Halloween and Remembrance Day have come and gone, my friends. And you know what that means. No, not that. Heaven forbid I’d start talking about that holiday so soon. No, I’m talking about the time of year when the clocks have turned back and darkness comes early, so we draw the blinds and light a fire, and settle in for good long read. It’s that time. The time to think about hibernation, and hibernation lit.
I didn’t come up with that moniker on my own. I read it in an email from The Guardian. And it struck a chord with me. Hibernation lit, I guess, could be whatever you want it to be.
Hibernation lit might be books about hibernation, if you want to get literal. Which reminds me that I need to finally read Katherine May’s book Wintering. I’ve written about it before. I even ordered it for my sister a few years ago because I thought it might help her get through a particularly difficult winter in her life. But I’ve never read it myself. I love May’s idea that we all need “our fallow season,” as Kate Kellaway says in her review of May’s book. May believes that we must learn to love winter. And in these current winters of less and less snow, and thus fewer and fewer opportunities to do what usually helps Hubby and me survive winter, I may need the extra help this year.
Of course, winter can be beautiful. Especially if we do get snow, followed by crisp sunny days. Those days are the best. A long cross-country ski in the sunshine, followed by a late afternoon read by the fire is the best part of winter for me. But old lady winter doesn’t always give us what we want, does she?
Below is a photograph taken by my niece who lives in rural New Brunswick. She called it “Ice Road Commute.” You can see the wind whipping the snow across the icy road and just know in your heart of hearts that there will be invisible black ice there somewhere. Windswept sections of road are the very worst. This image makes me shiver and clench my hands as if I’m the one gripping the steering wheel.
Oh, god, I remember a couple of times on my commute to work back in the day, hitting black ice and losing total control of the car. Just holding the steering wheel steady and waiting to see where I would end up. Which, one time, happened to be on the verge, on the wrong side of the road, facing back the way I’d come. Hearth thumping, breathing hard, and needing a couple of minutes before I could attempt to get moving again. Sometimes driving to work was the most stressful part of my day.
And like Krista, I’ve driven home a few times in conditions like these below. At least she could see the vestiges of the tracks of previous cars. “Where’s the road?” is a game that many rural Canadians have played over the years.
That’s our little street below, on a snowy day a few years ago when I last played “Where’s the road?” It had been snowing all day and, by mid-afternoon, our road had not been plowed. But our street is a dead end, and I knew that, up ahead, there was a checkered sign that basically signalled the end of the line… if one didn’t want to end up in the river. So the game was easy. If I aimed for the checkered sign, and stayed to the right of the telephone poles, I’d be in the middle of the road. Didn’t mean I’d be able to get in the driveway, but at least I wouldn’t be in the ditch. Ha.
So, in anticipation of a long winter with many days of too little snow, or too much snow and wind such that no one in their right mind who didn’t have to go out would do so, I am thinking about hibernation. And hibernation lit. And maybe you are too.
I mostly do not want to read about hibernation itself, with the exception of Katherine May’s book. So I am stockpiling titles, and thinking of good books for fireside reading. Hibernation lit for me means juicy, engaging books. Books with substance sometimes, and humour and lightness at other times. But always books with well drawn settings depicted with imagery and detail. And engaging characters who I care about. And plots that draw me in.
I’ve ordered S.J. Bennett’s latest “Her Majesty the Queen investigates” mystery The Queen Who Came in from the Cold. I loved the earlier books in the series, when the queen is elderly and working with her young assistant private secretary Rozie to solve crimes. The queen’s retired assistant private secretary and very first assistant crime solver, Joan McGraw, helps to mentor Rozie in her new role in these books. Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Bennett has taken us backwards in time to look at Elizabeth when both she and Joan were young. I love that she did this, and I’m looking forward to reading this new book.
I also have Elif Shafak’s novel There Are Rivers in the Sky on hold at the library. As well as Fredrik Backman’s latest, My Friends, and Niall Williams’ Time of the Child. Don’t ask me why I have placed these books on hold. I often read an article or a blog post from a trusted source and place a book they’ve recommended on hold. Or the book has been suggested by one of you guys. But if the book has a long queue, I generally forget who suggested what.
