I'd put off the 2nd in this series despite being on my shelf so decided to read for clifi + what a joy, im struggling to put it down but luckily today i am waiting around at work. This speech sums up what is happening to our world today as 'ours is a fall into greed. Why do we think everything on earth belongs to us..' parodying religion with skill her ideas on climate are spot on.
#booked2019 @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft @Cinfhen

This edition of this brilliant book has both an introduction and afterword that added my understanding of the importance in American writing of a black woman's life in relation to society and 3 very different men. Janie tells her strory through telling her friend and as alice Walker stood up in a lecture to say " women did not have to speak when men thought they should, that they would choose when and where they wish to speak... "

So lawn mowed and thought id grab a short window to carry on with another women's prize book and do a review (see next post). Im halfway through this book which is compelling but very uncomfortable in it's portrayal of a marriage falling apart. Not a barrel of laughs but i am definitely hooked.

I am conflicted about this series as i don't like the characters but am absorbed in the story particularly after the events of book 1.Patrick now in his 40's, a married barrister with 2 children + a mother who is physically + mentally deteriorating plans to leave the French house and assets to a new age guru type. The story is in Aug over a few yrs voiced by Patrick, his wife and 5/8 yr old son. Interesting perspectives altho the child's voice ⏬

My reading at the weekend included the fifth in the DI McLean series set in Edinburgh. A property development, a body found in a set of man made caves in the heart of the city, and the ever present sense of supernatural forces at work. An enjoyable character and series which doesn't stray into the ridiculous (always a worry for me in crime novels with spooky element).

It's a few years since i rd the 3rd bk in the series so it is strange to return to the world of Patrick Melrose and remember how annoying i find him. As he hits his 40's i am frustrated by his feeling sorry for himself (altho if you have rd book 1 it's probably understandable)(it's a bit like 'man cave' and 'mid life crisis annoy me). Still, don't know why the books are so compulsive that i have to read on. But just reading his wife's voice.

Just thought id share an email notification i had that the women's prize has announced a podcast. I plan to download and listen but i know a lot of you are reading the shortlist and like podcasts. I guess it's similar to the man booker podcast (which is very good as well). Enjoy ☺https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/reading-room/2019-prize/the-womens-prize-for-fiction-podcast-is-available-now

" A man called Berg, who changed his name to Greb, came to a seaside town intending to kill his father..." are the starting words of a unique book from a female writer at the head of the 1960's avant garde movement. I love gritty 60's fiction of silitoe, Waterhouse et al but this adds an absurdism+ magic to a sinister tale set in a down at heel bed sit, add in a ventriloquist dummy, murdered cat, and scarred tramps - not for all but i loved it.

One of the books i finished over the weekend was second in this series about a police officer, reporter, and investigative journalist who having met in bk 1 combine again to find out what has happened to a young woman who has disappeared also why a local gangster, politician and builder meet for lunch. Set in the mid 90's this is an author whose thrillers i look forward to continue reading.

Ann Quin is a writer i hadn't heard of before . Living in a bed sit in 1960's Brighton she created a small body of work, wonderfully crafted word play set in an entirely English setting, here that classic down at heel British sea side town. All smoke stained curtains and bedspreads. She committed suicide by swimming out into the Brighton sea- i am totally hooked by her prose and plan to read more. Just thought I'd give an example.

I do like a hard boiled detective and PI sughrue entirely fits that mould as he is hired to track a missing author prone to alcoholic binges,when he finds him in a dodgy bar he ends up looking for the landladies daughter. A gr8 rd which written in 1978 seems to be big brother to bosch, robicheaux + other mavericks - cdnt get any wild turkey so has to be a Guinness.
Beverage on cover
#booked2019 @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft

Heading home from a nice day with daughter in Sheffield and we are waiting for the slow train.
Thought id share this poem by the wonderful Richard Hawley ( if you don't know him try listening to him) at the art gallery where we managed to see the da vinci cartoons. After a couple of pints ill probably now nod off without reading any of my book. Anyway a poem to all my litsy pals ☺

