May Reads

2024

Possession by A.S. Byatt

This was on a recommendations list somewhere. Copies have passed through my hands many times during my years volunteering in used book stores and working as a librarian, but somehow I never picked it up to read. I bought a used copy and set it down at page 180.

I hasten to say it’s a beautifully written book, literary fiction at its best. Lots of verse and stories. Historical mystery painstakingly unraveled by a pair of contemporary scholars. Two parallel love stories. It’s long and dense, not a quick, easy read. It deserves more time and attention than I can give it.

I was annoyed by the social constraints, not only of the historical figures, but the modern scholars, hedged about with academia and British manners and mores. Even ten years ago I wouldn’t have been so irritated, but now, as I gradually throw off much of my own conditioning, I found myself impatient as a reader, wanting to advise the characters to speak their truths, follow their hearts, and forget about the rules!

I’ll pass this one on. I’m glad I tried it. If I’m ever stuck on a plane flying around the world or laid up for a long time, I might try it again, but now I have too many other things going on.

Sleep, Pale Sister by Joanne Harris

A Narrow Door by Joanne Harris

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris

Peaches For Monsieur le Cure by Joanne Harris

Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

Sleep, Pale Sister is Harris’ second novel. It’s a gothic story, dark and gloomy. It’s fun to see how she’s evolved as a writer; she’s still going strong with a new series about to be published. Sleep, Pale Sister is a reread for me. On this read I realized I couldn’t connect to any of the characters. Victims, drug addicts, and deeply depressed or even crazy characters abound, with Harris’ customary touch of magic and an uncomfortable spice of sexual abuse. As it was a reread, I read it at bedtime; not cheerful bedtime reading. I’m passing this one on; I don’t need to read it again.

A Narrow Door is part of the St. Oswald’s trilogy, beginning with the astounding Gentlemen and Players. I hadn’t read this one before; I couldn’t put it down. The narrator is a doomed character, a woman taking on the good old boy British traditional prep school system. It’s a remarkable story woven around a tragedy from the past that reaches far into the future. The main character is a little too damaged to like, but I absolutely love one of the primary characters of this series, an old classics teacher.

Chocolat is an old favorite. I also love the movie. This is a bedtime reread. It’s the first in a series of four, all of which I have now, and two of which I’ve not read before. The Lollipop Shoes, a reread for me, is the second in the Chocolat series. It’s bleaker than Chocolat, edgier, but still enjoyable with a satisfying ending. This is a keeper. Peaches for Monsieur le Cure is the third in the Chocolat series, a new one for me. A beautiful book. Definite keeper.

Five Quarters of the Orange was new to me, and I was enchanted. Set in France, with roots in the resistance years during the war, it’s a beautiful story about the innocence of children, the memory of a small community, and the way life sometimes takes us home in the end, in spite of how hard we tried to leave. This has a permanent place on my shelf.

The Asylum by John Harwood

The Séance by John Harwood

The Ghost Writer by John Harwood

Harwood writes Victorian gothic mysteries. I picked up The Ghost Writer years ago and loved it; it was his first book. Subsequently, he wrote The Asylum, a book new to me, and The Séance, which I had previously collected. I love this genre and Harwood’s a master. I’d read more, but I can’t find that he’s written more! These are keepers.

The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill

A reread. I’ve read other books by Hill, but passed them on. This one is great, with compelling characters (including a dog), and political and family machinations which are only fully revealed in the last pages. Corruption, pride, redemption, and revenge, along with an understated love story. A keeper.

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

A reread of one of the most beautiful books I own. I found it especially poignant right now, in the context of the current conflict in the Middle East, including all the conflict here in the United States about the conflict in the Middle East. The Dovekeepers is set in 70 C.E.; historical fiction about a real-life event when 900 Jews held out against Roman armies for months before they were massacred. According to an ancient historian, two women and five children were the only survivors. It’s an extraordinary read. Highly recommended. I’m proud to have this in my library.

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

This is unlike my usual reading, but I’ve had it for years because it makes me laugh. I value what makes me laugh more and more as I get older. A nostalgic reread of a silly story, but I laughed! I’m passing it on this time. A good bedtime read.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

I laughed all the way through this delightful nonfiction book, new to me, about living a creative life. It was like having the perfect female friend come sit on my couch and regale me with stories, insights, and a demonstration of complete authenticity. I love Gilbert. This one’s a keeper. I’ll turn to it whenever I feel in a creative funk.

The Collected Poems of George MacKay Brown, edited by Archie Bevan and Brian Murray

I’ve long loved this Orkney poet and dip into this at odd moments for the pleasure of his work and reverence for nature.

Substack

Bridget Riley at

Naptime Novelist

is writing a serial titled Down in the Holler. The main character is a woman with special gifts and significant social challenges. I’m enjoying it very much.

I’ve lately discovered Jenna B Neece at

Cereal Fiction

. She’s got two serials going (love the pun in the title of her newsletter): Diary of a Hit Woman and A Niceville Paranormal Mystery. I like her no-bullshit, straight talking characters and humor and am following both stories.

W2NY at

PennPowel

is another new discovery. This author is serial publishing Shade. I was late to the party and I’m still catching up with this great story.

Xavier Macfarlane at

The Not-Yet-Novelist

is serial publishing The Glaciermen. His unique story is a great read. I’ve been reading three or four posts at a time to catch up and am now eagerly awaiting the next installment.