03 October 2008

holiday reading

With such amazing weather, I didn't do quite as much reading in Aldeburgh as I'd expected to.

But I was so glad I'd brought along what is now my favorite book of the year so far: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer.

If you haven't read it yet, you must go out and buy or borrow a copy straight away! The letter format is reminiscent of 84 Charing Cross Road, but the text is even more engaging with a wonderfully witty narrator and a fabulous cast of characters. At times terribly moving and at others laugh-out-loud funny.

Over the past month or so, I've also made progress on my Virago Modern Classics. The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter is incredibly well-written and frightfully compelling, but very disturbing...

And although I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Taylor (the author), I wasn't overly impressed with A Game of Hide and Seek. I found the first part much too slow, and while it did pick up in the second part, I found the Celia Birtwell cover more interesting than the story itself.

Do have a look at the Celia Birtwell website: lovely fabrics, wallpapers, and greeting cards. While I knew her name in conjunction with Ossie Clark and 60s and 70s fashion, I wasn't aware of her wonderful range of furnishings!

3 comments:

  1. I have been meaning to read the "Guernsey" book for a while, thanks for the memory jolt! I love Celia Birtwell's work, have you seen her camping stuff for Millet's?! My mother owned an Ossie Clark dress in the 70s and it was beautiful.
    Kimx

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  2. It will be my turn to choose a book for bookclub soon, so I shall have a peek at yours and see whether they would suit - oh, the responsibility!

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  3. I agree with you on the E. Taylor book. nice but... let's just say I kept picking it up and putting it down! And didn't you want to just shake that woman and shout "wake up/get a grip!!!"

    Thank you for the tip on the first book, looks fun!

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