What I read on my holiday

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting my brother-in-law's family in Lagos, Nigeria which involved lots of lying by the pool in the sunshine and therefore lots of time for reading! As always with me they were a mix of genres and vibes with absolutely no continuity... Nonetheless here are my thoughts on what I read on my holiday.

Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

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Apparently this is the best selling crime novel of all time and as fan of Agatha Christie's writing I am surprised I had never heard of it before I randomly picked it up in the airport in a panic of not having enough books with me. I can certainly see why this novel is one of her most popular. The suspense and creeping threat that looms over and relentlessly builds throughout the story was unbelievable. It feels almost contemporary in the savagery and cutthroat pace of the thing. The story follows ten strangers as they travel to a secluded island to be hosted by its mysterious and deeply wealthy owner. There are a few crime and thriller novels that have a similar format now but I believe this was one of the first spooky island murder stories! A classic "locked door" mystery on a grander scale, Christie will always have you right where she wants you. As the guests start to meet their untimely demise one by one in unsettling similarity to a nursey rhyme displayed around the house, time is running out to figure out who the mastermind behind the grisly theatre is. Aside from her obvious genius, I think for me one of the most charming thing about any Agatha Christie book is how fast paced and contemporary they feel but with that certain gilded glamour of train carriages, telegrams, people having hat boxes and of course pots of moustache wax. I don't want to say anymore about the plot of Then There Were None for fear of spoiling it but I really must insist you read it if you haven't already. It really is the best selling crime novel of all time for a reason.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

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There was nothing inherently wrong with Beach Read but it just didn't have me kicking my feet while reading and that is how I know a romance novel has worked for me. I think there is a certain chemistry that must exist between reader and book in any genre. You must feel a connection and an intimacy with at least one aspect of a story whether it be character, plot, writing style or ideas something should click into place while reading. I just didn't feel that with this. I didn't feel immersed in the setting and while I thought the main characters had chemistry I didn't feel the chemistry with them. Towards the end I felt myself skimming through a little bit which is never a good sign. I also found it a bit slapsticky at times, something which bothered me in the other Emily Henry books I have tried to read. I personally don't enjoy the old poo on the head/falling into poo situations her characters get into. In saying that, I liked the premise and thought the exploration of genre stereotypes and the way romance fiction is perceived very interesting. Unfortunately it just fell a wee bit flat for me.

Trumpet by Jackie Kay

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Jackie Kay is always a joy to read and as I slowly work my way through her archives I have found myself at her first novel. It is astounding that right from her debut, the voices of her characters have always been so crisp and distinct, her writing so tender and considered. It really feels like not one word is superfluous or haphazard. Trumpet walks you through the aftermath of the death of celebrated fictional jazz musician Joss Moody. Joss Moody lived his life as and was known to all in his life as a man. Upon his death it is discovered that he is biologically female. Although it is never named as such in the novel from a present day perspective I think most people would describe Joss as a trans man. With the novel being written and in the 90s and set then and in the preceding decades, the language and terminology used doesn't reflect the way we discuss gender now but it is certainly a question at the centre of the novel. What does it mean to be a man or woman? To be true to yourself? To be honest or not? I really enjoyed the simple view Mrs Moody held throughout the novel. That her husband always has been and always will be her husband. Whatever body parts he had did not define him nor does she feel it should be what he is remembered for. It was fascinating to see all the different characters' reactions and their differing perceptions and recollections of Joss post mortem. I also really enjoyed the questions Trumpet asked about journalism, biographies and the ethics of both. What happens when people tell your story in your absence and does it make it any less true? Who's understanding of events is the right one? Aren't everyone's reactions to and understanding of things valid because it is true and honest for them? That is what Jackie Kay unpacks in a book full of love, passion, the known and unknown, anger and betrayal and how it all comes spilling out when the people we love leave us. I thoroughly enjoyed Trumpet from beginning to end and it certainly a book I will be returning to.

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

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What a cutie wee book. I found this such a cosy, soothing and relaxing read. Sometimes all you need is a classic funny romance, with relationships both platonic and romantic that are full of chemistry. It is pretty much if Gilmore Girls was a book but a bit sexier. I thought Laurie Gilmore's writing flowed really well you can easily fly through one of the Dream Harbour series in a few hours or days depending on how speedy you are! I really liked the ideas of community and friendship that flowed through, there is something awfie appealing about a wee town where everybody wants the best for you and there's lots of cute shops everywhere. I loved the romance, you were just invested straight away and I liked how their 70% problem wasn't highly irritating but actually emotionally valid and intelligent. I would strongly recommend if you want to have a great time in a lovely relaxing setting for a few hundred pages and be smiling away and kicking your feet.

Sneaky extra audiobook entry! A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike

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What an unusual book! I've never read something set in this period (Medieval Richard III, princes in the tower times) that is so lively and humourous and dealt with so many issues that feel so contemporary. Rosanna Pike tells the stories of people who we know have always been around but are rarely found in the pages of history. A Little Trickerie follows the coming of age years of one Tibb Ingleby as she travels medieval England as a vagrant, which was at that time illegal. I found Tibb's voice so touching, vulnerable and honest, I really connected with her. This period of history tends to be thought of as knights and princesses, King Arthur and legends like that so exploring the world from the fringes of society was fascinating. There was so much in here about what it means to be othered or accepted, the power and influence of the church, belief and morals. It was really rich and interesting, very complex and challenges ideas of morality through different time periods and cultures. Tibb and Ivo's bond was especially tender and beautifully written, their childhood innocence and life in Norfolk was so luxuriously depicted and the images Pike created were all so vivid and tangible. She has such a way with words to keep it feeling true to the time period but so alive and easily digestible for modern readers. I thoroughly enjoyed travelling along with TIbb on her adventures and I am interested to read more of Rosanna Pike's work. I can't believe this was her debut!

Thank you for reading! Let me know what you thought of any of these books if you've read them I always love hearing what other people thought. I hope you enjoyed reading and maybe found a new book that has caught your eye :)

Love, Grace xx