Reading in 2018

There are many places that I like to read. Right now, in winter, there's nowhere better than curled up in bed with a massive cup of tea on a Sunday morning, or under a blanket in a corner of the sofa, under a lamp with a candle burning. In 2018, I read books on pebbled beaches in Dorset, on sun loungers under the blazing sun in Thailand, on many a train and plane, in the garden on the sunnier days, on bits of wall along the Thames Path, and, more often than not, in the comfort of home.

I think I was a bit slow to get through a few of my reads in the last year, as I only seem to have managed about 9 books (and a couple of travel guides in between). Of course the pile of Murder Mysteries remains the biggest, but I did make a point of trying to branch out a little this year, and have allowed popular opinion to lead me in a different direction on a few occasions.

This year's travel companion was another Daisy Dalrymple by Carola Dunn; The Winter Garden Mystery. I thoroughly enjoy escaping into Daisy's world, and it was even more satisfying than usual to be reading a book with a wintry setting as I lounged around in temperatures reaching 40 and above in Thailand. Poolside, beaches, and the many plane journeys provided ample opportunities to indulge in my reading, and as ever I loved the glamour of life in 1920s England.

The City of Lost Dreams is the sequel to The City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte, which I read and loved in 2017. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second, and when I ordered it online I had to get myself a copy of the first book, too (yes, I'm one of those terrible book hoarders, because obviously I'll re-read them at some point...) The City of Lost Dreams did not disappoint, and was just as crazy as the first with many a dramatic twist and unexpected turn. This time set in Vienna, I was definitely left wanting to visit.

Not yet torn away from murder, mystery, and intrigue, my third book of the year was a recommendation from a friend who knows all about my penchant; The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes (niece of Julian Fellowes). Like with the two before, I loved the setting, and as with The Winter Garden Mystery, the time period was perfect for escapism. Slightly twee at times, this was an easy read with likeable characters and it definitely hit a fairly dramatic climax towards the end.

A big fan of Dawn O'Porter's Instagram stories, her newest book The Cows was brought to my attention via the powers of Social Media, and I was drawn in. Glad I was because this was definitely one of my favourite reads of the year, and not murder mystery! The story is told from the perspective of three women whose lives intertwine in interesting ways. Books this year taught me that I'll most enjoy reading about likeable or relatable characters, and the women in this book tested this at times. Yet somehow I definitely found myself very invested in them, and plot twists had just the right amount of shock and awe. More Dawn O'Porter on the list for 2019, I think!

Submarine, I discovered after reading, was actually written by a fellow UEA student, Joe Dunthorne. This fact in itself makes me like it a little bit more, but it was probably the first book of the year that I almost put down. Personally I just found the protagonist really unrelatable, and slightly irritating. There was something of the nostalgic about Submarine (although I'm not entirely sure whether it was nostalgia of the right kind; awkward teenage encounters may be better left in the box of forgotten memories). Apparently a sucker for a good setting, I really liked the sound of the Welsh coast. This was a book that came out on lots of walks and daytrips with me, so I at least read it in lots of nice places.

Matt Haig was another recommendation from several people, and I opted for How to Stop Time because, I'm ashamed to admit (although I've definitely admitted it before) that I love a good front cover. Another character who I didn't feel was particularly relatable, I also found that this book was far too slow and soppy for my liking. Turns out I'm not a fan of romance, or wistful memoirs. I did make it to the end, though, and thought it ended well, which is something?

Another close contender for favourite book of the year, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman was, I thought, absolutely fantastic. Eleanor was relatable (possibly slightly worrying), and definitely incredibly lovable. This book was full of reality (sometimes harsh), and the narrative made for really easy reading while there was still an air of intrigue which kept me on my toes and wanting to come back for more. I was really disappointed to discover that this was Gail Honeyman's debut, as I'm very keen to read more from her!

Having thoroughly enjoyed my first Morse last year, I found the second in the series (decided I'd been away from murder for far too long); Last Seen Wearing. I really like the way Colin Dexter writes, and love Morse as a character. Thankfully either I haven't seen enough of the TV series, or it was long enough ago, that I don't ever remember whodunnit, and find myself trying to unpick the puzzle with Morse along the way. I'll happily add another to my collection in 2019 (like I can resist a golden spine…)

My final book of the year was another recommendation. This time, it was JK Rowling's pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. I went for the first in the Cormoran Strike series, The Cuckoo's Calling. Initially, I wasn't sure what I thought of Strike but him and his assistant Robin definitely warmed on me as I read on. It was a long read, and there was maybe a little too much dialogue for me, but I was kept intrigued throughout, and got particularly into the story as it came to its climax.

I've begun 2019 with another murder mystery that takes place at sea. Two weeks into the year, and I'm already half way through this one, and adding to my seemingly never-ending reading list. I look forward to finding more new material, as well as returning to the comfort of some old favourites, as always.

A year of mystery, murder, and stories fit for television

January has arrived, and a new year begun. 2018, the year of freedom, we've decided, as my Masters is finished and the Knowledge complete. I've decided not to make any New Year's resolutions as such this year, as I really don't know what the year might hold. But in retrospect, I'm pleased to say that amidst the madness of a dissertation year, I did generally manage to uphold last year's resolution of making more time for myself.

