Category: Books

The War of the Worlds by H G Wells

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am not a fan of sci-fi; in fact, I am very vocal that I am not a sci-fi fan. However, I may have been proved wrong by the classic ‘The War of the Worlds’.

I was inspired to pick this book up after seeing the most recent BBC adaptation, but it then did sit on the shelf for a while. But now it has been read and, like with so many books on the shelf, I wonder why it has taken me so long to read it.

What struck me as I was reading this book is that it is literally timeless. It could have been written for pretty much any time period since its original publication.

‘The War of the Worlds’ is told like a long report of events after the arrival of the Martians. Very matter of fact in its narrative, yet still so engaging as you see how England deals with such an unknown. And, there are those who do not think that the situation applies to them. However, as the terror builds, it is quite a study of humans and their reactions. I can imagine that it created fear on publication.

Reading this in lockdown, it really does resonate as we face an invisible enemy. Our reactions may not have been quite the same, but there are certainly some parallels.

I may have also found a whole new collection of titles to read from the pen of H G Wells because, so far, I am impressed with his storytelling and observations of the world.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This is a book I am ashamed to say has been on my shelf for quite some time. I had meant to pick it up for ages, but I just never got the chance. However, 2021 was the year – and what a fantastic read it was.

Michelle Obama is a woman who I have admired for a long time. She has always just seemed to present herself in such a calm, professional but determined manner. Someone who appears as truly supportive of her husband and, of course, loves her family. I am so pleased that, as I read this memoir, that is exactly who Michelle Obama is.

This book tells us about Michelle Obama’s childhood in Chicago and the determination she had to go to university and gain a career for herself. It is clear how her early life influenced her values and attitudes as she met her future husband and started a family of her own.

We learn about her life as First Lady, as her husband Barack Obama takes the role of American President for two terms. It is clear that she keeps her values at the front of everything she does and always works to contribute as positively as she can to a country she loves.

As a teacher, it really struck me how highly Michelle Obama regards education of all kinds, but especially education of girls all around the world, to ensure that they reach their full potential.

This book is a really inspirational read. Michelle Obama writes in an engaging manner with warmth, emotion and charm. I really don’t know why I waited so long to read this book – so, if you have ‘Becoming’ on your shelves, pick it up because it really will be a highlight.

Thursday Thoughts: Why I blog about books

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Yesterday, my little book blog was four years old. I should really have posted yesterday, but I got a little caught up in the Inauguration.

So, why did I start my book blog? That is a very simple answer: I absolutely love books. Ever since I was a child, collecting books was one of my favourite hobbies. I just loved reading and having bookshelves full of pretty books. One of my favourite places to visit was pretty much any bookshop – especially if I was lucky enough to have a book token to spend, too.

And, as I have got older, not a lot – well, let’s be honest – absolutely nothing has changed. I love books, and I simply want to share my love of books with others. I don’t claim to be an expert blogger, or a particularly good book reviewer. However, if I can share a book that others might be inspired to read, then that is a win.

I do also make a decision to only share books I have enjoyed, and that is because if I do not enjoy a book, I probably ‘do not finish’ it.

If you have something that you are passionate about, why not share your thoughts with others? You never know – you may inspire someone to try something new.

I Give It A Year by Helen Whitaker

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This month’s choice from ‘The Tasting Notes Book Club’ was ‘I Give It A Year’ by Helen Whitaker.

This was a beautiful read in January. Iris has discovered that her husband has been having an affair and, as a result, they decided that they will give the relationship a year before making any final decisions. Now, I realise that may sound like a strange concept to be a perfect January read; however, it really is. As Iris works her way through the year, she goes on a real journey of self-discovery. She finds out a lot about who she has become and how her different realtionships have developed – even though she may have missed it or did not realise it. After Iris’ challenging year, she comes out with a new-found confidence but also a better understanding of the world around her and the people she shares it with.

It is quite an emotional read at points, and I think it will be a different emotional read for each reader, as it tackles quite a range of subjects. For me, personally, I found the dementia stroyline a real tear-jerker. However, for others, it may be one of the different relationship threads.

Yet, this is a really enjoyable book that presents a wonderful study of relationships and character, with a wonderfully strong female lead. It has been a joy to discover a new author at the start of a new year – and can not wait until book club.

Your Neighbour’s Wife by Tony Parsons

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been lucky enough to be gifted a copy of ‘Your Neighbour’s Wife’ as part of a Tandem Collective UK readalong. What a gift it has been to read this novel at the start of a second very strange year.

One of my absolutely favourite novels is ‘Man and Boy’ by Tony Parsons, but I had never read any of his thrillers. And it is fair to say that I have been missing out, as Parsons can pen an excellent thriller.

As I always mention, writing about thriller novels can be difficult because I never want to risk letting any spoilers slip out. So, what I am going to say is that this is a real page-turner. I genuinely struggled to put this down, as it builds so many fascinating mysteries as the story unfolds. Secrets, lies and mysteries relating to every single character (other than the lovely and innocent Marlon and Buddy the dog) have you drawing all sorts of conclusions, rightly or wrongly. And you really are surprised as some of these are revealed to you.

Also, as Tony Parsons does so well, there is an interesting study of relationships throughout this book. Romantic relationships, family relationships and friendships all come under the microscopeas we follow the thrilling tale from start to finish.

So, in conclusion of you are looking for a new, tense thriller for 2021, then this is the book for you.

