Tag: Five Favourite

My Five Favourite August Reads

whatcathyreadnext3 Comments

favourite

I read ten books in August and, as always, it was difficult to narrow it down to my five favourite. However, you can find the results of my deliberations below. The link from the book title takes you to my review.

You can keep up to date with all my reading in 2019 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 it’s This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman, a novel based on the true story of the trial and execution of Albert Black. I loved the book for both the treatment of the subject matter and the beautiful writing, describing it as ‘compelling, thought-provoking, moving’. You can read my full review here.

Next it’s literary thriller, Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland, which I read over a number of weeks as part of the buddy read organised by the publishers, Quercus. Set in the art world, it combines a mystery with a fascinating picture of the intensely personal, almost visceral nature of the process of creating art, and the commercialization of the modern art world. With a narrator whose name the reader never learns, I loved the nods to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. You can read my full review here.

From fiction to non-fiction and Untitled: The Real Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor by Anna Pasternak. The author unashamedly sets herself the objective of rehabilitating Wallis’s reputation in history, putting forward her side of the story and attempting to quash some of the accusations levelled at her. Whether it’s overly biased towards Wallis is up to the reader to decide but I certainly found it full of fascinating information. You can read my full review here.

The Tides BetweenRegular followers of this blog will know that I often feel guilty about the number of review copies received from authors that I’ve not yet read or reviewed. So it’s always great to remove one from the pile and even better if the book proves to be a great read. Such was the case with The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett. Set in 1841, it tells the story of fifteen-year-old Bridie who is travelling to Australia with her mother and stepfather to start a new life. I described it as ‘an absorbing, skilfully crafted coming-of-age story that takes the reader…on an often turbulent and emotional journey’ but you can read my full review here.

Finally, there’s Ike and Kay by James MacManus, the fictionalized account of the real life relationship between General Dwight Eisenhower and his driver, Kay Summersby. I loved the way their relationship was portrayed as well as the fascinating detail about the preparations for the Allied invasion of Europe. You can read my full review here.

What were your favourite books from last month’s reading?

My Five Favourite July Reads

whatcathyreadnext4 Comments

My 5 Favourite July Reads

I read nine books in July, including one over 550 pages which counts as long for me. It was difficult to decide on my five favourite as I enjoyed nearly all of them equally. However, you can find the results of my deliberations below. The link from the book title takes you to my review.

You can keep up to date with all my reading in 2019 here with links to my reviews.  If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.

hudson's killFirst up it’s a historical crime mystery set in early 19th century New York, Hudson’s Kill by Paddy Hirsch.

The follow-up to The Devil’s Half Mile, Hudson’s Kill reunites the two leading characters from the first book.

I loved the fast-moving and intricate plot, the fantastic period atmosphere and great cast of characters.

In My Life SignedNext we move from fiction to non-fiction and In My Life: A Music Memoir by Alan Johnson. The fourth in his series of memoirs, as the title suggests, it focuses on pieces of music (one for each year) that evoke particular memories of his life at the time. I found it immensely readable, honest, warm and witty. You can read my review of Alan talking about the book at last year’s Henley Literary Festival here.

The Secret Life of Alfred NightingaleBack to fiction and The Secret Life of Alfred Nightingale by Rebecca Stonehill, a historical novel that starts on a musical note being set on Eel Pie Island in the 1950s where many famous rock bands played.

The book then moves to the Greek island of Crete, including events on the island during WW2. I described it as ‘an insightful coming-of-age story and a powerful exploration of the horror, heartbreak and lasting impact of war’.

The Dinner ListMy next choice is The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle. What if you were asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom you’d like to have dinner. And what if that dinner was to actually happen? This is the book’s intriguing premise.

I described it as ‘a romantic, heart-warming story about love, loss, friendship, the possibility of second chances and the gift of forgiveness’. It would make a great beach read.

Motive XMy final choice is a complete contrast. Motive X by Stefan Ahnhem is a dark and complex thriller involving the hunt for a serial killer.

The fourth in the series featuring Swedish police investigator, Fabian Risk, it picks up from events at the end of the previous book.

What were your favourite books from last month’s reading?