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What I’m reading this Christmas Holiday

Don’t forget yourself this time of year and be sure to buy books for YOU too. I’ve gathered a little pile that I’ll bring on my wintery holiday. What are you going to read?

Old Filth by Jane Gardam is the story of successful, respectable lawyer Sir Edward Feathers growing up during colonial rule in Hong Kong. Not all, it appears, has been friction-free in Sir Edwards’ life. A journey through British colonial history in Hong Kong as much as a personal history.

My bookclub book this month is Chinua Achebe’s seminal Things Fall Apart from 1958 which portrays pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the arrival of Europeans in the late 19th century from the African perspective. One of the first African novels to receive global attention.

Travelling in a Strange Land by David Park. Tom sets off during a snow storm to collect his sick son from University. While travelling alone through the deserted snowy landscape Tom contemplates his complicated family situation. Quite an atmospheric, contemplative read by the sounds of it and perfect for a quiet afternoon in front of the fireplace. An Irish Times book of the year in 2018.

Client Earth is a brilliant environmental organisation I’ve been supporting in a small way for a little while. Its charismatic founder James Thornton, named by New Statesman as one of 10 people who could change the world, and his partner Martin Goodman tell the story of how Client Earth uses the law to force governments and corporations to follow environmental laws in their book Client Earth. A lot more thrilling than it sounds!

For our Christmas Book Recommendations click here.

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