What’s on your bookshelf #26

Compared to last month, this month I have managed to carve out more time for reading, partly as I had a cold and was off work for a couple of days, partly as the weather has been more conducive to the sofa and a pot of tea (as I mentioned on Monday). As usual, there has been a real mix of books, all of which proved interesting in different ways.

To start, the new book from Zadie Smith, The Fraud. Set against the Tichborne case, an infamous court case in Victorian England about a claimant to a baronetcy, with Dickens and Thackery popping up as characters, The Fraud is a fast moving historical novel. The story focusses on Mrs Eliza Touchet the Scottish housekeeper – and cousin by marriage – of a once famous novelist, William Ainsworth, with whom she has lived for thirty years. The Tichborne trial gradually captures Mrs Touchet and the plot interlaces the trial, the characters and the Mrs Touchet’s life and how she has ended up where she has. I’m not normally a fan of historical fiction, but I am a fan of Zadie Smith, and this new book did not disappoint with her beautifully drawn characters, humour and little details that made the people come to life and seem real. You can read this review in The Guardian which I think sums the book up well.

Another book I couldn’t put down was Kiwi writer Megan Nicol Reed’s ‘domestic noir’ One of Those Mothers. You can read reviews here and here. The story is set in the fictional suburb of Point Heed. When a local father is convicted of the possession and distribution of child pornography, community is quick to unravel, and we see friend turn on friend, neighbour on up neighbour, all concerned as to who among them was capable of such a thing. Bridget, Roz and Lucy have been friends for years, and they and their families go on holiday every year until one year…. Anyway, a good story, well told, and I would say a perfect holiday read.

While unpacking our books, I came across a few to re-read – ones I had forgotten, ones I had loved and ones I don’t remember ever reading. Elizabeth von Arnim’s The Enchanted April falls into that first category, and as I started reading it, felt it actually fell into the third category. Published in 1922 it tells the tale of four very different women who decide to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April. They rediscover themselved in the tranquil beauty of their wisteria covered surroundings. A lovely read. Fun fact: Elizabeth von Arnim was a cousin of Katherine Mansfield.

Over in audio book land, I listened to Robin Cook’s 2012 medical research thriller Nano. I hadn’t realised this was the second book to feature protagonist Pia Grazdan when I downloaded it, but enough reference was made to book one to catch up. Following on what happened in the first book, Pia takes a year off from her medical studies to start a job at Nano, a nanotechnology institute in the Rocky Mountains. Simply put, Pia uncovers the dark side of the operation, and well, just imagine a highly unlikely change of events. The characters are a bit ‘cardboard cutout’, but if you want a decent story while cleaning or unpacking (more) boxes of books, then this works. The ending, though, is most unsatisfactory

In the non-fiction section, two very different but interesting books. The delightful Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto tells of his experiences in his line of work as, as the title states, a rental person who does nothing. He can be hired to go to a restaurant with one person, go to an event with another, or just sit in a park with a third. It is a wonderful book that really makes you think about who we are and what we do. A book you can read in an afternoon, this is a real little gem. I loved this passage:

If people are pressured by society into saying they have particular abilities, then the true value they have as themselves becomes blurred. If you say you have value because you can do particular things, you will always be judged by established social standards. So I never say I can do anything. And I don’t do anything. (Morimoto 2023:41)

The other book was one I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, David McAllister’s Ballet Confidential. If, like me, you are a balletomaine, there might not be a whole lot of new things, but gosh it is fun, with stories and anecdotes designed to win over those who don’t know much about ballet. A fun read.

This months’ rating out of 5, based on the book club I am part of:

• Zadie Smith The Fraud – 5 Victorian novelists
• Megan Nicol Reed One of Those Mothers – 4 mothers
• Elizabeth von Arnim The Enchanted April – 4 houses in Italy
• Robin Cook Nano – 3 nanobots
• Shoji Morimoto Rental Person Who Does Nothing – 5 meetings
• David McAllister Ballet Confidential – 4 pairs of pointe shoes.

What did you read this month?

The what’s on your bookshelf challenge is hosted by fellow bloggers  Deb, Sue, Donna and Jo. The idea is to share what you’re reading, what you’ve enjoyed lately share – why they resonated with you, how they made you feel, who are your favourite authors and what you recommend.

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.com