Books I've Been Loving Lately / My Recent Reads
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2024
- Hello! In today's video, I'm sharing some of my recent reads. I've read some modern novels, as well as some vintage books and quite a bit of children's fiction. Do any of these books appeal to you? What have you been reading lately?
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SUPPORT: No pressure at all, but if you would like to support my work by making a donation to my channel, you can 'buy me a tea!': www.buymeacoffee.com/mirandam...
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BOOK CLUB: I host the Comfort Book Club with my Mum, and every month we pick a comforting read and discuss it on the last Friday of the month. Everyone is very welcome to read along with us (February's read is Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson). Learn more about the Comfort Book Club here: mirandasnotebook.com/the-comf...
#TheComfortBookClub
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LINKS:
(Affiliate links used for Blackwells)
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
Meet the Malones (kindle edition): tinyurl.com/yxtn5ty8
Beany Malone series, published by Image Cascade Publishing: imagecascade.com/beany-malone...
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Kindle edition is much easier to read with this book!): tinyurl.com/3h8bh8cs
Ambush of Young Days by Alison Uttley (out of print)
Post After Post-Mortem (press copy): blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
Jumping Jenny (press copy): blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
The Armourer's House by Rosemary Sutcliff: www.manderleypress.com/shop/p...
Jummy at the River School by Sabine Adeyinka: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
A Dream of Sadler's Wells by Lorna Hill (out of print)
Justice for Jacqueline by Phyllis Matthewman: www.ggbp.co.uk/product/pm-jus...
Strangers at Snowfell by Malcolm Saville: www.ggbp.co.uk/product/ms-j-0...
Mirror of Danger by Pamela Sykes (published as Come Back Lucy in the UK): out of print.
BBC Radio Sherlock Holmes dramatisations: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01j... - Zábava
Amanda, my dear book 📚 friend. Your recommendations are so varied, interesting and crave-inducing. Lol. So many I have NEVER heard of but so close to my kind of reads. I keep lists of ALL your choices. I am, like my Mother, a huge Anglophile. You and your dear Mother 💕 are just the loveliest of people. I 😘💕 your book 📖 persuing of bookstores and bookshops, also. Hugs,from 'cross the puddle, I mean, pond. 🇺🇸🌍🇬🇧📕
Thanks so much, Victoria. It’s lovely to hear from others with similar bookish interests!📚❤️
I have also hesitated to read A Little Life as I have read it is harrowing but have heard such good things. I think one day I will be brave enough to read it and your recommendation has encouraged me.
That’s wonderful! I’m very glad I’ve read it even though I did find it harrowing in parts.
How wonderful you get to write the preface to one of your beloved reads from childhood! Congratulations, Miranda! I know you'll enjoy rereading the series. I recently thoroughly enjoyed One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes; it's been buried on my TBR "shelf" on Goodreads for 10 years! Thanks for bringing it to light again in your videos! Found a copy on eBay. 🥰🇬🇧📚
Thank you very much! I’m definitely writing it for my younger self 🩰😄 So glad you enjoyed One Fine Day! 💕
What a bookish pleasure !!! 📚📚📚
Thanks so much!
Wonderful collection, Miranda! Congratulations on writing the introduction to one of your childhood favourites. That's very special. I've recently finished The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L Sayers. Goodness me! What an absolute gem. Very, very clever 🕵️♂️ I have the snowy Malcolm Saville to begin next followed by Inspector Chopra for next month's book club. Enjoy your February reads!
Yes, The Nine Tailors is such a perfect January read. I’m such a fan of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries! You too!
MIRANDA!!!! Congratulations on writing the Introduction for a book you read as a Child.. I know it will be amazing… I love listening to you talk about the books you’ve read it’s always so Relaxing and informative..”Mirror of Danger” and “Jummy” sounds awesome.., and so does “The Housekeeper and the Professor” Miranda thank you for always making such Great Videos 🥰💕…
Thank you so much, Kiki for all your kind words! I’m so pleased to be writing the introduction! ❤️📚😘
I love hearing about the different publishers who bring back vintage books. You have exposed me to so many of these and I was excited to hear about Image Cascade in this video. I have not heard of them before and I hopped right onto their website and filled up a cart of books! I loved the video you did about the Gray Ladies and I would love seeing more videos like that! But honestly I like any and all of your videos : )
Thank you! I think Image Cascade is indeed very tempting - so happy this video led you to them!