I do remember that the Niall Williams book was on the One Tree Books Sunday list on Instagram last week. I love this little book shop. Too bad it’s in the UK. You can follow their Instagram feed here if you like. I have found several great books from their suggestions, including You are Here by David Nicholls which I adored and about which I was quite zealous in recommending to all and sundry.
In fact back in September when hurricane Gabrielle ensured that our flight to the Azores was diverted to Lisbon, and at Lisbon airport we stood in one line after another for hours, I saw a young woman reading Nicholls’ book while she shuffled along with the line. As we passed her for the third time, you know how these lines bend back upon themselves, I noticed she was only just starting the book. So unable to resist, I reached out, tapped her on the forearm, and when she looked up, I said, “That’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. You will love it.” She looked startled, then smiled, and said, “Thanks so much.”
The One Tree Books list is also how I discovered Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd. Another book I am quite zealous about. There’s a sequel, by the way. The Predicament is on my list for winter survival reading too.
I’ve read quite a few new books in the past few months. Several which I ordered and read when we were travelling. Jane Casey’s The Secret Room did not disappoint. If you’ve been reading Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan- Josh Derwent series, you have to read this one. Trust me. That’s all I can say. I also read the latest Thursday Murder Club book by Richard Osman. The Impossible Fortune was great, as usual. Hubby didn’t like it as much as I did. But I just love Osman’s characters. And his writing.
Anne Cleeves’ The Killing Stones featuring the return of the character Jimmy Perez from her earlier Shetland series was good too. The Killing Stones is set in the Orkneys and not the Shetland Islands. We visited the Orkneys when we were in the UK in 2005 so I really liked it for this aspect. Cleeves is such a competent writer.
Just before we left on our trip I read the latest Lynley book from Elizabeth George. I’ve been reading Elizabeth George for years and years. I remember back in the nineties my book-loving colleagues and I would wait impatiently for the next novel in her Thomas Lynley series. I always love a good Lynley book, and I enjoyed A Slowly Dying Cause.
Hubby and I tried to watch the latest effort to bring Elizabeth George’s Lynley books to the small screen. Sheesh. I am always mystified that television creators can get Lynley and Barbara Havers so very wrong. Time after time. This latest series was sooo flat. The characters had no depth. We barely stayed awake long enough to make it through the second episode.
And speaking of television remakes, we recently watched the newest Maigret series with Benjamin Wainwright. I scoffed so much through the first few minutes that Hubby had to tell me to be quiet. But in the end we loved it. The creators updated the series. It’s still set in Paris, but now and not in the 1950s. And almost unbelievably to me, the creators kept to the original quiet, slightly introspective vibe. The characters feel right. Both Wainwright and Stefanie Martini as Louise Maigret are really good. And the plots are interesting.
We thought no one could do Maigret as well as Michael Gambon, until we watched the 2016 version with Rowan Atkinson. Atkinson’s Maigret was wonderful, and Lucy Cohu as Madame Maigret was perfect. There’s a slowness and a stillness in both of these earlier series that the new one matched. We are hoping there will be another season.
In the meantime, I am on the look out for potential hibernation lit. Something big and juicy and wonderful, in the vein of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, or Kate Atkinson’s A God in Ruins. Or a wonderful historical fiction. Since our trip I’d love to find some really good historical fiction set in Spain. Kind of like Philippa Gregory’s series about Henry VIII and his wives which I loved. The Constant Princess featuring Henry’s first wife Catherine of Aragon is my favourite. I also loved all three books in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy… long and dense as they were. Or perhaps I might find something small and perfect and gentle like Anita Brookner’s Hotel du Lac or Barbara Pym’s Excellent Women. If you have something spied out that might work for me, let me know.
Tonight we’re having our first wood fire. The house smells slightly of woodsmoke right now. And is toasty warm. The red wine is breathing and Hubby is diligently making dinner, as he does on blogging days. And most other days, to be fair. Ha.
