Today’s post is a Two-For-One! As I announced in January, I’m going to experiment this year with including my Reading Blog posts here, trying to decide if, eventually, I might merge the two. But knowing that some of you will already be reading over there, and trying to avoid a straight-up duplication of posts, I’m offering a little “value added” with the second posting of the same material.
So that IF you keep scrolling through all the snow photos in the first portion of this post, you will arrive at my Recap of Books Read in January — which I posted here a few days ago. Make sense? Okay, then. Some good books ahead, but first we’ll go for a wintry walk — guaranteed to make us want to hurry home and get cosy on the couch with a good title. . .
Finally, after weeks and weeks of rainy grey days. . . and then a week of bright, sunny, freezing weather. . . we had a weekend snowfall. My (iPhone) camera and I went for a walk. . . We started on our terrace where the fuzzy texture of the magnolia blossoms contrasted deliciously with the texture of the snow crystals. . .
Then we headed out, crossing a busy street, fording puddles of salt-y, muddy slush to find quieter sidewalks. . . .
Colour really popped, peeking out from the snow — and I probably should have taken a few shots of the chaotic chromatic action at the favourite sliding hill in the park a few blocks from here. Such fun!
But mostly, my eye was drawn to textures . . .
seed structures in particular. . .
and, of course, I’m always drawn to the juxtaposition of the organic and the constructed . . .
Like me, you might already be reading; we’re “reading” all the time as we walk. . . reading, for example, the story of the seasons in those seedheads, the tale of last spring’s buds erupting into the summer’s tiny white blossoms, the many insects that traveled the flower’s umbelliferous surface, the gradual closing-up of shop as the flowers’ advertising lost its insect appeal, and the plants’ energy turned instead to the work of making seeds, getting ready to start it all up again. . . .
Or this story. . . .
A story of ducks in the city. . . Books have been written about ducks in parks in the city. . .
I stood here for a bit watching for any hint the beaver family is still calling this park home. . . I’ve spotted the kits with their mama other years, and Spring is only weeks away. . . . Crossing my fingers I’ll see some action there soon. . . .
But by the time I’d got to the park, I was feeling the chill. They scoff at us, Canadians anywhere east of Vancouver — which is a lot of Canada! — but besides the (admittedly modest) snowfall, temperatures dipped to -10, Celsius last week, with a windchill factor that apparently got down to -15, even -25 depending what part of the city. Cold enough, in fact, to send me right back home where. . . . (here comes the segue. . . Smooth, right?) . . .
. . . .I settled in with a good book.
And in case you’re looking for something to read, here’s my record of my January Reading. . . If you prefer to read this and comment over on my Book Blog where the post appeared a few days ago, here’s the link again, and I’ll see you over there. (worth popping over just to read comments from a few stellar contributors). But if all that travel — clicking here, clicking there — makes you weary or dizzy, stay right here, please.
Or, if you’re not here for bookchat, I thank you for your company on our winter walk and welcome your comments at the bottom of the post.
What I read in January: This book year has begun well
And so it begins. . . A new Reading Journal for 2021, a small notebook received at a Creative Mornings event, back when those were still in person (sigh). . . I used one of these for 2019’s reading, and again last year (when I had to add a few pages). . . We’ll see if I run out of space again this year.
January’s titles:
1. At the Pond: Swimming at the Hampstead Ladies’ Pond. Essay collection; women’s lives; swimming
2. Virginie Grimaldie, Quand Nos Souvenirs Viendront Danser. French, contemporary fiction, aging, married life, parent-child relationship, mother-daughter
3. Anthony Horowitz, The Word is Murder. Mystery, Meta-fiction, Writing/Publishing, London
4. Ian Rankin, A Song for the Dark Times, Mystery, police procedural, Aging detective, Scotland
5. Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain, literary fiction, poverty, addiction, coming-of-age, Scotland, Glasgow, mother-child, Booker prize
6. Diane Cook, The New Wilderness, literary fiction, dystopic, mother-daughter, environmental writing, American contemporary, speculative fiction, Booker shortlist
7. Denise Mina, The Less Dead, mystery, women’s lives, poverty, prostitution, Scotland, Glasgow
And my quick handwritten responses after reading each. . .
Ignore that crossed-out scribble at the top — a book title I long ago made a note to remember
First title of the year is one I began last December (seems so long ago already!). A gorgeous, diverse collection of essays about “wild swimming” at the Hampstead Ladies’ Pond in London. This really is one to own, although I borrowed mine from the library.
As you can see, I got a bit scrambled here with numbering. Might not be the last time — thanks for your patience ;-). Book #2 somehow ended up on the next page — (I retro-numbered to match the list I’ve already started of 2021 books read, but forgot to synchronize with the journal). On the page pictured above,
Book #3 is Anthony Horowitz’s The Word is Murder. Not sure how I’d never known his writing until late last year when I read a review of his Moonflower Murders and realized I needed to start with first in that (Susan Ryeland) series, Magpie Murders. That was the last book I read in 2020, and now I’ve begun a parallel series. Both, at least as indicated by their first volumes, are clever, engaging, and very well written. Have you read any?
