The little Fictionhabits have now gone back to school after another fabulous summer break. I love having them at home; no real routine, doing what we fancy when we want. Once school holidays are over, it is amazing how quickly we all get back into our term time regime. I’m lucky that my children love school and are engaged by their teachers. They were very excited to go back – I’d rather this than tears and tantrums.
Now the summer is over, I’ve had a look back at the titles I said I would read over the holidays to see how I’d got on. Here’s the original post to refresh your memory: Summer Reading
Overall, I didn’t do too badly. I managed to finish The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie (but haven’t and probably won’t review it), I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and The Afterparty by Leo Benedictus. I am about a third of the way through A Game of Hide and Seek by Elizabeth Taylor. I’m loving it so far, it is beautifully understated and the writing is exceptional, so look out for a review in the future. Unfortunately, I haven’t touched the Anne Tyler or the Edgar Allan Poe, I just haven’t got around to them, but I will at some point.
I did manage to crow-bar in a couple of other books I hadn’t intended to read, but was distracted into reading them! 
Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers was by far the highlight. I still think about it now, despite having read it back in July. I also read and was disappointed with 
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. I just didn’t get it I’m afraid. I have finished but not yet reviewed Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick, shortlisted for the Orange Prize this year and I can understand why. The 
writing is of superior quality, but won’t be for everyone. I’ve also finished Life! Death! Prizes! by Stephen May. I read this in super quick time as it has to go back to the library 
imminently! Lucky for me it was very easy to read. A review of this book is to come shortly. I also managed to fit in a book not out yet. Nod by Adrian Barnes is published later in the Autumn – I hoovered it up over the August bank holiday weekend and will publish a review when I am allowed!
A Fiction Habit 
The cover to ‘Foreign Bodies’ is identical to ‘The Girl at the Lion d’Or’ by Sebatian Faulks – how bizarre! Interesting to see how much reading you got done this summer – I’m personally much much better once I’m back in my routine 🙂
(By the way – I use the same WordPress theme as you and would love to know how you got the title bigger – how is it possible!?)
Just been on your blog and you are right about the jacket art. How strange, they really are very similar. Answered your WordPress question over at your gaff.