So I’m going to close now. In a minute I will be on mashed potato duty. I am the constant mashed potato princess in our house. A well-deserved title, if I do say so myself.
Please share with us in the comments your picks for hibernation lit. Tell us the books you’re stockpiling for winter reading. Or pass along favourite reads you think we’ll like. Don’t forget to tell me about any historical fiction set in Spain that you’ve read. I am intrigued by their history.
P.S. The book links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking my link, I will earn a small commission that helps to pay my blog expenses. If you’d like to support the blog, but prefer to head to the library instead of buying, you can always buy me a coffee. 🙂
84 thoughts on “Time for Hibernation Lit”
I adore the One Tree Books weekly Instagram posts and admire how they found ways to keep their business going after the building fire earlier this year. Now it is business as usual and I’m sure they’ll have many happy holiday book shoppers.
I seem to be in a book lull with nothing to recommend, but I just finished watching all seasons of The Good Karma Hospital and loved it. Strong women characters, contemporary Indian and British mindsets, and that feeling of constant hot, humid weather that never happens here in the PNW.
And once you are ready for a holiday mindset, The Christmas Chronicles by Niger Slater is a warm, comforting book that has short chapters to read as the season progresses. Yes there are some recipes included (which are mostly way beyond my capabilities) but I enjoy imagining the taste and bypassing the calories!
I think I’ve heard good things about that Nigel Slater book, Christine. I will look for it. Thanks.
I am reading A Marriage at Sea which is compelling and hair raising and thought provoking. 😳
Recently finished and can highly recommend: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and also West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. Both were wonderful.
Love the Correspondent
Me too, and have recommended to a few friends!
My book club is reading West with Giraffes for December. I’m anxious to start it, having heard from you and others that it’s a great book.
I love when a recommendation is seconded and third-ed. Ha. I’ll look for both those books. Thanks, ladies.
I don’t like the look of your icy , snowy roads but I suppose you know what you are doing . We rarely have heavy snow so tend to hibernate until it melts . I had to learn how to cope with driving flooded roads around York but the flood defenses are much better now so there isn’t the same problem.
I enjoyed the David Nicholl book but seem to be the only person I know who couldn’t get on with the S J Bennett series . Ah well . I worked my way through the eleven Vera books & loved them . The Shetland series is on my bookshelf / kindle but I watched the tv series & need to forget the plots so I can appreciate the books . Looking forward to meeting up with Jimmy again . We are currently watching the latest Shetland series without Jimmy & I think I’m getting used to it now . A series we really enjoyed recently was Riot Women by Sally Wainwright who wrote the excellent Happy Valley . Very different but a wonderful cast & set in Yorkshire too . I love all her stuff . For Spanish historical I’d suggest Jean Plaidy . I read her Isabella & Ferdinand trilogy many years ago & loved it . Not sure how it reads now but it’s cheap on kindle if you wanted to try it .
I read the Shetland series before watching the tv series. Loved the books and appreciated the tv portrayals. I’ve reserved the newest Jimmy Perez book and can’t wait to read!
Didn’t Sally Wainwright write Scott and Bailey. I loved it. Stu not so much. I will look for that Jean Plaidy series, Wendy. I just looked her up because the name is familiar… and find out it’s a pseudonym and she also wrote under the name of Victoria Holt, whose books I have read.
The S.J. Bennett books can be a bit silly. And in my heart of hearts I think that one needs to be a royal watcher to actually enjoy them. 🙂
Sue,I’ve made bets with myself during the day: will it be about travel or about books?
My choices won’t help you: new S.J.Benett is waiting on my shelf,as well as There Are Rivers in the Sky (and new Robert Galbraith),I’ve read Wintering, The Impossible Fortune,The Killing Stones(and loved all of them),A Slowly Dying Cause is on my list,too. I’ve finished Louise Penny’s The Black Wolf,but you don’t like her. I’ve read a lot of Maigret books many,many years ago,didn’t watch any of the series. Started to watch old A Touch Of Frost recently
Following your recommendation,I went down the rabbit hole with Simon Mason and both of his series,so good,thank you (although little Ryan is the only nice and decent character . Nevertheless,nobody is perfect,so I love them all).
