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pandop ([personal profile] pandop) wrote2023-01-01 11:23 am

October - December Books

Finishing 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. 



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