Good copywriters should read widely

One of my 18 for 2018 is to read more books. Specifically, the goal is to read 52 books a year.

So, to keep me accountable, each quarter when I feel like it I will share the books I have read.

If I fail, you may mock, point, stare and call me a pimple.

Or, if I’m successful, send me a lollipop.

Books I have read this year

1. Mythos by Stephen Fry
2. Dreambody by Lauren Saunders
3. Anne of Avonlea by LM Montgomery
4. Anne of the Island by LM Montgomery
5. Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (I read to my kids)
7. Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington
8. Anne of Windy Willows by LM Montgomery
9. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
10. Lick by Kylie Scott
11. Play by Kylie Scott
12. Lead by Kylie Scott
13. Deep by Kylie Scott
14. Dirty by Kylie Scott
15. Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
16. Orphan Train by Kristina Baker Kline
17. How not to Die by Dr Michael Greger
18. Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
19. The Woman Who Fooled the World: Belle Gibson’s Cancer Con by Beau Donnelly and Nick Toscano

So that’s 19 books in 14 weeks.

Whoo. Even with my C in Year 12 maths, I can work out that I am ahead on my goal of reading one book per week.

In the books I have read, you may have noticed…

I read a few *ahem* dirty books. The Kylie Scott series is a raunchy romp about lovable, ordinary girls getting down and dirty with sexy millionaire rock stars. Each book focuses on a lady and her lusty romance with a character in the band. Not something I’d normally read, but I confess I found them enjoyable. (Blushing here as I type this.)

Moving on: my favourite so far

I love, love, loved Elinor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. The lead character, Elinor and her socially clueless ignorance is sublime. Bless her heart. I could not put it down. Elinor reminded me of Graeme Simsion’s Don Tillman in The Rosie Project, another character who is astonished by the typical everyday behaviour of us ‘normal’ folk with hilarious consequences. Recently, I read that Reese Witherspoon has bought the rights to the movie and I’m conflicted.  Reese was spectacular in Wild, and she did good with Gone Girl. I just hope the Elinor in my mind matches the Elinor in Reese’s mind. Hopefully Reese doesn’t twist the ending to a more formulaic result.

Get yourself a copy here.

Kindred spirit: Anne Shirley

I was quite obsessed with Anne Shirley and Oprhan Annie as a child. It’s a redhead thing.

So, it was a treasure to read the beautiful Anne of Green Gables series as an adult. Rereading the series as an adult, it’s clear that what I really remember is the wonderful 1985 costume drama starring Megan Follows as Anne.

The first book was just as delightful as I recalled. The characterisation of Anne and her kindred spirits amongst Avonlea is brilliant. But in later books, Anne became too perfect and lost her accident-prone flaws that made her so charming.

She fixes everyone.

All men are in love with her. Billy Andrews, Charlie Sloane and the exquisitely named Royal Gardner all propose (and are rejected). She reunites lost relatives, plays matchmaker to lovelorn couples, and generally becomes intolerably perfect.

But all is forgiven in the delightful scene where Gilbert finally proposes to Anne. My heart hasn’t fluttered as much since Sophie picked Stu on The Bachelorette. At least we know Gilbert and Anne lasted the distance. They had six kids!

Other books

• I was having trouble sleeping, so I discovered a few tricks in books on better sleep. Then ignored all of the advice. I did get magesium oil though, and that helps.
• Belle Gibson’s Cancer Con – a shocking story about a pathological liar. Mesmerising.
• Henritetta Lacks – not a book I’d normally read, a bit science-y but so interesting. How this lady came to donate cells that have been used for amazing medical discoveries is heartbreaking and fascinating.
• Mythos – always vaguely interested in Greek mythology, Stephen Fry made it accessible. Brilliantly witty writing tone.
• I do like a self help book or two, or three.

Tell me, what books have you read lately that you’ve enjoyed? Any you’d recommend?