Various ramblings by the small hobbit

Final list of the year.  8 books finished this month, bringing my total for the year to 82 - 7 above my goal.

Firstly, I continued to read for the Goodreads Challenges.  Here my intention is simply to broaden my reading, but only choose something which specifically interests me, so I'm never going to complete all the sections within a challenge.  For the Fall Challenge I achieved 5 out of 12, the first three being simply to read books over the months.

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Short books category.  I'm really glad I read this - it crops up every so often.  The correspondence between the young American lady and the English bookseller is great and very entertaining.  Thoroughly recommended to anyone looking for a short read.

The Cat who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa
Cosies category, cat sub-section.  I do like a good cat book and for me this worked better than some of the others I've read this year.  While the human characters have the main part, the cat has their own role to play.  This is the second in the series and the first is now on my list for next year.


After which came all my Christmas reads:

Murder in Wintertime: Classic Crime Stories edited by Cecily Gayford
The last few books in this series haven't been as good, but this year I really enjoyed the selection.

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan
Written in 1948, I found this disappointing.  Normally when reading a mystery I will speed up towards the end, but this time I didn't.  And to me the solution was poor and unconvincing.

The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights edited by Bridget Collins
I'm not always a fan of spooky stories, but these I really enjoyed.  Our library has the book from the previous year, so that's also on my list.

Murder for Christmas edited by Thomas Godfrey
Lots of classic short stories.  Some of which I'd read at least a couple of times before (good ones) and several I didn't know.  An excellent collection.

Death Comes at Christmas edited by C.L. Taylor
A modern collection of short stories which on the whole I enjoyed. Published last year, so worth looking out for.

Death in Ambush by Susan Gilruth
This year's British Library Crime Classics Christmas mystery.  I normally treat myself to this for Christmas, but wasn't impressed.  Too many boring domestic details, a narrator too sure of herself (think early Hastings) and bizarre behaviour from the police detective.

For completeness, I'm also including the two audiobooks I've recently finished:

The Murder of Mr Ma by SJ Rozan and John Shen Yen Nee read by Daniel York Loh
Set in 1920s London amongst the Chinese community, I eventually enjoyed the book.  It will not surprise regular readers of my posts that Lao, the narrator, annoyed me considerably.

The Four Deadly Seasons by David Hewson read by Richard Armitage
The third book in Hewson's Venetian Mysteries series.  The premise is that there's an until now undiscovered autobiography by Vivaldi.  The ramifications are both convoluted and deadly.  I've stopped listening to a number of books Armitage narrates, since I haven't been enjoying them, but this is one series I do enjoy and get caught up in the story.

It's taken me a while to listen to a reasonable number of audiobooks,  not helped by not finishing one having already got about halfway through.  However, I remain at 14 books unread in my library.

The Unquiet Bones by Mel Starr, read by Stephen Crossley
The first in the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon.  This was on offer, and looked promising, but I grew very tired of the unnecessary descriptions of life in the 1360s, which the narrator (it's first person POV) would accept without particular thought.  I found the premise good, but it grew tedious.  I have a second in my library, so I'm hoping it might improve.

The Girl in Cell A by Vaseem Khan, read by Dev Joshi, Stephanie Cannon and John Chancer
I'm a great fan of Vaseem Khan's books.  This is his first book which is not set in India but in the United States.  It's a psychological thriller, and kept me guessing all the way through.  It's long, but worth it to build up the tension.

A Vow of Silence by Veronica Black, read by Jennifer Ness
The first in the Sister Joan Murder Mysteries, recommended by therealsnape   Audible had it for free for a few weeks, so I took advantage of the chance to try it out.  I really enjoyed it, and now have hard copies of four more in the series.  Sister Joan is a nun who is sent to a Cornish convent where strange events are occurring.  A cosy mystery, but dark things are definitely happening.

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, read by Richard Armitage
I have listened to other James Bond novels, but this is the first, but the misogyny and arrogance (and hence stupidity) of Bond, got to me and I gave up at about the two-thirds point.

