September 12th 2024.
As a child, I had a voracious appetite for books. My love for reading began at a young age, thanks to my parents who read to me regularly. I have fond but hazy memories of books like Hardy Boys, Famous Five, and Biggles. However, the one that stands out in my mind is John Masefield's The Box of Delights. My mother gave it to me just before I was sent off to boarding school at the tender age of seven. It became my escape from the misery of that place, a fantasy world that I could lose myself in. But as they say, memory is a tricky thing. I recently tried to revisit the book, but I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. The story was nothing like the one my seven-year-old self had imagined. It's funny how you can never go back to those cherished childhood memories.
People often ask me for book recommendations, apart from my own writing, of course. But I am not one to push my preferences onto others. I do share my thoughts on books that I have enjoyed in my monthly newsletter and on social media, but I never insist that everyone should read a particular book. That would just be tiresome.
In the past year, I have come across some fantastic books. Laura Shepherd Robinson's The Square of Sevens was a riveting historical novel with a touch of fantasy. I listened to The Song of the Huntress by Lucy Hounsom on audiobook, narrated brilliantly by Kristin Atherton. And I couldn't put down The Hungry Dark by Jen Williams, a modern folk horror story with supernatural elements. Looking back, I do find it interesting that my three favorite books from the past year all had some element of fantasy in them. Perhaps that says something about my taste in literature.
But not every book I pick up manages to capture my attention. There have been many that I started but never finished. Sometimes it's because the book just wasn't right for me, or I wasn't in the right frame of mind for the story. Other times, I couldn't get past the author's writing style, even though everyone else seemed to love it. And then there are the classics that I just couldn't get into. I have to admit, I am not a fan of Dickens, but that could also be because I had to read his books for school, and nothing takes the fun out of reading like knowing there's an exam waiting for you at the end.
I used to force myself to finish books, even if I didn't enjoy them. But I have learned that it's okay to stop and move on to something else. After all, there are so many books out there, and our time is limited. As for authors who have inspired me, there are too many to name, but Terry Pratchett holds a special place in my heart. He was more than just a fantasy writer; his work defied categorization. His writing inspired me to try my hand at writing a novel, which didn't turn out as successful as his, but it set me on the path to becoming a writer.
These days, my favorite place to read is in bed, just before I go to sleep. I wish I had more time during the day to read, but running a farm and writing my books keeps me busy. However, I have discovered the joy of audiobooks. I listen to them while I'm out and about on the farm, tending to my livestock or driving the tractor. They are also a lifesaver on long car journeys to literary festivals and library talks. There's something soothing about being read to by a skilled narrator. It takes me back to my childhood days, falling asleep to my parents' bedtime stories.
J.D. Oswald is the pseudonym for James Oswald, an award-winning crime writer. He is the author of the popular Inspector McLean detective series and the new DC Constance Fairchild series. On September 12th, his dark coming-of-age story, Broken Ghosts, will hit the shelves. Make sure to check it out!
And, if you're looking for more book recommendations, be sure to read The Good Books, where I share my thoughts on the latest reads. You can also subscribe to Scottish Field to read the latest issue. Happy reading!
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