Denise Covey, L’Aussie, reflects on 2011


At the beginning of 2011, I joined Home Girl’s Reading Challenge which has many levels. I decided to go with the 100+ goal. I was off to a speedy start and had read my 100+ by November. In 2012 I will set my goalposts even higher. Writers need readers after all. However, seeing as I’m prioritising my writing in the New Year, maybe I won’t get as many books read. 

A Moveable Feast in hand
I read many amazing books in 2011. One of the most amazing experiences was reading A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway after buying it from Shakespeare and Company, the shabby little bookshop on the Seine in Paris. As I read it, I followed in Hemingway’s footsteps around Paris, walking up to his apartment, eating at his favourite restaurants and soaking up the Hemingway vibe. Another of my favourite reads of the year came from the same bookstore. I discovered a new author – Sybil Marshall – who published her first novel at 80! Her books are amazing. I started her Nest of Magpies in Paris after I finished Hemingway, and was blown away by her storytelling set in an English village threatened by developers. When I got home, I bought all her other novels online.

Books (other than the above-mentioned) that blew me away:

Au Revior to all that – Michael Steinberger – a wonderful story with an amazing premise set in World War 11. Seriously couldn't put it down.
Red Garden – Alice Hoffman – I reviewed it here at RAD.
Venice Conspiracy – Jon Trace – kept me guessing all the way through. Creepy.
Paris Dreaming – Anita Heiss – a great Aussie indigenous author who has written a series of …Dreaming.

I like to read/review blogger’s books. Here are some I’ve enjoyed reading:

Bear With Two Shadows – Roland Yeomans – could be a classic one day.
A series of 3 books by Talli Roland – The Hating Game, Watching Willow Watts and Build a Man
In the Mirror – Ann Carbine Best – a shocking memoir by a favourite author of mine

The Highwayman’s Mistress – Francine Howarth, author of Regency Romance

Can’t wait to get into reading for 2012. Looks like I’m finishing the year with The Affair by Lee Child, Jack Reacher series. Love them.

 

3 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I remember your trek around Paris!

Denise Covey said...

Yes Alex that was fun!

Denise

Denise Covey said...

Whoops and how could I forget Alex's Cassa Star. I'm looking forward to his new book, Cassa Fire, out in February.

Denise

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