Theresa Smith's Blog, page 95
September 9, 2019
Book Review: The Bushranger’s Wife by Cheryl Adnams
About the Book:
How do you tame a wild colonial boy? With an even wilder colonial girl.
Central Highlands of Victoria 1861
Jack the Devil’s reputation precedes him. The most notorious bushranger on the Central Highlands, nothing throws him off his game-until he holds up Prudence Stanforth and her grandmother. Jack can’t help but be captivated by the feisty Pru and her lack of fear in the face of danger.
Weeks later, Pru crosses paths with the respectable businessman Jack Fairweather, and it’s not long before she recognises him as the bushranger who stole her favourite necklace. His price for the locket’s return is a kiss-a kiss that ignites sparks in them both.
When Pru discovers her grandmother has been keeping a devastating secret, running away with Jack the Devil is the perfect escape for her broken heart. The dangerous nature of his less than salubrious occupation is a poetic contradiction to her sheltered upbringing, and only fuels their passion.
But as life becomes more complicated, will the return of dark elements from Jack’s past ruin their chance at happiness?
My Thoughts:
I’m quite partial to historical fiction set during Australia’s colonial days. The Bushranger’s Wife follows on from The Eureka Girl, taking a character that featured within those pages and bringing him to larger than life glory in a book of his own: Jack Fairweather aka Jack the Devil, the elusive, yet charmingly polite bushranger. While this novel contained a great deal more romance than is my normal preference, the adventurous aspect to the story, combined with the feisty and tough character of Prudence, made this quite an entertaining read all round for me. Cheryl Adnams has a knack for giving her readers a good dose of cheeky humour, as this exchange of dialogue showcases:
“Jack walked his prisoner towards the house and her eyes widened as she saw the man’s distinctive clothing.
‘What’s this?’
‘It’s a priest.’
‘I can see that,’ she said. ‘Why is he bound and gagged and standing on our doorstep?’
‘He wouldn’t come of his own accord.’
‘So … you kidnapped him?! You kidnapped a priest?’
‘He said we had to come to church on Sunday,’ Jack said, as though it ought to make sense to her. ‘But I needed him to marry us today. He refused. So I talked him into it.’”
I wasn’t entirely sure where Cheryl was taking us with this story. A certain level of foreboding set in for me about two-thirds of the way in and this was sustained almost to the end. Other historical stories about bushrangers kept popping into my head and for a while there I was bracing myself. I enjoyed watching both Jack and Pru evolve into their best selves and their relationship was progressive and uplifting for the times. This is the sort of novel that is a joy to pick up after a long and tiring week at work – which is exactly what I did! Recommended for fans of adventurous historical romance.
Thanks is extended to Escape Publishing via #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of #TheBushrangersWife for review.
About the Author:
Cheryl Adnams lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has published four Australian rural romance novels and this is her first Australian historical novel. Cheryl has a Diploma in Freelance Travel Writing and Photography and has lived and worked in the United States, Canada and spent two years with a tour company in Switzerland and Austria. Her passion for Italy, volcanology and cycling have made their way into her stories and her favourite writing retreats include Positano on the Amalfi Coast and Port Willunga Beach just south of Adelaide. When she’s not writing, Cheryl is still creating in her busy full time job as a trainer and learning designer.
[image error]
The Bushranger’s Wife
Published by Escape Publishing
Released 12th August 2019
September 8, 2019
Book Review: Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes
About the Book:
Seattle, Washington
Larkin Bennett has always known her place, whether it’s surrounded by her loving family in the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest or conducting a dusty patrol in Afghanistan. But all of that changed the day tragedy struck her unit and took away everything she held dear. Soon after, Larkin discovers an unexpected treasure—the diary of Emily Wilson, a young woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for the Union in the Civil War. As Larkin struggles to heal, she finds herself drawn deeply into Emily’s life and the secrets she kept.
Indiana, 1861
The only thing more dangerous to Emily Wilson than a rebel soldier is the risk of her own comrades in the Union Army discovering her secret. But in the minds of her fellow soldiers, if it dresses like a man, swears like a man, and shoots like a man, it must be a man. As the war marches on and takes its terrible toll, Emily begins to question everything she thought she was fighting for.
My Thoughts:
“I’ve read there were hundreds of women who fought in that war, most of them disguising themselves as men, although it is impossible to know exact numbers since those known were either women who were discovered or outed themselves in newspaper articles or memoirs written after the war. The rest kept their secret hidden or were killed in battle without being discovered. Some bodies have been exhumed and found to be women.”
