Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown by Anne Glenconner

“Instead of the bronzed gods we were expecting, they were all so frightfully pale because it was the beginning of the season.”

When I saw Lady Glenconner on Graham Norton I knew this was a book I had to invest in. She seemed so effervescent and entertaining. I longed to hear more juicy stories of her time with the most interesting of modern royals, Princess Margaret. Let's face it she's definitely the most exciting character on The Crown.

There is something otherworldly about this tale and I think therein lies much of its charm. The relationship of Anne with her husband just seemed so foreign  to me but compelling nonetheless to read about.

Perhaps one of the most unforgettable aspects of the book was the amount of tragedy this woman had to endure.It doesn't matter where you stand on the social sphere, we are all fallible and human.The death of one son to AIDS and one to a motorbike accident are truly horrific and you can't help but admire her tenacity.

I had an overwhelming desire, after reading this, to find some way to holiday in Mustique in full Princess Margaret kaftan gloriousness. That was in those days when travel was an option, lets hope they return soon.

 5 out of 5:  sometimes its hard when you have such stunning friends.

Beating About the Bush (Agatha Raisin #30) by M.C. Beaton

“Agatha stole a glance towards Toni. She really was a very pretty young thing, she mused. Blonde hair, blue eyes and a trim figure.”

As usual, Agatha is jealous of Toni but she is about to make the acquaintance of a rather interesting donkey. You heard me correctly. Agatha and the donkey will make national news and of course there's a rather meaty mystery involving a factory involved also.
My feelings for Sir Charles Fraith ebbed and flowed just as much as Agatha's in this one.
A severed leg, an ornery donkey and a battery factory that might just be up to something dodgy, sounds like just the kind of setting for murder, mayhem and reading till the wee hours.
Unfortunately I finished this way too quickly and now I have to wait until the next story is released which is later this year. M.C.Beaton is a legend and I love her creation.

 5 out of 5 legs in a bush are always a surprise.

Agatha Raisin and the Dead Ringer (Agatha Raisin #29) by M.C. Beaton

“And there were no bell ringers more dedicated than Mavis and Millicent Dupin. They dressed alike in twinsets:  baggy tweed skirts and brogues.”

Bell ringers, it would appear, are a strange breed. Given that they're dragging heavy ropes up and down in rhythmic patterns and enduring loud noises, I imagine things might get a little strange. The impending visit of the rather good looking new bishop's visit sets the bellringers in a frenzy and when one turns up dead, you just now our delightful detective will be back on the case.

The bishop himself has a back story - a former fiancee went missing - could he be the killer? An increasing body count will have Agatha and her friends busy detecting and this reader happily ensconced in the outcome.

5 out of 5 - ding dong.

Becoming Strangers by Louise Dean

“Year after year a fresh crop of cells emerged, excisions followed and he lived. The knife-and-forking of his body seemed to give a perverse impetus to his will to survive.”

Thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a holiday that isn't quite what its cracked up to be. An old couple is sent to an exclusive resort by their children for a much needed break and yet things aren't quite what they seem. A dying man and his wife's holiday is not the delightful last hurrah it could be. 

An attempted rape is entirely not what it seems and all around an air of deceipt and evasion acts in stark contrast to the beautiful surrounds.

Personally I found the writing engaging and in between the sensation of the summer sun, I could feel that sense that one has sometimes of a holiday as a relationship solution that never delivers. I was transported to my own recent travels with the former source of woe and the way that even the delights of travel can be tainted by the wrong company. The author excruciatingly realises that strange juxtaposition of confinement and freedom that a resort can create.

5 out of 5 : right now I wish I was isolated somewhere tropical.

Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree (Agatha Raisin #28) by M.C. Beaton

"To hell with both of them, she thought, as she settled down in front of the fire in her cottage with a large gin and tonic in one hand and a cigarette in the other."

A creepy start to this cosy cottage murder mystery when an old lady is found swinging from the 'witches tree'. Charles is his unreliable best in this one, where a coven plays a major role in the proceedings, mind you that won't stop hi from having a roll in the hay with the eponymous Agatha. Eerie as ever, the body count mounts and the intrigue builds and as always our favourite detective's life is endangered.

Agatha also brings her extensive public relations talents to bear to help Sir Charles with his financial woes. Perhaps this wasn't the best of the series, and yet it remains a delightful outing for this fan.

5 our of 5 scary witches might not be the worst problem.

