A day in the archives

Today I had probably the most exciting day of my DPhil research so far - and, bear in mind when you read the rest of this post, I'm not being sarcastic. When I tell you that I was off on a research trip to Wiltshire & Swindon Record Office (rather than other research destinations I've heard of friends visiting - New York, Paris etc.) you might think that I'm rather overstating the case. But, in all honesty, today was one of those days that makes me realise that I'm not the world's least suited person to be doing a doctorate. For today I got my hands on Edith Olivier's papers.



I started off going to Chippenham Train Station - from which the record office is about three minutes' walk. I wondered why the website said it was ten minutes away, until I saw the average age of the people using the archives reading room - quite a few over 70s researching their families and, in the case of the lady behind me, the history of her house. An archives reading room, incidentally, is a great place for eavesdropping. Just so you know.



Back to Edith Olivier. An easy way to write original work is to choose a topic not many people care about. Scholars have not fought over who gets to look at Olivier's diaries and letters - although a sort of biography/selected letters was written by Penelope Middelboe, picking most of the choicest bits. But I still had a wonderful time working out Olivier's handwriting (she does the most peculiar things with 'p's and capital 'A's) and slowly reading her diaries. A couple of eureka moments - when I found that she had attended a party with Sylvia Townsend Warner, for instance, or her thoughts on To The Lighthouse ('far too highbrow for me as a whole. She demands too much of the reader – who has to make his own unity.’) I snapped away with my new camera - I mentioned in the comments the other day that I opted for a blue Canon PowerShot A3200 in the end; thanks again for all your advice. I signed something saying I wouldn't publish the photographs I took, sadly, but I have included a tiny snippet of the page on which Olivier records that Martin Secker had accepted The Love-Child (her first novel) for publication: 'A Great Day'.





I'll be going back on Friday, since I only read one folder of publishers' letters and three months' worth of diary (out of about forty years... hmm) and I want to take a moment to say thank you to all the staff at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. As most of you know, I work for the Bodleian. Whenever people tell me "This is my first time" my heart melts a bit, and I go out of my way to help them - and so I trotted out this line to everyone I encountered. I troubled four separate people, from receptionist to help desk to archivist - and they were unfailingly helpful and incredibly friendly. I was so impressed - not a smidgen of grumpiness with my ignorance and helplessness! There's not much of a chance that they'll spot this post - but if any of you do, thank you so much!

Waiting on Wednesday # 61 - The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)

Summary from goodreads:

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

ALA Booklist described The Body Finder as “a suspenseful mystery and sensual love story that will captivate readers who enjoy authentic high-school settings, snappy dialogue, sweet romance, and heart-stopping drama,” while Kirkus Reviews called Desires of the Dead “imaginative, convincing, and successful suspense.” The Last Echo heightens the tension as Violet uncovers dark murders, faces new dangers, and struggles with her love for Jay and her confusing connection with Rafe. Fans of Lisa McMann and Laurie Faria Stolarz, as well as Kimberly’s devoted fan base, won’t be able to resist Violet’s newest thrilling adventure.

Kimberly Derting

April 17, 2012

I loved The Body Finder! I still haven't read Desires of the Dead, but I can't wait to read this one :)

Our Vicar's Wife: Mr. Briggs' Hat

Back in the spring my Mum/Our Vicar's Wife/Anne featured in My Life in Books series chez Stuck-in-a-Book. The whole first series can be read if you click on the icon over there somewhere -----> and clicking on the link just above will take you to OVW's particular one. OVW got a very enthusiastic response that week, and I've been hoping since then that she'd pen me a review for the blog. The good people of Little Brown kindly sent a review copy of Mr. Briggs' Hat by Kate Colquhoun off to OVW and, without further ado, here are her thoughts. (As always, when I'm featuring friends' and relations' reviews, I expect my lovely, loyal blog readers to welcome them with open arms. This won't be difficult with such a familiar figure as OVW, I'm sure).



Mr Briggs’ Hat by Kate Colquhoun: ‘A sensational account of Britain’s first Railway Murder’



From the moment I picked up Mr Briggs’ Hat I knew I was set on a truly Victorian quest. The dust jacket, with its ‘bloodstains’, black and red print, period font and perspective railway track was clearly going to draw the reader back to a time of sensational news reporting, embryonic police detection, circumstantial evidence and the hurly burly of 1864 London.



I settled into an armchair and began to read.