You know how every so often you can come across a book and it just ticks every one of those boxes for you? Today We Go Home is one of those books for me. A dual narrative set in both the present day and during the American Civil War, I found both eras and storylines equally as compelling and appreciated the way the author linked these two centuries apart women.
“I wonder, when I die, will I see the face of the person who kills me and feel only pain and hatred toward him? Or will I see the face of God as his welcoming arms surround me and feel nothing but his love, as Aunt Harriet says happens in Heaven? Does God welcome those who have taken the lives of others? I took a man’s life today. Possibly more than one, but one I know for certain because we were face-to-face and if I hadn’t killed him first, I would not be here writing these words. He was young. He was a person with a family waiting at home. When I sleep, he is there. Taunting me, laughing at me, begging me to spare him. Blood, screams, terror, all the horrors of battle fill my dreams and make me wake often. I feel covered by that man’s blood. I love most things about being a soldier, but I despise the killing.”
This novel pays homage to the military service of American women across the centuries. It’s a novel that doesn’t sugar coat the immense sacrifice of both women and men who have given parts of or their entire lives to the US military. It digs deep into PTSD and veteran suicide. I really appreciated the honesty of this novel as well as the realistic portrayal of what being a woman in the military is like. I particularly liked how the author shed some light on lesser known issues, such as the invisibility of women’s service.
“Even now, over a hundred and fifty years later, female veterans faced many of the same challenges that Emily did: being seen as inferior because of her gender, not being able to find work after being discharged from the military, earning less than men, becoming homeless.”
I am by no means in favour of war, but I certainly am pro respect the military and what they’re shouldering for the rest of us. Anti-war sentiment should never be extended to those who are laying their lives on the line. Their sacrifice goes beyond a tour of duty. This novel is an outstanding reflection of this and reiterates the need for understanding, compassion, and greater resources for assisting military personnel during and after service. Veterans in America have a suicide rate 50 percent higher than those who did not serve in the military; in raw terms, this equates to 22 veteran suicides per day. That is beyond shocking.
“Soldiers got home and realized they’d changed, yet their loved ones expected them to be the same. As if facing mortality on a daily basis was normal. As if watching friends die was normal. As if dedicating your life to your country and that service changing who you are at your very core was normal.”
The civil war history woven into this story made for compelling reading. Emily was a character I found much to admire about. Her courage and conviction, her yearning to be free – all entirely relatable. There are some really great themes explored throughout this novel. Today We Go Home is top shelf fiction that I don’t hesitate to recommend.
Thanks is extended to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Today We Go Home for review.
About the Author:
Kelli Estes lived in the deserts of eastern Washington state and Arizona before settling in the Seattle area, which she loves so much she plans to forever live near the water. She’s passionate about stories that help us see how the past shaped who we are today, and how we all have more in common than not. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.
[image error]
Today We Go Home
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark
Released 3rd September 2019
September 6, 2019
Six Degrees of Separation from A Gentleman in Moscow to The Second Cure…
[image error]
It’s the first Saturday of the month which means a new round of #6degrees and this month’s starting book is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
You can find the details and rules of the #6degrees meme at bookaremyfavouriteandbest, but in a nutshell, everyone has the same starting book and from there, you connect to other books. Some of the connections made are so impressive, it’s a lot of fun to follow.
I bought A Gentleman in Moscow wholly with the intention of reading it for this month’s six degrees but true to form, it’s still on my #tbr. It’s at the top of the pile though, I promise! I thought I might have been able to squeeze it in this past week but that turned out to be overly ambitious. As an alternative, I used the page 69 test:
Marshall McLuhan, prophet of the modern media age, recommends that the reader turn to page 69 of any book and read it. If you like that page, buy the book.
