Winter, The Story of a Season by Val McDermid is a small book but interesting. This is a book about the joys of winter rather than just surviving it. She is the same age as me and grew up in Scotland but some of her memories of things like childhood Christmas Decorations, the winter of 1963 and November 5th firework nights are similar to mine.
"In Winter she takes us on an adventure through the season, from the icy streets of Edinburgh to the windblown Fife coast, from Bonfire night and Christmas to Burns Night and Up Helly Aa. She remembers winter from childhood, the thrill of whizzing over a frozen lake on skates, carving a 'neep' (swede) for Halloween and being taken to see her first real Christmas tree in the town centre, lights twinkling bravely in the dark night".
She writes about how she sits down to write her books each January, a winter train journey across Russia, birdwatching, Christmas lights, Hogmanay celebrations past and present and soup!
I came across a book blog that gives a good write-up on Winter HERE . I'd love to write book reviews like this but mine are much shorter as I'm always in a hurry to get on with reading the next book!
Winter is one of 4 books about the seasons commissioned from well known fiction authors. Spring is by Michael Morpurgo, Summer and Autumn are not yet published but will be by Bernadine Evangelista and Kate Mosse.
Back Tomorrow
That sounds like a good book, anything which helps embrace winter rather than simply enduring it has got to be good. Lovely cover too.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to read the Spring book by Michael Morpurgo although I don't need any help surviving spring usually.
Penny
I've got the Spring book on loan too, when I reserved them I didn't realise they had a connection
DeleteThanks for the review of Al McDermid’s book-I shall look out for a preloved copy/ask at the library. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI hope your library get a copy as it's only small but still over £6 secondhand
DeleteSounds like a lovely (and winter affirming) read - I think I might see if it is in our local library (or order if it isn't)
ReplyDeleteOur library is a community run one and has a beautifully eclectic collection so looking for a particular book can be fun!
I expect most libraries will stock it being from such a well known author
DeleteThis looks like something I'd love to read and would love just as much to write. What a good idea.
ReplyDeleteIt's a quick read but interesting memories
DeleteSo many of these books have such pretty dust jackets, don't you think? This one sounds as if I would relate to it too.
ReplyDeleteHope you can borrow a copy as it's a nice little book
DeleteOur library is small without a huge stock, so I would probably have to order this. I ordered a couple of Alice Roberts' the other day, and I'm looking forward to those.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very good. Don't we all need a bit of winter inspiration?
ReplyDeleteToday is beautiful. Sunshine and snow cover with modest temperatures makes the perfect winter day.