The Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri

Having enjoyed "The Shape of Water", I decided to borrow another Camilleri book. The next two in the series were not available (so some of the minor back stories did not necessarily make much sense to me, but this did not affect the main plots), but I chose the fourth book in the series.

Lots more lovely Italian food, another murder that needs to be solved, and more stories involving Montalbano's slightly unorthodox methods. Still enjoyable!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

I read this on two tube journeys. Made me laugh out loud in places. Liked the cartoons as well. Loveable.

The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri

An Italian detective novel set in Sicily and translated by Stephen Sartarelli. Having picked this up as a light read in the school library, I was surprised to find it full of pimps and prostitutes, along with allusions to the Mafiosa. However, I liked the character of Inspector Montalbano, and enjoyed the book. So much so that I am going to read another one or two or three.

Clandestine in Chile by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I originally picked up this book because I thought it was a short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. When I realised it was a true story about the Chilean director Miguel Littin, I was worried that I might be bored. I should not have worried.

This account of the exile's illegal entry to Chile in 1985 to film life under General Pinochet is exciting and informative. It was a relief at times to remember that Littin had met with Marquez to tell him his story!

Once by Morris Gleitzman

"Everybody deserves to have something good in their life. At least once."

So goes the cover.

The book is very simple, but brought tears to my eyes at the end. Which books don't often do. A story set during the holocaust, through the eyes of a child. A quick read, but a good one.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Another good read from my school library. By the time you find out whose eyes were watching God, and what exactly is meant by that title, you have gone through a lot with the heroine, Janie. The hardships she has faced before seem minor compared with the heartache she could face now. But you are glad she gets to that place. Would recommend.

Crick Crack, Monkey by Merle Hodge

Written substantially in the Pidgin English of the West Indies, this tale of Cynthia/Tee and her two lives with her father's sister, Tante, and her maternal Aunt Beatrice, is an interesting comparison of the different lives in Trinidad - one is more rural, rough and ready, the other more refined and anglicized. Tee faces an increasing challenge to understand her identity; and, interestingly, we are left wondering which side will ultimately win - or will they (do they need to be?) reconciled.

The Wheel of Surya by Jamila Gavin

I read most of this book on a beautiful train ride down through Switzerland into the Alps, and although the two settings could hardly have been more different - from the heat of India, to the griminess of England, to the snowy purity of the Swiss Alps - it was nonetheless a good read in between admiring the mountains.

Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

Another beautiful and moving book by Danticot. Sophie has to leave her home in Haiti to be reunited with her emigre mother who lives in New York. She leaves behind her beloved aunt and her grandmother. A simple story about mothers and daughters, but we learn more about Haitian culture and beliefs through it.

Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat

Krik? Krak! I have to recommend Edwidge Danticat to you. The epilogue to this book of loosely threaded together short stories gives an insight into the provenance of these tales of haitian women, women who have experienced heartache and tragedies. Beautiful, moving stories that have informed me about times that I did not know about. And particularly good for Black History Month.

Crossing the River by Caryl Phillips

We follow the stories of three children, sold as slaves by their father (Africa?). The stories take place over 250 years, a black man being returned to Liberia as a missionary, a freed slave trying to find her daughter, a young GI stationed in England. The stories sometimes finish ambiguously, but all are moving and frequently tell stories that are new to me. The relationships between black and white people are also sympathetic and, it seems to me, honest.

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

Very enjoyable story about a little boy whose father dies while "riding" a kite. Haoyou eventually takes up kite riding as he tries to help his mother and sister. But his obedience to his gambling uncle and the unwanted attention of the man who wants to marry his mother threaten to spoil everything. Lovely little story, with a nice description of China in the time of the Kublai Khan.

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

Nice little novel about Z, living in England and learning Chinese. She meets a man and moves in with him ... but is this the life she wants? Through their squabbles and good times, and through her travelling, she learns English and learns more about herself.

Cast Adrift by Peter Guttridge

It's not often I wonder about a book, and begin to think perhaps I could write something better! It wasn't probably that bad, but it was quite bad!! Perhaps the write ups on the back gave me too high expectations - Agatha Christie on laughing gas was one description that I don't think yoga loving Nick Madrid lived up to! Maybe just too self referential for my taste.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

H bought this for me as a surprise just after it came out! So I couldn't read anything else until I had finished it. Not as good as his first two Robert Langdon books, but I found it interesting learning more about Masonic mysteries. Glad I've read it, but I think I was right not too feel in too much of a rush about it!

