I'm reading a lot lately but don't feel like I have time to properly review these books. So here's a brief run-down of them.
The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
The second title in the Flavia DeLuce series about an inquisitive and unconventional girl who solves mysteries in a quiet English village. It was about as amusing and entertaining as the first book: readable and enjoyable, but not in a compulsive sort of way.
The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
I am always happy to gobble up more of this guy's books. They are artless and rarely introduce any shocking or new material but the comfortable familiarity of his writing style and characters make for a satisfying, light and quick read.
The White Lioness by Henning Mankell
This time around Mankell introduces a South African cast of characters who are using a Swedish base to train an assassin. I liked the story and enjoyed reading about South Africa well enough, but I really like Kurt Wallander and wanted to mostly read about him so I got impatient with all the chapters that he didn't feature in. There's something compelling about that guy.
Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum
The librarians suggested I could try this author while I waited for the next Henning Mankell novel, which I had put on hold and was impatient to read. I liked it, and will probably read more of her stuff. Fossum is good at creating an atmosphere.
Tongue of Serpents by Naomi Novik
I am pretty much always impatient for the next novel in the Temeraire series, except when I'm reading one. I think I finished this one in under 36 hours, and probably would have read even more quickly if I didn't have to deal with Real Life stuff (we're moving). Anyway, I really liked it. This novel was a bit of a departure from the Napoleonic War focus of the series, and featured Laurence and a ragtag band of misfits chasing around Australia for several months. I'm hoping to get back to the war in the next novel though as it does create a nice bit of tension and lots of action.
I'm pretty sure I've forgotten a book or two here. It's very difficult to keep track of all this reading; it would be nice if the library were to keep track of everything I sign out so I can browse through my record there and see what I've read already.
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3 comments:
yes vicki that would be great if the library kept a list of the books we take out until we deleted it!! our library used to have a wishlist, then they dropped it with one tech change now they have it again but it is not user friendly this time around. i try to jot down whatever i read in my day planner at the front of each month & then periodically update my shelfari & blog - which is probably why my posts arent as detailed & eloquent as yours as i am usually doing them in a lump & they are more snapshots!
thanks for the new flavia deluce review. i had forgotten that i was going to start my daughter on that series as i think she would enjoy them.
Deborah - thanks for your comment; it's really nice to know that at least one person is reading this blog besides me :-) I have had to enable comment moderation because I was getting spam comments so that means I have to log into the site and approve your comments before they show up on the blog, that's why it seemed like your comment had disappeared after you posted it :-)
PS For some frustrating reason neither of my kids is into mystery novels. I would love to share some of my favourite series with them. I hope your daughter enjoys the Flavia books! I think there are 3 out now.
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