Beach Reads 2012

I am trying to define what constitutes a beach read. Heaven knows I love to read almost all genres, regardless of season. So far this summer, a number of books stand out that I would like to recommend.

*Simon Beckett An unmarked Grave Elly Griffith House at Sea End *Mark Haddon The Red House **Deborah Harkness Shadow of the Night Susan Hill Betrayal of Trust *Katherine Howe The house of velvet and glass *Craig Johnson Dark Horse (Walt Longman) Laurie R King Keeping Watch **Laurie King The beekeeper's apprentice : series *Hilary Mantel Bringing up the bodies *Paula McLain The Paris Wife China Mieville The City and the City *Stef Penney The Invisible Ones Thomas Perry Poison Flower, The Informant (butcher boy sequel) *Oliver Potzsch The Dark Monk: A Hangman's Daughter Tale *Imogen Robertson Instruments of darkness James Runcie Canvey Island **Natasha Solomons Mr Rosenblum dreams in English Olen Steinhauer An American spy **Charles Todd The Confession, An Unmarked Grave **Jacqueline Winspear Elegy for Eddie **A study in Sherlock : stories inspired by the Holmes canon ed Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger ; stories by Alan Bradley ... Science Fiction Moses Siregar The Black Gods War Dave Duncan Against the Light Charlaine Harris Deadlocked Sookie Stackhouse China Mieville Un Lun Dun Karen Marie Moning Into the Dreaming **Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter The Long Earth **Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind: Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1 and The Wise Man's Fear Book 2, Romance MC Beaton Sweet Masquerade *Carol Carr India Black (series) **Gail Carriger Timeless Madeline Hunter The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne Jayne Ann Krentz Twist of fate; Crystal Gardens; Falling Awake Amanda Quick Quicksilver Childrens **Kristin Cashore Bitterblue **Adam Gopnik The Steps Across the Water **Ransom Riggs Miss Peregrin’s Home for Peculiar Children