And in the spirit of such a resolution, I read a fair few books. Upon scrolling through my Instagram the other day as 2017 came to a close, I realised that I have definitely found my passion when it comes to reading; mystery, murder, and more often than not, the combination of the two. I've really enjoyed most of the books that I've read this year, and if I haven't enjoyed them, I haven't read them. Literature Review aside, these are my 2017 reads:

The year was topped-and-tailed by my new favourite thing; cats solving murder mysteries! I mean, what's not to love? The Death of Downton Tabby was my introduction to Mandy Morton's Number 2 Feline Detective Agency, and it was the purrfect (excuse me) mix of fun, furry, gripping, and ever so slightly dark in places. Brilliant images were conjured in my mind of cats drinking beers, riding motorcycles, and enjoying fish and chips in a festival tent, to name a few. I'm currently reading another of Hettie and Tilly's adventures, The Ghost of Christmas Paws, which I'm also thoroughly enjoying, six chapters in.

From something a little light-hearted to something less so, I moved on to Morse. Addicted to Endeavour on ITV, I've always wanted to read one of Colin Dexter's novels, so I started at the start with Last Bus to Woodstock. Writing about this now, it feels so long ago that I actually read it, but I do know that I'd want to go to bed just to get into another chapter, which I always see as a good sign!

Murder has a Motive by Francis Duncan was first published in 1947. It was an easy-going read, and perhaps felt a little tame after Morse, but it had its share of tense moments and certainly was full of character and charm in the form of Mordecai Tremaine, the amateur sleuth, and its quaint setting of the village of Dalmering.

2016 was generally a year of disappointing books, as I'm ashamed to say that I judged far too many by their covers. One book that I did thoroughly enjoy, however, was my first Agatha Christie, Murder is Easy. I've always shied away from Agatha Christie, fearing that I've seen so many televised hat I'd recognise and remember the murderer all too easily. Pleased that this wasn't the case with her first book, again, I went back to the start, and chose The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Hercule Poirot's debut case. Admittedly, as time went on, the story was all too familiar, but I couldn't remember precise details, and liked having clues to follow, even if I did keep getting thrown off the scent.

At Easter I journeyed home, and upon my arrival was greeted by a pile of new books on my bedside table. In the murderous groove at this point, I went for Death of an Avid Reader by Frances Brody. While the characters (monkey included) in this story were both relatable and likeable, I seem to remember that it all felt rather drawn out, and not quite action-packed enough for me. Nevertheless, I didn't put it down because it still quenched a little of my penchant for mystery.

I requested another Agatha Christie for my birthday. I admit, this time I was swayed by a pretty front cover, and specifically asked for the Crime Club edition of Sparkling Cyanide. Shorter than the others, this one had less action, but I liked the way it gave small glimpses into the lives of each character, bringing the reader closer to them, messing with emotions, as you began to hope that certain people weren't the murderer!

Summer came and I finally took a break from deceit and betrayal, in the form of My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell. I absolutely adore The Durrells and have wanted to read the book ever since the series began, so I was pleased to find The Corfu Trilogy for my summer reading pleasure. As I look back to the last time I reviewed some books, I praised Penguin's Little Black Classics for their optimum handbag size. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for this one, so despite its content, it possibly wasn't the best choice for going away. My goodness, though, was it good for escapism. The way Gerald Durrell writes is mesmerisingly (apparently not a word) beautiful, and definitely had me wanting to visit Corfu in the 1930s. Turns out it's a lot more expensive now, and I suppose wouldn't be quite as idyllic, so I went to Ibiza instead.

As I write this, I realise that my reading habits in fact took two turns; the second was clearly, books which have been adapted for TV series. Hulu's adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale was terrifyingly brilliant, and had me wanting to re-read the book. So I did. As we'd watched, I'd been frustrated that I couldn't remember to what extent events onscreen over-lapped with events in the book, so it was interesting to go back and re-visit. Having had limited success in trying to read The Blind Assassin, I was concerned that I wouldn't get back into Margaret Atwood's writing, but I was hooked, once again.

Perfectly timed once again, I finished The Handmaid's Tale on the train to Norwich, where I happened to be visiting one of my book-wormish friends (a compliment, I assure you). Rifling through her shelves, she found me City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte, aka writing duo Meg Howrey and Christina Lynch which I can only describe by saying that it's unlike anything I've ever read before (there was still some murder to keep me happy though). Still fairly hefty, I was so hooked that it came with me on my holiday to Ibiza, and I barely put it down the whole time. Apparently there is a second instalment, which I hope to track down in 2018.

Another from the pile on my bedside at home, The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain had an air of Amélie about it, which I loved. Yet another setting which had me wanting to visit, the story was set in Paris, and, while no one was murdered (as such), had plenty of mystery to keep me captivated. 

Aside from Magnus Flyte's The City of Lost Dreams, and an unexpected Christmas present in the form of Krysten Ritter's Bonfire, there's currently nothing on my 'must read' list for 2018, so please, recommendations welcome!