It is evening here,after a beautiful Sunday,18°C-I’m going to have nightmares after Krista’s photos
Dottoressa
We are twins, my dear. Ha. I also think that Little Ryan is the only actual good character in Simon Mason’s series. Although the latest one seems to have gone some way to redeem his father in my eyes. I was growing impatient with his character and finally became more empathetic with him in the last book. Also I think that Mason has plans for him that may involve getting his life together. 18°C is so lovely…. enjoy it!
I recently read Euphoria by Lily King and could not put it down. That doesn’t happen often as I get older!
Oh, me too, Susan. Absolutely loved that book.
I love This is Happiness by Niall Williams and do stay on the list for Time of the Child, another winner of his. The Correspondent is brilliant, and I have heard even better on audiobook as so many different characters read by different people. Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce was an odd little book I picked up because Ann Patchett recommended it. Took me a while to get to it, but quite enjoyed it, found it very thought provoking. In anticipation of The Black Wolf by Louise Penny being released I re-read The Grey Wolf. Both are very timely books written by a wonderful Canadian author.
Thanks for the suggestions, Judy. I will put my name on the list for This is Happiness, and read it first. Love Rachel Joyce’s novels. But sorry to say I can’t abide Louise Penny. 🙂
More rain and fog here in the PNW. Perfect for reading! Agree completely about translating The Lynsey Havers duo to a series. Utter fail. Also, sad to say Louise Penny’s Three Pines with Alfred Molina.
Some books to enjoy: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, The Treasures by Harriett Evans, a new to me series by Stella Rimington. She was the first woman to be head of MI5. I am gobbling them. The Elly Griffiths series with DI Nelson and forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway are hit to be missed. Start with The Crossing Places.
Ok, that should get you started!
Agree about the Three Pines series… but have to say I don’t like the books either, so maybe I’m not the best judge. Also love the Elly Griffiths books, especially the Ruth Galloway series.
I will look for the Stella Rimington ones. That’s a new name for me. Thanks.
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys is set in Spain just post Franco.
As young 20 somethings we travelled around Europe for a year including extensive time in Spain. I wish I’d been more aware that we were in the historical post Franco time. This book explained a lot.
I found I had a copy of Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court on my bookshelf. I think from when my kids were in elementary school now almost 40 years. I decided to take a look at it before recycling it out to the used bookstore or to the grandchildren. I’m in the middle of it, but I have to say I’m completely absorbed. Is it the first time travel book? I’m really enjoying it.
I’ve stocked up my “to read” shelf with my hibernation lit. Here it’s hibernation from gray rainy days and maybe some snow.
I got behind on my Louise Penny but now have The Gray Wolf, also Kate Quinn’s The Diamond Eye, Philippa Gregory’s The Last Tudor, Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet and Judith and Heather Morris Cilka’s Journey which continues from the Tattooist of Auschwitz on my way”to read” shelf.
My other hibernation life savers are baking and sewing and I have piles of recipes pinned to try and stacks of fabric in my sewing room.
My winter will be more home bound than usual as waiting for a new hip I will not be venturing out in ice and snow for fear of falling and my husband will be recovering from a second surgery related to his prostate cancer diagnosis.
Fortunately we’re in a lovely space with a wonderful ever changing view of the seasons and the weather so hibernation can also include lots of looking out the windows.
My mum and I read the Phillipa Gregory books avidly a few years ago. I’d buy then for her for Christmas and then she’d lend them to me when I visited. Win, win. Ha. I can’t remember why we stopped. But I have not read The Last Tudor. I see our library has it in Audible form so I’ll order it. Perfect to sit and listen while I knit.
Hope your quiet winter for you and your husband goes well. 🙂
I recommend any and all of Geraldine Brooks books for historic fiction. Probably the best of them is March or Year of Wonder. Ms Brooks is a master!
