January Reading Wrap Up | Part Two | 2021

[@lucyballands8477]

Reading Still Life, what an easy, joyous poetic, informative, trail of woven tales & personalities. I don’t want it to end. Ps, stumbled on your channel, your authenticity absorbs the viewer, great work.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you so much Lucy. What a kind thing to say. Welcome to the channel, hope you’ll become a regular.

[@annabaillie-karas1100]

Just finished Mrs Death Misses Death, trying to gather my thoughts for our podcast discussion. Not easy to sum up! The mix of styles reminded me of something Olivia Laing said, that in current times you can’t tell stories in a traditional novel format, it doesn’t ring true, new ways are needed. I loved that she was grappling with that - and what phenomenal writing indeed! Thanks for the rec. 👏🏼

[@SavidgeReads]

Love Salena Godden. Love Olivia Laing.

[@annabaillie-karas1100]

You had me at ‘It starts in Tuscany’. 😂 Adding to my list.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. You’ll get so much more than just Tuscany. Loved it.

[@GKReads]

Omg it’s the worst when you’re reading a book and realise you’ve read it before but also don’t full recall what happened 😅 I feel like you and me are the founding members of the Love After Love fan club! 💞

[@SavidgeReads]

We are!!! What do we get as founding members that’s what I want to know. I think it might be my age. I’m heading to forty (next year) so maybe my book memory is going 😱😱😱😱😱

[@YourTrueShelf]

I added so many of these to my wishlist!! I am so excited that Sarah Winman has another book coming out 🎉 what a lovely bonus that was at the end!

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s soooooo good. There might be a quote from a certain someone on the next set of proofs. Woohoo.

[@YourTrueShelf]

@@SavidgeReads ooohhh 👏🏻 nice work!

[@UKLeonie]

" Mrs Death Misses Death" audio is even better and I am still raving about it cause I am still loveing it sooooooooo much, plus as a south Londoner seeing East London in such a beautiful view was great.

[@SavidgeReads]

I dunno if we can ever say an audio book is better because we all have a different reading experience to each other whether it’s physical or audio. Lol. But I’m glad you liked it lots.

[@rosegreensummer]

fair play to you: you said you didn't like poetry and wanted to start, not long ago, and now look at you!

[@SavidgeReads]

Yes reading quite a bit more now.

[@SydneyKav]

I read and really enjoyed Mrs Death Misses Death and completely agree that it should be on the Women’s Prize longlist next year - if only just for the brilliant word play throughout!

[@demeldapenkitty7937]

Loved Mrs Death Misses Death a true masterpiece.

[@SavidgeReads]

It is and so different.

[@hill7912A]

So glad you like Luckenbooth. I have it on my TBR then someone did the "Oh I have just read that and its really crap" thing. Gothic in Edinburgh is all I want to know :)

[@SavidgeReads]

Those people should be blocked or muted. I can’t be dealing with them. Hahaha. It’s why I don’t share what I’m reading until after I’ve read it.

[@KateriRansom]

Still Life sounds like a vacation of a novel! Definitely picking up a few from this wrap-up as well!!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hurray!

[@allycanuck]

A crime series set in the Caribbean by Jacob Ross and recommended by Bernadine Everisto - Book 1 is The Bone Readers and 2 is Black Rain Falling. I recently bought them both, and copies for my mom too... she's already read the first one and loved it!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooooh I thought I had the first of these on my shelves but I don’t. Wonder where it’s gone. Anyway. I might have to reorder. I know Grace @gkreads loved the first.

[@janiceallan2981]

Hi Simon Just for your information. Russell T. Davies who created 'It's A Sin' is being interviewed on Damian Barr's Literary Salon. 18th Feb. So enjoy your videos! Thank you. xx

[@SavidgeReads]

Yes with Ruth Coker Burkes, who I will be doing an event with soon. Russell T. Davies used to date Chris. Hahaha. I’m saying no more.

[@janiceallan2981]

@@SavidgeReads my lips are sealed! 🤭 Her book sounds really good! I am sure tissues will be at the ready! Look forward to seeing/hearing your interview with her. X

[@demeldapenkitty7937]

Mermaid of Black Conch is hopefully coming my way for Valentines, who needs roses when they can have books!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahahaha. Very true. Though we just do cards.

