January is over, and it has been a bit of a shocker, it seems as if many of us are groping our way out of this first month of 2017 blinking painfully. However, this blog is books, just books, so I won’t comment further about everything that has been happening out there in the wider world, I don’t think I can.
Nine and a bit books read in January, (the bit being my current read) which feels not too bad when I consider the distractions I have had.
So here is what I read during January with links for anyone who missed the original post.
In Confidence by Irène Némirovsky (2015)– is a new collection of short stories published by Raglan books, it exposes the secrets and desires of a variety of characters, mainly women. For me there wasn’t a bad story in the collection.
Miss Christie Regrets by Guy Fraser Sampson (2017) is the second book in the Hampshire Murders series by Guy Fraser Sampson. A well plotted mystery which pays affectionate homage to the Golden Age mysteries which are still so popular.
Scenes of Childhood and other stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner (1981) was definitely one of my highlights of the month. The more I read by her the more I love her. This collection is very autobiographical – so much so it is hard not to see it as a collection of memoirs. STW and her family are present as themselves, in every story. An absolute joy of a book.
Reading A Girl in Winter by Philip Larkin (1947) was another absolute joy – thinking about it – there have been at least four absolute joys this month. Last year during the 1947 club reading event – I heard about this wonderful novel by Philip Larkin, his second and last novel as far as I know. It concerns a wartime winter and the memory of a summer. A young European woman displaced by the war, working at a provincial library, looks back to a time when as a young girl, she visited the family of her pen pal.
The Indian Woman by Diana Gardner (1954)– I took a chance on this pricey second hand book by the author of a volume of short stories I read last year and loved. The gamble paid off, it was a very god read, about small acts of cruelty within a marriage and the destruction of good woman.
I read The Innocents (kindle edition) by Margery Sharp (1972) for Jane’s Margery Sharp birthday celebration. It centres on the relationship between an ageing spinster and a child with learning difficulties that she cares for.
He Who Plays the King by Mary Hocking (1980) took me right away from this modern world and its complexities, into the stories of Henry Tudor and Richard III. It is a story that has been told before many times, but Hocking brings her unique ability to capture the British countryside and the hidden psychology of human frailty to this still enormously compelling story.
No Signposts in the Sea by Vita Sackville West (1961) is a slight novel of only around 150 pages, more of a novella I suppose, it was Vita’s last novel, one she wrote while gravely ill. It is a though-provoking novel about death and the way to live life.
Every Good Deed and other stories by Dorothy Whipple – my third volume of short stories of the month. Oh, I do like a good Whipple, and this collection is certainly good. The first story in the collection is more of a novella at 120 pages, but I probably preferred some of the other stories, although each story is very good and I flew through them all – anyway full review in a couple of days.
So, I am currently reading In My Own Time; almost an autobiography by Nina Bawden – so far it is absolutely great. Which will be added properly to next month’s tally.
No particular or definite plans for February, because I am enjoying being spontaneous this year. However I think I will possibly read The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West for the librarything Virago author of the month. Speaking of Virago – the people at Virago Press (well whoever runs their social media) have launched a #VMCBookclub. In January they were reading Good Behaviour by Molly Keane – which I read last year. I believe that today they will announcing a book for February. If it should be a book I haven’t read I might join in. Earlier this month I wrote about my favourite Persephones (a post which garnered this blog the most hits ever!) so I have definitely put myself in the mood for reading more Persephones.
Tell me, what have you been reading? Any exciting reading plans for February?
heavenali 
Glad you had a great reading month. I have wanted to explore more of Whipple after reading Someone at a distance. I think I will explore the novels first and later try out the short stories.
Oh yes Someone at a Distance is excellent. I would definitely recommend the other novels.
It’s been a stinky month in the real world, but you really have had a good reading month – well done! I have no real plans for February at the moment (yay!) except to read something by Rebecca West!
It is rather nice not to have plans (though I have now been reminded about a book club read I had forgotten about. )
Shocker indeed. Let’s leave it at that. I saw that Watersone’s picture on Twitter – where they relabelled the Sci-Fi section in one of the book shops. “Real Life” formely known as Sci-Fi. That sums it up so nicely.
That said, you had an amazing reading month!
Ha ha yes, I saw that picture too, and other variations of it.
In January, like many others, I’ve reached for comfort reading. I found that nothing beats real-world woes as wonderfully as Miss Marple. 🙂 With that being said, I’m currently reading Ann Petry’s The Street (set in 1946 Harlem) from my Classics Club list. It’s very impressive, and definitely not escapist reading. I hope you enjoy Rebecca West and write a rousing review of The Fountain Overflows, because that might give me the push I need to finally start her 1000+-page Black Lamb and Grey Falcon.
Miss Marple is great escapism. Ann Petry’s a new name to me – hope you continue to enjoy it. Black Lamb and Grey Falcon I hadn’t heard of – over 1000 pages though!
Nine and a half books is a great amount! I hope you enjoy being more spontaneous in your reading this year 🙂
Oh yes, I really am. Though choosing what to read next is really difficult sometimes.
“A Good Whipple”: that should be a recurring title, no? *grins* I’ve only read a couple but I can see where the phrase would come in handy. Her collection of essays/NF – revolving around craft too, of course – was particularly satisfying even though I haven’t read as many of her books as you have!
Ah I didn’t know about that collection- but then I don’t do crafting.
Thank you so much for all of your book reviews, Ali. I have followed your blog for some time now and can always rely upon it for interesting, thought-provoking recommendations. Recently, thanks to your blog of favourites for 2016, I read and enjoyed Princes in the Land, I wouldn’t have encountered it without it and what a pleasure would have been lost. My grateful thanks. Donna.
Ah, thanks for the comment. Lovely to hear from you. So glad you enjoyed Princes in the Land.
I did eight and two bits in January, so about the same. I have the Whipple short stories in sight now so will have to save your review …
I hope you enjoy the Whipple too.