Well I’d already bought the book, but would reading page 69 give me something to work with in terms of steering me towards a link? Yes, it did. On page 69, there seems to be a discussion going on around the precision of words, which immediately brought to mind The Other Half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen. The character of Augusta loves learning and in her younger years, this manifested itself in an obsession with words and knowledge that she would bombard her family with. Running alongside Augusta’s story is that of Parfait, an African refugee who has lost most of his family to civil war. Next link! When Elephants Fight by Majok Tulba, set in South Sudan and following the life of Juba as he flees his village and treks across the desert to a refuge camp. I’m just going to jump right across to Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen now, the link being, of course, the word elephant in the title. Fun fact: Water for Elephants was the very first e-book I ever purchased, back in 2011 when I became the thrilled owner of an iRiver eReader. The last e-book I bought? Last week, and it was This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, after reading a glowing review on one of the many blogs I follow (sorry, genuinely can’t remember who raved about this novel, but if it was you, thank you!). I’m very partial to birds on book covers, being a bird lover. They always catch my eye enough to get me to at least read the blurb. The last book I read with a bird on the cover was The Breeding Season by Amanda Niehaus, just last week. It was a real blend of sex and science themes, but if we’re going to start talking about science, I’m always going to bring it back to The Second Cure by Margaret Morgan, which is my favourite science fiction novel ever.
Next month (October 5, 2019), we’ll begin with a book that Kate says everyone’s talking about – Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. I’ve never heard about it, but I have a month to find out. Watch me look it up on the Friday before! Until then…
September 5, 2019
The Week That Was…
There are now two weeks left until the September school holiday break. They can’t fly by fast enough! Not that I particularly want to get away from work, just more that I’m so tired. Really drained and in need of a break from routines.
[image error]
This week started on the wrong foot. Those connected to me on social media will know exactly what I’m talking about, for those of you who only visit here, in a nutshell, I published a negative review last month and on Sunday the author of said book insinuated on my Facebook page that I was an online bully. The groundswell of support was very moving and really helped me not get stuck in a rut over it. Although I won’t lie, the whole incident has left me second guessing myself. It might be a while before I’ve really left it all behind. I have received reassurance from the publisher that they don’t support such behaviour from their authors, so at least there’s that!
[image error]
But things looked up rapidly once Monday came along. Each year at our school we have a student council activity called ‘Make Someone’s Day’ which involves writing cards for staff and students whom you wish to relay a nice message to. I received three heartfelt cards on Monday, which was a splendid way to begin the working week. It must be the week for giving because I’ve also been the recipient of two gifts from staff members in thanks for activities I’ve participated in. And then there was the last ever QCS testing held over Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Eighteen months of preparation goes into these two days. Seeing as it was the end of an era, I brought in chocolate cake and whipped cream for our 10 students sitting the exams. Receiving good will and gifts is lovely but I’ve always drawn a lot of pleasure out of giving joy too. And chocolate cake is most definitely joyous!
[image error]
~~~~~
Joke of the week:
[image error]
~~~~~
Recommended TV:
[image error]
This 6 part drama on SBS OnDemand was excellent. One of the best TV series I’ve watched in ages. Highly recommended!
~~~~~
Book of the Week:
[image error]
~~~~~
Parcel of the week:
[image error]
Sara Donati is one of my favourite historical fiction authors. Her books are just brilliant. This is book two in her newest series, but owing to their length and scope, it’s at least three years between releases. This one is on the cards for this weekend.
Two days later, joy again as I unwrapped another parcel and discovered this:
[image error]
Best book week for deliveries in a long time!!
~~~~~
Fashion:
I’m not a fan of hats but I really want one like this.
[image error]
~~~~~
What I’m reading right now:
[image error]
~~~~~
Until next week…
September 4, 2019
#TBT What I was reading on this day four years ago…
According to Goodreads, on September 5th, 2015, I was reading:
[image error]
Such a good book with an important message for young people and parents. Have you read it?
September 3, 2019
Book Review: Meet Me At Lennon’s by Melanie Myers
About the Book:
As university student Olivia Wells sets out on her quest to find an unpublished manuscript by Gloria Graham – a now obscure mid-twentieth century feminist and writer – she unwittingly uncovers details about a young woman found murdered. Strangled with a nylon stocking in the mangroves on the banks of the river in wartime Brisbane, the case soon became known as the river girl murder.
Olivia’s detective work exposes the sinister side of that city in 1943, flush with greenbacks and nylons, jealousy and violence brewing between the Australian and US soldiers, which eventually boiled over into the infamous Battle of Brisbane. Olivia soon discovers that the diggers didn’t just reserve their anger for the US forces – they also took it out on the women they perceived as traitors, the ones who dared to consort with US soldiers.
Can Olivia rewrite history to bring justice to the river girl whose life was so brutally taken? Even if the past can’t be changed, is it possible to undo history’s erasure?
