I did a fair bit of traveling here and there in February, and what’s better than a long train ride for doing some reading? Well, maybe not my journey back from Liverpool to Cardiff. I’ve never been in a carriage packed so tightly in my life. But I won’t dwell on that for too long, because other than those hellish 4 hours, it’s been a great month!
Let’s start with Claire Keegan’s Foster. I was bitten by the bug when I read Small Things Like These in January. Foster’s writing is so beautiful that she manages to make novels as short as these two feel every bit as hard hitting as an epic. In fact, perhaps the shorter length is what lends itself so well to such beautiful storytelling. It’s not just the level of emotional detail that makes her such a phenomenal writer, the real skill is how nothing feels spare. Every sentence is so rich, you won’t be worried about Keegan running out of words.
Next was Pamela Anderson’s fabulous memoir Love, Pamela. And let me tell you before we get into it; if you haven’t signed up for Pam’s newsletter, you’re missing out. I look forward to her weekly journals more than I do to my Saturday Starbucks.
For a relatively short memoir, I was impressed by how much of Anderson’s life is covered. My favourite chapters were the one’s where the author dove head first into some of the wildest stories of her political activism. Such as taking vegan meals to Edward Snowdon, or challenging Russian politicians on their animal rights policies. Not only is Pamela fearless, her perspective is crystal clear.
I love romance. I have to say it. The cheesier the better. But occasionally you stumble across something special. May Archer’s The Easy Way was something special. Besides hitting on some of the most tried and true romance tropes, Archer manages to work in exciting plot, giving her characters not just carefully detailed emotional stakes, but some dramatic ones too.
Finally this Feb, I went back for another Anglesey Crime Thriller from Simon McCleave. In Too Deep follows DI Laura Hart as she officially gets back to work. Now, I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: McCleave’s care in building DI Hart’s backstory is really where these novels shine. Nothing is throwaway. Chuck in some double agents for the Real IRA and murder on the Isle of Angelsey, and you’re in for another ride!
McCleave did not disappoint, but now I’ve got three more months until the next installment!
Overall, another fabulous month. I can wholeheartedly recommend everything I read in Feb. Genre-wise, there’s something for everyone at the very least!
Tim Wynne 