We treat you to a round up of all we have read, written and obtained in January.
What we have read in January
We started the year with the very alcoholic riddled Fup by Jim Dodge. Perfect for dry January then! It’s a modern fable that takes two minutes to read and was perfect to ease us in to our 2020 reading.
The Unmumsy Mum Diary by Sarah Turner carried on right where The Unmumsy Mum left off. In it Sarah gives a no holds barred account of parenting small boys whilst trying to carve a career and occasionally go to the toilet by herself. Very funny
We loved all but one chapter of Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee. He writes beautifully making you yearn for childhood, endless summers and lush green meadows.
The Highland Falcon Thief by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman was our first children’s read of 2020. We set off for a very royal adventure on board the royal steam train where a recently married Princess has had her necklace stolen. Can Harrison catch the thief?
The final installment of the Cousin’s War was next up. The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory didn’t disappoint and showed just how precarious Henry VIII’s throne was up against all those Plantagenet.
The Blackhouse by Peter May. deeply rooted in the Isle of Lewis by the man who brought murder to the Hebrides was a page turner and a perfect starter to his ‘Lewis Series’
Finally A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins rounded up the month. Ever wondered how Scotland and Wales came about? Did you know that Northumberland used to be the center of Briton? Read it and you will. Ranging from Ethelred to Princess DIana and Tony Blair. Oh if only we stopped there!
Books of the Month in January
The (modern?) classic Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier was our first book of the month and boy what a book! 5 out of 5 to this gripping tale that has left us yearning for buttered crumpets and Manderley.
Our children’s book of the month was Hitler’s Canary by Sandi Toksvig. Based on a true story set in Denmark during World War 2. We awarded it a whole opera of canaries!
Read of the Month
Our favorite read of the month has been… It has to be Rebecca. The first time ever a book of the month has also been a read of the month. The first time ever a classic not only didn’t disappoint but exceeded. It’s bloody fabulous and if you haven’t read it already do so at once! Hitler’s Canary is also really, really good though and probably would have edged it in another month. Read both!
What we have written
We suggested books for book club and told you all about what Book of the Month means to Book Social. We discussed why it’s hard for new children’s authors to get in front of children and invited you to read a #newchildrensauthorin2020. Don’t forget to let us know who you’re reading via social media.
What we have obtained
A lot of books are being published in April which means a lot of deliveries from the postman. We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker and Saving Lucia (a book from Bluemoose Books who are only publishing books by women in 2020) both landed on my mat.
Also keep an eye out for Beast (Matt Wesolowski), Death Deserved (Thomas Enger and Jorn Lier Horst) and Toletis (Rafa Ruiz) that will also be popping up on Book Social next month.
That’s it for us but we look forward to hearing all that you have read in January.
