JANUARY 2024 READING ROUNDUP

My 2024  reading year  got off to a good start, with the Martin McInnes literary novel , followed  by the Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club novel.

Notable that two of my most enjoyable fiction reads were written by writers (Osman and Das) who have strong backgrounds in the world of  TV productions /writing and I think this is what makes their books so readable. There’s plenty of action, stuff happens and the plots whisk along. Yes, the books both have moments of introspection, moral dilemmas, poignant decisions so there is emotional depth to the stories. But, mainly, the narrative moves.

FICTION

In Ascension – Martin MacInnes. Stunning 3^rd novel from Scottish experimental writer, if you enjoy SF do not miss! And non-SF fans will also enjoy.  See my review 20 Jan, on this blog.

The Last Devil to Die. #4 Thursday Murder Club series.  – Richard Osman. Unputdownable comic mystery notable for endearing cast of characters, a lovable dog, plus a wild fox; the crime plot works, but I read the series for the characters. A cracking good read!

In the Time of our History – Susanne Pari. Another Americandiaspora novel; Persian/Iranian  culture give women short shrift. An autocratic patriarch versus his wayward daughter who refuses to bow to his traditional plans for her life, and opts for independence and a career. The family dynamics and insights into Persian culture made this an engrossing read. Recommended

Never Meant to Stay – Trisha Das. Insert a childhood friend into a dysfunctional Bombay family and watch the fireworks. Indian rom-com with a hilarious wedding debacle finale. Entertaining light read.

The Next to Last Stand – Craig Johnson. Walt Longmire rides again, tangles with art theft from an American veteran, and delivers chunks of history about Custer’s Last Stand. One for the fans and afficionados of History of the Old Wild West.

The Depth of Winter – Craig Johnson.  Walt Longmire rushes off to Mexico to rescue his daughter who’s been kidnapped by a particularly nasty Mexican drug cartel. The action does not stop but the ensuing challenges, fights and general mayhem nearly put an end to the heroic sheriff. Tough and wily he may be, but not indestructible.  Throughout all the mayhem, Walt doggedly sticks to his personal moral code which costs him dear. An excellent read.

NON-FICTION

The Anthropocene Reviewed – John Greene . I didn’t read all the essay, some were very America-centric, so I gave them a miss. But I read about 60 % of the book, and what I particularly enjoyed was the Writer’s long, long perspective ranging back millions of years, into primeval epochs , which certainly puts our confused, aggressive 21^st century into a calmer perspective.

  Reading  the electronic version of JG’s book, I realized that for me, essay collections work better in hardcover format. Many of the essays deserved a slow, thoughtful  read and would benefit from many re-reads, but the LIBBY clock was ticking and telling me I only had another 3 … 2   …. 1   days left to finish my loaned book. Fair enough,  others were queued up to read the book, so I dutifully returned it. However, if I can find a second hand copy, with large-ish print, I shall certainly buy it and have a slow, satisfying re-read.