Below, Book #4 of the year was Ian Rankin’s A Song for the Dark Times. Some transitional work happening in this and in the last volume or two of the Rebus books has me hopeful that it will continue to hold my interest — bringing his personal and family life to the fore might do that — but I was a bit ho-hum about it. Undeniably good writing, though, always, from Rankin.
And finally, Book 2, Virginie Grimaldi’s Quand nos souvenirs viendront danser (When our memories come to dance). If you read French, this novel is both engaging, funny, and surprisingly resonant in spots for those of us with adult children. Verges close to caricature at times, and it’s easy to imagine it as a French film that keeps its audience laughing, but there are some astute, tender, and sometimes painful insights about aging as well. A good way to practice my French.
I also posted about this novel on Instagram.
#5, Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain is my year’s first entry for Recommended Reading from my Books Read in 2021. Yes, it’s dark, but I also find it redemptive in the observation, the witness, as well as in the writing itself. The insistence on complexity, on love and hope and effort — and humanity — that is too often, too easily, ignored in our perception of poverty’s ugly grittiness.
I will admit that following Shuggie Bain with Book #6, Diane Cook’s The New Wilderness was not the best strategy for mood enhancement during January’s rainy grey days. This dystopic novel, set in a near future whose urban environments poison children’s health, may have you mentally brushing up on your wilderness survival skills. But the story-telling is gripping, and besides the interest of the mother-daughter relationship, I was also pulled along by the ongoing narrative of group politics.
Still, after two of these weightier “literary” novels in sequence, I was relieved when my public library let me know that my hold on Book #7, Denise Mina’s latest novel, The Less Dead, was available. Mina’s novel was not as light as I might have hoped — in fact, her setting and theme intersect significantly with those of Shuggie Bain — but as mystery/crime fiction, it’s faster paced, and it provides relief through its professional-class protagonist, Margo. I’m such a fan of Mina’s writing, and in some ways, The Less Dead‘s ending (which I initially found frustrating, if not annoying) has me admiring her even more. She doesn’t play to the crowd, doesn’t defer to expectations of the genre. If you’ve read this — or if you do — I’ll be curious to know what you think. IG post here.
And that’s it for January reading. Because February’s a short month, and because I’m two or three days’ later with this than I llike to be, we’re already almost halfway through the second month of the year, and I’ve already got a few entries under February in my Reading Journal. And it’s snowing, here in Vancouver, perfect weather for curling up on the couch to finish my current book before I have to return it to the library on Tuesday (If you’re curious about what I’m reading right now, check this Instagram post)
So now it’s your turn, if you wouldn’t mind. I’d love to know what you’ve been reading, good or bad or indifferent. Have you set any particular reading goals for the year, and if so, did January’s reading bring you closer to meeting those? Or do you generally take a more random or flexible approach to your TBR lists? Time to chat, if you can spare a minute or two from that chapter. . .
My reading selections have been mostly light these past months. I'm challenging myself to read more meat this year. The Wild Silence, by Raynor Winn, follows her debut book The Salt Path, and addresses homelessness, terminal illness, and incredible fortitude. The writing is a bit forced at times, but the subject matter very compelling. This weekend I finished Madame Fourcade's Secret War, about the French Resistance, and it has me pondering this world that tends to negate or minimize women in leadership. A very compelling true story. I'll be looking for the Horowitz books after your recommendation.
The snow is melting here and with the frost last night, were a frozen mess this morning. There are tiny patches of blue sky and the temperature is rising. I enjoyed the snow when it was fresh and falling, and still love the light it brings into my windows.
Just finished Rumaan Alam's Leave the World Behind. Finally got it after weeks on my reserve, read it in a day. It is many things, comic to apocalyptic, keenly observed characters. Ironically, read it on a night of dire weather predictions all over the country, sheets of dangerous ice expected only to awaken to warmer temps and melting snow, had my walk in sunshine after all. Also on my list was The Well Tempered Heart by German author Jan-Philipp Sendker for my global book club. Not something I might have chosen but I am now interested in reading his first book of which this is a sequel. I enjoyed Jane Smiley's Perestroika In Paris, a children's tale perhaps but an antidote in these strange times. It has horses and Paris and so a win for me. I am about to start Jane Harpers latest, the Survivors. she is a fairly new discovery in area of crime fiction. Happy reading
Darby
I have been working my way through books I was given at Christmas but swerving now and then for distraction. I Remember Nothing by Norah Ephron this week, interspersed with Vanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies which is huge and full of fascinating history. Finding it harder to concentrate this week – not sure why – so instead I watched all of Call My Agent and now I am bereft. That book about the Hampstead Ponds intrigues me. Must check it out because, many years ago, Mr Green and I lived in a flat next to Hampstead Heath, just minutes from the ponds. Rather daftly, I never went to the Ladies' pond.
Very successful transition from your wintry walk to your January reading, especially the part about “reading” nature. I can see how merging your two blogs would work well, even though I would miss the other.