First, my eye was caught by a map of central London as it was in 1862. Smudged and dark, it was dominated by the river Thames, with narrow streets and alleys leading away into unknown territory. Having spent the past year researching into life in the London of this period I knew what I was likely to meet – but nothing prepared me for the matter of fact description of the ‘blood-drenched’ railway carriage on page 12. I read on, intrigued by the mixture of detective novel and historical guide to London. It wasn’t entirely clear to me whether Kate Colquhoun sought to give a factual description of events or whether what she had in mind was something in the line of a ‘Penny Dreadful’.



I read on.



The story is quite simple. Blood is found in a railway carriage. Murder appears to have been done, but no body is to be found. The only tangible clue is a somewhat battered hat. Upon this hat the entire plot pivots. Gradually details emerge about the victim. Against a background of respectable middle class contrasted with working class teetering into abject poverty and vice, the canvas is painted, the crime uncovered and then the race is on to find the murderer – or murderers. Everything hangs upon the circumstantial evidence of the hat – where it was bought, who bought it, who modified it, who left it in the carriage. As the police detective painstakingly works against the clock, a series of red herrings confuse the issue. The reader rises and falls with every new clue, new sighting, new evidence, new revelation or disappointment.



There is a phenomenal amount of detail in the book. Kate Colquhoun cannot be accused of skimping on her research. Perhaps from time to time there is a hint of repetition, a smidgen of ‘overkill’ in her style, but for the main part the author succeeds in maintaining the sense of a whodunit, rather than falling back into a less engaging stylistic form.



Halfway through the book I had a moment of uncertainty: was I reading fact or fiction? I turned to my husband for enlightenment. “Have you read the notes?” he asked.



Some people always flip to the end of a book before going to the front. I am not one of them. Others always look for a Contents page and muse long and hard upon it. Not I. If I had been either of these people it would have been obvious from the start that this was, if not a non-fictional historical account of the murder, at the very least a ‘factional’ one – with the very great quantity of fact made palatable by an excellent understanding of the need for narrative drive.



The notes are extremely helpful. Highlighted words and phrases from numbered pages enable the reader to unpick the finer detail. However, with nothing in the main text to hint at this largesse, it was lost on me during my first reading.



The case itself was of great interest to me as it contributed to significant changes in the law regarding the right of prisoners to speak in their own defence. I was particularly struck by the court scenes and the limitations of evidence at that time. I was also interested to see the prejudices at work at the time. With the rabble almost taking over the city every time there was a public hanging, it could be said that this book chimes with the spirit of summer 2011.



Did the power of public opinion make for a fair trial? Did the press conspire to rouse the feelings of the public against one man? Was nationality or class or level of education to blame for a miscarriage of justice? Did the representative of the Church tell the truth, or did he conspire with the powers that be in order to maintain the wider calm?



Read the book. Make up your own mind. Or not, as the case may be.



Mr Briggs’ Hat is published by Little Brown. They describe it as NON-FICTION.



Do you agree?

Remember, You Must Die

It's been so long since I wrote a proper review that I'm wondering whether or not I can still do it... I don't know about other bloggers (I would be interested to know, actually) but it usually takes me an hour or more to write a full-length book review on here. And whilst I love doing it, I do seem to come to my laptop most evenings too tired to do anything that complex! So, if this turns into a series of zzzzzzzz somewhere in the middle, you'll know why. Still, I am always amazed, flattered, and delighted that anybody would want to read my musings on the books I read - so thank you in advance!



In fact, that's as much as I managed to write last week, before getting too sleepy and going to bed. I didn't even get as far as writing the title of the novel - which is Muriel Spark's Memento Mori (1959). Congratulations to Terri for correctly working out the book from my clues.



Giving Muriel Spark a second chance is one of the best results of blog-reading, for me. The enthusiasm of Simon S and Claire led me back to Spark, after finding a couple of her novels a bit underwhelming six or so years ago - and, as regular readers will know, I now adore her. Over the past couple of years I've read The Driver's Seat, Loitering With Intent, and Not to Disturb - and I have plenty on my tbr piles. I fancied seeing what my book group in Oxford would think of Muriel Spark, and so picked one almost at random because I liked the title. Memento Mori it was.



Despite coming quite early in her career, when Spark was only just over 40 years old, the novel concerns almost exclusively old people. Many of these live on a ward, where their different classes and personalities are swept away into being termed 'Granny Duncan', 'Granny Barnacle', 'Granny Trotsky' etc. But others amongst the sizable cast of characters still live in their homes - notably Dame Lettie Colston, her philandering brother Godfrey, and his wife Charmian, once a famed novelist and now suffering Alzheimer's. These three are all heading towards their three-score-and-ten. In the first few pages, Lettie is visiting her sister-in-law, and their choppy dialogue reveals both the extent of Charmian's declining faculties, and the irreverent but grounded approach Spark takes.

