February 2015 Reading Round-Up
Posted 2nd March 2015
Category: Round-Ups Genres: N/A
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I had the flu this month and so didn’t read as much – but what I did read was excellent and more than made up for it. I’ve found at least one if not two of the books I’m sure will be making my top 5 of the year. It seems at the moment I’m quite partial to books that comment on issues, ideas, comment on anything in depth, really.
All books are works of fiction.
The Books
Adelle Waldman: The Love Affairs Of Nathaniel P – Detailing some of the many short relationships of a writer ensconced in the journalism and publishing industry, with a look at why things go wrong for him. Apologies for the bad summary; this is a really, really, great book. (Thank you, Laurie!)
Aki Ollikainen: White Hunger – A family start their journey to St Petersburg to find food whilst the political classes look on. A good story that’s introduced me to the Finnish famine.
Elizabeth Fremantle: Sisters Of Treason – A fictionised story of Katherine and Mary Grey, sisters of the ill-fated Lady Jane. Good, but it does suffer from the limitations of the girls’ lives (it would’ve made better non-fiction).
J K Rowling: The Casual Vacancy – The death of a parish councillor not only creates a rush to take his place, it also creates even more tension between those for and against the already-existing integration of a council estate. Loved it – as I said, a great book about awful people.
I don’t think I can choose a favourite this month. Perhaps, perhaps The Love Affairs Of Nathaniel P? I’d have to admit to a bias, though, because it’s got so many literary references. No, I can’t choose, and there will likely be months aplenty where I can that one won’t matter. I finished the Fremantle with just minutes to go before midnight on the 1st March; I was pretty happy as I had wanted to add another book to my list, make myself motivated just that bit more to continue into the next month.
Quotation Report
Striking somewhat of a chord is Nate from The Love Affairs Of Nathaniel P who comments on the way the numbers that may constitute a popular book would earn a television show the axe.
Hello Spring. Hello daffodils. Hello too much chocolate. But most of all, hello light. And hopefully lots of reading, too.
What was your favourite book this month (or week if you round-up each week)?
March 2, 2015, 5:38 pm
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had the flu. I hope you’re feeling better now. I think my favourite for February was my re-read of The Fellowship of the Ring. Happy reading in March.
March 3, 2015, 4:44 am
There can never be too much chocolate, Charlie :) Hope March is a better month for you!
March 4, 2015, 3:41 pm
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. has been floating around my wishlist, sort of there, sort of falling off. I’m so glad to know you liked it, and the short summary actually really interests me. Maybe that’ll push me to cement it on the TBR.
March 4, 2015, 4:07 pm
I am sorry to hear you have been sick, Charlie. I hope you are back to full health now. It sounds like you had a wonderful reading month, however. I hope March treats you well!
March 8, 2015, 4:08 pm
I hope you’re feeling better! I think my favourite book of the month was The Girl on the Train, it kept me gripped the longest.
April 20, 2015, 1:04 pm
Emma: Two favourites is great!
Jessica: I was, indeed (I realise I’m very late replying this time). I can’t imagine re-reading LOTR myself, but I have a lot of respect for those who do :)
Kailana: It was; a great deal better!
Freda: Give it a go :)
Belle: That’s true.
Andi: Don’t let it fall off; I think you’d enjoy it. Weird title; excellent book.
Literary Feline: I was :) It took a long time to feel like myself (I hadn’t had the flu for years so I forgot how it goes) but I’m there.
Alice: I keep meaning to read that but I’ve got to the stage where I’m starting to forget about it (the old haven’t a copy so it slips the mind thing).
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March 2, 2015, 1:41 am
I had 2 favorites.