Jacqueline Day

As advised to me by someone ‘in the business’, I have tried to expand my reading to a few more recently published titles over the last few months in order to assess comps (comparative novels to suggest to prospective literary agents in query letters). Sometimes it’s really hard to keep going when they’re not things you’d usually pick! However, I’ve done my best.

The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris by Evie Wood
Just a lovely, gentle read, reminded me of Joanne Harris and her stories about Vianne Rocher (Chocolat is a longstanding favourite).

Confessions of a Forty-Something by Alexandra Potts
Read more contemporary fiction, Jack! I did. This was modern, forthright fun. I liked the character Cricket, I felt more aligned with her than the heroine.

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Recommended by my lovely nursey friend Diana, I adored this, right up my street. A time-slide story about Emilia Bassano, mooted as the lady who possibly wrote Shakespeare’s plays. Fascinating story and theory, and great to research as I read.

Hot (Not Bothered) by Harper Ford
More contemporary fun, not my usual choice, but no complaints. Earthy and honest middle-aged life and dating in Lincoln. Good for a train journey, and I want to visit Lincoln now!

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Hard. Gritty. Thought provoking. Not relaxing. Call me a wuss, but that’s not why I read. I want to escape all the harsh reality, there’s so much of it in the real world today. Mass shootings in American schools are definitely out of my reading comfort zone. That said I know it’s good to stretch your boundaries and open your mind, and of course this is brilliantly written. I have to admit it lingered in my mind for quite a while after I finished it, for better or worse.

The Tarot Reader of Versailles by Anya Bergman
Enjoyed this. A hint of the paranormal, a lot of French Revolution, a bit of Irish history, nice characterisation and interesting mix of fictional and real characters. Marie Antoinette gets her head chopped off again.

The Rag Princess by Rosie Goodwin
Picked this with the historical fiction comp research in mind. Rosie’s tale reminded me of Catherine Cookson, who I read extensively in my teens. Well-researched, solid characters and overall an enjoyable easy-read yarn.

Willie, Willie, Harry Stee by Charlie Higson
Just heaven to a history nerd! The bare facts as Charlie whizzes through the British monarchy debating the most salient points of each reign, an entertaining, humorous overview and complete self-indulgence in the midst of all these other books. Splendid audiobook for a long car journey! It saw my son and I from Surrey to Gloucestershire, all around said county and home again.

The Wild Rose by Dilly Court
I know Dilly is extremely popular in the historical fiction saga field, but I thought this lacked depth and felt rather light-weight – I was constantly waiting for the ‘something’ to happen. Plus I wanted to slap the heroine, which never really helps you warm to a story. I will try one of her earlier novels, though, there must be something in them somewhere.

The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Wood
Another enjoyable read, an interesting and novel story with an unusual cast of characters coming together to research the provenance of a ‘haunted’ violin. Another one with an intriguing touch of the paranormal.

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
OK, I jumped on the bandwagon after the utterly delightful BBC TV series! Just a pleasure, the story arc is a little different to the TV series, but that’ll be down to location costs, I expect. Simply joyful.

A Crowning Mercy by Bernard Cornwell and Susanna Kells
I read the Sharpe novels before they were televised and enjoyed them immensely. Bernard wrote this with his wife and it’s a bit different – softer, I guess. A sound enough story, set during the Interregnum when Cromwell had his finger on the pulse, but not as gripping as tales of Sharpie or Uhtred. I like a ballsier heroine!

How To Be A Victorian by Ruth Goodman & Jack Tar by Roy & Leslie Adkins
These were re-listens/re-reads. Ruth can do no wrong in my eyes and I love all the detail, thrive on it even! And Jack Tar is all about the lives of sailors aboard ship in the age of sail, a perennial fascination. When I’m at a loss and feeling brain-scratchy about what to read/listen to next, these books and audiobooks (I have both) always come out to fill the gaps.

Yes, both books are second-hand. No, they have not acquired ‘The Smell’ yet 😃

All photos © Jack Day unless otherwise credited.