"Did you have a nice evening at the pictures, Taylor?" said Charmian.



"I am not Taylor," said Dame Lettie, "and in any case, you always called Taylor Jean during her last twenty or so years in your service."



Mrs. Anthony, their daily housekeeper, brought in the milky coffee and placed it on the breakfast table.



"Did you have a nice evening at the pictures, Taylor?" Charmian asked her.



"Yes, thanks, Mrs. Colston," said the housekeeper.



"Mrs. Anthony is not Taylor," said Lettie. "There is no one by the name of Taylor here. And anyway you used to call her Jean latterly. It was only when you were a girl that you called Taylor Taylor. And, in any event, Mrs. Anthony is not Taylor."



Godfrey came in. He kissed Charmian. She said, "Good morning, Eric."



"He is not Eric," said Dame Lettie.

What makes me love Spark - and, indeed, what made me underestimate her six years ago - is her style. It is understated, so that a fast read through reveals little of its richness - Spark can even feel a bit bland at that pace. But once I'd stopped and begun to appreciate her writing, I realised how brilliant it was. Unsentimental, a little discordant, wry, ironic, and ever so slightly surreal. The first words of chapter five illustrated what I mean: 'Mrs. Anthony knew instinctively that Mrs. Pettigrew was a kindly woman. Her instinct was wrong.' Spark keeps the reader of his/her toes - conventional emotions or responses are dangled before the reader's eyes, then turned on their head. We had an interesting discussion at book group about whether or not Spark's style was funny. I suppose it isn't. Certainly not in the way that Wodehouse is, or Stella Gibbons is, or Austen can be. But it's an experience - a tone which diverts and engages and draws me in.



But I have yet to address the central momentum of the novel. On the opening page, Dame Lettie receives an anonymous phone call; a voice simply saying 'Remember you must die.' In fact, it is the ninth time she has had this call. But she is not the only victim - increasing numbers of people get the same phone call, with the same words (even if they cannot agree on the voice). Everyone from Charmian to the Inspector investigating the case receives the same message - each responding to it in different ways. Some are scared, some indignant. Mrs. Pettigrew (involved in a very Spark-ian blackmail plot) simply wipes it from her mind. Charmian gives the best response: "Oh, as to that, for the past thirty years and more I have thought of it from time to time. My memory is failing in certain respects. I am gone eighty-six. But somehow I do not forget my death, whenever that will be." The response of the anonymous caller? "Delighted to hear it. Goodbye for now."



If this were an Agatha Christie novel, then the Inspector would gradually eliminate characters from suspicion, and we'd witness an elaborate denouement, discovering that the least likely person had actually done it because they were the twin sister of someone who everyone thought had died decades ago, etc. etc. Whilst I love Dame Agatha, I've now enough experience with Dame Muriel to suspect it wouldn't work quite like that. I shan't spoil the surprise, but suffice to say that the outcome is unmistakably Spark-like.



There are any number of subplots in this slim novel, and dozens of characters. Memento Mori, whilst excellent, isn't quite as accomplished as some of the other, later books I've read by Spark - and I agree with the original New York Times reviewer that she could have achieved more had she included less. Occasionally I had to flick through the pages to work out which character was which. But there are a central few (the ones I have already mentioned) who are striking and memorable - with starkly human qualities coming through the veneer of quirkiness.



I don't think I'd recommend Memento Mori as a starting point for somebody wanting to try Spark - it might just be a bit overwhelming. Having said that, several people at my book group were reading Spark for the first time, and wanted to read more. I'd still put Loitering With Intent into the hands of anyone eager to sample Dame Muriel - but Memento Mori, for the Spark fan, is a wonderful slice of the bizarre and acerbic. It is not quite unsettling, but it certainly isn't cosy. There is humour, but mostly there is the delight of being carried along by an author who is entirely in control of her tone, with never a misplaced word or errant sentence. Perhaps, were I fifty years older, I would also embrace Spark's profundity - but, for now, I'm going to place it back on the shelf, anticipating picking it up again in a few decades' time. I rather suspect it will have changed a lot.



Laura, who joined my book group this month, later emailed a link to a really good article by David Lodge on Memento Mori, which I recommend you read - here it is. If I haven't convinced you, then I think Lodge might.

Book Review: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Title: Dragon Bound
Author: Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races #1
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
Publisher: Berkley
Age: Adult

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in one another.

