Back to the books...

So I've finally, finally, finally, had time to do some reading at long last. Other book lovers will sympathise, when you have to miss out on reading for a time, it's a weird (in a bad way) thing. I missed just relaxing into a good book, so I've been putting the last few days to good use.

Anything Goes - Lucy Moore
An interesting way of reviewing the 1920s, not year by year, but by theme. Crime, political corruption, the Hollywood stars, the birth of Jazz, the literary stars, the heroes and villains of this glittering decade. It's a fascinating history lesson and written in a very accessible way. Even if history isn't something you'd usually read, I recommend this book.

Lullabies for Little Criminals - Heather O'Neill
This was very different to anything I've read in a while. It's the story of Baby, a 13 year old girl growing up in Montreal with a dead mother and a junkie father. It's a bit of an anti-fairytale, charting the dark side of life. Baby's life is filled with sadness and horror, yet her ability to behave like any other child remains, and it ends with a hint of hope.

Warrior Girl - Pauline Chandler
This book tells the story of Jehanne d'Arc or Joan of Arc from the point of view of her cousin Mariane. I like books with feisty heroines who come to their own rescue, and Mariane certainly is one. Her life hasn't been easy, and her path follows that of her God-chosen cousin, until it's time for her to fight for her own life and not just follow anymore.