Saturday 21 January 2012

Book Diary

I love nothing more than reading. I read all the time. But I forget which books I have read and which ones I haven't. I also can never remember books to recommend people. So am going to use this post to list all the books I read during the year, along with Amazon links, and note if it is a new read, or a re-read. I re-read books a lot.

If it is a new read I will say whether I like it or not. Re-reads are obviously recommendations as otherwise I wouldn't re-read them would I! 

Enjoy!


The Glass Blowers: Daphne du Maurier (re-read) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glass-Blowers-Daphne-Du-Maurier/dp/184408065X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327152192&sr=8-1

City of Darkness, City of Light: Marge Piercy (technically a re-read but from over 10 years ago) http://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Darkness-Light-Marge-Piercy/dp/0140266062/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327152257&sr=1-1

Freaky: Emilia di Girolamo (technically a re-read but from a long time ago - and because I read it on the train home from meeting her!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freaky-Emilia-Girolamo/dp/1901072150/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327152332&sr=1-1

A Place of Greater Safety: Hilary Mantel (new) - amazing amazing book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Place-Greater-Safety-Hilary-Mantel/dp/000725055X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327152369&sr=1-1

Love in a Cold Climate: Nancy Mitford (re-read) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Climate-Penguin-Modern-Classics/dp/0141181494/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327152417&sr=1-1

State of Happiness: Stella Duffy (new) - v moving and evocative http://www.amazon.co.uk/State-Happiness-Stella-Duffy/dp/1844080234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327152460&sr=1-1

Bossypants: Tina Fey (new) - funny, feminist and a read-in-one-day kind of book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bossypants-Tina-Fey/dp/0751547832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327240893&sr=1-1 

Styx and Stones (A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery): Carola Dunn (new) - I've been re-reading the books I have in this series for research purposes (ssh!) but this is a new one to me and is as excellent as all the others. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Styx-Stones-Daisy-Dalrymple-Mystery/dp/1849014922/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327852777&sr=8-1-spell

The case of the murdered muckraker (A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery): Carola Dunn (new) - another great tale of the unflappable flapper  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Murdered-Muckraker-Daisy-Dalrymple-Mystery/dp/1849017050/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329479580&sr=1-1

Mistletoe and Murder (A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery); Carola Dunn (new) - and another! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mistletoe-Murder-Daisy-Dalrymple-Mystery/dp/1849017069/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329479580&sr=1-2

Unbearable Lightness: Portia de Rossi (new) - Portia's devestatingly honest memoir of her anorexia. Want to write about this more fully but highly recommended. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unbearable-Lightness-Story-Loss-Gain/dp/0857204114/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329479710&sr=1-1

Anything Goes: Lucy Moore (new) - a rip-roaring biog of an unusual decade of US history http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anything-Goes-Biography-Roaring-Twenties/dp/1843547783/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330197344&sr=1-1

Wise Children: Angela Carter (re-read) - an old favourite that's moving and hilarious http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wise-Children-Angela-Carter/dp/0099981106/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330197435&sr=1-1

The Mirror Crack'd from side to side: Agatha Christie (new) - I've just discovered her books, as opposed to watching the ITV adaptations. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miss-Marple-Mirror-Crackd-Side/dp/0007120982/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330197513&sr=1-1

After the Funeral: Agatha Christie (new) - I'm addicted! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poirot-After-Funeral-Agatha-Christie/dp/0007119364/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330197569&sr=1-1

They do it with mirrors: Agatha Christie (new) told you! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miss-Marple-They-Mirrors-ebook/dp/B0046RE5H2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1330355134&sr=8-2

Death on the Nile: Agatha Christie (new) love the film too! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-on-the-Nile-ebook/dp/B0046RE5HW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330355218&sr=1-1

The First Three Marple Novels: Agatha Christie (new) - I told you, I can't stop reading them!

Murder on the Orient Express: Agatha Christie (new) - a brilliant read. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0046H95PO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d14_g351_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=040KX2BVE0FD6QF6GH88&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

The Birth of Venus: Sarah Dunant (new) another fantastic, atmospheric read from this wonderful writer /www.amazon.co.uk/The-Birth-of-Venus-ebook/dp/B002TXZRJA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331628800&sr=1-1

The Reinvention of Love: Helen Humphreys (new) reviewing this for the F Word http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Reinvention-of-Love-ebook/dp/B0058RE0BA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331628837&sr=1-1

Fried Green Tomatoes from the Whistle Stop Cafe: Fannie Flagg (re-read from teen years) I loved this book as a teen and it was lovely to re-visit it. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fried-Green-Tomatoes-Whistle-ebook/dp/B0072HDP9M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331628910&sr=1-1

Further tales of the City: Armistead Maupin (re-read) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Further-Tales-Of-The-City/dp/0552998788/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332436704&sr=1-1

More Tales of the City: Armistead Maupin (re-read) http://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Tales-Of-The-City/dp/055299877X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332428716&sr=8-2

Sovereign: C J Sansom (re-read) this is my fave of the Shardlake books that I have read http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sovereign-Shardlake-C-J-Sansom/dp/0330436082/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332680216&sr=1-4

