Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[ReadingManiac]

On the subject of comfort reading and such, Neil Gaiman has put some extra activities for both adults and children on his website for people self-isolating. https://neilgaiman.com/

He's also given blanket permission for anyone to read his stories in audio to share for keeping people entertained.

Neil Gaiman is a real hero among writers.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Having said that, I am LOVING my re-read of War and Peace for the #TolstoyTogether project that Yinyun Li is running.

This group read is getting a fair amount of media attention. I was so glad you mentioned it, as I’ve been meaning to reread War and Peace for years and this was the goad I needed. The daily stints are so very short there are no excuses for not keeping up. Someone could start now and easily catch up, too.

[Luffy]

My review of Mozzarella and Murder (Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria, #13) by Patti Benning:-

Spoiler:

This cozy mystery was a mixed bag when you consider the crime, the motive, and the murder. The book felt lop-sided and the reveal felt too unreal.

The author did manage to tug at my heartstrings but that was before the autopsy. The mistreatment of domestic animals is something that should have been enough for me.

But the best way to describe this is that it's a mixed bag. The writing does come off as sincere, immersive, and not self conscious, but the plot was too bare to result in an outstanding review. 3 stars.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Dancing with Myself by Charles Sheffield - a collection of his short works.

Which was good. The stories stand up well. The science articles are a little dated, but accurate as far as they go.

Then I read Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige. A quick read, a murder mystery with a touch of romance.

Next up: Heartstone by C J Sansom. The fifth in his Shardlake series of historical mysteries, set in England in the time of Henry VIII.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Heartstone by C J Sansom. The fifth in his Shardlake series of historical mysteries, set in England in the time of Henry VIII.

And it turns out that I read that last year, but must have missed recording it.

So on to Lamentation, the next in the series.

[Uncle Robin]

Just starting The Body in the Castle Well, so I'll be all caught up on the Bruno series before the next one is released. Thinking I'll probably buy it on Kobo to boost my VIP points while taking advantage of the 99.9% certainty of the Price Guarantee working in my favour too.

[Luffy]

My review of Caramel Sundae & Murder by Susan Gillard:-

Spoiler:

For the most part the case felt alive, like a purring beast. Or a purring engine. But I had too many issues with the book itself.

There were too many annoying and once downright funny typos('as long as he is sleeping with my wife, I don't care.').

The supposedly turning point in the case was moot. A trap could have been laid for the murderer without that tenuous clue that was quite unbelievable.

I came to this book after a hiatus from the Oceanside series, but am tempted to take another one.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Luffy

My review of Caramel Sundae & Murder:-
[...]

Luffy, would you mind adding the author to your posts in future? Save me having to go searching to find out if it's someone I know.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

So on to Lamentation, the next in the series.

Which was excellent. A brilliant evocation of Tudor London. And a good mystery, too.


Next up: By the Pricking of my Thumbs by Agatha Christie. I bought this over ten years ago! And goodness, I didn't read a single Agatha Christie book in 2019!

Time to enjoy a few more, I think.

[Edit: Hey, this is a Tommy & Tuppence adventure!]

[ReadingManiac]

Reading Maerlin's Storm by Nav Logan. One of the better lesser known Fantasy authors in Indieland IMO. I've read a couple of his stories in anthologies which stood among the best and this book is going well.

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by gmw

Luffy, would you mind adding the author to your posts in future? Save me having to go searching to find out if it's someone I know.

Sure thing. Most of my cozies are by ill known authors, so I understand.

[Luffy]

My review of Florist Grump (A Flower Shop Mystery, #17) by Kate Collins:-

Spoiler:

The story took its time to truly start. Florist Gump's first half made me think it's easy to write a fan fiction of this series. The other half made me change my mind on that subject.

As soon as the author began to write meaningfully, the pace picked up. Although I did predict the murderer's identity within minutes of reading about him, it's still a work of a talented writer. Some of her ending chapters are positively Dickensian in their construct.

I can't anoint this book with 5 stars. Not after the sluggish start which made me think of ditching the book. That was an ordeal a blazing second half would have made me forget in my younger days. But not this version of me.

[franknight]

Just started Lara by Bertrice Small. Book 1 of a Fantasy series that looks very interesting.

[DrNefario]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Which was excellent. A brilliant evocation of Tudor London. And a good mystery, too.


Next up: By the Pricking of my Thumbs by Agatha Christie. I bought this over ten years ago! And goodness, I didn't read a single Agatha Christie book in 2019!

Time to enjoy a few more, I think.

[Edit: Hey, this is a Tommy & Tuppence adventure!]

I just finished that one on Tuesday. It was ok, but that style of book is not my favourite from her.

[Deskisamess]

Finished The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months that changed the World and Anne Frank, the Untold Story.

I enjoyed reading about Truman, because I didn't know much about him. That book was really interesting gives good insight into the happenings during that time right after FDR died.

The Anne Frank book also filled in many gaps in my knowledge of her, and their time in hiding, and how they were found out.

I have not read much this week, been sewing face masks for donation thru a local B&B who is organizing for donation to local hospitals etc. My before bedtime reading has been very light fiction with no drama. Since Tuesday I've made 70 masks, and I know others who are sewing are churning them out.