NetGalley

[Susan]

That's good. I love our reading groups, I appreciate NetGalley, but I don't want to be so overwhelmed that I can't slip in some non-fiction or a purely personal read.

[Bronwyn]

Long shot, but does anyone know of a workaround for something that’s only available on the NetGalley shelf app and not kindle? I probably wouldn’t have requested the Rothschild book if I’d realized, because the app isn’t too convenient for me.

[Sid]

Bronwyn wrote: "Long shot, but does anyone know of a workaround for something that’s only available on the NetGalley shelf app and not kindle?..."

I don't, I'm afraid, and I suspect you may be stuck with it, Bronwyn. I had a similar problem with a book I could only read with Adobe Digital Editions on my laptop (not practicable) and never managed to convert it to a format I could actually use. It's the only book for which I have ever said "Will not give feedback".

You have my sympathies; it's really annoying. Some fantastically brainy person may be able to help here, but I think your only options are to use the NG app or don't give feedback. (And for what it's worth, I can't get the app even to work on my phone. I hate the thing!)

[Susan]

I have also requested books, only downloadable on my laptop. Although I did work it out, I decided I wasn't willing to read a book that way and didn't give feedback.

I downloaded the app, only when they did audiobooks, but I haven't actually used it yet!

[Roman Clodia]

I use the NetGalley Shelf app all the time for both books and audiobooks so it might be worth giving it a try even if it takes a bit of getting used to. One of the benefits is that ARCs that have garbled formatting on Kindle appear perfectly on Shelf.

[Bronwyn]

I’ll definitely give it a try. I have had issues with formatting (the last one was terrible…), so that’s a plus for the app. It’s going to take me longer to read than I’d like, but oh well. Thanks guys! :)

[Roman Clodia]

On NG now: Young Bloomsbury: The Generation That Redefined Love, Freedom, and Self-Expression in 1920s England

www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/250389

[Bronwyn]

Ooh that sounds interesting. I’ll have to hope it turns up for US too.

[Susan]

That sounds fab, thanks, RC. Not that I need more books, obviously!

[Alwynne]

Fitzcarraldo edition of Guadalupe Nettel's Still Born available for instant download on Netgalley UK and Kamila Shamsie's new novel for pre-approval.

[Susan]

You can now wish for Bad Actors on NetGalley, although it isn't available for request.

[Lady Clementina]

Annie Ernaux's Do What They Say or Else is on Edelweiss as a download. An author I'm yet to try but have been meaning to so will probably get a copy

[Roman Clodia]

Lady Clementina wrote: "Annie Ernaux's Do What They Say or Else is on Edelweiss as a download. An author I'm yet to try but have been meaning to so will probably get a copy"

Thanks, Lady C - Ernaux is one of my favourite writers so I grabbed that! Hope you enjoy it :)

[Lady Clementina]

Glad to hear that RC. I've been wanting to pick up her books for a while now, but seem to spend much of my time with review copies rather than my own purchases. This is a good excuse to get to her

[Susan]

The Twist of a Knife is on NetGalley

I've requested but also pre-ordered. Wasn't lucky with the Herron.

Our deal is over.' That's what reluctant author Anthony Horowitz tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne in an awkward meeting. The truth is that Anthony has other things on his mind.

His new play, Mindgame, is about to open in London's Vaudeville theatre. Not surprisingly Hawthorne declines a ticket.

On opening night, Sunday Times critic Harriet Throsby gives the play a savage review, focusing particularly on the writing.

The next morning she is found dead, stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which, it turns out, belongs to Anthony and which has his finger prints all over it.

Anthony is arrested, charged with Throsby's murder, thrown into prison and interrogated. Alone and increasingly desperate, he realises only one man can help him.

But will Hawthorne take his call?

[Nigeyb]

Great premise


Sounds wonderful. I'm all in. Will request. Thanks Susan

[Susan]

Fingers crossed we get approved, Nigeyb. Anyone else love this series as much as we do? RC?

[Sid]

Thanks, Susan - requested. I've read the first two, but need to get round to A Line To Kill urgently, it seems!

[Susan]

Sid wrote: "Thanks, Susan - requested. I've read the first two, but need to get round to A Line To Kill urgently, it seems!"

It's 99p at the moment, so download it now, Sid :)

[Sid]

I've had it for ages, just not read it yet - you know how it is...

[Susan]

I know all too well...

[Susan]

There aren't that many authors who I drop everything for to read immediately. Mick Herron is one and I think Anthony Horowitz is another, although only the series I follow and this is my ultimate fave of his.

