Callum McLaughlin's Blog, page 45

Most Anticipated Releases of 2018

Now that 2017 is all wrapped up and resolutions have been made, we can start looking forward to what the next year has to offer. I’m actually nigh on hopeless at keeping up to date with new and upcoming releases, so to an extent, this post is a call-out for a heads up from you guys about what books I should be aware of. That said, there are a few books already on my radar, which I’ve mentioned below for anyone else on the lookout for what could be some of 2018’s most exciting new reads (for me, at least).

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Some of my most anticipated releases of 2018

The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh

Described as a “blazing vision of suffering, sisterhood and transformation”, the opening of the blurb for this book was more than enough to hook me in, so I shall simply share it here. It’s somewhat vague and mysterious, but I’m definitely getting some feminist, dystopian vibes, which I’m all for:

“Imagine a world very close to our own: where women are not safe in their bodies, where desperate measures are required to raise a daughter. This is the story of Grace, Lia and Sky, kept apart from the world for their own good and taught the terrible things that every woman must learn about love.”

The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson

I adore Iceland. I adore immersive historical fiction when it’s done well. I adore stories about stories, steeped in the tradition of folk and fairy tales. This book promises to provide all of that, and I am ready for it, I can tell you. Inspired by true events, the book gives voice to an Icelandic woman who is one of 400 people seized by Barbary pirates in the 1600s and sold into slavery in Algiers, who uses the stories of her homeland to survive in a culture that feels completely alien.

Mary Rose by Geoffrey Girard

I’ve seen the J.M. Barrie play that inspired this intriguing, ghostly tale, and whilst I enjoyed it, I felt the story could have delved a little deeper, hence my excitement when I heard it was being adapted into a full-length novel. It centres around a young woman who disappeared as a child for thirty days. Though she returned unharmed, she had no recollection of what occurred, and her behaviour grows increasingly strange as time goes by, with her fiancé determined to find out exactly what happened all those years ago.

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

This book focusses on four siblings who are all told the exact date they will die by a travelling psychic whilst in their adolescence, and explores the ways this knowledge shapes each of their lives over the years that follow. That’s all I need to know! (The pretty cover doesn’t hurt either, to be fair.)

The Gloaming by Kirsty Logan

I love Kirsty Logan’s writing, as there is a lifeblood of folk lore and fairy tales that runs through her work, which coupled with her beautiful prose and deft handling of characters swept me up with all three of her previous books. The Gloaming features an island setting, a lesbian mermaid, and themes of love and grief – AKA, sign me up.

Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman

Despite being on my list of most anticipated releases, I’m actually going into this one with a fair few reservations, not least because it’s technically a western, and that is so not my cup of tea normally. I loved Malerman’s novel, Bird Box, however, and also enjoyed his novella, A House at the Bottom of a Lake, so I know he’s capable of creating gripping plots, and fascinating characters and concepts. I love all things fairy tale-esque, and this is supposedly a twisted take on Sleeping Beauty, about a woman who slips into death-like comas, and the danger this puts her in when her husband plots to exploit her condition by burying her alive and stealing her fortune.

Whistle in the Dark by Emma Healey

Not too dissimilar to Mary Rose in basic concept, interestingly, Whistle in the Dark is about a mother’s search for the truth after her teenage daughter disappears for four days, refusing to discuss what happened, and acting increasingly strange and secretive upon her return. Healey’s novel, Elizabeth is Missing, wasn’t perfect plot-wise for me, but it was very well written with a fantastically well realised heroine, so I’m keen to try more from her.

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There we have it! What are some of your most anticipated releases for 2018?

Reading Year in Review & 2018 Goals

As we enter a new year, there’s just time to reflect on 2017 and see how I got on with my reading. According to Goodreads, I read a total of 126 books, the best of which I highlighted in my Top Reads of 2017 post.

In terms of the specific goals I had set myself, first was to finish 100 books, which thusly gets a tick. Secondly was to complete the diversity bingo chart that I put together, in an effort to be a little more conscientious about my reading. I did so, and shared a wrap up detailing the results of it in a separate post which I’ll link here. Thirdly, I wanted to read more plays. All-in-all, I read a total of five (a standalone, and four by the same writer that came in a single bind-up edition). Considering that last year I read three and in an average year I would have read none, that is technically a success, but I’m not going to go shouting from the rooftops about it, and it’s one that can very much be carried over into this year.

Again, according to Goodreads, my average rating for the year was 3.7 stars – I’m pretty happy with that! It means I’m picking up a lot more books that I’m enjoying than I am books I don’t like, which is very much a good thing.

As for new reading goals heading into 2018, I’m keeping it fairly casual this year. I’ll be setting a Goodreads target of 90 books. I definitely don’t want to be a slave to numbers and pressure myself too much, but I do like that when you set a goal, it collates all your reads into a single place, which is handy for looking back on your annual reading.

It might sound odd that I’m setting a lower target than last year, but that brings me to my second goal, which is to pick up some of the longer reads that I’ve been needlessly putting off. I have no shame in the fact that I definitely have a preference for shorter books (I love when an author can sweep me up and pack a punch without any needless faff, and I like the gratification of getting through my ever-growing TBR at a decent pace), but it does mean I have an annoying habit of putting off books I really want to read, simply because they’re a bit longer. There are some specific books in particular that come to mind for this, and I want 2018 to be the year I pick at least some of them up.