Winner of the 2018 Queensland Literary Award Glendower Award for an Unpublished Manuscript.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel, Meet Me At Lennon’s. Looking through an altered lens of wartime Brisbane, it stripped away the romanticism that often typifies war fiction. Brisbane as a military town was quite an interesting place. The US soldiers were for the most part idle, flushed with cash and contraband (stockings, cigarettes, chocolate); while the Australian soldiers were battle weary and resentful, watching from the sidelines as their US counterparts dazzled the local girls and ‘sullied’ them in the process. This is not a story though about one set of soldiers being better behaved or more respectful than the other. Rather, it is a story about the women of Brisbane and how their safety was compromised from being surrounded by so many men; how their morality was questioned; how they were often subjected to harassment and assault, and then expected to shoulder the blame for their own mistreatment.
Meet Me At Lennon’s is a dual narrative, but it differs to most that I have read in the past. The historical narrative is presented more in the fashion of short stories about women living in Brisbane and their experiences with soldiers. The women are all connected in some way, and we do return to some of the women over the course of the novel, but it was a very different sort of narrative to what you usually find within this style. It was more implicit and with clearer intent on highlighting what being a woman and going about your business entailed. The encounters and propositions, the positives and the negatives – the experiences varied widely. I really liked the way this historical narrative read. It was intelligently offered and not bogged down with genre conventions. There was a lot exposed through this narrative that was rather eye opening, much in the way that murky, swept-under-the-rug history could be once it has been dusted off.
“She’d been assuming River Girl was a random victim, but sexual offences of the ‘closer to home’ variety…made up the bulk of the files. They also invariably involved ‘carnal knowledge of a girl under 17’. That the girls in these cases were, more often than not, described as being ‘backward in [her] mentality’ or having ‘the mentality of a child of 12’, probably said more about the Mariana Trench-depth sexism of the time than the girls themselves.”
The contemporary narrative of the novel was rather interesting as well. I liked the protagonist, Olivia Wells, and felt the authenticity of her struggles and focus with her PhD manuscript. The threads between the two timelines were more embedded than you are first given the impression of and again, there was this implicit nature to the narrative that I enjoyed. It relied on the reader closely paying attention and then relishing those moments of awareness and connection. Thematically, I appreciated how the author connected those safety issues for women across the two narratives, inadvertently posing the question of what has changed, if anything. Are women safer today? Or are they still facing the same dangers within an altered context? Again, these themes are explored implicitly, giving the reader plenty of space to consider within their own mindset. If I have any quibbles at all about the novel, it did contain many characters and at times, particularly in the historical narrative, I had to really think about who this person was, had I met them yet, or was this their first appearance. This was minor though, but if you were not reading closely, you could get a bit off track and not know who was who and whom they were connected to.
Meet Me At Lennon’s contains aspects of crime and mystery, but it is not a crime novel. The historical aspect offers a wealth of social history, and conjures Brisbane of the early 1940s with a sublime atmosphere. Anyone from Queensland will appreciate the rich detail of this setting. Meet Me At Lennon’s is highly recommended reading for fans of quality literary fiction. I’m looking forward to reading more novels by Melanie Myers in the future.
Thanks is extended to University of Queensland Press (UQP) for providing me with a copy of Meet Me At Lennon’s for review.
About the Author:
Melanie Myers is a writer, academic and actor with a DCA in Creative Writing from the University of the Sunshine Coast. She has been published in Kill Your Darlings, Arena Magazine, the Brisbane Times, Overland, and Hecate, and various trade publications. Melanie’s short fiction has also won or been shortlisted for various literary competitions, including the Scarlett Stiletto Awards, S.D. Harvey Short Story Award, the Lane Cove Literary Award and Griffith Review Novella competition. She is the former artistic director of Reality Bites Festival, a non-fiction writers’ festival based on the Sunshine Coast.
[image error]
Meet Me At Lennon’s
Published by UQP
Released 3rd September 2019
September 2, 2019
Book Review: The Breeding Season by Amanda Niehaus
About the Book:
The rains come to Brisbane just as Elise and Dan descend into grief. Elise, a scientist, believes that isolation and punishing fieldwork will heal her pain. Her husband Dan, a writer, questions the truths of his life, and looks to art for answers. Worlds apart, Elise and Dan must find a way to forgive themselves and each other before it’s too late.
An astounding debut novel that forensically and poetically explores the intersections of art and science, sex and death, and the heartbreaking complexity of love. The Breeding Season marks the arrival of a thrilling new talent in Australian literature.
