Reading the Detectives discussion
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What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022)
I finished Colson Whitehead's Harlem Shuffle a wonderfully absorbing character-led crime novel, that's also a marvellous recreation of Harlem and New York in the late 1950s, early 1960s, substantial and satisfying.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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I found the book quite engaging even though I knew much of the story, particularly the ending. The characters are vivid, the mood is tense and Mary is courageous and sympathetic. She should have married better. I would have liked a quick reread to appreciate the atmosphere and flavor but, as I said, the library called.
Back to Fingerpost!
Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book was due, other requests had a..."How odd. I just added this to my list and ordered a used copy from Amazon as well.
David Rizzio and Mary, Queen of Scots
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I'm sure you will get a much more complete history with your book (if nothing else, it is twice as long). I'm tempted to read more but need to wait until my reading commitments are fewer. If you do read Rizzio afterwards, I would be interested in a comparison.
Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book was due, other requests had a..."Her story is rather tragic. She might have been better served if she had followed cousin Elizabeth's lead and never married. But ultimately, the threat of Catholic vs. Protestant during that time period was too dangerous to allow figures that rebellions could rally around to live.
Sandy wrote: "Thom wrote: "Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book wa..."Like you I know quite a bit about both of them. Personally I think Elizabeth was a fool to allow herself to sign that condemnation of Mary. The biggest clue is that the letter she was shown was in English and Mary only wrote letters in French.
I've always wondered why Mary didn't get on a horse and just ride her way to somewhere like France or parts of the UK that would've sheltered her. Shame.
Tara wrote: "Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book was due, other ..."Yes, I agree. Her husband was an idiot IMO. Although I liked Mary more over the years when reading about her, Elizabeth does appear to have more common sense over all. But she was still goaded into thinking Mary was working against her.
Two thing never changes over the eons - nasty politics and human nature.
Thom wrote: "Tara wrote: "Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book wa..."Perhaps at the end of the day Elizabeth figured Mary was better as a martyr than a pretender to the throne. It does seem as though she had reservations about killing a fellow female monarch for the precedent it would set, but obviously not enough to stop her from going through with it. But ultimately Mary won out, as it was her son that succeeded the childless Elizabeth.
Current non-mystery reads:
Miami Massacre by Don Pendleton Book 4 in the series. This series launched the whole men's action genre back in the 1970s. There is something satisfying about the way Mack Bolan takes down the Mob. Mindless fun.
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien Book 3 of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.Both books are rereads. This is at least my third reading of TLOTR.
Tara wrote: "Thom wrote: "Tara wrote: "Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read a..."Hard to say. The only info that was passed down is that she felt betrayed after Mary had sworn allegiance. Those were obscene times for sure what with all the killings and tortures. Although, looking at the news, human nature hasn't improved very much.
The Nightinghouls of Paris
Agatha Christie and Shrewd Miss Marple This one is about the Jane Marple herself. Will soon be onto:
The Paris Wife
The Hut Six Story: Breaking the Enigma Codes
Master of the Senate
A while ago I read and posted a short review of a book called "Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything" about some of the bizarre and disgusting medical practices in ages past. Some of it was hilarious.
Barbara wrote: "A while ago I read and posted a short review of a book called "Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything" about some of the bizarre and disgusting medical practices in ages pas..."Oh, I read that one too! Yes, some of it was outlandish- entertaining history.
That does look good. I recently read Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead by Barbara Comyns, which was about a mystery illness that spread through a village causing madness and death. Quite dark, but very funny in a gruesome way. Great for halloween.I'm now reading One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes, an old favourite.
I'm not sure if this would be considered a mystery, but I am mostly done with My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. The writing is elegant and beautiful, but good lord, Philip can be really insufferable at times!
November is going to have to be a non-mystery month for me, much as I would like to read The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy. I already have more than 2,000 pages on my required reading list for November and the stack keeps growing. Currently working my way through a lovely and accomplished (rare) Austenesque novel, The Year in Between: A Sense and Sensibility Variation by Christina Morland, and starting The Miscellaneous Works of Tobias Smollett, M. D.: The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker. the Adventures of an Atom by Tobias Smollett. After that it’s Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer, Gentian Hill by Elizabeth Goudge, and Corduroy by Adrian Bell, and there’s a book-for-review headed my way thanks to a kind publicist.
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Thanks, Judy! Right now it seems overwhelming, especially because a couple of them are 500+ pages, but I’ll just have to keep whittling away.
I read Corduroy this month and loved it. Very nostalgic, a bygone era of farming, and yet in some ways things haven't changed so much. Hope you enjoy it.
I have just finished The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski, which I thought would make an excellent halloween read. It did. Quite chilling.
Thanks for the recco, Tania! I have a charming edition from Slightly Foxed, which always lends the reading a degree of pleasure even if I don’t love the book.
I love the Slightly Foxed editions, I think they're about to bring out an essay collection by him too. They are the perfect size as well as a very interesting selection. I got my copy from the library though.*Edit: I looked it up, it came out on 12/10. Tempted! https://foxedquarterly.com/adrian-bel...
Today I finished a book from Netgally, Wahala, described as a thriller, a cross between 'Sex and the City' and My Sister, the Serial Killer. I thought it was probably closer to the former than the latter. Also, I was disappointed by the rather misogynistic narrative; 3 main characters, the two with husbands and family come across as selfish for wanting a career, the third, who wants a family, comes across much more sympathetically. I'm used to coming across similar attitudes in the much older books I tend to read, (The Case of the Gilded Fly), but it's a shame this is still a thing in many modern books.
