I am a book lover, always have been. My shelves are full of them - fiction, non fiction, reference books, guide books, history books. If I see a book I like the look of, then I buy it and put it on the bookshelf ready to read when the mood takes me. Like many things in life you have to be in the right frame of mind. Sometimes I'll start a book or two (that's my trouble I'm impatient) only to find that other things get in the way and so I'll put it in my bedside drawer with the idea that I'll pick it up again soon. But do I? There are times when I simply can't get into a book. I'll read a couple of chapters and realise that this isn't the book for me. Other times I only have to read the first line and I know I'm going to love it. But, books can be expensive especially if you aren't actually reading them, plus there are only so many you can store.
So I've decided to make more use of my local library. There are three within a two mile radius of where I live, two of which are walkable (good for the exercise I keep telling myself I'm going to do more of). So today I'm going to take a look at what books take my fancy and I figure that if I bring several books home, there's got to be one that will have staying power!
With this in mind I'm excited to be joining in The Year in Books challenge which is organised by Laura at Circle of Pine Trees which you can find here. The idea is to choose a book at the beginning of the month and post about your choice and then maybe write a little about the last month's book. A great idea that will ensure that we make a space for reading in our busy lives and hopefully discovering more lovely books - either novels, poetry, non fiction, biography - whatever takes your fancy.
I read a lot of historical novels, I mean lots and I'm trying to wean myself of them gradually - not forever but want to read more of a variety. Everyone has their own particular favourites. I recently joined a crime fiction book club which I'm afraid is just not for me. I don't mind a good old 'whodunnit' kind of novel but am not into serial killers with lots of blood and gore. Needless to say I won't be going back.
So - I'm a little late joining the group but this a book I've read during January - historical I know, but things are a changing!
Dissolution by C.J.Sansom is set in 1537, a time of revolution that sees the greatest changes in England since 1066. Henry Vlll has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church. The country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers it has ever seen. Under the orders of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent throughout the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: Dissolution.
Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell into this atmosphere of treachery and death. Shardlake's investigation soon forces him to question everything he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes.......
A good 'whodunnit' novel where the sights, voices and the very smell of this turbulent age seem to rise from the page.
I've yet to choose my book for February but will be back - with what, I'm not sure?
See you soon
x
This sounds like a book my husband would enjoy. He loves historical British fiction. In fact he loves anything historical about Britian and is a big fan of Simon Schama and the like. We have our fair share of books here too.
ReplyDeleteI love books too Patricia but at the moment I only get to read a couple of chapters before bed. I dont think I would be able to commit to one a month!
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia,
ReplyDeleteMy true preference for books are art books. Only within the last 15 years. I can't resist when i see one.
I enjoy the classics.
At the moment, i seem to be like Ann. I read a few chapters then fall asleep.
I am repeat reading Tale of two cities. by Charles Dickens.
Books here too, are very expensive.
I thinks shelves without books are bare.
Enjoy your new book, it sounds interesting .
xxxxx val
Funny how everyone's taste in books is different - I never go near historical novels or crime but I do love a book that I feel I can associate with, something a bit off the wall - a bit like me ha ha! Perhaps I should read something out of my comfort zone for a change - and maybe I'll realise just what I have been missing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting books you tell us, Patricia. I love English classic literature, particularly 'Great expectations' by Dickens and 'Wuthering heights' by Emily Bronte. When I was in school I loved 'Woman in white' by W. Collins. Nice time to read when the weather is cold!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big reader, but lately have been struggling to fit it in like I used to! I like to be reading several books at once as I can read for much longer if I change books when I've had enough of one and need a change to keep going. I am joining in with the year in books too (also a late joiner!).
ReplyDeleteI ''ve read all the Matthew Shardlake novels and love them. I keep hoping c j Sansom will write some more in the series.
ReplyDeleteOh, I *love* the Shardlake books! And Kate Mosse. Just popped over from Laura's blog - loving this idea of the book group.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't get on with a book I will put it aside for a little bit, then have another try and if we are still not getting on together I let it go as I only have limited time for reading and I don't want to spend it reading things I don't like. I guess that is what has always put me off book groups, the thought of having to read something that I might not like! Looking forward to seeing what your choose to read in February, I hope that you get on well with your trips to the library, it is so important to make sure of these facilities! xx
ReplyDeleteI love to read and sometimes I do force myself to finish books I don't like. I feel kind of guilty if I don't. But I try not to be that way about books. There are so many to read, no need to be unhappy, right? I like Alison Weir! I've sometimes found her books to be a little dry and hard to get into, but usually I learn a lot. I just went to the library today, and have four big, thick new books to read and two audiobooks to listen to with my kids. I can't wait! :)
ReplyDeleteI love to read but lack of time means I usually only read my book club 1 each month (I have managed 2 this month) I love the idea of an online blogger club but don't have the time to join right now. I'll definitely pop into to other blogger choices though as I add recommended reads to my Amazon wishlist.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds just right for my book club - I'll add it to my list.
The Year in Books sounds like a great idea! I am a book lover as well. It was very painful having to get rid of so many books in my collection when we move to our smaller home, but the funny thing is now that I'm here I don't miss them. Maybe because there are still so many! :-)
ReplyDeleteSome interesting choices there, Patricia. Our library is just a nice walk away about 30mins each way so that I feel I've had some exercise and I do like to use it when I can:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea, might have to do it with you. Xxx
ReplyDeleteI've just been reading Penny's blog and she is doing 'a year in books' too. I have read a few this month already - I must check out your link and see whether it is too late for me to start! I have similar tastes to you I see - though I do love a detective novel as well. Lx
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea, so many good books to read.
ReplyDeleteI used to force myself to finish a book I did not get on with and it didn't help I would sigh and often skipped pages in an attempt to find a better bit but I rarely do
ReplyDeleteI decided that from now on I just donate to charity shops , lifevisfar too short to read things I dislike
It sounds like a grest idea and I lwill be checked your reading list I love reading what others feel about books they are reading
I enjoyed your post. I am a bookworm too – I cannot go to bed without a book (or two.) It seems that I read in series – I mean I start reading a subject then keep reading books about the same thing. My daughter gave me a “Kindle” which is from Amazon. I have found several books that are free – Amazon places them electronically on my Kindle. I read several books this month this way. The only historical book I read lately was not fiction really, it was the story of an escaped slave from a South Carolina plantation in the mid 1850s – very enjoyable book.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in! Laura
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post that I enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
Oooooo that books really does sound wonderful! I love books too, I mean I truly love them, like I can't have enough of them!! I do use the library though, but I always feel stressed when I have to have a book back by a certain time, I like to read at my leisure, sometimes I have to recheck the book a couple of times!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful week my friend!!
Love Tammy xx
I have enjoyed seeing some of your local area from your photos and reading about your French connections.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteHave just got back into reading again and will look out for some of your choices. Many thanks.
I've always been a very keen reader, Patricia, so I'm forever on the lookout for new authors to try. At the moment, I'm only reading very light things as I still can't concentrate, but later I'd like to try the C J Sansom book. I love a good historical mystery.
ReplyDelete