Indigenous author
Oh i loved this one - A Metis young mum seperated from her family +feeding her baby son in the early hrs looks out to see a horribly violent assault in the snow. Through 10 characters we then see the impact of this incident on their lives, with strong native female family characters the bk looks at tradition, family ties, the underside of a community +violence +
#booked2019 @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft @Cinfhen ⏬

My physical book grp picked this read abt 3 sisters who become in different ways absorbed in the GB fascist movement of oswald moseley. Whilst at times i found the voices annoying + plot a little thin i enjoyed the picture of a unique slice of British history and the impact of a charismatic leader on apparently intelligent individuals beliefs. Much to absorb from anti semitism in pre war society to the effect of interment w/o trial. Interesting.

If this was just a story about family + relationships it would be beautifully drawn novel abt 2 diff srs who share so much but clash at the drop of a hat, iris taking sophia to the cinema bookended with sophia slipping into her sisters bed are wonderful scenes but within the tale is a stunning piece of satire and picking apart of the stupidity of brexit and creation of immigrants as pariahs, and of course wordplay - see below quote of the book ⏬

Last weekend i took the sixth in the DS logan series to the in laws for easter and realised id read book 5 two easters before. Not sure why i left it so long as this is a great series which combines great plots, nasty villains of which the Aberdeen climate is high on the list, but best of all dark humour of which DI steel is highlight. Anyway ploughing through my easter egg i have a couple of other books to review. But plan book 7 in series soon.

What's to day? I had forgotten how much i enjoyed autumn so picked up winter in the library with anticipation and trepidation but i am loving Ali Smith's writing and the story yet again . This is one of several examples of her playfulness with words. Brilliant.

A really well told story about a young woman recruited into mi5 during the early years of the war to spy upon 5th columnists in London. I was absorbed in the story and characters who were drawn with skill as we flit between 1940 and 1950 as she is drawn back into conspiracies going back to the war. Very enjoyable.

Any litsy people in the north west of England may be able to pick up this bingo card from their local library - there is a prize draw if a line completed by 1st July - and a hashtag on twitter #gnwr.
Im definitely going to have a go, as if i need another challenge in my life, although i may try and combine some of the reads.

My easter weekend off work has begun with finishing this enjoyable thriller which has the horror and feel of 'the wicker man' but at times i worried could have drifted towards the comedy of 'hot fuzz'. In the end i think it stayed the right side of the divide for a crime novel and ill definitely look out for more and also now try the authors other pen name tania carver. To summarise hiding undercover cop battles pagan religion baddies - good fun.

Do you ever start a review on gr going lower on your star rating then persuade yourself as you tap away that you'll rate it higher. Well that is whst i did on this curious tale of a German pr running away to Japan, meeting a suicidal young man, following the trail of a famous poet through woods, fast trains, obscure performance art, non flowering cherry blossom, to title beauty spot. A bizarre read which i struggled thru but in hindsight enjyd 4*.

This book pulled the rug from underneath me as i was reading and i came away overwhelmed with the turn it took and the consequent theme of the story. At the outset 2 different 20 something students discover an obscure piece of blues music recorded on the streets of ny during a chess game. The search for the singer and old vinyl takes seth into the dark past of US history + the use of law to continue 'slavery' for commercial gain. Brilliant

It is a long time since I've read a book in 1 sitting but i was riveted to my spot as i was immersed again in sarah moss's writing.
Taking the ritual sacrifice of a bronze age girl as her superb opening chapter the story then is abt recreating bronze age life with uni students and a family of whom wife and dtr are terrified of their husband/father in Northumberland. Male threat of violence overwhelms the rdr as it builds to a climax. Brilliant.

The illiad reimagined in 1996 northern Ireland as a rogue ira troop seek to undermine the anticipated peace process. The prose is brutal as the author with skill draws comparison in the horror of war and the pride and vulnerability of men to human weaknesses to homers achilles and agamemnon . Lyrically written but gutteral in it's themes i was totally absorbed in the story and its close following of the original text. A stunning read.