Last but not least is to allow myself to read by whim. I try to do this anyway, but there’s been a lot of chat within the online bookish community lately about reading pressures and possible competitiveness. Whilst I don’t feel in competition with other readers at all, I do tend to put pressure on myself sometimes (be it to read a book faster, or to pick something up purely because I told myself the previous week/month that I would and feel guilty for not doing so, even if I’m just not in the right mood for it at the time). That’s stupid, because reading is a hobby and something I love, and as such, I want to feel free to pick up whatever book I want to read, whenever I want to read it.

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I look forward to seeing what books 2018 will bring my way – who knows, maybe I’ll even discover some new all-time favourites! Last but not least, I’m going to share my monthly wrap up pics below so that I, or anyone else who may be interested, can see all the books I read this year in one place. If any titles or covers catch your eye and you’d like to know more, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thanks for reading, and happy New Year to you all.

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All the books I read in January

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All the books I read in February

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All the books I read in March

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All the books I read in April

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All the books I read in May

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All the books I read in June

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All the books I read in July

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All the books I read in August

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All the books I read in September

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All the books I read in October

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All the books I read in November

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All the books I read in December

December Wrap Up

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All the books I read in December

As 2017 draws to a close, there’s just time for one last monthly wrap up. Throughout December, I finished 10 books (bringing my final total for the year up to 126). Here are a few thoughts on each of them, in the order I read them.

The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Doriel Hay

[ ] Though it had the cosy old-school vibes I was craving at the time, and it was somewhat fun to read some crime set at Christmas, I have to say I found this book largely underwhelming, sadly. The pacing wasn’t great, with little in the way of an attempt to build tension or a sense of climax. Moreover, the ‘reveals’ came about through a succession of conversations in which characters revealed information they’d known all along but inexplicably hadn’t thought to mention before, rather than clever twists or misdirection, which felt lazy and frustrating. ‘Meh’ at best, I’m afraid.

The Creakers by Tom Fletcher

[ ] A fun adventure story suitable for kids (and those who are kids at heart), this is an exciting and transporting read with a great young heroine that touches on some good themes, like acceptance of those who are different, the importance of friendship, and not being afraid to go against the grain. I knocked off a star because there had been some great allegory about absent parents which I thought was wonderful for young readers with parents who had separated, but this theme was undone at the end, potentially alienating those readers. Still, it was thoroughly enjoyable and had a lovely nostalgic feel, perfect for the festive season.

Christmas Stories by various (edited by Diana Secker Tesdell)

[ ] This is (supposedly) an anthology of Christmas themed short stories by various well-known writers. Therein lies my trouble with the book, however, as my major problem was simply that most of the stories included had little or no real relation to the festive season. There were a few gems that made it worth while though, notably the contributions from Willa Cather and John Cheever, which focused on the ideas of a mother’s undying love, and the notion that no matter how bad things may seem, there is always someone worse off than yourself, respectively.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

[ ] I was, of course, very familiar with the story of A Christmas Carol, having seen some of its various adaptations, but as far as I can recall, this was my first time actually reading the original text, which was fun to do! Having not picked up any Dickens for a long time, I was also pleasantly surprised by his prose, which I found both evocative and highly readable.

The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Robert Ingpen

[ ] Again, this is one that I was at least somewhat familiar with in terms of the main concept, having seen the famous ballet it inspired, but was reading for the first time in its original form. The tale is, as you’d probably expect, considerably more developed in the novel, with a whole flashback sequence that shows how the Prince came to be The Nutcracker. It was timeless, charming and whimsical, and was enhanced greatly by Robert Ingpen’s beautiful illustrations.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (illustrated edition) by J.K. Rowling, with art by Jim Kay

[ ] Jim Kay’s incredible artwork manages to make the return to the magical word feel fresh and exciting, which coupled with the nostalgia for the story and characters themselves, makes for a truly wonderful and enchanting reading experience.

The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín

[ ] This reads like a dramatic monologue from the perspective of an aged Virgin Mary, reflecting on her son’s life and death. At its core, I suppose it’s about how stories are twisted with time, as all Mary really wants is to state her version of the truth, and to have had the chance to be a ‘normal’ mother. As a concept, I thought it was fascinating, and the writing itself was very nice, I just found it a little lacking somehow, and wish Tóibín had pushed things a little further in terms of its themes and emotional impact.

Another Night Before Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy, illustrated by Rob Ryan

[ ] This festive poem is essentially a retelling of the classic story, The Night Before Christmas, but set in the modern day, and as such, it’s a little more tongue-in-cheek. It’s very charming, and Rob Ryan’s beautiful paper cut-out artwork was the ideal accompaniment.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Robert Ingpen

[ ] Having read a retelling, I felt it only right to read the original and chose to do so, well… on the night before Christmas. It’s a very sweet, timeless tale for any age, and this edition also has lovely artwork by Robert Ingpen, one of my favourite illustrators of children’s classics.

Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction’s Most Beloved Heroines by Samantha Hahn

[ ] In beautiful watercolour artwork, Hahn brings to life iconic heroines from literature and accompanies them with a handwritten quote by the character that gives you a sense of their personality. It’s a great concept and is very well executed, though I would say that since she drew from Western classics, there’s not a huge amount of diversity in here; it’s almost exclusively a POC-free zone.

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There we have it – a thoroughly enjoyable reading month, full of (mostly) festive delights, and a great way to round off the year. I look forward to seeing what books 2018 will bring my way!

What was your favourite read in December?

Top Reads of 2017

Firstly, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are continuing to enjoy the festivities. With the end of the year right around the corner, and little likelihood of finishing many more reads, I feel happy with my list of favourites, and simply can’t wait any longer to shout about how much I loved the following books. Having read at least 125 books this year, narrowing it down to just 10 was tough, and though I could easily have added a few more to this list, I must admit that I like the neatness of a top 10, and so in the spirit of singling out the real cream of the crop, I ended up with the following reads, some of which earned their place by blowing me away right from the off, and others which have ended up here because of how much they’ve stayed with me.

(Just to clarify, these are books I read for the first time in 2017, so they weren’t necessarily published then, and I didn’t include any re-reads.)

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My favourite books of 2017, but now let’s work out the running order…

10. The Dig by Cynan Jones

With stark brutality yet quiet beauty and poeticism, this novella explores the way in which we as humans both use and abuse animals, as we follow the dual narrative of a young farmer lost to grief, whose sole motivation to carry on is the need his animals have of him, and a seemingly normal man who is party to the most callous hunting and torture of badgers. I love the way Jones mirrors yet contrasts the two characters. Both have darkness in their past and feel separate from society because of it, yet one responds with compassion and the other violence, effectively suggesting the existence of both within us all. The writing itself is razor sharp, where not a single word feels wasted, and the narrative has a sense of coming full circle, which works really well.

9. The Doll by Daphne du Maurier

In some respects, 2017 really was the year of my du Maurier awakening, in which I tried her work for the first time, fell in love with it, read five of her books, and came to consider her one of my favourite authors. In this collection of short stories, there were of course some that had more impact than others, as is always the case, but there was not a single dud or filler story in here, and my favourites have stayed with me so clearly ever since. The title story and one set on an island were particularly creepy and affecting, but it was the two stories narrated by a prostitute at different stages of her life, like dramatic monologues that recount her descent into a life of crime, and her eventual resignation to the future that awaits her, that were especially well executed, and with great subtlety, managed to say so much. These were some of her earliest stories, and to see what talent for sinister undertones and deftly handled themes she already had was a delight.

8. The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill

This book completely swept me up. I loved the vivid and immersive setting and thought the atmosphere of the era was captured so well, transporting readers to the dark yet magical underbelly of Montreal and New York during the Great Depression, with O’Neill never shying away from how brutal it could be. The strange, eccentric, flawed and enigmatic characters captured my heart, especially Rose, who is crafted beautifully. I haven’t become so quickly invested in a set of characters for a long time, nor rooted for them so strongly, feeling their anguish and relishing their fleeting moments of joy. It’s an enchanting and visceral experience, documenting the ways our two protagonists are broken by a cruel world, and the ways they do or don’t adapt in order to survive.

7. Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

Despite how much I enjoyed it, this book wasn’t necessarily an obvious frontrunner to be in my favourites list when I initially read it, but it is easily one of the reads that has most stayed with me. It’s a brilliantly creepy story that builds tension throughout at the perfect pace and seethes with a constant undercurrent of dread, getting right under your skin and refusing to leave. It’s about a young couple expecting their first child, who become concerned when their seemingly friendly older neighbours start taking a little too much interest in their unborn baby. I loved that the heroine was both an everywoman of the 60s and yet far more proactive and realistic in her responses to the unfolding events than many thriller/mystery/horror protagonists that came before or after her – and the ending is deliciously unsettling.

6. Shelter by Jung Yun

If you’re a fan of crime fiction or thrillers and are looking to make the move into more character driven literary fiction, or vice versa, I think this book would be an excellent bridge between the two. This family drama kicks off in the aftermath of a horrific crime, in which our protagonist’s parents are victim to a traumatising break-in and attack. His sense of duty to care for his mother and father sits in contrast with their formerly distant relationship and exposes the tensions between them all. A complex web of themes and ideas are touched on, including gender, the class divide, racism, Korean culture, religion and abuse, with both gut-punch moments and quietly brilliant revelations that will break your heart and flirt with the idea of mending it again; ultimately asking us if we owe respect to our family, even if they haven’t earned it.

5. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

To an extent, this is a placeholder for Agatha Christie in general, who I also read for the first time this year and now love. Having read five of her novels in 2017, it was tricky to single out a favourite, but I think And Then There Were None just edged it. It’s true ‘I-don’t-want-to-put-this-down’ fiction at its best, as we jump right into the gripping story with no faffing around, following a great cast of distinct characters, all harbouring dark secrets, as the body count rises and they increasingly turn on each other. The isolated setting, great pacing, clues and red herrings, and excellent use of foreshadowing all proved exactly why Christie’s stories have endured for so many years.

