Sunday, 15 January 2017

Latest Reading

My latest reading has been a little eclectic, but then that seems to be par for the course.  Before Christmas I started on a couple of Miss Marple books on my Kindle - Nemesis and Sleeping Murder - partly because the Joan Hickson adaptations were being shown, so I wanted to read the originals and because those are my favourites so far. Joan Hickson was perfect casting for Miss Marple, right down to her twinkling eyes!  Since Christmas, I have continued with The Murder at the Vicarage, The Thirteen Problems, The Body in the Library, The Moving Finger and A Murder is Announced.  Although I had some inklings about who the murderer might be each time, (I was usually wrong) Mrs Christie managed to bamboozle me and I missed lots of clues. On my Kindle at the moment is Pride and Prejudice.
However, I have also got 'real' books which I have either started or am going to.  I usually have a few on the go at any one time.
So, in the photo, there is Nella Last's War (the Mass Observation Exercise diary kept by Nella Last and which Victoria Wood dramatised in 'Housewife, 49').  This brings home the way life had to go on during the Second World War, with rationing and managing on very little.
There is also The Invisible Woman which I was inspired to read following a film of the same name which I watched last year.  This is the story of Ellen Ternan and her family; she was involved with Charles Dickens but was 'invisible' to society.  So far, it is fascinating and presents an interesting picture of the lives of Victorian actresses and how they were thought of/treated.
('To Walk Invisible' photo from http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/)
The Brontes is a very good biography of the whole family which I bought back in 1995 and have read several times.  I watched 'To Walk Invisible' over Christmas which I really enjoyed and this made me want to read the biography again. (It is still available on iplayer for the next thirteen days to watch if you are in the UK).  'To Walk Invisible' was a dramatisation of the adult lives of the Brontes, following Branwell's downfall and the sisters' fame beginning to spread.  It was beautifully acted and set and Haworth looked just as I imagined it should.
Finally for now, there is The Mitford Girls which Mum bought me for Christmas.  I haven't started it yet but have looked at the photos.  With their connections, it should prove to be a fascinating story.
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10 comments:

  1. Jille15 January 2017 at 19:01

    I too enjoyed watching 'To Walk Invisible'although I felt it was cut short. You are reading a very interesting selection. I'm trying to complete some projects before I pick up another book as I become too engrossed once I start and nothing else exists outside the pages!

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    1. Ellie Foster15 January 2017 at 22:47

      Thanks, Jille. I know what you mean about 'To walk invisible'. It must have been difficult to choose a moment to stop - their lives were so fascinating. I have lots of craft projects on the go too, but I try to fit reading in alongside!
      I hope your projects go well.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Elephant's Child15 January 2017 at 22:13

    I too have several books on the go at any time. Literature and agreeable trash.
    Loved the Mitford Girls. There are collections of Mitford letters which are good reading too.
    And also read, and marvelled at Nella Last's wartime observations.

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    1. Ellie Foster15 January 2017 at 22:50

      Thanks, EC. I'm looking forward the The Mitford Girls. Have you read the other books of Nella's diaries - Nella's Peace and Nella Last in the 1950s? It was lovely to share her world again, especially as it was so different from today.
      Happy reading
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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    2. Elephant's Child15 January 2017 at 23:43

      My partner, knowing my love of diaries and letters gave me an omnibus edition of Nella's diaries.

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    3. Ellie Foster17 January 2017 at 15:39

      Dear EC
      What a lovely present! Having read the first book, I just had to get the others (of course!).
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Mylittlepieceofengland15 January 2017 at 23:00

    I have quite a growing pile of books to work my way through. I saw the programme about the Brontes, really interesting. We've visited Anne's grave in Scarborough, but never the Bronte house xx

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    1. Ellie Foster17 January 2017 at 15:40

      Thanks, Cheryl
      The Brontes house in Haworth is well worth a visit if you are visiting in that direction. Haworth itself is very different from how it was then (cleaner and more sanitary, too). You an also walk in their footsteps across the moors...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Amy at love made my home16 January 2017 at 22:10

    Joan Hickson is my perfect Miss Marple! I read the Mitford book that you have last year and enjoyed it, hope you do too. Enjoy all of your reading!

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    1. Ellie Foster17 January 2017 at 15:42

      Thanks, Amy. I agree - she is just perfect. I am sure I will enjoy the Mitford book when I get to it. Enjoy your reading too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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