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<\/a>An Extra Pair of Hands<\/em>\nKate Mosse
\nI’ve reviewed in these pages – moving and with our current aged care distasters continuing to unfold, lots to think about.
\nGift<\/em><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Axiomatic<\/em> A Man Called Ove<\/em> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Under Sea, Over Stone<\/em> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And that’s January in review! 16 books. 8 non-fiction (2 of those diaries), 3 children’s novels and 5 adult novels. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" January’s been a good month for reading. Hot weather, a holiday… An Extra Pair of Hands Kate Mosse I’ve reviewed in these pages – moving and with our current aged care distasters continuing to unfold, lots to think about. Gift … Continue reading <\/a>The Great Mistake<\/em>
\nMary Roberts Rhinehart
\nI’d read this before, but hadn’t remembered that it has the silliest and most complicated mystery plot ever<\/em>, and I’m someone who loves an insanely complex plot. Rich people, big house, secrets from the past, an alarming death rate…
\nMRR was the queen of American crime writers in the early 20th century, a kind of early Agatha Christie and originator of the “had I but known..<\/em>.” narrative style.
\nMy collection, S\/H, re-read<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>His Name Was Walter<\/em>
\nEmily Rodda
\nIt’s not often a book makes me cry, hard-hearted old me, but this one did. I took a while to warm to the fable within the story, but when all was revealed, it was very moving.
\nLibrary<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>How To End A Story<\/em>
\nHelen Garner
\nGripping, addictive. Hurry up with the next volume of your diaries, please Helen.
\nLibrary<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Elidor<\/em>
\nAlan Garner
\nI haven’t read this since I was around ten. I don’t remember enjoying it much – if I had, I’ve had re-read it as I did The Weirdstone of Brisengamen. It is taut, sombre, frightening. Ancient otherworldly evil seeping into the urban streets of an English town…
\nLibrary, re-read<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Monkey Grip<\/em>
\nHelen Garner
\nI last read this in 1980, when I was 22.\u00a0 Nora’s is a life I recognise, and remember –\u00a0 share houses, the transient relationships, the drugs and drinking, the parties, the bands, the creativity, the searching, the transcendent highs and the resulting lows. Fiction, autobiography – I don’t care. The acquaintance who gave me this book said she was the same age as Garner, but her life was the polar opposite\u00a0 – married, homemaker, nice house in the suburbs, three kids, mother’s club. She said she kept wondering what was going to happen. Nothing happens! Nora just churns around and around. Yes.
\nGift, re-read<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Atlas of the Heart<\/em>
\nBrene Brown
\nI don’t think I really needed the larger format hardcover, but this is another good one from Brown. Alphabetic listing of emotional states; wise counsel backed by her extensive research. Brown’s ‘thing’ is shame and vulnerability.
\nNew, on-line<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The Far Side of the Dollar<\/em>
\nRoss MacDonald
\nRoss MacDonald’s detective Lew Archer and his tainted adventures among sad, vicious, rich Californians are a special summer treat. I’ve re-read them to bits, but they still astonish. I have a list for my second-hand searching because there are about half a dozen still unread.
\nMy collection, S\/H, re-read<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The Jewel Garden<\/em>
\nMonty and Sarah Don
\nI just love Monty Don. He is a beautiful writer; his descriptions of plants and gardens make me swoon. In this short book, he’s also honest about\u00a0 his battle with depression and his debt of love and gratitude to his amazing wife. Sarah chimes in with her perspective. He and Sarah ran a high-flying jewellery business (Princess Diana was a customer!) which came crashing down in the 1990’s. After they moved beyond the business failure, debts, struggle and despair, the couple decided to plant a symbolic and joyful Jewel Garden. Comfort reading for me.
\nNew, online<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMaria Turmarkin
\nSkip read, couldn’t get on with it. Wrong book at the wrong time, I guess. That’s what so great about libraries – you can try things.
\nLibrary<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFredrik Backman
\nSkip read this one too. I do like a light and fluffy read at times, but this isn’t my style. Too<\/em> heartwarming!
\nLoan from a friend<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Girl, Woman, Other<\/em>
\nBernardine Evaristo
\nFantastic!
\nBook Group<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>One Day I’ll Remember This<\/em>
\nHelen Garner
\nI would read anything she wrote, I think. I’ve ordered more from the library. My Year of Helen?
\nLibrary<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>My Garden World<\/em>
\nMonty Don
\nA delight to dip into a bedtime if I need soothing. Another world! A world of plants and trees and wild creatures.\u00a0 Nice and long.
\nNew, online<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nSusan Cooper
\nMmm…Expected to love re-reading this, but found my recently raised consciousness\u00a0 had me noticing, in an uncomfortable way, the\u00a0 small elements of racism and sexism. Couldn’t finish.
\nLibrary<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>I Didn’t Do the Thing Today
\n<\/em>Madeleine Dore
\nSubtitled\u00a0 “On letting go of productivity guilt”. Just what I need to be reading right now. Lots to think about, as I’m writing full time and thrashing around trying to find my rhythm.
\nNew, online<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhat a busy bee.<\/p>\n