Tania wrote: "3 main characters, the two with husbands and family come across as selfish for wanting a career, the third, who wants a family, comes across much more sympathetically. I'm used to coming across similar attitudes in the much older books I tend to read, (The Case of the Gilded Fly), but it's a shame this is still a thing in many modern books. "We read (or I read) two books about the same time - Evil Under the Sun, by Christie, and Fashion in Shrouds, by Allingham, and in both the very successful fashion designer woman was being bullied into giving up her career, to fit herself to marry. The characters, and the authorial voice, saw nothing wrong with this. But I agree that to find the same attitude in more recent books is depressing.
It is. The book comes out next January. I don't read many current books, but I wonder how prevalent it is in them, especially domestic noir.
After being very much disappointed with The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books, I am riveted by Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. The various activities and amusements that the men used to engage in as a way to kill the long hours is so fascinating.
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and am really loving it. It was my spooky, Halloween read, but I am enjoying it. I like a ghost story, more than horror, which is too scary!
I’m also reading ghostly and horror short stories, just finished Personal Demons and now started Christopher Fowler Rex Collings Victorian Ghost stories
I finished a Civil War book, Bushwhackers and Broken Hearts: Letters from Missouri during the Civil War by P.J. Sullivan. Consists of letters to a loved one who enlisted with the Union army. Would have felt more complete if there had been any letters from the enlistee to his family/friends. He was miffed at his wife (who may/not have been carrying on with someone in the area) and said on his papers that he didn't have a wife or any children. He had three children. So the G never sent her any money (allotment) and probably denied her a pension.
I just picked up There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century by Fiona Hill from my library. Sounds interesting from her book tour interviews I saw.
Currently reading a lovely older historical novel, set in Devon during the Napoleonic Wars: Gentian Hill by Elizabeth Goudge. I’m supposed to be reading Heart of Darkness for a book group, but who wouldn't rather read Elizabeth Goudge?
Abigail wrote: "Currently reading a lovely older historical novel, set in Devon during the Napoleonic Wars: Gentian Hill by Elizabeth Goudge. I’m supposed to be reading Heart of Darkness..."is this for the retro reads group? I assume so as they just started a group read of Gentian Hill.
Yes, I’m the one who nominated Gentian Hill for the group read. My hometown reading group is discussing Heart of Darkness next Wednesday so I have to get to it soon.
I agree, Abigail! I'm busy with Jerusalem: The Biography which is a fascinating read. Tons of information, but easy to digest.
I'm about a third of the way through Cold Warriors: Writers Who Waged the Literary Cold War. An interesting look from a different perspective of many famous writers, particularly the ones who got themselves embroiled in the Spanish Civil War.
After researching my books for this topic, I had to laugh. I finished all my challenges and just let loose on what to read next. My "to-read-own" pile would make you cringe. The last thirteen books (and the two current) are all mysteries! The one prior to this mass mystery reads is titled Five Equations That Changed the World. The author broke the equations down into stories as to how they were developed, the jealousies and infighting (including between fathers and sons!) that occurred, the final development, and then how those older discoveries were used in more modern achievements (although one of those achievements is the atom bomb, take that as you will.) The whole book was actually rather fascinating.
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Carolien wrote: "I agree, Abigail! I'm busy with Jerusalem: The Biography which is a fascinating read. Tons of information, but easy to digest."
This sounds interesting, Carolien - put it on my nonfiction TBR list, thanks!
Judy wrote: "Wow, I'm impressed to hear you have read a book about equations, Gail! It sounds very unusual and interesting."It really does- I doubt I’d understand the actual equations, but I like the look behind the scenes at the people who did the work.
Currently reading Jane Austen and Shelley in the Garden: An Illustrated Novel by Janet Todd. Less fun than the title.
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Interesting description!
Well, it’s a very hard book to describe. Some academics, present and one retired, wander about Cambridge, Wales, and Venice desultorily tracking connections to Percy Bysshe Shelley. One of the academics has Jane Austen for an imaginary friend. They engage in disjointed conversations about Shelley and various other subjects. Hints (not yet fully realized though I’m 2/3 of the way through) that some aspects of their real lives will be echoed by aspects of Shelley’s life. Waiting for it to all come together. I guess this is a less interesting description! That’s part of the problem—the more you try to pin it down, the less interesting it is. Perhaps Janet Todd should stick to biography, but I don’t want to pass final judgment till I finish it.
I'm currently reading Latchkey Ladies, set towards the end of WW1, which is really good. It's being re-published next March, but is currently available on Eidelweiss Plus.I've also just started Goshawk Summer: A New Forest Season Unlike Any Other by James Aldred, who found himself filming Goshawks during lockdown. Just started, but I think thos will be really interesting.
Abigail wrote: "Well, it’s a very hard book to describe. Some academics, present and one retired, wander about Cambridge, Wales, and Venice desultorily tracking connections to Percy Bysshe Shelley. One of the acad..."No, I trust your judgment - if you’re 2/3s through and still can’t pin it down, I’d say she should stick with biographies…
Reading the Detectives
Books mentioned in this topic
Dragon Bones (other topics)A History of France (other topics)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (other topics)
Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? A Memoir (other topics)
Wessex Tales (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
John Julius Norwich (other topics)Vera Brittain (other topics)
Miss Read (other topics)
Craig Holden (other topics)
Karen Abbott (other topics)
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This group is going to keep me..."
We did She Stoops to Conquer when I was in college. An alum who was a working actress at the Guthrie Theatre came back to play the lead. As a character actor, I got to do two roles. It was a lot of fun on all fronts. Hard to believe that was about 44 years ago.