I discovered Geraldine Brooks when we visited Australia a few years ago. I really enjoyed People of the Book.
Neither of these fit what you’re looking for, but I want to mention them as I really enjoyed them. ‘The Codebreakers Secret ” )goes back and forth between WW II and present, mystery and a bit of romance) . And “The Secret Life of Sunflowers,” about Vincent Van Gogh. I was in Arles, France, while reading this and found most of what I read to be true according to our guides in Arles.
They will go on my list, Holly, thanks. Isn’t it fun to read a book set in a place you’ve been? I may try that Van Gogh book first. We visited Arles a few years ago.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is an excellent read that I’m sure you would enjoy,
Brrr Just seeing those pictures makes me cold. I hope you’re staying warm by the fire.
Loved The Correspondent!
Okay that’s two more votes for The Correspondent. I just ordered it from the library and I am 344th in the queue. 🙂
Here is a fascinating book for you,
MY FRIENDS. by Fredrik Backman
I’ve already ordered that from the library. Thanks for the suggestion. I remember I loved Bear Town.
Sue I do hope you’ve read This is Happiness, a prequel (of sorts) to Time of the Child. Each book can stand on its own, but having read Happiness first, I enjoyed Time all the more, as the characters were already familiar, and I was so thrilled to meet them once again.
I will, Sarah. I just ordered This is Happiness from the library. The queue is much shorter than for Time of the Child. 🙂
I just finished Isola by Allegra Goodman. This novel was based on the life of Marguerite De La Rocque de Roberval. Recovering from Cataract surgery, I needed an audible book and this one delivered big time! Now that my eyes are great again, I have started Black Wolf. Thank you all for sharing great winter reads!
I’ve not heard of Allegra Goodman before. I will check out her book. Thanks, Kathleen.
I loved You Are Here by David Nichols. The audio book narrator is excellent.
I think it’s a marvellous book. 🙂
Thank you for the recommendations. I just read Backmann’s My Friends. My only complaint is the gratuitous and constant use of the F word. I understand that it was a literary definition of the character who used it, but it was so overwhelming in how often it was used. I also read on your recommendation The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Loved it so much I ordered it for my sister. Finally, I am reading for the first time Vanity Fair. Yup, that great big book. I had never read it. We all know the plot, but Thackeray is so clever and funny. Really wonderful satire. It’s the perfect book to read slowly.
It’s wonderful to read an old book and discover you love it, isn’t it?
I’m immersed in and greatly enjoying the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. It’s a sweeping historical fiction set in 14th century Norway, following a young woman through her life.
Sounds interesting, Ruthie. Thanks.
Malheureusement aucun des livres que vous citez n’est traduit en français ! Cela me contrarie beaucoup.
Je lis en ce moment des livres sur la “petite histoire” des châteaux de la Loire .C’est parfois bien plus surprenant et plus intriguant que des romans.
Cela est d’autant plus intéressant que j’en ai visité la plupart ce printemps.Cela a été un voyage extraordinaire a travers le temps.
I am very surprised no one has mentioned/recommended Theo of Golden…I love it a bit more than The Correspondent and did not think that could happen. Both are wonderful books.
Theo of Golden looks great. 🙂
Theo of Golden looks interesting. Reminds me of some Irish literature I’ve read. I might give it a try.
But I was surprised by the plot summary which describes “a man who moves into a southern city.” I had to look around to find out that the author grew up in Georgia in the U.S. So I guess the novel takes place in the southern U.S. But it kind of niggled at me that the publishers or reviewers or whomever assumed we’d assume it was in the States. Oddly enough I kind of assumed it was Greece. Ha.
Ali Smith: “Autumn” (Booker Prize winner). Listened to it on audiobook (Hoopla) and it is
fabulous. Her mastery of the English language is profound.
“Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne-Jones (also audiobook on Hoopla). Although it is a young adult book, it speaks of aging in a very funny, sardonic way. An 18 year old girl is turned by the Witch of the Waste into a 90 year old woman. The reflections of the heroine on her changes superbly described. Both are insightful about aging and love in very different ways.
