I read Anarchy and Old Dogs and The Curse of the Pogo Stick, books 4 and 5 in Colin Cotterill’s Dr Siri Paiboun mysteries. I am trying so hard to eke these out and make them last, but I just can’t help myself – they’re addictive. Ever since hydra put me on to The Coroner’s Lunch, the first in the series, I’ve been hopelessly hooked.
And then there was Here Come the Girls by Milly Johnson. I absolutely love Milly’s books. Her characters are so vivid and down to earth and it was near impossible to put down.
I don’t usually read YA books, but I downloaded Tangi’s Teardrops by Liz Grace Davis and started to read and found I just wanted to keep on reading. Tangi is a lovely character and I like Liz’s style of writing. I hope to see more of her work in future.
Also available on Kindle is a collection of short stories by one of our top magazine fiction writers, Lydia Jones, For a Smile – so I treated myself and had a nice time dipping in and out when the mood took me - as Shirley Blair, Commissioning Fiction Editor of The People's Friend said, "You'll find something to suit every mood in this exemplary collection from one of our favourite writers."
I also read Sophie: Dog Overboard about an Australian Cattle Dog who fell off her owners’ boat off the coast of Queensland and against all the odds, managed to swim to an island and survive there for several months. It was a lovely story about a very special dog (just look at her, isn't she gorgeous?) and it gives nothing away to say there was a happy ending.
And it's cheating a bit as it is no longer January, but I’m in the middle of House of Orphans by Helen Dunmore and like it very much so far. I have read quite a few of her books, but to date this is my favourite.
I've been lazy and not told you what any of the books are about - you'll have to follow the links and maybe read the extracts if you want to know more! I find the "Look Inside" facility is excellent for giving you a feel of the book.
Still on the subject of writing, don’t forget The Yellow Room short story competition. Details here. Closing date 31st March.
And for published writers, the BBC Short Story Award which this year has gone international. Closing date for that one is 27th February, so you'll need to get your skates on.
My computer has decided that there are some sites I’m just not allowed to visit – ALCS being one of them. I could claim a £10 Amazon voucher from a company I do surveys for, but you guessed it, computer says no! Bah!
Sometimes it lets me visit Facebook, sometimes it doesn’t. All I can say is Meh.
That's an interesting collection of books. I used to read a lot and have got out the habit lately - it's something I need to put right.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is some reading you've done. I've never read a YA fiction before. Perhaps I should!
ReplyDeleteReading Patsy's comment just after reading your post, I realise I too have not been reading as much as before. Wonder why?
ReplyDeleteAnd Bah! to computers! :)
Teresa, if you like Helen Dunmore, then do try her novel Betrayal. It's marvellous.
ReplyDeletePS When do you find time to write?
Thanks for the mention, Teresa! Glad you enjoyed the collection.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I find enough time to read either, but have been putting that right since getting a Kindle - somehow so much more portable, so I can snatch reading when I otherwise wouldn't. x
Hi Teresa,
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a varied selection you have submitted.
And the old dog that kindly allows me to live here, is quite the rebellious anarchist.
Oh and you mention 'Farcebook', everyone's favourite social 'notworking' site. A site where you can read such vital profile updates like, 'I just went to the kitchen, made a cup of coffee and then went back to the living room!' Gosh and wow :)
Take good care, Teresa.
In kindness, Gary
It's an upside of not being able to sleep, Patsy - reading instead ;-) x
ReplyDeleteI have read very few YA books, Diane. I think I should read more x
I don't think you've had a lot of time for reading, Jenny x
I haven't read, Betrayal, Frances. Thank you, I'll try that x
I have borrowed my Beloved's Kindle, Lydia. I still prefer a physical book, but I can certainly see the advantages x
Don't tell anyone, Gary, but I only go to Facebook to play with my virtual farm ;-) x
Thank you so much, Teresa, for jogging my memory with these competitions. I was on the verge of entering the BBC one, but had a problem with the computer and forgot to give it another try. And also for reminding me that I have a stack of Helen Dunmore novels waiting to be read. I can't wait to start on them, but have a few others on the go to finish first!
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of books, Teresa, and I haven't read any of them yet! Can imagine your frustration with the computer. Ours was so slow yesterday that everything took 3 times as long to do.
ReplyDeleteGood luck if you enter, Joanna x
ReplyDeleteAh, not just us then, Rosemary - maybe the Internet doesn't like the cold ;-) x
I haven't read any of these books either, and have a stack of books waiting for me to read. I seem to be doing much more reading than writing at the moment (can you do both?) Reading The Help at the moment - brilliant.
ReplyDeleteJust read your lovely short story in Woman's Weekly Teresa (Swings and Flings) I loved the twist ending which I never guessed.
That's quite a variety of books, Teresa.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried using a different browser to try and access those sites you're having problems accessing?
It was told to try that by the technical department, when I couldn't access a website.
You might be able to tell your computer's security system that certain web addresses are safe- just depends on your security system and if it's settings let you add safe addresses...
I loved The Help, Maggie - one of the best books I have ever read.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I didn't know there was going to be a twist until I reached the end and there it was :-) x
Yes, I tried that, Carol and it didn't work - but thanks :-) My husband's found a way of getting to the site, but it involves some jiggery pokery (not sure of the technical terms here!) x
Thanks for the heads up on these books.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Debs x
ReplyDeleteI've just read Joanna Trollope's Daughters in Law. I love her books and her wonderfully easy to read writing style. I'm just reading Barbara Erskine's The Warrior's Princess. If you like supernatural time travel books you'll love her.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy is it writing, reading novels, and keeping up with the magazines. No wonder the time flies :o) xx
I must try Barbara Erskine, Sue, thank you for reminding me x
ReplyDeleteYou just made my day, Teresa. I was just stopping by to say hi and saw this post. I'm so happy you liked Tangi's Teardrops. Now I feel all warm inside.
ReplyDeleteI did indeed, Liz x
ReplyDelete