What I’m Reading: “Started Early, Took My Dog” by Kate Atkinson
No, I know, not an author interview somewhere “out thar” in the ethernet—what am I thinking?
In fact there’s not a great deal of time for reading these days in between the book writing and all that social media-rization, aka interviews, guest posts and tweeting-like-anything. Which is all good stuff, but hey thar, a gal gotta stay in touch with what else is happening in the world of books and writing, and the very best way to do that is by reading.
Yes, reading!
And right now the book I have on the go is “Started Early, Took My Dog” by Kate Atkinson.
So far, I have to say, I am enjoying it. She (the Kate, that is) has a very dark view of human nature but then again—read the newspaper, listen to the radio. Her view of who we are as a species and what we are capable of has plenty of evidence to back up the darker view. I like to think that is not all we are, or can be, but it’s certainly hard to argue against Ms Atkinson…
Anyways, here’s what the back cover blurb says—and yes it is another “Jackson Brodie” novel (although that in fact is a very simplistic view of the array of characters and storylines within the covers of the book):
“A day like any other for security chief Tracy Waterhouse, until she makes a purchase she hadn’t bargained for. One moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy’s humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger at every turn.
Witnesses to Tracy’s outrageous exchange in the Merrion Centre in Leeds are Tilly, an elderly actress teetering on the brink of her own disaster, and Jackson Brodie who has returned to his home county in search of someone else’s roots. All three characters learn that the past is never history and that no good deed goes unpunished…”
With luck, I’ll get it finished within the next three months or so. 😉
But definitely, so far, so good.
How about you? What are you reading right now?
Hi Helen!
I’m reading Mark Lawrence’s “The Prince of Thorns” right now. Yes…a David Gemmell Morningstar nemesis!
It’s been an exceptional ride. One of the more unique (in a good way) writing and protagonist experiences I’ve come across. Not for the lighthearted, though – this is probably the darkest Fantasy I own.
Very, very good so far. I’ll pass judgement when the book is done.
Hi Steve, welcome to “…on Anything, Really.” 🙂
And I do hope that no book on the Monringstar shortlist will prove to be a “nemesis” although I know that in terms of winning there can, alas, “be only one…” (Love the way that expression has entered the canon!)
I shall look forward to your final thoughts with interest, although I shall not be reading/discussing any of the other shortlistees personally until after the Awards are done and dusted, simply because anything I said/wrote would have to be tagged as “partial.”
But as I already put it on Reddit: “All credit to all the finalists and may epic heroic fantasy be the winner on the night.” 😉
I’m smack in the middle of ‘The Dervish House’ and loving every complex, layered second of it. No I’m not a fast reader but then this book is best savoured, rather than gobbled.
I thought ‘The Dervish House’ a wonderful book, Mary. It was my top-rated read for last year’s Hugo Award’s lineup, followed by NK Jemisin’s “The One Hundred Thousand Kingdoms”—which definitely put me well against the voting trend! 😀 But then I was completely in turn with the trend the previous year, so what would you? Gotta go with what you personally like.
I’m currently reading Wizard Undercover by K. E. Mills. I thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in the Rogue Agent series and this one is living up to expectations. I know that the phrase “rollicking good read” isn’t original at all, but it’s just what comes to mind when I try to put my opinion of this book into words!
I have heard good things about these books, Deb, but haven’t quite got around to reading them yet. But I do love a rollicking read, so…:)