Interesting group of books. I don't think even you can persuade me to read A Little Life. 😂 Much too intense for me. I just received Malcolm Saville Jane's Country year. It's so beautiful even for a paperback. I just started Miss Bunches Book and it's so good. Love your vlogs Miranda!! 👍📚💕
Haha thanks Diane! Those two are certainly lovely gentle reads! 📚💫
How exciting to write the preface! That is such an honor. Congrats :)
Thank you very much, Gina! 💕
My daughter was within listening distance, so now I have to find a copy of Mirror of Danger 😊 I think I would love Meet the Malones and Ambush of Young Days. I'm a few chapters into Miss Buncle's Book which is lovely and quite funny. Also, just started the second book in Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily series, A Poisoned Season. A nice light period mystery. Thanks, for the wonderful book chat, Miranda.
Hope you manage to find a copy, Faith! So glad you’re enjoying Miss Buncle! Xxx
Hello Miranda I always enjoy hearing about the latest books your reading tfs have an awesome week take care ❤️🙋♀️
Thanks very much! You too!
Miranda I just love your channel so much! You do such a good job of describing each book and you choose such interesting reads. You always make my TBR longer, this month no exception!
Thank you so much, Judi! I’m so happy you enjoy the videos 📚❤️
Loved hearing about what you've been reading and added many new books to my list as always! I reread The Country Child for the first time as an adult and really enjoyed seeing it from a new perspective. I'm planning to read Carts and Candlesticks in February because TCC reminded me just how much I love Uttley's writing. Congratulations on writing the intro for the Sadler's Wells book - what a joy!
Thanks so much, Rae! Enjoy Carts and Candlesticks this month!
I got quite a chuckle when you and the housekeeper character were discussing how math makes you feel ill bc I can relate! Back in my school days I'd get a headache every day before math blech. I think we're all definitely English/Reading Comp type gals haha!
Oh and I'm very much currently enjoying Miss Buncle!
Mirror of danger was also made into a tv series in 1980, called - Come back Lucy. One of my favourite tv shows as a child. The full series is on youtube, I think you would love it.
Yes!!! I thought it rang a bell. There used to be a few supernatural dramatisations around that time, I wish I could remember them.
I’ll have to check that out! Thank you!
Loved your book recommendations for the most part. At this time, with all that’s going on in the world I don’t feel I could read A Little Life. I’m truly trying to keep my reads on the cozy mysteries/lighter side of life. Thank you for always inspiring my reading life. Congrats on writing your introduction of your childhood book😊
Thank you so much Shanne. I’m delighted to be writing the introduction!
Thank you for such wonderful recommendations! And the preface is a beautiful honour.
Jumping Jenny is a very memorable book. I read it three years ago and recall it vividly (and read hundreds of books every year). Anthony Berkeley was a fantastic author. I have enjoyed every book I've read by him.
Thanks to you my TBR pile is continually expanding! 😊
Thank you so much. Yes, I so agree: a memorable read. I will definitely try others by him!
@@MirandaMills And you're not alone in disliking maths and baseball! 😄
One absolutely marvellous read I have just finished is The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak please read it everyone next up is one that you recommended which is Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor AND I am thoroughly enjoying Miss Buncle s Book by D E Stevenson in audible and it is vey well narrated and also one of your recommendations. Thank you so much
So glad you enjoyed those! 📚💕
What a wonderfully eclectic selection of books! I am going to have to look for "Meet the Malones". It sounds exactly like the sort of book (and series) I would have loved as a child and should be a comforting nostalgia read for me. I have been binge reading Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie novels. I took the entire series out or the library and have them stacked next to my reading chair. It was delightful to "escape" to Scotland during our recent blizzard. Congratulations on your book introduction. How lovely, Miranda!!
❤️ Isabel Dalhousie too, Nancy! Yes highly recommend the Beany Malone series. Thank you for the congratulations - I’m delighted to be writing it! Stay warm - hope the blizzard has passed now!
