By complete coincidence, I recently reviewed two books written by authors with impressive histories of political and environmental activism.
Luis Sepúlveda‘s life story is one of breath-taking courage and adventure so it’s hardly any wonder that his book for children, The Story of a Snail Who Discovered the Importance of Being Slow inspires individual thinking and heroism.
I thought this was a fine story to read to young childrem. Read my review here.
Arundhati Roy‘s new book, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, was heralded as the most anticipated book of the decade. As one who was bowled over by The God of Small Things, I dived into this with high hopes. Read my review here.
What are you reading at the moment? I’d love to know.
Also, anyone know who stole the summer?
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I’ve just started reading one of my favourite books to the children – Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights. I’ve been waiting for them to be old enough to enjoy it. Really hoping they love it as much as I do. CJ xx
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I’m listening to The Ministry of Utmost Happiness on Book at Bedtime. Also did you hear Arundhati on Front Row this week. Loved all your elderflower recipes the other day. I am making e. Champagne for the first time and bought a couple of bottles of Grolsch to re-purpose as I am slightly nervous about explosions.
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I missed that, I must look it up. I’m nervous about explosions too. I keep urging Husband to open a bottle but he insists on waiting another few days! This is a business that requires nerves of steel!
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I am on a Persephone Books reading spree at the moment. I’ve read The Fortnight in September by R C Sherriff, Miss Buncle’s Book by D E Stevenson and I’m currently reading Saplings by Noel Streatfeild. What unites them is their forensic detail of character and emotion. You rarely find such glorious, insightful descriptions in contemporary novels – what’s striking is that, even though they are set in the early 20th C, there is so much that’s absolutely relevant today. I loved The God of Small Things so I’ll definitely get round to reading The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (not least because I love the title!).
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I have drooled over the Persephone website. Agnes Jekyll’s Kitchen Essays is calling to me, along with a dozen other titles. If I could only get to the shop…
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Order online or phone them up – they’re very helpful. (I’ve not been to the shop – all my books are gifts.)
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The Story of a Snail sounds wonderful 🙂 . The God of Small Things has been on my to-read list for so long; I really should make that one a priority. I’m currently reading Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native. I love his writing… (And I have to second CJ’s take on Northern Lights: LOVED that story, as did both my sons.)
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To my shame, I must admit having tried and failed at Hardy. It was a long time ago so perhaps I should try again. My son adored Northern Lights too.
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I’m reading Family Matters, by Anthony Rolls. It is an old book recently revived. What I do is go to the local library and see what the librarians are featuring on their shelves, check it out without any expectations, and read it. Makes the decision making process of what to read much easier. Have found some authors I love that way.
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I do that too, when time allows. Librarians have great taste.
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I can’t keep up with you Lynda! I don’t prioritise reading books enough but I love your recommendations. Currently reading Demelza and started watching the new series of Poldark last night. I’m really enjoying these books even though I know the plot so well, they are beautifully written. Please try Hardy again, although I am very biased growing up in Dorset, just outside Casterbridge (Dorchester) – we had a reading from ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ at our wedding. I’ve still got a stack of Persephone books to read – the shop is very small and sweet, in a street of small independent shops. One of UAL’s sites is on the same street so I occasionally go there for training and pop in and buy something. As a Librarian I can only endorse all the positive comments but haven’t had anything to do with novels and real life books for years 🙂 x
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Ah, Demelza! Isn’t she lovely? Graham admits that Demelza is 100% his wife and his love for her just glows from every page. I just ordered the final three books as I promised Teenage Son I would have them for the end of his exams. He has read each book on the day he got it and is well ahead of me (I’m up to Book 7). Something about his reading Poldark has made me very happy although we are both disappointed by the new series. They are hamming it up a little, aren’t they? I have ordered a stack from Persephone, which was a HUGE indulgence for myself, and I’m watching the postbox like a hawk!
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