It's been a draining and exhausted kind of month, and I've started a new and rather complicated knitting project, so my reading time has been rather reduced. And I've been appalling at making sure to put my phone down and read a book instead before going to sleep again too. That really means I need to find a different book for my bedtime reading, as this is always a sign that I'm not hugely interested in the one on the go!
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
One of the joys of the counselling I had earlier this year - aside from the obvious mental health support - was discovering that my counsellor and I had very similar taste in reading material. She strongly recommneded the Marlow Murder books to me, and I finally got around to buying them with my birthday money last month (thanks mum!). It's taken me just four days to read this - and it's only that many as I forced myself to put it down and go to sleep last night!
As the blurb says, Judith Potts, a seventy-something crossword compiler, overhears a murder in her neighbour's garden, and decides that if the police won't take her evidence seriously, she will just have to investigate matters herself. Along the way she brings in Suzie, a local dog-walker, and Becks, the local vicar's wife.
Together this unlikely trio not only discover information which the police investigation hasn't uncovered, but develop an unlikely friendship. Their combined knowledge and skills prove the adage about the whole being more than the sum of its parts as they each make contributions that the others could not, whether it's using their personal connections, their puzzle-solving ability, or their determination to succeed against the odds.
My only gripe was with the way Colin, the vicar, and especially his wife Becks were presented. To me, this felt very unoriginal and conforming to stereotype, rather than being proper characters. The image of the 'perfect housewife' raising the children, keeping the home perfect, and just being there to support her man is alien to me and indeed all the clergy wives of my acquaintance (and there are many!). But that's a minor gripe really - and I hope that now she's developing some spirit and independence this will continue to grow through the next book(s).
I greatly enjoyed this and will definitely read the next one soon - although I do usually make sure I have a break between books in the same series in order that they don't feel too 'samey'.
The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc
Sally Parker feels unnecessary in her own life. Her husband, Frank, is busy with his financial firm, the nanny, housekeeper, and other staff look after every aspect of domestic life, and Sally is starting to wonder what the point of everything even is. When the financial crash wipes out Frank's business, suddenly everything changes and Sally discovers her inner adult.
This is a heartwarming, enjoyable and touching story - I was definitely rooting for Sally as she has to find her feet and try to keep the family together against all the odds. It's Mel Giedroyc's debut novel - I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for any more.
Bill Bailey's Remarkabe Guide to British Birds by Bill Bailey
This rather unconventional bird book is a lovely personal guide to some of Britain's birds. There's a mix of the commonplace (wood pigeons, herring gulls, blue tits), common-but-elusive (tawny owl, gold crest), and rarer treasures (gannet, or bittern), all illustrated with both photos and Bill's own pencil sketches. Facts and relevant information about the birds is supplemented by personal anecdotes which explain why they're significant to the author.
Teen bought this for me as an advance birthday present while at an RSPB reserve, and I'm delighted with it. It hasn't taught me any useful ID tips for unfamiliar species, but has reminded me that so many 'ordinary' birds are well worth a second look, and that some difficult to spot ones are all around and just need some patience (and my binoculars!). I'm feeling rather more inspired to sort out my garden bird feeders again, to see who I can encourage into my little patch of the urban jungle here. I'd recommend this for any keen-but-not-expert birdwatcher, and indeed for a beginner, supplemented by a rather more traditional guide. It's a truly lovely little book, and perfect for just dipping into.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Originally picked up as an impulse buy in the supermarket, and later recommended by a colleague, this is a lovely story of family and belonging. Marcellus, the Sowell Bay Aquarium octopus, is aware that he is nearing the end of his life. But before he dies, he wants to help Tova, the cleaner who he has formed a bond with. Cameron has come up to Sowell Bay to try and track down his father, hoping to persuade him to pay 18 years' worth of child support. The three of them both learn and teach one another about caring and community.
This was a very enjoyable read - not only appealing to the Swedish side of me with the descriptions of Tova's heritage, but also because I'm a sucker (hah!) for books about found family, and discovering where home really is.
Tova's response to grief had been to shut down, and to isolate herself from the world. Cleaning seems to be a way of maintaining control - keeping busy means there isn't time to deal with emotions, so they're bottled up and tidied away. Cameron's coping methods have been just as unhealthy, but more self-destructive. He appears to self-sabotage st every turn, on the basis that if he lets himself down first no one else can hurt him by letting him down.
Marcellus, being an octopus, doesn't face the same sort of griefs - but at the same time is mourning in a way his lack of freedom and his inability to determine his own fate. He is realistic about his death, and analytical of the ways in which he feels it drawing close. (From other reading I've done, these seem - probably unsurprisingly - very much to parallel the human experience of dying from illness or old age.)
There are lovely light touches of humour along the way, but most of all I would describe this as a tender story of love, care, and the complexity of relationships. Excellent- very strongly recommended.
Midnight in Everwood by M A Kuzniar
Based around the Nutcracker story, this is a magical tale of feminism, strength, and determination. I quite enjoyed it but at times found the language distracting (macrodontal? Just say he had big teeth!) and there seemed to be a couple of errors in the copy-editing which was a shame. It was a good story, quite well written and overall very enjoyable. 4/5
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