January Reading List

Being an incorrigible bookworm made taking English Literature at uni seem like a sensible choice. I'd get the reading list at the start of each term and rush off to a book shop, ridiculously keen to have some shiny new books in my paws. 



Not that I bought every item on the list, of course. I never did start finish Ulysses and I *possibly* fell asleep during a seminar on Yeats. The Norse sagas were my faves. Which reminds me, did you watch The Last Kingdom on the BBC in December? It. Was. Brilliant.

To this day, I like to read a good mix of books. Here's what I've been curling up with this January.


Evelina by Frances Burney



Fanny Burney basically invented the romantic comedy genre. I know, right? Jane Austen was a fan and you can definitely see similarities between Evelina and Austen's works.

Evelina is a beautiful orphan who finds herself entering society for the first time. She sets off for London where she is equally dazzled and frightened by fashionable life. Though she falls for Lord Orville, Evelina attracts the attention of some far more unsavoury characters in this satirical book. It's a fascinating glimpse into late 18th century society, where manners are crazy important and the gents LOVE to fawn over the subject of their affections.

A Passionate Love Affair With a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson



Charley Lambert's a workaholic juggling promotion goals with a major crush on her boss. Then she knackers her leg, someone else muscles in on her career and her boss finds himself another woman. HECK! Charley wallows a bit before stumbling on a brilliant new career and falling for a 'total stranger'.

Lucy Robinson's book is sassy, genuinely funny and a great read. Oh, and I defy you to read what John McAllister has to say without doing a Ewan McGregor impression in your head.

Don't Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford, CBE



Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how b e a u tiful this cover is? SO dreamy! Painter Lourdes Sanchez created new artwork for Penguin's Nancy Mitford books and they are an absolute must for bookshelf bragging.

I can't recommend Nancy Mitford enough. She was a high society kind of girl, coming of age in the roaring twenties. Her writing is witty, sharp and transports you straight back to a golden era. Don't Tell Alfred continues on from The Pursuit Of Love, following protagonist Fanny as she and her husband set up in Paris. Alfred is now English Ambassador so it's Fanny's job to throw cocktail parties and avoid the gossip columns. Written some 15 years after Pursuit, you can definitely hear a nostalgic tone in Mitford's voice, as well as her unending charm.

It Had To Be You by Ellie Adams



You know when you get dumped and someone films it and it ends up on YouTube and you just happen to be wearing a regency costume at the time? NO ME NEITHER! Poor old Lizzy Spellman has to navigate this unfortunate infamy while nursing her broken heart at the same time. Everything continues to go tits up and she meets the rudest man on the planet, to boot. Expect to squirm and laugh along with Lizzy on her journey in this super fun novel by Ellie Adams.

Like this post? Read my review of Lindsey Kelk's new book, A Girl's Best Friend, here.