Me by Elton John

“Donatella had always had a cocaine problem. Everyone knew, except Gianni. He was incredibly naive about drugs.”

Elton John has had an amazing career and he is one of those over the top characters that its hard to believe have lasted so long. If, like me, you loved the biopic Rocketman, then you will adore hearing the stories of a life lived extra large from the man himself.

This autobiography is easy to read and chatty in style, something which means the more poignant moments can cut much deeper. It demonstrates much like the fictional characters in all those versions of A Star is Born, how stardom is an industry and the face of it will be driven by whatever means necessary to appear, including feeding more drugs to someone who has overdosed, rather than treating their addiction.

Broken hearts, great songs and partying almost to death, there is so much to lose yourself in here and isn’t that exactly what we seek from a celebrity autobiography? In the end, Reg Dwight does alright.

5 out of 5 lives lived large are always tantalising.

Identity Crisis by Ben Elton

“They were a team now, him in his perfect dinner jacket, her in a seriously fabulous dress, dining at a billionaire’s restaurant, drinking champagne and drifting towards having sex in a suite that overlooked Lake Geneva. She was a freakin’ Bond girl.”

What a difference a few weeks make. Remember the confusion around gender that seemed to have the knickers of baby boomers, including one of my ancient relatives, in a twist? When men were terrified of being silenced by cancel culture for saying something deemed offensive and they couldn’t understand why. Ah those were the days. 

Ben Elton has always been a hilarious writer and yet this one just left me a little cold. Older men trying to come to grips with the concept of gender fluidity without having a heart attack; such a setting seems so remote. The notion of course is simple really. People are people and how they feel about themselves is their real human right. The idea of feminine or masculine is so often a construct of our environment. I get that here Elton is making fun to both acclimatise and entertain his readers and I don’t think I’m the target audience.

As a story there are moment of fun. Although, having watched Benedict Cumberbatch in Brexit, last week made me realise how close to the truth much of the novel becomes. The manipulation of the public through rage and emotional appeals expressed within the leave campaign aligns strongly to Malika’s tale in the book.

Perhaps I would enjoy this book more in less uncertain times. Perhaps the world we know today is a product of the age of outrage and the lack of trust in institutions. When this all boils over I might enjoy this one more.

 4 out of 5 – murder mystery + social satire, doesn’t equal upbeat times.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

"The hook for me was that the case seemed solvable."

I'd first heard about this book quite some time ago due to the tragic tale of its author who died before publication and before her hunches could be vindicated. Imagine the mystery that haunted you for years not being solved in your lifetime. I heard a number of interviews with her husband, Patton Oswald which definitely persuaded me to buy a copy, for what better tribute to someone than to read about their obsession.

The obsessive nature of trying to unmask a serial killer and the kind of people that invest so much time in trying to find answers makes for a compelling read. The characters are not the victims or the perpetrator, they are the people whose obsessive optimism drives them to find answers, despite often putting themselves potentially in danger - either physically or mentally through the process.

Michelle McNamara leaves an unforgettable legacy of tenacity and observation and a thought provoking read that is often difficult, due to the content.

5 out of 5, a woman relentlessly pursuing a monster.

Dishing the Dirt (Agatha Raisin #26) by M.C. Beaton

"Mrs Bloxby walked to the window of the consulting room and peered through a gap in the curtains. She let out a startled gasp."

I was in dire need of a dose of Agatha Raisin and the 26th offering proved all too tempting. The arrival of a new therapist in town means there's new competition for James Lacey. This lady doesn't seem to play fair. She's also found out about Aggie's less than salubrious past. When she's found strangled however, our fearless detective becomes the prime suspect.
Time for the gang to kick into action, however misguided at times, to sniff out the murderer, all while delighting me with little town drama.

5 out of 5 - big fan of the village of Carsely.

488 Rules for Life by Kitty Flanagan

“There is nothing worse than someone going too early with the pet name, no matter what that pet name might be: honey, muffin, darling, love, pumpkin, sweetheart or, god forbid, ‘babes’.”

Ladies and gents, in these troubled times do you require a bit of a giggle? Does the idea of reading some witty observations about human behaviour tickle your fancy? Are you a fan of the hilarity of Kitty Flanagan? Well step right up then folks because this is sure to tick all the boxes.

I finished the entire book in under an hour. Twas a fleeting joy but much appreciated. There is something about Flanagan's writing that is so enchanting. It reflects her comic delivery and feels like coming home to a good friend. Admittedly a friend that is likely to make you giggle, a lot.

