A round up of all we have read, written and obtained in May.
What we have read in May
It felt quite fitting to read Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World at a time when we really were entering the unknown. The most striking thing was how futuristic it felt despite its age. At only 229 pages with 50 of those introduction it doesn’t take long to read either.
The Casual Vacancy was JK Rowling’s breakaway from Harry Potter. Whilst it was never going to be as successful that doesn’t mean it’s not as good. Drug addicts, domestic violence and F bombs make a stark change. Fantastic characters and a plot that draws you in never letting you go aren’t.
Mud, Blood and Poppycock by Gordon Corrigon was a book designed to expose the myths, misconceptions and downright lies surrounding the first world war. It was brilliantly researched, not too dry but clearly delivered from someone who is both an ex soldier and British.
We then went on a jungle adventure when we read Katherine Rundell’s The Explorer. I really enjoyed this old fashioned (yet modern feeling) tale of adventure and danger. My 11 year old has since read it and also loved it which just goes to show her taste is spot on!
Our first blog tour of the month was Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten. It was our first historical fiction in a while and it didn’t disappoint. Alpsten chose to shine a light on Catherine I, who went from peasant woman to Empress of Russia thanks to Tsar Peter I (the man responsible for St Petersburgh). It’s a real page turner with plenty of sex and royal extravagances to spur it along.
We then reacquainted ourselves with Don Tillman by reading book number 2 in The Rosie Trilogy – The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion. This time round Don is facing impending fatherhood. It was a tad cliched at times yet left me with a smile on my face. In a month where I struggled reading wise that is not a bad thing.
Last book of the month was a Blog Tour book, The Secrets of Strangers by Charity Norman. I really enjoyed this book despite my original presumptions and found myself simmering with rage at the supposed ‘victim’. Clever stuff.
Books of the Month for May
Spring by Ali Smith was chosen simply for its outside connotations. It’s not too spring like if I’m honest but is very good. If you’ve read have a go of our Book Club questions here.
Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick was our children’s book of the month chosen for its total difference in style to last months book. For me it was too American for its English setting and had an unauthentic dialog. As I read it book club-less this month though the jury is still out.
Read of the month for May
Goes to… The Explorer by Katherine Rundell. I read all 400 plus pages in the drop of a hat and loved every minute. Adults and children will enjoy this romp of a book that’s stuffed full of adventure.
What we got up to in May
We took a look at how Book Clubs are coping during lock down. We asked whether I should read Normal People (yes apparently although it is currently out of stock everywhere) and we held a little lock down competition giving away all our recent reads. Not too bad considering we haven’t left the house.
What we obtained in May
Forum Books opened again on-line and so one or two* books were quickly obtained including:
*(more than two)
Hands up if you are excited as I am to read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
Until June then, whatever that may bring, stay safe (I refuse to put alert) and read well!