Monday 2 May 2016

Books read in April

April was one of those odd reading months for me. I can't quite explain it but perhaps with such a lot going on at the moment I'm not really able to fully concentrate on books. Perhaps once my husband's operation is done and the roof finished I can get back to reading with my mind fully on what I'm doing. Because of that I read just four books in April and these are they:

22. The Kingdon Beyond the Waves - Stephen Hunt

23. Hyperion - Dan Simmons

24. To Love and be Wise - Josephine Tey

25. The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater

A bit of a sparse list! But, having said that, it must be said that three of those books were over 400 pages and not easy reads... or they didn't seem so to me. Perhaps I made unduly heavy work of them, I don't know. Some months I can whip through a 4 to 500 page book in several days, other months I plod through and the book seems endless. I think that's just the way it goes sometimes.

Enjoymentwise it was a good month. Three books were really excellent, the other one, The Kingdom Beyond the Waves, OK. Certainly not terrible. As always with me it's hard to choose a favourite. Hyperion and The Raven Boys were both very good indeed *but* one book has the edge and that's:


To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey was absolutely delightful. I've read three books by her this year and not one has disappointed... all three got five stars from me on Goodreads and deservedly so. The mystery was a 'real' mystery - the ending completely surprised me - and the writing was exquisite.

Onwards and upwards. May is going to be a bit of a difficult month probably, late May anyway, but I still hope to be around a bit. Happy reading.

~~~oOo~~~

6 comments:

BooksPlease said...

Looks good to me - sometimes a book's length in number of pages can be deceptive and not easy reading depending on the style of writing and complexity etc. I'm not surprised though you chose the Tey book as a favourite. Like you I've not read any that disappointed me. And I do like it when the ending is a surprise.

I hope your husband's operation goes well - and of course you need the roof!

DesLily said...

It does sound like you had a good month reading enjoyable books.. and that says a lot! You are still way ahead of me in "how many" books you've read!

Email me about Peter.. when is his surgery and such. Right now, (before morning coffee, I am not even sure I know what the surgery is! gah! lousy sister with the lousy memory :( ..

Both of you take care.. and don't stand under any drips before the roof is fixed! <3

Nan said...

I understand exactly about the difficulty concentrating when there is a lot on your mind - whether good or not so good. I find it easier to get lost in Lewis or many other great tv shows. You must be watching The Durrells. (maybe you mentioned it, and I forgot?) I watched a few of the episodes and then ordered the DVDs. I know it is a show I'll watch over and over again. I'll be thinking of you and your husband. People I know who have had it are so happy they did.

Cath said...

Margaret: You're so right about the complexity and style of writing having an effect on how long it takes to read it. The first two books were definitely densely written and took all my concentration while I was reading.

When you get to To Love and Be Wise I think you too will be surprised by the end. Do read it... it's so good.

Thank you. I know knee operations are two a penny these days but the recovery can be quite hard going I gather.

Pat: Yeah, it was really quite a good month for enjoying the books and that's the main thing.

I'll definitely avoid drips. lol!

Nan: Yes, good series like Lewis are ideal to get lost in and forget those worries. Oh yes, we're watching The Durrells, (you mentioned it to me in an old blogpost which I did reply to but you may not have seen it). I'm currently reading his autobiography by Douglas Botting which I think you might enjoy. The series is a delight, the whole cast is superb and the island is gorgeous.

Thank you. Good results with knee surgery used to be a bit hit and miss but I gather that has improved.

Penny O'Neill said...

"To Love and be Wise" sounds interesting, Cath.
I've been in a bit of a reading lag myself of late - and I'm watch Inspector Lewis right now, when I could be reading. Sigh.
I wish your husband the best in his surgery and recovery.

Cath said...

Penny: Well, there's a time for everything and perhaps it's your time to watch Lewis at the moment. And I can think of worse ways to spend the time. LOL!

Thankyou... his surgery has been temporarily postponed but we're hoping it will still happen in the next few weeks.