(And speak to my caring for my very old, 94 1/2, mom in assisted living/memory care)
And yes to “You Are Here”, fun read.
Not on the subject of books, Mary, but I just wanted to say that I lost my 95-year-old mom earlier this year after five years of caring for her in an assisted living facility while dementia took an ever-increasing hold. I have become more and more aware of women in our age demographic with similar responsibilities … I hope you are well supported by other family members.
I’ve never read any Wynne-Jones books. I might try that one. Caring for an elderly relative always leads to introspection, doesn’t it? I know my sister and I found that so. But I would imagine that is especially poignant when memory or dementia issues are involved.
I recently enjoyed Endling by Maria Reva which takes place in Ukraine and Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal which is set in Russia. But probably my favorite book of the year so far is The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck.
Three interesting suggestions that are totally new to me. Thanks, Nancy.
Hmm, a wintry historic mystery. Just the thing!
Has anyone read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon?
It takes place in Maine in the late 1700’s. A woman who is the towns’ midwife is called upon to inspect a frozen dead man, and determine how he died.
It’s an intriguing mystery, and an interesting look at life in that time and place.
Yes! A friend recommended it and I liked it a lot!
I also thought this was very good. Historic mystery.
I borrowed this book from the library back in 2024 and for some reason never finished it. Maybe I should have another go.
The Frozen River was an amazing and interesting book. I heard the author interviewed on NPR (here in the US) and was so intrigued.
Two novels that I can’t stop thinking about are “The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’ Farrell and “Buckeye ” by Patrick Ryan. Two completely different books set in polar opposite worlds, but both so absorbing and heart wrenching. You might also enjoy following Parnassus books on Instagram for book recommendations. It is the bookstore owned by Ann Patchett. Every Friday she recommends a ‘new to you’ book. I have found some really wonderful reads based on her suggestions. I also love everything she writes! I live in Tennessee and have visited her wonderful store in Nashville several times. Enjoy hibernating-my goal is less phone time more book time during this coming winter/cozy season!
I agree, Jill. I also love Ann Patchett and will read anything she writes. Following her on Instagram has given me several great suggestions of books I didn’t know about.
The Marriage Portrait was brilliant, I think. I used to teach the Robert Browning poem, “My Last Duchess,” which is based on the main character’s story. And knowing something about the character already gave the book so much more richness for me. And I loved the ending. Can’t say why for those who haven’t read it yet!
Spain is my favourite of the countries I’ve visited, both for its vast and varied landscapes and its complex history, both recent and distant. Not fiction but for a readable overview of what led to current Spain I recommend Ghosts of Spain by Giles Tremlett. Tremlett is a british born journalist/historian who has made Madrid his home for many years and has a mix of both insider and outsider’s perspectives. For an affectionate view, pretty pictures and snippets of history Michael Portillo’s TV series on various areas in Spain is worth watching too. Victoria Hislops The Return is set partly in contemporary times and partly during the Spanish civil war and describes the angst of families who were divided.
Oh, thanks, Lilbet. I will look for all three recommendations. 🙂
I highly recommend “Guilty by Definition” by Susie Dent, a lexicographer and logophile who has written other works of non fiction, including “Word Perfect, Etymological Entertaining Every Day”. Guilty by Definition is her first fictional novel.
Sounds interesting…and fun. Thanks, Shirley.
There are Rivers in the Sky was a book club pick. We had a great discussion about this one. The amount of research the authors conducted was staggering. I personally loved The Correspondent. It is lovely to read about a character in one’s age group for a change! For a good historical fiction, I would recommend Isola. As a bonus, part of the setting is not too far from you. I also joyed My Friends and The Names.
Thanks, Anita. That’s the second recommendation for Isola!