My Thoughts:
The Breeding Season is an unsettling read. The writing is wholly absorbing: atmospheric and beautifully tangible. I loved how the rains were woven into the narrative, almost like a living character in itself, its presence a force that demanded attention. In fact, every setting within this novel was brought to life with a careful attention to detail; this was perhaps my favourite aspect of the novel. It’s quite a gift to be able to use words to such an effect. Likewise, the experiences of grief were explicitly authentic and truly heart breaking. I felt so much sympathy for Elise and Dan, each lost within their grief, desperately needing each other yet entirely unable to overcome the breach. I felt this was a highly realistic response from two people who had been through what they had.
I was very interested in Elise’s field work and enjoyed those parts of the story where she was out and about, immersed in her work. I could relate to her need to focus and keep busy as a means of working your way through such deep grief. Dan’s obsession with his own work I felt less engaged with. I found his obsession with his uncle’s muse disturbing and his eventual actions were a disappointment. A husband’s response to his grief and inability to connect with his wife during such a volatile and desperately sad time should not be to sleep with another woman. The use of this trope soured my liking for this novel, I have to admit. I don’t feel this was a value added plot device. I cared about this couple as a unit, but when considered individually, my interest lay more with Elise and what was happening to her. I found myself disconnecting with Dan from this point on, no longer caring what actually happened to him, my concerns for Elise and what finding out about this would do to her in her fragile state over-riding Dan’s plight. Perhaps this was an intended response by the author?
There are themes running through this novel that certainly lead to deeper thought. Ideas around gender and sex roles are deeply explored, within both animals and humans. Although I have to say, for me, this story goes overboard with references to genitalia. A search and destroy on the word ‘vulva’ back at the editing stage would have been a jolly good idea. I’m pretty sure this is the most I’ve ever seen that word written in a fiction novel. It just became a bit too much. Maybe I’m a bit of a prude, I’m happy to cop that! This aside, I did find the discourse around sex roles rather engaging from a sociological point of view.
Literary fiction is a tricky beast and sometimes it can have a tendency to lean towards grim. And so it was with The Breeding Season; there wasn’t a lot of joy within these pages, so readers should be prepared for this. But it is a quality debut that sets the stage for Amanda Niehaus very nicely. I’m quite partial to novels with themes of science so I’ll be looking out for more of her work.
Thanks is extended to Allen and Unwin for providing me with a copy of The Breeding Season for review.
About the Author:
Amanda Niehaus is a scientist and writer living in Brisbane, Australia. She has a PhD in ecological physiology, a branch of biology that examines the effects of environments on bodies, and most of her research has focused on metamorphosis or the nexus of sex and death. Amanda is interested in the interplay between scientific concepts and human bodies, desires, and fears. Her essays, stories, and poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Creative Nonfiction, AGNI, NOON Annual, Griffith Review, The Writer, and Overland, among others; have been anthologised in Best Australian Essays; and her story “Breeding Season” (on which this novel is based) won the 2017 VU Short Story Prize. The Breeding Season is her first novel.
[image error]
The Breeding Season
Published by Allen and Unwin
Released September 2019
September 1, 2019
Book Review: Matters of the Heart by Fiona Palmer
About the Book:
Western Australia, 2019: The Bennets are a farming family struggling to make ends meet. Lizzy, passionate about working the land, is determined to save the farm. Spirited and independent, she has little patience for her mother’s focus on finding a suitable man for each of her five daughters.
When the dashing Charles Bingley, looking to expand his farm holdings, buys the neighbouring property of Netherfield Park, Mrs Bennet and the entire district of Coodardy are atwitter with gossip and speculation. Will he attend the local dance and is he single? These questions are soon answered when he and Lizzy’s sister Jane form an instant connection on the night. But it is Charlie’s best friend, farming magnate Will Darcy, who leaves a lasting impression when he slights Lizzy, setting her against him.
Can Lizzy and Will put judgements and pride aside to each see the other for who they really are? Or in an age where appearance and social media rule, will prejudice prevail?
Australia’s bestselling storyteller Fiona Palmer reimagines Jane Austen’s beloved classic tale of manners and marriage, transporting an enduring love story in this very twenty-first century novel about family, female empowerment and matters of the heart.
My Thoughts:
Romance and rural fiction are two genres I tend to avoid; when they are combined, I am even less inclined to read it. However, I do like Pride and Prejudice and this book has popped up in my review feed several times already and it was only just released! One of the reviews was by a blogger who tends to avoid romance as much as I do, so I decided to have a little faith, trust and pixie dust, and give it a go. My body still feels tired from a recent illness so something light and refreshing for mid-week seemed ideal.
