The Year in Books | February 2015

Considering that it was a busier than usual January, I'm pleased that I've managed to settle back into reading regularly.  I ended up reading five books during the month, four of which were set by the two local book groups I belong to.

 

For the Bath book group the January book was The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.  It's described on the blurb as an hilarious read, and whilst I wouldn't go quite that far, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I did have a few laughs. It was a light-hearted, amusing read which earned a thumbs up from the group and we may read the second book, The Rosie Effect, later in the year.

 

The set book for February is We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler which had an unexpected twist, not at all obvious from the blurb.  I found it easy to read, liked the pace and the style of writing and will probably look for others by the same author but ... I'm not sure that I actually enjoyed this particular book. It's difficult to explain why without spoiling the book for others who haven't read it, so I won't try! 

 

The optional book for February, which I read on my iPad, is Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith.  This was first published in 1950 and Hitchcock made a film of it in 1951.  I saw the film years ago and enjoyed it but have to say that I didn't think that much of the book.  I didn't like the style of writing at all and thought that the conversations and descriptions were very stilted.  Luckily it was a very short book!

 

The Calne book group chose The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng for our January read.  I said in my last post that I wasn't sure about this book as it wasn't my usual genre, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.  The characters and the story have stayed with me even though I finished reading the book a couple of weeks ago.  The writing is so descriptive and I loved the gentle pace of the story as it hinted at some of the event, allowing you to work it out for yourself, rather than the 'leave nothing to the imagination' style of other authors.  I will definitely be reading Tan Twan Eng's earlier book. 

 

I also read A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay, which was an okay crime thriller. 

 

For my February reads:

• The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall (already started)
• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (for the Calne book group)

Linking with The Year in Books @ Circle of Pine Trees.