Mary Boleyn the great and infamous whore: Alison Weird (new) a fantastically researched and readable biog as always. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mary-Boleyn-Great-Infamous-Whore/dp/0224089765/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332680321&sr=1-1

The Other Boleyn Girl: Philippa Gregory (re-read but simply one of my favourite books) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Boleyn-Girl-Philippa-Gregory/dp/0006514006/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332683060&sr=8-2

The Rules of Civility: Amor Towles (new and absolutely excellent. Want to be Katey Kontent in 1930s NYC!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rules-Civility-Amor-Towles/dp/1444708872/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333371583&sr=8-1

The Devil's Cub: Georgette Heyer (new, my first ever Heyer read) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Devils-Cub-Miss-Georgette-Heyer/dp/0099465833/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333371723&sr=1-1

Sandstorm: Lindsey Hillsum (new - this is a must read if you're interested in Libya) http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sandstorm&x=0&y=0

Girl Reading: Katie Ward (new - loved it) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Reading-Katie-Ward/dp/1844086879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335208527&sr=8-1

Evil under the sun: Agatha Christie (new - classic Poirot) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evil-under-Poirot-Agatha-Christie/dp/0007119267/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335208576&sr=1-1

Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man: Fannie Flagg (re-read but not read since I was about 13) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daisy-Fay-And-The-Miracle/dp/0099297213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335208628&sr=1-1

Why be happy when you could be normal: Jeanette Winterson, (new - moving, beautiful, painful)  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Happy-When-Could-Normal/dp/0224093452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336212499&sr=8-1

Oranges are not the only fruit: Jeanette Winterson (re-read to remind me for reading why be happy) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oranges-Are-Not-Only-Fruit/dp/0099935708/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336212555&sr=1-1-spell

The edible woman: Margaret Atwood (re-read - i think this may be my favourite book in the whole world. i read it at least once a year). http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Edible-Woman-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0860681297/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336212616&sr=1-1

Dead in the water - a Daisy Dalrymple Mystery: Carola Dunn (re-read) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Water-Daisy-Dalrymple-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0057GESIC/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336212651&sr=1-2

Dial M For Murdoch: Tom Watson and Martin Hicklman (new and gripping!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dial-M-Murdoch-Tom-Watson/dp/1846146038/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336212711&sr=1-1

Damsel in Distress: PG Wodehouse (new and could become another Agatha Christie) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Damsel-Distress-P-G-Wodehouse/dp/014001599X/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1337682063&sr=8-7

Bring up the Bodies: Hilary Mantel (much anticipated and not a disappointment - gorgeous on every page) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bring-up-Bodies-Hilary-Mantel/dp/0007315090/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337682109&sr=1-1

These old shades: Georgette Heyer (new and loved it!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/These-Shades-Miss-Georgette-Heyer/dp/0099465825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338373463&sr=8-1

Moon Tiger: Penelope Lively (re-read from long time ago - stunning) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moon-Tiger-Penguin-Modern-Classics/dp/0141188316/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338373246&sr=8-1

Anybody out there: Marian Keyes (new - heartbreaking! can't put it down!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anybody-Out-There-Marian-Keyes/dp/0141029889/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338373295&sr=1-1

The other side of the story: Marian Keyes (new - loved it)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Side-Story-Marian-Keyes/dp/0140295992/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339159547&sr=8-1

Angels: Marian Keyes (new - very good, slow reveal that works really well)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Angels-Marian-Keyes/dp/0140295984/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339159581&sr=1-1

Last Chance Saloon: Marian Keyes (re-read - good book but very inaccurate portrayal of the advertsing industry!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Chance-Saloon-Marian-Keyes/dp/0140271805/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340459655&sr=8-1

Taken at the Flood: Agatha Christie (new - great twist but didn't like the ending) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poirot-Taken-At-The-Flood/dp/0007121016/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340459716&sr=1-1

Mrs Robinson's Disgrace: Kate Summerscale (new - loved it but not what I expected at all) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Robinsons-Disgrace-Private-Victorian/dp/140881241X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340459766&sr=1-1

The Song of Achilles: Madeline Miller (new - absolutely stunning) http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Song-Achilles-Madeline-Miller/dp/1408821982/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340459819&sr=1-1

Big Money: PG Wodehouse (new and so much fun!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Money-Sir-P-Wodehouse/dp/1841591513/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340459861&sr=1-1

The Virgin Blue: Tracy Chevalier (re-read from when I was about 13, glad to re-discover it) http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Virgin-Blue-Tracy-Chevalier/dp/0007241461/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340459919&sr=1-1

Quest for a Maid: Frances Mary Hendry (re-read from childhood) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quest-Maid-Kelpies-Frances-Hendry/dp/086241315X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340459979&sr=1-1

The Little White Horse: Elizabeth Goudge (re-read - my favourite children's book) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-White-Illustrated-Walter-Hodges/dp/B000XFTWRE/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340460040&sr=1-3

