Books: November and December 2019

Christmas at Knightshayes Court

There is something quite fulfilling about finishing a book on New Year's Eve, ready to start the new year with a new book, and I did exactly that with A Pair of Blue Eyes. I read quite a bit in the last couple of months, although I feel I cheated somewhat as I have been reading This Naked Mind on and off all year!

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in the attic of the Hotel Metropole, a hotel where he was accustomed to having his own suite. His world becomes that of the hotel, both guests and staff and through a friendship with a young girl, Nina, becomes the owner of the hotel master key. Despite Rostov's nobility, he is a really engaging and quite a humble character. 

This Naked Mind by Annie Grace

There is a raft of so called Quit Lit out there, and this is one of the suggested reads for reducing or giving up alcohol. It hasn't worked, but it was quite a worthwhile read. I am currently listening to The Outrun which I much prefer, I think this is because it is a personal account of overcoming addiction.

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

In a bid to create a garden in memory of her sister, who was killed in a Japanese prison camp, Yun Ling becomes apprenticed to Aritomo, who was previously the Japanese Emperor's gardener. They form an unlikely bond. Decades later, she returns to the garden and is interviewed by an historian who reveals some of her unanswered questions about the prison camp and the true background of Aritomo himself. 

The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle

I bought this by accident on my Kindle thinking it was a) a true story and b) about walking. Wrong on both counts! However, it is quite a sweet story about two men who had previously attended the same exclusive private school together and how their very different lives collide in unexpected circumstances and how they both end up helping each other.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

I really wanted to like this, especially as it was based on a true story, but I just didn't like the way that this was written. 

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

This is a really moving account of the first year after the death of her husband. Not only did her husband die unexpectedly one Christmas, her only daughter was also in an induced coma fighting sepsis. It is a startlingly honest account of her grieving process.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Putting all thoughts of reading quality fiction aside, this chick lit was actually just the ticket for me in December, when there is so much going on for Christmas and a family health problem gets thrown into the mix. So, the distraction that this gave was very well received. 

Rachel is invited to Singapore by her boyfriend Nick to attend his best friend's wedding. Unbeknown to Rachel, Nick is one of the most eligible rich young men in Singapore and everyone is out to snap him up. High jinx ensue!

A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy

A parson's daughter falls in love with her social inferior and is forbidden to marry him. After damaging her reputation, she resolves to wait until his position is improved. Whilst he is working abroad, another suitor appears. However, has Elfride believes she has given her innocence away and is not worthy. 

Not one of his better novels, but there are some wonderful moments nonetheless (the cliff scene, the crypt scene and the appearances of the sinister Mrs Jethaway (I'm wondering if she was the inspiration behind Susan Hill's Woman in Black) are worth the read).

Love Mrs Jones x