[Sid]

Agreed about MH. AH, less so. I like him (usually) but not to the extent of dropping everything else. In fact, I can't really think of another author I do that for. Susan Hill's Serrailler series, perhaps, although I've been a bit less keen on the more recent ones.

[Susan]

I used to do it for Bernie Gunther.

I also used to do it for Shardlake, although I have got a bit behind. His first is an Audible Deal of the day and I've been trying to convince Nigeyb to try him for ever!

[Sid]

I was never as keen on Bernie Gunther as most people. He was OK, but didn't quite do it for me, somehow.

Shardlake was great for the first four or so, and then palled for me, too. Not sure why. I don't usually do too well with historical mysteries, though. I quite like Cadfael in small quantities, but never got on with C.J. Sansom's Bruno - probably because I know a bit about the real Bruno and wasn't keen on the fictionalised version.

It's probably just another of my grave personal failings.

[Susan]

Do you mean Matthew Shardlake, Sid, or are we talking about a different series?

[Roman Clodia]

The Giordano Bruno series is by S.J. Parris - I liked the first couple but then got bored. Sort of easy to mix up with Shardlake though Shardlake is Henry VIII and Bruno is Elizabethan ;)

[Sid]

Susan wrote: "Do you mean Matthew Shardlake, Sid, or are we talking about a different series?"

The series by C.J. Sansom - sorry, I get him and S.J. Parris muddled up sometimes, which I know I shouldn't.

[Roman Clodia]

And thanks for thinking of me with the Horowitz but I'm just so-so on him and didn't like the first of this series - I'd read his next Magpie Murders book though (if there is one).

[Sid]

Roman Clodia wrote: "The Giordano Bruno series is by S.J. Parris - I liked the first couple but then got bored. Sort of easy to mix up with Shardlake though Shardlake is Henry VIII and Bruno is Elizabe..."

It's the similarity of initials. And the fact that I haven't read either for some years. And the fact that I'm losing my marbles...

[Susan]

I haven't read the Parris ones, although I am pretty sure I have them on kindle. Those 99p downloads are SO tempting...

[Roman Clodia]

Sid wrote: "It's the similarity of initials."

Completely understandable - I'd guess the publishers did that deliberately with Parris to indicate a 'brand'.

I'm not really a Shardlake fan and just get hypercritical about him getting his history wrong so best for me to stay away. Parris is actually much better in historical terms, though Bruno gets increasingly implausible.

[Susan]

Perhaps I need to dig out Parrish. I have been so busy, I haven't had as much reading time.

[Nigeyb]

Susan wrote:


"I've been trying to convince Nigeyb to try him for ever"

I know I'll love Shardlake so will have to time it right. One day Susan.

[Susan]

Yes, I know. I'll keep trying! Audible Deal of the day - just saying....

[Susan]

I was approved for the Horowitz - anyone else heard?

[Nigeyb]

Susan wrote: "I was approved for the Horowitz - anyone else heard?"

Yes. Me too

[Nigeyb]

V happy though feeling even more under pressure books-wise


Happy pressure though. I think.

[Susan]

Hurrah! Yes, a lot of pressure, but I do love the series and am excited to read it.

[Nigeyb]

Me too - those books are a real pleasure and a lot of fun. Excited to see where he takes the stories and the characters next

[Sid]

Yes, approved too. I've just started A Line To Kill in preparation. Slightly odd to be back in the Channel Islands so soon after The Sirens Sang of Murder .

[Susan]

Double hurrah!

[Roman Clodia]

Just flagging My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor is now on NetGalley. Set in 1943 Rome so may be of interest to some here (Susan? Nigeyb?) I haven't read O'Connor but I think he's been mentioned in book chat before.

[Susan]

I've read it, thanks RC. I didn't think to flag it - apologies. I've had some good NetGalley books recently and am currently reading the new Janice Hallett.

[Roman Clodia]

Ah, just read your review, Susan, and delighted to see you loved it - something to look forward to!

[Roman Clodia]

I wondered about Janice Hallett, do you think I'd like her?

[Susan]

A friend suggested I'd like the first one. I never got to it, but read the second on NetGalley and I liked, but didn't love, it. Then I read this one, which I'm really enjoying. She's fun, but I am not certain you would like her. It's a bit 'True Crime Story,' which I can see we both gave 4 stars. So, if you fancy something quite similar, then you might give it a go.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks RC, thanks Susan

[Roman Clodia]

Ooh, the new Jane Casey/Maeve Kerrigan is now available on NetGalley: The Close

[Susan]

Not a series I've read - do you think I would like them, RC? Will buddy read House of Cards if it doesn't win, should you wish to?