When I picked this up I had no idea it was a story within a story (within a story). An intriguing premise, I liked the outer story better as it was dark (and could be further developed). The inside story is a bit meh..maybe it‘s just a framework or devise for the outer story? I‘m confused now. 😅 It‘s also clever that the author acknowledges certain real life events during which the book was set. Overall parts entertaining, so low Pick.

#titlesandtunes #guiltypleasure

Besides murder mystery/detective stories, I love reading middle grade books. I‘ll choose the tagged book as it also fulfill #TBRtarot which I have skipped last month.

I‘m also a fan of the 80s music, quite a number of superstars (with influencing fashion styles!) emerged during the time, and I loved watching them all on MTV. When that song is played, I guarantee you will catch me singing along. 🎤 😉

I thoroughly enjoyed John Boyne‘s fictionalised story of Dr. Crippen and I wanted to read a true crime book about it. This is well researched, and easy to read, the two connected stories of Dr. Crippen‘s life and Marconi‘s life and his passion. It was rather gripping in parts, but I skimmed over some of Marconi‘s part which I got lost. My introduction to Larson, who writes such good historical non-fiction, thanks to #AuthorAMonth for May.

This was an enjoyable read. I love the vivid descriptions of the idyllic Corfu; the ominous atmosphere; the right amount of romance and suspense; and the references to Shakespeare's Tempest. A great escape read!
#islandvibes #titlesandtunes for May.

I‘ve stacked this on my tbr wish list after seeing so many positive reviews here. A copy came in the mail today 😃💃🏻. I think this is from you, Cathy? @Cathythoughts Thank you!
#bookmail ❤️

Such an inventive piece of work. At times I chuckled at the dialogues and dark humour, next, I was silent at the gruesome crime scenes and the all-important, grave issues that Everett is putting across. An unexpected read, a page-turner, and the rousing finale… I want to read more of Everett. 👍

I finally got the book you sent me Barbara! @BarbaraBB
I‘m sorry we were anxious about it, turns out the new owner had taken our mails for safekeeping.
I love coming-of-age stories, and this is said to be autobiographical, “deemed too intimate to publish” during her lifetime..I‘m very interested to read it. Thank you very much! ❤️

Think I‘ll join in the fun of #islandvibes #titlesandtunes hosted by @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB !

A good time to read my first Mary Stewart novel - mystery, suspense, romance and a lovely setting at Corfu. 🏝️
I pick ‘The Children of Piraeus‘ (a popular song first sung by Melina Mercouri) sung by Aroma, here‘s the video https://youtu.be/ap29bm2ZpEU (English)

https://youtu.be/Ffe3dQQyKOQ (original)

This novella is told in alternating perspectives of three woman remembering a murder that happened when they were in high school. But the story doesn‘t focus on revealing the killer, though I think there‘re clues everywhere. Chapters read like stream of consciousness, give us insights into the characters‘ minds and I was quite confused with the switching perspectives. The characters are dealing with grief, guilt that haunt them over the years, ⬇️

It‘s refreshing to read a mystery/crime novel without a murder. This one has a good pacing that kept me engaged, right up to the climatic court scenes. And it has a nice ending. However, the fact that the protagonist so quickly took the side of the accused, kept niggling at me. Overall it was interesting to see how the mystery unravelled, and putting aside some dated remarks and ideas, my first Josephine Tey is a ‘Pick‘.

#goldenagecrimeclub

#bookmail
A gorgeous-looking book arrived in the post today. 😍 Book Depository took its time, I guess they‘re flooded with orders before closure. Who is the generous sender? 🥰 Thank you so much, I love it!

The latest in the Detective Kaga series offers a good police procedural. There‘s a strong sense of place as Higashino describes the streets of Tokyo, and it was an interesting look at the culture. If you‘ve enjoyed Higashino‘s other books, do not give this a miss. Not my favourite of his books, but it was engaging to follow Detective Kaga solves the case, and it has a satisfactory conclusion.
#serieslove2023

@batsy Thank you, Suba for the book! I love the genre and look forward to reading it. Lovely gift, thank you so much ❤️😘

👍
-fast read, suspenseful.
-unreliable narrator with anxiety problem (whom I found exasperating later in the story).
-use of social media to heighten suspense.
-uncertainty over what happens after the final pages.
👎
-long list of names made difficult to follow (weak characterisation).
-cliche after cliche.

Overall, a fun (& forgettable) diversion from my stress of moving house. I think her later novels are better.

#AuthorAMonth

A wonderful collection of works from the author and women poets from 1910s to the 1930s. Taking certain lines from each of the featured poems, Grimes interestingly recreates her own. The poems talk about womanhood, black history, nature, etc. I like getting to know the poets introduced (bio in afterwards), some poems more striking than the others, and I love the gorgeous illustrations, varied in style, by different artists.

