Ideas for reading - my January collection
Books Ally enjoyed in January
Winter is a wonderful season to snuggle down and enjoy a good book
My January favourite: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
I really loved this delightful novel and all too quickly got to the last page - what a relief to discover there is a sequel, The Rosie Effect, already on my wishlist. Funny, surprising, heart-warming, thought-provoking. I was especially entranced by the development of Don's character throughout the story and found his intentional self-training to overcome his limits and acquire the social skills and emotional apparatus needed to complete his Rosie Project both poignant and inspiring. Perfect grasp of the academic and scientific style of analysis and dialogue: when applied to human relations and emotions this was what had me chuckling out loud. I loved it. Many thanks to my brother-in-law for this well-chosen Christmas gift!
My January collection - Fiction
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. My favourite this month, above.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. My only complaint: it's too short! Beautifully imagined and written, I just like a longer novel as I'm always sad when I reach the end of a book that's touched my heart.
The Ambleside Alibi by Rebecca Tope. One of Rebecca's Lake District Mysteries, the beautiful English setting like a sinister character in the snow. I love how the unwitting home detective Persimmon Brown is so squeamish she can't even contemplate how a murder has been committed, yet she finds herself only too closely involved.
Il figlio maschio by Giuseppina Torregrossa. This Sicilian family saga, despite its name - Il figlio maschio is 'The male child' or 'The son' - tells the story of interwoven generations from the points of view of its women characters: mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, who move with grace, wit, strength and passion through the changing backdrop of twentieth century Italy. I love its authentic Sicilianness in the priceless dialogue. Sorry, but it doesn't seem to be available in English translation. (Could this be the year you learn Italian?)
My January collection - Non-fiction
Sully. Miracle on the Hudson by Captain Cheslea Sullenberger. Riveting. And I was brave enough to read it just before a flight to watery Venice. This is a truly inspiring story of a man's life and the values that ensured he was able to save the life of every single person on his plane.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Subtitled: Why we do what we do and how to change. I love good books like this that give us keys to our behaviour and tools for self-improvement. The analysis of how habits work is useful: that doesn't mean it's easy to apply, of course. Otherwise I'd be a much better pianist by now.
The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan. Subtitled The surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results. This book is so effective it's made a direct impact on my approach to my writing. You can read about its applications in my post: How great writing goals can increase your productivity this year.
Copyright © 2017, Ally Preece
