The second half of June has seen us in the UK bathed in glorious sunshine, our gardens are wilting, and temperatures are reaching over 30˚C somewhere in the UK every day. Hose pipe bans are being talked about already and there are wildfires raging on some of our moorland. Not much fun working in a building built before air con was ever dreamed of and not many windows that open – but once I’m home; I am managing to enjoy at least half an hour reading in my garden which is bliss. (oh and the dodgy looking fence in the picture was finally replaced yesterday – hooray!)
Eleven books read during June, two of them on the kindle.
June started with two Persephone books back to back – though I reviewed them out of order I think. The Carlyles at Home (1965) by Thea Holme portrays the home life of writer and philosopher Thomas Carlyle and his wife, during the thirty odd years they lived at Cheyne Row in Chelsea. Thea Holme; the author, wrote it while she and her husband were living in the house as custodians.
Young Anne (1927) by Dorothy Whipple – was just a joy, the final book of hers left to be reissued by Persephone books, it was actually her debut. I loved every word.
I was already part way through The Collected Stories of Grace Paley (1994) I had read about seventy pages of it during May but carried on dipping in and out of it while I read those Persephone books. I am a big fan of short stories, and I enjoyed this collection though I’m not sure if I Paley’s style was completely to my taste. I was impressed though, with her ability to bring the New York neighbourhoods she knew so well to such vibrant life.
The Takeover (1976) by Muriel Spark for the 70s phase of #ReadingMuriel2018 – set in Italy it is a story of corruption and money as a rich American woman tries to get her villa back from the Englishman who has laid claim to it.
Joanna Godden (1921) by Sheila Kaye-Smith was such a lovely read, it was a pleasure spending time on the Sussex marshes with Joanna in the late nineteenth, early twentieth century. Joanna is a gloriously unforgettable country heroine.
My first ever grown up A A Milne book Four Days’ Wonder (1933) was a big success, light, bright breezy fun, I really can’t wait to read more by him.
The Chilli Bean Paste Clan (2013) was my sixth book with the Asymptote book club. I am quietly impressed with myself for reading them within a few weeks of their arrival and not allowing a pile of them to just collect on the bookcase. The story of a family in a fiction town in Western China it isn’t my favourite of the Asymptote books – but I am glad to have read it.
Old Baggage (2018) by Lisa Evans is a prequel to her 2014 novel Crooked Heart which I enjoyed so much, I was offered a review copy of Old Baggage. I had meant to read it in time for its UK publication, but didn’t quite manage that. My review should be up in a couple of days all being well.
I read Who Calls the Tune (1953) by Nina Bawden on my Kindle – her first novel – I can’t say I expected much from it, I tend to find her later novels are better. But I really enjoyed this mystery style novel – the ending of which I did sort of guess. An entertaining quick read all in all.
Eliza for Common (1928) by O Douglas. I was fortunate recently to be able to buy a few books from someone in a booky FB group – two of the books I bought were these smaller style hardbacks of O Douglas. I was afraid the print would be very small – but in fact it wasn’t too bad. This is the story of a Scottish minister’s family in Glasgow, the eldest son, Eliza’s adored brother goes off to Oxford, later writing a play, that is something of a success. Eliza stays at home, nurses her mother though an illness, visits her brother in Oxford. It is the kind of novel where not a huge amount happens, I very much enjoyed it.
I finished the month by squeezing in Not to Disturb (1971) by Muriel Spark, again on my kindle – for #ReadingMuriel2018 – I was so sleepy last night I did have to finish the last bit this morning, despite it being a very slight 96 pages. Still most of it was read in June – just.
A good reading month all in all with Young Anne and Joanna Godden my reading highlights.
On to July – I am dipping in and out of The War on Women by Sue Lloyd-Roberts for my very small book group – we meet a week on Wednesday and I have already read three chapters, so I should make it. I am also just about to start reading The Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam one of those gap fillers I bought for ACOB. I will probably be dipping into the Collected Stories of Muriel Spark too – although I really don’t think I will be able to get through the entire collection, too busy reading for ACOB! Aside from those, I will wait to see where my mood and my A Century of Books takes me.