[@Usvaa]

That red sweater suits you really well :)

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you.

[@yassiejanette]

With each one of your videos I watch my tbr grows extortionately! (P.S. thank you)

[@SavidgeReads]

Hurray. I’m glad you see it as a good thing. Lots of people say it like it’s a bad thing. Ha.

[@BellesBooksbyCarly]

I had the same feeling about Bellman and Black with the amount of historical detail but I still found it engaging, also thought it might have been a narrative technique to show how bound he was to repetition of the day to day business? I really liked the ambiguity of the ending too but agree I wanted more from/for Dora! I’m reading The Mermaid of Black Conch at the moment, that first chapter was tough going but really enjoying it now!

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you’re enjoying The Mermaid of Black Conch. I’ve a special place in my heart/bookish bit of my brain for that book. Interesting thoughts on the detail of Bellman & Black.

[@suzannahdarcy6903]

The Blue Fox - I read that a few years ago and feel exactly the same: I read it too quickly and didn't do the book justice. But I've kept it, so like you, I want to read it again

[@SavidgeReads]

Yeah that’s will happen next winter for me I think. It could just be that I won’t love another Sjon as much as I loved Moonstone. That’s possible too.

[@JenniMReads]

I would probably be persuaded by a simple "Just go read this, it's great!" But I have followed you for a long time, so I have a pretty good picture of how our tastes align.

[@SavidgeReads]

I think if I just said that ten times a video it might get a bit dull though maybe.

[@agirlabookandamom6721]

I love your reviews. I think I will have to take a look at Mrs. Death Misses Death. And I completely agree that entertainment for children has gotten a little too "real" and that sometimes escapism is what they need. I'm totally going to run The Voyage of The Sparrowhawk by my daughter. I think it sounds terrific.

[@SavidgeReads]

I meant that also add that I’ll definitely head to Natasha Farrants other book. Just for fun.

[@monaedoyle3631]

Hello. I am in the middle of reading a cute rom-com that I’m enjoying very much so. I also got two books in the mail today. One of the books I got is a Christmasy holiday read. My holiday reading might have to start a little early 🎄

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. That is quite early but why not I say.

[@donkeirstade5304]

I remember looking at Bellman and Mr Black years ago, but never got to it. You have intrigued me . Also Luckenbooth sounds good

[@SavidgeReads]

They’re both gothic gems.

[@TheCprieto]

You should read Leonardo Padura, my favourite is The Man who loved dogs, but all of his books are excellent. Probably the best contemporary Cuban author

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I’ll look him up. Thank you Claudia.

[@miaarndt9501]

I just started reading Mrs Death Misses Death and I’m so excited to hear that you loved it! I’m only a few pages in but I already love the style of the book!

[@SavidgeReads]

I think it’s such an original, fabulous book!

[@mpsensha]

Funny, I was desperate to read Still Life, too. But the one by Val McDermid. 😁

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

The Mermaid of Black Conch is on my kindle TBR from your recommendation. 📖

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy it!!

[@angelaluz405]

Karen ar Rurwright Reads is actually doing a book club wherein they are reading 2 Caribbean books a month all year. She posted a video (earlier today, I think) that announced the next 2 books. She has lots of good Caribbean recommendations!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooooooh I’ll check. I thought I was following her. I get who I am following where as I’m definitely her on Instagram.

[@MsSculptress]

Sorry where can I find Karen ar Rurwright

[@angelaluz405]

@@MsSculptress it's a KZbin channel...but I made a typo and spelled it wrong. Sorry. It is Runwright Reads

[@curioushmm9027]

i'm so glad you have gotten your first shot..i'm due my second one in less than two weeks now.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh that’s good to hear. Think my next one is due in 10 weeks. So not too long to go.

[@curioushmm9027]

@@SavidgeReads lol..not considering the road already traveled!

[@susprime7018]

It makes lots of sense (in regard to Mrs. Death Misses Death). Read the Agony and the Ectasy (a good book about art).

