Another short list of books but I do think that the quality of what I am reading is going up now that I have less time but more brain power. Quality over quantity I say! This month I have four excellent reads to bring you. Set in Ireland, Italy and space!
One. Dawn by Octavia Butler
My latest Octavia Butler, who longtime readers will remember I think is an absolute genius. In this first of a trilogy you are introduced to Lilith, a human who has literally been abducted by aliens. But like with all of Butler’s books, the clichéd premise is totally turned upside down once you get into the meat of the story. I found it profoundly unsettling and fascinating to see her explore all of the thoughts that might go through your head if you were imprisoned by aliens and experimented on, with escape completely out of your control.
How I read it: It was my bedtime book but really it was far too creepy for that
Two. Storyland by Amy Jeffs
This collection of British and Irish myths was such an enriching read. Lately there have been a lot of adaptations of Greek myths, and obviously I know a lot of fairy tales with European origins, but modern books about the mythology of Britain and Ireland are surprisingly rare. I didn’t know most of these stories, which Jeffs has collated from a variety of sources and rewritten in her own style. Some of the characters were familiar, like Merlin for example, but they were very different from modern depictions. Overall a great read and I think I will try and read her next one too! It’s also a beautiful book with woodcut illustrations by Jeffs herself to go with each story.
How I read it: In the evenings at home, a good book to read at the end of winter
Three. Small things like these by Claire Keegan
This extremely short novel (more of a novella really) was more than the sum of its parts. We follow Bill Furlong, a coal merchant in Ireland, in the lead up to Christmas, trying to keep body and soul afloat and provide for his family. We see his small kindnesses to those he meets, until his conscience is asked, can he do more than just a small kindness, even if it will cost him? It’s beautifully written, a complete world in just over 100 pages. I also liked that it really wrestled with what being a man of an active faith looks like, in a context where it would be much easier to never interrogate that at all. A real gem.
How I read it: On my first commute into the office in 10 months!
Four. My brilliant friend by Elena Ferrante
I admit that I am snobbish about bestsellers. I tend to avoid them, but sometimes they stick around long enough for me to give them a shot. My mum left this with me after she had read and enjoyed it so I thought I would have a go. And I have to say I was surprised! I started out thinking it was fine, but not feeling particularly invested, but it reeled me in. By the end I was totally hooked on the story and the characters, even though it feels like there’s about a million of them. I also liked its examination of female friendships, and how so often there’s a tension there, a need to impress, to prove oneself worthy of friendship. In school my best friends and I seemed to spend a lot of time fighting and not actually being friends, despite our best efforts. I’ve already got the next one out of the library so get ready to read more of my thoughts on this series!
How I read it: A great commuting book as I always got sucked back into the story straight away
Book of the month: A really tough choice, I told you it was a quality month. I think it’s going to be Small things like these because it reminded me how much you can do with just a handful of words.
That was my March, I hope yours was enjoyable. And I am overjoyed that spring is here at last. Do drop me a line and let me know what’s on your reading list for the days and weeks ahead. Or comment on this post!