What I’m Reading: Just One Day

This came as a recommendation from the wonderful blog of Theodora Goss (which you should absolutely check out) and she wasn’t selling it short. The premise is a familiar one for romance novels. Girl meets strange and exotic boy, strange and exotic boy invites girl to magical city on spur of the moment romantic trip, previously sheltered girl’s eyes are opened to the beauty of the world and men… And so forth.

But Just One Day has a massive saving grace: it’s narrator Allyson (Lulu). The writing throughout the book is so authentic, and so genuine that even though the story feels like something I’ve read before, for the first time it feels like it’s happening to a real person. So far I am in complete agreement with every snigle word Gayle Forman has said about love and life. It’s beautiful and even though I kind of hate the love interest at the moment (I’m only half way through), it’s in the best possible way.

Just One Day is completely worth it, for much much longer than it’s title presumes.

 

You may have missed: Very far away from anywhere else

And now we’ve reached the end of this little series with, for me, the book that started it all. A tiny little piece that was written in a single summer by Ursula le Guin who, at the time didn’t have the following she has now. This is one of her works that should get far more recognition in my experience. Fans of John Green ought to take note- this book takes on a lot of similar themes to his (The Fault in our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, Looking for Alaska). It breaks my heart that it’s out of print. (Don’t worry it’s still available on Amazon and the like).

Very Far Away From Anywhere Else by Ursula Le Guin

And now we’ve gotten to the last and smallest on my list. And probably, almost definitely, the most obscure. Le Guin is by no means a forgotten author, having gained international fame by writing her signature style of epic fantasy in The Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness. But this tiny little book, a nobody from 1976 that no one ever paid attention to is quite simply beautiful, a love letter to those who read fantasy rather than live it. It’s an easy story, a familiar story about a boy and a girl, two outcasts who take their time to fall in love, the boy, a scientist, thinks too much, the girl, a musician, can’t plug into reality and they both struggle through each day, trying to do the ‘Gorilla Act’ as best they can. The  book is as normal as they come and there in lies its beauty, it tells a simple tale of two normally abnormal teenagers trying their hardest to fit – not with the world- with eachother. With references to the Bronte’s and MIT and Tanglewood, there is nothing typical about this little gem. It was the first book I found to coin the term and I’ve used it ever since. Its tiny, small enough to read in two hours. But they’re two hours that you won’t forget, and you won’t ever want them back.

You may have missed: Pretty Monsters

And we’re back to extraordinary books whose profile should only be increased. You’ve heard me talk about this one before. And as one of my all time favourites, Pretty Monsters has it all.

Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

Those of you who follow me, will know that I mention Pretty Monsters about once a month, more often if I can help it. This is the book I’ve recommended to more than any other to my friends, family, and general people that I meet in the street (because it’s nice to recommend books to strangers). It’s a kaleidoscopic mess full of witches and Scrabble and second hand shops, librarians, and monsters and graveyards and girlfriends. For two weeks after I read this collection, I never wanted to write another word – because there was no point – all the best words had been put in perfect order. Some of the highlights of the collection include ‘Magic For Beginners’, ”The Faery Handbag’ and the title tale, ‘Pretty Monsters’ which won the Nebula Award for ‘Best Novella’.

Link’s distinctive style shouldn’t work. She meddles with the reader’s perception, she mixes genres, churns up the narrative structure and ends most of her stories three seconds into the third act. It leaves the reader extraordinarily unsatisfied, absolutely gasping for just a few words more. Kelly Link is dangerous, she makes you an addict and then calmly cuts off your supply. It’s genius, delicious, and cruel. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You can find more off the wall-amzingly-bonkers examples of her work at http://www.kellylink.net

What I’m Reading: Clockwork Princess

The title of this post is somewhat misleading, as I happen to have finished Cassandra Clare’s conclusion to her Infernal Devices  trilogy already, but I’ve yet to move on. For fans, you can take your hands off your ears, you won’t hear any spoilers here.

Cover of Clockwork Princess, my own pic to follow soon.

In Tessa’s final story we know she must choose between her doomed to die fiancée Jem and his best friend and ‘blood brother’ Will, the boy who told her he loved her minutes too late. Oh- and there’s also the simple matter of  defeating the criminal mastermind who’s set to kill her and destroy the Shadowhunters forever but what else is new? What fans of this story (some might even go so far as to say the superior one over the Mortal Instruments) want to hear about is the love triangle that well known fantasy author Holly Black dubbed ‘The Kobayashi Maru’ (Star Trek fans take note) and to be fair, Clare devotes a great deal of her time to resolving it. The fact that she does this without limiting the action shows real skill and  has met with almost universal praise since the book’s release. And even though I’ve had my disagreement’s with the voices in the story, I have to admit to thoroughly enjoying the adventure all the way through.

Although the ending surprised me, in the most pleasant of ways, with Clare proving that she can keep the fans happy and write a satisfactory conclusion as well. Although calling it a ‘conclusion’ feels like the incorrect term, it might be better to say that it feels as though she placed the story within the wider world of ‘The Mortal Instruments’ series so it can continue. Don’t get me wrong though – I still bawled  my way through the last 20 pages. That’s saying something. I would consider myself to be something of a stoic reader, and although I do believe Clare pulled a number of her punches with regard to outright killing of characters, she still packs a fair emotional wallop.

