December is here – crack open the mince pies and the Christmas books! – perhaps. I am feeling quite bah humbug about it all, as I did last year, but I shall try to get myself Christmas motivated over the coming few weeks.
Now that we are into the final month of the year, I can confirm that it has been the worst reading year that I can ever remember – if we just look at numbers, but I won’t be looking at numbers and stats this year – I don’t think that would make me feel any better. It’s particularly galling because I haven’t been at work for months so theoretically should be reading more – only it hasn’t worked out like that. Anyway, considering some of the months I have had, November wasn’t too bad.
We often talk about how a physical book can be a big part of the reader’s reading experience, a beautiful clothbound edition, quality paper or French flaps sparking joy in many of us. In November I was reminded how the physical nature of a book can also spoil a reading experience. I had decided it was time to get some of the Persephone books I received as gifts the last two Christmases read finally, only I wasn’t in the mood for non-fiction, and the two novels I had are huge! A large Persephone book is not that easy to hold because of the thick paper and the double cover. I decided to read The Deepening Stream anyway – and get myself lost in a big book. Within a day my arthritic hands were really playing up – and the only e-book version I could find was a pdf and practically unreadable – so I tried to battle on. I began to lose interest as the pain in my hands got worse. Eventually I had to set it aside and read something on my easier to handle Kindle. When my hands improved, I went back to The Deepening Stream, and enjoyed it much more, though my hands did begin to complain again. My experience of reading that book was not very positive so my relationship with the novel itself was difficult though I am glad I persevered.
So, struggles aside – this is what I read in November.
Two Thousand Million Man-Power (1937) by Gertrude Trevelyan – Trevelyan has been a brilliant discovery and I confess to buying two more novels by her that have been reissued by small presses.
Palladian (1946) by Elizabeth Taylor – a re-read for my book group. Getting back to Elizabeth Taylor is always a treat. This is certainly not her best novel, but there are flashes of her brilliance throughout and I very much enjoyed it again. It’s amazing how much you forget and in re-reading you discover different layers and themes.
The Deepening Stream (1930) Dorothy Canfield Fisher – the Persephone edition is just over 600 pages and frankly felt heavier than that. Luckily, the novel is very readable, the characters are very likeable. The novel provides a fascinating and no doubt horrifyingly accurate glimpse of life in France during WW1 through the eyes of Matey who we first meet as a child.
Death of a Frightened Editor (1959) by E & M A Radford – e-book sent to me by Dean Street Press ages ago. Written by a writing partnership I hadn’t come across before. It’s the eleventh book in the Doctor Manson series – but I didn’t feel I suffered from not having read any others. Eight people regularly travel together in the first-class carriage of the London to Brighton train. One evening Alexis Mortenson – editor of a scurrilous newspaper dies from poisoning, a poison which acts very rapidly. Suicide is suspected then ruled out, how did the man come to ingest the poison when he hadn’t eaten or drunk anything for almost an hour before? This had all the ingredients I enjoy in Golden age style fiction – though I think some of the characterisation was a bit flat with one character speaking in such an annoying way I was thoroughly irritated by him.
A Sunday in Ville d’Avray (2019) by Dominique Barbéris translated from the French by John Cullen. An extraordinarily atmospheric novella taking place on a Sunday in that period between the end of summer and the start of autumn. Our unnamed narrator travels from her home in the centre of Paris to visit her sister in Ville-d’Avray. During the afternoon the sister reveals the story of an encounter she had years earlier with a man, who we never get to know much about.
Twelve Nights (2020) by Urs Faes translated from the German by Jamie Lee Searle. My second novella read for Novellas is November. Manfred walks through a snowy landscape, back to the childhood home he hasn’t seen in decades, to hopefully meet again the brother from whom he has been estranged for so long.
Territory of Light (1978) by Yūko Tsushima translated from the Japanese by Geraldine Harcourt. Told in twelve standalone fragments, is the story of an unnamed woman’s first year parenting her daughter alone after separating from her husband. She moves herself and her daughter – who turns three during the story – into a fourth-floor apartment that is filled with light. My first by the author, but not my last, I am sure.
The Other Day (1936) – Dorothy Whipple – a recent Persephone acquisition I made using the Persephone voucher Liz had bought me for my birthday in May. A new Whipple – what a treat – which means I have read all the Whipples Persephone have re-issued. This is her childhood memoir – Dorothy was born in 1893 and the book charts some of the highs and lows of her first twelve years. I found it utterly delightful. She was apparently reluctant to write it at all, which is perhaps why we only get those twelve years. Very much the story of a bygone age.
So that was my November – and as always, I would like to hear about yours.
