I've tried to stack my little pile over there <<< in order of favourites, but I keep changing my mind about the top 3 and to be honest, they're a real mixed bag & I'd absolutely recommend all of them for different reasons, so read on and see if one takes your fancy...
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
I went into this one knowing no more than what was in the blurb on the back, which was intriguing for sure, but I can't say the yellow cover didn't help make the decision to pick it up and Oh I'm glad it did.
This is one of the most unusual books I've ever read, with one of the sneakiest twists, but it's wonderful. It's full of conflicting emotions and vaguely remembered memories that are so relateable - even if your own childhood wasn't quite so eventful as narrator Rosemary's.
I don't want to say too much more in case of spoiling the twist, so I'm leaving it there. Loved it though, a lot.
How To Stop Time by Matt Haig
I picked this up after reading Matt Haig's 'Reasons to stay Alive' last year (which is completely brilliant and everyone should read it) - I read that on recommendation from a friend & actually didn't even realise that Matt had a stack of fiction under his belt too. Assuming they're all as good as this, my reading list is filling up nicely!
I loved this book from the first chapter. The idea is so original and the narrator so instantly likeable, I found it hard to put down. It's a bit head spinning in places, trying to keep track of where (and when) the story is taking place in any given page, but that's part of the fun I suppose.
Rumour has it this one's being made into a movie with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead, which I think could be a perfect spot of casting.
The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer
Oof! This, is one of those books that takes hold of your heart and doesn't let go. You know from the beginning that there's unlikely to be a 'happy' ending (To quote the back cover: 'I'll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name's Simon. I think you're going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he'll be dead. And he was never the same after that.'), but reading along with Matthew's history and his current battles with mental health and life in general, it's impossible not to fall in love and root for him all the same.
It's a really beautiful book; poignant, honest and deeply moving.
So we went to see Wicked The Musical last Friday (the tall one got me tickets for Christmas - It. Was. Amazing. All the emotions.) and before then, I must confess that I didn't actually know it was inspired by a book!
But, on finding that out (thank you glossy programme!) I ordered it the next day and gobbled it up as quick as a munchkin running along the yellow brick road.
It was SO good!
I feel I should point out, it's almost nothing like the musical - certainly not as upbeat, wholesome & family friendly (for the love of Oz, do NOT let your Elphaba loving kiddos read this after seeing the show!), and around the middle, it did feel like a bit of a slog with not a lot going on, but oh my goodness, I loved it.
I haven't read a whole lot of fantasy style books since I was a tiny Alice in Wonderland & Chronicles of Narnia fan, but this definitely deserves a spot on the shelf next to those.
It's dark, and funny, joyful and heart wrenching. It made me feel like I'd still love to visit Oz, but maybe just for a day. And I'd be watching my back the whole time!
Anyway, there are three other books in the series which I've already ordered, so yeah, safe to say I enjoyed it a lot. (And it turns out, Mr Maguire has also written alternative tales inspired by Alice and other favourites, so I may well have myself a new favourite with a chunky back catalogue to work through!)
Ragdoll by Daniel Cole
As you might know if you follow my (woefully underused but I'm working on it) #whatleslieannereads hashtag on Instagram, thrillers are not generally my thing. Well, they weren't. Last year, the tall one lent me a couple and I enjoyed them more than I expected to, but this one I picked out of my own free will, mostly because the blurb on the back made me think of Dexter! (One body, six victims. Yeah, bit grizzly!)
I'm glad I stepped outside the ol' comfort zone though, because I thoroughly enjoyed it - great characters, twisty-turny plot, fast moving, proper page turner. And, it's set in London, which makes it feel a lot less 'CSI' than some of the American based crime thrillers the Mr loves so much.
It's also one of those books where I couldn't help casting a movie version in my head as I read, so if you do or have read it, let me know who you'd have play Wolf - my tall one's reading it now & called it exactly the same way! (possibly we've just been together too long, but y'know... ;)
A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
I know, extremely late to the party on this one! I hadn't heard of Bob, or his human James until the movie of the book came out. I haven't seen the movie either, but remember seeing a trailer and thinking I'd like to, but never got around to it.
Anyway, I spotted this in The Works for cheaps just after Christmas and thought why not.
It's really quite gorgeous.
If you know me, you'll know I'm really not a cat lady - it's not that I've got anything against them, it's just that dogs are the best and I won't hear different.
However, I am a sucker for an animal companion story, and this is a really beautiful one.
It's also a real eyeopener with regards life on the street, how it's far too easy to take a cushy little life for granted and how we should all probably take a bit more time to be a bit more grateful for what we've got.
So if you're as late to the party as me and you're thinking about picking this one up, I'd say definitely do. It's very readable and I suppose, a bit of a real life Cinderella story. Except one where the fairy godmother is a ginger tom cat.
And that's it for January!!
As to February, I've got a few newbies lined up already but I'm always happy to receive recommendations, so do get in touch if there's something you think I'd like. Other than that, keep your eyes peeled and I'll let you know how I get on in a few weeks. (Or, keep an eye on #whatleslieannereads on Instagram to follow along.)
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