Classic Crime Series by various authors, read by Jack Shepherd and Patrick Malahide
Short stories written by both crime and other novelists.  Generally entertaining and not stories I knew.  The narrators certainly helped in the telling.

Smiley's People by John Le Carré read by Michael Jayston
Ultimately enjoyable, but it took a very long time to get there.  I'm sure such cases do take a long time to bring off successfully, but I'm not convinced we need to hear every single detail.

My TBL list remains at 14 - because I bought some more mysteries as they were on offer.

Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie, read by David Suchet.  Early Poirot short stories, narrated by Hastings, who was incredibly annoying with his permanent belief that he knew what was happening until the moment when Poirot proved he didn't.  The stories themselves are good, Hastings is a bore.

Maigret's Anger by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong.  Set in a hot Paris in June, this is a later Maigret, but still as good as the earlier stories.

A Terrible Village Poisoning by Hannah Hendy read by Jenny Funnell.  The next in the Dinner Lady Detectives series.  This time set in a village not far from the sea.  There are all sorts of complications, but the two ladies are able to sort matters out by the end.  It's cosy crime, but I find it entertaining and enjoy seeing the married ladies in their late 50s being the heroes.

Maigret's Patience by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong.  Also set in Paris, this time events give Maigret the lead on a number of jewellery robberies which have been foxing him for some years.

A Scream in Soho by John G Brandon read by Gordon Griffin.  Set in London during the Blitz, there's plenty of twists and turns.  It was written in 1940, so an accurate description of the setting, and republished by British Library Crime Classics.  The plot's quite good, but the constant descriptions of how wonderful the detective was, is grating.

My TBL is at 16, but that includes 7 Maigret's, so I should clear this lot this year.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, read by Jamie Parker.  I chose this as the second in a 2 for 1 offer and because Jamie Parker was reading it.  The story itself wasn't interesting, but as an insight in the life of a young woman in South Korea in the last decades of the 20th century was worth hearing.

The Yellow Dog by Georges Simenon, read by Gareth Armstrong.  Set in a small town near Rennes, Maigret is called in to investigate a shooting at a local businessman.  

A Man's Head by Georges Simenon, read by Gareth Armstrong.  This time in Paris, Maigret is convinced a man accused of murder who is about to be executed wasn't guilty and sets about proving the fact in a typical unexpected way.

An Unfortunate Christmas Murder by Hannah Hendy, read by Jenny Funnell.  Second book in the Dinner Lady Detectives series.  An easy listen, perfect for Christmas preparations.  I will be continuing with the series.  It's not in Agatha Christie's league, but I think Miss Marple would approve of Marjorie Butcher-Baker and they'd happily have a cup of tea together.

Rumpole and the Primrose Path by John Mortimer, read by Bill Wallis.  More entertaining stories of Rumpole.  As She Who Must Be Obeyed would probably agree, I enjoy a few stories and then I wouldn't want to listen to more for a while.

My TBL is at 15 titles, probably the lowest it's been for a couple of years!

Maigret's Memoirs by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong.  Different from the usual stories, with Maigret himself providing some of his own history and explaining how he is different from he character described by M. Simenon.  Learning a bit about Maigret's background and how he met Madame Maigret was interesting.

Death and Fromage by Ian Moore read by Ian Moore.  I read the first book in the series at the beginning of the year, and had planned to read more at some point, so when the second in the series was on offer i bought it.  There are the same range of odd characters and a bizarre plot and, knowing what to expect, I found it entertaining.

A Pelican at Blandings by PG Wodehouse read by Nigel Lambert.  The Earl of Emsworth is having difficulties and he calls on his brother, Galahad, to come and help.  The usual plots and counter plots ensue, and the Empress has a part.  The usual Wodehouse fare.

Maigret and the Man on the Bench by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong.  A traditional Maigret story, as Maigret seeks to identify a dead man and construct his past and his recent history before working out who murdered him.  I'm still enjoying these stories.

Rumpole's Last Case by John Mortimer read by Bill Wallis.  Various short stories with Rumpole managing to prove what really happened and sometimes get his client off the charge.

