Violet’s Book Tag

Book(s) that changed your life/thinking:

• The Kite Runner really made me think – I knew very little about the Taliban and Afghanistan before I read it, so it was an education as well as being a fantastic read.
• Leith’s Cookery Bible – Oh. My. God. I couldn’t live without it.

Book(s) that mirror(ed) your life:

• I was once told by the lovely Luda that my childhood sounded very Mitfordian. Having just read The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, I can kind of see what she meant – I also fear I’m turning into The Bolter, dammit.

Book(s) you’ve read more than once:

Any book that I enjoy I will generally read more than once. Books that I constantly re-read include:

• This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart
• Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
• The Power of One/Tandia by Bryce Courtenay
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
• Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton

Book(s) you’d take to a deserted island:

• See above.

Book(s) that made you laugh:

• Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson.

Book(s) you were surprised you loved:

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I had worried it might be a bit worthy for my tastes, but not at all.
• Hamlet’s Dresser by Bob Smith. Gentle, beautiful and well worth the read.

Book(s) you wish you had written:

• Expensive ones that sell lots of copies.

Book(s) you wish had never been written:

• I can’t remember the title of it, it was so bad, but there was one that I reviewed over on my 20six blog when I was doing the 50 book challenge which was utterly, utterly dire.
• Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks was also dreadful. I was expecting great literature and instead got some (admittedly very good) sex scenes given the illusion of respectability with a lot of very dull psychiatric lectures. Little more than mediocre chick-lit with pretensions.

Book(s) you’re currently reading –

• I’ve just finished a run of Nancy Mitfords and am undecided as to what to read next. Hopefully something that won’t weigh my handbag down too much on the way to work …

Book(s) you’ve been meaning to (re)read –

• The Kite Runner (reread)
• Hamlet’s Dresser (reread)
• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• The New York Chronicles by Paul Auster
• The Time-Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (reread)

Book(s) you’re embarrassed to admit you have not read:

• Jane Eyre. How have I managed to miss that one out?

Book(s) you’ve been meaning to finish:

• Untold Stories by Alan Bennett
• The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

Shameless Pimpage

Just a quick plug for my marvellous friend Liz – go here to read mysteriousdeaths.com, her break into published writing on Pulp.net

The Young Girl’s Guide to Good Behaviour

I have been flicking through Monica Redlich's wonderful book again and thoroughly enjoying its wicked take on life. It is a book that was given to me by my grandmother about 10 years ago and, looking in the flyleaf, it seems it is the December 1935 impression (as you will see from this link, the title has now been changed slightly). Certainly the edges of the pages are spotted with brown and the paper is of a quality that you just don't get any more. It also has that old book smell, which is so delicious.

Despite the innocent title, this book is fantastically wicked (which is why it appeals to me so much!) For instance, this is what the author has to say on the subject of other people's features:

The nice girl is far above petty jealousy, and will never try to make out that her friends are not good-looking. You will, I know, be anxious to say all you can in their favour, and will do your best to discount any trifling blemishes. The following remarks combine kindness with absolute honesty.

'Oh, but I think Mary's charming. One really hardly notices those teeth.'

'Darling Cynthia – so bright. You'd never suppose that she's ten years older than I am.'

Even should your friend be hopelessly plain, you will want to stand by her. Admit her plainness (for one cannot lie), but point out that she has a sweet nature.

If a friend should aks you herself what you think of her features, there are many ways of showing how generously you admire them. For example:-

'Everyone says you look charming, when your face is in repose.'

'They always say a big nose is a sign of character.'

'What nonsense, my dear – you don't look wicked at all.'

Throughout the book there are wonderful stylised illustrations by Anna K Zinkeisen (can't find a link anywhere – sorry), which beautifully enhance the tone of the book. For instance, the front cover shows an angelic girl, dressed in ribbons and lace – with cloven hooves poking out from underneath her skirt.

There are sage words of advice within for every occasion, from parties to The Season to relationships – and some of the insults are absolutely priceless and well-worth remembering. This is a book to be picked up and chuckled over whenever possible.