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smallhobbit) wrote2025-01-31 04:42 pm
smallhobbit) wrote2025-01-31 04:42 pm
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Books - January 2025
I've read 6 books this month, so on target for my Goodreads Challenge of 75.
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
Lots of people have recommended Ann Cleeves to me, so I decided to try out a series which wasn't on television. I liked the detective and the setting and I thought the plot was good. So yes, I enjoyed the book, but am currently in two minds whether to continue with the series. Since I have plenty of other books I want to read at the moment, I shall put the next one on the back burner.
Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
The disaster which can be brought about by the eighth son of the eighth son having his own eighth son, a Sourcerer. And it's up to Rincewind to sort things out, with a bit of help from the Librarian. The usual chaos and mayhem and astute reflections on life.
The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode
Read because it was the Shedunnit book for the month. Published in 1925, it hasn't quite got into the flow of a typical Golden Age detective novel, but it has a good plot, if rather convoluted. I wouldn't necessary go searching for more of Rhode's books, but if one appeared I'd probably read it.
Quartet: How Four Women Changed the Musical World by Leah Broad
A very interesting insight into how four women composers had an impact on the musical world of their day. It also showed very clearly how much harder it was for women to break into the classical music world and how they received much less support than their male contemporaries. The four women are Dame Ethel Smyth (1858 - 1944), Rebecca Clarke (1886 - 1979), Dorothy Howell (1898 - 1982) and Doreen Carwithen (1922 - 2003). They came from different family situations and all deserved greater recognition than they achieved. It's a long book, and I had to renew it, but it was worth the time spent reading it.
The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer
I like penguins and this was a Shedunnit recommendation to me for a book involving penguins. I hadn't bought a copy (it's a US publication and therefore not cheap in the UK), so was delighted when a friend sent me a copy for Christmas. It's a good story, the penguins definitely have a role to play, and I liked the detectives and enjoyed the plot. I spotted some of the solution, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. At some point I'll probably read another of Palmer's books.
Murder as a Fine Art by Carol Carnac
Carol Carnac is also known as E C R Lorac and I had this book on pre-order so I could read it as soon as it was published. It features her second detective, Inspector Julian Rivers, and takes place in the newly formed Ministry of Fine Arts. Apart from the plot and the setting, both well done, because it was written in 1953 a significant number of the characters had been involved in the war, and this has a bearing on the plot, and adds greater colour to the story.
And this means I've begun my Book Bingo card:
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
Lots of people have recommended Ann Cleeves to me, so I decided to try out a series which wasn't on television. I liked the detective and the setting and I thought the plot was good. So yes, I enjoyed the book, but am currently in two minds whether to continue with the series. Since I have plenty of other books I want to read at the moment, I shall put the next one on the back burner.
Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
The disaster which can be brought about by the eighth son of the eighth son having his own eighth son, a Sourcerer. And it's up to Rincewind to sort things out, with a bit of help from the Librarian. The usual chaos and mayhem and astute reflections on life.
The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode
Read because it was the Shedunnit book for the month. Published in 1925, it hasn't quite got into the flow of a typical Golden Age detective novel, but it has a good plot, if rather convoluted. I wouldn't necessary go searching for more of Rhode's books, but if one appeared I'd probably read it.
Quartet: How Four Women Changed the Musical World by Leah Broad
A very interesting insight into how four women composers had an impact on the musical world of their day. It also showed very clearly how much harder it was for women to break into the classical music world and how they received much less support than their male contemporaries. The four women are Dame Ethel Smyth (1858 - 1944), Rebecca Clarke (1886 - 1979), Dorothy Howell (1898 - 1982) and Doreen Carwithen (1922 - 2003). They came from different family situations and all deserved greater recognition than they achieved. It's a long book, and I had to renew it, but it was worth the time spent reading it.
The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer
I like penguins and this was a Shedunnit recommendation to me for a book involving penguins. I hadn't bought a copy (it's a US publication and therefore not cheap in the UK), so was delighted when a friend sent me a copy for Christmas. It's a good story, the penguins definitely have a role to play, and I liked the detectives and enjoyed the plot. I spotted some of the solution, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. At some point I'll probably read another of Palmer's books.
Murder as a Fine Art by Carol Carnac
Carol Carnac is also known as E C R Lorac and I had this book on pre-order so I could read it as soon as it was published. It features her second detective, Inspector Julian Rivers, and takes place in the newly formed Ministry of Fine Arts. Apart from the plot and the setting, both well done, because it was written in 1953 a significant number of the characters had been involved in the war, and this has a bearing on the plot, and adds greater colour to the story.
And this means I've begun my Book Bingo card:
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