Reading the Detectives discussion
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What non-mystery books are you reading? (2023-25)
We sometimes see possums here (Massachusetts) but they are often tailless because of the cold winters (not this winter however!).
I am currently reading two non-fiction books: Love without wings: some friendships in literature and politics, from 1991, and Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire, a new release. The Palin book I would have loved to get on audio but the hard cover has pictures as recompense.
And there have been a couple of historical mysteries: Silver Lies that I sampled but didn't finish, and A Clash of Spheres, one of a series I had put aside and now need to read the remining two books immediately. It really is a very good combination of real characters and lots of imagination.
And there have been a couple of historical mysteries: Silver Lies that I sampled but didn't finish, and A Clash of Spheres, one of a series I had put aside and now need to read the remining two books immediately. It really is a very good combination of real characters and lots of imagination.
I am also very slowly working my way through The World: A Family History of Humanity. I can't take too much of this at a time and it is so long! I am on my second three-week library loan and it is on my request list for renewal yet again.

Susan in NC wrote: "My current nonfiction book is Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages by Dan Jones"
I own an Audible version so am interested in your opinion of it.
I own an Audible version so am interested in your opinion of it.

I’m enjoying Jones’ interesting take on the Middle Ages starting much earlier than traditionally thought, I appreciate that he’s taking up from the (gradual) fall of Rome, the “barbarians” who filled the void. Only barbarians from the POV of Romans - if you weren’t a citizen of Rome, you were a barbarian! I really appreciate the brisk yet informative flow, I’m listening to the audiobook as well, he’s a good narrator, his passion and humor shine through. I think his bibliography will send me down several rabbit holes! I am here for it - the news is so distressing, unbelievable that ancient grudges are still causing wars and terror. Strangely comforting to see it’s all been done before, and helpful to look at the big human picture. Always new scholarship coming to the fore, I’m excited to read younger historians published in the last 20 years or so! I’ve been out of university for 30+ years, lots of reading to catch up on!
Please excuse my nattering on, I find it all so interesting.
Susan in NC wrote: "I’m really enjoying it so far, up to chapter four or five, “The Franks” - I’ve been jumping around in my nonfiction reading over the last couple years, trying to fill in gaps in my knowledge and in..."
Very interesting and informative nattering. Reading The World: A Family History of Humanity has impressed upon me just how much of the world history is a void for me. Central American is a bit more familiar as I have taken archaeological vacations in the area.
Very interesting and informative nattering. Reading The World: A Family History of Humanity has impressed upon me just how much of the world history is a void for me. Central American is a bit more familiar as I have taken archaeological vacations in the area.

Oh, that must have been interesting! South American history was pretty much a void in school - I agree, a lot is left out of curriculum, I think it’s still names, dates, timelines, which is a shame. I think that’s why a lot of people think history is boring by the time they’re adults.
I have The World: A Family History of Humanity on my TBR, but don’t know when I’ll get to it! Sounds like it’d be a very chunky but worthwhile read.
Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m really enjoying it so far, up to chapter four or five, “The Franks” - I’ve been jumping around in my nonfiction reading over the last couple years, trying to f..."
The World is a strange read. The 'family' emphasis seems to be on dynasties killing off close relatives, and many others, in the most painful way possible. Why I only read it in short segments!
The World is a strange read. The 'family' emphasis seems to be on dynasties killing off close relatives, and many others, in the most painful way possible. Why I only read it in short segments!

Yikes! Good to know.




The site where this book is set is only a couple of hours drive from me, and I have been and toured said site, so am eager to see what this author has made of it.

The site where this book is set is only a couple of hours drive from me, and I have been and toured said site, so am eager ..."
I hope you enjoy the book - the film was beautiful and the site is very impressive.
I live near Sutton Hoo and have been there many times - will be interested to hear what you think of the book, Jill. I enjoyed the film but haven't got round to the book yet, despite meaning to!

I listen to the Shedunnit podcast, which is mainly about classic crime fiction but has just had an episode about the Chalet School books. That reminded me how much I loved them as a kid, and I've just reread one of the earliest books in the series, The Head Girl of the Chalet School, published in the 1920s and set in the Austrian Tirol.
I really enjoyed it and was surprised by how much I remembered, though it is probably nearly 50 years since I last read it! Who else rereads their childhood favourites?
I really enjoyed it and was surprised by how much I remembered, though it is probably nearly 50 years since I last read it! Who else rereads their childhood favourites?

