Friday reads - Pottering about

    I am only a few pages from the end of Linda Lear's excellent Beatrix Potter: The extraordinary life of a Victorian genius, and I've been spinning it out, reluctant to leave not only a meticulously researched, beautifully written biography, but also the Lakeland world of the last century, and the book's very detailed picture of Beatrix and her abiding interests and passions. If you're at all interested in the subject, I recommend it most highly.

    Happily, I have Marta McDowall's lovely-looking Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children's Tales to go on to, and it begins, intriguingly, "Every garden tells a story, if you know how to read it." I think this will be the perfect complement to the full biography.

    As for fiction, I'm not sure what to pick up next, and I'm not short of choice, but while I make up my mind, please tell us - if you will - what you're reading just now.

Comments

[Anne B-A]

On the back of your experience I will add the BP biography to my TBR pile (which is groaning). I have always been interested in her and love the Lake District so definitely my kind of subject matter. And I love a biography so thanks for the top tip. I finished Clare Balding's Walking Home last night - what a pleasure that book is to read! I loved it and could hear Clare's voice loud and clear. If she were my neighbour I am positive we would be friends! And I have selected Rose Tremain's The Cupboard for my bedtime book tonight. She has never disappointed me in any of her writing so I am excited to be delving into her world again. Not enough time.......

[Dark Puss]

I have just borrowed Murakami's Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage from the public library. I will let you know how I get on with it (though I am sure to have a fairly positive opinion).

[Joan Kyler]

My friend Jenny gave me the Beatrix Potter gardening book when I saw her last fall. It's been lying on my bedside table since then. Maybe now is the time to delve into it. I like Beatrix Potter and gardening, so what's been keeping me from it?

[Mary]

Just picked up from the library: Consequences by Penelope Lively and Small Victories by Anne Lamott.

[Cornflower]

I'd like to read Clare Balding's book - she's great! And Rose Tremain is always excellent.
Thanks, Anne.

[Cornflower]

I've still not read any of his, but do let us know how you find it, DP.

[Cornflower]

Funny, isn't it, how even the most tempting books can lie unopened for no good reason?

[Cornflower]

Penelope Lively is someone I always enjoy; haven't read Anne Lamott, though.

[Di McDougall]

I so enjoyed the Potter biography....had the pleasure of reading it while on holiday in the Lake district ( came across it browsing in the shops there).....

[Cornflower]

To read it in situ, even better!

[cath]

Reading Marilynne Robinson's 'Gilead' just now and have 'Dora Bruder' by Patrick Domiano as well as 'All Passion Spent' by Vita Sackville- West already waiting in line. I like that first line of Marta McDowall's book.

[Cornflower]

All Passion Spent is wonderful, Cath!

[Freda]

Just finished The Fish Ladder by Katharine Norbury (not sure....) and, a few pages at a time over a month or so and still just halfway, Peter Ackroyd's Venice, Pure City which is excellent.Thanks for the link to my blog the other day Karen.

[Anji]

I shall add the Beatrix Potter titles to my TBR list which seems to be getting longer and longer. By chance I picked up a copy of 'In light of what we now know' by Zia Haider Rachman from the library. What a wonderful surprise it was. I found myself totally absorbed and quite disappointed when I came to the end of the novel and I had to return the book to the library. I am going to buy a copy for my bookshelves as it is a book that I will be returning to.

I have just finished 'Always Alys' by Harriet Lane. Currently I am working my way through three muder mystery series. Two by the American writer Charles Todd- Bess Crawford and inspector Rutledge, both are set in and around the First World War and into the early 1920's.

Finally I also discovered by chance at the library the Rizzoli and Isles,series by Tess Gerritsen. Her series is set in modern day Boston. This series has also been adapted for television and I can honestly say that the book is far better than the TV show.

It has been ages since I have read anything in the murder mystery genre and I have surprised myself that I am reading three series, all completely different in tone and style.

[Cornflower]

You seem to be on a roll, Anji!
I've made a note of the Zia Haider Rahman - thank you.

[Dorothy]

Just finished 'The Dynamite Room' and loved it. I am now starting in on Louise Penny's inspector Gamache series; I'm half way through 'A Fatal Grace' and enjoying it immensely.

[Cornflower]

You'e welcome, Freda!

[Cornflower]

I'm keen to read Louise Penny - she certainly has a great following, and seems like a very nice person.

[Mary]

I also enjoyed the Potter biography. I'm just coming to the end of The MIniaturist, which was disappointing - completely implausible and it has the feel of something cobbled together on a creative writing course. But it's our book group read so I plodded on! It's set in C17 Amsterdam - but nowhere near as good The Girl with a Pearl Earring.

[Cornflower]

I agree with you re. The Miniaturist vs. 'Girl' !

[cath]

And of course I meant Patrick Modiano. Sorry about that.

[Claire]

If you are in the mood for more Lake District biography writing I would recommend "The Poets' Daughters" by Katie Waldegrave. I finished reading it last night. It's a biography of Dora Wordsworth and Sara Coleridge.
"Katie Waldegrave allows these extraordinary women to emerge from the shadows and explores the crucial role they played in the great poets' reputations."
This is Katie Waldegrave's first book, I'll be keeping an eye open for more of her work as she writes very well. So good that I have that feeling "Oh dear, what shall I read now?"

[Caroline]

I'm reading Americanah at the moment by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I've had it for about a year on my Kindle, but finally felt ready to delve in this week and I'm finding it fascinating so far. I'd forgotten how much I loved her writing. Thanks for the Beatrix Potter recommendation!

[Lory @ Emerald City Book Review]

I have so many biographies on my TBR, here's one more to add! Right now I'm reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik, a splendid new fantasy, and putting books on hold at the library till I can make a trip out there on Monday. I have The Shepherd's Life on there, another Lake District read. Also Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson, for the upcoming reading week at Stuck in a Book.

[Cornflower]

I knew of the book, but that's a great recommendation - thank you, Claire!

[Cornflower]

Another writer I've never read! Thanks, Caroline.

[Cornflower]

I have Uprooted waiting in my TBR pile, Lory, so I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it - it does look very good.
The Shepherd's Life is excellent.

[Caroline]

I've just finished, and am still preoccupied - in a good way! - by Lawrence Durrell's The Dark Labyrinth (which in some ways reminded my of Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage which I read, for the first time, earlier in the year and cannot recommend highly enough). And I'm now treating myself to Noah's Ark by Barbara Trapido - a wise and witty genius!

[Cornflower]

It's been many years since I read Lawrence Durrell, but I found him hugely absorbing back then. I'll note your recommendation of his book and of OHB, so many thanks, Caroline, and you've reminded me that Barbara Trapido is another name on my lengthy 'not yet read' list.

[Dark Puss]

You can find out a little about what I thought about it on Morgana's Cat Speaks.