4. All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan

This book felt so real to me. The way Donal Ryan handled the plot and pacing was phenomenal. Time and time again he would create a sense of ease before hitting me in the gut with a one liner seemingly out of nowhere that pulled the rug out from under me, completely changing my whole perspective on a certain character or plot point. This ability to constantly catch the reader off-guard and call into question the morality and motives of his complex, flawed characters was incredibly impressive. I felt so instantly invested in the outcome of the characters’ lives, as they navigated themes of love, betrayal, forgiveness and the letting go of our own guilt.

3. The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley

At once a dark and quietly terrifying dystopian and a fascinating exploration of gender roles, this book asks us to question the importance we place on physical beauty in women, and the extent to which man is predisposed to revert to violence. It’s beautiful and disturbing in equal measure; one of my very favourite combinations in literature when it’s done well. It’s also very much a book all about the artform of storytelling itself; both its importance in preserving the past and providing hope for the future, told in rich and gorgeous prose that paints a fever dream of events that are astounding and revolting, and utterly unforgettable.

2. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Gothic fiction at its best, We Have Always Lived in the Castle features perhaps one of the most memorable and fascinating heroines I’ve ever encountered in literature. The aura of mystery and otherworldliness that surrounds the characters and the horror of the climax are brilliantly well handled, and the influence of fairy tales that becomes increasingly apparent by the end added a whole other dimension that I loved. At its core, it’s a quietly menacing story of madness, sisterhood, isolation, and a fear of ‘otherness’; I predicted at the time its story and characters would stay with me, and stay with me they most certainly have.

1. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Yep, I wasn’t kidding when I said 2017 was all about du Maurier for me. In a lot of ways, I can’t believe I only read Rebecca this year; it feels as though I’ve loved it forever. Despite it being my first foray into du Maurier’s work, I’ve now read five of her books and as I said, I consider her one of my very favourite authors – with Rebecca itself easily one of my top reads of all time, let alone this year. Immersive and completely transporting, it’s a masterclass of tension and brooding atmosphere, with a wonderfully sinister undercurrent bubbling beneath the surface throughout, leading to shockingly brilliant twists and revelations. As with most of my all-time favourites, it’s one that is at mere surface level a damn good story (about a woman marrying a wealthy widowed man, only to discover that his deceased former wife still holds a strange grip over their household), but on deeper analysis, it reveals so many fantastic layers and nuances that just add to its brilliance.

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There we have it! What were some of your top reads of 2017?

Theatre Chat

I’ve always enjoyed going to the theatre, and have done so for a while, but this year I definitely made a conscious effort to start going more often. Living in the countryside in the middle of Scotland, it’s not exactly like I can just pop out to a West End show whenever the fancy takes me, but that’s not to say that theatres within reach of me don’t still put on some fantastic performances.

With tickets booked for quite a few shows next year already, I thought it was worth seeing if anyone else out there within the bookish blogosphere has an interest at all in theatre (it is merely another form of storytelling, after all), as if there was, I may well do some reviews/wrap ups next year so we can chat about the shows we’ve been enjoying.

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Shows I’ll be seeing over the next year or so.

To give you a feel for what some of them will be, upcoming shows I’ve already got tickets to see include: Strangers on a Train, a play based on the crime novel by Patricia Highsmith about two people who meet by chance and each agree to kill someone on behalf of the other; the musical, Miss Saigon, a tragic love story set during the Vietnam War; a ballet adaptation of The Little Mermaid; a ballet from Matthew Bourne called Highland Fling, about a man drawn into a strange world by a beguiling gothic fairy (with a Scottish twist); The Last Witch, a suspenseful play about a woman in the 1700s accused of witchcraft; and War Horse, the hit show based on the book by Michael Morpurgo about the bond between a young boy and his beloved horse that has been taken into service during World War I.

As for some of the shows I’ve most enjoyed this year, here are a few thoughts on them.

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Some of my favourite shows from throughout 2017.

The Red Shoes

This ballet (also by Matthew Bourne) is based on the classic film, and in turn the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It’s all about life imitating art, with fateful consequences. It boasted fantastic staging and wonderful set design – some of the best I’ve seen in a ballet. The music and costumes were also wonderful, and really helped to set the scene and create an immersive atmosphere. The storytelling achieved through the choreography was excellent – it can be tricky to know what’s going on in a wordless dance show if you’re not already familiar with the story, but things were always made clear and easy to follow in this production. It was full of humour and warmth, but had a powerful and moving ending that was executed brilliantly. I’ve seen a fair few ballets by now, and this easily ranks amongst my favourites so far.

Mary Rose

This adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s play was more intriguing than scary, despite technically being a ghost story, but I did find it atmospheric and very much enjoyed it. I read the playscript shortly before going to the show, and found it much more humorous on stage than had been apparent on the page, thanks to the good performances from the cast. The story itself centres around a young woman who disappeared as a child, eventually returning with no concept of having been gone, but seemingly changed somehow by the experience. The simplistic staging and props meant there was little fuss, and the emphasis was always on the characters, though I felt the climax and ending weren’t played out as clearly as they could have been, feeling more ambiguous than was necessarily intended, and I must confess that had I not read Barrie’s descriptions of what was going on beforehand, I may have come away feeling a little lost.

