Because I have not posted about books for so long it is kind of daunting thinking about which one to write about. And what to write. I strongly suspect I have old entries on the computer I could post (luckily the hard drive came along with me so there was no need to tidy it up) but for now I thought I’d start writing brief descriptions of some of the reading highlights of the last couple of months. Apologies for the lack of insight and thought here; I hope my enjoyment of the books is still clear!


A book I happily rediscovered recently was Eva Ibbotson’s A countess below stairs, or, as it is renamed in the annoying new edition, The secret countess. The edition was annoying not only for the title change but for the dramatic blurb on the back that doesn’t at all convey the lovely light-hearted and joyful feel of the story.

I first read this book years ago as a teenager, along with some of Ibbotson’s other adult romances (they don’t at all seem like YA to me, I think the decision to republish them as such must be a marketing decision). I was lucky enough to acquire some of these books (such as Magic flutes) but wasn’t able to find a copy of A countess below stairs before now. So I guess I shouldn’t be too cranky at the new edition!

It was as lovely a romance as I remembered, although I freely admit my love for stories set in country houses (particularly those with below stairs scenes) may be biasing my view. Because I just remembered this is a super quick discussion of the book, let me just say the story includes stirling eccentric Ibbotson characters, dancing, loving descriptions of Russia, flowers and a truly formidable curtsey.



I also finally read some books by Sherwood Smith (sartorias), namely Crown Duel and Court Duel (conveniently published as one inexpensive volume named after the first book). OK, you know when people have been mentioning a book for ages but you never get around to reading it and when you do you love it and feel foolish for never having read it before? Even if that involved ordering it from overseas? Um, insert these feelings here.

Again, these books were great fun to read. The main character, the teenage Meliara, was believable (particularly her self-consciousness over her ignorance), and the world was solidly constructed in that way that didn’t overwhelm the story (ie lots of background stuff but not too much). The politics were interesting but again not overwhelming, there was swordfighting, fans, pretty clothes descriptions and houses and palaces of all kinds. The romance storyline probably won’t appeal to those who like suspense. I have "fantasy of manners" in my mind but am not trusting that that is an accurate description after my afternoon ODing on the internet!

Tags: books, fantasy, ibbotson, romance, smith