So poke your head inside these pages and take a brief respite from the 24 hour news cycle of woe.

5 out of 5 rules that actually make sense - Kitty for Prime Minister.

Pushing up Daisies (Agatha Raisin #27) by M.C. Beaton

“That one that belonged to that murdered therapist. If you want a reasonably priced cottage in the Cotswolds, go for one that had a murdered body in it”

This year has seen me go for an absolute binge on Agatha Raisin stories. There's something so delightful about them. I'm constantly obsessed with the state of Agatha's love life, and also that of Toni's and in this outing, perhaps even some romantic overtures for the vicar's wife??

The much loved community allotment stands between the development plans of Lord Bellington and the desires of the local community. The fight for land is going to take on a body count and you know that means Ms Raisin will yet again be on the case.

The newly arrived, retired detective Gerald is providing some much needed romantic scandal and for a change this is not with Agatha. Toni and Simon are having romantic complications of their own. Oh yes, there is a lot going on and all of it delightful, well, except for the murders.

5 out of 5 - don't mess with my garden.

The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth's Past #1) by Liu Cixin

“There was no pain in that gaze, only solidified devotion and yearning.”

This highly praised Chinese Science Fiction tale is the first in a trilogy. Translation is always an interesting beast and the notes from both author and translator point to cultural knowledge that is missing in this western reader and I think perhaps that is the reason why I found it hard to immerse myself in the story at the beginning. To be honest it was a rather hard slog at the start, impeded somewhat by the footnotes which I always find to be a distraction in fiction and devoutly to be wished in non-fiction.

The story begins in chaotic times where violence is palpable and to be honest I had no idea where the tale was going at that point. There’s a secret scientific experiment that a young Ye Wenjie gets dragged into that seems to be for a mysterious weapon. At any rate once you enter the experiment area your life is not your own.

Then we skip 40 years and there are more mysterious scientists and a strange computer game. This is where things get interesting and I think I’ve already said too much. The story may have been a slow burn to begin with, but the speed and stakes get amped up in no uncertain terms. By the end of the book, I was fully invested. So much so that I bought the two sequels. I’m pondering whether to launch back into that world now that book two has arrived in the mail, or mix it up a little while I wait for the third. That way I won’t have to wait for the finale.

5 out of 5 – no wonder it won the Hugo.

The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

"I suppose its only natural you haven't heard of Adler."

Back in my naval gazing days, I downloaded this book to try and get a handle on my desire to please people and inability to say no for fear of offending people. Perhaps just recognising that fact was enough, because, frankly I didn't feel this book did much for me.
It's framed as a conversation between a scholar and philosopher and based on the teachings of German psychologist Alfred Adler.

Did I learn anything? I'm not sure I learnt anything I didn't know before and I found much within that conflicted. Ultimately this just confirmed my notion that self help books aren't really for me.


3 out of 5 navel gazers might find some fluff.

Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

"Here is a mostly complete inventory of the women that Toby had encountered romantically, both sexually and otherwise, since he first moved out of his marital home and into the Ninety-fourth Street apartment where he sat on a beanbag chair he'd bought for Solly and first understood his phone's new role in his life."

Taffy darling, I love your work unreservedly. This is such a great novel and well worth all the praised that has been heaped upon it.It has taken me an age to write this bloody review because life has been a little berserk. Work was crazy, relationships failed spectacularly,(well we all knew that was coming), the state was on fire and then the world turned toxic. Yep, crazy times all round.

What you have here though is a very interesting take on men and women and the minutiae of life. You know that thing we used to have when we could walk outside. A lot has been made of the male character being created by a female author and to that I say — its called fiction people — chill out.

Particularly impressive is the unvarnished ickiness of people and a fantastic observation of the tinder generation and the frenzy that the newly divorced or soon to be divorced can engage in before really understanding what they're getting into.

5 out of 5 - hit up your local bookstore that delivers.

Educated by Tara Westover

"After Dad took up preaching against milk, Grandma jammed her fridge full of it."

This is one of those books that seemed to be everywhere and I actively ignored....until now. I was wrong, I'd like to state that emphatically. It is hard to express how brilliantly written this is.

As a reader you are completely drawn into this rather foreign world, enough to understand the sense of contagion of ideas and confrontation in leaving a fundamentalist religion. As someone who puts an enormous store in education because I believe to question is my sense of the divine ( and I'm aware how hypocritical that sounds), this book is just so rewarding. To me it seems emblematic of the power of education to transform the world in which we all live and that is something amazing.

