February 2015 Already?? Ok, Here's some Book News Then....

Hi everyone, time has flown, speeded along by copious amounts of reading as usual!

We're already more than a month into 2015 so I thought I'd give you a quick update on my bookish world so far this year, starting with some recommendations from my recent reading pile.

First up I'd like to give another heads up for Ben Elton, author of my first review of the year, Time And Time Again. Following my enjoyment of that work I launched straight into Two Brothers, another of Elton's, works of historical fiction, this time without the 'supernatural' element.

It's a very absorbing piece of work, more than equal to a Follett or Deighton treatment of the time period (the early 20th century) and has made me a firm favourite of Ben Elton's work.

Talking of Ken Follett, which I kind of was, I've also read Fall Of Giants, this month, and I'm well into the sequel, Winter Of The World. Both are great works in the Follett style,  expansive character groups, historical narrative that threads the characters (almost) seamlessly into the big moments in history, love, rivalry, and of course sex. I've never been a big fan of the 'sexy bits' in fiction, but I'm reliably informed that many females of the species like that kind of stuff in a novel. I'm inclined to think, from my male perspective, he seems to do a fairly good job. Let me know if I'm wrong!

Staying with bit of an early 20th century theme this month, I've also polished off two Alan Furst novels, Night Soldiers, and The Polish Officer. These are truly great works in the spy/thriller/war genres, Furst is a more than admirable successor to Le Carre in my opinion. I've bulk bought another six of his novels on the strength of these two, I'd suggest you do the same.

My last read this past month was an excellent piece of local history, Bearbrass by Robyn Annear. An "imagining' of early Melbourne as it describes itself, this is a real gem for visitor or Melburnian alike. You'll never take a stroll through the CBD again without thinking about this book.

On a final note, I have to raise a glass and offer respect to Colleen McCullough, one of Australia's great artistic talents who died in the last few days.

One of the wonderful things about being an author is that, in one way at least, they gain immortality. May you live on forever in your work Colleen.

That's it for now.

Stevie at B.L.M.