Agatha Christie: Murder in Three Stages - Novelisations by Charles Osborne

Three plays by Agatha Christie have been made into short stories - it's a bit obvious that they were plays, after all, Agatha Christie did not add sketches of room layouts in her normal novels, as far as I've discovered, but at least the dialogue and action was pretty good! Fun.

The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson

Another lovely book by Ibbotson. This time a baby is found and adopted by two ladies who work for three slightly eccentric professors living in Vienna. But what will happen to that family when the girl's mother turns up? Riches, poverty and a cello. Very good.

Olympiad: An Historical Novel by Tom Holt

Thought this was going to be a dry and worthy history book. Imagine my surprise when I realised it was written by one of my favourite comic authors, and was, in fact, a comic novel. Nice to be made to laugh in the mornings on the way to work!

The Prestige by Christopher Priest

I enjoyed this film, so was curious about the book. As I picked it up in the library and began to browse, I realised it was quite different in many ways. Still a great storyline - awfully glad I read it.

The Human Factor by Graham Greene

I really enjoy Graham Greene's work. This was, as the title suggests, a very human story, about spies and family.

Beirut, I Love You by Zena El Khalil

During the Lebanese War, one blogging voice stood out. Zena was approached and asked to write a book about her life in Lebanon. This is a moving and artistic account of her loves, for her boyfriends and husband, for her best friend Maya and for Lebanon.

The Final Analysis of Dr Stark by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

I would like to read another of Rabbi Telushkin's detective novels, partly because of the descriptions of certain parts of Jewish life. That's probably my professional interest - but I enjoyed the story as well, even if some of the twists were a bit ... well, not exactly obvious, but not unexpected.

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

Can hardly believe I hadn't read this already.

An enjoyable book, it wanders along nicely, with lots of damnation and mortal sin, then, towards the end, begins to get a bit more hopeful and optimistic ... until the final line sends the temperature plummeting and the bleakness returns.

"She walked rapidly in the thin June sunlight towards the worst horror of all."

Echoes of Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Brilliant final line.

Miss Marple Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie wrote a number of short stories featuring Miss Jane Marple, and, the clue is in the title, they are all in this book. A very diverting read. Very enjoyable. Managed to work out a few of them in advance, others fell into place only when I knew whodunnit. Love a bit of Agatha Christie!

All The Way Home by Bookey Peek

I've been reading this book on and off for ages, and have finally finished it! The story of a family living in Zimbabwe on a safari lodge. They take in a wide variety of animals - owls, zebra, eland and so on - and a warthog, Poombi. Although the story covers a wide range of stories, they mainly centre on the pig and her escapades. Very enjoyable tales.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

I have wanted to read this book for AGES. Also wanted to see the film, but preferred to read the book. So I have finally read it! Perhaps it counts as two, because both her first book, where she leaves Iran, and the second, where she returns, were in it. Very well told and interesting; I knew very little of the Cultural Revolution in Iran. Would recommend.

The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde

The Nursery Crime Division investigates the crime of the missing Goldilocks. But what has it got to do with the Gingerbreadman and cucumbers? Another fine tale from the author of the Thursday Next stories. Very moreish!

The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie

Polished off another set of Poirot mysteries last night. This time, Hercule Poirot apparently wants to retire, and takes on a final twelve mysteries that fit into the twelve Labours of Hercules - handy, that the twelve mysteries all fit in in some clear way. I say apparently, because the list of books on the back of this paperback lists this as 26 out of 39 books, and the 39th book is Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (which I read some time ago but would love to read again).

An enjoyable little read, with an unexpected entrance from one of the characters from The Big Four, which was number five on the list.

In fact, here is the list given on the back of the book, with the ones I am sure I have read in red:

1. The Mysterious Affair at Styles
2. The Murder on the Links
3. Poirot Investigates
4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
5. The Big Four
6. The Mystery of the Blue Train
7. Black Coffee
8. Peril at End House
9. Lord Edgware Dies
10. Murder on the Orient Express (I read this in French, for fun!)
    
11. Three-Act Tragedy
12. Death in the Clouds
13. The ABC Murders
14. Murder in Mesopotamia
15. Cards on the Table
16. Murder in the Mews
17. Dumb Witness
18. Death on the Nile
19. Appointment with Death
20. Hercule Poirot's Christmas
21. Sad Cypress
22. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
23. Evil Under the Sun
24. Five Little Pigs
25. The Hollow
26. The Labours of Hercules
27. Taken at the Flood
28. Mrs McGinty's Dead
29. After the Funeral
30. Hickory Dickory Dock
31. Dead Man's Folly
32. Cat Among the Pigeons
33. The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding
34. The Clocks
35. Third Girl
36. Hallowe'en Party
37. Elephants can Remember
38. Poirot's Early Cases
39. Curtain: Poirot's Last Case

I think I have probably read some of the others too, and although I can remember many of the titles, I cannot remember 'whodunnit' in most, if not all, the above red books! And there must be more, for example Ten Little Indians (or alternative title) and At Bertram's Hotel are not mentioned here. Could they be all the Poirot books? In which case, his Labours were by no means the last mysteries he investigated! I used to love reading Agatha Christie books when I was a teenager. Still do - although I am probably more aware of the stylistic features being employed now!