What did you read in June that I need to know about? What are you reading now?
heavenali 
A great reading month! I’m also enjoying reading outside, for as long as my hayfever will allow – times are gradually getting longer 😉
Yes it was a good month. Hay-fever is miserable hope things improve for you.
My new flat is very warm and I have to say that it is no fun being a Bear or living with Bears at the moment but like you I have a garden I can get into for a little respite, although I have never been good at reading out doors – too many distractions.
Glad to hear you have an outside space, thankfully I find my garden quite peaceful despite the fact I live on a main road.
Your reviews and monthly wrap-ups always have something of interest to me. I didn’t have as much reading time in June but still managed nine books. My favorites were Elizabeth Taylor’s A View of the Harbour, Marghanita Laski’s Tory Heaven or Thunder on the Right, and Penelope Lively’s Going Back.
Ooh some lovely reading there, quality is more important after all.
What a good month’s reading, Ali! I haven’t managed so many but I’ve just finished an epic Russian I’m reviewing for Shiny New Books. Currently reading a couple of Penguin Moderns and then maybe some more of the little Ampersand Classics!
Those Ampersand classics look gorgeous, I have been looking them up. Thanks for highlighting them (I think 😉)
A couple of African novels last month among the nine I reviewed been loving the weather last few weeks
The weather has cheered us all up hasn’t it
Yes
Hello, heavenali.
It’s my first time writing. I couldn’t help noticing your statement about loving short stories. I’m just finishing up a book called Property by Lionel Shriver. The settings of the stories are in both America and Britain. It’s her first collection of short fiction, 10 stories in between 2 novellas. The title of the book gives you its over-arching theme, which explores property, both real estate and otherwise. “These pieces illustrate how our possessions act as proxies for ourselves, and how tussles over ownership articulate the power dynamics of our relationships. In Lionel Shriver’s world, we may possess people and objects and places, but in turn they possess us.”
HIghly recommended to you, and would love hearing back from any readers who are familiar with this book.
Regards, Joan
Thank you for the recommendation.
I was interested to read your comments on the O Douglas book you read because of the connection to one of my favourite authors, John Buchan. O Douglas was of course the pen name of Anna Buchan, his sister. I’ve read a few of her books and they couldn’t be more different from most of those written by her brother. Very home and hearth rather than adventures around the world.
Yes, I knew of the connection with John Buchan I had wondered if the brother in Eliza for Common and the sister’s relationship with him (obviously very fond) was based on the author’s relationship with her brother. This is only my third book by O Douglas, they are very much home and hearth.
That’s a good point, I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll look out for that next time I read one of her books.
Very glad to see you enjoyed Young Anne. I loved it too
Oh yes, it was so lovely.
i am reading PEOPLE TO BE FOUND by Joanna Cannan.A Persephone author.
Excellent, I very much enjoyed Princes in the Land.
PRINCES IN THE LAND is one of my favourites too.
Looks like a lovely reading month, Ali! I’m glad you enjoyed Young Anne so much, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on Old Baggage. I hope to get to both in the very near future.
Oh excellent, hope you enjoy them.
A great reading month for you. I have only managed three: The House on the Strand, Daphne du Maurier: a clever and gripping tale of time travel; The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie which I loved and posted about on the dedicated page and The Librarian , Sally Vickers. Interestingly, thinking about these last two there are similarities. Both Jean Brodie and Sylvia Blacklock, the librarian, change people’s lives and then pass out of them. The first two count for ACOB but since I have only read 15 books I must stop taking the scenic route and stick to my list. I am well into Cat’s Eye, Margaret Atwood (1988) so shouldn’t be too hard! Thanks for all your posts that motivate!
The Sally Vickers sounds interesting, the title appeals. It’s many years since I read Cat’s Eye and would one day like to re-read it. So glad you enjoyed The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
Ali, looks like you’ve been doing some lovely reading in the sun. Sadly my reading was down considerably in June, but I did manage to finish the brilliant The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier. Happy reading in July! 🙂
Great reads. June seems so long ago, I have had trouble keeping up with my blog reading and I am only now reviewing my first book for July – not sure what’s gone wrong there!
I’m still reviewing June books, so I know how hard it is to keep up. 😊