November and December Books
I forgot at the end of November, again.
50: Murder on the Brighton Express Edward Marston [Kindle]
This was actually quite apt in theme, as there was a lot about immigration in it! The plot was good, there were actually some arrests this time, not just convienient deaths. Very enjoyable.
51: A Scandalous Life: the biography of Jane Digby Mary S. Lovell
Absolutely fascinating - Jane Digby was a very unsual and adventurous woman. This was an excellent biography, a well rounded portrait of a woman who was at times amazingly generous, and yet also could be very petulant and petty. This is also the second book I have read this year in which Richard and Isabel Burton did not come out well.
52: The White Princess Philippa Gregory
Very readable, but so very Yorkist partisan - you really get the impression that she hates Margaret Beaufort! Having said that, I would have read much further into the story as it is very well written, and the plot moves along at a good pace.
53: Railway to the Grave Edward Marston [Kindle]
Excelent plot twists - not the least finding out that the Superintendant actually has a friend! Loved the plot device that an interest in brass bands was a shameful secret - and the references to the literature of the day.
54: My Name is Shylock Howard Jacobson
This was the choice for December book group, and it is one of the few I have truly hated - I am not sure I would even have finished it if I hadn't had to for book group. I thought it was pretentious twaddle, where Jacobson is so concerned with being clever that the writing style, plot, and characterisation all suffer. Not everyone agreed though - we were quite split on this one.
55: Blood on the Line Edward Marston [Kindle]
I enjoyed this a lot, there were more trains than had been in a couple of recent ones, although they even get to America. Victor was a bit whiny though - despite actually catching, not killing, the 'baddie'.
56: The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries [Kindle]
I started this collection last Christmas, but abandoned it unfinished after 12th night, just to finish off this Christmas. A good assortment of stories, and on the whole I liked more than I didn't like, which is as much as you can hope for in a collection. A huge number of stories, so very good value.
57: Thin Air Ann Cleeves [Kindle]
The novels are so different from the TV series in terms of Perez's background, but I am definitely enjoying both. Although this wasn't a Christmas Story, it was set in the summer, a ghost was crucial to the plot, so it fit the Christmas tradition of ghost stories. The only down side was a female colleague from the mainland - she was very annoying, I hope she isn't in too many of them.
58: A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens [Kindle]
Good to have a re-read of this every now and again as there are a lot of details you forget - and that they don't include in the films. Very enjoyable.
59: Christmas is Murder Val McDermid [Kindle]
Two short stories featuring the same detective - on festive and one not. Nice little twists.
60 : Out of Bounds Val McDermid
The latest one featuring Karen Pirie, kindly lent to me by Tim. Literally couldn't put this down (which as it is a hefty hardback, was a bit awkward on the bus, at bus stops etc). Great plot and character development, brilliant writing. Also, the bonus short story was really good too. A great final read for the year.
50: Murder on the Brighton Express Edward Marston [Kindle]
This was actually quite apt in theme, as there was a lot about immigration in it! The plot was good, there were actually some arrests this time, not just convienient deaths. Very enjoyable.
51: A Scandalous Life: the biography of Jane Digby Mary S. Lovell
Absolutely fascinating - Jane Digby was a very unsual and adventurous woman. This was an excellent biography, a well rounded portrait of a woman who was at times amazingly generous, and yet also could be very petulant and petty. This is also the second book I have read this year in which Richard and Isabel Burton did not come out well.
52: The White Princess Philippa Gregory
Very readable, but so very Yorkist partisan - you really get the impression that she hates Margaret Beaufort! Having said that, I would have read much further into the story as it is very well written, and the plot moves along at a good pace.
53: Railway to the Grave Edward Marston [Kindle]
Excelent plot twists - not the least finding out that the Superintendant actually has a friend! Loved the plot device that an interest in brass bands was a shameful secret - and the references to the literature of the day.
54: My Name is Shylock Howard Jacobson
This was the choice for December book group, and it is one of the few I have truly hated - I am not sure I would even have finished it if I hadn't had to for book group. I thought it was pretentious twaddle, where Jacobson is so concerned with being clever that the writing style, plot, and characterisation all suffer. Not everyone agreed though - we were quite split on this one.
55: Blood on the Line Edward Marston [Kindle]
I enjoyed this a lot, there were more trains than had been in a couple of recent ones, although they even get to America. Victor was a bit whiny though - despite actually catching, not killing, the 'baddie'.
56: The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries [Kindle]
I started this collection last Christmas, but abandoned it unfinished after 12th night, just to finish off this Christmas. A good assortment of stories, and on the whole I liked more than I didn't like, which is as much as you can hope for in a collection. A huge number of stories, so very good value.
57: Thin Air Ann Cleeves [Kindle]
The novels are so different from the TV series in terms of Perez's background, but I am definitely enjoying both. Although this wasn't a Christmas Story, it was set in the summer, a ghost was crucial to the plot, so it fit the Christmas tradition of ghost stories. The only down side was a female colleague from the mainland - she was very annoying, I hope she isn't in too many of them.
58: A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens [Kindle]
Good to have a re-read of this every now and again as there are a lot of details you forget - and that they don't include in the films. Very enjoyable.
59: Christmas is Murder Val McDermid [Kindle]
Two short stories featuring the same detective - on festive and one not. Nice little twists.
60 : Out of Bounds Val McDermid
The latest one featuring Karen Pirie, kindly lent to me by Tim. Literally couldn't put this down (which as it is a hefty hardback, was a bit awkward on the bus, at bus stops etc). Great plot and character development, brilliant writing. Also, the bonus short story was really good too. A great final read for the year.