I actually read a few books this month! Six in fact, which is more than any other month this year so it's a win as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I enjoyed them all to a greater or lesser extent.
I started the month with Night and Day by John Connolly, author of the Charlie Parker series, set in Maine.
This is the author's third book in his anthology series entitled Nocturnes. I only gave it three stars on Goodreads, which is unusual for me for a John Connolly book, but it was odd. Half the book consisted of some good short stories but the other half was rather a rambling essay on an obscure horror movie. I did read it - many on Goodreads did not - but it wasn't all that rivetting. The short stories were quite good, particularly the two (or three) concerning the Caxton Library where characters in books come alive and arrive to live in the library. I wonder if Connolly will one day collate all of these stories into one volume?
Next was a reread, Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer.
I've read this one several times and it never disappoints. Miles Calverleigh is back from India after being banished there because of a scandal over an elopement. He is confronted by Abigail Wendover who wants him to call off his good for nothing nephew who is laying seige to her heiress neice. Shenanigans ensue of course, there's a wonderful Bath setting, lots of humour, I loved it. 5 stars
After that, I read two books in Damien Boyd's excellent 'Nick Dixon' crime series, Heads or Tails and Dead Lock.
Heads or Tails begins with Nick Dixon on a beach in the Bristol Channel trying to save a man who's been handcuffed to his steering wheel, in a van, with the tide coming in and about to drown him. Edge of the seat stuff. Nick ends up going to Manchester to investiagte 1990s gangland killings. Dead Lock concerns a ten year old girl going missing, followed by another who is the grand-daughter of the team's forensic expert. This one is full of twists and turns and more Somerset based than the previous one. I gave both of these 5 stars as they were excellent. I'm trying to catch up with this series this year as I'm rather behind; it's no hardship as it's so good. I do think knowing the area where it's set helps but even so, they are superb books. Damien Boyd is such a good writer.
Next another book of short stories, Beware of the Trains by Edmund Crispin.
I didn't write about any of the stories as I went along so can't give details 'but' they were mostly centred on Crispin's sleuth, Gervase Fen. This was an absolutely excellent collection, pretty much every story was clever, funny and had nice twists. It is of its time, with corresponding language, particularly in one story, but it's well worth reading if you like these kinds of vintage tales. And just look at that cover!
My last books for this month was one I've been reading for a while and which I saw on Lark's blog, The Paranormal Ranger by Stanley Milford Jr.
This is a non-fiction account of the life of the author who was a Navajo Ranger in the Navajo Nation for many years. He talks of UFOs, skin walkers, Bigfoot and hauntings and, being very open minded about such things, I found it absolutely fascinating.
So, that was my reading for April, an interesting mix and all good books, which is all you can ask for really.
I'm currently reading two books. The first is a reread from about 55 years ago.
It's The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein of course, first read when I was about sixteen or seventeen. And I don't believe I've read it since. The reason I'm not sure is because I've seen the films so many times that I'm confusing them in my mind with the books. I know I've read The Hobbit several times, but The Lord of the Rings, I'm not sure. Anyway, really enjoying this.
The other book is a non-fiction I'm reading slowly, through the year is, The Country Commonplace Book by Miranda Mills.
The author has a very successful channel on YouTube where she talks mainly about books, but also other things as well. Her first book is full of seasonal quotes from various classics, old and new, and poetry appropriate to the seasons. It really is a beautifully presented book.
I hope you're all keeping well and enjoying the spring if you live in the northern hemisphere, autumn if you're south of The Equator. I hope too that you're finding lots of good books to read.
18 comments:
I'm glad you got some solid reading done this month, Cath, and even more glad that you enjoyed it for the most part. You've reminded me that I've got to re-acquaint myself with John Connelly. It's so hard to keep up with all the authors, isn't it? And I do like Edmund Crispin's work; I've always liked his wit. At any rate, roll on, May!
Thanks, Margot. I was particularly pleased to get a couple of Damien Boyd books under my belt as I really do want to catch up on that series. You're so right though, it's very hard to keep up with all the authors you'd like to. Edmund Crispin's wit is superb, and I have a real weakness for humour in books and stories. Yes, roll on May, a month I like before the summer months arrive, which I am not so keen on.
Hi Cath, I'm very interested that you've gone back to The Fellowship of the Ring!
That does sound like pure pleasure. There's nothing like returning to the "old and great" books!
Georgette Heyer is my go to-for escapist reading. Never disappoints even though I've read all her books many, many times--some of the books are yellow with age and almost falling apart since I've had most of them for decades, so I have picked up copies of them as e-books whenever they go on sale. Good for reading when I'm on the go and stuck waiting places. Love her snark and humour. Living in the US, I need all the escapist reading I can get.
