For a bookworm there is nothing better than finding an author you enjoy and then working your way happily through their back catalogue. Or rediscovering an author after a period of time.
I’ve only just got back into reading novels. While I was so occupied with long distance care of my parents I couldn’t get into them. Strange that, you’d imagine I could have done with some escapism, but I didn’t seem to have the brain capacity.
This means some of my favourite authors have published books in the meantime that I didn’t even know about, and can now pounce on with glee. I’ve been taking the novels of Penelope Lively out of the library, and still have a couple on reservation I’m looking forward to.
She is one of the novelists I can rely on for a good story, credible characters and such well-written prose that reading it is like slicing a hot knife through butter. Smooth, quick, easy and nothing to snag on!
I’ve noticed I always use eating analogies when I talk about reading, and I read quickly so A says I devour books. Which is what a bookworm would do, chomping its way through the pages.
Others in the slicing butter category are Patrick Gale, who has been teasing fans on social media with the cover of his latest Take Nothing with You, which will be published in August. And Joanna Trollope, whose novels were dismissively dubbed Aga sagas years ago, but is a superb portrayer of relationships. And has written some of the best cats I’ve read!
Yesterday I read with sadness that American novelist Anita Shreve has died. Many of her novels are unputdownable, particularly the earlier ones such as Where or When and The Pilot’s Wife.
Those are some of the novels that guarantee a good read for this bookworm. What are your favourites, and what do you recommend I try now I’ve got my reading head back?
(Photos by Annie Spratt & Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash)
I’ve never read any Penelope Lively so will have to have a look at those. Kate Atkinson is my favorite author that I can go back to again and again.
Thanks for reminding me about Kate Atkinson, Zoe. I’ve read a couple but in the intervening years she’s dropped off my radar, as so many things did! Penelope Lively is fascinated by memory and history, and how different people remember and interpret events in different ways. I’ve just heard another of her novels is waiting for me at the library, so that’s the weekend’s reading sorted!
So sad to hear about Anita Shreve – I loved The Pilot’s Wife and read a handful of her other books after discovering it. I really need to read some Penelope Lively. Moon Tiger has been on my to read list for a long time now. I’ve just rediscovered Muriel Spark and am now on a mission to devour as many of her novels as I can.
Moon Tiger is a great introduction to Penelope Lively, Kat. It’s ages since I read it, and I’m wondering about a re-read. And thanks for mentioning Muriel Spark. I read a few of hers years ago, but need to take another look. So many books!