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An Instance of the Fingerpost
An Instance of the Fingerpost | Iain Pears
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AllDebooks
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#JubilantJuly Readathon

I'll be participating in this.

🖋 Finish the tagged for #Bookedintime @Cuilin
🖋 Select a few Rebecca Solnit books for #Backlistreadathon @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks
🖋 Continue with The incredible unlikeliness of being for #NaturaLitsy #buddyread

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Be great to have you with us 😍 9mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 9mo
23 likes2 comments
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AllDebooks
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#Bookedintime
July prompt - 17th century

I can't decide, so I'm listing the ones that made the final cut 😅 I'll see what happens in July @Cuilin
The King's Witch trilogy is on my #Serieslove list, so it would be get to get this series started. I do enjoy Tracy Borman's writing, although I've only read her history books. It will be interesting to compare with her novels.

Cuilin I LOVE An Instance of the Fingerpost. (edited) 9mo
AllDebooks @Cuilin it sounds amazing and exactly like the sort of book I enjoy 9mo
32 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
rwmg
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Pickpick

Four narrators tell the story of the death by poisoning of a Fellow of New College, Oxford, in 1663 and the execution which followed.

I have read this before but I had forgotten how good it is. The mixture of natural philosophy (science), politics, and religion is just as fascinating as the actual mystery. The book shows up how rooted in the attitudes of our own day most other historical detective fiction is.

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rwmg
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A fine thing indeed.

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rwmg
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Marco da Cola, gentleman of Venice, respectfully presents his greetings.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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rwmg
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The shame!

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rwmg
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The historical mystery I'm currently reading is set in the 1660s and involves early experiments with blood transfusions. Many of the characters are real people, and the above illustration comes from a book, “Tractatus De Corde“ (Treatise on the Heart), written by one of them, Dr. Richard Lower.

batsy I read this many years ago, but I remember really enjoying it. 2y
rwmg @Batsy I read it about 20 years ago. I forget why I put it onto my TBR shelf to re-read. 2y
20 likes2 comments
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rwmg
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rwmg
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He is now long since dead; I pray for his soul, and hope the good Lord disregards my entreaties on his behalf, knowing as I do that the longer he suffers fiery torment, the more just his punishment will be.

review
Minervasbutler
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Pickpick

Historical mystery set just after the Restoration and told by four narrators, each of whom contradicts the version of the others. Possibly a tad overlong at 700 pages but enough going on to keep me hooked.

rwmg This is on my treebook shelf to re-read. Perhaps I'll move it further up. 2y
55 likes1 comment
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jenniferw88
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Cinfhen I can‘t believe you picked all your books already!!! That‘s fabulous!!! Do you own them all ??? 2y
jenniferw88 @Cinfhen 😂 they are 'tentative', but yes - some double up with #litsyatoz and #ReadingAfrica2022! 2y
jenniferw88 @Cinfhen actually The Christie book is a pre-order - it comes out in February. 2y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen I‘m trying to do #ReadingAfrica2022 too!! Can you share which books work for both ? I know Poisonwood Bible works for both❣️That book is PHENOMENAL 2y
jenniferw88 @Cinfhen sure! It's The Book of Negroes for #sierraleone (although it's doubling for #canada in #booked2022 😂) and Born a Crime for #southafrica 2y
Cinfhen Ahhh well done 👍🏽 Thanks 😊 2y
BarbaraBB Thanks so much for this!! 2y
46 likes7 comments
review
Reviewsbylola
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Bailedbailed

This is my #bookspin this month. I‘m 400 pages in, over halfway, but I‘ve decided I‘m bailing. I tried so hard to be invested in this book about a murder. But after two of the four narratives, I realized that I feel like I already know what happens (unless there are more twists coming). Plus there is a huge focus on the political issues of the day (King Charles v Cromwell) and I just don‘t care enough to read 300 more pages of it.

TheAromaofBooks Oh wow, I can't say I blame you! Sorry this one didn't work out but at least it's off the list! 3y
Ruthiella Each narrative is completely different and will change how you understand what you think really happened. But if you aren‘t invested now after 300 pages, I think you probably should bail. 3y
Reviewsbylola I figured that was the case. But there were no open questions in my mind that I wanted answers to, if that makes sense. I kept hoping with each narrative I‘d care more, but after I read the first few pages of the third I finally realized that wasn‘t to be. 😂 @ruthiella 3y
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BarbaraBB Kudos for sticking with it through 400 pages. I‘ve never even heard of that Charles but that may be my fault! 3y
BookwormM That‘s a shame I really enjoyed this one but then I loved the history side 3y
Reviewsbylola I‘m all for a bit of history but this was too much for me. I wanted more murder, less politics. 😂 @BookwormM 3y
Reviewsbylola It was hard to make the decision to bail because it‘s well written and the story would be interesting if there wasn‘t so much added to it. @BarbaraBB 3y
72 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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#bookreport.