Beyond the Wall: Writing a path through Palestine: Bidisha (new - wonderful book by a wonderful woman) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Wall-Palestine-Manifestos-Twenty-first/dp/0857420399/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341304164&sr=8-1

The Sealed Letter: Emma Donoghue (new and a must read, fascinating stuff!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Sealed-Letter-Emma-Donoghue/dp/1447205987/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341304251&sr=1-1

Regency Buck: Georgette Heyer (new, I love her but you have to turn your feminist brain off!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Regency-Buck-Georgette-Heyer/dp/B000XYD5K0/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341304294&sr=1-3

Flat Earth News: Nick Davies (new, a great read from the man behind the Murdoch fall!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flat-Earth-News-Award-winning-Distortion/dp/0099512688/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341304332&sr=1-1

Girl with a One Track Mind Exposed: Abby Lee (new and bloody brilliant from a woman I have oodles of respect for) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-With-One-Track-Mind/dp/0330509691/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341304375&sr=1-2

 Murder is easy: Agatha Christie (new and good - but VERYdifferent from TV adaptation)

The Purple Shroud: Stella Duffy (new and a fantastic sequel to Theodora)

Carnevale: MR Lovic (new and to be honest I'm struggling. Luscious but not grabbing me)

The Robber Bride: Margaret Atwood (re-read and one of my favourite books. A desert island book)

Lady Oracle: Margaret Atwood (re-read, i can't just read one of her books!)

A dangerous inheritance: Alison Weir (new, i love her novels and i love her biogs!)

Sleeping Murder: Agatha Christie (new, think it's my fave so far)

The Copper Beech: Maeve Binchy (re-read, but from young adulthood)

Amelia Peabody: Omnibus 1-4: Elizabeth Peters (new, just the first one so far but great fun!)

The Jeeves Omnibus Vol 1: PG Wodehouse (new, just the first one so far, I love them!)

Valley of the Dolls: Jacqueline Susann (re-read, ok i know i know. but it is AMAZING!)

The Owl Killers: Karen Maitland (re-read)

Before I Met You: Lisa Jewell (new, i really enjoyed it)

Circle of Friends: Maeve Binchy (new, liking a lot.)

The other two novels in the Jeeves and Wooster Omnibus Volume One - i LOVE him!

The Kingmaker's Daughter: Philippa Gregory (new, another brilliant read from one of my fave writers)

The Falcons of Fire and Ice: Karen Maitland (new and a great read about the time of the inquisition)

The Time of the Hunter's Moon: Victoria Holt (re-read, very silly PROBLEMATIC!)

Anna Karenina: Tolstoy (re-read, amazing to re-discover, feels like a totally different book)

Part 2 in Amelia Peabody Omnibus

Why the Whales Came
My Friend Walter
The Elephant in the Garden - Michael Morpurgo (i'm reading kid's books. Why Whales is an old fave)
Shadow
The Dancing Bear

The Harlot's Press: Helen Pike (new - loved it)

The Mystery of Mercy Close: Marian Keyes (new - another excellent read from Marian!)

The Jeeves Omnibus Vol 3: PG Wodehouse (new and brilliant! So so funny)

The Daylight Gate: Jeanette Winterson (new - a fantastic novella exploring 17th century with trials)

Bring up the Bodies: Hilary Mantel (re-read and this is a book that demands re-reading and rewards it too)

The Queen's Fool: Philippa Gregory (re-read, my favourite of hers and one of my fave books. I LOVE Robert Dudley!)

Who needs Mr Darcy?: Jean Burnett (new, chick lit about Lydia from P&P, it's ace and much fun!)

Silent in the Grave: Deanna Raybourn (new, a brilliant Victoriana murder mystery with many twists in the tale)

The Jeeves Omnibus vol 2: PG Wodehouse (new and a right giggle as always)

Before I met you: Lisa Jewell (re-read from earlier in the year, i like it)

Winter in Madrid: CJ Sansom (new, really enjoy his books, very powerful and gripping)

The Brothers Karamazov: Dostoyevsky (re-read, this is my favourite book of all time. I'm kind of reading it again over a long period)

The Red Book: Deborah Copaken Kogan (new, I enjoyed this, a good weekend on sofa book)

The Group: Mary McCarthy (new, loved it, but sad! thank god for feminism)

Love in a Cold Climate: Nancy Mitford (re-read)

Jeeves Omnibus Vol 4: PG Wodehouse (new, great fun)

Out of It: Selma Dabbagh (new, very powerful)

Slammerkin: Emma Donoghue (new and fabulous. Think Emma D is one of the best writers working at the moment)

Grand Sophy: Georgette Heyer (new, my favourite Heyer so far!)

The Light Years: Elizabeth Jane Howard (new, and an absorbing and beautiful series)

Marking Time: Elizabeth Jane Howard (new, second part of Cazlet Chronicle)

High Rising: Angela Thirkell (new and great fun)

Valentine Grey: Sandi Toksvig (new, funny and tragic, I love Toksvig!)

Confusion: Elizabeth Jane Howard (new, loved it. Love this chronicle!)



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