My Hibernation Lit list is now more extensive than it was before reading your post and all of your commenters’ recommendations. I recently finished the latest Richard Osman, and my hold on the new Robert Galbraith is on its way to my local library. I also have Elizabeth George’s latest coming available soon. But my “For Later” shelf on the library website currently seems to have enough on it to keep me going through many hibernation seasons to come!
Ha ha… me. too, Denise. Now I remember where all those holds came from on my library account. I may do nothing but read all winter.
Note to self: must get a cat for my lap. Ha.
My For Later list at the local library is now at 975 books, and I’m always adding to it from sources like this post. Oh dear! I currently have three books awaiting pick up. Here in the lovely Pacific Northwest, the forecast calls for rain. Lovely reading weather.
My favorite book so far this year was Long Island, by Colm Toibin. I also loves Sandwich, by Catherine Newman, although some may object to the honest explicit language. She just released the sequel, Wreck. I will also read anything by Ann Patchett or Kate Atkinson.
My husband and I have enjoyed watching both the Lynley and Maigret reboots. I haven’t read the books so am no doubt looking at them differently. I did not like the previous Lynley — was it the actor, or was he just portraying the book’s character accurately?
I love anything by Kate Atkinson too. We didn’t like the previous Lynley either. He was not portraying the book’s character accurately in my opinion.
Reading is the absolute best. That is all.
I have a Libby library hold problem- 34 currently. And now two more thanks is to you. Might seem daunting but many of them are several months wait so it generally works out. If you like William Boyd have you read Restless? Highly recommend.
LOL. My Libby list is also long, and for some reason, several seem to come in all at once. Same with the physical books. I am reading as fast as I can. ha!
I have read Restless. Really liked it. I had kind of forgotten about William Boyd until I saw Gabriel’s Moon recommended by One Tree Books.
P.S. My holds list at the library is very long as well. I spend half my time pausing various holds so I have time to finish the book I’m currently reading. It’s a juggling act. Good thing I’m retired. Ha.
I rarely but the hard copy book anymore. Although I’m excited to get my hands on a hard copy of Atwood’s memoir. Can’t wait actually. I love her.
I highly recommend an absorbing, engaging, and entertaining novel by Francis Suppord called Cahokia Jazz. It is a detective story set in an alternate history – don’t let that put you off. It is immediately accessible and just intriguing. I wish I could read it again for the first time!
I will look for that. Thanks. 🙂
A book I devoured in one sitting and have re-read twice since, One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes. It’s set in post-war England, and was published in 1946. You may well have read it and mentioned it here already, but for anyone who hasn’t read it yet I’d highly recommend it. The kind of ‘small book’ that makes you look at your world and your life a little differently when you’ve finished. Set on a summer’s day, so if you’re longing to escape the winter weather it may just help.
You are speaking my language, Bren. I discovered many of my favourite “gentle” old books when I bought Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day years ago. Then I researched Persephone Books which published it, then found all kinds of forgotten writers. I did a deep dive into Dorothy Whipple, D.E. Stevenson, O. Douglas, Ursula Orange… et al. Some are a little “sweeter” than others, but I loved them all. Ursula Orange and Dorothy Whipple are my favourites. Plus Anita Brookner and Barbara Pym, of course. All that to say I will track down that Mollie Panter-Downes book for sure.
On a slightly different topic I have just finished watching ‘Outrageous’ about the Mitford sisters that you recommended a few months ago. Really enjoyed it – to the point I binged watched it in two days. Thanks for the tip off.
So glad you liked it, Margaret.
Well, these are all very helpful and informative. I have lost my reading mojo and need to get it back. And to start afresh. I shall definitely hunt some of these down.
I’m sure you will get your reading mojo back, Annie, once life settles down for you.
Hubs and I too have read most of the Elizabeth George books in the Insp. Lynley series and were so very disappointed in the portrayals of Lynley and Havers.
