Ideas for reading - my February collection
More good books as Winter blends into early Spring in northern Italy
My February favourite: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
This is a novel I shall remember for a long time to come. Like The Husband’s Secret, it is shocking in unexpected ways and not afraid to delve into some disturbing domestic truths, all the more insidious when viewed through the prism of respectable middle-class lives. Set in suburban Australia in homes, cafés and the local kindergarten, we can be sure these events could unfold anywhere once the veneer of civilisation is cracked. This is a brilliant novel – courageous, intricate, claustrophobic, thrilling. At 465 pages it’s a generous read and a length I love. I am rather jealous, though: how, oh how did Liane Moriarty manage to hide until the last few pages not only the identity of the culprit, but also that of the victim? The narrative is cleverly crafted as a backstory that leads up to the dramatic event we glimpse only through snippets of police interviews at the end of chapters. One cup of coffee at a time we befriend an intriguing set of characters; we feel how these mothers love their children; we fear for them.
Don't be fooled by the kindergarten setting of this sinister novel
Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer?
Liane Moriarty is one of the writers I’ve come across through listening to author interviews on one of my favourite podcasts; I have become a real fan of this author and have already ordered The Hypnotist’s Love Story. The weekly podcast So You Want to be a Writer is presented by Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait: their style is friendly and entertaining, the content they offer inspiring and informative, including some fascinating interviews.
My February collection - Fiction
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. My favourite this month, above.
Personal by Lee Child. I knew I could not go on without reading a Lee Child thriller sooner or later. My problem is that book sleeves that promise more than low level violence really deter me. However, I found this volume on my son’s bookshelf and, with a dearth of English novels in the house, decided to give it a go. After a hesitant first chapter or two on my part – Lee Child really goes in for short sentences – I became aware that I was mysteriously hooked. Now, how did he do that? Masterful use of dialogue, a great plot and a rhythmic first person narrative that gets you all too closely involved in the action. Jack Reacher is an ironic, interesting hero who soon gets you on his side as he ensures that some very nasty characters get their come-uppance. I hate violence and the blurb on the back cover warned it would be ‘crunching’ at the end, as his fans demand. No spoilers, but I, at least, survived.
Mi sa che fuori è primavera by Concita De Gregorio. This is a heart-rending and extraordinary book, the true story of Irina, whose six-year-old twin daughters disappear in Switzerland never to be found again after their father commits suicide. Concita De Gregorio is a well-known Italian journalist and shows her gifts as an exceptional writer and woman, entering the heart, mind and soul of a mother suffering through the years the worst nightmare. Irina must challenge the dilatory Swiss authorities and fight back on every conceivable level, needing to reclaim her own right to live, notwithstanding her loss. Available in Italian. (Have you started classes, yet?)
My February collection - Non-fiction
An inspiring read for nature loving children (and adults)
Ozzie Leads the Way, by Ken Davies, illustrations by Fiona Gomez. It’s always a joy to receive a book as a gift, and when the author is a friend, it is very special indeed. This is the beautifully narrated story of the long, dangerous journey made by Ozzie the osprey from a reservoir in central England to his winter home in Africa. It also tells of the journey of a group of children who become deep nature lovers and develop their gifts thanks to the experience of seeing Ozzie set off on his flight and the opportunity to follow and learn about his journey guided by their teacher, Ken. Visits to Africa ensue and lasting bonds are formed. An inspiring tale, beautifully illustrated. Written for children, but this adult loved it! http://www.ospreys.org.uk/ozzie-leads-the-way/
Deep Work, by Cal Newport. Another good book for self-improvement this month, directed at increasing productivity and making the best of our time and talents to reach our full potential. Cal Newport challenges the basis of how people work, particularly in the distracted modern world, and provides convincing argument that we need to make drastic and intentional changes. He suggests no quick fixes but advances a set of detailed rules, some of which I’m personally adapting. Haphazard work habits, he says, rarely lead to the creation of valuable things; instead, ritualizing minimizes the friction in the transition to depth – the more idiosyncratic, the better. Have fun creating your own rituals, then, to immerse yourself daily in your writing.
Thanks for reading! I'll be back next month.
And if you're in any doubt about why you should happily make time to read as many books as you want without feeling guilty, take a look at my recent post Permission to read.
Copyright © 2017, Ally Preece