There are now 23 books on my TBL list as the latest Audible sale featured a few I was already interested in.  

Cities and Canopies: Trees in Indian Cities by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli read by Dilshad Kuruna.  Harini Nagendra is a professor of Ecology at Azim Prenji University and also a favourite mystery author of mine, which is why I chose this book.  It's really interesting, covering many of the different trees found in India, together with the folklore and uses of the trees as well as the vital importance trees have in cities.  Recommended for anyone with a slight interest in trees or India.

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón read by Dan Stevens.  The second in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, long but fascinating.  I shall listen to the others at some point, but not for a while.

Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott read by Barbara Rosenblat.  A few months ago I filled in a form for the Vancouver Library to get some personalised reading recommendations.  This was one of them so I downloaded the free audiobook.  The first in a series of cosy crime novels, but I won't be continuing with the series.  For me the setting - English village post WWI is unconvincing.

Maigret's Holiday by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong.  No audiobook report is complete without a Maigret.  Mme Maigret is taken ill at the start of their holiday in Les Sable d'Olonne and in hospital but Maigret soon gets involved in a suspicious death.  More happy listening.

The Dubliners by James Joyce read by Chris O'Dowd.  I started an online course on James Joyce, but gave it up.  Nevertheless I did listen to this collection of Joyce's short stories.  Andrew Scott also reads a version, but the O'Dowd one was free!  I am not a fan of Joyce.

And my TBL is back up to 20 titles - I'm a sucker for the sales, but I don't think there's more than a year's supply there...

My Friend Maigret by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong.  This features a Scotland Yard detective who has come to study Maigret's way of working and is set mainly in a small island off the Cote D'Azure.  As atmospheric as ever.  I seem to be listening to a Maigret a month at the moment.

Galahad at Blandings by P G Wodehouse read by Jeremy Sinden.  The usual entertaining Blandings story, with appearances by the Empress and Lord Emsworth, while Galahad Threepwood endeavours to put things right and thereby causing more confusion.

A Body Made of Glass by Caroline Crampton read by Caroline Crampton.  The history of hypochondria.  Caroline Crampton runs the Shedunnit podcast and I really only bought the audiobook to support her.  It's an interesting subject, okay for listening to while driving, but not one I would have listened to otherwise.

The Black Tower by P D James read by Daniel Weyman.  I know there are many fans of P D James, but this was a disappointment.  Far too many irrelevant descriptions and I don't find Adam Dalgleish the most interesting of characters.  I half-enjoy the stories but they never leave me satisfied.  However, I find Weyman's reading style pleasant listening.

The Trials of Rumpole by John Mortimer read by Bill Wallis.  Having had a six-month break from Rumpole I enjoyed listening to these short stories.  I'd heard a couple of them before, or at least I remembered the plots partway through, but nevertheless found them entertaining.

My TBL is back down to 20 titles.

The Hanged Man of St Pholien by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong
My next Maigret, written in 1931.  I do enjoy both the view of France in the 1930s as well as the plots that Simenon creates.

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John Le Carré read by Michael Jayston
The next in the Smiley series, although George Smiley doesn't play much of a part.  The twists and turns are well up to Le Carré's standard.

Paul Temple: The Complete Radio Collection: Volume One: The Early Years (1938 - 1950)
Not as good as later stories, and not helped by the fact that some of the programmes had to be remastered due to the quality of the original.  But it included how Paul Temple and Steve met and introduced some of the other characters who became mainstays in subsequent series.

Felicie by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong
A slightly later Maigret, written in 1944 although set inter-war period.  The character of Felicie, on whom the story hangs, is quite different and a real challenge to Maigret.  I find Simenon's characters very rounded and can imagine meeting them.  

Shroud for a Nightingale by P D James read by Daniel Weyman
I struggle with P D James and the amount of description provided in her books.  Setting the scene is one thing, but long descriptions which don't advance the plot seem unnecessary to me.  And James seems to idolise her detective, Adam Dalgleish, who knows he's not acting according to protocol (which he would expect in others) but nevertheless continues.

