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Long time blogger just moved to wordpress. Love music, theatre, movies, sport (tennis and cricket) and cooking. Two great daughters, two great granddaughters.

Random’s Books of 2012 – List No 2

Next up my non-fiction choices for this year with links to the original review.

For some reason which escapes me it seems I did not write a review of the Young Ardizzone or Catherine the Great by Robert Massie.  I can only assume I was incredibly busy at the time.  However, take it from me they deserve to make the list.

Robert Massie is the author of Nicholas and Alexandra which I read back in the 70s.  Totally riveting and fascinating book and he is responsible for starting off my love of Russian history of this period and my interest in the Romanovs.  This is, of course, an earlier period, but I had also read a fiction book about this quite ghastly but hugely characterful woman, which I found intriguing and so I had a bit of a Catherine year.

The Young Ardizzone was one of those simply delightful Slightly Foxed editions, small, beautifully bound and just the right size to slot into a handbag. I adore Ardizzone's illustrations, I posted about him simply ages ago on Random, here, there is something so charming about his drawings.   Slightly Foxed are one of life's pleasures so do check out their website here.

I will be double checking my lists over the next few days as I think I may well have one or two more to add in before 31 December 2012 but these are my non-fiction choices.  

Let me know what you think of them.

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10 responses to “Random’s Books of 2012 – List No 2”

  1. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    I knew about What Matters in Jane Austen and then didn’t find it, so thanks for having it on my list – I’ve now added to to my want list!
    I’ve heard mixed things about Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace, but she is such a good writer that I want to read this book anyway.
    You have some interesting books in your non-fiction list. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Margaret Powling Avatar
    Margaret Powling

    Oh, I love your list … would like several of these but have bought so many books recently have to curb my enthusiasm! Just received Brian Sewell’s autobiog (a present for husband for Christmas) and also reading Nick Robinson’s Live from Downing Street, plus dipping into High Rising (Thirkell.) Also reviewing The English House (wonderful, wonderful, wonderful book) published by ACC … but, as I say, would love these esp Dear Lupin!

    Reply
  3. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    Was in two minds about this particular book but once I got into it could not put it down and thoroughly enjoyed it

    Reply
  4. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    I am a huge fan of Helen Rappaport – she writes beautifully and puts you right in the middle of the action. She is currently working on a book about the Four Romanov Sisters and simply cannot wait to get my hands on that in 2012.
    Dear Lupin – sheer delight
    I have gien up on attempting to whittle down my TBR mountain, it gets nibbled at and cut back during the year and then fills up again so I regard it as an ongoing challenge and don’t worry about it too much now
    AM half way through the Donna Leon and enjoying very much
    Venetian Contract I put to one side as other things to it the mway but mean to return to it soon

    Reply
  5. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    Not an academic or literary study but intriguing and picking up on small points of manners and attitudes which kept me saying Gosh I never knew that!

    Reply
  6. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    Do let me know what you think of Bertie Claire. I loved every word of it. The Young Ardizzone is a simply gorgeous little book!

    Reply
  7. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    I haven’t read any of them but just got Mrs. Robinson’s Disgrace from our local library yesterday so am hoping to dive in over the weekend.

    Reply
  8. Liz F Avatar
    Liz F

    I have only read Beautiful Forever and that was a year or so ago but I found it absolutely fascinating – Madam Rachel and her family were almost admirable in their shamelessness!
    I have Dear Lupin in my library pile and hope to read it over the weekend as I have a feeling that unless the weather improves dramatically we will be doing the supermarket shop and not much else – roads and pavements like glass and freezing fog make me want to hibernate!
    I really want to read Catherine the Great, Bertie and Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace but unless Santa brings me any of them, I might have to wait as I am determined to read from home next year in an effort to whittle down my TBR mountain and that means ignoring the siren call of the library’s online request facility and the blandishments of Amazon!
    I do like the look of the Donna Leon in your current reading pile though so might be tempted to purchase that before the end of the year…
    Just finished The Venetian Contract and thoroughly enjoyed it so hope that you are liking it too.

    Reply
  9. Alex in Leeds Avatar
    Alex in Leeds

    I have the Jane Austen book as a e-galley right now and am trying to hurry up the rest of this week’s reading to get to it! I rather like the sound of the Bertie and Catherine books too. :)

    Reply
  10. Claire (The Captive Reader) Avatar
    Claire (The Captive Reader)

    A wonderful list, Elaine, and clearly a great year for non-fiction! I have only read two of these (The Astaires and Catherine the Great) but thought both were fantastic. I’ve already got Bertie, What Matters in Jane Austen and Dear Lupin on my to-read list so I’ll just have to add the other as well. I’ll jump at any excuse to buy another beautiful Slightly Foxed edition and The Young Ardizzone is one I don’t yet have.

    Reply

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