The Big Four by Agatha Christie

I finally got round to joining my local library today. Should have done it ages ago, but the school library has been sufficient until now! I've taken out a few books, including a couple of Agatha Christie's that I don't think I've read before.

Well, I know I haven't read The Big Four before. I started it as I waited for H to use the internet in the library, continued on the DLR, and have finished it while watching Michael Jackson's Moonwalk and Newsnight.

This time Poirot and Hastings are trying to find out the identity of the Big Four, criminal masterminds from around the world who want to spread anarchy and fear in the world, and who may already have been responsible for some of the recent atrocities in the world. Needless to say, his little grey cells are put to work and he organises his evidence in order to try and find the answers before any more people are murdered. Lots of intrigue, as befits Agatha Christie.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

This adventure story has been of a completely different nature to the other books I have read recently. A good story, with a nice premise - what if what you read out loud came to life? - although I felt there was a lot of telling rather than showing type writing. There are another two books in this trilogy, which would be interesting to read, but I don't feel the need to read more, which I do sometimes. I did like the characters, though, particularly Meggie, the little girl who lives with her father.

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin

Captain Thomas Coram founded the Coram Hospital for the Maintenance and Education of Exposed and Deserted Children in 1741. But what if there had been a "Coram Man", who claimed to take unwanted children to this hospital, but didn't? This book takes that idea, and sets the scene where two boys at the hospital become friends, find out about their origins, and try to save other children from being sold into slavery. An enjoyable children's novel.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

I then read another one of Allende's novels, set in the same place and time, this time beginning with a relative of the main heroine of Portrait in Sepia. Another beautifully written, poetic and magical story. Again, the story covers about three generations of the family, from about the turn of the century to the end of the last century. Highly recommended. What great books I've been reading recently.

Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende

Having enjoyed the romance in Captain Corelli's Mandolin, I decided to take another historical fiction romance at the same time as I took The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman. Portrait in Sepia was, like TTOOCG, also set in a South American country (I think perhaps Chile this time.)

A moving story that takes place over generations. Would definitely recommmend.

The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman by Louis de Bernieres

I didn't really want to take out another book as I handed in Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but the librarian suggested it would be a good idea to keep going. She suggested another book by Louis de Bernieres, and the only one she had left was The Troublesome Offspring. Hmm, I though, could be good.

A few pages into the book and I was getting seriously worried. This was nothing like Captain Corelli's Mandolin! Where was the romance, the longing, the adventure? Instead, there was evidence of some magic realism going on, which I love, usually, but I was in the mood for love and romance! However, at some point I realised that I had stopped comparing it to CCM and had started enjoying this book for itself. It is a very quirky story, with magical characters both historical and possibly immortal, as well as plenty of drama, humour, shock, mystery, panthers. It is set in a South American country at a time when Coke is advertising on the moon, but it sounds more as if it was set during the Inquisition and time of the early missionaries.

I really recommend this book as well, although it is completely different from Captain Corelli's Mandolin!

Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

I was loathe to read this book. The school librarian eventually had to tell me that was the one to take, so I decided I better read it to see if my fears could be proved wrong. Why did I feel so strongly against this book? I haven't even seen the film, but the reviews of the time (which were probably in the "the book is so much better" category) had put me off. Perhaps the thought that it was about a Greek island with Nicolas Cage and a pretty brunette during the war put me off.

However, making me read this book was one of the best things that my librarian has done (and, believe me, she's a pretty amazing librarian who does brilliant things and comes up with wonderful ideas all the time!). By the time I had finished, I did not want to give the book back. Nor did I want to read another book straightaway, and that's pretty much a first for me. A book I just wanted to hold on to and savour.

I don't think I'll write any more ... other than, if you haven't read this book yet, then: do, do, do! Don't be put off by the film, whether or not you've seen it. I'm sure they couldn't have managed to squeeze the whole book into the film anyway. Right. Now - go away and read!

Junk by Melvin Burgess

NOTE: Although I opened and entitled a new post in June, I actually wrote this on Sunday 2 August.

