Catching up on some reading

I managed to well and truly destroy my target of reading 12 new books a year.

I’ll be honest, this isn’t going to win any literary awards. However it is perfect for a sunny day, a glass of wine, and a few hours of some mindless romance.
I consider Little Black Dress books to be the same as the Mills & Boon books I used to judge my dear mother about reading. Well 15 year old Bek is now judging me for reading Little Black Dress books (15 year old me was a judgemental little shit really, but she grows up kinda).
There is a time and a place for great literature, and there is a time and a place for trashy and predictable romance novels
(Best read with – wine and The XX)

The Gin Lovers

I could have sworn I heard about this book from The Hairpin but whilst googling to find the link I couldn’t find it.
So I don’t know how I found out about this web serial turned book, but I’m very glad I did.

And I’m very glad I read it all at once. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger, and I became totally immersed in the story I didn’t want it to end.

(Best read with – a gin cocktail and the duke spirit

The White Queen

I have been a Phillipa Gregory fan for ages now, but I think I’ve reread The Constant Princess twice in the time it took me to sit down and finish The White Queen.
I bought this book on our road trip to Adelaide (May 2011) and only just finished it. But it was good because I found the Bradman museum postcard that I bought and had used as a book mark.
It’s not that it’s a difficult read, it’s just I had trouble navigating the different time zone. After spending so long with The Tudors (through the TV show, her previous books, and I actually read some non-fiction on the subject), I didn’t immediately recognise most of the names. That and I found the whole Melusina subplot pretty tedious.
I am looking forward to watching the TV adaptation. Unfortunately I only started recording it at episode 5, so hopefully it comes out on DVD or Netflix soon.

(Best read with – blood orange screwdrivers and The Decemberists)

The Valley of the Dolls
Midnite Moose leant me this one, and I must admit I hadn’t heard of it before.
It took me a while to get into it, but as soon as I had finished I had to watch the movie (thanks Netflix!)
And I enjoyed both equally.
I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of this before. I even followed a blogger called sparkle kneeley sparkle for a while.

I feel a bit like I’m the last person on the planet to read this, but I finally have. A bit like watching Dirty Dancing (yes I’m talking to you Miss Hedgehog) it’s an important part of growing up and being a lady.

(Best read with – malt liquor on the rocks and Neko Case

I finally signed up for a Good Reads account so if you’re on Good Reads look me up – I’m bekswhoknits.