakespearean London, and his adventures with a gang of cut-throats, a troupe of actors (including shakespeare) and a bear. Definitely my kind of book! The biog says Josh Lacey has worked as a teacher, and I think you can tell - there is a definite desire to teach in this book - but it does so lightly and well that I don't think it matters. The authorial intrusions actually make the book feel quite fresh and unusual, and must help for kids who know very little about the period.
'The Other Queen' by Philippa Gregory. This is a historical novel about Mary, Queen of scots. Philippa Gregory always writes well, and has a knack for bringing history vividly to life. Her method in the last few books is to enter the heads of a few different characters and tell the story from their different points of view. This works very well at its best, though at its worst it does mean the book's a little repetitive, or predictable. This book does suffer a little from these faults, but I enjoyed it immensely nonetheless. Of course, I'm still in the throes of an obsession with Mary, Queen of Scots, the sixteenth century and Scotland, as I've just been finishing my own novel set during this period ... hopefully, I can stop reading about her now!

Only ten books this month, but I've been busy writing and editing my own novel for delivery. Mainly historical fiction, both for adults and chidlren, with a preponderence of scottish and sixteenth century themes. To be expected when I'm in the grip of a fever about a place and time, but I think I'm ready to read something else now. Still looking for a good murder mystery!

Books read in April 2008

'Disease: The Extraordinary Stories Behind History's Deadliest Killers' by Mary Dobson - an absolutely fascinating, gruesome and very beautifully illustrated hardback about 30 diseases, ranging from the plague, leprosy, syphilis, polio, influenza, ebola, AIDS, cancer - not a light read or a happy read but absolutely compelling. Highly recommended.
'The Camp Mystery' by Elsie J. Oxenham - I am still reading my way through a pile of second-hand or rare children's books I bought when in Perth. This is a reprint of a very rare EJO book and connects up with some of her later Abbey books.
'The Conquest of Christina' by Elsie J. Oxenham - an old and rare EJO which cost me a fortune - but fun, light reading.
'Some Bitter Taste' by Magdalen Nabb - a murder mystery set in Florence which I really enjoyed. I'll look out for more of this writer.
'The Witch's Brat' by Rosemary Sutcliff. Another old, rare children's book and an absolute beauty. I'd not read it before and I think its one of Rosemary Sutcliff's best. Very poised - a perfect gem.
'Portrait Of An Unknown Woman' by Vanora Bennett - an historical novel about Hans Holbein and the family of Thomas More (who was executed by Henry VIII for criticising his marriage to Anne Boleyn). I love this period of history and I found discussons of Holbein's paintings utterly fascinating too. I'd recommend this one highly, especially for art and history lovers.
'Kate Crackernuts' by K.M.Briggs - I found this in a second-hand bookshop in Wigtown, in Galloway, where we were staying in an old, romantic castle overlooking the Solway Firth. It was a very special find for me - 1) because K.M.Briggs is one of the foremost fairy scholars in the world and I have been using her books extensively for the novel I'm now writing 2) the book is set in a old romantic castle on the Galloway coast overlooking the Solway Firth. A very serendipitious find.
'The White Riders' by Monica Edwards. Another buy from the Wigtown secondhand bookshop. I like Monica Edwards and buy her books when I see them - which is not very often. Set in the Romney marshes, these are charming girls' adventure stories - with lots about horses.
'Mortal Engines' by Phillip Reeve - a very clever and unusual children's book which won the Nestle Smarties Book Prize Gold Award and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book Award. I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to any bright 10 year old.

I also began 'The Bronze Horseman' by Paullina Simons but put it down as I'm so focused on the book I'm writing at the moment I can't read anything that isn't going to help (this is why I have so many children's books on the list at the moment!)

So only 9 books on the list this month, mostly children's books, many of them old and out of print ... one non-fiction, one historical ... I really must try and read some contemporary fiction!

Books read in March 2008

'Labyrinth' by Kate Mosse - although I enjoyed this historical fantasy, which entwines the tale of a modern woman with that of a 13th century woman, I was a little disappointed after all the hype. It was interesting, particularly the scenes set in the past, yet the writing seemed rather pedestrian and there were no surprises at all. I have read quite a few books like this before, though, notably Tracey Chevalier's 'The Virgin Blue' which I thought was much better.
'The Iron Ring' by Lloyd Alexander - not one of his best by a long shot, but charming nonetheless.
'Musicophilia' by Oliver Sacks - I've only read half this book as I tend to pick it up and read a few chapters in between novels. I'm really enjoying it though. Sacks is always fascinating, erudite and articulate, and I've always been interested in how the brain works, and in music. Well worth reading.
'Queen's Own Fool' by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris - I loved this book! It tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, from the time of her marriage to the Dauphin of France through to her escape from Lochleven after her abdication - all through the eyes of her fool, La Jardinier. I'm writing a children's book set in much the same place and period and I found it fascinating how the authors interwove fact and fiction. My take on events is slightly different, of course ...
'Fires In the dark' by Louise Doughty. This is one of the best books I've read so far this year. It's an utterly compelling story of a Romany boy born in the early part of the 20th century who ends up - like so many other Gypsies - being taken to Hitler's concentration camps. I read this on the plane flying home from a book conference in Cairns and ended up crying so much the man next to me handed me his napkin. Just beautiful!
'April In Paris' by Michael Wallner. A bitter-sad love story set in Paris during the Occupation, told from the point of view of a German soldier. I've thought about this book a lot since I finished reading it - so sad.
'Clever maids - The secret history of the Grimm fairy tales' by Valerie Paradiz. I read this book for research for a novel I'm planning to write next year. It's a wonderful book, beautifully told, and utterly fascinating, wich debunks much fo the Grimm brothers mythology without ever osing its love for the tales and its respect for the job the German scholars did. a must-rad for any fairy tale lover.

