Good evening everyone,
Well it’s definitely December. I hope you’re cosy at home with some candles, or a fire, a warm blanket and, of course, a good book.
I read a few good books this month - there’s fantasy, sci-fi, and children’s fiction. Let’s dive in.
One. Babel by R F Kuang
I’m really not sure how I feel about this book! On the one hand it is incredibly skilfully and cleverly written. Kuang has created a whole world where magic can be created through the gap in translation between different languages. It’s a different world to ours, but it’s built on the same foundations - at the height of Britain’s imperial past, with all the pain and corruption built in. It’s a bold, sweeping book, but I think for me it didn’t quite stick the landing and some of the characters felt like paper cut outs.. Nevertheless I think it is definitely worth a read for its ambition and scope and ideas.
How I read it: My bedtime book over a couple of weeks (it’s a big one!)
Two. Love will tear us apart by C K McDonnell
This is the third in the series about a newspaper about the supernatural, I read the other two in October. As you can tell, I’m enjoying the series! This one had more heart than the second, which suffered a little from a lack of editing. I think he brought it back here and made some bold choices with the characters and plot, which for the most part paid off. If you’re a Terry Pratchett fan then give them a go.
How I read it: One to read before bed
Three and Four. The good thieves and Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Katherine Rundell is a multi-talented author, as the writer of multiple children’s books (as these two are), a biography of the poet John Donne and a non-fiction book about amazing animals. Both of these were brilliant, fast-paced reads with so much heart and exciting adventures. They are the kind of books I loved as a kid, and to be honest still do! Also a nice side effect that I can read one in an afternoon.
How I read them: A couple of lazy afternoons
Five. A beautifully foolish endeavour by Hank Green
This is the second in a two-part series about aliens landing on earth. I read the first earlier this year and decided to go back for the second when I saw it in the library. I’m glad I did - it’s a fascinating exploration of humanity’s reactions to aliens, technology, start-ups, fame, and many more subjects. Green isn’t the most beautiful of writers but he has more ideas in one chapter than many have in their entire books.
How I read it: I carried it with me everywhere till I finished it
Book of the month: It’s tough actually, a strong month! I think I’ll go for A beautifully foolish endeavour as the book that get me addictively reading this month.
And a note to say - I seem to have suddenly been writing a newsletter for four whole years! I started in November 2019, and here I am four years later, still reading (though a little less I admit), and still chronicling it all here in my little corner of the internet.
Thank you so much for subscribing, it really does blow my mind that over 100 people like to read about the books I read! In honour of my four year anniversary, and if you’re enjoying the newsletter, do forward it to a friend, and they can subscribe by clicking the button below.
Thanks everyone, I hope you have a lovely week! And if you’re curious, here’s my monthly line from November 2019.