Reading Recommendations after a Partial Lobotomy

woman_reading_blue_book Lazy blog post tonight. What can I say. I’m tired, I’m chill-axing to some lovely tunes and too busy singing very loudly and tweeting about beards on twitter.

I was actually wondering if you could all do me a favour.

In my life B.K. (before Kai) I was an avid reader. I’d get through two or three books a week most weeks, devouring literature in the way I comparatively now only consume Whisper Golds (have you tried them? They’re divine!)

But then something happened.

I had a baby.

I think it would have been nice if someone had told me that somewhere between delivering the baby and the placenta a good portion of your brain would also somehow be mysteriously parted from your head space. Along with your common sense, ability to behave in a rational manner and speak coherently and, most important, read a book any more challenging than ‘The Hungry Caterpiller’ (and I struggle with that one some nights I can tell you. Counting to 5?! Who do you think I am? Carol Vorderman?!).

I tried many times over to get into a new read. But I’d end up just reading the same sentence over and over, or finally get through a whole page then have no recollection of what it was I had actually just read (the caterpillar ate what? A piece of cherry pie?)

Good news though. After 14 months and some concentrated writing effort to get my brain back in gear it seems I am finally recovering my cerebral abilities and even (gasp!) managed to read a WHOLE BOOK whilst on holiday. A whole GROWN-UP book.

And now the bug is well and truely back. I’m hungry for words and adventures and witty prose but feel like I’ve totally lost touch with what’s out there and what’s good.

So… your reading recommendations please!!

Here are the rules: no murder mystery/crime (unless it’s REALLY good), absolutely no romance chick lit crap, humour is ok as long as it’s clever humour. Mostly I like books that make you think, though there’s definitely room for a little well-written fantasy in there too.

Just to give you a flavour, here’s a few books I’ve read and loved recently (mostly B.K. it has to be said).

The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson

So now it’s over to you… what should I read next?

£3 a month - an alternative message.

Have YOU seen Advent Rabbit?

Writing Workshop #34 - Kissing, strangers, and letting go

http://mwaonline.blogspot.com Mwa

Hey. Beards are awesome. Seems we are the only two people on the Internet tonight. I think everyone else is out at a party. Why didn’t anyone tell us?

Anyway – if you like these books we are basically twins and you must must must read Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle. It’s huge, but don’t let that put you off.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..Happy Saturday =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
@Mwa, Huge books are fine. Kai can always use them as a handy stepping-stool for meyhem related activities x

[Reply]
Mwa Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
@Josie, I’m a bit jealous you haven’t read it – wish I could go back and start it fresh.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..Happy Saturday =-.

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http://www.veryboredhousewife.blogspot.com Very Bored Housewife

Some of my favourite reads of the past year or so have been:

The Kite Runner and A thousand Splendid Suns both by Khaled Hosseini
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Shadow of the Window by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
.-= Very Bored Housewife´s last blog ..No Cheese Please, we’re British… =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
@Very Bored Housewife, Oooh have read Shadow of the Wind and the Book Thief – both excellent! Spot-on choices for me – well done! Will add the other three to my list, thank you x

[Reply]
Very Bored Housewife Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
@Very Bored Housewife, sorry that should be Shadow of the Wind… my fingers got carried away
.-= Very Bored Housewife´s last blog ..No Cheese Please, we’re British… =-.

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http://notdrowning.wordpress.com The NDM

I belong to a Book Group so that at least peer group pressure will get me reading one book a month.

Here are some recent(ish) favourites:

“What Is The What” by Dave Eggers
“The Tall Man” by Chloe Hooper (unfortunately falls into the “true crime” category but is a beautiful and terrible depiction of Aboriginal deaths in custody in Queensland, Australia)
“Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell
.-= The NDM´s last blog ..Song For The Unsung Hero =-.

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Josie Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
@The NDM, Thank you my lovely. Think I have ‘Cloud Atlas’ squirrelled away somewhere – will dig it out x

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http://babieswhobrunch.blogspot.com babieswhobrunch

talking of cloud atlas, try black swan green, also by david mitchell. it’s brilliant. i have been reading a bit but as it’s just before i fall asleep, which is pretty darn late these days, i have absolutely no recollection what i’ve read. am desperate to read netherland though. that would be my top pick.
.-= babieswhobrunch´s last blog ..The gender gap =-.

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Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
@babieswhobrunch, Turns out I have Cloud Atlas AND Black Swan Green already hidden in my huge towering book collection – picked them up B.K. and then never read them and forgot I had them! Just had a look at Netherland on Amazon. The cricket puts me off – is that stupid? Will add it to the list though.

