Books I read on my holidays 2013

Books I read on my summer jollies 2013, in order of reading.

Jonathan Harvey, The Confusion of Karen Carpenter

Jonathan Harvey is one of my favourite Coronation Street writers and the writer of Gimme Gimme Gimme, one of my favourite TV shows ever.  His first novel, All She Wants, I read on my jollies last summer and laughed out loud at it in a few places. Despite having had the book for some weeks, I kept it specially to read as my first holiday book.  Sadly I didn't enjoy this one as much as his first novel. I love his work on TV and wish his naughty, saucy humour would show itself more in his novels too. A disappointing 6/10.

Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl

 

I romped through this book, despite disliking the two central characters a lot - which I think is rather the point. A fab book, tense thriller. Couldn't put it down. 10/10.

James Kelman, Mo Said She Was Quirky

A novel set in the day of a life of a woman called Mo.  I would have liked to tell you more about this but at page 45 I said to myself if it didn't improve by page 100 I would give up on it. I didn't even get that far, and gave up at page 67 instead.  If the author had used apostrophes instead of trying to be trendy by not including them in his work, it would have helped.  A disappointing waste of money. 2/10

Monique Roffey, Archipelago

I read Monique Roffey's novel Sun Dog earlier this year and fell in love with it so couldn't wait to read her new one, Archipelago and fell in love all over again.  Her style of writing and the content of the story swept me away on a voyage of discovery. A beautiful tale of a dad, his daughter and their dog sailing on an adventure to try to escape grief.  I read this by the beach with the waves breaking and boats sailing by as I turned the pages.  A perfect setting to read a wonderful tale. I think I might have had something in my eye at the end though.  11/10.  Yes I know 11/10 doesn't exist but for this book it does.

T C Boyle, San Miguel

 

T C Boyle is one of my favourite authors and didn't disappoint with this historical tale of those who lived, loved and lost on the island of San Miguel off the Californian coast. Lacked a little in tension but had some excellent characters and dialogue.  9/10.

Scott Thorson, Behind the Candelabra

After seeing the movie Behind the Candelabra at the flicks a few months ago, I was intrigued to read this book to see how much of it was based on Scott Thorson's words.  It's a revealation.  If you enjoyed the movie, you'll love the book on which the film was based.  Thoroughly enjoyable and somewhat sad. 10/10.

Danny Baker, Going to Sea in a Sieve

As I'd now read all of the books I'd bought and brought with me on holiday, I had to resort to reading some of the books from my husband's pile he'd brought with him.  I didn't fancy his sci-fi much so I plumped instead for Danny Baker's autobiography (volume 1).  I was never a huge fan of Danny Baker until I was off sick from work for a prolonged and horrible time in 2009 and filled my days listening to the radio.  Being too ill to get up and turn the radio off or over when Danny Baker came on, I started listening to him and only then begain to get an inkling of the man's genius and sense of humour. I've been a fan ever since.  If you're a fan too, you'll love this book.  He knows how to write and he knows how to tell a story.  It's a very - very - funny book, I giggled and tittered all the way through, laughing out loud and often with tears in my eyes.  Looking forward to volume 2 already.  A stonking 12/10. Yes, 12/10.

Neil Young, Waging Heavy Peace

And finally, another book taken from my husband's pile of books, the autobiography of singer-songwriter Neil Young.  It's a ramble of a book, not the usual autobiography in many ways. It rocks and it rolls from model trains to cars to guitars and family and Life. Always Life.  A wonderful 10/10.
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