Let's start with the books I got for Christmas...
Women and Power by Mary Beard
(Hardback, Profile Books, 115 pages)
I first saw the cover of this book on Twitter around the time of it's publication date near the end of last year. That, along with the title was enough to draw me in (my English Literature dissertation did largely look at women and power so it's not really very surprising). It's written by Mary Beard, a well known classicist and is supposedly looks at how powerful women have been treated throughout history. I think it's worth sharing the quote on the back of this book, it says: "You can't easily fit women into a structure that is already coded male; you have to change the structure". So I'm definitely hoping to get round to this relatively short, non-fiction book soon.
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
(Hardback, Penguin Books, 286 pages)
'Turtles All The Way Down' is John Green's most recent Young Adult novel. I've been a follower of him and his work for quite a few years now, and although I do think he often explores the same kind of themes I wanted to give this one a go! I don't know all that much about it, other than it touches on mental illness and friendship. I'll of course share my thoughts on this one once I've read it.
Winter by Ali Smith
(Hardback, Hamish Hamilton, 322 pages)
If you've read my 'Best Books of the Year' post you'll know how much I loved Ali Smith's novel 'Autumn' last year, so needless to say I was very happy to receive the next book in the quartet. I've heard great things about 'Winter' from Simon Savidge and Jen Campbell, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed (if you like book-ish content, then definitely check out both of their channels on Youtube by the way). I believe 'Winter' is set in Cornwall when four people come together at Christmas - I won't say more that that because I think Smith's novels are best when you read them not knowing too much. P.S. How beautiful is this cover?!
Onto the two books I picked up myself recently!
Mrs Dalloway's Party by Virginia Woolf
(Hardback, Vintage, 70 pages)
I studied a module on Virginia Woolf during my third year of university and 'Mrs Dalloway' was my absolute favourite piece of her work. This book, 'Mrs Dalloway's Party' is a series of seven very short stories that Woolf wrote during the same time as 'Mrs Dalloway' - the first story was initially meant to be the first chapter of the novel and I think the rest all link to Mrs Dalloway in some way too. I didn't even know this collection existed until I stumbled across it when I was browsing the shelves in Foyles, so obviously I just had to buy it...
Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
(Hardback, Borough Press, 455 pages)
I mainly bought this book because of Simon (yes, he influenced me again haha) because he raved about it. I haven't read Joanna Cannon's other novel but I'm looking forward to this one! It's about 84 year old Florence, her life both past and present, and the mysterious new resident that has appeared at her care home. I think this novel only came out this month and I'm keen to try and read new releases fairly close to their pub dates this year, so fingers crossed I'll finish the books I'm currently reading and will get to read this one very soon.
That's all of the books I've been given/purchased so far in January, let me know if you have any recommendations or particular books you're looking forward to this year!
Laura.
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