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One of the most popular features of newbooks magazine is the regular column What We're Reading which gives the magazine staff and contributors the chance to write about a book they have recently read. As the magazine is bi-monthly this section of the website will be an opportunity for more up to date reading snippets and recommendations.
Coleshill by Fiona Sampson
When I lived in Gloucestershire Coleshill, just over the border in Oxfordshire, was on several of the cycle routes we rode regularly. It is a particularly memorable spot for me as it is remembered as the hill I never quite managed to cycle up. Once when I really thought I was going to make it, my view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
Just in Case by Meg Rosoff
Meg Rossof is speaking at the University of Winchester this coming week and the suggested reading was either Just in Case or There is no Dog, the two of her books I haven't read. Alison loaned me her copy of Just in Case sometime ago knowing I would enjoy it. She was right. Loved it. view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things
Some of our readers may know that in addition to newbooks and now The New Writer, I also work at Jane Austen's House Museum.
I'm not a Jane Austen expert but one can't help but learn more and more about Jane, her work and her family every time I'm at the Museum. In the museum exhibitions view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys
I read this for the first time back in the summer (nice and short to take away on holiday) but my Reading Group has now set it for next meeting so I will skim through again. Not sure where my copy has disappeared to though as my daughter's reading group has just discussed it too... will have to go view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
It's hard to be hip over thirty
I discovered this book on a speedy visit to the Persephone Bookshop recently and flipping through the pages it made me giggle.
Althought rather dated it was very evocative of the period in which it was written. view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
The Marlowe Papers
I've just finished reading a proof copy of The Marlowe Papers which comes out in May. A full review is here view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon
A small story set in the small rural world of yesteryear; this is an old tale of the small joys and large injustices born by women through the ages. No surprises here but beautifully told in the voice of Mary, the yougest farm girl. view...
Posted in What Alison's reading
A Study of Sherlock
Never having read any previously and suffering from Sherlock withdrawl I have embarked upon a feast of Conan Doyle starting at the beginning with A Study in Scarlet and also The Sign of Four. So many more to look forward to. view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
Antonia Forest’s Kingscote: Spring Term by Sally Hayward
I am basking in the glow of a good read.
I am not entirely sure where I stand on the question of sequels to novels written after the original author has died. There are however some novels and their characters that deserve to be kept alive and among these I definitely count the Marlow view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut
My book group set this book a couple of months ago but we haven't managed to meet to discuss it yet. Just after she had suggested this book the chooser decided to leave the book group. Not sure if that says something about the book or the group.
Travel writing and yet not travel writing. view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
It's some time since I updated my reading mainly because Under Heaven is a stonking 700+ pages. What made matters worse was a mis-start and that fateful 'I'll just put it to one side for a little while'. However, since Canadian reader Lindy Gomm had spent a third of a day's wages posting this, one view...
Posted in What Guy's Reading
The Dead Summer by Helen Moorhouse (Poolbeg)
Thoroughly enjoying this suspenseful tale. Only reading it during my lunch breaks so it's a bit like "look out for next week's exciting instalment!" view...
Posted in What Alison's reading
The Writing Book by Kate Grenville
We gave away a few copies of this book via the website last week. It has just been published in the UK but my copy is one I bought in Australia a few years ago. The offer reminded me I had a copy so dug it out to look for a few exercises for the next writing group session. view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
The Empty Nesters by Nina Bell
Feeling middle-aged and fluffy brained I thought I'd treat myself to some light chick lit and chose this book by Nina Bell.
Turned out this was neither light nor chick lit (I do wish publishers would be more careful about the covers they choose for books, but that's a rant for another view...
Posted in What Alison's reading
Today I will mostly be reading poetry...
As it is National Poetry Day I shall spend this evening reading Simon Armitage's The Dead Sea Poems. view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
Bilgewater by Jane Gardam
My first swap on Read It Swap It. Someone requested one of my books so I looked down their list and chose this book which I have to admit, not liking the title, I would probably never have picked up in a bookshop.
Haven't read Jane Gardam before but I shall certainly be looking out for her view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
The Rinaldi Ring by Jenny Nimmo
Yes I know I only started I Capture the Castle the other evening, but when I was sorting through some books to add to Read It Swap It I came across The Rinaldi Ring by Jenny Nimmo. Before I added it to the list of books to swap I thought I ought to read it.
Yes it is a children's view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading
Dodie Smith
Have just started reading Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle. I have been meaning to read it for years and earlier this evening, when I was looking for something else on the shelf, I came across my (unread) copy.
Many years ago I read A Tale of Two Families by the same author. I became view...
Posted in What Madelaine's reading