Why Willows Weep is published by The Woodland Trust and is a beautifully presented anthology of short pieces by acclaimed writers as various as Richard Mabey, Philippa Gregory and Ali Smith, to name but three all to do with trees. With fine illustrations by Leanne Shapton, this is a great gift for tree lovers, which I am sure includes all of us. You can buy it from retailers and Amazon but I recommend you buy it direct from the Trust. Thank you.
The Coward's Tale. Regular readers of this blog will know that Vanessa Gebbie came to my attention many years ago when I used to read the submissions to QWF magazine. One day, a couple of short short stories landed on my desk and immediately I knew that here was a fresh, new talent. I have watched her inevitable progress with a fond eye. I will review it later as I am still in the middle of reading it but have no fear. Vanessa's writing is always highly readable, fresh. full of delicious small detail and a great deal of humanity. If you love the language of Dylan Thomas (as I do) you will love this novel.
And finally for anyone who doesn't also read Nicola Morgan's excellent blog (and if not why not?) may I remind you that her much-praised 2002 YA novel Mondays are Red will be re-issued this Monday on Kindle e-reader? Even if, like me, you long since stopped being a young adult (heavens, my children are older than young adults), it's still a stunning read.
And yes, the latter two are written by writers I dare to call friends. But that doesn't mean they're not brilliant. Okay?
I have read many excellent novels this year, by debut authors as well as established ones, but at the moment my brain is all sludge so I am unable to dredge up specific titles at present, apart from these three which I am currently reading. (Does anyone one else have about 4 books on the go concurrently?)
Sally, you are wonderful! Not just because you have stunned me by making Mondays are Red one of your recommended books to give (THANK you!) but because I KEEP remembering that I want the Coward's Tale but I never manage to remember it at the right time. I'm going to order it NOW from The Edinburgh Bookshop. And, I never would have known about the Willows book, which sounds lovely and I know exactly who would love to receive it so that's one for my list, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your support over the year and beyond. I wish you a lovely, peaceful and rejuvenating Christmas when it comes. Nxx
Ooh yes! I've read the first two (and Vanessa kindly came over to my blog for a lovely chat about hers), and I would definitely love to read Nicola's - I'm fascinated by synaesthesia!
ReplyDeleteI have now ordered both the Coward's Tale and the woodland book from The Edinburgh Bookshop.
ReplyDeleteAnd Claire - I hope you like it! I've written something at the end about synaesthesia. It *is* a fascinating condition.
Oooh I am sitting in The Bull in Bridport High St, knackered - having just run some flash workshops, and other stuff over the last few- and ha! you can log into the Reception wifi no probs. And this pops up - what a joy!
ReplyDeleteSally - thank you thank you. I am sooo pleeased to be in a list with Crabbit!
The Coward says thanks for buying him, both Sally and Nicola, and Claire - he much enjoyed visiting the blog.
I just said helloo to Carol Ann Duffy - sigh...
back to the CAKE!
vxxx
My pleasure. And Vanessa, you win this month's prize for blatant name-dropping!
ReplyDeleteOoh I like the sound of the Willows book. I have the other two - read Mondays Are Red the other day and it's a cracking good tale, even when young-adulthood is far far behind you.
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