Category: Five Favourite

My 5 Favourite July Reads

whatcathyreadnext5 Comments

My 5 Favourite July Reads

I managed to read seventeen books in July plus one (rare for me) DNF but there were plenty of five-star reads to choose from.  Click on the book title to read my full review.  You can find a complete list of all the books I’ve read so far this year here, with links to my reviews.  If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.

First up this month it’s Call of the Curlew by Elizabeth Brooks, a hauntingly atmospheric mystery set in a remote house deep in the marshes and with a dual timeline that moves the reader between the Second World War and close to the modern day.

More historical fiction next.  In Song by Michelle Jana Chan, the reader is transported from China to tropical Guiana as we follow the adventures of Song, a young Chinese boy setting out to make his fortune in the world.  I described it as ‘a wonderful tale of survival, friendship, courage and triumph over adversity’.

Now on to my next choice.  Through the eyes of Alex, a twenty-six-year-old Jewish Bostonian living in southern China, where his father runs the family’s shoe factory, The Emperor of Shoes by Spencer Wise explores questions of identity and cultural difference in a thought-provoking and compelling way.

It’s back to historical fiction again and more foreign shores in The Pagoda Tree by Claire Scobie, set in 18th century India.  The book certainly transported this reader to a different time and place, immersing me in a culture very different to my own and introducing me to the compelling story of Maya, a temple dancer.

Finally, we move to 10th century Iceland in Smile of the Wolf by Tim Leach.  I’m going to steal the author’s description of it as a ‘frozen Western’ as it’s the perfect way to describe this epic story of exile, betrayal and revenge.

What fabulous books did you read in July?

My 5 Favourite June Reads

whatcathyreadnext3 Comments

My5FavouriteJuneReads

I managed to get through fifteen books in June – that blog tour (almost) break helped!  There were some five-star reads and a few that fell just short of that but, once again, no stinkers.  You can find a complete list of all the books I’ve read so far this year here, with links to my reviews.  If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews on Goodreads.

Click on the book title to read my full review.

First up this month is The Shady Side of Town by Adrian Lawson and Geoff Sawers, a lovely little book about some of the notable trees to be found around Reading in Berkshire, where I live.   Alongside the descriptions of the trees are interesting titbits about how they came to be planted and the birds and insects that make them their home.  There are also lovely illustrations.

Next it’s historical fiction in the shape of Forsaking All Other by Catherine Meyrick. It’s a book I was introduced to by Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours who is responsible for bringing to my notice quite a few of the historical fiction novels I’ve enjoyed recently.  Set in 1585, Forsaking All Other is a fascinating, well-researched historical novel wrapped around a believable and touching love story with an engaging, independent-minded heroine.

More historical fiction, this time with a touch of the psychological thriller – The Poison Bed by E. C. Fremantle.  Set in the court of James I, it’s a story of friendship, betrayal, secrets, lies and obsessive love.  At around two thirds of the way through the book, the author throws a completely unexpected and absolutely brilliant curve ball.  This was a five-star read for me.

A few months ago I saw the film Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman at my local independent cinema, Reading Film Theatre.  The film dramatizes the events of a pivotal few weeks in the Second World War when Britain faced the defeat of European allies and the possible loss of the entire British Expeditionary Force pinned down on the beaches of Dunkirk.  I loved the film – Oldman is superb as Winston Churchill – and was keen to read the book, also called Darkest Hour, on which it was based.  I’m pleased to report it is equally fascinating with lots of background detail drawn from contemporaneous sources which doesn’t appear in the film.

Finally, we’re back to my beloved historical fiction, this time of the crime/mystery/thriller variety.  And what a cracker it is!  Set in 1799 in New York, The Devil’s Half Mile by Paddy Hirsch is compelling, action-packed and intricately-plotted.  It’s notable for its colourful, sparkling prose that is generously sprinkled with period slang, some great curses and pithy one-liners. Highly recommended.

What great books did you read in June?