Books: March and April 2019

It's kind of telling that I got through three audio books (the mainstay of my daily commute) but only physically read one book during March and April.

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Well this was a bizarre little story about a dysfunctional family if ever there was one, focusing on mum, Enid's wish for the family to get together for one last Christmas, especially as Alfred's health is deteriorating. They all hate each other and are actually really dislikeable characters. I wouldn't recommend this (but it is known to be a bit of a Marmite book).

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

An absolute gem of a book. I'm really warming to Sarah Waters. Frances and her mother need to take in lodgers (no darling please, they're paying guests) after her deceased father left them with debts. A young couple with a completely different social background move in and Frances becomes obsessed with their every movement. When she later falls violently in love with one of them the story takes a sinister twist.

The Dry by Jane Harper

Thoroughly disappointed in this when there had been so much hype for it. Aaron Faulks attends the funeral of a childhood friend and then becomes entangled in solving the mystery of how killed him and his young family. The writing wasn't great and the plot not much better - might have made a better TV mini-series.

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

Another fascinating book (non-fiction). It is exactly what it says - tales of ordinary people. But my God, it is so interesting, and equally horrifying at what they have/are living through. These tales recount how resourceful some of the North Korean became at making the best of the relentless famine and oppressive regime. 

What are you reading at the moment?

Love Mrs Jones x