BOOKMARK January 2020 Book recommendations
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A very Happy New Year to you all. After the busy few weeks of Christmas and New Year, personally speaking, I am now quite content to cosy up in front of the fire and immerse myself in a book or two and Gail’s selection for the month of January is just the incentive I need! Happy reading!
All books are available from Waterstones in Perth and Adventure Into Books in Blairgowrie.
![The Doll Factory](/images/books-of-the-month/the-doll-factory.jpg)
The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal
(Picador, 2019)
This debut novel, set in 1851 with a backdrop of the Great Exhibition, has a cast of unforgettable characters who tell a gripping story of the darker side of Victorian London. Its main character, Iris, becomes involved with the pre-Raphaelite movement and Macneal’s ability to weave fact and fiction gives her readers a satisfying journey into the past while throwing light on the present.
![The Man Who Saw Everything](/images/books-of-the-month/the-man-who-saw-everything.jpg)
The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy
(Hamish Hamilton, 2019)
An intriguing story from a writer who is surprisingly overlooked. One man, two time zones and two car accidents, Saul’s story provides an unusual take on the ideas of responsibility within society. A fascinating read.
![Seashaken Houses](/images/books-of-the-month/seashaken-houses.jpg)
Seashaken Houses by Tom Nancollas
(Penguin, 2018)
This fascinating book about eight of Britain’s most famous lighthouses is one of the most interesting non-fiction books I’ve read recently. Nancollas takes us from Eddystone to Fastnet, via the Bell Rock, Wolf Rock and four more. Lyrically written, with a strong narrative flow, this book reveals so much not just about the importance of the lighthouses but the bravery of the men who constructed them.
![Being Alive](/images/books-of-the-month/being-alive.jpg)
Being Alive by Neil Astley
(Bloodaxe, 2004)
This is not a new book (published in 2004) but it is one of the best anthologies available. If you’re new to reading poetry, or simply want a book to dip into, this is a perfect choice as Astley’s choice is a perfect blend of the familiar and the surprising.