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Books - July 2022
Jul. 27th, 2022 04:21 pmAnother 8 books this month, meaning I've read 51 so far this year so two-thirds of my target.
The Night Ship by Jess Kidd
This was a proof copy because I received a free copy as I regularly enter competitions on Caboodle (the book token website). The first Jess Kidd I've read, and I shall now read more. It's the story of the Batavia which founders off the coast of Australia in 1628 and entwines the story of a girl on board the ship with a modern day boy on the Australian fishing island. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the way the historical story and the modern story came together. SM read it after me and also enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it. [F14]
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
This month is Miss Marple month on Shedunnit, but as I didn't fancy the 4.50 from Paddington I chose this book. I've seen dramatisations so knew whodunnit, but enjoyed reading the book again (library book), especially because there's a slightly different emphasis in part. And I do like Miss Marple. [E7]
Village Centenary by Miss Read
Continuing my Fairacre readthrough. The story is mostly about the centenary of the village school, but inevitably there are other events happening. Another pleasant read. [D7]
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
This was recommended by a friend last year, but I finally borrowed it from the library. Probably one of the rare exceptions to my dislike of fantasy, I'm glad I read it. For any who do like fantasy, I'd thoroughly recommend it - the world building is excellent, but it doesn't lose a sense of humanity. [A7]
Crook O' Lune by E C R Lorac
The latest Lorac to be published in the British Library Crime Classics series, which I had pre-ordered and devoured in less than a week. It's set in the Fells, and has all Lorac's wonderful scene setting. The plot isn't as strong as some, but the sheer pleasure of spending time on the Fells offsets this. SM is currently reading it and happily referring to the map at the front of the book. He even thought about digging out one of his old OS maps, and was therefore delighted when MacDonald (the inspector) gets his out! [F15]
The Black Seraphim by Michael Gilbert
Another Gilbert novel set in a cathedral close. The plot probably isn't as strong as some of his others, but it's still interesting and I failed to guess whodunnit, although it did make sense. Lots of red herrings. [C7]
Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
I finally got round to reading the next in the Witches series. Unlike many I'm not as fond of the witches as some of the other series, but it was still fun to see how the basic idea of a fairy godmother is subverted. [B7]
Celebrations at Thrush Green by Miss Read
By co-incidence this was also partially about the centenary of the village school. And there were a number of themes which applied to both books - although written 12 years apart. But then certain matters do relate to most villages in the South Downs and the Cotswolds. Another nice easy read. [F16]
[Letters refer to which reading list each book belongs to. F is the 'any other' list of 15 books - this will certainly be exceeded!]
The Night Ship by Jess Kidd
This was a proof copy because I received a free copy as I regularly enter competitions on Caboodle (the book token website). The first Jess Kidd I've read, and I shall now read more. It's the story of the Batavia which founders off the coast of Australia in 1628 and entwines the story of a girl on board the ship with a modern day boy on the Australian fishing island. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the way the historical story and the modern story came together. SM read it after me and also enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it. [F14]
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
This month is Miss Marple month on Shedunnit, but as I didn't fancy the 4.50 from Paddington I chose this book. I've seen dramatisations so knew whodunnit, but enjoyed reading the book again (library book), especially because there's a slightly different emphasis in part. And I do like Miss Marple. [E7]
Village Centenary by Miss Read
Continuing my Fairacre readthrough. The story is mostly about the centenary of the village school, but inevitably there are other events happening. Another pleasant read. [D7]
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
This was recommended by a friend last year, but I finally borrowed it from the library. Probably one of the rare exceptions to my dislike of fantasy, I'm glad I read it. For any who do like fantasy, I'd thoroughly recommend it - the world building is excellent, but it doesn't lose a sense of humanity. [A7]
Crook O' Lune by E C R Lorac
The latest Lorac to be published in the British Library Crime Classics series, which I had pre-ordered and devoured in less than a week. It's set in the Fells, and has all Lorac's wonderful scene setting. The plot isn't as strong as some, but the sheer pleasure of spending time on the Fells offsets this. SM is currently reading it and happily referring to the map at the front of the book. He even thought about digging out one of his old OS maps, and was therefore delighted when MacDonald (the inspector) gets his out! [F15]
The Black Seraphim by Michael Gilbert
Another Gilbert novel set in a cathedral close. The plot probably isn't as strong as some of his others, but it's still interesting and I failed to guess whodunnit, although it did make sense. Lots of red herrings. [C7]
Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
I finally got round to reading the next in the Witches series. Unlike many I'm not as fond of the witches as some of the other series, but it was still fun to see how the basic idea of a fairy godmother is subverted. [B7]
Celebrations at Thrush Green by Miss Read
By co-incidence this was also partially about the centenary of the village school. And there were a number of themes which applied to both books - although written 12 years apart. But then certain matters do relate to most villages in the South Downs and the Cotswolds. Another nice easy read. [F16]
[Letters refer to which reading list each book belongs to. F is the 'any other' list of 15 books - this will certainly be exceeded!]