Rebecca

I reread few books because I was gifted with a photographic memory (which certainly helped at exam time) and speed reading (aquired with much practice). I also record each reading experience in a journal (now 5 volumes) which releases a floodgate of information at the mention of a title, a line, as sequence, a location etc. Still, every five years I find a comfortable chair and immerse myself in Tolkien. Shakespeare is welcome at any time. I never tire of Robert Frost. There are times, however, that I never want to reread a book. The memories are too graphic, violent or tragic or epic. Beloved by Angelou comes to mind, as well as Hawaii by Michner. The former is seared into my mind and with the latter I doubt I will ever have enough time to read Michner again! I suspect I will reread the 1000s of pages of the Game of Thrones series (or will the movies be enough?). In rereading, there is usually something new revealed, often enhancing my initial impressions. I suspect years and experiences contribute greatly with my feelings and interpretations on many books. Sometimes I want to reread a book to see what I missed the first time, other times I simply want to return to that special place or time. I too often don’t want to read the latest trend or what’s on Oprah’s list. I am always hunting for the next book, or the next new author. Jonathan Yardley’s publication of Second Reading, Notable and Neglected Books Revisited, inspired me to revisit a few classics and old favourites. There are 60+ book reviews in this collection which had me seek out a few authors I had passed over- I had never heard of Paper Tigers by Stanley Woodward, nor The Fathers by Allen Tate. But when I discovered that most of one of my book groups had never read Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier, 1938), I knew we had our classic selection for the year and I checked out the BookGroup in a Bag at the Library. “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again”, is the unforgettable opening line. I didn’t remember how melodramatic it now seems, and was far more impatient with the unnamed non-Rebecca wife. But this is a classic gothic novel, and much of our book discussion centered on that history. Gothic novels have haunted castles or mansions, windswept moors, usually obsessed handsome dark brooding men with defenseless young women, a few family secrets in and atmospheric romantic suspense plot. They are often adored by readers (and bestsellers!) and even more often deplored by reviewers. Some of the best gothic novels are Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and William Faulkner’s Absalom! Absalom! I would also include works by 19th century writers Wilkie Collins, Bram Stoker and Elizabeth Gaskill. DuMaurier’s were also written as escapism and entertainment between the wars, and have delightful, accessible prose for easy reading. The physical descriptions of the various settings of Rebecca are vivid and richly detailed. I absolutely love books and/or movies where the house is just as much a character as the people in the book! And I enjoyed learning that the house actually exists, and the success of her book enabled her to renovate the ruin and make it her home for a number of years. Much of the novel was written while she was staying in Egypt where her husband was stationed, and may also be filled with the longing and nostalgia for home. In Rebecca, the plot has the unnamed narrator recall her past: As the companion to a rich American woman vacationing in Monte Carlo, she is courted (apparently unknowingly) by a wealthy Englishman, Maxim de Winter. After a week of courtship (not even recognising the proposal), she marries him, and they move to his Cornish mansion, Manderley. There she discovers that his first wife Rebecca is still alive in the memories of all the estate inhabitants, but especially its domineering housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, one of literature's great infamous female villains. I was actually horrified that the narrator feels relieved that Max didn’t love Rebecca when he reveals that he murdered her! (Remember the Hitchcock film has a different ending!) But because of the film, Rebecca has been in print since 1938. Additional Reading: I loved the comment that “If I wanted to go to Manderly again, I would just reread Rebecca.” Still, there are several books that have been approved by the du Maurier estate: Mrs de Winter (1993), by Susan Hill is a sequel originally written in the 1980s. The Other Rebecca (1996), by Maureen Freely is a contemporary version. Rebecca's Tale (2001), by Sally Beauman, is a narrative of four characters affected by Rebecca. (My bookclub’s best comment: “Rebecca left no man untouched.” Daphne by Justin Picardine, is also a fascinating fictional account of DuMaurier. NB In Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, in the bookworld, they have accidentally cloned Mrs. Danvers which they use as troops against The Mispeling Vyrus, and other threats. Quotes: Maxim de Winter to the 2nd Mrs. de Winter “Do you remember that cliff where you first saw me in Monte Carlo?... That was where I found out about her... She stood there laughing, her black hair blowing in the wind, and told me all about herself - everything. Things I'll never tell a living soul. I wanted to kill her. It would have been so easy. Remember the precipice? I frightened you, didn't I? You thought I was mad. Perhaps I was. Perhaps I am mad. It wouldn't make for sanity, would it, living with the devil. "I'll make a bargain with you," she said. "You'd look rather foolish trying to divorce me now after four days of marriage. So I'll play the part of a devoted wife, mistress of your precious Manderley. I'll make it the most famous showplace in England, if you like. Then people will visit us and envy us and say we're the luckiest, happiest, couple in the country. What a grand show it will be! What a triumph!" I should never have accepted her dirty bargain, but I did.” Maxim to the 2nd Mrs. de Winter “But you. I can't forget what it has done to you. I was looking at you, thinking of nothing else all through lunch. It's gone forever, that funny, young, lost look that I loved. It won't come back again. I killed that too, when I told you about Rebecca. ...It's gone, in twenty four hours. You are so much older.” Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper to the 2nd Mrs. de Winter “So this is what's been happening during my illness! Tennis lessons, my foot! I suppose I have to hand it to you for a fast worker. How did you manage it? Still waters certainly run deep. Tell me, have you been doing anything you shouldn't?... But you certainly have your work cut out as mistress of Manderley. To be perfectly frank with you, my dear, I can't see you doing it. You haven't the experience. You haven't the faintest idea of what it means to be a great lady. Of course, you know why he's marrying you, don't you? You haven't flattered yourself that he's in love with you? The fact is that empty house got on his nerves to such an extent, he nearly went off his head. He just couldn't go on living alone... Hmmph, Mrs. de Winter! Goodbye, my dear, and good freaking luck.” Mrs. Danvers to the 2nd Mrs. de Winter “Why don't you go? Why don't you leave Manderley? He doesn't need you. He's got his memories. He doesn't love you. He wants to be alone again with her. You've nothing to stay for. You've nothing to live for really, have you? Look down there. It's easy, isn't it? Why don't you? Why don't you? Go on. Go on. Don't be afraid.” Book of the Moment Michael Dirda’s On Conan Doyle (2012) just won a prestigious literary award! I have been reading it off an on since publication both because I love Sherlock Holmes and because I adore Dirda (yes, read all his books, would that I had access to his Washington Post columns!) This is a personal account of Dirda’s love affair from an early age with Sherlock Holmes through to his joining the Baker Street Irregulars, the famous group of fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He doesn’t give away any of the plots, generally discussing the fiction and nonfiction works, in a slender book. The section at the end on books that feature Sherlock is worth it alone for your next read (and he also lists a few of the best websites). I was just in Edinburgh, following a literary guide to Scottish authors and have been an avid fan of the new PBS series of modern Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Don’t forget the fantastic Mary Russell series by Laurie R King!

Book Review - Scottish Prisoner

Tony Horwitz, Midnight Rising

Second Reading, Jonathan Yardley

Every year my Christmas wish reading list is LONG!

This year it is definitely NOT a short list either: WOW, there are so many wonderful books that have been recently published, and of course I am waiting for a number of TBP (to be published) to go on my TBR (to be read) pile! This book by Jonathan Yardley (Second Reading) is definitely on it, as I need to mark up my own copy, with my agreements, disagreements, further recommendations, and just general comments! This book is a series of book reviews from his column of books that he reread over the course of two years. I understand how difficult it is to find time to read books, let alone reread them, but I do have a handful that I always go back to (e.g. Tolkien has been read about every five years! At the end of each reading I write my comments in a book journal and enjoy the progression of my thoughts.). We are not the same people who read some of these books as a teenager or early (busy) adult. It can be very worthwhile and enjoyable to reread these classics. Second Reading is composed of many books that you have already read, that you really should give another go at reading, re-reading, or just comparing your thoughts to his. I love his columns, second only to Michael Dirda, both superb book reviewers.


