Sunday, November 17, 2013

UPDATE: The Week that Was, and October Reads




Since my last update:
I finished listening to A Christmas Guest by Anne Perry on audiobook. It was great, and I've already started listening to the next book in these stand-alone Christmas Victorian-set books. They are simple and short, and fans of Anne Perry would love them.

I also finished Blood Safari by Deon Meyer, a mystery set in South Africa. I am reading his backlist having discovered his recent books. This was the first book with Lemmer in it, and a book I"ve been meaning to read for a few years. It was a bit of a chunkster, with over 500 pages, so it feels good to get it read.

Although I have been trying to read my own books this year, I did order two books from my favorite series': Strange Shores by Arnaldur Indridason, and Treasure Hunt by Andrea Camilleri. They arrived this week. As soon as I finish re-reading The Book Thief for my real-life book club and the movie coming out, I'm diving into one of them.

Other than books and reading:
Report marks were due today, so some frantic marking has been going on. But I am done now, so can enjoy the evening getting classes ready for this week. My parents got moved, the girls were in a ringette tournament (played 3 games each) and we took down the trampoline and moved it up to the 'new' house. Another showing of the house tomorrow, which means cleaning tonight. 

Books Read in October
68. Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger
Started very promising, creepy ghosts and twins abounding, London setting with Highgate Cemetery. But the young girls who moved to London were strange, with absolutely no coping or life skills. A terrible decision by adults set in motion the finale which I wasn't as impressed with. Selfish people.

69. The Woman Upstairs - Claire Messud (audiobook)
This one has a funny story with it. (For an excellent actual review, see Bellezza's review) I had this on my iPhone, and was cutting it close to finish before it was automatically deleted off my phone. Too close. With only a little over one hour to listen to, poof, gone. And it was so popular at the library, that I couldn't renew it, couldn't get a hard copy (30+ in line). Eventually I found that the CDs were only out with one person who thankfully returned it early so I could listen to the ending. It was one of those books that builds up the entire narrative to the shocking ending that happens on the last page or so. 

70. Nemesis - Jo Nesbo
The second book in the Harry Hole, Swedish detective book. He's broken, he's not a team player, but he inspires loyalty in some around him. Good series, and I'll continue.

What's new with you?