Book Review Year 6 No 7
Sep. 16th, 2020 08:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitYou can tell the library is open again - my book reading has gone up!
Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries - edited by Martin Edwards
Not a library book, but bought originally for taking away on holiday. We didn't go, but I still had time off and still read the book. Enjoyable mysteries from the Golden Age of crime writing all set in that most typical of places, the English country house.
The Battle for Spain - Antony Beevor
I had wanted to know more about the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Franco and this is one of the main books on the subject, despite being 15 years old. I ploughed my way through, skipping slightly the actual battle details. A depressing read, but an interesting one. This was from the library and a weighty tome. I often walk to the library as my afternoon exercise, but didn't have time that day (timed collection slots) and I was very glad I'd driven as I wouldn't have wanted to carry it home!
Tenant for Death - Cyril Hare
The last Hare book available at the library. I really enjoyed it. The plot is set in parts of London I'm familiar with, and although the city has changed since the book was written, many of the streets are still there. A very clever plot.
Now & Then - William Corlett
Chosen because Richard Armitage is supposed to be playing the lead character in the film. Not my sort of book at all. I didn't like most of the characters - which may well have been deliberate, but if I'm going to read something I want to have some sort of affinity with them. The ending comes as a surprise, and I suppose partially redeems the main character. I certainly won't be in a hurry to see the film if it's made.
Sins and Needles - Monica Ferris
Not as good as some of the others. I like the main character, but in this book at least half of the story is told from others' points of view, which for me detracts. And I had a good idea 'whodunnit' from much earlier than I normally do.
The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star - Vaseem Khan
I was delighted when I discovered the library has books in the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, so I reserved the next one. It was interesting reading a story based around Bollywood, with all the characters I like and a great story. I have the following one in the series on the way to me now!
Inspector Chopra & the Million Dollar Motor Car - Vaseem Khan
This is a very short book, called a Quick Read and designed for those who aren't great readers. It follows on from the previous book and I read it in about an hour. My intention was to use if for my Book on Display at the Library square, which although not technically true, since the library is only open for collections, it was a book available at my local branch so I thought that would do as the next best thing. Naturally, when I reserved it, they chose to send one from another branch. I tried!
And now, with a bit of sleight of hand I have completed my Book Bingo for 2020. (Not too much sleight of hand, I have two Free Cards I could have used.) Full list of categories.
Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries - edited by Martin Edwards
Not a library book, but bought originally for taking away on holiday. We didn't go, but I still had time off and still read the book. Enjoyable mysteries from the Golden Age of crime writing all set in that most typical of places, the English country house.
The Battle for Spain - Antony Beevor
I had wanted to know more about the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Franco and this is one of the main books on the subject, despite being 15 years old. I ploughed my way through, skipping slightly the actual battle details. A depressing read, but an interesting one. This was from the library and a weighty tome. I often walk to the library as my afternoon exercise, but didn't have time that day (timed collection slots) and I was very glad I'd driven as I wouldn't have wanted to carry it home!
Tenant for Death - Cyril Hare
The last Hare book available at the library. I really enjoyed it. The plot is set in parts of London I'm familiar with, and although the city has changed since the book was written, many of the streets are still there. A very clever plot.
Now & Then - William Corlett
Chosen because Richard Armitage is supposed to be playing the lead character in the film. Not my sort of book at all. I didn't like most of the characters - which may well have been deliberate, but if I'm going to read something I want to have some sort of affinity with them. The ending comes as a surprise, and I suppose partially redeems the main character. I certainly won't be in a hurry to see the film if it's made.
Sins and Needles - Monica Ferris
Not as good as some of the others. I like the main character, but in this book at least half of the story is told from others' points of view, which for me detracts. And I had a good idea 'whodunnit' from much earlier than I normally do.
The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star - Vaseem Khan
I was delighted when I discovered the library has books in the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, so I reserved the next one. It was interesting reading a story based around Bollywood, with all the characters I like and a great story. I have the following one in the series on the way to me now!
Inspector Chopra & the Million Dollar Motor Car - Vaseem Khan
This is a very short book, called a Quick Read and designed for those who aren't great readers. It follows on from the previous book and I read it in about an hour. My intention was to use if for my Book on Display at the Library square, which although not technically true, since the library is only open for collections, it was a book available at my local branch so I thought that would do as the next best thing. Naturally, when I reserved it, they chose to send one from another branch. I tried!
And now, with a bit of sleight of hand I have completed my Book Bingo for 2020. (Not too much sleight of hand, I have two Free Cards I could have used.) Full list of categories.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-16 08:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-16 08:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-16 08:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-16 09:03 pm (UTC)Murder at the Manor has a number of the usual authors (including ACD Copper Beeches), but also some I don't remember reading before. If you get the chance do read it.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-17 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-17 08:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-19 04:43 pm (UTC)You are certainly getting a lot of reading done! I'm just getting near the end of A Vineyard in Andalusia but althought the historical detail is fascinating I don't much like any of the characters so am not as thrilled as I'd hoped.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-19 05:22 pm (UTC)I'm sorry you don't like the characters in A Vineyard in Andalusia - they're definitely a mixed bunch - I was struck by the way they acted and why. Thinking back, what I recall isn't so much the characters, but the settings which to me were quite vivid.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-19 05:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-19 06:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 05:17 am (UTC)Congratulations on finishing the Book Bingo:) Well done!
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 08:41 am (UTC)And thank you.