This is so unlike Of Mice and Men and East of Eden that I‘ve read. But it‘s quite a comical story of camaraderie among the sympathetic characters living a simple life. And plenty of wine drinking. I like the descriptive titles and straightforward storytelling.
#AuthorAMonth

I‘ve not read any horse stories as a kid, I can say I‘m not a horse person. This book started off well, promising of adventures, even though there‘re incidents of stereotypes and many coincidences. Maybe reading it as an adult, I find the story lacks emotions and the characters unrealistic. I guess a horse-loving person, especially a child will like it, especially the bonding between Alec and ‘the Black‘.

Such a fun and entertaining story. The author introduces us to Ada (Lovelace), daughter of Lord Byron, and Mary, daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, who formed a detective agency together. Though some aspects are not historically accurate, like the girls are actually aged 18 yrs apart in history, the historical bits are enjoyable. The mystery itself is not very clever, but I loved the appearance..

#serieslove2023
#middlegrademarch

This is an honest depiction of teenage life struggles in urban Japan that is relevant in the 90s when it was first written, as well as today. Bullying, education ‘rat race‘, pornography, ‘love hotels‘, suicide. In her afterword, Mori said she wanted to write a novel “that will allow young people who are tired of living to have a break from their own lives.” She wrote about these serious subjects with a little comical touch in..
#TBRtarot February

A moving story set in Kabul during the Taliban rule. A 11-yr old girl has to disguise as a boy to seek work to support the family, after their father was imprisoned. The illustrations are good, but the narrative feels rushed, some scenes like ‘chopped off‘ (feels like some pages missing), and the ending is abrupt. However it‘s a good eye opener for young readers. Perhaps the original novel and the animated film adaptation will have more depth.

This 5th book in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series has Veronica and Stoker on a dangerous mission to prevent a royal scandal, with Jack the Ripper murders terrorising London as the backdrop. I‘ve enjoyed the witty banter and chemistry between the duo all along, however I‘m not sure how I feel about them now. It was fast paced, engaging, and fun though.
#serieslove2023

I didn‘t realise this is a short story when I started. I liked the letters format, written between two strangers whose spouses are having an affair with each other. Very engaging, and the ending…I was surprised by it.
#AuthorAMonth

Thanks to @batsy who put the author into my radar. I couldn‘t find ‘Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock‘ but found the tagged book instead. This is an illustrated biography of Mary Shelly, adapted for children. It tells of the early life of Mary, and how ‘Frankenstein‘ was written. An inspiring story for young readers (and readers of any age) with great illustrations that complement the story.

An elderly widower, who is with a volunteer group that helps terminally ill people ‘take their own lives‘, finds himself on the run from the police. Although the subject matter is a serious one, there is much humour in the novel. The characters are likeable and endearing, especially the older ones. If you‘re a fan of The Thursday Murder Club series, you‘ll enjoy this.
Thanks @TrishB for sending me this copy some time ago. 😅😘

The packing has begun. Top priority to pack first are my books of course! 😂 And I‘m quite overwhelmed, staring at the number of unread books😬. I‘ll probably donate some of them, books that I no longer have interest to read now.
With all the stress of moving house, I‘m hardly in the right state of mind to read. But I‘ll try to finish up a couple of books I‘ve started. Happy Sunday!

Not much reading done recently, as I have been binge watching some TV detective series. Marcella, a British nordic noir series, kept me at the edge of my seat - but I stopped at season 2, too much grimness and violence to continue). Then Happy Valley, absorbing and fantastic - I highly recommend!

Anyway started the tagged book. Hope it‘s good, as I liked Rubbernecker and Snap.

Happy Monday!

My book from @wanderinglynn ‘s #300kBirthdayGiveaway has arrived. What a gorgeous copy! Thanks again Lynn! ❤️

Another children‘s book I‘ve never read when I was young. As an adult reading it for the first time, I find this not funny. I don‘t know what the author is trying to tell..Babar, whose mother recently got killed by a hunter, escapes to town, met a kind, old, rich lady who gave him lots of money to spend, and Babar suddenly feels the need to get fancy clothes and assimilated to society. And when he returns to the forest, he..⬇️

I didn‘t know the original text of Bambi is so grim. I have a vague idea of the Disney‘s Bambi though I‘ve never watched it. From a fawn to adulthood, Bambi learns of survival, of growing up, & death. Salten showed us the many threats for the animals in the forests, including the most dangerous, the hunters. After finishing it, I was aware it‘s either an allegory for anti-Semitism in post-World War I, or human‘s treatment of nature. Or both maybe.

Somehow I‘ve never read this as a kid. It was fun to read about the children‘s wishes and their misadventures, although they are many stereotypes in the story to be frowned upon. It‘s true of the saying ‘be careful what you wish for‘. Low Pick for me.
#TBRtarot

There‘s so much more to this book than about a formerly incarcerated indie bookseller who is haunted by a ghost in the bookstore. Many ‘heavy‘ topics are layered within. It‘s also a story about survival, community & second chances. I enjoyed the references to other works of literature; Tookie is a memorable character; & it‘s delightful to note that Birchbark Books is an actual store, owned by the author. My first L. Erdrich novel, and it‘s great.