Scottish Ballet Does Stravinsky

In this show of two halves, we got to see two contrasting ballets, both set to powerful music by the renowned composer, Igor Stravinsky. The first, The Fairy’s Kiss, about a man lured away from his true love by a predatory fairy, had a very classical feel in terms of the music, choreography, costumes and story. It was the second, The Rite of Spring, that made the biggest impression, however. Featuring just three dancers (two men and one woman), this was much more abstract and contemporary in tone; a breathless, raw and visceral story about violence, masculinity, religion and escapism. You could have heard a pin drop in the quiet moments, the audience were so captivated and on edge, and I must say hats off to the dancers for their committed performances, one of whom in particular must have taken a real physical and emotional beating.

Singin’ in the Rain

Based on the classic movie, this musical about the arrival of ‘talking pictures’, and a silent film studio’s attempts to jump on the craze by creating their own musical, was utterly joyous and the epitome of feel-good entertainment. The cast were all fantastic, with particular props to Helen Mallon who had the audience in stitches with her fabulous turn as the squeaky-voiced diva, Lina Lamont. Catchy songs, excellently slick dance routines, hilarious and heart-warming storytelling; what’s not to love? When leaving the theatre at the end, everyone was visibly on a high, humming the show’s title number to themselves, and I think that says it all really.

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A bit of a different post today, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless! Let me know if you’d be interested in seeing more theatre based posts next year, and also what shows you’ve seen and enjoyed recently, or hope to see soon.

20 Questions Book Tag

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Let’s chat about books!

I was kindly tagged by Holly @ Nut Free Nerd to do the 20 Questions Book Tag. Since there are so many questions to get through, let’s just jump right in!

1. How many books are too many books in a series? 

It very much depends on the series, I suppose. Generally speaking, I gravitate far more towards standalone reads, so a series has to have some serious staying power to draw me in. I’m not a fan of sequels for the sake of sequels; each one has to feel like it has earned its place, and that it was therefore justifiable to tell the story over several books, so anything more than three I’d be seriously questioning before I picked it up.

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

A cliffhanger can work really well if it provides enough closure for the book to feel like its own entity, whilst leaving enough unanswered to keep the reader hungry for more. If, however, it simply feels thrown in as a device to try and increase the writer’s chance of getting a contract for another book before it’s even been confirmed as the first in a series, no thanks.

3. Hardcopy or paperback?

I do almost all of my reading at home, so I don’t need to worry about which is easier to carry around. For that reason, and for collection and durability purposes, I’ll say hardbacks.

4. Favourite book?

We all know how readers feel about this question. My go to answer at the moment is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, but ask me later and I’ll tell you something different.

5. Your least favourite book? 

Hmm, I don’t hate a lot of books, but I did hate Being a Beast by Charles Foster. It was exploitative, shock-value waffle dressed up like thought-provoking nature writing that reeked of someone desperate to prove how ‘quirky’ they are – which invariably means they’re painfully dull.

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6. Love triangles, yes or no? 

There are exceptions to every rule, I’m sure, but no. It’s cliché, it’s annoying, and as Holly said, it’s a lazy plot device that’s almost always used to try and add some semblance of conflict or drama, when there are a million and one more interesting and original ways to do so.

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

I almost never DNF; the book guilt truly rules me. It was probably Being a Beast, actually. I suffered through 100+ pages, but was on the verge of finding it offensive, not just annoying, so I had to stop.

8. A book you’re currently reading?

The illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I read the last two illustrated editions around Christmastime the previous couple of years, and am hoping to continue to do so; something in the way of a new festive tradition.

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

My mum asked me to recommend a psychological thriller I’d enjoyed recently, and I suggested Good Me, Bad Me by Ali Land, which she really enjoyed. (+10 Bookworm points for a successful recommendation.)

10. The oldest book you’ve read? (Publication date)

I can’t be certain, but off the top of my head, possibly Daphnis and Chloe by Longus, which was written in the 2nd Century.

11. The newest book you’ve read? (Publication date)

Probably The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night, a short story collection by Jen Campbell, which was released a few weeks ago.

12. Favourite author?

Daphne du Maurier / J.K. Rowling / Agatha Christie / Patrick Ness / Alice Thompson / H.G. Wells – Call me a rebel, but I refuse to pick just one. In fact, that list could have kept growing, but I’ll restrain myself at least somewhat.

13. Buying books or borrowing books?

Buying. I love having a large collection of books, so I wouldn’t want to hand them back! Also, as snooty as it may sound, I love my books to be in near pristine condition; yes, I’m one of those people.

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden was a recent disappointment, but on paper it sounds like an ideal read for me, and so many people have loved it, so I’m increasingly convinced it was a case of right book, wrong time.

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

As per my preference for books to look pristine; bookmarks, please and thank you. Also, I order so many books online from places that invariably include free bookmarks with every order that I have dozens, so there’s really no excuse.

16. A book you can always reread?

Harry Potter.

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17. Can you read while hearing music?

I haven’t really tried very often, and definitely favour quiet when I’m reading. I could probably cope with something ambient or instrumental, but anything too catchy or wordy would probably just distract me.

18. One POV or multiple POV? (POV = Point of view)

I love multiple POV when it’s done really well, in a way that adds a whole other layer of depth or meaning to the story. I think this is very difficult to pull off though, and I often find that one narrative voice is naturally stronger than the others, meaning I find myself eager to return to it whenever we shift perspective. For that reason, I prefer most books to be single POV.