I must admit I spent the snowbound days indoors, with the occasional foray outside to protect the hummingbird feeder from snow. A flock of robins that continued to grow throughout the day also provided entertainment as they searched for berries on a cotoneaster. Lots of reading done too, of course!
Frances in Sidney
Snow hasn’t featured much in my life. It doesn’t snow in Sydney and I’ve only visited snowy landscapes a couple of times so your photos are a treat. As are you book recommendations. The swimming book is available at my local library so I’ll start with that. Thanks for your generosity.
I didn't know that Denise Mina had a new book out. I just finished Conviction and didn't like it as much as I have her earlier books. Still she is a wonderfully evocative writer and I love the descriptions of Glasgow, however gritty. Also did not know that Howorwitz had a new one either. I like his meta fiction, although sometimes the book within the book holds my attention more then the book… if follow me. Ha
We jut had a ton of snow the other day, let a day lapse for the groomers to get out and do their thing, and we are off to ski today. Packing a lunch and everything. Big day here! Ha.
Lorrie: I picked up a copy of The Wild Silence last week — partly just carried away by the experience of being in an actual physical bricks-and-mortar bookshop with real (if masked and at a distance) people and books I could touch! Also by having so admired and enjoyed The Salt Path. I have since heard that it's not as good (that was a high bar, after all), so I'm encouraged by your generous response. Compelling, if a bit forced,and on an important topic. (Plus that gorgeous cover art by Angela Harding!). The "Mme. Fourcade" book sounds interesting — (and yes, women in leadership, I just read some horrifying passages about treatment of suffragettes in US)
Darby: Thanks for drawing my attention to authors and book titles I hadn't heard of and will now keep an eye out for. (the first two you mentioned). I read Perestroika in Paris a couple of weeks ago–absolutely agree with you; it's delightful! charming! I've heard good things about Jane Harper's crime fiction. Enjoy!
Annie: You're always reading interesting non-fiction, an eclectic mix with attention to the "backlist" as well as the latest titles. I like that variety. Yes, bereft, here as well although we did stretch out Season 4. . . Keen to hear what you think of the Hampstead Pond essays. I remember visiting an aunt in London waaaay back ('67) — and being fascinated when her son-in-law, my cousin's husband, told me he swam (in one of the ponds) on the heath every day of the year, even breaking ice when necessary. Between that and an uncle who wore a busby to work . . . well!
Frances: Thanks! I did have fun with that segue 😉
I was on alert here for the birds as well and mostly stayed home the day of the deep frost so that I could keep refreshing the water with unfrozen. City birds have a tough time of it in such conditions and I feel responsible for our neighbourhood flock.
Maria: You're very welcome — pleased to hear you enjoyed the photos and that you find the book recommendations worthwhile. Hope you enjoy those swimming essays — let me know what you think, if you find a minute.
Sue: Personally, I would love her to concentrate her time on writing Alex Morrow books 😉
But I thought Conviction was hugely entertaining once I began thinking of it as a cross between a road trip and a shaggy dog story. Such a romp, and easy to imagine as a film. Not sure if her intent was as tongue-in-cheek, but that's how I read it. This latest is much different. Gritty, even more attention (than in her other books) to social concerns, and an ending that, well, messes with genre expectations.
Yes — I know what you mean about Horowitz, and I'm not sure I'll want to read more than one more in each/either of these two series. We'll see. Not sure he's at Reginald Hill's level of literary ventriloquism. The "clever" is a bit too evident and the coy might become irritating. Remains to be seen. Have fun on those trails!
youtube.com/watch?v=GdRsNDUTwcA
Wonderful trailer for a fabulous film about the Hampstead ponds. If you can access this, it is joyful. And if you can find the whole film, I strongly recommend it because you will come out the other end with a huge smile on your face and perhaps a tear or two running down your face. It came out a couple of years ago and I watched it twice, for the sheer pleasure of it.
I so enjoyed the snowy walk … but then you knew I would. 😊 I used to read a lot, but not so much recently … no idea why. I’ve a copy of Untamed by Glennon Doyle beside me as I write and a few new books on the bookcase that I received as gifts at Christmas and a couple I've ordered, adding to the pile. I think I just need to get reading back into my routine … sounds slightly odd saying that, particularly to someone who packs so much into their days that I think theirs must be longer than mine!
Great transition from walking to reading. I really enjoyed this post … I need to use you for inspiration, I think 😊
Rosie
Oops should read “ take inspiration from you “ 😊
Oh, Annie, thank you! That trailer was a delight, and I'm going to have to see if I can find the film. Wonderful!
Rosie: I think many former prolific readers are like you, surprised to find how much the practice or habit has fallen away, in their lives. I think you're right that, if you want, you can work it back in, perhaps by setting a time and comfy place for it, but being careful that it's a pleasure rather than an obligation. With the right books, that should happen without too much trouble, but I'd say you should be patient with yourself as well, and maybe persistent — our time online really has made changes to our brains such that we get distracted more easily, but luckily, neuroplasticity works in both directions. 😉
I posted on the other blog, but would be happy to post here on books in future. I love the snow and your walk and the idea of the walk and coming home to snuggling up with a good book. That is joy.