December Reading...

I wonder if this format of monthly posts will stick? I ought to have additional time for reading this month with Christmas and its associated down-time to come at the end of it, plus I'm going to make a conscious effort to ensure that I do try to pick up a book rather than scrolling on my phone or tablet too - social media has its place, but I'd really like to absorb at least a little less of it...!

I've always been a reader - as a child I was constantly being referred to as "having her nose in a book - AGAIN", and would - as I think I have mentioned here before - read literally anything that was in front of me. As an adult I'm someone who always has a book with me, and preferably in paper form, too. That said, I'm not a fan of hardbacks - it's soft covers all the way for me through choice, other than for things like recipe books.

This month began with the book I started at the very end of November - Peter May's Extraordinary People, part of his Enzo McLeod series. As soon as I started reading this one I had a feeling I'd read it before, and so it turned out. That said, it was a while ago and I didn't recall the detail too closely, so was content to carry on with it. I originally got hooked on this author via his Chessmen trilogy - set on the Isle of Lewis - and in fact that reminds me that it really is time I re-read those! This one is set in France and the storyline takes the main character all around the country as it unfolds, ending with a nail biting final chapter in Paris. The format of clues taking them from one place to the next is clever - and there is plenty to keep the reader griped even without being familiar with the setting. This copy will head back to the charity shop and the original one I have will stay on the shelf.

Next up, a lucky Tesco charity bookshelf find in the shape of John Nichol’s The Red Line. MrEH spotted it and asked whether I already had it - nope, although I do have several others by the same author. Many will recall that John was half of one of the Tornado crews shot down in the first Gulf war, and was subsequently taken hostage alongside his pilot John Peters and several other allied crews. They brought home the nature of the opposition in that conflict when they appeared in propaganda broadcasts having clearly been treated brutally by their captors. He writes factual accounts without being in any way dry or dull - his aim is always to write about the individuals involved in the events, and so you get a truly personal account told from many different perspectives. This book, dealing with the historic Nuremberg raid of WW2, is no easy read - unsurprisingly some of the accounts from the crews involved are nothing short of harrowing.it does provide a fascinating insight into the decision making both on the ground and in the air though, including an honest take on the mistakes made. 10/10 - this will join the others of it’s genre on the shelf.

Next up, a charity shop impulse buy from an Author I don’t believe I have come across before, “A Bird in Winter” by Louise Doughty. The main character here is Heather - aka  Bird - and begins with her leaving her place of employment in the security service - something which becomes very relevant on all levels - and going on the run. The story then retraces its steps over her life to fill in and explain the background to this dramatic opening. A good story, with added interest through featuring a number of places I know reasonably well, but one of those books that doesn’t quite seem to have an ending - or at least not one conclusive enough for me. Still a good read, and was passed to my Mum to read. 

On to a book I was delighted to find in a charity shop recently - and on a three books for £1 basis too - Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club. I’ve been keeping an eye out for a copy of this for a while, so as you can imagine, I pounced! A great read with a good balance of suspense and comedy - with the comedic aspects being provided cleverly by the main character’s personalities. I’m often dubious about books written by celebrities but fair play to Osman - he’s definitely proved himself to be a good author here! 

I finished the month with a favourite author and character - Lee Child and another book in the Reacher series of course - The Hard Way. I’ll do a summary of that next month though. 

Robyn