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Again, this is one that very much depends on the book. I do have a tendency to reach for shorter reads (I love when an author can pack a punch with a gripping and immersive yet succinct story), and so if I can read a book in a single sitting, I do enjoy it. With an average novel, however, it takes me several sittings.

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Pretty, huh?

20. One book you read because of the cover.

I can’t think of a book I read purely because of the cover, as much as I am definitely drawn to a pretty book.

That said, I have owned Vixen by Rosie Garland for ages, and though I also think it sounds great, I was first grabbed by its gorgeous cover. Hopefully mentioning it again here will push me to finally pick it up soon…

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There we have it! Thanks again to Holly for tagging me. Since I’ve done a few tags recently, I’ll leave this one open to anyone who wants to do it. Let me know if you do, I’d love to see your answers. Thanks for stopping by!

Top 5 New to Me Authors in 2017

Though I missed the Top 5 Tuesday meme that proposed this topic, having seen Rachel’s post, it really got me thinking, and I couldn’t resist putting together a list of my own. As always, let’s just jump right in.

1. Daphne du Maurier

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Daphne du Maurier

I can’t believe I only read Daphne du Maurier for the first time this year, and yet she has already cemented her place amongst my very favourite authors of all time. It all started with Rebecca back in February, and a further 4 books later, there’s no going back. The immersive quality of her stories, and the way she both paints settings and builds atmosphere with words are unparalleled by any other writer I have read.

2. Agatha Christie

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Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is another author I picked up for the first time early this year (January, to be precise), and yet it feels like I’ve loved her forever. As with du Maurier, I have so far read 5 of her books, and can’t wait to explore more of her complex tales, which are always full to the brim with brilliant secrets and lies. She never fails to catch me by surprise with her twists, and to sweep me up with the quintessential cosy crime vibes that she creates. Perfect escapism!

3. Shirley Jackson

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Shirley Jackson

This is a slightly rogue choice in that I’ve still only read one book by Shirley Jackson thus far, but what a book it was. We Have Always Lived in the Castle was so captivating, nuanced and quietly sinister; thick with brooding atmosphere, a startlingly unique protagonist, and many layers to be unpicked. She encapsulated everything about gothic fiction that I love, and so I have high hopes for her other works.

4. Cynan Jones

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Cynan Jones

I’ve read 2 books by Cynan Jones this year, and both are written in a style that despite feeling stripped back to its bare bones, somehow manages to capture a lyricism and stark beauty that are astonishing. Deceptively simple, both were the kind of stories where there was a lot of depth to be explored beyond the surface level plot, being driven by fascinating characters and heady emotion.

5. Donal Ryan

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Donal Ryan

Donal Ryan is another writer whom I’ve only read one book by so far, but whose style grabbed me so much, I can’t wait to see what else he can do. Not only did he create layered characters that felt so real for all their flaws and complexities in All We Shall Know, but the way he structured the narrative was such that he constantly caught me off guard, hitting me in the gut with the most amazing one-liners that made me constantly re-evaluate everything about the book.

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There we have it! Who are some of your favourite ‘new to you’ authors of this year?

Top Albums of 2017

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My top albums of the year

Though I primarily blog about bookish things, I also love music, and so as with the last couple of years, I thought I’d do a top albums of the year post. As per my usual tastes, all of them are by women, few of whom are ‘chart’ artists, and several of whom are Nordic, but I’m more than okay with all of that.

Does it bother me slightly that I’ve ended up with an odd number? Sure, and though there were definitely other albums I enjoyed this year, adding more to the list would have been getting into the realms of listing nearly every album I liked, so in the spirit of singling out the cream of the crop, I decided to be harsh and ended up with just 7 albums. Without further ado, let’s just get started.

Endless Summer by Sóley

Sóley’s songs are like fairy tales in sonic form. There’s something utterly ethereal and transporting about her work, which coupled with her delicate vocal delivery is just fantastic in creating a very specific mood and atmosphere. Though this album didn’t necessarily grab me on first listen to the extent that her first two did, it was a grower, and it is indeed a great development of a style she has clearly mastered.

Lust for Life by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is one of those unusual artists that manages to sit on the boundary between being both mainstream in her level of success and yet somewhat alternative in her musical style, and because of this, her music often splits opinion. I loved her latest offering, however, and I find her moody delivery and lush orchestration a breath of fresh air in comparison to much of the generic up-tempo pop that her work sits alongside at the top of the charts.

The Architect by Paloma Faith

I’m definitely a big Paloma fan; I’ve loved all her albums and am due to see her live for the 5th time next year. Her distinct voice, catchy melodies and blend of modern pop and more old-school jazz and soul-style influences are all still present, but this time she takes a much wider reaching look at the world, with bigger political and societal themes explored in many of the songs, without the album feeling bogged down or preachy because of them. It’s a fairly recent release, so I’m sure my appreciation for it will only grow as I listen to it more.