[@SavidgeReads]

Max Porter’s is probably good for many, it just didn’t work for me like his other did. And glad I made sense about Mrs Death. Ha.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Bellman & Black is very like Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell. I liked it. ☕️🫖

[@SavidgeReads]

Really? I’ve read both and wouldn’t have compared them. That’s really interesting. I didn’t really like Strange & Norell.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

Had great fun with Winter BookHiBearNation and am definitely in for the spring version. Just finished William Boyle’s Restless and really, really liked it. In some ways it reminded me of Ondaatje’s Warlight. Also read Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley which was pretty creepy but gripping too. Hope you are on the mend from the vaccine!

[@SavidgeReads]

I loooooooved Restless when I read it. It was my first Boyd and was for a book club I used to be in with my colleagues... FIFTEEN YEARS AGO!!!!

[@cindyhaiken5644]

@@SavidgeReads Time flies, doesn’t it???

[@cherylynlarking191]

Cant wait to read still Life. You gave it a great wrap up. Just finished 4321 by Paul Auster. A long read. Hope you are feeling o.k after your vaccine. I had mine Friday and was so tired all Saturday.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m tired and fevery but I am hoping it’ll pass. Rather this than covid though. Ha. Glad you’ve had yours.

[@thetbrdiaries]

I have Mrs Death Misses Death on my TBR for this month, I am looking forward to it. I loved Bellman and Black when I read it, I guess I have a thing for books about death??

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s interesting you mention Bellman & Black, I didn’t think that was as much about death as it is when I was reading it. Hahahaha.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I want to hear Chris singing in the 🚿 Does he have a playlist of favourites? 🎤

[@SavidgeReads]

He just sings whatever his spirit decides. Hahaha.

[@SueWard]

Mrs Death misses death I’ve on audio next week. Looking forward to it

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh you’ll have to tell me how that goes.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Can’t wait to get Mrs Death. It’ll be a while yet though. I ordered Kate Fox’s collection in the middle of your video. Another Trinidad book that I loved is Golden Child by Claire Adam.

[@SavidgeReads]

I have Golden Child on a special TBR for a secret reading project I’m planning over the forthcoming weeks and months. Glad to hear it’s a good’en.

[@angelafraser4572]

This year I want to read 'Like Heaven' by Niala Maharaj which is set in Trinidad. I don't know much about it other than the cover is very colourful and it looks like an escape from English winter

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve not heard of that one. I’ll have to look it up.

[@hardbackandcoffee7277]

I voted no for the new thumbnail style on Instagram, but can see now that it looks really good.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. I was always going to do it as it’s my channel and I liked it. It’s always interesting to what other people think though... and then block the ones who disagree. Hahahahaha. I’m joking I wouldn’t do that. Hahaha.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Victorian books for children were full of dying children. I had never noticed it until I read Agatha Christie's autobiography. She mentioned it. For me, Little Women is the most obvious example. I have been reading GODS, GRAVES AND SCHOLARS, a book about the history of archeology. I believe it was written early in the 20th century, but updated later on. Very interesting and not dry at all. For a rest over the weekend, I re-read an old favourite, The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie. I love Agatha to pieces. She is classist constantly and racist all too often, but I love her no matter what. Thank you for the video!

[@SavidgeReads]

I hadn’t thought about it like that. With the Victorian books. Very interesting. I don’t have issues with it overall. I guess I just feel now it’s relentless and sometimes we just need to have escapism. I’m struggling with all this with writers from the past. Daphne Du Maurier has her moments and I don’t know if I can condone what she writes in some books even if ‘it’s back in time’. It’s why I’ve not read her for ages.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Love 💗 the jumper 💗.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you. It’s an oldie I’ve not worn for a while. Need to get my rotation back. Haha.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Recommend The Golden Child by Clare Adams ( especially via audio)

[@SavidgeReads]

Second recommendation for this. I’ll head to it. Though probably in book form. I’m not very good with fiction on audio.

[@traceybuchanan9153]

I've just started 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak on your recommendation

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope you enjoy it!