Reading: July 2021

I haven't stopped reading - I just haven't been writing about it. I keep a list of books read in my diary and always intend to review them but somehow it hasn't happened for a long time. But there is always the next month, the next day, the next book: so here goes.

1. Six Wicked Reasons by Jo Spain (fiction)

2. The Confession by Jessie Burton (ficton)

3. The Litigators by John Grisham (fiction)

4. Camino Island by John Grisham (fiction)

5. Cliffs of Fall by Shirley Hazzard (short stories, still don't like them! They always seem unfinished to me)

6. Devoted by Dean Koontz (fiction) (a disappointingly weak ending from an author I usually enjoy.)

So nothing particularly bad, I always enjoy John Grisham for an easy read and these were of his usual standard. But.....

Picks of the month:

7. Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey. (fiction) Thank goodness I reserved this book from the library after hearing a review of this sci fi / fantasy novel, because I would not otherwise have looked past the spine where someone had stuck a 'romance' sticker on it. Do not be put off if you don't like the romance genre - it is definitely NOT this. I think they read the jacket and jumped to a conclusion based on their own narrow definition of the word 'relationship'. It's a great read and a mind teaser: not a 'who dunnit' but certainly a 'wtf is going on' but just like in the best murder mystery, there are clues all the way through. I gradually got most of the pointers, but still didn't quite guess the surprising end. Highly recommended.

8. Nomadland by Jessica Bruder. (non-fiction) I had 'enjoyed' the movie, though 'enjoyed' isn't really the right word. The book was so much more! I became depressed and hopeful by turn, and overwhelmingly relieved that I live in New Zealand and not in the US. Our welfare system is not what I would like it to be, life can suck for people here, but Holy Shit! it is so much harder there. Also learned even more about what an asshole company Amazon is! But so interesting, and inspiring too, to see how resourceful people can be. And also how people can form kind and supportive communities anywhere. Highly recommended.