First, a confession. It is some time since I read this book, now ... I have read many other books since then. And I'm a bit behind. Since then I've read better books, longer books, adult books. But I will try and comment faithfully on what was one of the more complex books I'd read in a few months at that point!

What really struck me about this novel was the switch of viewpoints, as each chapter continued the story from the viewpoint of a different character. Young hopefuls were followed by older cynics. Recovering drug addicts were followed by those in the early stages, who thought that they would not get addicted. Boys followed women, who followed men, who followed girls.

The story is a sad one, of a descent into addiction, which begins with two young people running away from home. Tar runs away first, then Gemma leaves home to follow him to Bristol. They get a place in a squat, and gradually are introduced to harder drugs, anarchism and prostitution. The two try to kick their addiction, but it is not easy. Like the book; good, but not easy.

Blazing Star by Lynne Markham

From an older book to a much younger book. Geoffrey lives with his grandmother with whom he practices ballroom dancing. He also enjoys listening to classical music and astronomy. It's no surprise to learn that he's a bit bullied as well. However, it is a surprise to discover that he can see an indian. Not a common occurrence in Nottingham. A nice little story, with a (slightly expected) twist in the tale.

It's a 50/50 Thing by Chris Higgins

Kally has moved to a new town, where she meets Jem, also a new boy, who, like Kally, seems to have some sort of secret. Quite a dark book at times. Jem seems to be devoted to Kally, and her little sister, but he is not so loving towards others. And where is Kally's dad? An older teen book for a change! And a good one.

Deep Joy, or Something Like It by Karen McCombie

This book carries on the story of Sadie and her now boy band brother. The story is still enjoyable, but quite repetitive in places, as Karen McCombie explains many things for those readers who haven't read the first book, or who haven't read it for a long time. It almost seems as if about half of the book is a retelling of the first book. Perhaps it would have been best to have left longer between the two books!

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

Can't believe I forgot to write about this one! Wonderful story, about an orphan who is sent to the Amazon to stay with very distant cousins. They try to keep the jungle at bay ... she can't wait to explore. Lovely story of friendship. Highly recommended.

Happiness and All That Stuff by Karen McCombie

Sadie's brother, Sonny, is really annoying. He's starstruck and at stage school. Sadie's Dad lives above the garage, and still seems to think he's some sort of teenage rock star. Sadie's Mum has just had a baby, Martha, with her new boyfriend, Will, who lives in the main house with Sadie's Mum and the children. Sadie loves her little sister, her cat, Dog, and Clive, her rabbit. She also loves the refugee Christmas tree that lives in the cemetery. But she is not too keen on her brother, or on the strange set up with her Dad still living in his Bachelor Pad above the garage.

I particularly like the fact that Sadie goes shopping with her friends in the N1 Shopping Centre in Islington. I like visiting there too. And she goes to Waterstone's on Islington Green. Another place I've been. Another good page turner.

And now I'm up to date with my books ... I think!

Hunky Dory by Jean Ure

A bit different, this one. Dorian, the "hunky Dory" of the title, is having trouble with girls who keep giggling around them. Just as well his best friend, Aaron, and Herb, his uncle's stepdaughter, are helping him dig a big hole in the interests of archaeology. Fun, lighthearted, and a very quick read! (It's aimed at 9+, I just discovered on the Jean Ure website.)

Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine

Having enjoyed Broken Soup, I decided to read Finding Violet Park by the same author. I think it came first, although the two books are not related so it doesn't matter what order you read them in. Another great story. Here the main character, Lucas, manages to rescue an urn of ashes from a taxi cab office. As he finds out more about its occupant, Violet Park, he also begins to learn a little more about his missing dad.

Smokescreen by Bernard Ashley

I enjoy reading books set in places I know, and this story set near an East London canal is no exception. Unlike some of the books I have read recently, this tale deals with darker issues such as smuggling and human trafficking. Once again, highly recommended. Another school library book.

Broken Soup by Jenny Valentine

Another story of two sisters with a Mum who needs help, a bit like the Illustrated Mum. However, this tale is aimed at slightly older children, I think, and is a more complex and, for me, enjoyable story. Broken soup ... what happens when you drop breakfast in bed and the orange juice goes everywhere. Or when your life begins to unravel. Highly recommended.

Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden

Otto is kidnapped and taken to a top secret underground location, where he discovers that other skilled children have also been taken to be trained ... He makes friends, and together, they plan their escape.

Loved this book, which I read on a long bus journey north, and was disappointed when I realised it is the first in a series and not all my questions were answered. Looking forward to the next one!

