I'll be honest, l was hooked by the premise: murder mystery set in a small community in the English countryside in the mid-1700s. I don't think l've ever encounter di such set.
The mystery revolves around an almanac which at that time was very popular. Sounds like alchemy? You bet it does.

I'll say this is a better historical novel than a mystery, but l still recommand it.

Full review https://theoldshelter.com/thursday-quotables-the-almanack/

I'm halfway through this mystery and l'm already loving it.
This is one of those novels where in addition to a very solid mystery, there is a lot more. The character aren't just suspect, they are people, they have an unterior meaning in the story, their lives make sense to the reader even beyond the mystery, and this isn't all that common in mystery stories.

I also love that the author is clearly following Dickens's example.

#YearOfTolkien

I just thought it was time to get them 😊

So, this is the thing: after writing exclusively in English (my second language) for 11 years, l decided l want to translate one of my stories into my native Italian.
Shocking experience 😲

Seriously, when l started yesterday, l thought l couldn't possibly do it. Everything sounded wrong. Now it's a bit better, though l decided l might be better off rewriting the story rather than translating it.

But l'm happy l'm trying. It was a good idea.

Once again it's incredible how the structure is already in place although so many things are different. I didn't expect Moria to be already there, as l know her.

I really really loved this book. True, all of the HoME is fantastic, but these volumes about the Lord of the Rings is particularly involving. I'm loving it.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Apparently, l'm still not done with Victorian London 😂

Well, the truth is that l opened my #NetGalley files with the intention to read a friend's ARC... and l discovered this one expires in 11 days. I need to get going! The first book in the series expired on my last time, can't let it happen again.
And l mean, Dickens as a sleuth? 😉

I'm very, very disappointed with this book.
It had so many things that intrigued me, starting with quite an awesome cover. Then Victorian museum (including dinosaurs and 'human zoos'), gentleman clubs and secret societies. Doesn't it sound awesome?

But the mystery was all over the place and it became more unlikely the further it went. The historical setting wasn't convincing either.

Such a big shame.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Certainly, the Caradhras chapter had a long way to go.
I enjoyed Christopher's commentary on Trotter here, the fact that his personality seemed to merge with that of the other hobbits, which may have been one reason why Tolkien finally decided to make him a Man (it would go with his early comment 'too many hobbits') l also really like his considerations about the complex relation between Trotter and Aragorn.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Well, this is where we really see that Tolkien didn't have a clues where his story would end up 😆
While the rest of the chapters so far had already reached the final form (we're talking the first half of Fellowship), the Council of Elrond doesn't come near to even the idea of it, though here are introduced a couple a favourite characters: Gimli (who might die in Moria) and Boromir the Man of Ond.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

l love me a chapter about notes! 😆
So fascinating that at such an early stage and considering all the tranformation the book would go through, Tolkien already had envisioned the structure of the entire story, more or less as it is now.

Loved the character arc of the original Pippin. And surprised that once again Tolkien hesitated, undecided, at this point, though Christopher notes that this is when WWII broker out.

So this is my final telly for the #NetGalleyReadathon
57% of the book read. Apparently, l can't read more than half a book in a weekend, this is the usual persentage l get for weekend readalongs/readathons

I'm going to finish this even if l'm not really into it. I'm more then halfway through... and l never write a review if l bail.
What about you? Do you write #NetGalley reviews if you don't finish the book?

#NetGalleyReadathon #MayMadness

I'm don't think l'll be able to finish this by tonight, but l'll definitely make a good, big dent in it. Hoping to get to 60% at least.

So far, it's a passable historical mystery, but l've read far better.

#NetGalleyReadathon #MayMadness

About 26% in, not as much as l hoped, but today is such a sleepy day.
The novel isn't as good as l hoped too. The historical setting seems to be inaccurate in places and the mystery is a bit messy and loose.
But it's easy to read, so let's see.

#NetGalleyReadathon #MayMadness

I'm afraid this will be it for today. Tonight l'm watching The Fellowship of the Ring with a friend and the rest of the day is taken.

This is an easy read, l'm already 14% in. Since l to spend Saturday and Sunday doing little else than reading (l need to do a serious readathon for once!) I have fomentare hopes to finish it.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I can't wait to read what this story is about, it sounds so different from the one l know. The Giant Treebeard who keep Gandalf captive, Odo who disappears and then reappears. Trotter so mysterious.