Okovi by Zola Jesus

Dark and powerful, the latest album from Zola Jesus is easily her rawest and most honest lyrically, drawing much on her own mental health struggles and both a cancer diagnosis and an attempted suicide amongst her loved ones during the writing of the material. These themes lend the album a gothic and urgent tone, but one that is still incredibly listenable, with much hope and light injected to counteract the darkness.

Fake Sugar by Beth Ditto

Beth Ditto has been around on the music scene for a while, thanks to her time fronting the band, Gossip, and so it’s hard to believe that this is her first solo album. What a debut it is though, with insanely catchy hooks showcasing her powerhouse vocals to great effect. Pop-rock blended with the best of soul and dance, it’s a musical step forward that will not alienate her existing fans, but which announces her as a fresh, exciting solo artist in her own right.

Slør by Eivør

The first version of this album was technically released in 2016, though I’m talking here about the largely English reworking of the original Faroese edition that came out this year. Whether you listen to her in her native tongue or in English, however, I implore you to try her out. Easily my favourite new discovery of 2017 (and I’m having a great time going back to explore her previous releases), her voice soars into the 21st century, but echoes with the spirit of her Nordic ancestors, sometimes even incorporating her own twist on traditional throat singing to form beats better than any computer could produce.

I’ve shared clips of her singing in both Faroese and English to give you a proper feel for what she does.

Utopia by Björk

If you know me, you’re not surprised at all to see Björk take the number one spot. Her constant musical reinvention and refusal to ever be pigeonholed are unparalleled, as is her visual prowess, which for this album sees her blend motifs of nature and femininity with abstract modernism – hence the bold artwork that admittedly takes some getting used to. Thematically, this album sees her moving on from the devastation of her last album, and in a time of great uncertainty presents the Icelandic artist’s visions of what her future Utopia would look (and sound) like, meaning there are themes in here such as humans collaborating with nature, embracing the healing power of music, and the importance of a greater matriarchal/feminine influence. Musically, it’s rich and complex, making heavy use of a flute choir (orchestrated by Björk herself), vocal layering, and real-life birdsong to create otherworldly soundscapes that are more about mood than hooks, with few songs even adhering to the classic verse-chorus structure.

Is this necessarily the best place to start with Björk’s music if you’re new to her? Probably not, as her earlier albums are far more instantly accessible. But is this up there with some of her most interesting, considered and thought-provoking projects? Absolutely. It’s a very recent release, but already I’ve found myself discovering new depth and loving it all the more with each listen. And even by her own standards, the videos released so far have been feasts for the eyes; works of art in their own right that are well worth checking out.

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There we have it! What are some of your favourite albums of 2017?

Bookish Christmas Gift Guide 2017

Last year, I put together a bookish Christmas gift guide, and I still stand by all the recommendations I made there, so thought I’d take the opportunity to re-share it now (just click on the link above), whilst also adding a few more suggestions below that the bookworms in your life (or you, yourself) may hopefully enjoy. Let’s get started!

BOOK MANUSCRIPT POSTERS

These posters are very cool, in that they both look great and have a fun bookish twist. From a distance, they appear to simply show a silhouette of an iconic character or moment from a book, but on closer inspection, you realise that the poster is constructed using the actual text of the book itself printed in minute form to create the image. I, myself, was gifted one that shows Alice falling down the rabbit hole, using the original text by Lewis Carroll.

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The Alice in Wonderland poster I received last year.

Here are some more examples, created using Moby-Dick, Sherlock Holmes and Peter Pan, respectively.

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Moby-Dick, Sherlock Holmes and Peter Pan.

You can find these posters and others like them from various outlets, including Litographs, Postertext and Spineless Classics.

BEAUTIFUL EDITIONS OF A FAVOURITE CLASSIC

If you’ve got friends who love to read, you’ll no doubt be aware of the ironic struggle to actually gift them books, due to the fear of buying them something they already own. This is where I think classics come in handy. The very nature of a favourite classic lends itself to several re-reads throughout the years, and their decades (or even centuries) in print mean there are invariably dozens of editions to choose from. I’m willing to venture, therefore, that most bookworms would be more than happy to receive a beautiful edition of their favourite classic, even if they already own a different copy.

As an example, my mum’s favourite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and whilst I don’t doubt she will continue to treasure the battered old copy she’s owned for years, a couple of years ago I bought her a beautiful edition published by White’s Books so that she can have a copy to display on her shelves.

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White’s Books’ edition of Jane Eyre.

Here are some ranges of classics that I think are especially pretty, and thus lend themselves well to being gifted:

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Penguin Clothbound Classics

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Folio Society

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Penguin Drop Caps

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Barnes & Noble Classics

TICKETS TO A STAGE ADAPTATION

If you know someone already loves a book but don’t necessarily want to buy them a duplicate copy, why not help them experience the story in a whole new way by booking them tickets to a live stage adaptation? All kinds of books make the transition to plays and musicals, both classic and contemporary alike. I, for example, already have tickets booked to see Strangers on a Train next year, based on the classic crime novel by Patricia Highsmith; and tickets to see War Horse the following year, when the hit West End show based on Michael Morpurgo’s book tours the UK. It’s always worth taking a look to see what’s coming to your local theatres!

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Posters for the stage adaptations of Strangers on a Train and War Horse.

