How times have changed… before, when on holiday, that was the time I would catch up on my reading. Now, when on holiday with an 11 month old… if you manage to read a page that’s a victory in itself. So, don’t expect much in the way of new book recommendations from my end for the time being. But I did manage to read a couple of books recently, so here goes:

The Bone Clocks – David Mitchell

After a string of okay-ish books as of late, it was so refreshing to finally read a novel so incredible as The Bone Clocks. Loved every word, and it ranks quite high on the list of favourite reads this year. For any who have read Mitchell’s other works such as Cloud Atlas, you come to expect a novel that it’s impossible to assign to one genre, but one that bounds across so many that it’s impossible to keep up. Ultimately, a compelling story of immortality and the extremes to which humanity is willing to go to pursue it, told through the eyes and life of an amazing central character. Extremely, highly recommended. 5 out of 5.

The Library at Mount Char – Scott Hawkins

Earlier this year, I read a book called The Honours, which was beautifully written, had amazing character and world building, was all I wanted in a book… except it’s extremely weak story. The Library at Mount Char is not the greatest when it comes to writing, it is very weak in character building (beyond its main protagonist), and you really wish it was better edited, but man what an amazing story. And like The Honours, you feel let down because it could’ve been so much more. I loved the premise of the book, and I really really wish it was executed better. It could’ve easily been my best book of the year if somehow The Library at Mount Char and The Honours would just merge into one… alas, was not the case. I’ll still give it 3.5 out of 5… but I wanted to give it oh so much more. What a shame…