I loved this book, it was such a pleasure to read. The creation of this world was so thorough and affectionate I‘m a bit sad to leave it. I wish some of the characters were explored a bit more, but it is a series, so I‘ll just have to wait for the second book. Patience is not one of my virtues!

A great read for all book lovers, particularly those who, like me, inherited their love of books from their mother. His mother sounds like an extraordinary woman, but reading the end of a book first???? I‘ll certainly take them up on some of the recommendations- next up, Suite Francaise, which has been sitting on my shelf for ages.

First book of the year. I love Butcher‘s Dresden Files, and was keen to get into this one. A bit slow to start, and some of the characters are more compelling than others. But there‘s certainly enough to keep me interested in the Cinder Spires series, particularly Rowl.

As I fall tragically short of yet another reading target on Goodreads, I take some comfort in the fact I‘ve had some great reads this year. While nothing will knock Lincoln in the Bardo off the No. 1 perch, there are so many great moments in this melancholy but beautiful novel it‘s five stars for me. The characters will stay with me into 2018 I think.

I‘m a long time fan of the fantasy genre, but I do love the depiction of everyday police grunt work: “When faced with complex and inexplicable circumstances, a modern police officer will fall back onto one of two basic policing approaches. Option one; call for back up, arrest everyone in the vicinity and sort it out down the nick. Or Option two; locate the nearest source of tea, sit everyone down and hope nobody‘s carrying a concealed weapon.”

Perfect reading weather tonight.

Great read, it‘s impressive given the pressure that must have come with the break out success of her first novel. Both books blend classic crime narratives with an insightful take on the ways Australia‘s climate and environment directly impacts people.

No photograph as I had to return this to the library today. I‘ve never read Anne Tyler before and started with her twentieth (?) book, which may not be right. She has such a deft and light touch, making a story that has the basic plot line of “people get married, have kids” into something so involving. Very enjoyable, will definitely read more of her work.

I‘ve already confessed to being a fan of Jennifer Egan and do enjoy historical fiction, so this book did not disappoint. I found the tale interweaving three main characters during the Depression through the war years in the US fascinating and in the end, quite moving. A great read for an at last summery weekend in Melbourne.

While Gus looks unimpressed, this was a very entertaining read. Light, witty, imaginative and a nice throwback if you grew up during the nineties as I did.

I finished this a little while ago and had to think about how I felt! I was incredibly moved by the ending. It's obvious that Robin Hobb loves these characters and she showed them and her readers a lot of respect by the way she wrapped things up. So I forgive her meandering for 600+ pages.

Looking forward to getting stuck in to this, the last (?) instalment of the series. I don't read as much fantasy these days, but Robin Hobb is one of my favourite authors, though she enthrals and infuriates me in equal measure.

This book had been sitting on my shelf for ages. Not my favourite book of hers, I loved A Visit from the Goon Squad, but I really like her style of writing, and I thought this was pretty clever and entertaining.

I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoy describing it as a rollicking tale. Life got in the way this last week so my reading of this book was very fragmented, which is not the best way of doing it, I think. Still, it was a pleasure, and I loved the ending so much I read the last few pages over and over again.