#booked2019 @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft
A tram journey today is a perfect excuse to make progress on this excellent book and as i read about the creator of a mysterious piece of ancient jazz music wolfman Charlie shaw and the ills that befall the young man who discovered the song whilst recording sounds on the streets of manhattan i realised it is perfect for spring #featuresamusician

I think this book may be one of the most popularly reviewed in my litsy thread so i was pleased to get a reserve from the library and even more so when it was such an absorbing read that i rattled through. Definitely blackly comic but underneath that there is an interesting look at patriarchal violence and its effects, sibling loyalty and cultural expectations of women, with of course the serial killer trope turned on its head.

Fifth in the DI alex morrow series finds her giving evidence in a trial which has connections to a double stabbing on the night princess Diana died. As ever she is a sore thumb battling corruption in the police, legal profession and her own family. I love denise mina, she crafts great police procedurals.

As editor for some amazing writers the authors writing is impeccable and i love the very structure of her sentences. Jean Rhys is similarly a wonderful author and this chapter tells the sad story of her last years when Diana athill helps bring her work including Wide Sargasso sea to the public. This is a sad extract and i imagine jean rhys in her bungalow writing with neighbours who thought her a witch.

It is hard to imagine life in a brutal dictatorship during a period from 1980 to 2006 which included a 10 yr war with iran, invasion of Kuwait & subsequent destruction of infrastructure and sanctions b4 invasion by US forces in 03. This book brings it to life thru the lives of 3 friends. This description of brutality of war and life in Iraq is at times difficult reading but based on real stories told to the author. A troubling but well told book.

#booked2019 @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft
I really enjoyed this challenge and it was an exxuse to read bks id always wanted to read (ragtime - happy place NY), fave authors (val mcd - female detective), modern classics ( dundy podcast and mcgahern Ireland) and new autors ( harvey - new author, and six stories - media). Hope spring is as successful and thanks for organising. Ps Carter - fairy tales

Tracey Thorn singer in the pop duo Everything but the girl tells a great story about the ups and downs of the music industry between the late 1970's when as a teenager she was part indie post punk girl group the marine girls, through life at hull university where she met partner Ben watts and they move through life as pop stars. Told with wit and a eye for the political in stories she is as engaging on the page as she is when you hear her speaking

Friday night phew and with everyone out i can sneak watching the end of a fascinating bbc4 documentary on muriel spark before carrying on with this interesting read. The opening chapter is one of the most disturbing ive read and then the writer introduces us to the lives and relationships of 3 Iraqi men in a turbulent time of war and dictatorship from 1980 to 2006. Im looking forward to carrying on. Happy friday reading everyone ☺

It's a while since i read black water rising so was pleased that i really enjoyed this highly praised story about a black texas ranger investigating a crime in a small community on the main highway which has racial hate crime written all over it. A really compelling read which had me guessing to the end. I will definitely be exploring more of the authors work. And as with my last post this image, cdn't find a bluebird so though a blue bird wd do.

What a strange read - incredibly disconcerting these are macabre tales which take gruesome twists and turns both surreal and unsettling. Definitely a book i had put down after reading a couple before returning to the fray. It's worth reading if you like feeling uncomfortable, definitely unique. I returned the book to library and found this suitably gruesome image in the museum attached, im sure the author would approve.

I was totally absorbed by this book told by the spirits who on the birth of Ada possess her body. As she moves from Nigeria to uni in the US a sexual assault brings forth the spirit asughara who is the antithesis of ada and uses ada's body into a series of encounters which are at times visceral. In the latter part of the bk the author, a non binary trans, explores the meaning of gender as their body is surgically changed. Fascinating/brilliant

#booked2019 true crime podcasts are now such an ever present part of modern media and i have listened to serial, end of days, and am currently enjoying Michael connelly's murder book. So this was a unique take on crime fiction as a true crime podcast investigates the mystery around a missing teenage boy some 20 years earlier. Certainly captures that podcast voice well although i still can't decide if i like mixing my medias.

This short book was my first of the mbi longlist this year and like 'a meal in winter ' it is about the experience of war for the ordinary soldier. This centres on four Russian men fighting in the civil war post revolution who find unusual frienship and respite for a short period. Remarkably simple story but when you put it down it's effect is profound.