Love The Housekeeper and The Professor. While I do enjoy chunky books, there is something about the novella / short novel that, when done well, resonates with me like no other length of book.
I think it’s something about the author having enough space to allow the story to breathe, while also having to be quite focused in their attention and their use of language. May also be why I enjoy quite a number of early 20th century books so much - a lot more of those that continue to be available now seem to be relatively ‘shorter’ in length.
Anyway, great vlog as usual Miranda, and many congratulations on be asked to write the introduction to a childhood favourite - exciting and intimidating at the same time I would imagine!
Finally, best wishes to you and Donna for a happy, healthy and hopeful Year of the Tiger! 🐯🧧🍊 May your year be truly Grrrreat! (🙈🥴, sorry but I just had to! 😂)
Thank you so much, Karen! In fact both of us were born in the Year of the Tiger! 🐅🐅
I haven’t read a lot of books by Japanese authors but I’ve loved every one of them I have read so far. The Housekeeper and the Professor interests me even though I too am not fond of math or baseball😊 also, A Little Life is on my tbr this year. The child abuse subject scares me but I feel from what I’ve heard that I need to at least try it. And have some light cozy reads ready to immediately follow it. And how thrilling you’ll be writing an introduction!
Thanks so much, Sandy! Yes, I’m very pleased to have finally read A Little Life and your idea of something light and cozy to read afterwards was what I did too. Hope you enjoy The Housekeeper and the Professor as much as I did if you read it too!
I adored the Sadlers wells books. The pictures on the cover were gorgeous. Love Rosemary Sutcliffe as well. I enjoy reading many a childrens book.
Hi Miranda, loved that you included some children's books in your list. I think my daughter will be interested in some of the titles you recommended. I just finished reading 500+ pages of Jane Harris' Gillespie and I in 3 days! The story is so gripping and I found it rather difficult to put down. I am going to tackle A Pin to see the Peepshow next which is another big book. From the reviews I heard, I think I am going to have another enjoyable read 😊Have a wonderful week xx
I’m so happy you enjoyed the reviews of the children’s books, and I know I’ve raved about Gillespie and I myself - great unreliable narrator and wonderfully written.
Nice collection, Miranda. I still have not tackled "A Little Life" but I will soon. I have read "The Book Thief" and "The Stationery Shop of Tehran" this last week and loved them both so much. I can understand why they are so critically acclaimed and widely loved books. I would recommend you add them to your TBR if you have not read them yet. 📚 🙂
Me again, just to say, I am a operating theatre nurse and can deal in real life, but I too have fainted reading about blood/ bleeding in books and from watching medical dramas on tv, haha x
Glad I’m not the only one, Kate! Although, fear I’d be definitely “woozy” in real life too!
I’m looking forward to reading The Miss Buncle book for your book club. Just read by first D.E. Stevenson book after you introduced me to this author. Thanks so much! I’ve also added a few other of the female authors to my Kindle from one of your CZcams videos. I’m so happy to have been introduced to these wonderful books.
Very pleased you’re enjoying D. E. Stevenson, Gerri, and she was prolific so lots more to enjoy! Yay!
You look very pretty today! I'm reading The Country Child right now. Perfect for the winter snowstorm we are having in Michigan right now. It can be quite a spooky little book, can't it? I like it!
I’ve got Jummy at the River School arriving next week so I can’t wait to read it. Love all the other recommendations too. Can’t wait to add them to my wish list.
Oh wonderful! Hope you enjoy it too, Yumi!
Rosemary Sutcliffe was my absolute favourite author when I was a child, but The Armourer’s House isn’t ringing any bells. Definitely going to get hold of it, so thank you for bringing it to my attention, Miranda.
It’s a really lovely story! Highly recommend 📚💕
@@MirandaMills Incidentally, Miranda, following one of your earlier recommendations, I was gifted Mrs Dalloway’s Almanac at Christmas, and think that it is stunning. Thank you.
I read the Ogawa book long ago. It has a haunting quality to it, and the relationship the professor forms with the son is memorable too. What a strange book! The translations ca be so key. I read a little French and Spanish, and it's a great lesson in what is lost in translation to compare some writing.