The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks

An exciting and suspenseful tale; two brothers go to the Moors to find out what happened to their murdered sister. One of the brothers can "sense" things, the other is a man of action. Very well written, good characters.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

I am so far behind in my reviews! It's been great - I've read loads of excellent books recently from the school library, many of them new, and many of them shortlisted for a variety of awards. I will therefore just give a short account of each one!

Freak the Mighty is a moving tale of friendship between two boys, both "freaks" in their own ways - one very tall, the other very small. Together, they are Freak the Mighty, a force to be reckoned with! Great vocab list at the back - wonderful definitions!

Postcards From No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers

A real find, this one. I not only read it on the tube and at night, but also as I walked along the path between the tube and school, and between the tube and home. An unputdownable book. I'd recommend it to my GCSE students in particular, as it covers ("deals with" would make it sound too contrived) many of the issues and dilemmas that they cover in their GCSE, such as faithfulness, adultery, homosexuality and euthanasia.

However, that sounds far too contrived! It is the story of one boy's journey of discovery, and also the story of one girl's experience during the second world war. Although many of the key characters are British, the action takes place in the Netherlands, in particular in Amsterdam. I felt that the book captured well my own experience of Amsterdam and the Dutch.

I would definitely recommend this book.

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson

After the teen books I have been reading, this book definitely seems aimed at younger readers, perhaps the top end of primary, or Year 7. Dolphin and her big sister, Star, look after their mum more than she looks after them. Nicely told, it deals well with mental health issues for the younger audience.

Starring Sally J Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume

Sally and her family move to Florida after her brother gets a kidney infection. She makes friends, and, bizarrely, decides an old Jewish man that lives in the block is really Adolf Hitler in disguise. (The book is set shortly after the end of World War II, and Sally's aunt and cousin were killed in the Holocaust). Enjoyable, but not in the same league as some of the other books I have read recently. Must read some more Judy Blume's though, because I used to read her when I was younger. Well, I remember reading Blubber, anyway. Can't remember if I eventually got round to reading Forever ...

Waving, Not Drowning by Rosie Rushton

For a long time it was more like drowning, not waving. Another teenage book about teenagers, this time Lyall, Jason and Fiona. Each faces different issues that could be faced by many teenagers today: death, fostering, pregnancy scare, being a carer.

I think it's good for teachers to read these books. It reminds me, at any rate, of the sorts of issues that my students might be facing when they come (or don't come) to school.

Unheard Voices collected by Malorie Blackman

The second book I took out was Unheard Voices, a collection of stories and poems about slavery, to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. Some of the stories were passages from books written by freed slaves, others by the descendants of slaves. The book is split into about 5 parts, each part dealing with one aspect of the slave trade.

Some of the writing was amongst the most vivid and moving that I have ever read about the slave trade. Highly recommended.

Jack Sweettooth by Malorie Blackman

I decided to follow up "Tell Me No Lies" by reading some more Malorie Blackman. I thought I had read most of her titles in the school library, but managed to find another couple of books that I have started to read in the tube.

The first book, Jack Sweettooth, only took half the tube journey home to finish. It's a very short story, aimed at much younger children, and a nice tale about a little mouse, a family pet. There are three short chapters. Sweet.

Tell Me No Lies - Malorie Blackman

Yet another excellent book from Malorie Blackman. This time aimed at younger teens, I'd guess. An incredibly frustrating read, as well. Two young teenagers, Gemma and Mikey, meet at school. One has a secret, one works out what it is. They share something - neither lives with their mother, for different reasons - but what is so frustrating is the way they relate to each other. Half conversations, blurted phrases, frightened actions, all result in these two young people, who might have been friends, end up not understanding each other, resulting in bullying and other nasty consequences. I wanted to shake them both, to tell them to tell the other what they were really thinking, to give each other a second chance ... As my school librarian said, you can tell it's well written when it raises that emotion in you. So it must be good.

Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Amal is an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian. Who has decided to go full time. Which means wearing her hijab to her non-faith private school, as well as to the shops and the local teenage hangouts.

This book was insightful, and had lots of passages that would be useful teaching material! It's not just about Islam, it's also about how we all treat each other. Makes a nice change from other teenage girl books about sex and stuff. This one is more about friendship and families. Glad it's in the school library. Will need to encourage my students to borrow it.

The Fire Eaters by David Almond

Took this with me into town. Glad I did. Had an hour long wait at the bank, then half an hour on the bus across town. Finished before I reached my final destination.

A well told story where not a lot happens, but a lot happens too, in the life of a little boy, Bobby Burns. He meets a man that eats fire, his father might be ill, he starts school where a bully of a teacher enjoys caning pupils, and the world is preparing for a nuclear war to start. In the midst of this, Bobby spends time with his friends, and prays that everything will be okay.

