Dear friends. An exciting month for me as I was nominated for UK Book Blogger of the Year. I must add however that it was a LONG long list and I didn't make the short list. I didn't expect to, because although I review books extensively on NetGalley, I'm not a dedicated book blogger.
I simply read books and share my thoughts with you because I know most of you are avid readers.
Many thanks to those who voted for me!
My Goodreads challenge this year is reading 110 books. I'm currently at 87 and on track. Most of the books I'm reading come out next year. A sobering thought! Follow me on Goodreads.
Today's round-up features one 5 star book plus some very strong contenders from Ann Cleeves, Satu Rämö and Andy Maslen. There are also two very rewarding memoirs. All of the books this month were given to me free by NetGalley and publishers in return for an objective review.
The Approval of Sheep by Karen Storey (5 stars out of 5)
A charming, whimsical and quirky delight.
Gordon, a man in his early 40s, is a dreamer with no real achievements. He faces redundancy, and in an effort to try to negotiate a better position at his hotel group, evokes a historic covenant that preserves the right for sheep to run through the company’s top London hotel.
He travels to Wales to meet the descendants of the covenant's origins, and discovers the ebb and flow of life on a sheep farm. Soon he is wondering if he still wants to become a director in London after all. But he needs to prove himself, and decide whose side he's on.
I loved the way sheep were portrayed. They've often been dismissed by "celebrity" farmers as having a death wish and being very stupid. Storey portrays sheep as mischievous, loving and inquisitive. She apparently did a lot of research with Facebook groups and others.
I can see this being made into a heart warming film. Rhys Ifans would be excellent in the role of his namesake, hippyish Rhys.
The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves (4 out of 5 stars)
A Couple by Eliette Abecassis (4 out of 5 stars)
A beautiful and poetic account of a couple's enduring relationship over 60 years, through initial heady romance to old age, taking in the birth of children, changing circumstances, affairs and counselling along the way. It illustrates the power of love, which triumphs even after the relationship appears to have broken down. Bittersweet and poignant.
The Shadow of the Northern Lights by Satu Rämö (4 out of 5 stars)
It's the third adventure for solitary surfing detective Hildur in Iceland. Satu Rämö, a Finnish writer living in Iceland, takes a slightly different approach this time. We learn more about Hildur, who was reconnected to her long lost sister in the last book, and Johann, her professional partner who is battling former partner Lena to see more of their son.
Hildur braces herself for the cold weather of Lapland in Finland as she rushes to help Johann who's been accused of a serious crime.
Several themes and story lines weaves through the book and they are not all directly connected, which means there isn't a big build up to a defining moment where police confront criminals or have a definitive breakthrough.
Rämö pulls us into the plot with breath taking descriptions of the weather and scenery, as deftly as Tinna whipping up a few pancakes.
The stoic reactions and recovery by Hildur and others after the final developments and revelations say a lot for the resilience of Icelanders.
An engrossing read that takes this series in a new direction.
The Rebel Son by Andy Maslen (4 out of 5 stars)
NON FICTION
I Shop, Therefore I Am by Mary Portas (4 out of 5 stars)
UK readers will remember Mary from her TV series Mary Queen of Shops, which saw her meeting struggling retailers and putting them back on track. I was very taken with her personal style, her distinctive red bob and chunky jewellery, worn with edgy tailoring.
Her book is a fun trip back to the 90s as retail guru Mary shares her memories of Harvey Nichols. When she arrived at the genteel store, fresh from success at Topshop, she found the customers were mainly grand dames who lived locally. The staff were a similar demographic and suspicious of Mary, with her humble beginnings.
Mary's innovative and creative window displays start to attract attention. How about windows filled with the wrecks of iconic American cars, painted grey? Before long the windows are attracting attention from Vogue and Draper's Record.
Her book is filled with anecdotes and experiences: the first Alexander McQueen show; how the hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous changed the image of "Harvey Nicks", and how she persuaded the store to stock brands like Ralph Lauren Home for the first time in the UK. Not to mention one of the store's most loyal customers, Princess Diana.
As you would expect from "The Queen of Shops", there are pithy observations about misogyny and the old boys network that dominated top stores. There's also sadness about losing her parents at an early age and trying to find joy in Christmases with her siblings.
Wintering by Katherine May (4 out of 5 stars)
You may have heard of this book, it's become a modern classic. This is a new version. Katherine May went through a difficult time and described it as a period of "wintering". She explores the seasons, tries new things and follows the same principles with her son when she takes him out of school because of his anxiety.
It's beautifully and ferociously written, full of verve and curiosity. May reconnects with nature and the power of the seasons. She writes with intelligence and passion, creating a moving personal narrative interwoven with lessons from literature, mythology and the natural world
I loved her descriptions of the forest, and how the trees and animals prepare all year for winter. The passages on swimming in the winter sea at Whitstable, and mingling with druids and others at Stonehenge for the winter Solstice, were enlightening and memorable.
THIS MONTH'S BOOK SPOTLIGHT
I hope you enjoyed this month's round-up. Which titles have you tantalized you the most? Do tell in the comments, and please share any book recommendations you may have.
Sharing book reviews with Kathryn at The Book Date, Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer and Debbie at Readerbuzz.
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