Why you should definitely read some Lionel Shriver Books...

I just finished reading We Need To Talk About Kevin. This was my second time of reading it after a ten year gap and I was still blown away by it. This is probably Shriver's most famous book and it won the Orange Prize in 2005.

I'm sure you have all seen this meme before

but it completely sums up how I felt when I had finished reading this novel. So many thoughts and questions continue to circle around my head.....

The book is written as a series of letters from Eva to her estranged husband where she looks back on their family life after their son, Kevin, has killed 9 people in a massacre at his school, asking herself if she is to blame. Bleak, yes, but also wonderful. It confronts fears about parenting head on and the central premise of the book is for the reader decide whether Kevin was innately evil, or whether Eva's attitude to her son turned him into a killer. Very powerful and truly frightening.

I believe this is a book that everyone should read and Shriver's writing is exceptional. 

Her prose is sharp, acerbic and deliberately provocative, but also highly intelligent. She has a huge vocabulary and chooses words with the utmost care. I am constantly rereading passages or reaching for the dictionary but this does not detract from her message, or the reader's enjoyment, but rather enhances it. Reading her work makes me feel more intelligent and makes me appreciate the scope and beauty of the English language so much more.

Whilst I feel that We Need To Talk About Kevin is her best work I have also read and enjoyed 3 of her other novels and while they are all vastly different in subject matter they all share the trademark acerbic writing, incredible command of the English language and provocative, thought provoking topics. She is not afraid to confront unpalatable subjects head on and the result is always powerful and memorable. 

The Post Birthday World opens with a dilemma for its central character Irina. Should she stay with Lawrence, her dependable but slightly dull long term partner, or embark on a relationship with Ramsey, a famous professional snooker player? Then the novel splits into two, with alternate chapters documenting her life if she stays with Lawrence, followed by her life if she decides to leave him. The result is utterly compelling - sometimes humorous, often uncomfortable but always intimate and emotionally involving. The novel examines relationships and how our romantic choices affect every detail of lives. In this book the subject matter is a little lighter than in the others I am recommending, but it will still draw you in and leave you thinking about these characters in every spare moment you have and it still packs a powerful punch.

Game Control deals with the difficult and emotive issue of human overpopulation of the Earth. The central character is Eleanor, an American aid worker in Kenya, concerned with handing out contraception and contraceptive advice to Kenyan women. She embarks on a relationship with Calvin, whose unconventional and provocative ideas on population control got him fired from USAID. The clash in ideals between these characters makes for interesting reading and relationship development. This is the most shocking and least politically correct of her novels that I have read, but again it is so well written that you cannot help but be drawn in - and learn about demographics and epidemiology along the way. This is an acerbic look at the parts of human nature that most people prefer to ignore. Lionel Shriver is indeed a very brave author. 

So Much For That documents the marriage of Shep and Glynis and how it copes with a terminal illness in one of the parties. It sounds depressing, but it isn't. Shriver manages to discuss terminal illness, suicide, shattered dreams and crumbling relationships with wit and even humour. It is also a political commentary on healthcare in the USA and left me feeling profoundly grateful for the NHS. I realise it doesn't sound like a great read, but trust me on this one. And again, Shriver's writing is pitch perfect. Read it.

Lionel Shriver is a truly gifted writer. You need writing of this quality in your life. Trust me. Read, enjoy and tell me what you think. And if you have your own favourite Lionel Shriver novels, please tell me about them in the comments section.

Sebastian Barry wins the Costa Book of the Year Award for the secondtime!

On 31st January it was announced that Sebastian Barry, the Irish novelist and playwright,  had won the Costa Book of the Year Award for his novel Days Without End, which tells the story of two Irish soldiers fighting in American wars during the nineteenth century. It was already on my 'to read' list, but this win has catapulted it to the top! So expect a book review here soon!

I thought this would be a good opportunity to recommend some of my other favourites by Sebastian Barry.

The Secret Scripture won the Costa Book of the Year Award in 2008. It tells the story of Roseanne McNulty, an old, old woman who has lived much of her life in a mental institution. The home is about to be closed and her case is being reviewed. Barry's captivating and beautiful writing lifts the people and places from the page and the plot is completely compelling. The reader simply has to find out what happened to Roseanne. Alongside Roseanne's story the novel charts the history of Ireland in the twentieth century and becomes an interesting look at the way time and circumstance can profoundly affect individual lives. This is desperately sad - definitely have tissues handy!- but so worth reading. 