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

This is the second time I have read this. I first read it while in Rome, shortly before the death of Pope John Paul II. It was therefore a very timely read, and it was, I thought, much better than the second of Dan Brown's books, The Da Vinci Code. I still think it's better, but I'm more aware of its literary shortcomings this time round, I think because I already know the story. However, the story is still a gripping one, and I have enjoyed re-reading the book.

I wanted to re-read it in time for the film coming out, which I am looking forward to. I hope it will be a lot better than The Da Vinci Code film. I think it's all a bit more ... plausible is not exactly the right word, tangible perhaps? Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. And to the next Dan Brown novel, which I think is due out in September ... watch this space!

The Complete Book of Aunts by Rupert Christiansen

I came across this quite by accident in a cheap book shop opposite the British Library, when I had popped in to buy a cheap book to see me on the tube back home. And since I have recently become an aunt, a role that I love and am looking forward to growing into, I decided to get this book.

Rupert Christiansen has certainly done his research. There were literary aunts, creations of wild imaginations, both wise and wicked, historical aunts, poems about aunts, biographical accounts of aunts, fictional and factual aunts, aunts designed to sell food and other wholesome homely fares, personal stories both ancient and modern about aunts, and elderly family friends known as Aunt. I'm not quite sure where I would come into this book, as a more modern aunt that isn't a spinster but also hasn't produced any cousins yet, but hopefully I'll be more like the much loved aunts than the annoying or downright horrible aunts!

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

When I picked this book off the school library shelf, the librarian warned me, "There's sex and drugs in it"; she went on to tell me that she wouldn't let just anyone read it, but also that she hadn't read it yet herself, but it had had good reviews.

Thus forewarned, I set about reading it on the tube on the way home. And barely a paragraph had gone by before Tessa, the narrator, had decided to lose her virginity, which, before the end of the chapter, had gone. However, that does not really do justice to this sensitively written book, which deals with death, and love, friendship and family.

Although Tessa's father hopes that Tessa will survive, that a cure might be found, it isn't, and she doesn't. She burns brightly, then dies, one, sentence, at, a, time. It is quite beautiful. So much of the writing sounds as if Jenny Downham must have experienced all the moments, senses, described by Tessa. But then, she wrote the book, so she hasn't.

Saffy's Angel by Hilary MacKay

Saffy learns more about her family and her birthplace in this colourful and sweet story, which begins when she realises that her name, Saffron, isn't on her mother's colour chart, unlike her sisters Cadmium and Rose, and her brother Indigo. The story eventually leads her to a garden in Italy, then back home. Well written, entertaining, a quick and enjoyable read from the school library.

At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie

Just realised I forgot to review At Bertram's Hotel! Read this a couple of weeks ago. A Miss Marple mystery - fun to retreat into!

Colour Bar by Susan Williams

On Saturday, I finished a book that moved and inspired me. I had not known the story of Seretse Khama, who became Botswana's first President, and his white English wife, Ruth, but their story is one that has made me feel almost ashamed to be British, but also inspired by those who stood up for Seretse and Ruth as they faced many struggles.

Seretse Khama was the next Kgosi (Chief) of his tribe, the Bamangwato, and as he grew up and studied in England, his uncle, Tshekedi, acted as Regent. The tribe would have been looking forward to Seretse's return, and Seretse would no doubt have been a footnote in Botswana's history, were it not for the fact that while in England he fell in love with a white woman, Ruth Williams (no relation to the author). To marry someone without first consulting the tribe was shocking enough, but to marry a white woman at the time when Bechuanaland's neighbour, South Africa, was marching towards apartheid, was asking for trouble. At first interested parties from Tshekedi and the British government, to the London Missionary Society, tried to stop the wedding from going ahead; once Seretse and Ruth had managed to marry - at a Registrar's rather than the church wedding they had planned - people and events conspired against them to try to stop Seretse becoming Kgosi and setting a certain example in southern Africa.

It did not take long for the Bamangwato to welcome Ruth as their "Mother" - Mohumagadi. However, South Africa intervened with the British colonial authorities, advising that allowing Seretse to become Chief could cause unrest. Seretse was eventually exiled from his country for about five years or so.

This book is full of detail, describing the fight for justice. However, it was easy to read, and very moving. When the Bamangwato pleaded with the British government for their Kgosi to come back, and they were refused, I felt partly responsible. When violence erupted at the Kgotla, I felt angry that the tribe had been pushed into that position. I felt proud of those in the UK, like Tony Benn, who campaigned on the Khamas' behalf. I felt challenged - would I have been preprared to stand up, or would I have simply gone along, unthinking, with the status quo? When the Khamas were finally allowed to return home, I was sitting in the tube about to arrive at King's Cross with tears in my eyes.

