Since we last spoke, I’ve had a ridiculous amount of time to read on planes and trains—and while waiting for planes and trains—so there are an absurd number of books in today’s round-up.
Without any further faffery, let’s get into it … and this month, I’ll be keeping the reviews brief.
The Mystic Cove Series, by Tricia O’Malley
Ireland, a wild coast, a little witchy magic, and romance. I inhaled these while I was in Wellington last month. Thanks, Sue, for the recommendation.
First Lie Wins, by Ashley Elston
Thanks to whoever recommended this one in this link-up. It took ages for the reservation to come in from the library, and then, as seems to be the case, it arrived with other books which I’d also waited ages for – all of which were due back in two weeks. Heavy sighs. Luckily this twisty novel had me awake way too late reading.
The Missing Family, Tim Weaver
Take the review above and repeat. Thanks to whoever recommended it. It took ages to come in. Arrived with heaps of others. Kept me up late reading.
The Stranger Diaries, Elly Griffiths
I haven’t yet read an Elly Griffiths I haven’t enjoyed – and this one (also due back in 2 weeks) had me transfixed.
The Forever House, by Veronica Henry
I really enjoy reading Veronica Henry’s novels, and while this earlier one was enjoyable, it wasn’t up to the standard of her more recent outings.
The Hedgehog Hollow series by Jessica Redland
Thanks Sue for the recommendation …
Don’t judge me, but I binge-read all five of these (I’m partway through no. 6) last week in Sydney. One on the flight down and train to my parent’s house; another two on trains and waiting around at the writing festival, no. 4 while I was waiting for my flight on Friday night that was delayed by over two hours, and the 5th while still waiting for and on said delayed flight.
Now for the part that I know I will be judged on – I read them so quickly because I needed a break from our book club book and was putting off finishing that … which leads me to …
Book club
The World According to Garp, John Irving
This book, published in 1978, appears regularly on those lists of books you should read before you die. Well, I know this is a controversial opinion, but I wouldn’t want to die with this being the last book I read. It would be like finishing a meal with the taste of what you like least on your mouth.
There’s no denying this is a powerful book—it packs one hell of a wallop. It’s also so beautifully written it’s almost painful, but (and don’t hate on me) while the humour was clever, I also found it too dark for me. It felt very much that the “funniest” passages were at the expense of someone else and I found that cruel.
The underlying sense of sexual violence sent me scurrying off to Hedgehog Hollow for a sunshiney break and (I think) blinded me to the nuances and sub-themes around the messiness of life that reviews written by people who know about these things tell me are there. I had difficulty finding things to like about the main characters (other than Roberta, who I adored) and struggled with the concept that lust was something almost dirty that would lead to bad outcomes. In a book that was so well written I found this to be heavy-handed. My issue with this also distracted me from finding what others love so much about this novel.
Sadly, while Irving may have felt the sexual politics he wrote about would be outdated by the time this was published, there’s much he has to say that remains relevant today, giving us plenty to discuss.
While I didn’t enjoy reading it, it was the perfect book for our book club and certainly had us all talking. (As an aside I watched the movie yesterday and, well, it didn’t change my mind.)
Next time we tackle Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina … I can’t wait!
Your turn…
Deb, Donna, Sue, and I would love you to share what you’ve been reading…the linky is below.
And Anyways... 
Thanks for your recommendation and review of ‘Garp’ (which now I have read what you have said, think I would feel the same.
Yeah, it wasn’t for me…
Hi, Jo – I was reading blog posts in the order that they appeared in my inbox, and at first thought I was reading a post by a different author…until I saw the word ‘faffery!’ “This is totally Jo’s word,” I thought and then double checked which post I had clicked open. I ❤ that we know each other’s styles so well.
I absolutely loved reading and discussing Garp with both of my bookclub. That was such a valuable and eye-opening experience that I hope to do that again one day (hopefully with a book that is perhaps a bit less controversial). 😀
It so is my word lol. I loved that Garp was controversial – mostly though I love how we all respect each other enough to discuss it the way we did.
This is so true, Jo. That unconditional respect is what I love and cherish the most! This morning, Richard was ranting about something that I like, and he does not. When I didn’t engage, he rolled his eyes and said that I should be used to critical debate because of my bookclubs. I calmly replied that our fellow book club members never roll their eyes at each other, nor comment with tone. ❤
I just read First Lie Wins last month and really enjoyed the twisty tale too.
It was certainly something a tad different.
Hi Jo – I’ve bookmarked those light romance series for future reading when I finally get through re-reading the 50+ JD Robb series that I re-started a couple of months ago (I’m up to book 30). Really interesting reading yours and Donna’s thoughts on Garp – I think I’d probably be leaning towards your side of the fence because I’m not a fan of dark books. I mentioned in my comment to Donna that I wonder if the different reactions are due to the difference between Aussies and Canadians and our worldviews? Are we a simpler, happier, and lighter country than the US/Canadian contingent? It’s got me pondering….
Oh wow! That’s like me rewatching the entire 25 series of Midsomer Murders!
I think I will be steering clear of the World according to Garp and heading for Hedgehog hollow!
Hedgehog Hollow is a lovely place to visit.
I think I watched the movie of The World According to Garp back in the day, but I remember nothing about it. Glad the book worked for your book club. It’s about time for my book club to be choosing its next book, but our real-life traumas have been heavy this season so we’ll probably pick a lighter book instead. Thanks for sharing your list!
I watched the movie during the week and … meh … Sometime you do need something lighter when real life has been too real.
Hi Jo, isn’t it great when the recommendations of others in our #WOYBS group work out so well. I’ve started my first Hedgehog Hollow and will let you know but I bet it will be a completely different style to Garp. Great review of that by the way, luckily we are accepting of others views and the world is far richer because we all see things differently!
I love that about our book club (among a million other reasons, of course…)
First Lie Wins was one of the books on a consideration for the book club but it didn’t win. My sister read it, though, and she recommended it to me so I read it. It does have some interesting twists and turns.
I certainly didn’t guess the end…
It may have been me who recommended First Lie Wins as I enjoyed it. But haven’t read any other of the books in your list but the Iris series is tempting. Jo I would never judge you for binge reading. That’s a fabulous way to spend a chunk of time
I was supposed to be writing, but hey ho…
When someone else recommended Tim Weaver I checked our local library and…..they have all of his David Raker series. How good is that!
I’ve never seen a bad review so they’re top of my list for next year!
And my thoughts on binge-reading are….if you find a good read and there’s more than one – stick with them
I’ll definitely be reading more of these.
I am definitely not judging either the speed or the type of book. You did devour a lot but that’s a great way to fill travel hours for sure.
I was supposed to be writing – especially on that final massive 4 hour wait at the airport, but, well…
Ah well a good book can top just about top anything!
The Hedgehog Hollow books look charming and probably a welcome counterpoint to the darker Garp, which I haven’t read and don’t plan to. LOL Happy Reading!
Yeah, Garp didn’t do it for me … in case you didn’t guess!
Hi Jo like you I’m inhaling the Hedgehog Hollows books and have one to go. I’m savouring the Mystic Cove series and trying to read others in between – not so easy to do! I enjoyed our Book Club discussion of Garp and like you I found it a very difficult read. Your review is excellent. I’m looking forward to Anna & Tolstoy plus I’ve listed First Lie Wins, The Missing Family and The Stranger Diaries to read. I enjoy Elly Griffiths but haven’t read this one. Happy reading in October and thanks for being a Stunning co-host of #WOYBS? xx
I still have the “second generation” of Mystic Cove to go… maybe when I’m on holidays next month.
Sounds like a great list of books. You must be a pretty fast reader. Lol!