Now, when I mentioned above that I like Pride and Prejudice, I may have been under playing my feelings. I adore Pride and Prejudice. Really, really love it. However, I have never much gone in for spin offs and modern retellings. Up until this one, the only other retelling I’d read is Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (which incidentally was very good, but read pre-review days, so sadly, no link). So how does Matters of the Heart hold up? Very well, actually. It is quite a delightful story and the contemporary setting within a rural landscape works very nicely for preserving the Pride and Prejudice essence. The deeper into the story I got, the more I admired Fiona Palmer’s ability to retell this classic story so closely to the original without at all appearing repetitive. I kept smiling at the scenes that popped up, delighting in the way they mirrored events in the original, but within their own contemporary Australian rural living context. Mrs Bennet was hilarious. She really had no shame. And those younger girls, Lydia and Kitty. Poor Jane and Lizzie. No wonder Mary stayed away at university! This is really quite an impressive retelling and a very enjoyable read in its own right. There is a lot of interesting information about farming, from the technical day to day management through to the pressures and challenges of farming within the current economic and environmental climate.
The romance takes a backseat to themes of self-worth, manners, and the way we judge other people based on our own perceptions and personalities – earning it a big tick from me. The manners focus works very well within the contemporary setting and I think that Fiona has made some valid points about the type of society we have become. Etiquette seems to have largely fled the scene and stories like this remind us that there is still a place in our world for consideration and kindness – it is almost needed more than ever really. I almost didn’t read this book, judging it on its genre, but manners prevailed and I am the richer for it. Matters of the Heart is a highly enjoyable read that I am happy to recommend widely. Moreover, if you are a Pride and Prejudice fan, this is one retelling you do not want to miss!
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Matters of the Heart for review.
About the Author:
[image error]
Before becoming an author, Fiona Palmer was a speedway driver for seven years and now spends her days writing both women’s and young adult fiction, working as a farmhand and caring for her two children in the tiny rural community of Pingaring, 350km from Perth. The books Fiona’s passionate readers know and love contain engaging storylines, emotions and hearty characters. She has written nine bestselling novels and her most recent book, SISTERS AND BROTHERS, was a Top Ten national bestseller.
[image error]
Matters of the Heart
Published by Hachette Australia
Released 27th August 2019
August 31, 2019
Challenge Check In – August
I can’t believe another month is over already. And today marks the beginning of Spring! We’ll be sweltering under the Queensland sun again before we know it.
Onto the stats:
#aww2019: 8 plus 1 #dnf
Book Bingo with Mrs B’s Book Reviews and The Book Muse: 1 book
The Classics Eight: 2 books! Look at me showing off now with this challenge. 
August 30, 2019
#BookBingo – Round 18
And for this fortnight we come to the dumbest of the bingo categories (I really don’t know what I was thinking here when I created this square):
Novella no more than 150 pages
Short stories and novellas are of no interest to me at all. I’ve tried, over and over, I really have, but next year’s bingo card is not having either of these on it. I just can’t get into them, or rather, I just seem to get into them and then they’re over.
Anyway, another reason I don’t like novellas is because they are mostly romance, Christmas themed, or involve a wedding, none of which I want to read about. But I found this one in my e-library, and it was historical fiction, so none of the above. It turned out to be a short story instead of a novella though, but it’s going to do! I’m moving on and leaving this category behind.
The Duchess’s Tattoo by Daisy Goodwin
Short and sweet. While I wasn’t even remotely interested in the duchess and her life, the tattoo artist I found quite interesting, given this was set at the beginning of the twentieth century. I wanted to know more about his artistry, his business, his clients. As well as mentioning that he was tattooing The Last Supper onto someone’s back, it talked about him inventing ink colours. That would be a fascinating novel, but alas, the novel is about the duchess, so I won’t be proceeding further on from here. But anyway, I read this for a reading challenge, so it’s served its purpose nicely!
[image error]
For 2019, I’m teaming up with Mrs B’s Book Reviews and The Book Muse for an even bigger, and more challenging book bingo. We’d love to have you join us. Every second Saturday throughout 2019, we’ll post our latest round. We invite you to join in at any stage, just pop the link to your bingo posts into the comments section of our bingo posts each fortnight so we can visit you. If you’re not a blogger, feel free to just write your book titles and thoughts on the books into the comments section each fortnight, and tag us on social media if you are playing along that way.
[image error]
