Last year, somewhere between trying to sell our house, looking after the children during the school holidays and juggling freelance work, I fell off the Reading Lately wagon. The stress caused by the complications surrounding our house sale and purchase had a huge impact on my ability to concentrate and, as a result, I read a lot less than usual over the summer. Moreover, what I did read went unrecorded.
I’m determined to revive the series now we’re in 2014, and to kick things off I’ve decided to take a brief look back on the books that went unmentioned towards the end of 2013. The ones I can remember, that is…
1. London: The Days and Nights of London Now – As Told By Those Who Love It, Hate It, Live It, Left It and Long For It by Craig Taylor ~ In this fascinating volume, acclaimed journalist Craig Taylor brings together an eclectic group of voices to create an evocative image of our capital city in the 21st Century. Derived from five years of research and countless interviews with an incredibly eclectic group of individuals, this colourful oral history of my beloved home was definitely one of my favourite reads of last year. Taylor’s writing and the ‘characters’ he presents really got under my skin, revealing the city I know and love in new and unexpected ways.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ~ I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read this classic. My copy is well worn, comforting to hold, and still brimming with notes from my GCSE English class. I love what this tale tells me about childhood and about being a parent, but more than anything it is the book’s message of tolerance and understanding that speaks to me most. If, for some strange reason, you’ve never experienced Lee’s wonderful writing, I urge you to seek out a copy immediately. The equally wonderful black and white film starring Gregory Peck is worth a watch too.
3. Which Lie Did I Tell: More Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman ~ Veteran Hollywood screenwriter William Goldman’s sequel to Adventures in the Screen Trade is part memoir, part screenwriting lesson. I enjoyed the chatty, honest style of his prose and the numerous anecdotes from the set of his movies. Goldman’s enthusiasm for his craft is contagious and I went to bed most evenings dreaming about that Hollywood blockbuster I haven’t written yet! Perfect reading material for anyone with an interest in filmmaking.
I’m currently part way through, and very much enjoying, Maps by Nuruddin Farah, but more on that next time. What have you been reading lately? I’d be grateful for any book recommendations you can throw my way.
Love Audrey xxx
I’m currently reading The Cuckoo’s Calling by “Robert Galbraith”. Like you, I had a long period of stress/anxiety last year and read virtually nothing. This is my first foray back into novels and I’m loving it. Not heavy-going, just a properly good bit of crime! Also have The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger and The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer on the back burner. So nice to be reading again 🙂
I’m noting all theree of those down, they sound great. I’m glad you’re finding time to read again too.
xxx
I started reading Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O’Farrell just before Christmas and haven’t had a spare moment to pick it up since! Really enjoyed the first part and am looking forward to spending some time curled up with it in my new reading chair at the weekend 🙂 Going to have to dig out my copy of To Kill a Mockingbird too… I haven’t read it in years!
I struggle to find the time too Leah, but when I don’t read I feel awful. I hope you can squeeze it in. To Kill a Mockingbird is so good to re-read, I’ll never tire of it.
xxx