I was intrigued by his review of Rebecca by Daphne DuMurier, having also just reread it when I was sorting my bookshelves. It has such a classic opening line. This time, I was certainly much older on rereading it, not relating to the naivity or the acceptable social polish/manners of a different time. BUT then of course I discovered that I hadn't seen the film (well there are several, but it is the Laurence Olivier that everyone raves about). So there I was off to the Library for the dvd (Second Reading is also available at the Library!) Excellent, especially with a cup of Earl Grey tea, on a snowy afternoon. I highly recommend this, especially in the throes of Christmas shopping. And the story isn't over. I also mentioned his thought provoking analysis at one of my book clubs, where we always try to read at least one classic a year. Several people sheepishly revealed they had not read it, and viola! We ordered the BOOK GROUP IN A BOOK BAG from the Library!

Ransom Riggs "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"

Ransom Riggs Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2011)Are you tired of vampires and werewolves?
Do you also love the “odd little book”?
If you love Lemony Snickett or John Connolly or Adam Gopnick (teen fiction series) this is book is definitely for you. It is quirky fantasy/adventure story combined with unique photography, which made the book utterly fascinating, charming and intriguing, especially for a debut novel. The complex/detailed vintage photographs added an unusual level of immersion with the story, with the reader visualising what Jacob is experiencing. The descriptive writing is so evocative that the unusual photographs interspersed numerously throughout the text, while not crucial to the story, certainly provide an additional element of realism (and surrealism!). Especially knowing that they are actual photos. Wouldn’t you love to make up your own story with these? (NB However, they are difficult to read/view on the Kindle.) The detailed prose creates a rich and magical otherworld of peculiar children and monsters that precariously co-exists with our human world which is all too realistically at war.

In the novel, Jacob Portman is an average, seemingly normal teenager, wanting an adventurous life, as described by his colourful, larger than life grandfather throughout his childhood. Jacob is not popular or overly smart and has one best (and only) friend. But with his grandfather death and the horrific monster that plagues his nightmares, Jacob’s world crashes around him. Then on his 16th birthday a book from his grandfather sets him on a voyage of discovery to an orphanage on a small isolated island in Wales. Once there, Jacob understands more than he ever could have believed about his grandfather and himself. His world is now separated into “Before and After”. He stumbles into time loops and uncovers his peculiar talent that transforms his previous reality. Jacob's dark adventure turns from creepy to scary, then to a poignant coming of age. It also foreshadows a sequel!


“My grandfather was the only member of his family to escape Poland before the Second World War broke out. He was twelve years old when his parents sent him into the arms of strangers, putting their youngest son on a train to Britain with nothing more than a suitcase and the clothes on his back. It was a one-way ticket. He never saw his mother or father again, or his older brothers, his cousins, his aunts and uncles. Each one would be dead before his sixteenth birthday, killed by the monsters he had so narrowly escaped. But these weren’t the kind of monsters that had tentacles and rotting skin, the kind a seven year old might be able to wrap his mind around – they were monsters with human faces, in crisp uniforms, marching in lockstep, so banal you don’t recognize them for what they are until it’s too late.”

"The trees parted like a curtain and suddenly there it was, cloaked in fog, looming atop a weed-choked hill. The house. I understood at once why the boys had refused to come.
"My grandfather had described it a hundred times, but in his stories, the house was always a bright, happy place---big and rambling, yes but full of light and laughter. What stood before me now was no refuge from monsters, but a monster itself, staring down from its perch with vacant hunger. Trees burst forth from broken windows and skins of scabrous vine gnawed at the walls like antibodies attacking a virus--as if nature itself had waged war against it---but the house seemed unkillable, resolutely upright despite the wrongness of its angles and the jagged teeth of sky visible through sections of collapsed roof.

‘I gathered up what scrawny courage I had and waded through waist-high weeds to the porch, all broken tile and rotting wood, to peek through a cracked window. All I could make out through the smeared glass were the outlines of furniture, so I knocked on the door and stood back to wait in eerie silence, tracing the shape of Miss Peregrine's letter in my pocket. I'd taken it along in case I needed to prove who I was, but as a minute ticked by, then two, it seemed less and less likely that I would need it."

“…stars, too, were time travelers. How many of those ancient points of light were the last echoes of suns now dead? How many had been born but their light not yet come this far? If all the suns but ours collapsed tonight, how many lifetimes would it take us to realize that we were alone? I had always known the sky was full of mysteries – but not until now had I realized how full of them the earth was. I came to a place where the path emerged from the woods. In one direction lay home and everything I knew, unmysterious and ordinary and safe. Except it wasn’t. Not really, Not any more. “