The Storyteller's Library

February

Welcome to February’s, Storyteller’s Library. It was a busy and fidgety month for me this month and I found it difficult to settle on any one book. I didn't read everything on my the list but as always, here’s the reviews for what I did read:

• Floriography - Jessica Roux

• Feathertide - Beth Cartwright

• A Haunting In The Arctic - C J Cooke

• Normal Rules Don’t Apply - Kate Atkinson

Floriography by Jessica Roux

This one was on my Christmas list as I love the language of flowers. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful but the information is sparse and pretty much a repeat of the info in many other books of this kind. The illustrations, though, are entirely unique and unmistakably Jessica Roux. I would say this would have made a better oracle deck than a book. None-the-less, a fun read and one that you can easily dip in and out of.

Feathertide by Beth Cartwright

This book is full of beautiful descriptions, hazy otherworld scenes and down to earth reality. There is some beautiful prose and phrases within and in the first few pages are some of my favourite such as 'chortling mirth' and 'star-filled sky; wish-ready'.

I must confess I have nowhere near finished this book yet, she’s (the main character, Marea ) only just got on the ship to set out on the adventure which is the crux of the novel. It’s a slow read, with time needed to process the scenes, storyline and character arcs. It’s well worth it but my brain just couldn't handle too much at once this month and so I think this one will wait on the TBR again, until I eventually land in a place I can give it some time. A holiday away from the day-to-day perhaps.

I would recommend this on this basis of what I have read so far, as an intelligent, beautifully composed read.

A Haunting In The Arctic by C J Cooke

I decided to give Cooke another go as two out of three of the books I have read of her’s have been good. This one did not disappoint and it was exactly what my brain needed - a fast paced, not too taxing read, with a bit of intrigue and history.

Normal Rules Don’t Apply - Kate Atkinson

Again my brain needed something with short sections that I could pick up and put down and a book full of short stories is usually my go to when I’m reaching critical capacity for concentration.

I haven’t read any Kate Atkinson before but I definitely would read more of her work. These were great, kooky stories with characters that crop up in several different places giving you the impression that they are vignettes of a wider story rather than stand alones.

Many of them give you pause for thought, look at the world in a different way and give us a taste of a dystopian future. Perfect for a grey day beside the fire.

What Were Your February Reads?

Don’t forget to share what you’ve been reading this month in the comments below.

Next Month’s Reading List

Just two books on the list this month although if I get the chance to read more I will include them. These two are information heavy, so I know it’s going to take me a little while to read them.

As always you can buy any of above books in all good bookshops. If you would like to buy a copy online, please consider visiting my page on Bookshop.org where I have gathered some of the books I read and recommend. Here you will find a plethora of myth, legend and folktale.

And don’t forget to support your local library too. See if they have a copy to borrow.