I'm loving it.

And l'm all ready to go!
#NetGalleyReadathon

(This book is not in the database yet. I tagged the first book in the series)

Ops! Wait, it's tomorrow! Oh, well, then l'll start tomorrow 😆

Finished The Almanack yesterday night, and until the last few chapters this was going to be a pick. Great character building, strong solid mystery, absolute engagement, great historical setting.
But in the last chapters the MC started acting not as herself and especially the ending relied on a stereotype rather than coherent building as the rest of the story.

Pity. I still enjoyed it, but pity.

Yes, that sorry thing is my train home 😒

#NetGalleyReadathon #MayMadness

This sounds just perfect! I really need to read some of my ARCs fast because l've fallen a bit behind (anybody else received a nudging mail from Netgalley saying l should get a move on?).
I'm totally in!

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I so enjoyed this chapter and l'm so excited to read this phase of revision. Christopher says Tolkien took a completely different path at this point of the writing of Lord of the Rings and l can see it here. I'm expecting to read a 'new story'.

It was so strange, but also so lively to see Aragorn's name first proposed as The name of Gandalf's horse. I'm loving seeing all these tidbits appear in the text 💙

I'm quite liking this mystery set in 1700s Britain. The mystery is intriguing, l don't have any idea what's going on, but events are logical and realistic, so l expect the solution to be likewise.
I really like the way the author handles the little community, l really feel like l'm there and the dynamics among people are awesome.
A few characters have secrets, which is also intriguing.
Only thing is the pace isn't very clip, but doesn't mind.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

After reaching the part of story with Tom Bombadil, Tolkien once again started from the beginning... and now our Frodo appears.

Although the story didn't change a lot (apparently, Tolkien was Mary created a clean manuscript in place of the message he had at that point) he added some remarkable new ideas: concerning hobbits and the tempation of Gandalf.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

OH, wow! This is quite a different version from that in the book.
On one hand, l'm sorry Tolkien had to renounce the joke Bingo played on Maggots. But on the other, l really like the version in the book.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Firgot to post last night. It was an easy read since the chapter moved so close to the text in that Christopher only presented a few passages.
It surprises me a lot that Tolkien achieved almost the final text at such an early stage. But it is actually quite characteristic.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Have you noticed?
TolkienGandalf 😆

@Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN

Ahem... l'm afraid a few books fell into my bag today...
What a good fortune that they all agree with my research about WWI 😆😏

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I love! I love! I love!
I adore! I adore! I adore!!!

So many awesome elements entered this this chapter. First of all SAM!!!!!! 💚
I would have loved to know more about why Tolkien decided to stray from the 'family' theme of the group of Hobbits and insert Sam, but well... it's already great to see Sam finally appearing.

And then the One Ring! Here's where the rimes of the Rings g first appeared.

Not book related but... l've been practicing my mandala 😌

Never read McEwan, but when l saw this book on the return pile, l couldn't resist this gorgeous cover.

The Almanack is my read for the train ride, a carry-over from the #24B4Monday and #25inFive readathons.

And this my final time for the #25inFive
Not too bed considering l was travelling and couldn't read the first day and was down with flue the third. Didn't think l'd come that far.

While l'm reading Tolkien with the #YearOfTolkien readalong, The Almanack is completely for this challenge. I'm 17% in and enjoying it so far. I really like the spring le of alchemy in it, and the mystery is intriguing.

It was a great readathon!

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Christopher says that "The textual situation is in fact of fearful complexity in this part, the manuscript being constituted from two 'layers', and the earlier of the two being constituted partly from new manuscript and partly from the typescript of the fourth version."

I'd so love to see that manuscript ?

Well, in spite of losing most of yesterday to the flu, l'm happy of the result because a) l did better than last time and b) l finished 'The Cabaret' which l didn't think l would.

The Cabaret is a fantastic intro to this form of entertainment. It focuses on the Weimar Cabaret, but it reached out to other places and other time.

This is the conclusion of my #24B4Monday Still have one day of #25inFive Let's do this!