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The second book second book of 2021 was one that caught my attention on that lovely bookish TV show ‘Between the Covers’. It just sounded like a fascinating crime thriller. And it was!

To begin with, I thought this tale was a little slow. Two sisters, each blaming the other for the murder of their father – and each having called 911. Yet, as the tale progressed, the pace and tension picked up dramatically as Eddie Flynn and his team investigate their defense of Sofia Avellino and new kid on the block Kate investigates her defense of Alexandra Avellino. I really can not talk much about the story, as I do not want to give away any spoilers, other than to say it’s a very well-crafted thriller that becomes a real page-turner. There is quite a collection of characters who you do become quite invested in. And Cavanagh really does manage to manipulate your beliefs about some of the key characters – even if you do not realise it.

Steve Cavanagh has become an author who I would like to read more from. I did not realise that there had been a number of adventures for Eddie Flynn before this one. I guess that is always the joy of reading – you can always make new discoveries of new stories.

This also allowed me to tick off a little bonus prompt from ‘The Unread Shelf Project’, as ‘the unread book most recently acquired’.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The Unread Shelf Project 2021 has influenced my choices for my reads this year. The January prompt ‘A Book with High Expectations’, so I decided to take ‘The Nickel Boys’ from my shelf.

This is a book that I have seen around a lot and, obviously, is one that I had wanted to read. However, I did not expect it to be a book that could become one of my favourite reads, but part of the joy of ‘The Unread Shelf Project’.

With a book like this, I am not sure that I can do it justice in my blog posts. ‘The Nickel Boys’ is inspired by the story of the Dozier School, a reform school in Flroida – and the reality of the experience of those who had to attend. I was concerned that this would be a difficult read; however, Whitehead’s handling of this tale is sensitive and thought-provoking. It is shocking that events described in the book were ever allowed to take place and be a part of America’s social history, but Colson Whitehead wants you to learn from this tale. His wonderful narrative style makes this a page-turner. Especially, as it becomes all too clear the part twists of fate really do play on the path some people have to follow.

This is a book that carries very high expectations, it is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and understandably so. Yet, it lives up to all of these expectations, as it is a truly fantastic novel and has been a great start to ‘The Unread Shelf Project, 2021’.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ was my last read of 2020 – and one I had been really looking forward to – it was a joy to find under the Christmas tree.

There is always a fear that, when a book has been surronded by hype, it may not be what you expect. However, this fear was not realised with this book. ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ is a perfect piece of cosy crime fiction from start to finish. A joy to read and quite a page-turner.

You may have heard Richard Osman speak about a retirement village would be the place to find ‘The Thursday Murder Club’, as there is such a variety of skills and people in the place. Ande that is certainly true of his four key characters: Ibriham, Ron, Joyce and Elizabeth. Possibly not a quartet who would usually spend time together, but their love of cold case crime solving leads them to become quite the powerhouse when there are not one but two murders on their door step.

I found this such a joy to read. You feel as though you are on an adventure with the characters. The style of writing is like a soothing voice to bring that cosy crime genre to life.

This novel is a wonderful piece of escapism – and could well the equivalent of a warm hug in the form of a book.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Possibly my proudest moment of 2020 reading, or possibly of my reading ever, is the fact that I have read ‘Les Miserables’ (along with a lovely group of bookstagrammers).

This is a story that I am sure so many of us think we know thanks to the wonderful musical, or maybe more recently the BBC dramatisation. I certainly thought that I knew and loved the story. However, I was wrong. For obvious reasons (mainly the length of the book), the musical is an adaptation of the tale and excludes parts of the story. There is, of course, nothing wrong with that but I would now certainly recommend that you take the chance to read the book to enrich your understanding of the tale.

This book holds a beautiful story; a chance Victor Hugo has taken to pass comment on the France he was exiled from and the society it was becoming. There are some chunks of history used to contextualise some of the characters and events – however, if they are not for you, it is possible to skim-read those sections. Yet, for me they were part of the rich tapestry of the book.

Jean Valjean has become one of my favourite characters in literature. Quite a complex character but demonstrating some of the best characteristics of human nature, yet he is considered (by true identity) to be one of the worst members of society. Overall, I found him a hero who Hugo seems to think is a victim of the society he has the unfortunate luck to be part of.

All the characters Hugo creates are so alive on every page. They have so much about them – they are all fascinating characters.

This book is simply beautiful. Please do not be put off because it is rather large. It is a story that we can all enjoy and possibly learn a little about ourselves from. So, if you can, pick up ‘Les Miserables’, because it could well become one of your favourite reads – as it has for me.

Thursday Thoughts: Reading Goals for 2021

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have not always been one for reading goals. I have set myself targets of how many books I may like read, but it has never been my sole purpose of focus as I read. Just a chance for me to keep a bit of a record and see how I do.

However, this coming year, I have decided that I will set a target but also take part in The Unread Shelf Project: and exciting little project that aims to support all of us who love books to shift some of those unread books which may have been on our shelves for some time. There is a prompt each month to help select the books you can clear from your shelves (and some bonus prompts if you would like to shift a few more). I have made some selections of books I would like to try to clear from the shelves, and I am keen to see what unread treasures I find.

Alongside this, I also hope that I read some more titles from my ‘100 Books Bucket List’ poster. I am hoping to have five additional books crossed off from that by the end of 2021.

But, most importantly, my reading goal for 2021 is to enjoy the time I have to read. There is no guilt if a book is not for you – the time spent reading should be time that is enjoyed.

Have you got any goals for 2021?