2020 Reading List #1
What I read in January 2020
This year I have made the decision to read more.
My life has always been surrounded by books. I have studied and taught literature and English in schools. But I have not always made or had the time to read for pleasure.
I have written a little about books that have had an influence on my life.
It’s difficult to narrow the list down when you’ve spent over four decades reading and enjoying the written word. But I gave it a go!
But I am pleased to say, that this year I have already nearly passed the total number of books I read in 2019!
My intention this year is to use the local library as much as possible. I live in a non-English speaking country, so using the library makes sense. They have a great selection of English books. Otherwise, it’s borrowing from friends.
I can read in my second language, but it’s just not as enjoyable (or as fast )— even though I am fluent, reading for pleasure and having the same experience as reading in my native English is just not possible (yet!).
So here are January’s reads:
- What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt: I started the year off with this stunning novel. It is an exquisitely written book, telling the tale of a man, his love, his artistic life, his family, and what happens when tragedy strikes. It is poetically and sensitively written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
- The Cellar by Minette Walters: I have always been a fan of Walters. Her novels, particularly the earlier ones, provide a great holiday read and are often a little disturbing. I read this in a day; for me, it was an easy read. The family of African immigrants and the dark secret they keep is told really well.
- Secrets of Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford: Set in two different centuries with Sea House the connection between them, this was an enjoyable read. The inspiration for the Gifford’s novel came from a real letter to The Times by a Victorian schoolmaster reporting the sighting of a mermaid. Gifford tells the tale well, weaving in myth and legend into the mystery.
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: I cannot believe I have never read this before! My previous job as a senior high school teacher with its pressures of marking, teaching 28 new texts over four years (due to moving city and jobs), and raising a family, saw a huge decline in any reading for pleasure! I have seen the series. Both the novel and series are excellent, not something you can always say!
- Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman: Living in a Nordic country this is almost required reading! Gaiman writes so well, weaving his own magic into the Norse mythology that has influenced his own writing so much. They are very real Gods, these Norse Gods! Fallible, impatient, violent, incorrigible, it is really interesting reading Gaiman’s magically woven tales.
- Orkney by Amy Sackville: A stunning novel. Beautifully written, poetic and heartfelt, it follows the change in life and love of a literature professor. I won’t say any more because, spoilers! Definitely worth reading!
- Things in Jars by Jess Kidd: It took me a little longer to read this Gothic novel, set in Victorian London. It is quite densely written, hopping backward and forwards in its timeline. The main character is wonderful, Bridie Devine, and the novel follows her investigation of a kidnapping, with some other really interesting characters that help (or hinder) her investigation. You can’t help hoping there’s a sequel in the pipeline (and I think it’d make a great TV series!)
So there you have it! January’s ‘read’ list!
I have since finished Stay With Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò, but that will be in February’s update!
Stay tuned…
Lisa is a teacher, writer, poet, and avid reader. She has read hundreds of novels over her lifetime and taught many different texts over her 15 years as a literature teacher, as well as incorporating historical novels into her history teaching. Northern Notes is where you can keep in touch.