And just to be consistent, my TBL list is now back at 20!

Rules for Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson, read by Graham Halstead.  
This was a Shedunnit modern novel candidate a couple of years ago, which sounded interesting.  There's a series of murders which are committed based on a number of classic golden age stories.  Unfortunately there was considerably more to the story than I expected and I grew rather tired of the main character.

The Flemish House by Georges Simenon, read by Gareth Armstrong
A Maigret novel, written in 1932 and again a great insight into the period.  It's set on the French-Belgian border and looks at small town prejudices, which could be found in many places.  The Maigret books are quite short, but the plots are clever and I completely failed to spot whodunnit, although as Maigret explained what happened at the end it all made sense.  I have three more Maigrets on my TBL list.

The Borgia Portrait by David Hewson, read by Richard Armitage
Another story set in Venice with the same main protagonists as The Medici Murders.  Given I was listening in a very wet November, imagining the heat of a Venetian summer was very pleasant.  The plot is a bit OTT, but it's still enjoyable as a listen, and certainly improves the washing up!

Lord Emsworth and Others by P G Wodehouse, read by Stephen Fry
The first story in the book is set at Blandings Castle and definitely fun, the others are tedious and the last few, simply annoying.  They served to pass the time when stuck waiting in traffic.  I really don't care for some of Wodehouse's characters who are so self-centred I don't find them funny.

The Carter of La Providence by Georges Simenon, read by Gareth Armstrong
Written in 1931 this has some excellent descriptions of the people working the barges on the canals of northern France, really evocative.  And there's such an interesting collection of characters.  I felt like I was there.

Paul Temple: The Complete Radio Collection: Volume Three: The Sixties (1960-1968)
I've been listening to the Paul Temple stories on BBC Sounds for a while, but there's normally quite a wait between series.  This way I get to hear all of them, without waiting.  Not to be taken seriously, the number of times Temple and his wife are involved in car crashes, are shot at etc, and walk away only a little shaken is amazing.  But it's enjoyable.  And the plots often involve exotic locations, smart nightclubs etc.  I have the other three volumes in my TBL.

Unnatural Causes by P D James, read by Daniel Weyman
Another Adam Dalgleish story.  Set on the Norfolk coast.  This one I found disappointing.  There was too much description of the coast, some of the drama seemed unnecessary, and I think it was a mistake to have Dalgleish as a bystander rather than conducting the investigation.  I have four more P D James on my TBL so it will be interesting to see how those go.

I've listened to 38 audiobooks this year, so theoretically it should be no problem getting through my current TBL by the end of next year.  Although I don't doubt there will be other shiny titles to attract me :)

And my TBL list is still at 20...

Howards End by E M Foster, read by Edward Petherbridge
The best I can say is I got to the end of it.  I had so little sympathy with any of the characters, that even when things happened to them I wasn't really concerned.

Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon, read by Gareth Armstrong
The first Maigret novel, which encouraged me to read/listen to more stories.  I could visualise the characters and was keen to see what happened.  Initially I hadn't realised it was written in 1931, but once I knew that I could understand the setting a bit better, which did help.  I will be adding to my collection.

Anything for a Quiet Life by Michael Gilbert, read by Christopher Scott
A series of mysteries involving a solicitor to semi-retires to a small town on the Sussex coast.  The stories have a selection of recurring characters, as Jonas Pickett meets many within the town, and being Michael Gilbert, there's always an excellent twist to the tale.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A Small Town in Germany by John Le Carré, read by Michael Jayston
I didn't enjoy this as much as the Smiley novels, but I was still keen to find out what happened and why.  It took a while to pick up speed, but the look at the different individuals involved in the British Embassy in Bonn (this is 1968) and their relationships with each other is good.

Blanding Castle & Elsewhere by P G Wodehouse, read by Stephen Fry
Part of Fry's Blandings Collection.  The first part, set in Blandings Castle and featuring Lord Emsworth was the best as far as I was concerned.  The other stories are entertaining, but lack the Blandings charm.