I HATED math too. Thanks for your reviews!
Lots of wonderful books. :) Like you, I am squeamish as well so I don't think I will ever be reading A Little Life and I also don't like reading extremely sad books. Right now I am re-reading Anne of Green Gables
So glad you’re loving Dinner with Edward!
Congratulations Miranda! U are perfect for that job!!!
Love your way of talking about books u have read, want to pick them all up - except Little Life a book I did not like. Started out good but it was too unrealistic in the end for me and too long. Needed some better editing.
I am now reading “East of Eden” by Steinbeck a favorite author for many years in this family. So much so that I will take the family to The Steinbeck museum in Salinas Ca this weekend.
Have u read any Steinbeck? I love his descriptions of California nature and his marvelous story telling.
Yes I have (and also visited Salinas) enjoy! Enjoy your visit to Steinbeck country!
Nice readings! Hanya Yanagihara's is on my list, but I confess I'm a little afraid of it because of those dark themes...Right now I'm in the mood for lighter and happier books. I've recently read The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspetor Chopra that you suggested and I simply loved it . I was under the impression that it was going to be on Confort Book Club... BTW, you always mention that you're a huge fan of bording school books, do you have any videos with suggestions? I guess I've never read anything, although I love some tv shows about it Love your videos, Miranda! Happy week
Yes, if you check the Comfort Book Club link I put in the description box of every video, you can find the list of upcoming reads. Inspector Chopra is for March. I have done such a video: czcams.com/video/yuLh6vEcvkw/video.html Have a good week too!
Miranda, so interesting to hear your comments on A Little Life. I don't think I can bear it, from what I've heard, although my daughter and one of my closest friends said it was unlike anything they've ever read and absolutely brilliant, but oh-so-difficult to read. One can't "unread" books or "unsee" films, and that is perhaps what keeps me from tackling this one. I am currently reading A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghoríofa. Have you read it? I think you and Donna both would love it, as it is a unique blend of literary memoir that is feminist, historical, and written in the most lyrical language. The author was first a poet. Also giving another go at Ulysses (my last attempt was not successful!) in honor of the centenary. Lisa xx
I haven’t read A Ghost in the Throat, but will look out for it now.? Thanks for the recommendation, Lisa!
I listened to A Little Life on audible several years ago. Profound. I was glued to it. So interesting to know this was one you recommended.
I’ve been really into memoirs lately!
So often very enjoyable reads!
Do we have a book from British Library Crime Classics? That’s one of my favourite collections!
I have heard great things about ‘The Housekeeper and the Professor’. Hoped you enjoyed it 👏🏽
I did! I gave my review of it in this video, in fact 😊
Lovely Miranda. Not book related, but I’m fascinated to know, did you have an American accent, or did you always keep an English accent ? Or are you like my friend who can flip between the two ? X
I don’t think I ever had a strong American accent and couldn’t switch between them even when I lived there.
Hello Miranda, I ended up absolutely loving The Country Child! Did Allison ever write more books about Susan?
Yes, The Farm on the Hills features Susan too.
@@MirandaMills I will be seeking that out. I wasn't quite ready to leave her world yet. Thank you ! Happy Valentines Day! 😊💓
I really disliked A Little Life and have a feeling of revulsion about it. I have a hard time understanding why it is raved about. I do not understand
why anyone would pursue reading it or raving about it. I did read it, but would not put myself through that again. When there is so much wonderful stuff to read, why attend to this writer?! Also, I think many people take a real pride in recommending it like a badge of honor ... 'I suffered thru this so you should too.' Anyhoo, I can understand why you left the book, returned to it, etc. I'll never read anything else by ths author. It was extremely generous of you to accommodate your friend to return to read this.
I love the mural in your room. Can you let me know what company you bought it from?
It’s very old hand painted wallpaper so isn’t for sale I’m afraid.
Thank you.
Miranda have you read Shuggie Bain?
No, I haven’t read it.
How many books do you read in a week?
I don't have a set goal, and it depends on the length of the book and how my week is of course, but I've always got a book on the go and rarely watch tv.