On to December and I am currently reading One Pair of Feet (1942) by Monica Dickens for my book group – I first read it donkey’s years ago – and I’m enjoying it all over again. After that I may move on fairly soon to some Christmassy reads. This is something I have done before – but didn’t bother with last year. I have short stories from the British Library women writers, Maigret Christmas stories (never read Maigret before, but have meant to) Laurie Lee’s A Village Christmas and a Christmas mystery from the British Library. I am hoping they will help get me in the Christmas mood. Liz is also doing her Dean Street Press December reading event – and I always have some DSP waiting to be read, so I am hoping to join in with that too.
Whatever you’re reading in December I hope you have a wonderful month.
heavenali 
I can relate to your ‘giant’ book experience. I have a couple of chunksters currently on my TBR pile and it is really tiring holding them up, no matter how much I prefer physical books. I have a little reading pillow which is supposed to help, but even that cannot cope with very thick books.
People have recommended a book seat (Ama*on) which I’m not convinced would work for me.
I’ve been bah humbug about Christmas for quite some time! Trying to read the Persephone chunkster must be so frustrating. I’m late to Hilary Mantel’s trilogy and have been reading my partner’s copies. He snapped up the final novel in hardback. Not looking forward to reading it a) in bed b) with Mischief on my lap.
Yes, if I finally get round to the third Mantel – it feels too long since I read Bring up the Bodies, I’ll definitely be reading it on kindle.
Hope things improve with the arthritis soon. The Whipple sounds wonderful. I’ve only read The Priory so far which I loved and then meant to move on to others. Ditto Monica Dickens. Just One Pair of Hands but I must fill that gap soon. Hope you have a good December reading wise and otherwise!
You have lots to look forward to with Dorothy Whipple. I have now finished the Monica Dickens and thoroughly enjoyed it all over again.
I hope things improve for you soon Ali and that December brings some more bookish treats 🙂
Thank you Cathy, I have made a good start to December finishing the Monica Dickens.
You have my sympathies with your arthritis, Ali. My Raynaud’s, which is at the severe end of the spectrum, really affects my hands during autumn and winter, especially when the weather is damp. Chunky hardbacks are a no-no for me at the moment as they’d aggravate my sore hands too much. So, it’s paperbacks and slim hardbacks all the way for me until we’re back in spring! That said, you read some lovely books last month, with a good range of different settings too. The Gertrude T sounds particularly strong – one wonders why it’s been out of print for so long…
I can just imagine how large books are impossible for you this time of year. At least I do have some good days with my hands as they aren’t my biggest issue. I think Gertrude Trevelyan is heading toward a small renaissance, at least I hope so. I discovered two other novels by her published by small presses.
That book looks as if it would be uncomfortable to hold at the best of times, so I can sympathise! I hope things improve soon. I would like to read the E & M A Radford book – I read one of their others a few years ago and enjoyed it.
Yes it was a bit of fight with that book, but I think the book was worth it.
What a fascinating variety of books. Once again you will be taking me into uncharted literary territories. Thank you.
Mince pies – yes!! I live in California and my husband made some mince pies for our neighbours last Christmas. They loved them but were puzzled by the name because there didn’t seem to be any meat in them.
Take care of yourself.
Pat
Ha yes, generations of children confused by the mincemeat thing, I have no idea why that stuff is called mincemeat.
Evidently it did have meat in it with all the dried fruit until the early 20th century. I can’t imagine it kept as well.
Oh yuk!! I suppose that makes sense though.
So sorry about the physical difficulties with reading, Ali – I find nowadays that bigger paperbacks can be problematic depending on the paper, binding etc. If they flop open nicely they can be ok, but a tight binding with thick paper can be hard to handle. But I think you’ve read some wonderful books in November, and numbers don’t matter, it’s the enjoyment that does!! As for December, you have some lovely books lined up – Maigret is always a treat, and as you said we share some titles for this month! 😀
I am definitely enjoying my reading at the moment even though I may not be reading millions. Really looking forward to making Maigret’s acquaintance, it’s definitely about time.
Sorry to hear about your reading troubles Ali. Large books can be so cumbersome. I hope you find a solution.
I’m also planning some festive reading this month – some of the BLCC Christmas editions. I hope you enjoy your Christmas choices!
Thank you, with that particular book I had to plough on really. There have been times when I have bought myself a second copy on kindle to save the pain, but the only e-copy I found was unreadable.
Looking forward to those Christmas reads.
Those were some lovely books in November. I love One Pair of Feet (and Hands) – haven’t read them for years. What a nice choice. I’m looking forward to the Whipple and thank you for mentioning my Dean Street December challenge – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first book for it and am digging into my second already.
I adored reading One Pair of Feet. I am reading my second DSP book and enjoying it very much. Just trying to decide if I can fit in a third before starting my Christmassy reads.