And here’s my pic as promised.

It’s no secret to fans that Tessa will endure beyond the final pages of this book and beyond the final pages of all those that follow but we were always led to believe that her story would end here. After finishing  Clockwork Princess I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Tessa were to turn up again. I think I would be very happy to see her.

Directing your attention elsewhere…

If you have ever glanced nostalgically back at the books on your old bookshelf and remembered the happy times you spent together then you ought to check out my newly refurbished blog, Méabh’s Childhood Stories.

I’ve given it a going over, a new look, new content and all the nostalgia I can muster into one piece.The way I describe it to people is as a ‘retrospective diary’. What I think now about the books I read then. It’s enormous fun to write about and I hope a little bit of fun to read.

The new look.

It includes posts about my own reading experiences and what it was like growing up in the 90′s when children’s literature was just beginning to change. From Harry Potter to Nancy Drew, I’m planning on going over it all.

It exists because even though every child wants to grow up, it still never hurts to look back.

Have a look, I hope it makes you smile.

Among Others: out of this world

It’s rare that I’ve found a book that speaks so directly to me it feels like it was written just for my eyes to see.

There have been many different takes on Jo Walton’s Among Others. But the most common phrase you will hear associated with this weighty little novel, is “love letter”. Although not a love letter of the romantic variety, Among Others is a love letter to the Sci-Fi genre, to the Welsh valleys, to books about boarding school, to libraries, librarians, to 1979, and to being a 15 year old who just doesn’t fit in. And it’s beautiful.

UK Paperback copy released March 21 2013

The 2012 recipient of both the Hugo and the Nebula awards (the Oscars of SF and Fantasy novels),  Among Others is a book for all those who grew up devouring novels and stories and for those who remember what that was like, to have books be the one refuge that they can return to. It also maintains a lovely fantasy story alongside, although ironically this is the weakest link in a very strong chain that holds Among Others together.

You might have missed: I Capture the Castle

Number three in my list of books that are unforgettable but unfortunately sometimes forgotten. This one is a desert island read if there ever was one. (Side note, the main virtue of what I’m currently reading : Jo Walton’s Among Others,  is that it reminds me of this book).

A beautiful new cover was recently released by Vintage.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Now, I feel a little guilty featuring I Capture the Castle in this list, as, being a modern classic- it’s hardly forgotten. Also having received endorsement from the most successful authors of the last 20 years (Ms JK Rowling) it can’t really be called a forgotten classic either- but I still feel justified because I’ve never met anyone who’s ever read it but me. And people should read it, people should devour it. I feel confident in saying that I’ve never come across a narrator so compellingly genuine and nuanced as Cassandra Mortmain. A teenager living in a dilapidated castle with a poverty stricken father, a beautiful sister and a bohemian step mother creates a new romantic fairytale turned on its head. When you’re in Cassandra’s world- you feel like you are taking each gorgeously articulated step with her, from the very first line, “I’m writing this sitting in the kitchen sink” – it has a vibrant pulse. Although the author seems best known for her penning of 101 Dalmations this is a book that should be gifted to every person who has ever been in unrequited love. You’ll have found a friend for life.

You may have missed: Where the god of love hangs out

Here’s the second of the books that should be on your shelf, a collection about love and loss and most importantly, people. I devoured it when I first opened its pages, I hope you will too.

Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom

I had never heard of Amy Bloom when I was given this book, I merely knew I liked the title of her collection. Once I had finished I couldn’t believe I had never known her name. The beautiful collection of interconnected short stories is an incredible treatise on love, life and the real people that are involved in both. It has the benefit of being incredibly written while  maintaining a striking realism all the way through. Love is never sappy. sentimental or trite. It’s a force of nature and Bloom writes about it with full knowledge of this. Bloom writes about affairs, murder, and broken relationships as if they were as easy describe as the flowers in her front garden. It’s a sharp book, with lots of teeth and harrowing scenes of loss and pain. But what really makes Where the God of Love Hangs Out sing are the effortlessly realistic descriptions of love in all of its forms.  Bloom ties these into her narrative without even breaking a sweat. I remember desperately not wanting it to end, not because I didn’t want the stories to stop but because the writing was so heart-achingly beautiful. She takes the ‘mundane’ and elevates it to high status, something which few authors can do well. It remains one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.

March Madness – 5 reasons you should be excited this month!

I’ve never been the biggest fan of the month of March. It rains, it’s always cold and generally it’s lent (which means there is never any chocolate in my house). But this March is special- because this month there is a feast of literary treats to look forward to that just about make the whole month bearable!

Get revving your hopes because they’re about to go up!

The cast of BBC Radio 4′s Neverwhere. Copyright BBC

You may have missed: Tuck Everlasting

We all know the bestsellers, the books that jump out brightly coloured from the book shop shelves, artfully rested so you’ll notice them the minute you walk in the door. And generally you’ll have your fair share of quality in there.  But as there are bestselling wonder books, so there are books that lounge on shelves, hidden behind unfamiliar names, many of them equally as wonderful – if not more so.

These are books that may have passed beyond your notice, come out many years ago, or were simply written by authors with unfortunate surnames that lay hidden on the bottom shelves of bookshops. The majority of it is YA but that doesn’t mean ‘grown ups’ can’t read and love them too. Over the next few weeks I’ll release my recommendations of my favourite ‘forgotten’ books.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit