I feel I'm getting properly back into my reading stride - something that has been missing for, ooh, a year or so. It helps that I've been discovering some Really Good Books lately - such as what I read in March. I'm finding books I'm really enjoying and, when I have to put them down, I'm already looking forward to picking them up again and re-joining the story.
I think it helps that I'm learning what sort of books I enjoy. Or maybe I should say re-learning as my taste has changed significantly.
A friend asked me today what sort of books I enjoyed. She is really into her psychological thrillers but, even though I was a BIG fan of Tess Gerritsen way back, I just cannot bring myself to read that genre of books anymore.
Don't get me wrong, I like a murder mystery, but I cannot deal with graphic descriptions of murder or ones that get me all anxious and stomach-twisty. A cosy murder is more my thing. If it's around a country house with the upper classes then all the better. (This goes for TV, too.)
As for the type of books I enjoy - well memoirs, authors such as Sarah Waters, Marian Keyes or Maggie O'Farrell and books set around the time of the Second World War (or in the time just before or after). I mention Sarah Waters - one of my favourite books of hers was a Second World War era book called The Night Watch set around 1941.
Which, funnily enough, leads me nicely to the first two books I enjoyed this month.
Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce
This debut by AJ Pearce is based around the Second World War. It's 1941 and Emmy spots an advertisement for her dream job. Working for Launceston Press, publishers of The London Evening Chronicle, this could be the first step in her dream career of being a war correspondent.
But, due to a misunderstanding, Emmy finds herself working for a women's magazine, for the problem page, in fact. And she's told in no uncertain terms by Mrs. Bird, the editress, that certain types of letters from women with certain problems are NOT acceptable. Emmy can't help feeling sorry for these women, so she takes it upon herself to write back...
The novel played out clearly in my head as a film so it was no surprise to read that it has been optioned for TV.
The Ocean Liner by Marius Gabriel
For transparency I need to tell you that I was paid to promote The Ocean Liner on my Instagram account but not here on this blog. As soon as the brief came through from the agency I did my own research on the novel. Obviously I was hooked as soon as I read 'Second World War' so agreed to the promotion.
And I'm so glad I did because this book, in fact, turned into my favourite read of the month.
It's historical fiction. My history knowledge is not my strongest point so some of the people, I'm a bit ashamed to say, I had to google whilst reading. Far from detracting me from the story, this bit of research actually helped my enjoyment. After we'd left England on the ocean liner I no longer needed to google and was just whisked away on the story.
The story revolves around an ocean liner, SS Manhattan, taking people wanting to escape the war and to return to or settle in America. Included in the passenger list is Rose Kennedy and the composer Igor Stravinsky. In addition we have two Jewish girls desperate to escape the concentration camps as well as Thomas, who belongs to Hitler Youth.
Drama, excitement and unlikely friendships. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My Blogging Secrets by Amber McNaught
I cannot remember how I came across Amber's blog even though it was recently. Maybe it was her post called Is Instagram Killing Blogs? (which, thinking about it was probably the one, and it's a great post you should read it.)
What I've read so far by Amber on her blog I've loved. Even her posts on parenting a newborn when I no longer have a newborn myself. Her writing is just so...readable. You finish one post and you need to go (once you've read the comments - she always has insightful commenters on her blog, too) straight away to another post. I'm stopping myself from binge-reading the entire blog just so I have something to look forward to. Plus she always has new content coming.
Anyway, because I love her writing I just had to buy her book which is all about her blogging journey and how she's grown her blog. I find it fascinating because (and this is another of the reasons why I like Amber's writing and blog so much) her blog is her main 'thing'. Not Instagram, not Twitter or Facebook. But her blog and her longform blog posts. Proper, readable, enjoyable blog posts.
Anyway, her book is a great read if you're interested in blogging and writing. It's independently published which, in itself, is inspiring, but also it's written in the same way she writes her blog. Personable and engaging. Highly recommended.
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