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http://iknowineedtostoptalking.blogspot.com/ Kathryn

Not only am I Twitter-phobic, I’m a chick lit devotee. You’re going to cull me, aren’t you?! So no use whatsoever, sorry … although if you haven’t already then you should definitely read Snow Falling On Cedars. My dad recommended it to me, it is most awesome. A little bit crime-y but don’t let that put you off x
.-= Kathryn´s last blog ..Sympathy, please =-.

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Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
@Kathryn, Oh Kathryn. Your brain is worthy of more than chick-lit. I’ll forgive you though. Thanks for the suggestion!

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http://westonsupermum.blogspot.com Weston-super-Mum

I’m with you there!! The book thing is coming back – slowly. I joined a book group with some other mums but I have only finished one out of the 4 so far! How the f**k do the others manage to get a book a month read? – they all have 2 children and demanding jobs – I am stay-at-home with one!
It’s worse than that – this woman who used to go the cinema at least once a fortnight (whatever was showing, sometimes) cannot sit through whole film at home without her mind wandering or falling asleep. I confine myself to light entertainment and comedy (although even that’s pissing me off these days). I’ve got a PhD, FFS, and I can’t even concentrate on a one-hour documentary these days!

Anyway, The Other Hand by Chris Cleave is excellent and one of the few books I have managed to finish during the 3 years of My Girl’s life. Definitely recommended!
.-= Weston-super-Mum´s last blog ..Ugh, This Tastes Like Shit =-.

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Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
@Weston-super-Mum, A film? A WHOLE film? I’m with you on that one – that’s even harder than book reading! I get antsy sitting still these days – it makes me nervous. In fact TV in general pisses me off. I watch Fringe and Bones and the odd wildlife docu and that’s it (oh and CBeebies – that’s a given). Feels like a monumental waste of precious, limited time.

Thanks for the book suggestion!

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http://www.britsinbosnia.blogspot.com Brit in Bosnia

The book that got me back into reading after having small people requesting my attention was 24/7 was We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver which I could not put down (broke the attention 24/7 thing).

Others that I have REALLY enjoyed recently are
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
In The Woods by Tana French
The Girl in the Film by Charlotte Eagar

And I’m with whoever it was who recommended 1000 Splendid Suns, it was wonderful!

Enjoy and if you have any recommendations, let us know!
.-= Brit in Bosnia´s last blog ..Dear So and So Bosnian Version: Part iii =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
@Brit in Bosnia, Ooh good choices – I’ve picked up a couple of those in Waterstones and liked the blurb. Thanks! x

[Reply]
http://www.themostsplendidday.blogspot.com Irene

I’m reading Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. Very good so far and it’s not a mystery about a biblical book .
.-= Irene´s last blog ..Early Sunday Morning… =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
@Irene, Haha you know me so well! Well done for rescuing your suggestion!

[Reply]
http://bringingupcharlie.blogspot.com/ Tim Atkinson

Well, I’m really disappointed no-one’s so far recommended ‘Writing Therapy’ by, er… me, actually! Oh well…
.-= Tim Atkinson´s last blog ..Turn your papers over… now! =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
@Tim Atkinson, Got any free promo copies lying around?

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http://www.kidstart.co.uk/livingwithkids Liz

Well for grim grim grim of course Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Although you could just see the film if you can get a sitter.

I’m actually very impressed with your reading list, as I can only seem to concentrate on mum/chick lit myself, even though alot of it is so badly written it makes me cross. But Marian Keyes’ last one This Charming Man is a near-perfect book.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
@Liz, The Road seems to be cropping up a lot here – definitely a must-read then. I can cope with grim. Will just stock up on the tissues…

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http://www.hotcrossmum.blogspot.com Hot Cross Mum

Well done on finishing an actual book! I’m slowly working my way through ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’. I have to say that The Road is the most memorable book I’ve read for ages – but I cried for about a week afterwards. Any of the Phillipa Gregory Tudor Court novels are excellent reads – The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen’s Fool (if you like history, you’ll like these). Oh, and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a great read.
.-= Hot Cross Mum´s last blog ..Eliza Plum: Credit Crunch Mum =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
@Hot Cross Mum, I LOVED Time Traveller’s Wife (and feel hip cause I read it before it was popular ) I haven’t read any Phillipa Gregory for years but used to love her stuff. And Sarah Waters is great! Good choices! xx

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http://noblesavage.me.uk Noble Savage

