Every month, GWL team members and volunteers share what we’ve read at our Book Picnic. Here’s what we’ve been reading recently:
The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall
Elaine recommended this historical novel set in Berlin during World War II and modern day Scotland. It tells the story of Audrey, a woman of English and German descent who was a piano student when the war broke out and who becomes involved in the resistance movement in Germany. Elaine thought she was a really great character.
Her descendant Kate travels to Alnwick in Scotland in order to find out more about her history. Although the story is fiction it is also based on some real life events, recollected by the author’s grandfather.
Totto Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
Aileen recommended this lovely Japanese children’s book which she thought adults might also enjoy as it is a funny and heartwarming read. The book became the bestselling book of all time in Japan and has now sold over 5 million copies. It’s a childhood memoir written by Japanese TV presenter and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, although it reads more like a novel due the to unusual nature of the school she went to, which had railway carriages for classrooms and an unconventional headmaster who wanted to create a place where children could learn in a way that suited them and was fun.
Aileen thought that the modern education system could learn much from Tetsuko’s experiences and found it a very comforting read, perfect for cosying up with on a winter’s night.
Startling by Linda France
Aileen also recommended this book of poetry by Linda France, which examines the climate crisis and loss of species as well as providing hope for the future. It beautifully navigates the pain of the losses we are currently experiencing as well as encouraging us to rewild ourselves and our habitats for the benefit of everyone.
Although it covers a difficult topic, Aileen found the book to be beautiful and moving and a reminder that we do have the power within ourselves to create positive change.
The Listener by Tove Jansson
Anna recommended this collection of short stories by Tove Jansson, author of the Moomin books. Anna found her to be a passionate writer but in a very beautiful, poetic way. This collection is aimed at adult readers, and features stories such as The Other, which is about the idea of another self, like an invisible friend. The main character decides he wants to be more like his other self than himself. Anna found Tove’s writing to be very calming.
Helen Oxenbury: a Life in Illustration by Leonard S Marcus (words) and Helen Oxenbury (illustrations)
Anna brought in a lovely illustrated hardback copy of this book which she recommended. It sets out the work of Helen Oxenbury, who illustrated books such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and other popular books. The book is a celebration of her life and work and it was good to see a large collection of her illustrations all in one place.
Running by Lindsey A Freeman
Gaby recommended this book, which is a feminist and queer handbook of running, so not your typical running book. It talks about the freedom of running as well as experiences of injury and training. Gaby found it to be extremely relatable and loved it, finding herself wanting to read it again immediately after finishing it.
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
Gaby also recommended this short novel which is in two parts, the first part telling the story of the abduction, rape and murder of a young Palestinian woman in 1949 by Israeli soldiers. The story is told by a soldier who, early on in the story, is bitten on his thigh by a snake and becomes delirious. In the second part, the story then shifts to the modern day and is told by a young autistic woman in the West Bank who becomes obsessed with the story of the young woman who was killed and travels to a place near Rafa where the murder happened, making a dangerous journey through multiple checkpoints in order to piece together the events of that time.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Pauline recommended this book, which was the winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, which tells the story of astronauts on the International Space Station as they orbit the earth, collecting data, conducting experiments and observing planet earth from afar.
The narrative is very much in the heads of the astronauts and what they do to make sure they are physically ok – it’s their thoughts. Pauline thought it was a beautifully written book.
Border by Kapka Kassabova
Pauline also recommended this non-fiction book from Kapka Kassabova, an accomplished poet who has also written four books about the Balkans. She travels from the Black Sea, heading west along the border between Bulgaria and Greece, then back to the Black Sea again. It is about all the people who have died trying to cross that border. She is a beautiful writer who now lives in the Scottish Highlands. Pauline found her to be a writer you need to read with care as there is such depth to her writing. The book won the Saltire Book of the Year in 2017.
Brave Dog by Various Artists
Doreen recommended this poetry anthology from a group of Glasgow-based poets and artists including Gentian Meikleham, William J Knox, Kare Hansen, Leonie Staartjes, Meredith Macleod, Sophia Archontis, Ruby Lawrence and Saturn Akin.
She thought it had a theme of mental health or possibly neurodivergence. She found it to be playful, with a quirky use of grammar, and thought the poems might appear to be quite childlike but there were deeper meanings there as well. She thought the whole book was making the points that she would like to make herself.
Around the World in 80 Dogs by Kristyna Litten
Doreen also recommended this gorgeous and beautifully illustrated children’s book which she thought some adults might also enjoy. She found it to be a nice book to read since she is dyslexic, and the format suited her.
The book features 80 dog breeds and where they come from and is a celebration of all the amazing dogs there are around the world.
Cairn by Kathleen Jamie
Marij recommended this book which is mainly prose but also poems. She thought Kathleen Jamie was marvelously accessible and very relatable, she talks about the natural world, the climate crisis and about her children and grandchildren as she considers what kind of world they are inheriting.