Finished the top row. All were fantastic except Killer in the Family.

My output has slowed down substantially now that I‘m reading a #chunkster (An Instance of the Fingerpost). We‘re going out of town for the night so maybe I‘ll make some headway this weekend but likely not. 😅

Cinfhen Enjoy!!!! Nice to get away ♥️ 3y
Reviewsbylola We decided to make the most of our immunity so we‘re going to see my stepdaughter. Should be fun! @Cinfhen 3y
BarbaraBB Enjoy! It sounds wonderful to get away at times! 3y
65 likes3 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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My afternoon read (now my evening read😂)

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I just read Arcadia and am looking forward to reading more of his stuff!! 3y
Reviewsbylola This is my first book of his. I‘m enjoying it so far! @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled 3y
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Reviewsbylola
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We decided to have a relaxing afternoon with our books. ☺️ This had to be documented because my kids never lay with me and read independently with me just for fun.

Cinfhen G looks like she‘s gonna bail at any second 😂😂😂 3y
LeahBergen 💗💗💗 3y
BarbaraBB What a lovely picture of your happy smiles 💕💕 3y
See All 8 Comments
Librariana That facial expression is just precious and priceless! 😁😊 3y
Tattooedteacher This is an amazing photo! Great smiles. 3y
Reviewsbylola She wasn‘t impressed that I was taking a pic. 😂 @Cinfhen 3y
JennyM ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
britt_brooke Cute!! 3y
105 likes8 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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This is my #bookspin for January, so I attempted it first thing this month. In my covid haze though I just couldn‘t do it, so I put it aside. Now I‘m going in. Hopefully this time goes better. 🤞🏻

Megabooks 🤞🏻 glad you‘re feeling better. 3y
Crazeedi I started this book on e and read one chapter and put it back on my shelf. Just didnt connect. I read a couple other ones by author I enjoyed. So might try again sometime 3y
Reviewsbylola I feel back to normal and I‘m so thankful. First day back subbing yesterday though and even though it was just a half day, I was knocked out afterward. I had to take a little nap. 😂 Florence‘s extra 10 day quarantine ended up being a blessing because that extra recovery time made a huge difference! @Megabooks 3y
Reviewsbylola The story seems good, the size is intimidating though! @Crazeedi 3y
Crazeedi @Reviewsbylola I dont mind chunksters!! 3y
68 likes5 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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I haven‘t forgotten about #bookspinbingo. Covid is still kicking my ass. I feel nauseated when I think about reading. 😭😭 I can feel myself getting a little better though, so hopefully life can get back to normal soon.

LeahBergen You poor thing! 😫 3y
TheAromaofBooks Ugh!!! I hope you feel better soon!!! Get lots of rest!! 3y
Soubhiville I hope you continue to improve. 3y
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Johanna414 My family has it too and recovery just feels So Slow! Hope you are feeling better soon! 3y
Bookgirl Get well soon! 3y
Cuilin Hope you feel better soon. Loved the tagged book. 3y
Megabooks I am so sorry! I understand what you‘re going through, and it sucks! Feel better soon!!!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻💜💜 3y
crazyspine Feel better soon. 3y
CarolynM Get well soon💐 3y
Kalalalatja It sounds horrible. Hope you get better soon! 🤞 3y
BarbaraBB Oh man that sucks. How is the rest of the family doing? Get well soon 🍀💚 3y
batsy Oh no :( Poor you. I truly hope you feel better soon. 3y
Bookzombie That‘s awful! I hope you feel better soon and that everyone else is feeling better too. 3y
BiblioLitten I‘m so sorry! I hope you are feeling better. 💙 3y
ValerieAndBooks I‘m so sorry! What symptoms do you have? Take it easy! Hope you‘re 100% very soon. 3y
LeahBergen How are you doing now? Update, please! ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
Reviewsbylola I‘m doing SO MUCH better. @LeahBergen Still taking everything nice and slow (just walking up the stairs has me looking like I‘m about 90 years old. 😭) 3y
Reviewsbylola I had a full week of dizziness, headache, nausea, fever, chills, and just generally feeling horrible. @ValerieAndBooks It also greatly affected my mental health. Now it‘s some residual shakiness, and fatigue. Plus the respiratory issues didn‘t start until a few days ago. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y
Reviewsbylola Luckily only my husband and daughter got it. We haven‘t seen my mom or sisters, thank goodness! Brian got hit hard like me but is a week ahead of me as far as timeline. And G just ran a fever for a day and then was good as new. @BarbaraBB 3y
BarbaraBB Fortunately you haven‘t seen the rest of the family but man, you and Brian were hit hard. Happy the girls were good and that you feel better now! 🤍 3y
LeahBergen I‘m so glad to hear you‘re on the mend. I was worried!! 😘😘😘😘 3y
68 likes21 comments
review
CharlesSwann
Pickpick

A murder mystery at Oxford in the 1660s, told from multiple points of view. “If you like Rashomon, you‘ll love this!” I am a fan of Pears style, obviously. I need to reread this!

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misati
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Current read

2 likes1 stack add
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ReadingEnvy
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Ruth, often known as Ruthiella, returns to the podcast to talk about several long books she has read and enjoyed lately. Jenny joins in with surprising selections. We talk about the pull of book lists for our own reading, and books we need to give a second chance.

https://tinyurl.com/ReadingEnvy134

LeahBergen Two of my faves are there (Possession and Fingersmith)! 5y
ReadingEnvy @BkClubCare oh yeah didn‘t realize she had an account here 5y
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ReadingEnvy @LeahBergen I need to read both 5y
BkClubCare @ReadingEnvy 🤣 I wasn‘t sure she was the same Ruthiella! VERY exciting!! 5y
Ruthiella @BkClubCare There is only one Ruthiella in the bookternet 😜 5y
Ruthiella @LeahBergen We need to be book friends! 😀 5y
Lindy I really enjoyed this episode, @ReadingEnvy and @Ruthiella . Jenny, I‘m so pleased that you liked (edited) 5y
Lindy @Ruthiella @LeahBergen Possession and Fingersmith are favourites of mine also. ❤️ 5y
Ruthiella @Lindy These two books do seem to hit a few common points for readers!😀 5y
ReadingEnvy @Lindy thank you for sending the stories my way! 5y
65 likes12 comments
review
KatrinaDessavre
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Pickpick

My birthday read for the #LIBERTHDAY giveaway. One of my favorite books which I got several years ago. A historical thriller that has really stuck with me!

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LauraAndTaraAndBooks
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LeahBergen I've had this one on my TBR for years. 7y
RealBooks4ever @LeahBergen Me too! It's been sitting on my shelf for almost nine YEARS! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 7y
LauraAndTaraAndBooks @LeahBergen @RealBooks4ever It's gone onto my Heywood Hill stack, which I'm saving until I've read the rest of my TBR shelf. At least that's the plan...but seeing as my TBR increases by the day, I'll probably end up in the same position as you guys 🙈 !! 7y
41 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Redwritinghood
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#unreliablenarrators This door stopper of a book, set in England in the 1660s, looks at a series of events from 4 different perspectives. Who's telling the real story? The reader is left to their own devices in making that decision. I think that, just like real life, there was probably some truth and falsehood in each. #maybookflowers

EvieBee Sounds fascinating! It is a door stopper! 700+ pages. 7y
tournevis Interesting, indeed. It has a magnificent title too 7y
Redwritinghood @tournevis Yes, I think it's a very clever title in that the competing accounts do point you in different directions. 7y
Redwritinghood @EvieBee84 I found the premise fascinating also, but the prose was a little dry at times. I'm glad I read it even if it was a long haul. 7y
batsy Oh yes, this was quite brilliant. I got lost more than once while wading through its many pages but it was a pleasure to be lost in it 😄 7y
60 likes4 stack adds5 comments
review
Ubookquitous
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Pickpick

#doorstops #riotgrams Callie is deciding by smell which to read or sit on. I've others but most of the big tomes are digital - less weight #catsoflitsy #littenkittens

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HardcoverHearts
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To prep for a class I will be taking at Oxford later this year, I'm rereading this. I first read it when it came out in 1997 & I didn't like it. I suspect the pace wasn't fast enough for me & the multiple narrators disarmed me. I was surprised to see it in the syllabus. But this year's Read Harder challenge has a task to do a reread. I decided to kick it off with audio format to see if that would help me connect with the story in a better manner.

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Oblomov26
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#bookwithinabook #Readjanuary Have written a review of this book before, but it is in many ways a favorite and the action is driven by the manuscript which is written by one of the protagonists and which forms the first of four stories in the novel. The other three stories are responses to this manuscript each written as rebuttal to what proceeded it.

LeahBergen I have this on my shelf. 7y
54 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Velvetsun

Something tells me this is going to be tough to get into. I think once I get past the 100 page mark I will know if I can stick with this or not.

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Velvetsun
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It might be Slightly battered looking...but I am ready to dive into this one. #usedbooks #currentlyreading

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Oblomov26
Pickpick

A Rashomon styled murder mystery set in restoration England. A manuscript written many years after the event by a Venetian merchant who was visiting England at the time of the murder. In turn this account prompts three other people to document their experiences, each who tells a very different story

Oblomov26 If you enjoyed Name of the Rose, then you should enjoy this. 8y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment