What’s on your bookshelf: January

Thistles and Kiwis

One of the most enjoyable things in life, that many of you will agree with, is curling up with a good book. Perhaps a cup of tea or a cool, summer drink on the side, maybe even a biscuit (or two) to nibble on. There are times though when our ‘reading mojo’ vanishes, for whatever. This happened to me at the start of the year, when I found the printed word was less interesting than a trashy movie. Anyway, luckily, it has now returned and I am reading again, getting lost in words on paper on the bus and nearly forgetting to get off. Anyway, on with recent reading, and please note that the books in this post are from December and the beginning of January. I forgot to take pictures of all the books, but you know how it is!

First up is Nanaka Hanada’s The Bookshop Woman which I borrowed from the library. It is the tale of Nanako who has just split from her husband and finds that the bookshop where she has worked for years is no longer what it was. She joins a site called PerfectStrangers where she meets people and recommends books to them, and gradually finds her own purpose in life again. It is a heartwarming book and recommended for a cosy evening.

Another book for a cosy evening is Rebecca Tope A Cotswold Christmas. I never normally pick a Christmas theme book to read at Christmas, but I spotted this on the library shelf. There are the usual false leads and great story telling, with added snow.

I should say thanks to Alan Carter for his Tasmania set Prize Catch which broke my reading malaise. A taught thriller that would be good on the small screen, it fairly zipped along with a tale of ex-SAS soldiers, salmon farming and death and mayhem in Tasmania. A lot of blood and guts but a good story.

I really enjoyed 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown resident word expert Susie Dent’s first novel Guilty by Definition which I will describe as a lexicographer themed detective novel. There was a lot to enjoy about this erudite and witty book, with the discovery of what really happened around the death of the main protagonist’s sister. A fun read if you like words and a good mystery.

Catherine Newman’s Sandwich was a good summer read about three generations of one family on holiday in Cape Cod. It is funny, has relatable characters and one can just imagine the events unfolding. There is a good review here.

I was unsure what to expect when I picked up The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, but I was gripped immediately. A skeleton is found during excavations in 1972 – who was it? The answer is not revealed to the end of the book, and the story that leads to this is a fascinating tale of Jewish immigrants and African Americans who live together on Chicken Hill in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the 1920s and 30s. I highly recommend this book, which for me opened up whole new worlds. Another good review can be found here.

If you are looking for a good holiday read, I can highly recommend Richard Osman’s latest book We Solve Murders. Probably lots of you out there have also read it – I know many who have. This was such fun and no doubt the start of a great new series with a whole host of new characters. It is a completely crazy story but hard to put down and very funny.

I also read two sequels, always a problem as will they be as good as the first one? Satoshi Yagisawa’s More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop was a bit of a let down, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first in the series. However, it was still a good read, carrying on the story of a bookshop and all the people that come and go, the owners and their friends. I did, however, enjoy Miye Lee’s sequel Return to the Dallerugut Dream Department Store just as much as the first volume. These books, about a department store where you can find dreams of all sorts to suit your mood and needs, are totally out with my normal reading styles, but I love them.

I listened to Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding (serialised on BBC Radio), which is better than the film and very much of its time. From the library I picked up David Rosenfeldt’s The More the Terrier which was fun as usual and Elly Griffiths The Vanishing Box, the 4th in her Brighton set mysteries.

There were also two food related books, the first of which is Stanley Tucci’s What I Ate in One Year which was a very welcome Christmas present and another great holiday read if you like him and food. I also acquired Julia Busutill Nishimura’s latest cook book Good Cooking Every Day, which has many book marked pages but from which I have yet to make anything from.

In summary:

  • Nanaka Hanada’s The Bookshop Woman 4 books
  • Rebecca Tope A Cotswold Christmas 3 mince pies
  • Alan Carter Prize Catch 4 salmon (really because it got me reading again)
  • Susie Dent Guilty by Definition 5 words
  • Catherine Newman’s Sandwich 5 seaside holidays
  • James McBride The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store 5 challah loaves
  • Richard Osman We Solve Murders 5 adventures
  • Satoshi Yagisawa More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop 4 bookshops
  • Miye Lee Return to the Dallerugut Dream Department Store 5 dreams
  • Stanley Tucci’s What I Ate in One Year 5 bowls of pasta
  • Julia Busutill Nishimura’s Good Cooking Every Day – to be rated once I try something from it

Entered in 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 and 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.

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

30 Comments

  1. Hi, Barbara – I am glad that your reading mojo has returned. Losing reading mojo happens to me as well, usually when my calendar is just too full.
    This looks like an excellent selection of books…just don’t forget to get off of the bus! ❤

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  3. As always some good selections here, Barbara. I enjoyed listening to We Solve Murders and had a few chuckles throughout. I particularly loved Nicola Walker as narrator. Stanley Tucci is a favourite so I think I would enjoy his book. We all lose our ‘reading mojo’ I think. For me, if I’m busy or if I have a run of books that just don’t grab me that is when I usually lose my mojo. I’ve become better and DNF rather than plodding through. Thanks for sharing with us at #WOYBS? it is always a pleasure to read your posts. x

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    1. I think everyone I know who has read We Solve Murders has enjoyed it. You would enjoy the Stanley Tucci I think. I always enjoy #WOYBS each month so thanks for hosting.

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  5. I am looking forward to the new Richard Osman – I have read all his other ones.

    I had not heard of Rebecca Tope and then my sister brought me 4 of her books at Christmas – not started on them yet – and then I see her in your list!

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  6. I started this year reading too! I used to love reading but got tired of it with all that was going on with life. Recently, I started to get back into reading and it’s become an enjoyable experience again.

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  7. I have Dallerugut Dream Department Store and can’t wait to read it when I’m feeling in the mood for it. Agree with you on More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop- wasn’t quite as good as the first.

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  8. Oh I want to read Susie dent’s book Guilty! I didn’t know she’d written a book. I gave my husband the new Richard Osman and he enjoyed it. It’s now waiting beside my bed for a time when I can pick it up and start reading! So many great books you’ve listed. Thanks for joining us and I’m glad you’ve got your reading mojo back 🙂

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  9. I enjoyed Sandwich too (it didn’t hurt that my family used to spend at least a few days to a week on Cape Cod every summer growing up) but I was surprised at how many people HATED it. Like viscerally loathed the book and tore it to shreds in their review! I’m always puzzled when I hit a reading slump… is it me? is it the books I’m picking? etc. Thankfully they don’t usually last too long!

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    1. I just stumbled upon Sandwich by chance and had no expectations. I enjoyed it and can’t imagine why someone would hate it – I mean we all have different tastes of course but it was well written. I agree about reading slumps – mine came in the middle of the holidays when I usually read a lot.

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  10. Currently I’m in the middle of The Last Devil To Die, a Thursday Murder Club mystery. Aside from knowing who Tucci is, I’m not familiar with any of these authors. Something to explore, thank you.

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  13. I’m yet to read the latest Richard Osman, but am saving it for next month’s long haul flight. I’m currently listening to (and loving) Stanley Tucci.

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  15. Thankyou very much for the shout out and glad you enjoyed Prize Catch! 🙂 On a kiwi note the 3rd in my NZ-set “Marlborough Man” series will be rleased in October. Hope it tickles your fancy. best Alan Carter

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