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I'm. Totally. LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, the notes have always been my favourite parts, but these about the LotR are so emotional, l'm not sure why.
Reading Sam's name for the first time was so great. It's such a strange experience to see the story so slowly come into its self.

It was fantastic also seeing The One Ring emerge. That's really something happening right under our eyes 😍

#24B4Monday #25inFive

So... this was the perfect weekend for these challenges because l'm off work until tomorrow... except yesterday l came down with flu and spent most of the day in bed.
I'm so annoyed with myself. I could have done a lot better.

Anyway, l managed to read a bit from both these books. I really need to finish Cabaret. It's a great book, very informative. But l need to move on.

@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Here's the schedule for the second half of the book.

How are you getting along, gals? I'm all caught up 😆

@Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Great chapter and clearly a pivoting one - no wonder Tolkien wrote it three times.
It is clear that the story was moving. Elements of the Silmarillion are profusely intriduced. Clearly something is changing in Tolkien's vision of the story.

Tolkien wonders twice who is Trotter. Christopher said in one of tge last chapter we are going to discover it. Can't wait!

So this is my first day of #24B4Monday and #25inFive Nothing spectacular, but not terrible either, l'd say.

I'm enjoying The Return of the Shadow. Loving reading the chapters with the original cast.

I've just started The Almanack, a mystery set in 1700s England. It's an unfamiliar setting for me. So far, so good.

Can't say l'm off to a good start for #24B4Monday #25inFive Yesterday l was away all day and had no chance to read. Today l caught up on my #YearOfTolkien read with Apache's help.
Let's see whether l can log in some more time before going to bed.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Fragmented chapters are harder to follow. This one is mostly summarised, because it has changed very little in subsequent revisions.
It's still quite weird to see Strider in Trotter. Here the wild hobbit shows his knowledge of ancient lore, just like Aragorn will do... though in a completely different context.

I don't have a photo of myself in my Rohirrim costume, but these are two of my friends dressed as a Nazgul and a Ranger.

#YearOfTolkien

I went to a medieval festival yesterday. The festival took place inside and around a 1700s keep. Gorgeous place.
I went with my Tolkien group. Not the first time we went to that particular festival. Normally it's a great gathering of medieval/Tolkien/Potter enthusiast most of whome are costumed.
But yesterday the por weather diacouraged many.

#YearOfTolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

So here it is were The Silmarillion started to infiltrate itself in The Lord of the Rings.
I really liked the passage about Beren and Luthien. I didn't think it would be there, given how much l see it intertwined with Aragorn's story and character, but l loved to see how it might be one of the elements which prompted Trotter's tranformation.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

The atmosphere of this part of story is so reminescent of the published version, there are even passages l recognise. And still the Hobbits are so different (in a strangely familiar way) from the ones l know.

l'm fascinated with Trotter. He acts a lot like Stider, but also he's definitely a Hobbit.
Christopher anticipate that he has a story that will be revealed before disappearing from the narration. Can't wait!

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I read the first half of this chapter last night, but was so tired l didn't manage to post about it.

I'm totally, totally loving this first draft of LotR. It's so strange to see the story l know so well, which is not at all the story l love so well 😆
There are so many things that are already the once l know, but also so many others that are totally different. It's fascinating.

Happy Easter everyone!

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Wow!!! I couldn't wait to get to this part, after l read about Trotter in the History of the Hobbit.
I love Bree, l love the mixing of recessione and people. This hobbit Bree is very different, but that's why is so interesting.
And l suppose that in Trotter we'll have the first mysterious hobbit ever!

And this is the legend of how tortellini were first created. In Valeggio where the legend is from, they call the 'knots of love'.

It's quite beautiful inside too.
This is the spread for Verona, my town.

I totally unintentionally stumbled upon this collection of myths and legends from my region... and couldn't resist bringing it home with me.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Another summarised chapter, since the final version is very similar to the first draft.
But l loved to read the plan for the chapters up to Rivendell, where Bree is only mentioned and there's no Weathertop.
Can't wait to read on.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I did read this chapter yesterday night, but l was so tired l didn't post about it.

Fascinating chapter! It is actually only pieces of it, because the chapter about Tom Bombadil is very similar to the one that was eventually published. Christopher only published the few differences.

But there is a passage where Tom defines himself as an 'Aborigene'. I'm telling you, this has opened a new world to me!