This month I have started lots of books, but not finished very many! It’s a terrible trait to have half-finished books scattered around the house.
Book of The Month – Fifty Words For Snow by Nancy Campbell *****
This was a lovely read, the kind of book which you can read in one go or dip in and out of. Each chapter started with a beautiful white snowflake on a blue page. Nancy then shared a word, the English translation and where in the world it comes from. We were then treated to beautiful words around stories & true-life events, traditions and cultures or amazing facts. All of course around the theme of snow. I was taken across the world to far-flung places and learnt new things closer to home too. A well researched, entertaining read which I would highly recommend. All the way through I couldn’t help thinking how timely this book is. The sad fact is that climate change will erase some of these cultures and annual events as temperature rise loomed large. Thanks to Adventurous Ink for including it within their subscription.
Snow in May: Stories by Kseniya Melnik ****
Another book with snow in the title and this time a collection of short stories. Kseniya’s tales were enthralling, interesting and unique. They all had one thing in common, characters with a connection to Magadan in the far East of Russia. I loved the individuality of the characters. Each one very quickly became real in my head even as I was only a page or two into the story. It was a window into a world I know nothing about. This book was from the Shelterbox book club and I am glad I picked it up after a few months on the shelf. My subscription has lapsed but maybe I should go back.
I loved the premise of the book – exploring Suffolk folk tales, and then bringing them bang up to date with contemporary versions from UoS MA Creative Writing students. They were imaginative and interesting but be warned, some were fairly dark and disturbing! I shall never again look at those sleepy Suffolk villages in quite the same way.
Walking: One Step at a Time by Erling Kagge. ***
An easy read which outlines lots of reasons that walking is good for you, and outlines some of Erling’s personal experiences which were fascinating.
During March I hope to finish some of the books I’ve started including Manningtree Witches, Brene Brown’s Dare To Lead and Atlas of The Heart and The Art of Roughhousing. I’d also like to read some uplifting fiction or maybe some fantasy. The news out of Ukraine is so heartbreaking that I definitely need an escape, something completely unconnected to real life.