The writing is both emotive and compelling and I only wish I'd read this sooner.

5 out of 5 - don't take everything your parents tell you as 'gospel'.

The Cut Out Girl by Bart van Es

"Lien can keep her own name and her surname, de Jong, but she must not say anything about Mamma or Papa or family."

Definitely a slow burner this 2018 winner of the Costa Book of the Year is an intriguing read. A young jewish girl in Holland in World War Two must live a double life fostered by other families, hiding the real story of her family to survive. The author's grandparents had taken her in at some point and then something had happened. Bart van Es sets out to discover what happened and it makes for a fascinating exploration of uncertain times.

While it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the story, the intriguing premise ultimately kicked in and had me furiously reading.

5 out of 5, separation from those we love is a burden for the ages.

Skios by Michael Frayn

"She plainly wanted him to be Dr Wilfred, he could see."

Reading this, I had a rather strange experience. I'd pictured, from my reading adventures, exactly what this place looked like because to me, the author had vividly rendered the island and resort. Randomly looking for holiday destinations, back when that was a possibility, I chanced on a picture which seemed exactly what I'd imagined while reading. Needless to say the actual place was Skiathos in Greece and I have a distinct feeling that's what this invented island was based upon.

If you are seeking a bit of sun-soaked escapism, then this book is just what the doctor ordered. I loved the ideas of mistaken identities and Sliding Doors style life changes. The characters are imperfect, real and engaging. Combine the mistaken identities with unexpected social connections and you get something on the level of Shakespearean comedy. 

5 out of 5 - imagine yourself on a Greek island.

Falling Man by Dom Delillo

"The noise was unbearable, alternating between the banging shattering sound and an electronic pulse of varied pitch."

I'm currently catching up on reviews of books that I've read this year. Reading about nine eleven around the turmoil of the bushfires was difficult. Writing about it mid Corona craziness seems even more difficult.

I get the feeling that the best antidote from a literary perspective is something far more escapist. That being said, there is something cathartic about this work and it is, of course, fantastically written.

This is an uncomfortable read that left me feeling that cold sensation that a horrific memory leaves behind. In these troubled times maybe it serves as a sign that tragedy and uncertainty can be overcome in time.

4 out of 5 - maybe leave this one for less troubled times.

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

"Mary had been free to examine the world as she saw it. Willa burrowed into that freedom as if reading a trashy romance, and it made her happy for hours at a stretch.If Willa was living in Mary's house —if that shelter had stood while the world fell apart and reassembled in its crazy ways—then her family could be sheltered there too."

I have been looking longingly at my 'to be read' pile for such a long time and this lovely Christmas gift from 2018 has been tempting me for a while now. My reticence to embark on a novel of over 400 pages during the working week has —for the most part— kept that desire at bay. Eventually though, it just seemed rude not to crack the spine and see what I'd been missing.

Reading this novel piecemeal had its own challenges. While there are two stories that shift in time between each chapter, linked in the main by the conceit that I've quoted above, 5 minute reading sessions were not the best way to take the story in. Occasionally I would forget where I was and I think this is a book suited to a period of uninterrupted enjoyment, such as a long flight or train trip.

The duelling narratives are equally compelling with the central notion of a house as shelter and the notion of Occam's razor drawing them together. The house, once home to Thatcher Greenwood, a science teacher trying to teach Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to his students in a town with only creationism on the menu. His friendship with a journalist and  Mary Treat, a scientist and real-life correspondent of Sir Charles Darwin, along with his passion for teaching scientific thought are the source of never-ending woes.

Willa's is a life full of tragedy and destruction. The suicide of her son's partner has left her guardian of a baby, her husband's father is dying, her children don't get along and post Hurricane Sandy, her house is falling down. Her attempts to secure funding for the house due to its potential historical significance link to the story of the house's former inhabitant. 

So much happens in both stories, that I found I had to re-read quite a bit after I'd finished the book. That unearthed some meaningful connections littered among the words. The way the two stories weave together cemented by Dunwiddie bricks is deftly handled and only becomes truly apparent upon close examination.

We live in turbulent times and this attempt to link the horrors of climate change into the story via Tig's approach to child rearing seems ominously en-pointe in a week where the threat of Corona Virus has people fighting over toilet paper.

5 out of 5 - one to ponder.