Sunday 2 August 2020

Books Read in July


July was not a bad reading month for me... nine books read although that sounds better than it is because two of them were mostly read at the end of June.

The books:

45: Crossed Skis - Carol Carnac

46. The Village - Marghanita Laski

47. The White Road Westwards - 'BB'

48. Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield

49. The Sea Mystery - Freeman Wills Crofts

50. The Honey Farm on the Hill - Jo Thomas

51. A Lesson in Secrets - Jacqueline Winspear.

Maisie goes on her first assignment for the British Secret service. She's asked to pose as a professor at a Cambridge college that's run by, and for, pacifists who are trying to stop another war from happening. It sounds harmless enough but the Secret Service think there may be goings on there which are contrary to British interests. Maisie hasn't been there long before Greville Liddicote, the man who founded the college, is found murdered. She's told to keep a low profile while the police investigate but she realises that she's in a unique position to discover things which they cannot. Another superb instalment of Maisie's investigations. The Nazi party has come to power in Germany and the plot of the book involves groups of Nazi sympathisers forming groups in this country in support of Adolf Hitler. Quite chilling and the subject is handled well. I look forward to more along these lines as World War Two slowly approaches.

52. Jack: A Life Like No Other. Biography of John F. Kennedy which started off very interesting but somehow or other I got a bit bored with it as I went along. This is possibly because it got very political (obviously) and I don't always understand how American politics work. Very good on the personal stuff though.

53. Arabella by Georgette Heyer.

Young Arabella Tallant is about to have her first 'season' in Regency London, courtesy of her godmother. At home she has numerous brothers and sisters and the family is not well off so it's quite important that she makes a good match if she possibly can in order to help her siblings along in life. On the way to London she has an encounter with Robert Beuamaris, a rich eligble bachelor, and encourages him to believe that she's a wealthy heiress. Before long she's the talk of the town in London and all because everyone thinks she's rich and a good catch. At some stage of course, the truth will out, and what then? I think this is my third or fourth reread of what is one of my favourite Georgette Heyer Regency romances. What all of this author's books have in common is the utterly sublime writing, Heyer knew her stuff and wrote with such humour that the books are a joy to read. I will be rereading more of these gorgeous books.

So, not a bad reading month... a mixed bunch, a couple of non-fictions, three crime yarns, and four general fiction books. I seem to be reading much more in the way of general fiction these days, I particularly enjoyed The Village by Marghanita Laski for instance and Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield made for a very interesting reading experience. I like peppering my reading with the odd bit of women's fiction now as well, and Arabella reminded me how much I enjoy historical type fiction (although I know it's not in the 'serious' historical fiction category) so I plan to read more of that if I can.

Onwards and upwards into August. Happy Reading!

~~~oOo~~~

16 comments:

DesLily said...

Awww sorry you didn't like Jack. But glad you had a good reading month anyway!!

Cath said...

Pat: I liked it fine but the politics was complicated. LOL!

Lark said...

That's an awesome reading month! Here's hoping August is even better. :D

Cath said...

Lark: Thanks! August has potential. :-D

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Great month; I haven't read any from your July reads but, I do have the Setterfeld on on my TBR.

Val said...

Ok that's Maisie onto my list...it sounds interesting enough to catch my attention but not stressful (limits of my reading ambitions on display here)
Now why didn't I think of rereading Georgette Heyer?
An old favourite I remember her historical romances as being good fun and somewhere I have quite a few as audio readings ....thank you for reminding me! A civil contract was an especial favourite also the King Charles hiding at Boscobel history based story ...who's title totally eludes me ...I can remember the darn plot but the title...lol
I totally get the confusion of the US political machinations..I've lived here for 21 years now and I still have to ask for explanations...well I'm totally impressed by your reading..I have read 1 whole book haha Elly Griffiths ... so I shall see if I can break that record? but first of all I'm off to check what that book was called...lol Hope all is progressing well on the health front Take carex

Cath said...

Diane: Yes, thanks... not a bad month and a nice variety which is what I like. The Setterfield is 'interesting'.

Val: Yes thanks, Hubby is recovering well from his pneumonia. Progress is slow but sure. And then I put my back out which was not helpful but luckily it's only lasted a couple of days, almost better now.

While I don't find Maisie Dobbs to be stressful, the plots are always involved and I learn a lot. All good imo.

My pleasure re Georgette Heyer, she's so funny and yes 'unstressful'. I'm feeling like you about stress via books. I know the King Charles book you mean but I've not read it and can't remember the title either. So a lot of help I am. LOL

As long as you enjoyed your one book, that's the main thing. I've rediscovered knitting and am having fun with it at the moment.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Cath,

Another good mix of books this month, although I am still not quite convinced about the Diane Setterfield.

As I like the sound of quite a few of the titles you shared, it is probably easier to pick off the ones that I wouldn't read and I am going to include the Setterfield in that pile for now!

So that's 46, 47, 48 down and all the rest are heading for my list - Yikes!!

Thanks for sharing and have a good start to your August pile :)

Yvonne xx

Marg said...

I haven't read that Heyer! I do enjoy her books.

Kay said...

Cath, sounds like your reading has been satisfying. Good luck with August and what you select there. I'm just kind of picking what sounds good in the moment and also trying to keep up with book group selections. It's actually not bad for me to have some 'assigned' reading, though I don't always decide to complete it. I've gone to a couple of 'virtual' book group meetings without having read the book, mostly for the company and talking with others. And that has been fine. It's interesting to hear about what others have been reading too. Take care and hope your husband's recovery is progressing.

TracyK said...

I have Arabella on my wish list, but have other books I must read first. I am hoping I continue to enjoy her Regency romances.

CLM said...

Arabella is one of my favorites, and there are bits I know by heart. It will be interesting to see what Tracy thinks: when I first read it, I was a teen close to Arabella in age. I enjoy Heyer's mature heroines more now that I am - ahem - older myself but will never stop loving this one.

Cath said...

Hi Yvonne: Don't worry, I won't force the Diane Setterfield onto you. :-D

Glad my list has given you some reading inspiration, not that you need it because like me you have a tbr pile that's taller than Everest!

Marg: I think I've probably read almost every one of Heyer's Regency romances so you have a treat ahead of you.

Kay: I think I'm doing the same, just picking books off the shelves which appeal at that moment. Sometimes I'm surprised by how good the book is, sometimes not.

Yes thanks, my husband's recovery is progressing nicely, the drs. are very pleased with his progress.

Tracy: I'm sure you will continue to enjoy GH's books as her writing is never anything less than excellent and always such fun to read.

Constance: Yes, my love of Arabella, Frederica and Sylvester dwindled slightly as I got older and reread some of the more mature heroine type plots. I still love the naive young girl ones though.

Susan said...

Weirdly, I've never read anything by Georgette Heyer. I love historical fiction and I usually like Regency romance, so I really should give her a go one of these days!

R's Rue said...

I may borrow your picks.

Nicola said...

Never read Georgette Heyer but I am tempted. Where do you recommend starting, Cath?