Tarissa's Scottish Reads

[Tarissa]

I'm signing up for 6-10 Scottish reads this year. It suited me well last year, so I'll aim for the same numbers again.

My plans include some classics by Arthur Conan Doyle, R. M. Ballantyne, A. J. Cronin, and Peter Marshall, along with some others as I find them.

Is anyone else planning to read from these authors?

[Tarissa]

My first Scottish book is complete for the year!


#1. [written by Scottish author]

How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse
by Cressida Cowell
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John]

Tarissa wrote: "I'm signing up for 6-10 Scottish reads this year. It suited me well last year, so I'll aim for the same numbers again.

My plans include some classics by Arthur Conan Doyle, R. M. Ballantyne, A. J...."

I read a couple of A.J. Cronin's as part of last year's challenge and enjoyed them, so was planning to read at least one more this year - probably either The Stars Look Down or Hatter's Castle.

[Tarissa]

John wrote: "Tarissa wrote: "I'm signing up for 6-10 Scottish reads this year. It suited me well last year, so I'll aim for the same numbers again.

My plans include some classics by Arthur Conan Doyle, R. M. B..."

Fantastic, John! I've only read The Citadel by Cronin... that was in 2012 for me. Have wanted to read more ever since.

[Tarissa]

#2. [written by Scottish author]

The Young Fur Traders: A Tale of the Far North
by R.M. Ballantyne
Review: http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/201...

[Tarissa]

#3. [written by Scottish author]

The First Easter
by Peter Marshall & Catherine Marshall (editor)
Review: http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/201...

[Tarissa]

#4. [written by Scottish author]

The Suicide Club
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tarissa]

#5. [written by Scottish author]

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tarissa]

The year's not even half up, and I've made it into the 6-10 range already! At this rate, I could level up later on. :O


#6. [written by Scottish author]

The Valley of Fear
by Arthur Conan Doyle

Admittedly, this is a creepy story (or rather the second half is). Part I is greatly enjoyable -- a basic Sherlock Holmes mystery (had plenty of intrigue, and utilized the same pattern that most of the canon follows). However, Part II? I'm not crazy over it, that's for sure.

Read more of my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Mrs. C.]

Tarissa wrote: "#2. [written by Scottish author]

The Young Fur Traders: A Tale of the Far North
by R.M. Ballantyne
Review: http://i..."

[Mrs. C.]

Tarissa wrote: "#3. [written by Scottish author]

The First Easter
by Peter Marshall & Catherine Marshall (editor)
Review: http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/2018/..."

Great review!

[Tarissa]

#7. [Scottish setting]

The Blackhouse
by Peter May

It did have a cool way of intertwining the present day story with flashbacks from the past -- which for me was the most intriguing thing about the whole story. Also, it did have a great twist at the end; I certainly hadn't accurately pegged the killer myself, but then, there were all the clues.

Read more of my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tarissa]

#8. [Scottish setting]

A Highlander for Christmas
by Jamie Carie

Just a light romance that fit in with having Christmas cheer in July...

Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tarissa]

#9. [Scottish author]
The Keys of the Kingdom

by A.J. Cronin

Such a fantastic (fictional) missionary story... a Scotsman in China for over 3 decades.

Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



#10. [Scottish author]
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

by Muriel Spark

An enigmatic story, filled with dark intrigue.

Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ellen]

Just noticed, you’ve reached the top end of your challenge Tarissa! Well done :) I like your ‘dark intrigue’ comment about the Jean Brodie book and your review is excellent!

[Tarissa]

Ellen wrote: "Just noticed, you’ve reached the top end of your challenge Tarissa! Well done :) I like your ‘dark intrigue’ comment about the Jean Brodie book and your review is excellent!"

Thanks, Ellen.
This is the first time in participating in this challenge that I'm going to go over my goal (if I'm remembering correctly...) For that, I'm excited! It's all these group reads that have piqued my interest. :)

[Ellen]

Tarissa wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just noticed, you’ve reached the top end of your challenge Tarissa! Well done :) I like your ‘dark intrigue’ comment about the Jean Brodie book and your review is excellent!"

Thanks,..."

That’s awesome, and so happy to hear you’re enjoying the group reads. They’ve encouraged me to read different books out of my comfort zone, you never know what folk are going to come up with :)

[Tarissa]

Ellen wrote: "Tarissa wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just noticed, you’ve reached the top end of your challenge Tarissa! Well done :) I like your ‘dark intrigue’ comment about the Jean Brodie book and your review is exce..."

Exactly! I'm definitely stretching my comfort zone by reading new-to-me titles. I'm excited about the new group read for this month, whatever it turns out to be.

[Tarissa]

I just discovered a few more titles that I haven't added for the year to this list... Also, I didn't realize I could surpass my goal for this year by so much -- might have to up my game next year. =)

#11. [Scottish author]
A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons

by Cressida Cowell

Opens up the magic of books for youngsters...

4 Star Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



#12. [Scottish author]
The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

by Tobias Smollett

A likeable story written in a fun style...

3 Star Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



#13. [Scottish person bio]
Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World's Most Famous Detective Writer

by Margalit Fox

The man behind the world's most famous fictional detective was, in fact, a detective too...

5 Star Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...