I was given her book Started Early, Took My Dog, some time ago. A friend of my Mum's gave it to her and Mum gave it to me, thinking that I would do as I normally do and knock it over in a few days. "You read faster than me," she said, handing it over.
But I didn't. Something about the title didn't speak to me. I put it on the To Be Read pile and went my merry way. Last week, Mum asked me if I'd finished with it. Seems she's ready to begin it. So I went home and got on with the job.
I'm not quite done with it still, but my word it's a sensational book. Several mysteries, some wonderful character studies, a police procedural, funny bits, sad bits, some wise words on the state of society today. Literary, readable. Three or four stories in one, each revealing itself slowly. Defeating someone (we won't mention names) who might want to read the end first because (and don't ask me how I know this), the end and the beginning don't seem to match.
Highly recommended. I'll be looking for more.
Hopefully that one will be on Mum's 'finished' pile by the time I get down there next!!! x
ReplyDeletePutting it on my list. Love finding new authors
ReplyDeleteYou don't really read the endings of books early do you? My mother in law does that. It baffles me.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the recommendation.
I am just off to bed to finish "Anonymums" and then I realise I have a gap with nothing tempting to read next - so I shall request some Kate Atkinson from the library perhaps.
Love book recommendations - thank you. I will keep an eye out for her in my local bookshop. I know what you mean about the title, can't put my finger on it but I wouldn't go for this if I saw it in the library/shop
ReplyDeleteThe title wouldn't have grabbed me either so it must have been a nice surprise. I love a good read so i shall keep an eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteGoin' to hunt for this book and read it! :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion!
I love reading the endings, because then while I'm reading I try to figure out how the storyteller is going to get me there. If I can guess the ending, the book isn't a good one for me. This is why I love Wally Lamb so much, because I never know where he's going to take me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, this looks great: I love the name. I am a dog person, perhaps that is part of the appeal for me.
I love book recommendations. Shall be checking this one out for sure. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love a good book recommendation, so after reading this post I went straight to my library website. Every copy of every Kate Atkinson book was checked out. They have now been added to my request list.
ReplyDeleteOddly, one copy of Started Early, Took My dog was listed as fiction, the other as non-fiction.
Another writer to look out for. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAnd to Amazon I go....
ReplyDeleteShe's great isn't she? Read Behind The Scenes at the Museum. or When Will There Be Good News. I've only just started Started Early, Took My Dog.
ReplyDeleteThey've just started televising Case Histories - starring one of the Harry Potter actors. Won't say which one in case it ruins it. I know that sometimes I have a picture of the character in my head and then they televise it and I then can't get the image of that actor out of my head. Kate Atkinson is big news over here.
Do you like Sophie Hannah?
Intrigued. I will grab it when everyone else is finished! x
ReplyDeleteI just tagged you :)
ReplyDeleteCome visit my blog :)
http://iamjoross.blogspot.com
iamjoross
Oh, I've heard of this. It's supposed to be on my list but I've just checked and no it isn't. Well, it wasn't but it is now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up, I am about to look for some new books and I always like to hear about new authors.
ReplyDeleteMe and kate have been very close ever since I read her first book Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Some people are just brilliant and there's nothing better for the procrastinating writer than a good book:)
ReplyDeleteThird recommendation for Behind The Scenes at the Museum from me, she is (or was) a Edinburgh-based writer, good on her!
ReplyDeleteOh damn. My To Buy list is getting longer. Again.
ReplyDeleteMust finish reading 17 other books by my bed first.
I mean it. Thanks for your recommendation. x