As December begins to draw to a close – I have been rushing to get everything I read in December reviewed before the end of the year – and I’m not going to manage it. I published my top books of 2015 post a few days earlier than usual to try and fit everything in, but it hasn’t made any difference. I’m pretty sure of just about finishing my final read of 2015 before midnight tonight (it might be close) but I certainly won’t get it reviewed as well. At the time of writing (or at least starting this post) – there is the book read before that still to be written about too. I suppose I liked the idea of having everything neat and tidy before the New Year, but never mind.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas – I had a nice, quiet family Christmas – with some reading time and some great telly. I did receive a few books for Christmas, and two lots of book tokens – always very welcome. I am particularly excited at the prospect of Parson Austen’s Daughter by Helen Ashton and Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp. Mrs Dalloway will be read in the upcoming #Woolfalong. I provided my family with some instructions as to what to look for on Abebooks – and they did me proud. Troy Chimneys was sent to me by Kaggsy – and Telling the Bees was my Birmingham bookcrossing secret Santa gift. A friend bought me We have Always Lived in the Castle – which I have wanted to read for ages.
Actually December has turned out to be a pretty good reading month for me. I indulged in a little Christmassy themed reading, read a couple of review copies, and a book group read made it on to my top 12 books list.
December began with me reading that book group choice – Nora Webster – such a wonderful novel. A novel depicting grief and the re-building of a life following bereavement has made me want to read more by Colm Toíbín. The Old Man’s Birthday by Richmal Crompton, from Bello books was a joy of a different sort – 1930’s comfort reading, with fabulously drawn characters. From Netgalley I read, Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges is one of the British Library thrillers, it was an enjoyable read – though possibly not quite as tense and atmospheric as I had expected. Over the River, again read on my kindle – was the ninth and final of my Forsyte Saga Chronicles, it was a thoroughly enjoyable conclusion to what has been a brilliant series. I will miss all those Forsyte Saga characters. A Snow Garden and other Stories by Rachel Joyce was the first of this month’s Christmassy reads, a lovely little collection from the acclaimed author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. The Visiting Moon by Celia Furse was not a book I had been planning on reading until I saw it reviewed on Leaves and Pages blog and quickly went in search of a copy. It is the lovely story of a nineteenth child’s Christmas visit to her aristocratic grandparents’ country estate. I then found time to finally finish a large collection of Shirley Jackson writings; Let Me Tell You that I have been dipping in and out of since September. A fantastic collection of essays and short stories it would make for a really good introduction to Jackson’s work. Having only read a small amount of Shirley Jackson I am now eagerly anticipating reading more. Another Christmassy collection of stories from Anthony Trollope, Christmas at Thompson Hall & other Christmas stories was next, one of the Penguin Christmas Classics which have been calling to me from afar. Having read enough Christmas books I pulled down a lovely green Virago; The Curate’s Wife by E H Young a fantastic sequel to the earlier novel Jenny Wren. My final book of 2015 was a review copy from Renaissance Books, My Shanghai 1942-1946, a novel – though one based upon the life of the author’s mother’s experiences as a Japanese woman living in occupied China.
January of course sees not only a new year – but the start of #Woolfalong – I have already invested in a few Virginia Woolf books and I’m all ready to get going. To the Lighthouse will be my first read of 2016. I’m not yet making any other definite plans for January – but that Helen Ashton book I received for Christmas is calling loudly to me from the bookcase.
I hope you all have a very happy and healthy New Year – and plenty of great reading ahead of you.
I’ve only managed to be caught up with my December books by knowing I’m not going to finish the two I’m on at the moment and blogging daily, which is not a common thing for me to do! I’ve only read 11 books in December, but seven of those have been finished on or since Christmas Day! Your December reading was very varied, and I’m looking forward to joining in with Woolfalong, though I may need to be prodded and reminded as to what I should be reading when!
Don’t worry I have added a page to my blog with the schedule if that helps. Plus if you follow the # on Twitter there will plenty of reminders. 😊
Some lovely reads Ali! Looking froward to dipping into the Woolfalong when I can. Happy New Year! 🙂
Yes, hopefully it’s the kind of challenge people will be happy dipping in and out of.
I’m in the same boat with reviews from books I read back in the spring still to catch up on. I don’t know how you find the time to read as much as you do and keep current with reviews.
It’s a struggle – I have had to stop putting pressure on myself to keep up. I’ve been trying to adopt a more relaxed approach. Having most evenings to myself – no kids etc helps though.
I have got THE YEARS by Virginia Woolf from the library.I do not think i have read this before.And Vita’s “THE CHALLENGE” banned in 1920–Kaggsy may have mentioned this one.
Yes, Challenge is very much on my wishlist. Hope you enjoy them.
That looks like a very good reading month. And the new book pile looks close to literary heaven to me, with Margery Sharp, Helen Ashton and Margaret Kennedy!
I know a lovely Christmas pile. Remind me when is Margery Sharp day?
25th January
JANUARY 25TH is Margery day.I plan to re read Britannia Mews as i think i really enjoyed it.
I will be reading a few of what you’ve highlighted, so thanks for the posting. And Happy New Year!!!
r/ Charles @ http://invitationtotheclassics.blogspot.com/
Thank you. Happy new year to you too.
A nice, quiet family Christmas with some reading time, some great telly and bookish gifts sounds wonderful. I love We Have Always Lived at the Castle. Happy New Year and happy reading in 2016 🙂
Thank you, happy new year to you.
I’m glad you enjoyed ‘Nora Webster’ so much. I love everything that Toibin writes but this I think is his best. And lucky you getting book tokens. I always drop hints because I think there is nothing better than going into a book shop knowing that you can come out with a pile of books that you haven’t had to pay for, but my gift givers always say that they are too impersonal.
Have a great New Year and love from us all here.
Yes book tokens make fabulous gifts 😊
Happy New Year!! Cute sign!!
You had an amazing month. I would never be able to read that many books. 🙂
The Curate’s Wife is catching my eye.
Have a wonderful last day of 2015, and happy reading in 2016!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
I really enjoyed The Curate’s Wife E H Young is such a good writer, I should get it reviewed in a day or two.
Good…I will be back to see what you have to say. 🙂
Happy New Year Reading to all.
I have Nora Webster, found in a charity shop just before Christmas, ready to go.
Oh good, really hope you enjoy it 😊