I started on Monday, and finished the book on Saturday morning. It was a busy week, I could only read during my journeys, when I had a seat. For a 330 page book with small print, that was quite quick. I highly recommend this book. Even if you have never before shown any interest in Botswanan, or even African, or colonial, politics. This is a human story - that reveals so many other facets of British history at the same time.

Ruby Red by Linzi Glass

My other train book, this is a story of a girl growing up in South Africa during apartheid, whose mother runs an art gallery that sells works by black artists on the wrong side of Sandton. Ruby herself has to face prejudice and discrimination when her British South African friends, and her parents, become unhappy with her relationship with an Afrikaner. A story about breaking down boundaries is tied up with the riots that resulted in the death of Hector Peterson and other children who were campaigning about the new law that meant they had to be educated in Afrikaans. Some very moving scenes in the book.

I had not realised that the book would feature this scene: however, reading it reminded me of the time I met Hector Peterson's mother at an open air art gallery in Soweto a number of years ago.

Another good read; thoughtful and moving.

The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

I wanted a nice, easy, feelgood read as I travelled north by train for a weekend visit to my auntie. Popped into the school library just before the end of the day, as the librarian was packing up for the night, so had to grab a couple of books, with only the covers for inspiration. So I picked up two, and I am delighted to say both fulfilled the categories I was hoping for.

The View From Saturday reminded my of a book I have not read, which has been made into a film I have not seen: Slumdog Millionaire. The conceit of the book is the final of a national student quiz competition. The question is asked, then one of the four main character tells a story that reveals how they know the answer. The lives of the four eleven year olds in the story are gradually revealed to be intertwined, and the Year 6 school quiz team seems to be brought together through either serendipity, fate or magic.

Very enjoyable and easy read. I also learnt about turtles ...

The Sound of Laughter - Peter Kay

I picked this up looking for some easy reading a few nights ago. At first I felt the writing was fairly pedestrian, with a few corny jokes thrown in. However, I was soon laughing out loud at some of the stories despite myself - I wasn't always able to get across the humour to H though! You have to read it for yourself. Overall a book that made me laugh in many places, even if the writing wasn't as sparkling as other books I have read.

The World's Wife by Carol Ann Duffy

It's a long time since I read poetry. It's even longer since I read a poetry book in one day. And I'm not sure if I've ever enjoyed a book of poetry so much.

The thirty poems in this book take well known tales (or at least tales that should be well-known; I'm not convinced many of my pupils would know them all) that have traditionally been told from the male point of view, and, well, not exactly retell the stories from the wives' points of view, but give a different viewpoint anyway. I particularly liked the brevity of Mrs Darwin, but the poignancy of Anne Hathaway, writing about her and Shakespeare's second best bed, was beautiful; Mrs Faust made me laugh out loud (even though I've never read the original: I knew enough to know that she was insightful here) and Mrs Icarus raised a smile.

I read a number of poems to H in bed; he wasn't too keen at first to hear them, and thought that one would be enough; however, he let me read four or five of them and enjoyed them too. I enjoyed being able to read them out loud, to hear the rhythm, rhyme and assonance.

I had heard of this book before; it had come highly commended by a friend - I can't remember by whom. I would highly recommend it myself. And I would be interested in reading more of Duffy's poetry. Go on - give it a go!

Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

Another diverting look at life for the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Borrowed from Mum, I have finished this in a couple of days on the tube. A nice relaxing way to recover from a day of teaching.

The Girl Who Married A Lion by Alexander McCall Smith

I am trying to make my way through The Life of Teresa of Avila by Herself. It's pretty tough going; although the writing is fairly straightforward, it is quite dense in places, and probably more suited to quiet contemplation than busy tube journeys. So I decided to ask our school librarian for something a bit lighter and easier, and this is what she recommended.

I have read quite a few African folk tales before, and these tales, rewritten and compiled by Alexander McCall Smith (with a "foreward by Mma Ramotswe"), and these were very much in line with my previous incursions. Each story is about five pages long - some much shorter, occasionally a bit longer. Some examples of final lines (I won't tell you which stories they are from, so it won't spoil your enjoyment):

The people said that the uncles should be killed. And so this happened.

Later, when he was chief, the short boy grew taller.

"Your sons are not lions," the uncle said to the boys' mother. "I am glad," she said.

They are hardly morals of the tale, but they are quite humorous, and I have enjoyed reading them. And now - back to St Teresa.

