Friday reads, and I have a choice!

 

    I've reached one of those rare moments in the month when I don't have to read a book to meet a deadline and I'm free to choose what to read next. In theory, I could pick up any book I like, in practice it will be something from the mountaineous piles which have arrived recently, and as there lots of good things there I'm having a bit of a swither: will it be Sarah Moss's Night Waking (and I'll admit that's a strong contender as it's relevant to something else I'm doing), or perhaps Rebecca Hunt's much talked about Mr Chartwell, or maybe Sam Leith's intriguing-sounding The Coincidence Engine? 

    We've spoken about Night Waking before (there's a short mention here), and Adèle referred to Sarah Moss in her comment on Wednesday's post*. Mr. Chartwell features a large black dog - though no ordinary one - and is "an utterly inventive, moving, funny and exuberant novel"; with Winston Churchill and "shades of magical realism in the vein of Mikhail Bulgakov" [Dark Puss, this one may interest you], it's a debut which has had great reviews. Meanwhile, The Coincidence Engine involves The Directorate of the Extremely Improbable, "an organisation so secret that many of its operatives aren't 100% sure it exists", an eccentric mathematician investigating the physics of free will, and thuggish operatives closing in on a harmless Cambridge postgraduate...Mystified? Doubtless all will be become clear in due course!

    While I choose what to read next, please tell us what you are reading this Friday.

                                    ~~~~~~~~~

*One last thing, re. our A letter to the author post, I have so enjoyed reading all the comments, and it's great to hear of so many writers who really put themselves out to reply to their readers. I loved Mike's story about the couple making a special trip across the Lough to get his signature, and Julie, I take it you'll be having a stern word with Mr. Enger on my behalf! Peter, how lovely that your early experience with Philip Ziegler has made you such a diligent correspondent where all your readers are concerned. Great stories, all, and thankyou to everyone who commented.

Comments

[Nancy]

I'm about to read "My Father' Places" by Aeronwy Thomas - got it from the library. I've read a couple of other books about Dylan Thomas and was intrigued by his life (how he lived it & how he created work). I've also read a couple of books by Caitlin - that I thought of as "a great wallowing" :-) I love reading about the lives of writers.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-1209669/They-mess-mum-dad-MY-FATHERS-PLACES-BY-AERONWY-THOMAS.html

http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/dovegreyreader_scribbles/2009/12/my-fathers-places-by-aeronwy-thomas.html

[Anji]

I am half way through the Matchmaker of Kenmare by Frank Delaney. I finished Venentia Kelly's Traveling show and I just keep going with the story of Ben MacCarthy.

[Dark Puss]

If your book emulating Bulgakov comes at all close it will be absolutely wonderful!

The reprobate cat is currently nearing the last few pages of All Souls' Day by Cees Nooteboom. Next up (yes a book on a tbr "pile") is the book kindly donated to me by Harriet Devine, Sleeping with Mozart.

[Sandy]

I am just starting the 2nd of a series by Peter May. I enjoyed 'The Blackhouse' as you know, so I have downloaded the The Enzo Files series. The first, 'Exraordinary People' was another enjoyable read and so I have begun 'The Critic'.

I'm not a skilled reviwer, so I find it hard to say why these books are more satisfying for me than the Cadfael that we read this month. Maybe the plot is faster & with a bit more complexity. The sense of place remains strong, although I dont have any personal knowledge of France to judge it by. I seem to care what happens to the characters too.

I wouldn't dream of taking up Peter May's time by writing him a letter (!) but if he ever reads your blog again Cornflower, he will see another happy reader.

[Cornflower]

For anyone who is interested, the Cornflower view of My Father's Places: http://www.cornflowerbooks.co.uk/2010/01/a-portrait-of-the-artist.html
and a couple of passages from the book:
http://www.cornflowerbooks.co.uk/2009/11/good-lines-writing-places.html
and
http://www.cornflowerbooks.co.uk/2010/01/good-lines-written-on-a-postcard.html

[adele geras]

I am reading We had it so good by Linda Grant. Most enjoyable so far....and DO go for Sarah Moss. I can't wait to hear what you think of it, Cornflower. Go on...make it Night Waking!!

[Peter May]

Delighted to hear from you any time, Sandy!

[LizF]

I know it's a bit late, but can I second Adele's vote for Night Waking? I really enjoyed Sarah Moss's first book which was splendidly creepy and atmospheric so I would love to know what you think about this one.
As for what I was reading this weekend - I finished Cara Black's Murder in the Latin Quarter, one of a series featuring Parisian private investigator Aimee Leduc who reminds me very much of a French Kinsey Milhone, and am now in the middle of Jean Kwok's Girl in Translation and The Radleys by Matt Haig - all of which I can thoroughly recommend.

[Cornflower]

Thankyou, Liz, I have Girl in Translation on the tbr pile, so I'm glad to know you're enjoying it.