Dragon Bound is the story of Pia, a half human woman who has lived all her life avoiding other wyr and never letting anyone know who she really is. But she made a mistake and is blackmailed  into stealing something from the hoard of a dragon, specifically the most feared dragon, Dragos Cuelebre.

The story starts with Pia, who has succeeded in stealing from Dragos and is running for her life. It's not too long until Dragos realizes he has been robbed, and starts searching for his thief. But he wasn't expecting a delicate and strange half-wyr woman.

Pia was fun. I liked that she was in trouble but always tried to save her life. Even when she knew it was impossible to run from Dragos. She's brave and very independent, and she has a secret that nobody has to know.

Dragos was the typical alpha male. I liked him only because he was a dragon, and the strongest, oldest and most feared wyr. Also, he's a millionaire. What's not to like about him? Of course he has a sweet side, one that not even him knew he had, and when he met Pia, he knows he doesn't want to kill her but explore her.

I liked the story. It's full of different characters, and all of them with a distinctive personality. It has a lot of unexpected turns and I wasn't sure what was going to happen to Pia and Dragos. But it was obvious they were attracted to each other, and the romance between them was hot!

But there were moments I couldn't help feeling the characters were a little bit ridiculous. For example, I felt like Dragos, who was feared by everyone, changed too much his personality. I always expect changes in the characters when they fall in love, but I thought like he was a different person.

Overall, I think the Elder Races is going to be a series I'll enjoy. Although this book wasn't a favorite to me, I enjoy it and I can't wait to read Storm's Heart.

More about this book at www.theaharrison.com, Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Bout of Books Readathon 8/22-8/28 - Starting Line + Updates

Yes, another Read-A-Thon! It has been a while since I haven't participate on a read-a-thon, and I really need an extra push to read these days. I recently started to work and I usually come home tired. Believe me, I just want to crawl in my bed and sleep.

Anyway, Bout of Books Read-A-Thon is being hosted by On a Book Bender. Thank you Amanda! It was the perfect moment to do it, since these week I'll probably be "free". So, the idea is to read as much as you can whenever you can between 12:00am 8/22 and 11:59pm 8/28. Easy! :)

My Goal:

Read 5 books. I really want to read a book a day, but I know I'll be busy a couple of days this week, so I want to give myself a realistic goal.

• 1 book from NetGalley. (Good Girls Don't by Victorial Dahl)


• 1 book from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab. (The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn)


• 1 book from my TRB pile. (Going Bovine by Libba Bray)


• 1 book from my Kindle. (Falling in Love with English Boys by Melisaa Jensen)


• 1  random book ?

I'll leave a spot open in case I desire to just pick a random book :P Wish me luck!

You can follow my updates here on my blog, on goodreads, and twitter.

UPDATES:

8/22
Number of books I’ve read today: 0.3 book xD
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Today #insixwords: Only finished reading The Perfect Play
Reading/read: Nothing.

8/23
Number of books I’ve read today: 0.25 book
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Today #insixwords: Just started to read Going Bovine.

8/24
Number of books I’ve read today: 50% Good Girls Don't
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Today #insixwords: Today was better for my reading.

8/25
Number of books I’ve read today: 50% Good Girls Don't
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Today #insixwords: I finished reading Good Girls Don't

8/26
Number of books I’ve read today:  5% Falling in Love with English Boys
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Today #insixwords: Maybe five books is too much

8/27
Number of books I’ve read today: 5% Falling in Love with English Boys, 118p The Dog Who Knew Too Much.
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Today #insixwords: Not sure I can read more.

8/28
Number of books I’ve read today: 2
Total number of books I’ve read: 4
Today #insixwords: Finished two books! yay! :) :)

8/29
Wrap Up Post

CHALLENGES:

@Actin' Up with Books: Pick It Up, then Pile It Up Challenge:  Take a picture of your To Be Read books!

These are my To Be Read books. It doesn't include Kindle books. Believe me, I have more books on my Kindle to read than physical books :/

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren

Won:

Astronaut ice cream sandwich and Across the Universe swag by Beth Revis!

A Season of Eden paperback signed copy and swag by Jennifer Laurens! (Library Mosaic)

Simon and Schuster Gallery Grab:

Past Perfect by Leila Saled
Home for the Holidays (Mother Daughter Book Club) by Heather Vogel Frederick
The Dog Who Knew Too Much (Chet and Bernie Mysteries) by Spencer Quinn

NetGalley:

Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (no cover)

For Kindle:

The Perfect Play (Play-by-Play #1) and Changing the Game (Play-by-Play #2) by Jaci Burton
{OMG, aren't these covers HOT?!}

What did you get this week?