Friday and tonight i went a really interesting event at manchester's Anthony burgess centre on Ann Quin and the avant guarde - the love of the subject was so enthusiastically expressed by the speakers and i can't wait to delve into the book. Had loads of questions i wanted to ask but it's so nice to see such joy of writing.
Ill now try and catch up on a few reviews of books read over the weekend.

I'm not sure if i will mark this up as my 'indigenous author ' booked for my spring #booked2019 challenge but if the New yorker review says 'an indigenous fairy tale ' i think it may do. But gosh this is a stunning read so far which is exploring so many issues by a igbo/tamil writer who is non binary trans and has crafted a semi autographical novel about her own belief of possession by spirits. 2nd women's prize novel is certainly thumbs up so far

New York in the years before the first world war is a period of dramatic change and through the story of an affluent middle class family the author explores the life of city by introducing famous characters ( Emma goldman -what a life, houdini, jp Morgan, ford) and looks a race, anarchism, immigration, and individual lives at the turn of the century. Loved it and a read that finished 'winter' in #booked2019

I went a bit crazy today when i took 2 bks back to the library and came out with 7! My reserved bk was an elusive womens prize nominee. But as i love translated fiction + the IB list was out this week, i was excited to find 2 nominees and if the title bk is half as good as A meal in winter i will be pleased. And after watching the ridiculous state of politics this wk i need to escape so international literature is my small protest at brexit.

Audra kenney is escaping new York with her 2 children when a police car pulls her over in the arizona heat. Arrested and in the cells when she asks after her children the sheriff asks 'what children '. Thus begins this pacey thriller which had me at the edge of my seat throughout the 300 pages that flew by. Sinister villains, disbelieving feds, a media scrum, and odious husband add to the tension. Definitely a page turner.

I've wanted to read this book for a while so as it is in the format of a true crime podcast such as serial i think it loosely falls within the social media focus. At the moment im not sure about the remainder of my spring categories but might have a wander to the library for a speculative search. Anyway with that true crime podcast voice in my head off we go.
#booked2019 @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft

Well back to work tomorrow so i will finish the weekend by posting about this brilliantly told court room thriller. Fourth in the Eddie flynn series sees him persuaded to be second lawyer on a high profile murder trial but unknown to everyone there is a bad un on the jury. Can't wait for the next one.

#marchintothe70s #bluebayou
I read the 1st dave robicheaux book, neon rain years ago but reread it recently and am now looking for book no 6. Set in the heart of louisiana James lee burke's stories ooze the mystery and heat of the bayou with constant reference to folklore. And of course food that has meet watering at mouth - definitely want to try a poor boy sandwich at some point.

If anyone asks why i read so much this book is the perfect example of one reason, the ability to step into a life i cannot experience but need to understand. This is a 94 page letter from a Senegalese woman whose husband, having taken a second wife, dies suddenly having abandoned his 1st family of 12 children. Fiercely independent, this Muslim woman asserts the rights of women in the face of cultural pressure to take a new husband. Enlightening.

Sorry i just had to post this as i nearly splurted my coffee over the page.
Apologies to my friends across the pond.

My final winter book in #booked2019 challenge relates to reminds me of a happy place.
Ive been to new York twice once for my wifes 40th and then all 5 of us on a trip along the east coast so it has lots of great memories.
Anyway this Saturday morning im sat in my car waiting for my daughter - the music is of course totally random but there is no one like The proclaimers to lift a dull day.
@Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

#marchintothe70s #wildworld
Last yr i read The power of the dog and asked for The cartel for Xmas which i plan to read soon so i can get to the force. So when i saw this for 10p in a library sale i had to get it. Gosh the world of Don Winslow's cross border drug smuggling is a wild one - very frightening.

Today i went to oxfam at lunchtime to browse and saw 2 persephones with bookmarks at £1.49 each. Last time that happened i didn't get them and next day when i went back they'd gone. I checked GR first and @LeahBergen and @Moray_Reads had both give 4* to the title book so here they are plus 2 others and managed to sneak them in the house and reassure wife that the pile of books in the corner is not getting bigger its an optical illusion.