Notes From An Exhibition #TheYearInBooks

So, back in September I made my proclamation to read Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins whilst on holiday. I did start it, but somehow lost my way. Eventually I restarted it - and oh my what a book! Demolished it in two sittings last week. Towards the end I actually felt frightened reading it, thinking things like 'run' 'call the police' - if that isn't the sign of a great read, what is??

So, ever late to the party, I have chosen  Notes From An Exhibition for my November read. Almost half way through the month but I have all the time in the world as I recover from my hysterectomy :-) I have never read anything by Patrick Gale before so looking forward to reading one of his 15 novels!!

Joining Laura at Circle Of Pine Trees - why not share what you are reading - or see what others are reading?
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The Casual Vacancy #TheYearInBooks

I last joined in with Laura & #TheYearInBooks in April.

That's not to say I haven't read - I have read loads, but always seem to be at the end of the book when it's time to share what I've been reading!

So grateful to Laura for getting me back into reading. It's so good to escape inside the cover of a great book. So here's what I have read since April.....

The Woman In The Fifth - Douglas Kennedy. It took me a while to get into this book, once I did I enjoyed it. Suspense and mystery, the ending a little unbelievable.

Going Dutch - Katie Fforde. Very easy Summer read! Man meets woman, overcome obstacles, fall in love, yada yada! Perfect if you don't want anything too taxing.

Body Surfing - Anita Shreve. I just LOVE her writing. Relationships, love, family dynamics, grief, deceit all contained within. Makes me want to read more from Anita Shreve.

My Lovers Lover - Maggie O'Farrell. My heart was in my mouth at times with this book, my heart beating fast.....but it ends up weird and not at all what you think is going on!! Shows how your mind can play tricks on you.

My favourite by far was Anita Shreve....

My book for this month is by J.K.Rowling. It's a biggy but I'm off on holiday Thursday. The Casual Vacancy starts with the death of a young member of the Parish Council, the ramifications of that for the different characters and the growing unrest of this seemingly peaceful village.

I'll let you know how I get on at the end of July.
Why not join in - it's a great way to get into reading if you have fallen off the literary wagon!
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I Capture The Castle #TheYearInBooks

Wow. I'm doing not bad on the reading front. 

Certainly joining with Laura and her Year in Books has got me back into reading. 

Very grateful!

So my last book was not what I thought at all!! I think I thought it was this! LOL!

My choice - Destinations turned out to be a selection of short stories. 

Perfect for getting back into reading!

So this morning I perused my messy bookcase.......

& chose I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith, which I have been meaning to read for a long time!

Preferably whilst lounging in bed!

Hopefully I will finish before the end of the month this time!

What are you currently reading?
Why not join in with Laura?
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Destinations For March #TheYearInBooks

So, I have eventually finished my first choice for the year in books! Joining in with Circle Of Pine Trees The Year In Books - getting my reading on!

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey........I didn't read as much as I usually do on holiday.
 I enjoyed this book, it didn't grip me completely initially, this changed as I got about halfway through. Beautifully written with a  depth of emotion around the loss of a child emanating from the pages.  I felt sad for the characters, that their lives were affected so deeply by the loss of their child, but how do you recover from something so sad, could you?

As the book went on it was interspersed with happier, tender, beautifully captured moments. I could also picture the scenery, the atmosphere, I was holding my breath at times as I read, a talent for a writer to deliver. About halfway through I started to worry that the ending was going to be sad, I'm not in a place to cope with sad endings at the moment!! However, I would describe the end as thought provoking, as is much of the book.

So, my book for March (a little late) is Destinations by Sheila O'Flanagan.

A women on the tube travelling to work and her daily observations of the other regular passengers.......and the conversations she overhears. A nosey book!!

Hoping to catch up with some of my favourite blogs this weekend after nearly two weeks with no tablet, ggggrrrr.

Happy Weekend!
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Escapism.....

I am was a prolific reader. Until last year. I don't know why, I just got out of it. (Too many great blogs?!) I used to stick my nose into a book for hours at a time as a child. Then, as a mother of two, snatch just a few moments here and there to indulge, pure escapism. A good book is a wonderful thing, something to share, discuss with friends, swap, ponder. There's nothing better than hunkering down, a hot chocolate or a glass of something, preferably red by your side!

I follow the wonderful blog Circle of Pine Trees, written by Laura, whose writing I adore. She does a regular post called The Year In Books. I have loved seeing her's and others choices and often bought books based on recommendations - on my bookshelf gathering dust......hmmmm, moving on....

So this year I am going to join the fun! I started off with my book for January by reading The Au Pair by Janey Fraser. A nice easy read which brought me into 2015 at a slow leisurely pace! Good book to encourage me back to reading. I finished it!! So that's a start!

Moving on to February's book! I'm off skiing tomorrow so have chosen The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. I've heard great reviews so have high hope for this Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. I love that it has snow in the title! This will be enjoyed with hot chocolate and marshmallows by my side I'm sure!!

Bye for now!
Why don't you join in?
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