October - December Books
Jan. 1st, 2023 11:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pandopFinishing off last year's book journal in preparation to start this years, made me realise I have not updated my books since September, I am going to try to get back to doing this monthly this year
41: Dead Famous: an unexpected history of celebrity from bronze age to silver screen Greg Jenner
Due to the scope of this book, this book was a overview, but went into enough detail that I know I want to read more about some of the people he featured. Didn't agree with all his conclusions though.
42: My name is Lucy Barton Elizabeth Strout [Kindle]
November's book group choice - and I didn't enjoy this. More disjointed thoughts and no real reason to keep reading.
43: Vintage murder Ngaio Marsh [Kindle]
October's read for the Shedunnit book group. Nice to read a New Zealand setting from Marsh, and a good plot and cast.
44: The Janissary tree Jason Goodwin [Kindle]
An enjoyable start to a series. I liked the main detective and will probably read more of this series. It's a new setting for me too, which makes a nice change.
45: Temeraire Naomi Novik [Kindle]
This is best described as a mash up between Pern/Hornblower/Sharpe - and is absolutely wonderful. This is possibly the best book I read all year. I love Temeraire so much as a character.
46: Six against the yard The Detection Club [Kindle]
November's read for the Shedunnit book club. A mixed bag of stories, with an interesting premise. I didn't really appreciate the contributions of the real Scotland Yard Detective, nor the essay by Christie. Some of the stories were quite good though.
47: The amber fury Natalie Haynes [Kindle]
My choice for the December read for the book group. I had been meaning to read this for a while and I was not disappointed. In fact my only complaint is that I wanted to know what happened to the rest of the teen characters, as all the characters were interesting and well written, and the plot was good.
48: Koh-i-oor: the history of the world's most infamous diamond William Dalrymple & Anita Anand
A fascinating history, bringing the controversies around this diamond right up to date. Such a tragic story too of the last Maharajah of the Punjab too.
49: Silent nights: Christmas mysteries [Kindle]
A British Library Crime Classics selection of short stories. Mostly new authors to me, which was nice, and a good range of stories.
50: Tied up in tinsel Ngaio Marsh [Kindle]
December's read for the Shedunnit book group. The discussion was started early for this one, so as to be able to discuss this festive story over Christmas. This was quite a late, and not truly golden age, Marsh, and it was interesting to see the more modern elements having an effect.
51: A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens [Kindle]
Annual re-read. Sadly still relevant.
52: At Christmas we feast: festive food through the ages Annie Gray
Absolutely brilliant - as expected. Annie Gray remains one of my favourite historians.
53: Two for the lions Lindsey Davis [Kindle]
A light read to finish the year. I never tire of Falco, his exploits, and his family.
41: Dead Famous: an unexpected history of celebrity from bronze age to silver screen Greg Jenner
Due to the scope of this book, this book was a overview, but went into enough detail that I know I want to read more about some of the people he featured. Didn't agree with all his conclusions though.
42: My name is Lucy Barton Elizabeth Strout [Kindle]
November's book group choice - and I didn't enjoy this. More disjointed thoughts and no real reason to keep reading.
43: Vintage murder Ngaio Marsh [Kindle]
October's read for the Shedunnit book group. Nice to read a New Zealand setting from Marsh, and a good plot and cast.
44: The Janissary tree Jason Goodwin [Kindle]
An enjoyable start to a series. I liked the main detective and will probably read more of this series. It's a new setting for me too, which makes a nice change.
45: Temeraire Naomi Novik [Kindle]
This is best described as a mash up between Pern/Hornblower/Sharpe - and is absolutely wonderful. This is possibly the best book I read all year. I love Temeraire so much as a character.
46: Six against the yard The Detection Club [Kindle]
November's read for the Shedunnit book club. A mixed bag of stories, with an interesting premise. I didn't really appreciate the contributions of the real Scotland Yard Detective, nor the essay by Christie. Some of the stories were quite good though.
47: The amber fury Natalie Haynes [Kindle]
My choice for the December read for the book group. I had been meaning to read this for a while and I was not disappointed. In fact my only complaint is that I wanted to know what happened to the rest of the teen characters, as all the characters were interesting and well written, and the plot was good.
48: Koh-i-oor: the history of the world's most infamous diamond William Dalrymple & Anita Anand
A fascinating history, bringing the controversies around this diamond right up to date. Such a tragic story too of the last Maharajah of the Punjab too.
49: Silent nights: Christmas mysteries [Kindle]
A British Library Crime Classics selection of short stories. Mostly new authors to me, which was nice, and a good range of stories.
50: Tied up in tinsel Ngaio Marsh [Kindle]
December's read for the Shedunnit book group. The discussion was started early for this one, so as to be able to discuss this festive story over Christmas. This was quite a late, and not truly golden age, Marsh, and it was interesting to see the more modern elements having an effect.
51: A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens [Kindle]
Annual re-read. Sadly still relevant.
52: At Christmas we feast: festive food through the ages Annie Gray
Absolutely brilliant - as expected. Annie Gray remains one of my favourite historians.
53: Two for the lions Lindsey Davis [Kindle]
A light read to finish the year. I never tire of Falco, his exploits, and his family.