On the TV series (both the first and the latest). So totally unlike the books. Not only did they get the characters wrong, but I do not recall Lynley ever having a girlfriend because he was so devastated by his wife’s death. Again, we loved the Mantel books on Thomas Cromwell. We have our own book club…..we read the same books and then discuss. Amazing, and wonderful, that two people who have lived together for 48 years still have such different opinions. We are working our way through some old Edward Rutherford, some new Louise Penny and eagerly awaiting some exciting new books anticipated as gifts this Christmas. Afternoons and evenings with books in hand, in front of the fire, we shall survive the chills of the season.
I’m almost sorry I read so many new books in a row this fall. Wish I still had them to look forward to for fireside reading. Sounds like you are well prepared for hibernation. 🙂
Hi Sue. I should probably read the May book about winter. The older I get, the less I like it. I do think that it is beautiful when it snows and I like a walk on a cold sunny day (cross-country skiing isn’t terribly easy close to me, but my few tries at it were very agreeable and what a good workout).
If I think of any books to recommend, I will come back and note them in another comment. I’m getting lots of ideas from your post and other people’s comments.
I started the Ruth Galloway series this past summer and read the first three, probably because you had written about them, and I’m really enjoying them. I told my friend about them and she has read them all! I read the first two Thursday Murder Club books, again you introduced me to them. I have stocked up on more from my local used book store.
I listened to The Women by Kristin Hannah, historical fiction about nurses in Vietnam. I’m glad that women in the military during that time are getting some coverage.
I also listened to the first four books in The Dark Yorkshire series by J. M. Dalgliesh and liked them.
On my fall vacation, I read an old Agatha Christie and Dorothy Simpson. I’m now working on DH Lawrence’s Sea and Sardinia. Some of his commentary is very dated and not particularly acceptable today. However, his descriptions of Sicily, which is where he and his wife started their trip to Sardinia from, are very beautiful. Having just been to both places, I want to read about his experiences there in the 1920s.
Enjoy your reading in front of the fire. I hope that you get just the right amount of snow and sunny days for cross-country skiing this year.
Oh, that’s good to know. I love when people tell me they’ve enjoyed books I’ve recommended. I really enjoyed listening to the J.M. Dalgliesh books. I’m now trying a series by T.A. Williams about a former British detective chief-inspector who retired to Tuscany to write who-done-its and also set up as a private detective. Sounds hokey, but the characters are really believable and the description of living just outside of Florence is dreamy. I mean, the main character is fixing up an old cottage in the Tuscan hills, finds cool, out of the way, places to eat and sits at cafes with his friend the Italian policeman discussing crime. What’s not to love? Ha.
Oh I didn’t realize Elizabeth George had a new book. Yeah! I have placed it on hold at the library. I just finished reading “Fresh Water for Flowers” … and I don’t know who/where this recommendation came from so I cannot thank the person who mentioned it. Could it have been here? It has earned a place in my top five best books of all time (which is saying a lot since I have been reading since grade school and I am 67 years old). If you (or anyone) has not read this magnificent work, run immediately to your library or bookstore and get your hands on a copy. In fact, I plan to re-read (someday, not now). It’s that good!
Wow, lots of interesting book suggestions. Helps me to imagine what fun awaits in retirement!
Ha ha…I had an embarrassing slip earlier this year. I often go to the bookstore on my lunch hour and buy new books. I realized at some point in loading my shelves with books to read that I had purchased This is Happiness twice. Oops…I pre-senior senior moment. I don’t know how I could get it to you but if you are impatient with the library system I’d be happy to give you my second copy (if you brave downtown some day!). 🙂 I love libraries though so I should go back to using them more again. I just get impatient with the wait lists and prefer to hold a book in my hands.
I’ve always been a fan of winter, I think because I am someone who needs to slow down and take time for contemplation, whatever the season. I don’t mind snow or cold and I enjoy watching the cycles of nature. As stupid as it sounds I haven’t read Wintering yet but I felt when I heard about the book almost as though she had stolen my idea! Weird I know.
Enjoy the hibernation!
Your blog is the best hibernation Sue. Your thoughts, wise observations about life and literature give me such delight, thoughtful observation, and delight to have found you to steady these rocky shores lately.
Not too tech savvy. You may post or not . But thank you and hugs.
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