January Reading Notes
Notes on the books I read last month
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January was a month which went fast in all aspects of life, but for some reason reading books felt slow. It could have been the books I chose this month. These were the books that came into the library so I went with it and gave them a go.
Take Six Girls - Laura Thompson
A look at the Mitford sisters from Nazis to a Duchess.
This book has been on my list for awhile as I have wanted to watch the BBC Series Outrageous. I’ve heard of Nancy Mitford’s books mentioned many times since moving to London and I have yet to read one, although The Pursuit of Love is in my library pile.
The book is full of history on these interesting sisters. Sometimes I had to look back to see which sister was which as Laura described each sister’s story. I was confused sometimes by the nicknames they had for one another as well. I have now started watching Outrageous and having the history behind it has helped me to understand the story line in the show more.
Fleishmann is in Trouble - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
A man’s ex-wife disappears and there’s always more to the story.
I was not taken in by this story until the end. I became annoyed by the main character, Toby, and his take on things. I knew there had to be something else going on with his ex-wife. I wanted more perspective from the ex-wife’s point of view, which you don’t really get until the end.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers - Renni Browne & Dave King
Tips for writers to help you look at your manuscript with new eyes.
I’ll use this book often when I’m editing my first novel. It breaks down good dialogue, characters, and voice, amongst other key editing notes. Each chapter ends with a helpful checklist and exercise too. The checklists feel easy to come back to when I’m in editing mode.
The Lost Bookshop - Evie Woods
A bookshop connects three lives with classic stories and mystery.
I listened to this book while I cooked and walked. On one of my walks I could feel myself smile at the magic of how the story wove together. The author featured several of my favourite classic books.
Writing the Breakout Novel - Donald Maass
Techniques to think through when writing your novel.
This book was written in 2001 so many of the book and author references aren’t current and might not come to mind for you. There’s also no mention of social media, and only a brief note about e-readers.
Regardless of the time factor it still feels like an important book for novel writers to understand the key elements that draw in readers and make a book stand out.
Reading Notes from Our Family
I thought it might be fun to share the books the rest of the family have read, or are currently reading, in our house. Everyone reads in our house with books being left all over the house.
Husband’s Reading:
Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman
He loved finishing this book and now our older son wants to read it.
Fifteen Year Old Son’s Reading:
Warhammer 40,000 Codex Tyranids
He’s been reading this one for awhile as it apparently contains lots of information and he keeps picking it up at bedtime when he’s tired. If you’re into Warhammer I guess you will understand this book. I don’t understand it!
Eleven Year Old Daughter’s Reading:
Lottie Brooks’ Totally Disastrous School-Trip - Katie Kirby
Our daughter adores Katie Kirby’s books and she met her once too. She has this entire series and has been reading the books in order.
Reading Out Loud to Daughter:
I read out loud to our daughter most nights before her bedtime. We pick books we’re both curious about and I chose some classics to read to her as well.
Impossible Creatures - Katherine Rundell
We both kept seeing this book everywhere now that the second book is out. I saw it for super cheap at a charity shop so I grabbed it for us to read together. We’re enjoying the story and she loves all the magical creatures.
What books did you read in January?