The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty is a companion piece to The Secret Scripture. It follows many of the same characters and fills in many of the gaps in Roseanne's story, but it would also be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. The eponymous Eneas is a policeman in the British-run Irish police force after the First World War, as anti-British feeling is coming to a head. Eneas witnesses the murder of a fellow policeman and is falsely accused of identifying the murderers. As a result he is to all intents and purposes exiled from his hometown. We follow him through the his resulting travels and occasional visits home. It is sad and moving story of a lost and misunderstood soul, infused with pathos and occasional humour. So well written. Read it and savour it.

A long, long way tells us about the quandries faced by many Irish people during the First World War. We follow the story of Willie Dunne, a young Dubliner who goes off to fight in the trenches while many of his fellow Irishmen are at home fighting the British. An interesting and rarely explored perspective on the First World War and its  effects on those who fought and on those who stayed at home. This was the first novel I read by Sebastian Barry, many years ago now, but I instantly fell in love with his beautiful prose. Powerful stuff.

A couple of other Barry novels are on my 'to read' list : The Temporary Gentleman and Annie Dunne.

Sebastian Barry writes so beautifully. His prose is lyrical and captivating and will have you reading passages aloud to anyone who wil listen. He is also a master of characterisation and his characters are all entirely believable and will live on in your head for many months after you have finished these books. If you have not read any Sebastian Barry I would urge you to go out and try one now and tell me what you think. And if you already have your own Sebastian Barry favourites, please tell me about them in the comments.

Best books for two-year-olds

I recently wrote about our favourite books for one-year-olds so I thought it only natural to follow up with our favourite books for two-year-olds! A two-year-old will have a slightly longer attention span, so these books are slightly longer, with a slightly more detailed story, but most importantly they are fun to read for both adults and children. It is really important that you as an adult will enjoy these stories as you will be asked to read them over and over and over again.

Hairy MacLary from Donaldson's Dairy, by Lynley Dodd is probably the book I have read the most times to my children since becoming a parent nearly 10 years ago. Everyone in our family loves it. It helps that the main character Hairy MacLary reminds us of our own dog but even so this is still a fantastic book (and series - there are many more books about these characters, all sharing the fantastic exploration of language and rhyme). Reading this book aloud is a joy. Lynley Dodd enjoys experimenting with language and is not afraid to use long words that are not often found in picture books. The dogs who all meet up and go off on a walk are all lovable, individual characters and there is a repeated refrain for children to join in with. Fantastic.

Each Peach Pear Plum, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

This is a very clever book. The rhyming text encourages children to find a particular nursery rhyme or fairytale character who is hiding in the beautiful detailed illustrations. It is fun for children to join in with the simple text, but the real fun comes from poring over the pictures and talking about the tiny details as you search for each character. A great book for language development and developing observational skills.

Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell

This is a slightly longer book and it doesn't rhyme, but the story is one that children really engage with. Three baby owls wake up one night to find their  mother has gone. The story follows them and how they deal with their anxiety - 3 different characters react in 3 different ways - and of course their mother comes back in the end. Children find this story very reassuring- mummy may go away, but she always comes back in the end. There is also a repeated refrain to join in with... "I want my mummy!" And the illustrations are beautiful.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen

This story is perfect for joining in with and acting out. It has everything: fun, excitement, adventure and even a hint of danger... Children love to run squealing from the bear at the end! The repeated refrain will stay in your head for ever, but it is a very useful one to have up your sleeve.. particularly on walks when the children might need a bit of entertainment...."We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day. We're not scared!"

So much fun. And so many learning opportunities from drama to geography. A real gem.

Duck in the Truck, by Jez Alborough 

Another book beloved by my children, especially my son. When he  was 2 it felt like we read this book constantly. But it is fun. Duck gets his truck stuck in the mud and many other animals with their own modes of transport join in to help him free it. The rhyming is the real star of this book and helps children to join in as you read it.

So these are our favourite books for two-year-olds. What are your favourites?