Only 7 books this month, but some were very thick ('Labyrinth' took me more than a week, most unusual for me) and some were quite dry. most of them were historical or reference books - not very eclectic at all this month!

Books read in February 2008

'The Swan Kingdom' by Zoe Marriott - a re-telling of the Wild Swans story, for a YA format. Solid but unexciting book, nowhere near as good as Juliet Marillier's 'Daughter of the Forest' which uses the same story.
'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee - I've read this many times, but not for quite a few years. I do think its a perfect gem of a book, and an absolute must for every book shelf.
Neil Gaiman 'Stardust' - I saw the movie first and then read the book. Loved it! A gorgeous fantasy, not quite as colourful and amusing as the movie, but beautifully told.
'Golden' by Cameron Dokey - a retelling of the Rapunzel story which I was interested in as I'm planning to retell the story myself. Was not as good as I expected.
'On Chesil Beach' by Ian McEwan - I do enjoy McEwan's work and this was no exception. A very easy read, without much plot at all, but thick on detail. Rather predictable, I thought, and so short its really a plumped-up short story than a novel.
'Fairest' by Gail Carson Levine - a subtle retake on snow White. Clever and charming, but not as good as 'Ella Enchanted'.
'Death at Dawn' by Caro Peacock - a wonderful murder mystery set in Victorian England, beautifully and elegantly told. I really loved it, and will read more in the series.
'Oscar Wilde and the Candlelit Murders' by Gyles Brandreth. Another murder mystery set in Victorian England, but this time the 'detective' is Oscar Wilde himself. Filled with Wildean witticicms and cameo appearances by people like Arthur Conan Doyle, this was very clever and a good read.
'Castle Secrets' by Jean Seivwright - a Girls Own Book set in Scotland which was published in 1935. I bought it for $10 from a second-hand shop because I'm interested in books set in Scotland. Not very well written really, but whiled away an hour or two.
'Expelled from School' by Elsie J. Oxenham. Another Girls Own book, first published in 1939, this one reprinted in 1941. Still set me back $100, as EJO books are rare nowadays. Not one of her best, but stirred my collectors' blood.
'Addition' by Toni Jordan. Met the author at the Perth Writers Festival and so bought her book. Really enjoyed it. Clever, funny, girls' chick with a brain. Well worth picking up.
'People of the Book' by Geraldine Brooks. I really enjoyed this book, although I don't think its her best by a long shot. She did the historical sections very well, but the contemporary framing story rang a little false. I'll still buy and read anything she writes, though.

Twelve books this month! Not as good as last month, but still a respectable amount. A mixed bag once again. Five children's books, 2 of them antiques, 2 historical murder mysteries, 1 classic, 1 fantasy, 2 contemporary, 1 historical fiction (though Geraldine Brooks could also be classified as contemporary ...)

Books read in January 2008

'Physick' by Angie Sage (third in a YA fantasy series - loved it!)
'Champagne: How's the World's Most Glamorous Wine Triumphed Over War and Hardship' by Don and Petie Kladstrup (an absolutely fascinating 'biography' of champagne - one not to miss!)
'Death of Kings' by Philip Gooden - (a Shakespearan murder mystery featuring a young player at the Globe - a real goody! Enjoyed it immensely)
'The Almost Moon' by Alice Sebold (author of 'The Lovely Bones' A very dark, dreary book - well-written but leaves you sad and troubled)
'Wild Magic' by Cat Weatherill (a children's fantasy, which retells the fairytale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Just delightful!)
'The Anonymous Venetian' by Donna Leon (murder mystery set in Venice _ I love Donna Leon's books and this was once of her best)
'No Wind of Blame' by Georgette Heyer (murder mystery set in the 40s in England - Georgette Heyer is always a delight to read, witty, sparkling and clever)
'Garden' Spells' by Sarah Addison Allen (a charming magic realist book set in a small American town. Very reminiscient of Alice Hoffman's 'Practical Magic' but certainly a writer to look out for)
'To Love and Be Wise' by Josephine Tey (A slight but entertaining detective story set in 1950s England. A refreshing change from bloody and guts thrillers!)
'A Suitable Vengeance' by Elizabeth George - a murder mystery featuring her well-known detective Lynley. I've decided her books must be read in order, as the developing lives of ehr characters are just as important to the story as the mystery - and it can get confusing when people who are married in later books are engaged to different people!)
'The Death of Faith' by Donna Leon - another murder mystery set in Venice. Not one of her best but still very readable.
'The Morning Gift' by Eva Ibbotson (a delightful love story set in Vienna and England just before the war. Not as good as 'Song for Summer' but v. good nonetheless)
'North by Northanger' by Carrie Bebris. A mystery featuring Elizabeth and Darcy from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' One for JA fans only, I'd say)
'Cybele's Secret' by Juliet Marillier (YA fantasy set in Constantinople - utterly wonderful!)
'Prodigal Summer' by Barbara Kingsolver (contemporarty American fiction, set in Appalachian mountains. I've read it before and just adored it. One of my all-time favourite contemporary novels. Enjoyed it just as much second time round. An absolute classic of love, death, nature and humanity)
'Tartan Tragedy' by Antonia Fraser (I felt a bit tricked by this - bought it thinking 'oh, I've read a few by AF, they weren't bad' but began reading to find out it was one of the books I'd already read which had been published previously as 'The Wild Island') Wish publishers wouldn't do that! I think I want my money back!
'Water for Elephants' by Sara Gruen (a love story set in a travelling circus during the Depression. I loved this book, and was so glad I read it. It was the January pick for 'Moms Who Read To Escape Their Weary Lives' and well worth picking up)

So 17 books in January. Whoo hoo!