Tuesday 27 May 2014

BEDM Day 27: Books & books & books

The first part of this year has been a pretty good when it comes to reading. I'm not the world's fastest reader but I do love to read. It just pains me that I can't do as much of it as I would like because life very irritatingly gets in the way.

The count so far is 17 which I think is good going, especially when 2 of those are George RR Martin books which basically count for at least two 'normal' sized books.

And considering the amount of crocheting that 2014 has brought my way so far I'm especially pleased with the total. It still bugs me that I can't crochet and read at the same time.

(Cue someone suggesting audio books....I'm afraid they don't work for me, I can't concentrate on what they're saying.)


There has been a lot of talk lately about books given recent headlines but I'm not going to saturate the world of blogging with another one of those posts.

Instead this is just me giving myself a well done pat on the back for doing a jolly good read over the past five months.

Recommendation-wise I could probably throw some your way...


I feel very good about finally finishing the Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. These books require a huge amount of dedication. They are simultaneously almost impossible to read due to the incredible amount of characters and at the same time complete page turners, leaving you wanting more and more each time. The pressure that he must be under to produce the next book which has been three years in the waiting, plus the addition of the Game of Thrones series, must be intense.

Books I would wholeheartedly recommend:

  • Heft, Liz Moore
  • The Rosie Project, Graeme Simson (is there a person left alive who hasn't read it yet)
  • The Long Earth, Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter (even a not sci-fi fan like me could enjoy this one)
  • Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes 
Books I would recommend but with a warning:
  • Brain on Fire, Susan Cahalan
  • A House in the Sky, Amanda Lindhout
These books were excellent but did not make for 'easy' reading, especially the latter. 

Books you might want to not bother touching:
  • Ash, James Herbert
I hate to speak ill of the the dead but that book was just awful.

And finally - books you will see me reviewing:
  • Instructions for a Heatwave, Maggie O'Farrell
  • Black Diamonds, Catherine Bailey
On Alex's Blogging Good Read next month!

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Happy reading, whatever you choose to read.

3 comments:

  1. You're right, we have had some overlap in our reading lately! That said, I am one of the three people left alive who have not read The Rosie Project. I'm sure I will eventually, I'm just trying very hard not to buy new books. This mostly means I borrow stuff from the library instead and then when I love a book I wish I'd bought it.

    Anyway, good to see you recommend The Long Earth as that's on my TBR and I was putting it off in fear I wouldn't like it. You may well ask why then I bought it? I think I have a problem.

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  2. Your first paragraph - that!! 17 is an amazing amount, I think I've managed about 4 books this year. A very big pat on the back indeed.

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  3. Of these, I've read the GRR Martin's (of course - #GoTBookClub for life!) plus The Rosie Project (loved) and Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal (also loved). I'm interested in Heft, I keep seeing it in charity shops and contemplating buying it, but have never got round to it.

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