The Fire Gospel by Michel Faber

Interesting little novel about a Canadian Aramaic scholar, Theo, who finds some hidden papyrii in an Iraqi museum, which, when translated, contain letters from an eyewitness to the crucifixion of Jesus.

There is a lot of humour in the book, particularly near the beginning in the translations. It is also interesting to read about how Theo gets on with publishing his first book ... haggling over the advance, being interviewed by the media in order to fit into a certain number of minutes, book readings and, especially, looking up his ranking and reading the reviews on Amazon. Familiar territory.

My one criticism would be that the story seems to fizzle out a bit at the end, and the importance of the Fifth Gospel in the world is left in some doubt - and what about its effects on Theo? A short read, started last night, finished today after haggis, and a Christmas present for H from Mum.

Now, what should I read next?

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

As I finished this book on the tube, reading about a young man sitting weeping between the graves of his father and grandfather, elsewhere in the world, that same young man, slightly older now, was being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

I am glad that I read this book; I am glad that the young man who wrote it was elected back in November and is now in the White House. Barack Obama's public life makes sense, reading about his early private life. When his Kenyan family are mentioned in the news, they conjure up the images from the book, and I feel as if I almost know them.

I would highly recommend this book, to anyone who enjoys autobiographies, and to anyone who wants to know more about the "most powerful man in the world".

Reading in 2008

So I apparently only managed to finish 25 books in 2008, three down from my 2007 total. I am sure I managed more than that, but never got round to writing the reviews!! So here they are, in reverse order:

• 25. Tales of Beedle the Bard - JK Rowling
• 24. The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
• 23. The Tailor King - Anthony Arthur
• 22. Two Caravans - Marina Lewycka
• 21. When A Crocodile Eats the Sun - Peter Godwin
• 20. Fearless Fighter - Vera Chirwa
• 19. The Freedom Writers Diary - Erin Gruwell
• 18. Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight - Alexandra Fuller
• 17. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne
• 16. Apache: Girl Warrior - Tanya Landman
• 15. Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa - Peter Godwin
• 14. A Long Way Gone - Ishmael Beah
• 13. The Raphael Affair - Iain Pears
• 12. Boy - Roald Dahl
• 11. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid
• 10. The Medici Secret - Michael White
• 9. Fallen Gods - Quintin Jardine
• 8. The Immaculate Deception - Iain Pears
• 7. Misadventure in the Middle East - Henry Hemming
• 6. Mister Pip - Lloyd Jones
• 5. Not Without My Sister - Kristina, Juliana and Celeste
• 4. On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan
• 3. The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
• 2. The Gathering - Anne Enright
• 1. My Booky Wook - Russell Brand

So that's 10 autobiographical works, 9 by women, five set in Africa, four that were on the Booker shortlist (including the one that won), three children's books, four detective/murder-mystery stories. Not sure what that reveals about me!

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

An enforced retiral to the tube has meant that I have been able to finally finish Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. I started this shortly after finishing The Bluest Eye, but, as I predicted at the time, it was a while before I had time in which to really get into and enjoy this book. However, what a treat it has been. Magical, mystical and mysterious. The story seems to go back and forth without due care to chronology, and then comes together in a satisfying way towards the end, dealing with identity, memory and family. I would definitely recommend this book.

Double Cross by Malorie Blackman

Malorie Blackman is one of my favourite writers; in particular, I have enjoyed her Noughts & Crosses trilogy, which actually now has five books in it. (A short "interlude" was written for World Book Day, and Double Cross continues the story where Checkmate left off.) So it is probably appropriate that this was my first book finished in 2009.

I received Double Cross as a Christmas present from my parents, and began reading it in the bath before my grandparents arrived for our New Year party on 2 January. I finished it while in bed recovering from an accident on 5 January.

Double Cross tells the story of what happened to Callie Rose after the bombing written about in Checkmate. It deals with gang culture, and, as always, Blackman deals sensitively with the issues currently affecting our young people. A shooting, knives, crime, gang leaders, drugs and territorial issues - Tobey has to try to ensure he doesn't "slip" from one area into another.

While I didn't find the emotional pull as much as in the original Noughts and Crosses, I enjoyed continuing the story of Callum and Sephy and their families. I now need to find some time to read all five books in the correct order all the way through!

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling

This was actually my final read of 2008. A Christmas present from H, I read it over about three nights between Christmas and New Year.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard are five wizarding fairy tales; one features heavily in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. They are fairly simple, and the conceit is that Hermione Granger translated the copy that she received from Albus Dumbledore, along with his notes on the text. An interesting little book, although I would say only within the confines of the Harry Potter septology.