Hello and welcome to the last month of the year! I don’t know about anyone else but in the whole surreal experience that has been 2020, this month has felt like the toughest.
Dark mornings and evenings, colder weather, lockdown and Covid just getting just too close for comfort on more than one occasion has made this month feel like a bit of a slog. I haven’t read anywhere near as much as I wanted but I have tried to find escape and refuge in the books I have read.
A highlight of this month has been some of the cracking book post I have received. I am honestly overwhelmed by the generous nature of publishers, publicists and authors. 2021 is going be a cracking reading year!!
And on the theme of amazing 2021 reads let me introduce you to Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden. This book just blew me away!!! Original in style, subject matter and structure, it’s a rocket waiting to launch. Full review coming later this month but it’s going to set January 2021 on fire!!
A couple of other books awaiting a full review and just finished Medusa Retold by Sarah Wallis and Inherent by Lucía Orellana Damacela. I repeatedly say I don’t read and review enough poetry so I thrilled to be offered these two books by Fly On The Wall Press. Both unique and beautiful in their own ways; my full review will be up next weekend.
Poetry has given me the perfect opportunity to dip in and out of reading material when my concentration is not what it should have been . Another ‘dipping’ book which had been with me for a couple of months now is Hilary Mantel’s Mantel Pieces. A stunning collection of her articles and essays, written with her usual wit, insight and intelligence. Quite simply a joy.
Another joy was Hag: Forgotten Folktales Retold. Emma, @corkyyorky, told me I was going to love it and I did!!! Authors Daisy Johnson, Kirsty Logan, Emma Glass, Eimear McBride, Natasha Carthew, Mahsuda Snaith, Naomi Booth, Liv Little, Imogen Hermes Gower, Irenosen Okojie retell British Folk Takes, and they are stunning. The accompanying Audible podcasts are a must listen and getting me through the dark mornings as I drive to work.
Another ‘Emma’ recommendation was Coming Up For Air by Sarah Leipciger. Set across three time periods, told in beautiful lyrical prose, here is a story that converges with skill and precision.
Talking of recommendations Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club has been raved about in every bookish quarter!! And now I see why! A perfect blend of wit, style and entertainment!! This is going to under a fair few Christmas Tress this year!
My book club read this month was The Turn of The Screw by Henry James. For a slim book it took some getting through!!! One more classic read chalked up, but won’t be a reread!
My final read of the month was the tranquil trip along the canal found in the novel Three Women and a Boat by Anne Youngson. My mini Insta review can be found here
Bring on December!!!
Rachel x
Book Bound 