Anything by Margaret Atwood (particularly ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘Oryx and Crake’) or John Irving (particularly ‘The World According to Garp’ and ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’); ‘The Road Home’ by Rose Tremain; ‘The Memory Keeper’s Daughter’ by Kim Edwards; ‘The Fifth Child’ by Doris Lessing; ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’ by Azar Nafisi; ‘The Virgin Suicides’ by Jeffrey Eugenides; ‘What Is The What’ by Dave Eggers; ‘Paint it Black’ by Janet Fitch
.-= Noble Savage´s last blog ..Bibliotherapy Q&A =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
@Noble Savage, You had me at Atwood and Irving…

[Reply]
http://www.arewenearlythereyetmummy.com Laura Driver-Handlebar

The three books I’ve read this year have been mentioned, The Other Hand, The Road and We Need To Talk About Kevin. Loved Time Travelers Wife too.

I favour books like Th Road at the moment which are written in small chapters, just enough for me to read before I nod off. The husband proudly reads four books to my one.
.-= Laura Driver-Handlebar´s last blog ..A sad day in the Driver house =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
@Laura Driver-Handlebar, Small chapters would be perfect. Ok I’m DEFINITELY reading that one first.

[Reply]
http://babyrambles.blogspot.com Whistlejacket

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood recently got my baby-fied pregnancy-fied mushed up brain thinking. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides is another one I’ve read lately. Like Hot Cross Mum I’m also slowly ploughing through the Time Traveller’s Wife, bought for me by husband who found it in a BOGOF deal, had no idea it had been made into a film.
.-= Whistlejacket´s last blog ..Happy memories – a Great Read meme =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
@Whistlejacket, I’m liking the ones that are cropping up more than once. They’re going right at the top (of my very long list!!) Thanks! xx

[Reply]
http://babyrambles.blogspot.com Whistlejacket

Your comments form is so cool. It finds my last blog post and everything. Love it. Just commenting again to marvel at it.
.-= Whistlejacket´s last blog ..Happy memories – a Great Read meme =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
@Whistlejacket, Marvel away! It’s for novelties like this I got my own domain…

[Reply]
http://insomniacmummy.com Insomniac Mummy

I loved The Time Traveller’s Wife. All the ones I’d recommend have been suggested. I’ve alot of the same ones as Hot Cross Mum, plus The Virgin Suicides that Noble Savage recommended is great too.

I’ve bought loads recently but not read a page. Still got the concentration span of a spud 15 weeks post birth of Little e.
.-= Insomniac Mummy´s last blog ..Toddler plus Shopping Trip equals Aaaarrrgggh! =-.

[Reply]
Josie Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
@Insomniac Mummy, At 15 weeks post birth you are allowed to have the concentration span of a spud. And it makes your blog all the more the marvel that it is. At 15 weeks post Kai I think I had just stopped wearing my pyjamas, started washing my hair again, and speaking in words of more than one syllable xxx

[Reply]
http://www.movementinthestillness.blogspot.com J.

I recommend any Isabel allende, and also really like Joanne Harris (if you read chocolate or the sequel lollipop shoes, be prepared to want really good chocolates, just a forewarning…) gentlemen and players is good, it is a mystery/crime by joanne harris (which I usually don’t go for) but is great. Also, I am a pencil by sam swope.

[Reply]
http://www.notsuchayummymummy.wordpress.com Notsuchayummymummy

I’m hanging my head in shame. I have always prided myself in reading ‘intelligent’ books but have hardly heard of any on here. I have read the Time Travellers Wife which I adored but Cloud Atlas was the first & only book I’ve never finished. It grated & bored me.

I feel all inferior!!

I’m currently reading The Twelth Hour by Jeffery Deaver. I love a good crime novel & it’s all my brain can cope with. Next month I’ll be reading lots of Human Resource Management textbooks for my masters. If there are any particularly interesting ones I’ll let you know.

BTW, this website is genius! Love that it posts my last blog! Hmmm….I feel an idea for a christmas present coming on…..
.-= Notsuchayummymummy´s last blog ..My 2nd boyfriend =-.

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http://www.randolphschallenge.com Chris Warren

I unashamedly recommend my new book, Randolph’s Challenge Book One – The Pendulum Swings. It’s the first in a well written, humorous, adventure style fantasy trilogy and it’s available on Amazon as well as through the publisher’s website (www.strategicbookpublishing.com/RandolphsChallenge.html) or the books own website (www.randolphschallenge.com)

Chris Warren

[Reply]
http://adolfo.co Adolfo

I'm reading Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. Very good so far and it's not a mystery about a biblical book .

[Reply]
http://geektual.com/ Noticias Tecnologia

Nice post and thanks for the book suggestions, I'll try to buy one of those.

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