“There is no detective in England equal to a spinster lady of uncertain age with plenty of time on her hands.”

A nice revisit to the first Miss Marple novel. There are a few too many sub plots, but the mystery is solid with plenty of red herrings. Not my favourite Miss Marple but I did enjoy the narrative.
#goldenagecrimeclub

Pic: Some interesting old covers I found.

Oh, how delightful! A surprise in the mail! I‘ve been wanting to read more of this author after our #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub read of ‘The English Air‘ last year.
Who is the mystery sender? 🥰😃

I love this series! I agree it just gets better and better, and I love the characters. I had a blast spending more time with the gang, they made me smile, they made me chuckle. There are more tender moments in this 3rd instalment which I like. I cannot wait for the next book, and the movie adaptation.
#serieslove2023

Took this off the shelves for the #goldenagecrimeclub reading this month. I‘ve read it and watched the movie long ago..it‘s good to revisit Miss Marple, as I‘ve forgotten the details and who the murderer was.

I love the close-knit Brown family, the family dynamics. I think Ethel is the best character, supportive & is a pillar of strength. I enjoyed reading about the working life of the mannequins, and all the hard work, chaos behind the scenes of a fashion house. I‘m not impressed with ‘Uncle‘ David, or convinced of the romance, but this was a delightful read. Makes a very good escapist reading, a wonderful start for #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub this year.

I‘ve read a few by this author, they have been a hit or miss for me. I enjoyed her latest book, a mystery set in Oxford University about a decade-old murder. It had me guessing (twice I got it wrong); overall a decent book to escape into.

Wohoo! Massive congratulations on your Litsy milestone @wanderinglynn 🎉👏. Also, Happy Birthday month 🥳🎂, here‘s hoping you‘ll get lots of books for your birthday!
Thank you for the chance and your generosity.
I‘ll love to receive the tagged book. 😊
#300KBirthdayGiveaway

With every novel of this series, I enjoy it more and more! This 4th instalment is fabulous. Veronica and Stoker yet again solved another mystery. Their friendship, mutual understanding, banter, and tension make this series such fun to read. I am looking forward to the next book.

Getting a head start for #SeriesLove2023 since the library hold came in early.

This was for #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub Nov read. I‘m glad I picked this up again after I stopped reading in the early chapters last month. And once I continued, it held my interest. I think the characterisation is really good, I love the evocative descriptions of the places, and I enjoyed the tension. I liked it, melodrama and all.

These are the series I am targeting for #SeriesLove2023 hosted by @TheSpineView and @Andrew65 .
I have started most of them, my plan is to complete the series, the last 2 are new series I want to read. I may add more along the way. 👌

A fun and humorous read. Illustrations are brilliant. I was either smiling or chuckling at most of the ‘sound‘ advices and tips. A must read if you‘re a big fan of cozy mystery books and/or tv shows in particular those set in the UK.

I am so entertained by this book - a detailed guide to stay alive if I ever happen to visit the English villages.

I found this crime novel, set in a small Welsh community, on the eve of New Year, to be an enjoyable read. Lots of suspects, a few good twists and some interesting characters. I‘ll be keen to read more of DC Ffion Morgan. 👍

Wow! Fabulous #jolabokaflodswap package! Thank you dear Suba, @batsy for the tagged book (no worries, I didn‘t already own a copy), chocolateS, and the extra Celia Fremlin book. I love everything! I hope your mom has fully recovered. ❤️ Merry Christmas and Happy Sunday! 🎄🌈

Thank you @MaleficentBookDragon , Happy Holidays!

Errr..🤭

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

Gorgeous looking book came in the mail today. I believe this is from you @LeahBergen ? 🥰
Loving these British Library Women Writers editions! ❤️
#bookmail

I‘m pleased to read that Hans Christian Andersen wrote about a girl who ventured out bravely to save a boy in this magical tale. With her determination and faith, and the help of some interesting characters, she was able to save him from the Snow Queen. For once it‘s not a fairy tale about a prince saving a princess.

#ChildrensClassicRead2022

Paddington is an absolute lovable, funny bear. I enjoyed reading about this marmalade-loving bear and his mishaps. Stories that put a smile on my face.. from his pleasant manners to his ‘hard stares‘. And great to read about such kindness and goodness from the Brown family and the villagers. These are the kind of stories I know I would love if I‘ve read them when I was a child.

#ChildrensClassicRead2022 for November.

Happy Litsyversary @MatchlessMarie ! Congratulations on your 100k Litfluence milestone 👏👏👏🎉🥳 And thank you for hosting a generous giveaway. Here are 3 books I‘ll very much love to read!
#YearEnd100k