Books - May 2026
May. 28th, 2026 01:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbit10 books, but that stretches over the second half of April as well, bringing my annual total to 43 books.
A Vow of Sanctity by Veronica Black
Third is the Sister Joan series, this one is set on the side of a lake in north-west Scotland. I enjoyed the setting and the plot, where I was definitely wrong-footed, but in an entirely plausible way. Things weren't as they seemed, but they did all make sense. I'm definitely enjoying the series.
The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie
Poirot is preparing to retire and takes on a series of cases, each one of which will have a connection to the mythological labours of Hercules. A really enjoyable collection of short stories.
Signed, Picpus by Georges Simenon
Back on my goal to read all the Maigret books in the library this year. Maigret is in Paris and once again this is a very different story, which I enjoyed.
The Spring Begins by Catherine Dunning
One of the British Library Women Writers series, and one I could borrow from the library. It was written in 1934 and set in the period. The story of three women either working for the big house, or for one of the neighbours. It looks at the limitations of their lives and how they finally find fulfilment in their individual ways. I liked it because although the story felt more modern, it was accurate to the sense of the times, rather than reading back and importing more modern thoughts.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
Set in Seoul in South Korea, the characters are all struggling to conform in modern Korean society with the dominant work ethic. I liked seeing the way the characters reacted with each other and how they were starting to grow, but would have no wish to visit the bookshop.
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa
Again set in South Korea, this is more of a fantasy. It looks at the regrets of a number of people who have died and how they are given closure by the pastry shop. It was easier to read than the previous book, feeling more positive in the outcomes.
Women on the Case by Sara Paretsky
Short crime stories by female writers with female protagonists. Definitely a varied collection, but I only skipped through a couple of the stories. Worth reading if you're looking for slightly different stories.
Maigret and the Tall Woman by Georges Simenon
Again set in Paris, a very different story from the previous one I read. I do like the way the books bring in so many different people with different motives and behaviours, all of which feel very grounded in the setting.
Cranky Ladies of History by Tansy Rainer Roberts
This was given to me as a present and was highly entertaining. Based on real women, but in short story format. They were fascinating. I'd very much like to have met some of the women, and am very glad I didn't meet others!
CWGC Battlefield Companion Somme 1916
Produced by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission this short book looks at the history of the battle of the Somme, mostly from the British and Commonwealth view. The book itself is a guide to a number of the cemeteries in the region and looks at which regiments were involved in the fighting in that particular area.
A Vow of Sanctity by Veronica Black
Third is the Sister Joan series, this one is set on the side of a lake in north-west Scotland. I enjoyed the setting and the plot, where I was definitely wrong-footed, but in an entirely plausible way. Things weren't as they seemed, but they did all make sense. I'm definitely enjoying the series.
The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie
Poirot is preparing to retire and takes on a series of cases, each one of which will have a connection to the mythological labours of Hercules. A really enjoyable collection of short stories.
Signed, Picpus by Georges Simenon
Back on my goal to read all the Maigret books in the library this year. Maigret is in Paris and once again this is a very different story, which I enjoyed.
The Spring Begins by Catherine Dunning
One of the British Library Women Writers series, and one I could borrow from the library. It was written in 1934 and set in the period. The story of three women either working for the big house, or for one of the neighbours. It looks at the limitations of their lives and how they finally find fulfilment in their individual ways. I liked it because although the story felt more modern, it was accurate to the sense of the times, rather than reading back and importing more modern thoughts.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
Set in Seoul in South Korea, the characters are all struggling to conform in modern Korean society with the dominant work ethic. I liked seeing the way the characters reacted with each other and how they were starting to grow, but would have no wish to visit the bookshop.
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa
Again set in South Korea, this is more of a fantasy. It looks at the regrets of a number of people who have died and how they are given closure by the pastry shop. It was easier to read than the previous book, feeling more positive in the outcomes.
Women on the Case by Sara Paretsky
Short crime stories by female writers with female protagonists. Definitely a varied collection, but I only skipped through a couple of the stories. Worth reading if you're looking for slightly different stories.
Maigret and the Tall Woman by Georges Simenon
Again set in Paris, a very different story from the previous one I read. I do like the way the books bring in so many different people with different motives and behaviours, all of which feel very grounded in the setting.
Cranky Ladies of History by Tansy Rainer Roberts
This was given to me as a present and was highly entertaining. Based on real women, but in short story format. They were fascinating. I'd very much like to have met some of the women, and am very glad I didn't meet others!
CWGC Battlefield Companion Somme 1916
Produced by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission this short book looks at the history of the battle of the Somme, mostly from the British and Commonwealth view. The book itself is a guide to a number of the cemeteries in the region and looks at which regiments were involved in the fighting in that particular area.
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