I read and reread these as a child. They are all available on openlib.org if you want to relive your youth!
I liked the Swallows and Amazons books and The Borrowers as a child as well - I can see myself exploring more childhood favourites. I'm hooked on Chalet School nostalgia now!


I'm currently reading The Word is Murder and it's unusual; can't wait to find out "who dun it"!
A couple of weeks ago I went on a boat trip on the River Orwell in Ipswich and listened to a talk by author and comedian Robin Ince. My daughter suggested it, and we had a great afternoon.
Since then, I've been slowly reading his book Bibliomaniac: An Obsessive's Tour Of The Bookshops Of Britain, which is about a tour of independent and second-hand bookshops after lockdown - lots of fascinating nuggets in there.
Since then, I've been slowly reading his book Bibliomaniac: An Obsessive's Tour Of The Bookshops Of Britain, which is about a tour of independent and second-hand bookshops after lockdown - lots of fascinating nuggets in there.
I am reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club. Not a favorite so far but good enough to finish. The author has sub-plots involving 'every' possible post-WWI problem, and I don't find the characters riveting. I remember liking Major Pettigrew's Last Stand from many years ago.

Finished The Excitements. My review:
This was a fun read as the lives of the two elderly aunts are revealed in bits and pieces. The book bounces among various timelines: current day with their loving nephew trying to keep them upright (in both meanings), then pre-WWII, WWII and post-WWII. The characters are engaging, and the plot is exciting and unexpected.
Now I had better start our mid-month reads. I will be behind.
This was a fun read as the lives of the two elderly aunts are revealed in bits and pieces. The book bounces among various timelines: current day with their loving nephew trying to keep them upright (in both meanings), then pre-WWII, WWII and post-WWII. The characters are engaging, and the plot is exciting and unexpected.
Now I had better start our mid-month reads. I will be behind.

For a lighter, humorous touch (before bed reading), I found The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman at my library. As usual, went in to collect my hold request (the Ambrose book), started browsing, and left with a stack!

I am currently reading Sumerhills and the audio version of the first Bertie & Jeeves book, and am about to start the nonfiction The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth which I am really looking forward to. I heard the author interviewed on two different podcasts and am really stoked to have it from the library.

I am currently reading Sumerhills and th..."
Yes it is the same story. I look forward to hearing about your book on plant intelligence! Enjoy Summer Hills and Bertie and Jeeves!
I finished This Earthly Globe: A Venetian Geographer and the Quest to Map the World. I gave it four stars, rounded up. It is a series of travel logs united by the history of one man's desire to accurately map the world as it was being discovered. He used his political connections to maximum effect.
Jackie wrote: "I am currently reading Sumerhills and the audio version of the first Bertie & Jeeves book..."
I really liked Summerhills - one of my favourites by D.E. Stevenson.
I've just read another by her, Smouldering Fire, which I found very readable but thought was definitely not one of her best - it has a melodramatic plot, which isn't really her strength. But I always enjoy her books anyway!
I really liked Summerhills - one of my favourites by D.E. Stevenson.
I've just read another by her, Smouldering Fire, which I found very readable but thought was definitely not one of her best - it has a melodramatic plot, which isn't really her strength. But I always enjoy her books anyway!

I am reading The Shakespeare Requirement, follow up to Dear Committee Members. No longer written in letters, but our main character and his college are still humorously dysfunctional.

I’ve also started a delicious reread of Trouble for Lucia by E.F. Benson. So glad I’ve acquired used paperbacks of the whole series, along with audiobooks, some of my favorite books, never fail to elicit a chuckle!



That is a book I have been reading for years! I should get back to it. I think I'm about half-way through. I bought it for myself after having given it to my Dad for his birthday or something. He said it was a great book to read while sitting in waiting rooms. Something the elderly do a lot.

lol! Not just the elderly…I’m enjoying it, but yes, it’s hefty, glad I picked up the kindle on sale years ago - but very interesting. I’m listening to the audiobook, also - handy while knitting or riding my stationary bike

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For those who don't know possums, they are about the size of a large domestic cat, they are jst about everywhere and are serious pests introduced originally from Australia to become a source of fur skins. Possum fur is hollow and is an excellent insulation, I have a very warm sweater made from a mixture of cashmere and possum fur