HUGE BOOK HAUL | April 2017

TL;DR

A book haul featuring a variety of books, including retellings, poetry, non-fiction, a cookbook, short stories, and books shortlisted for the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction.

Transcript

so I have an April book call and I have to confess before we get started that even I think this is a lot of pigs I tried to pick them all up to take a picture for the thumbnail and my arms no hurt so let's not dilly-dally and instead get straight into the books shall we on the top of my pail is a book I've already shown you end of my video talking ... Read More

Key Insights

• 📙 The book haul includes a diverse range of genres, such as retellings, poetry, non-fiction, cookbooks, short stories, and books shortlisted for the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction.
• 📔 The books cover a variety of themes, including Greek mythology, migration, politics, gender, public services, mental health, and history.
• 🙈 The haul showcases the importance of different perspectives and interpretations in literature, as seen in "Conversations with Friends" by Sally Rooney.
• 🍳 The Vegetarian Athlete's Cookbook offers a healthy and nutritious approach to vegetarian cooking, focusing on recipes suitable for active lifestyles.
• 🌍 The inclusion of non-fiction books like "The Disappearance of Emile Zola" and "Dismembered" highlights the significance of exploring real-world issues through literature.
• 📔 The shortlisted books for the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction represent a diverse range of stories and authors, covering topics such as power, relationships, history, and social issues.
• 📔 The book haul reflects the reader's varied interests and their desire to explore different genres and perspectives.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is "Strange Heart Beating" by Ellie Goldstone about?

"Strange Heart Beating" is a modern story inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Leda and the Swan. It follows a young woman who is on a boat when a Swan tips her overboard and she drowns. The story explores what happens after her death.

Q: What themes are explored in "British Museum" by Doughty Inakra?

"British Museum" is a poetry collection that deals with themes of migration, cultural integration, and the legacy of British politics and history. It offers a unique perspective on these topics through the lens of poetry.

Q: What is "The Disappearance of Emile Zola" by Michael Rosen about?

"The Disappearance of Emile Zola" is a non-fiction book about the French author Emile Zola and his involvement in the Dreyfus Affair. It explores Zola's life and his role as a major campaigner for the innocence of Alfred Dreyfus, who was wrongly accused of treason.

Q: What is discussed in "Dismembered: How the Attack on the State Harms Us All" by Polly Tandy and David Walker?

"Dismembered" discusses the impact of government cuts and attacks on the welfare state, public services, education, and the NHS in Britain. It explores how these cuts are damaging to society and highlights the importance of these public services.

Q: What is the concept behind "Conversations with Friends" by Sally Rooney?

"Conversations with Friends" is a fictionalized version of conversations between friends. It explores various topics such as sex, friendship, art, literature, politics, and gender. The book offers different experiences and interpretations to different readers.

Q: What is the main focus of "The Vegetarian Athlete's Cookbook"?

"The Vegetarian Athlete's Cookbook" offers over 100 recipes suitable for those with active lifestyles. It focuses on providing nutritious meals that are not heavily reliant on processed carbohydrates, such as pastas and bread.

Q: How is depression portrayed in "Night Shift" by Dave McCrory?

"Night Shift" is a beautifully illustrated book that uses dragons as a metaphor for depression. It explores the darkness, pressure, and struggle that someone with depression goes through.

Q: What age group is "Frogkisser!" by Garth Nix targeted towards?

"Frogkisser!" by Garth Nix is a book aimed at a slightly younger audience. It is a retelling of the Frog Prince fairy tale and follows the adventures of Princess Anya as she tries to break a frog's curse.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The first book mentioned is "Strange Heart Beating" by Ellie Goldstone, a modern story inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Leda and the Swan.

• "British Museum" by Doughty Inakra is a poetry collection that explores themes of migration, cultural integration, and British politics and history.

• "The Disappearance of Emile Zola" by Michael Rosen is a non-fiction book about the French author Emile Zola and his involvement in the Dreyfus Affair.

• "Dismembered: How the Attack on the State Harms Us All" by Polly Tandy and David Walker discusses the impact of government cuts and attacks on the welfare state, public services, education, and the NHS.

• "Conversations with Friends" by Sally Rooney is a fictionalized version of conversations between friends, exploring topics such as sex, friendship, art, literature, politics, and gender.

• "The Vegetarian Athlete's Cookbook" offers over 100 vegetarian recipes that are healthy and suitable for active lifestyles.

• "Night Shift" by Dave McCrory is a beautifully illustrated book that uses dragons as a metaphor for depression.

• "Frogkisser!" by Garth Nix is a retelling of the Frog Prince fairy tale.

• "Perfect Little World" by Kevin Wilson is about a community where children are raised without knowing who their biological parents are, exploring the concept of a utopian society.

• "Why the Dalai Lama is a Socialist" explores the similarities between Buddhism and socialism.

• "Swimmer Among the Stars" by Kanishk Tharoor is a collection of short stories that cover a range of topics, including language, war, and international diplomacy.

• The shortlisted books for the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction include "The Power" by Naomi Alderman, "Stay With Me" by Ayobami Adebayo, "The Dark Circle" by Linda Grant, "Do Not Say We Have Nothing" by Madeleine Thien, "First Love" by Gwendoline Riley, and "The Sport of Kings" by C.E. Morgan.