FESTIVE BOOKS

I couldn’t put together a bookish gift guide without including some specific books. So, here are a couple of festive reads that I think would make lovely gifts – one I read last year and one that’s on my own TBR for this year. Both are beautiful aesthetically, and both contain short stories, which I think are ideal for this time of year, when you may want to dip in and out of something, or read one tale each evening in the countdown to the big day.

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Christmas Days and Christmas Stories

The first is a collection by Jeanette Winterson, interspersed with recipes for festive treats she’s acquired over the years and short anecdotes about her own Christmas memories. The stories include one about a snowman that comes to life and helps to make a poor girl’s life a little bit easier; one about a couple on their way to a cottage for Christmas, who learn along the way that it’s the company, not the material things, that make the festive season special; one about a talking stray dog who realises that love is the greatest gift of all; one about a bunch of frogs who come to the aid of orphaned children; and the nativity story told from the perspective of the donkey who carried the Virgin Mary. 

The second is an anthology of Christmas themed stories published in the Everyman’s Pocket Classics range by Alfred A. Knopf, which includes contributions from an impressive range of classic authors, such as Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Muriel Spark, Vladimir Nabokov and Arthur Conan Doyle, amongst several others.

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There we have it! I hope you picked up an idea or two for the bookish people in your life, and that you all have a lovely festive season.

November Wrap Up

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All the books I read in November.

Throughout November, I managed to finish 9 books (5 novels, a short story collection, a novella, a poetry magazine and a Little Black Classic), bringing my total for the year so far up to 116. Here are some thoughts on this month’s offerings, in the order I read them.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

[ ] Though I was always enjoying the complex web of secrets and lies, I felt sure this wasn’t going to be amongst my favourite Christie novels, convinced it relied too heavily on convenience and suspension of disbelief. I should never have doubted The Queen of Mystery, however, with the fantastic twist and brilliant ending catching me completely off guard, making me re-evaluate the whole book, and continuing my love for Ms Christie’s work.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

[ ] I had huge expectations for this, as it sounded on paper like it could be my perfect read. Though it suffered from some pacing issues (a brooding, atmospheric first half then near constant action, death and drama in the second half that threatened to bog it down), it was a thoroughly enjoyable read, ideal for lovers of literary horror with an old-school, sinister and gothic vibe.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

[ ] This highly allegorical work is all about being ‘different’, and the fear and misunderstanding levied at those who are bold enough to be open about their differences, particularly where mental health is concerned. It’s a critique of society’s tendency to ‘other’ what they don’t understand, and though bizarre and hypnotic (therefore not for everyone), it does have a lot to say for those willing to delve beneath the surface.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

[ ] Based on an old Russian fairy-tale, the real strength of this book is the vivid and immersive way in which Ivey describes the frozen landscape, perfectly capturing a sense of beauty, magic and power in the natural world. Plot wise, it’s deliberately predictable, with the ending being inevitable from early on due to the way it mirrors the classic tale, and so for me, I would have liked a bigger emotional hit or unexpected twist of some kind at the end to make the investment of time feel entirely worth it, or else the book could perhaps have been a little shorter.

A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin

[ ] A small collection of five short stories, I found this quite mixed as an introduction to Chopin’s work, with a couple of the stories being very forgettable. My two favourites, however, The Story of an Hour and A Pair of Silk Stockings, are both deceptively simple, being quiet yet effective commentaries on the way in which women often sacrificed their own happiness to please their families and adhere to society’s expectations. So, whilst I wasn’t wowed by her writing, I was certainly intrigued by the themes she explored.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

[ ] This is another one that is described using a lot of my buzzwords (fairy tales, whimsical, dark, a cold and snowy setting, etc.) but sadly it failed to live up to my high expectations. I couldn’t immerse myself in the story and found it confusing trying to keep up with who was who, plus the heroine made some questionable choices towards the end of the book. Overall, I suspect this one was hurt by my own hype.

The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night by Jen Campbell

[ ] The stories in this collection are rich and layered, and steeped in the tradition of storytelling as an artform. At times dark, at others strange, and yet often beautiful, they feel in many ways like modern day fairy tales, with fascinating concepts and themes at play that are sure to be interpreted in different ways by different readers, including commentary on the likes of deformity and othering within society, and women’s lack of control over their own bodies. The imagery throughout is vivid and arresting, from plants emerging from people’s skin, to coffin hotels where people go to feel close to death.

The Rialto – Issue 88

[ ] As with any anthology of work, there were of course several writers’ voices in here that didn’t gel with me personally. However, having read a fair few editions of The Rialto (a tri-annual poetry magazine), this is probably the one with the most individual gems that made it very much worth the time, hence the high rating.

Cove by Cynan Jones

[ ] A story of survival that is also an understated yet powerfully effective allegory about struggling through grief, this novella follows a man’s disorientated attempts to return to shore after he is badly injured during a storm whilst at sea to scatter his father’s ashes. Jones’s writing style is stark yet lyrical, with every word feeling as though it has earned its place. Short and arguably simple on the surface, there are a deceptive number of layers to be explored here.

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There we have it. It was definitely a strong reading month overall, starting and ending with the two biggest highlights – Murder on the Orient Express and Cove. I look forward to seeing what books December will bring my way (and to picking up some festive reads, of course).

What was your favourite read in November?