Book Choice

September book recommendations

There’s a feeling for the past in this month’s selection with some enthralling novels and tales of British history.

• Chris Bohjalian - Skeletons at the feast
  Inspired by real events, this novel tells the story of a dramatic time in Europe’s history as one German family flees from the advancing Russian army in the last days of the Second World War.

• Clio Gray - Envoy of the black pine
  Set in 1808 this is the third book featuring Whilbert Stroop, missing persons finder. A gripping story of dangerous secrets, desperate men and macabre murder set in Little Slaughter on the Baltic Sea archipelago.

• Philippa Gregory - The other queen
  Gregory’s novels have been described as historical fiction at its best. Following on from the big screen success of “The Other Boleyn girl” her new book centres on Mary Queen of Scots and her fight to regain her kingdom whilst under the guard of Bess of Hardwick.

• James McBride - Song yet sung
  In the days before the American Civil War, a captured slave girl is entrusted with the Code, a fiercely guarded means of communication for slaves on the run. When Liz escapes once again, Denwood Long is coaxed out of retirement to break the Code and track her down.

• Michelle Moran - The heretic queen
  Nefertiti’s niece, Nefertari, follows in her aunt’s path as she marries a pharaoh, Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history. A novel of passion and redemption.

• Andrew Pepper - Kill-devil and water
  The new Pyke mystery set in the back streets of Victorian London and the sugar plantations of Jamaica. Pyke is in debtors' prison having lost his home and reached the edge of bankruptcy. Fitzroy Tilling, now head of the new Metropolitan Police Force gives Pyke his freedom, but in return he must agree to investigate a brutal death.

• Catharine Arnold - Bedlam: London and madness
  An absorbing history of how London has dealt with insanity among its population. Starting with the founding of the Bethlehem Hospital in 1247 through to the Victorian asylums and beyond.

• Michael O Siochru - God’s executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the conquest of Ireland
  A new account of this bloody period of Anglo-Irish history when Cromwell spent 9 months in Ireland. “A warrior of Christ, somewhat like the crusaders of medieval Europe, he acted as God's executioner, convinced throughout the horrors of the legitimacy of his cause and striving to build a better world for the chosen few”.

• Andrew Wheatcroft - The enemy at the gate: Habsburgs, Ottomans and the Battle for Europe
  An accessible history of the four centuries of conflict between Europe and the Ottoman Empire which stretched from the 15th to the 18th century.

• Glyndwr Williams - The death of Captain Cook; a hero made and unmade
  A new take on the death of Captain Cook and how this has coloured his reputation in history. A superb hydro cartographer who mapped the world, his reputation as hero to many and anti-hero to others is re-evaluated.

This month we highlight China, the Olympic Games and some enthralling novels set in the country.

John Bryant - The marathon makers: a century ago three heroes changed the course of the Olympics: this is their dramatic true story.
1908 Summer Olympics saw the most iconic race ever as Dorando Pietri staggered into the stadium at the end of the marathon only to collapse, get up 5 times and eventually be helped over the finish line. His disqualification was only the start of an incredible dispute involving Italy, the United States and the British Empire…allegations of cheating and drug taking are not a new development!

Janie Hampton - The austerity Olympics: when the games came to London in 1948
In 1948,  London was still in ruins following the Second World War, rationing was part of everyday life and the country was struggling through an economic crisis. Despite this the games became the “most successful, inexpensive and unpretentious games of the 20^th century”. First hand accounts show us how the athletes prepared for the games despite all the restrictions.

Aya Goda - Tao: on the road and on the run in outlaw China
Described as a Chinese “On the road” we follow two travellers, young Japanese student Aya Goda and wandering painter Cao as they criss-cross the Chinese interior. Keeping one step ahead of the authorities including the bureaucrats and police plus dodging bandits, this is the story of a contemporary China rarely seen.

Christopher Hilton - Hitler’s Olympics: the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games
The Berlin Olympic Games remain the most controversial ever held.  They became one of the largest propaganda exercises in history as Hitler showed the world the supposed superiority of the German state, but the most memorable achievement continues to be that of black American Jesse Owens who won four gold medals.

Gavin Menzies - 1434: the year a Chinese fleet sailed to Italy and ignited the Renaissance
In a previous book, “1421” Menzies revealed that it was the Chinese who discovered America , not Christopher Columbus. In this follow up he presents amazing evidence that it was  Chinese advances in science, art and technology that kick started the Renaissance and helped to influence our modern world.

Lisa See -Peony in love
A novel set in 17^th century China and which tells a story of love, desire, sorrow and redemption. Will appeal to the “Memoirs of a Geisha” fans.

Tei Chiew-Siah - Little hut of leaping fishes
Set in China in the 19^th century this novel follows the fortunes of Mingzhi, born to a life of privilege, who has to come to term with changes in the world around him. A sweeping story of rebellion and discovery.

Sue Tong - Binu and the great wall.
A magical tale set against the backdrop of the Great Wall. After her husband disappears Binu learns that he has been transported hundreds of miles and forced to working on a huge project… the building of the Great Wall. She sets out on an extraordinary journey determined to bring him home.

Travel around China
The essential insiders' guide for the millions of visitors expected at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Compiled by native Chinese citizens it features information on more than 1200 tourist attractions from the Forbidden City in Beijing to fascinating gems in less familiar regions.

Xinran - Miss Chopsticks
Three peasant girls find their way in the big city. A novel that tells their story together with the story of Nanjing itself. From the author of “The Good women of China”