The first day of Spring was, officially, 21 March! A couple of beautiful days followed. Hurrah I thought but today, 26March, I am driven inside by rain. The countryside is awash, and farmers are having a hard time what with spoiled crops and sodden livestock. Gardeners are baffled by early flowering. The school holidays are underway and the thought of house bound children is daunting.
Today the Queen has acknowledged something that some already have known and agree with – that just five minutes of reading a day can help you. A book is a friend who gives companionship to adult and child alike.
A GEM
Blossomise by Simon Armitage, illustrated by Angela Harding. This beautiful book celebrates the excitement of the arrival of spring blossom and its departure. A glorious collaboration between the Poet Laureate and Angela Harding. Twenty-one of his poems and Angela’s illustrations. One to give and to receive.
NON-FICTION
The Earth Transformed: An Untold History by Peter Frankopan. The book is large but you can dip in and out – I have been doing just that. In previous books, ‘The Silk Roads’ and ‘The New Silk Roads,’ he looked at how migration and trade have shaped our world. What has come to his attention this time is human engagement with the natural world – how it shaped history and the effects of changes in climate. Looking back in history we can learn to tackle the severity of the present crisis. Tough going.
Rural Hours: The Country Lives of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamond Lehmann by Harriet Baker. Three pioneering 20th century female writers, who, during the interwar years, moved to the country and were changed by it forever. Times of solitude are as important as company for a writer and for an artist. We are let in to see their views on the everyday things – domestic issues; friends; food; garden matters and walking, together with views of the landscape and effect of weather. What she has achieved is fascinating and reading this has taken me time as I delve back into their writings.
The Secret Library: A Book Lover’s Journey Through Curiosities of Literature by Oliver Tearle. For anyone who loves books and the curious history of this medium. A perfect book to have nearby while the kettle boils and the rain keeps falling.
FICTION
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. If you don’t know this author, you are in for a treat. Despite her German name (her first marriage), Elizabeth was born in Australia and was a cousin of Katherine Mansfield. She was later mistress of H.G Wells and others and was briefly married to Frank Russell, older brother of Bertrand. Her life was far from dull. All her books have their own identity and give a glimpse of her as a person. First published in 1922, we meet four very different women who see a discreet advertisement in the Times addressed “To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine, a medieval castle to rent in Italy.” What happens? The warmth of the Italian spring brings unexpected things to them all. I will leave you with that. It’s a delight.
Clear by Carys Davies. I was blown away by its beauty. It is set in 1843 on a remote island off the top of Scotland during the clearances. An impoverished church minister, John, is sent to evict Ivar, the only inhabitant, and clear the island making it over to sheep grazing. The story unfolds exquisitely. With no common language and nothing in common a friendship between John and Ivar, who is unaware of why John is there, evolves. John’s wife sets out to find him – no spoiler. Its description of landscape and relationships and a lost way of life will remain with you.
An Honourable Exit by Eric Vuillard. Vuillard, a film maker and author, is known for depicting a moment in history as we saw in ‘The Order of the Day’ about the run up to start of the World War 2. Here the setting is October 1950 and things are not going well for France in its war in Indochina (now southeast Asia). The politicians meet to discuss, there is not enough money, the French people do not back it, but a global power cannot be seen to withdraw or surrender to an army of ‘peasants.’ But, behind the scenes, there is a tangled web of those whose interest is in continuing the war. You are left questioning what has been learnt from conflicts of the past. Some things in history repeat.
CHILDREN’S
I am Hattie the Hare: A Tale from our Wild and Wonderful Meadows by Pam Ayres and illustrated by Nicola O Byrne. Last year Pam gave us ‘I am Oliver the Otter’ and this is no less charming. Hatti, the brown hare, exploring the British landscape. Crossing the Lambourn Downs frequently, I find myself stopping to view these magical and mysterious creatures and am always bewitched by them. Pam’s tale is written in rhyme with Nicola’s illustrations. Natural and historical facts are interwoven in the story such as origins of the brown hare which possibly arrived with the Romans and came from the plains of Asia.
KEEPING ALL BUSY IN THE HOLIDAYS
There are some brilliant activity books around – too many to name. Your local bookshop has a large display to tempt all. We are also at that time when the natural world is bursting open. The animal and plant spotting books for small hands, such as the Usborne Minis and I Spy books, are fun to have and explore with.
AN OLD FRIEND
I am a Bunny by Ole Risom and illustrated by Ricard Scarry. Fifty years on and never been out of print! Will transport you back to childhood – for sharing with a small one. Meet Nicholas and join him through the seasons of the year. Board book, so hard to destroy and small enough for small hands.