Books - June 2022

[smallhobbit]

I have another 8 books to add, although 2 were library books half read in May.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Recommended by margaret_r I'd had to wait months for my library reservation to come through.  I enjoyed the retelling of the story of Achilles from Patroclus' point of view.  It was good, too, to have a change from my regular reading diet. [F11]


The Perfect Crime edited by Vaseem Khan

This is a new anthology of crime short stories written by authors from diverse cultures around the world.  I had my library reservation in before the book had been purchased.  I was keen to broaden my crime reading horizons, but was disappointed in the stories, which generally lacked the sharpness of my favourite crime short stories.  Ironically my favourite story Gnome Man's Land was set at a British military academy. [F12]


Threadbare by Monica Ferris

The next in the Needlecraft mysteries.  A cozy mystery, but with an interesting premise which I did enjoy.  [D6]


The Edinburgh Mystery: And Other Tales Of Scottish Crime edited by Martin Edwards

The latest of the BLCC short story collections, which I had pre-ordered.  While I didn't enjoy every story, I did like the majority, so it provided a contrast to the other anthology. [F13]


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

A book that's been on my 'of possible interest' list for ages.  I borrowed it from the library and read it in well under the three weeks.  One of my 'books of the year', I really enjoyed the story and learning about Guernsey under German occupation in WWII.  Definitely recommended. [A6]


Master Key by Masako Togawa

I bought this last year when Shedunnit had an episode on Japanese crime fiction in the GAD genre.  Not really my sort of story, but it was okay.  If you like the genre then I think you will probably enjoy the book. [C6]


Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

I'm not a fan of Horowitz, and wouldn't have read this had it not been the Shedunnit book for this month and it was available at the library.  I still don't like Horowitz, there were ridiculous mistakes (the sort of beta reader would be furiously highlighting) and I wasn't taken with the plot.  I shall be interested to see the reactions of the other book club members.  If you like Horowitz you'll probably enjoy the twists and turns. [E6]


Aunt Dimity & the Widow's Curse by Nancy Atherton

I'm still slowly working my way through the series, probably one book a year as I can get a cheap copy.  It was okay, but as with many long running series I feel like it's running out of steam.  I actually read this as a replacement for another book, which was a fantasy - nothing wrong with the book, I just can't get into fantasy, whereas I can gently read run-of-the-mill cozy mysteries. [B6]


I've also made some progress on one of my book bingos:

Comments

[kingstoken]

Bingo card is looking great! I'm glad see that you read Song of Achilles, that was of my favourites from last year.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I wouldn't have read it, if my friend hadn't recommended it, but I'm very glad she did.

[blueraccoon]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one of my favorite books no lie. It's very heartwarming, and the ending is just so lovely. I've read it a few times. Maybe I'll read it again.

[smallhobbit]

It's such a great book. I kept hearing about it and finally decided to read it - so pleased I did.

[solosundance]

Song of Achilles is great. Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls is even better :)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you for the suggestion. I've added it to my library list, although it will take some time before I get to it!

[friendofthejabberwock]

I also just finished reading The Song of Achilles! It was a really enjoyable retelling. Circe, by the same author, is also good if you're interested in more in the same vein.

[smallhobbit]

I did think it was a good read. I've added Circe to my library list - it'll probably be a next year read though!

[friendofthejabberwock]

I hope you enjoy it when you have a chance to read it!

[verdande_mi]

Of these I have only read The Song of Achilles, and I enjoyed it too. I have another book by the author on my to-read-list, but I haven't gotten around to it.

I have seen the film version of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, which I enjoyed. I am not sure if they are different enough to make me want to read the book, but perhaps I should. I reckon the book is better.

[smallhobbit]

I've now added a second book by the author of The Song of Achilles to my to-read-list as well, but it will be some time before I manage to read it.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is written entirely in letter form, so I think it would be well worth reading. The format gives it an appeal all of its own.

[verdande_mi]

There's never enough time to read all the books! Sadly so :D

Oh, I didn't know that. Interesting. I will add it to my to-read list, and perhaps listen to a soundbook sample to see it that might be to my liking.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Wow! You are coming to the end. Go you!

I think you know my feelings on Horowitz. It is a pity he's such an Ass because he is very Clever.

This is super helpful, too. I don't why I didn't think of the British Library Crime Classics series when thinking about places in the title. They have tons of them. I found one about the Cornwall coast that will do nicely.

Also I shall take Achilles and the Potato one as 'recommendation' for my recommendations square and decide which one. I am thinking of an epistolary fic for Hallowe'en so it might be good to read another of those.

I shall add Master Key to the 'one day' list. The pile is too tall as it is.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you!

There is an author who is central to Magpie Murders who is really unpleasant and it strikes me as a self-portrait.

We have The Cornish Coast Mystery in our local library, so I may read that one myself in a couple of months.

It's a good thing my 'one day' list is not a physical pile, because it would have fallen over ages ago!

[sister_raphael]

Doing really well!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - reading is one of my great pleasures.

[shallowness]

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed 'The Guernsey..', which I love. As was said up above, it's heartwarming, and opened my eyes to the occupation of the Channel islands.

[smallhobbit]

It had been on my TBR list for ages and I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it and am very glad I got round to reading it.

[margaret_r]

Pleased you enjoyed Song of Achilles, I think it's worth the wait:)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, it was worth waiting for and I rather like the sudden arrival of long reserved books - if only they didn't all arrive at once!