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Books, Audiobooks, Courses - March 2022
Mar. 31st, 2022 02:36 pmI 7 more books read this month, which was a bit of a stretch, but mainly because three books arrived from the library at the same time - a rule of nature that!
The Couple at No 9 by Claire Douglas
Following a discussion on the Shedunnit forum as to whether all crime novels set in the Cotswolds were cosy crimes, I decided to investigate, making use of our library (because Gloucestershire library really should have a good selection of locally set novels). This was the first, which is definitely not cosy. It's a very good mystery, not gory, but certainly not cosy. The author lives in Bath and makes great use of the setting - there is a reason why the action happens in a Cotswold village, but its not a twee village. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a modern crime novel. [F5]
The 12.30 from Croydon by Freeman Wills Croft
This was my alternative read for the Shedunnit book club, as the actual read is not available at the library (this one was) and I'm reluctant to spend money on something I may not like. The month's category was 'books which were innovative' which this one is. I quite enjoyed it, and would read something else by this author, but won't be rushing to read everything else they've written. [E3]
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
This (the third of my library books) was recommended by a friend. The premise is that Harry August lives his life again and again, but each time he remembers his life from before, so he makes decisions based on the previous lives. It's a really clever concept and the story within it is well thought out. A one-off, but well worth considering if you're looking for something different. [A3]
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Ryan is one of my favourite authors, so I had this book on pre-order with Blackwells. Her stories are set in WWII, and concern the women left at home who have to continue with their daily lives as well as wartime activities. This story centres on the search for a female co-presenter of a BBC radio programme devoted to cooking based on food rationing (the programme did exist). I really enjoyed this, for both plot and characters. Yes, things work out a bit too well for real life, but the feel good factor outways that. [F6]
The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes
This book was recommended by a musician friend, and has been on my TBR pile for some time. It's a fictional account of the Russian composer Shostakovich. It was interesting learning about the composer by the style of writing didnt appeal. [B3]
The Shortest Way to Hades by Sarah Caudwell
I read the first of the Hilary Tamar books - legal crime mysteries - last year, and this is the second. They are quite amusing and entertaining easy reads. [C3]
Buttons and Bones by Monica Ferris
This, the next in the Needlecraft mystery series, is definitely a cosy mystery. I enjoyed the plot more than the last few I've read and thought it was an interesting angle to look at. [D3]
[Letters refer to which reading list each book belongs to]
Audiobooks
At Home in Thrush Green by Miss Read, read by Gwen Watford. Having finished the previous audiobook, I moved straight onto the next. Again, pleasant listening, perfect for cross stitch and knitting (both activities would be approved of by the characters!)
Mania by L J Ross, read by Richard Armitage. The narrator explains my interest. He had read the previous Alexander Gregory story, so I knew it would be a reasonable listen, but nothing particularly special. I felt the plot was convoluted and rather contrived.
The Curfew by T M Logan, read by Richard Armitage. I like to vary my listening, and at least enjoy the voice, if nothing else. I disliked the main character - most of the story is told from their POV - I think I was supposed to feel for him, but the writing made him oblivious to others thoughts or feelings. Also, he was a GP, and hadn't seen a dead body since medical school twenty years before, which seemed unlikely.
Courses: FutureLearn
Music & Intelligence: Can Music Make You Smarter? (University of Padova) I wasn't too taken with the course for the first couple of weeks, but the final week made up for it. The tutor responded to comments and there was some interesting and thoughtful discussion.
Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Crossing Borders (University of Leeds) This was the last of five courses on the subject of intercultural studies. I was left with a feeling that while the subject could be researched there wasn't any particular outcome, or use for the research. It could be just because it was simply an introduction.
I'm pleased with the way my book bingo card is looking:
( book bingo )
The Couple at No 9 by Claire Douglas
Following a discussion on the Shedunnit forum as to whether all crime novels set in the Cotswolds were cosy crimes, I decided to investigate, making use of our library (because Gloucestershire library really should have a good selection of locally set novels). This was the first, which is definitely not cosy. It's a very good mystery, not gory, but certainly not cosy. The author lives in Bath and makes great use of the setting - there is a reason why the action happens in a Cotswold village, but its not a twee village. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a modern crime novel. [F5]
The 12.30 from Croydon by Freeman Wills Croft
This was my alternative read for the Shedunnit book club, as the actual read is not available at the library (this one was) and I'm reluctant to spend money on something I may not like. The month's category was 'books which were innovative' which this one is. I quite enjoyed it, and would read something else by this author, but won't be rushing to read everything else they've written. [E3]
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
This (the third of my library books) was recommended by a friend. The premise is that Harry August lives his life again and again, but each time he remembers his life from before, so he makes decisions based on the previous lives. It's a really clever concept and the story within it is well thought out. A one-off, but well worth considering if you're looking for something different. [A3]
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Ryan is one of my favourite authors, so I had this book on pre-order with Blackwells. Her stories are set in WWII, and concern the women left at home who have to continue with their daily lives as well as wartime activities. This story centres on the search for a female co-presenter of a BBC radio programme devoted to cooking based on food rationing (the programme did exist). I really enjoyed this, for both plot and characters. Yes, things work out a bit too well for real life, but the feel good factor outways that. [F6]
The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes
This book was recommended by a musician friend, and has been on my TBR pile for some time. It's a fictional account of the Russian composer Shostakovich. It was interesting learning about the composer by the style of writing didnt appeal. [B3]
The Shortest Way to Hades by Sarah Caudwell
I read the first of the Hilary Tamar books - legal crime mysteries - last year, and this is the second. They are quite amusing and entertaining easy reads. [C3]
Buttons and Bones by Monica Ferris
This, the next in the Needlecraft mystery series, is definitely a cosy mystery. I enjoyed the plot more than the last few I've read and thought it was an interesting angle to look at. [D3]
[Letters refer to which reading list each book belongs to]
Audiobooks
At Home in Thrush Green by Miss Read, read by Gwen Watford. Having finished the previous audiobook, I moved straight onto the next. Again, pleasant listening, perfect for cross stitch and knitting (both activities would be approved of by the characters!)
Mania by L J Ross, read by Richard Armitage. The narrator explains my interest. He had read the previous Alexander Gregory story, so I knew it would be a reasonable listen, but nothing particularly special. I felt the plot was convoluted and rather contrived.
The Curfew by T M Logan, read by Richard Armitage. I like to vary my listening, and at least enjoy the voice, if nothing else. I disliked the main character - most of the story is told from their POV - I think I was supposed to feel for him, but the writing made him oblivious to others thoughts or feelings. Also, he was a GP, and hadn't seen a dead body since medical school twenty years before, which seemed unlikely.
Courses: FutureLearn
Music & Intelligence: Can Music Make You Smarter? (University of Padova) I wasn't too taken with the course for the first couple of weeks, but the final week made up for it. The tutor responded to comments and there was some interesting and thoughtful discussion.
Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Crossing Borders (University of Leeds) This was the last of five courses on the subject of intercultural studies. I was left with a feeling that while the subject could be researched there wasn't any particular outcome, or use for the research. It could be just because it was simply an introduction.
I'm pleased with the way my book bingo card is looking:
( book bingo )