Hi Judith, nice to see you around. (Mind, I haven't been around much myself this year.) Rereading The Fellowship of the Ring has indeed been pure pleasure. I'd forgotten just how delightful it is. I'll go on to reread book 2 (forgotten the title) probably in the autum or winter.
I hope you're doing okay?
You're right, Mary, I quite often reread Heyer and am never disappointed. It's been ages since I read The Black Sheep and I'd forgotten what a joy it is. I will reread a couple more this year I think. I too have been picking them up as e-books, nice to be able to cart them around so easily. Oh yes, escapist reading is essential these days or we'll all go mad.
The Paranormal Ranger was a fun one, I thought. And who knew all that was going on? Sorry the John Connolly wasn't as good as you hoped. And I agree with you about Heyer's Black Sheep! That is a very fun read. Hope you are doing well. Got any fun summer plans? I can't believe April is already over with; though I'm very glad I only have four more weeks of school. I cannot wait for my summer vacation to begin! :D
Congratulations 6 books is alot for one month. I want to meet that goal in May. And I have yet to read Georgette Heyer and Black Sheep sounds really good and I sense Miles is a good guy who eloped with the woman he loved despite what his family thought
You have been reading a bunch, Cath! Good for you! I haven't read any of these except that I did read the Lord of the Rings books way, way back. Have not reread them, but I have watched the movies over and over. Tolkien's books were my husband's favorites when he was a teenager and he talked me into reading them - ha!
Lark. I was absolutely fascinated by The Paranormal Ranger. I keep a very open mind about all of these strange happenings, too many people seeing and experiencing them to ignore what's going on. Black Sheep is so good, I like it when the two main protagonists are a bit more mature in her books. Well, I'd like to go Bath to see the Jane Austen museum so I'm hoping to do that sometimes this summer. And I'm sure other things will happen. :-) So pleased your summer vacation is so close! :-)
Kathy: Yes, I was really pleased with 6 books read as I haven't been managing very many so far this year. I do recommend Georgette Heyer. The one I read, Black Sheep is excellent, also Frederica, Sylvester, Regency Buck, The Corinthian, Lady of Quality... and many more. They're well written and humorous.
Hi Kay! Yes, catching up a bit on reading after a very slow start to the year. Yes, I've seen the Lord of the Rings movies over and over too but I've been surprised at how much was left out. I suppose given their length it's not surprising but it's been fun rereading the first book after all this time.
This is a good group of books. I am especially interested in finding a copy of Beware of the Trains by Crispin. I should really try the Damien Boyd series. I have the first book on kindle.
And I have heard that the Lucy Mangan books are good.
My reading has been slower lately and in April I read only five books. I have been ill (not seriously) lately and also we have been concentrating on cleaning up our small garden areas in front and back, which had gotten really out of control. And then there are allergies, which have really been bad this year.
It's good to see you back on your blog, Cath. The only one of these books I've read is The Lord of the Rings, which I also first read in my late teens. I've enjoyed the films, but the books are the best and I did re-read them after watching them.
It's not been a good year so far with some health issues, so I've slowed down writing posts, more happy just reading the books.
That’s a really good month, Cath, especially since you seem to have enjoyed almost everything you read in April. A nice combination of lots of books and almost no clunkers in the mix. I’m curious about some of the detective fiction you read, as those are new ones to me - and I’m tickled to see you doing so much re-reading. I’m doing that, too, and enjoying the re-reads more than the more current stuff.
Hi Tracy. Beware of the Trains is very good indeed, of its time (1950s), but funny and clever. Yes, both Lucy Mangan books about books are very good indeed. She too has an amusing turn of phrase.
Sorry to hear you've been unwell and I hope you're feeling better now. Gardens eat your time. I now have tomatoes in the greenhuse so the season's started for me, watering weeding and so on. Yes, alleries in the UK have been bad and started early too.
Thanks, Margaret. It's nice to be back and actually reading a few books again. The LotRs books are indeed best, I quite agree. I plan to read The Two Towers possibly in late summer or early autumn.
Sorry to hear that you too have been having health issues. Hope things are a bit better now. I'm not doing long reviews these days either, I prefer to do more general bookish posts, talking briefly about the books I've read.
Hi Sam. Yes, not a bad reading month all told. Much better than previous months anyway! Damien Boyd's 'Nick Dixon' series is really excellent, not gritty exactly but nevertheless very good indeed and it helps that I know the setting well.
Yes, I seem to be into rereading all of a sudden. I don't know why, it's just come upon me. And I'm really loving it too, like you.
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