I am reading quite a lot of blogs and I am also following a couple of book vlogs on Youtube. It is very interesting indeed. One thing I have noticed is that many of you are reading new books. Seems natural of course. Why is it then that I tend to read older books. I am not talking exactly about classics, but most of them were published some years back. Probably because I try to read from my TBR shelves and there are very few new books. I don't want to buy new books before I have read most of what I already have. A little bit of catch 22 there, I guess?
Time to do something I thought, and ventured down to a book shop here in Innsbruck. Most books are of course in German, and although I speak it, it would take me forever to read one. However, they do have a small English section and I was lucky to find some really nice titles.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
I loved his first book
The Silent Patient (a short review under link) and am looking forward reading his second one. Sounds thrilling.
"St Christopher's college, Cambridge, is a closed world to most. For Mariana Andros - a group therapist struggling through her private grief - it's where she met her late husband. For her niece, Zoe, it's the tragic scene of her best friend's murder.
As memory and mystery entangle Mariana, she finds a society full of secrets, which has been shocked to its core by the murder of one of its own.
Because behind its idyllic beauty is a web of jealousy and rage which emanates from an exclusive set of students known only as The Maidens. A group under the sinister influence of the enigmatic professor Edward Fosca.
A man who seems to know more than anyone about the murders - and the victims. And the man who will become the prime suspect in Mariana's investigation - an obsession which will unravel everything ..."
Don't we all love a mystery set in the academic, closed world of a British university with loads of history? My mind also went to Donna Tartt's The Secret History. Looking forward to entangle this web of mystery.
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
There is always something special with a book about books and reading. Just read a post from
Travellin' Penguin on
Lonely Planet’s Armchair Explorer Discover the Best Music, Film and Literature from Around the World. Sounds wonderful to find new authors from new countries this way. I have to find this book. In the meantime I settle with Sara Nisha Adams' Reading list.
"When Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list tucked into a tattered library book, it sparks an extraordinary journey.
For the list finds Aleisha just when she needs it most, the stories transporting her away from everything - her loneliness, her troubles at home - one page at a time. And when widower Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to connect with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha introduces him to the magic of the reading list. An anxious teenager and a lonely grandfather forming an unlikely book club of two.
Some stories never leave you. And some change your life, forever."
Sounds like a fascinating read and I hope for tips for good books.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
I am really glad I found this book. So many raving reviews going around about this book. I have already read it so a review will come soon.
"In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.
But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club fins themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late?"
Reminds to be seen, but of course I know all about it now. To be revealed.
Löpa varg by Kerstin Ekman
I have actually read a very new book which just came out the other month. Kerstin Ekman is one of Sweden's most famous, and popular authors. She was part ot the Swedish Academy, but resigned her chair, with a few others, over the Salman Rushdie controversy. I have only read one book earlier by her, but loved it. I think some of her books are translated into English, hardly this one yet. A free translation of the title would be
Run Woolf. In short it is about man's connection and responsibility to nature. A brilliant book and beautiful writing.
I was intrigued by one journalist comment's on the this year's Nobel Prize Laureate, Abdulrazak Gurnah, that he writes similar to P.O. Enquist and Kerstin Ekman. I like both authors so I am looking foreword reading something by him. Have any of you read him before?
So, at least a few new books that came my way. I am pondering about a few ideas about my reading for 2022. But that will be revealed closer to the end of the year.
They all sound very interesting. I have only read Richard Osman's book because I really, really, really like the guy. Will have to get the others, especially "The Reading List". I love books about books.
ReplyDeleteThe Osman book was a nice acquaintance. I understand he is out with another book?
DeleteYes, "The Man Who Died Twice".
DeleteGreat, have to look for it. I read a review (I never remember where I read it, I am hopeless, should make notes). She said it was a good second book of someone who made a huge success with the first one. Sounds promising. I really liked the characters.
DeleteI only read it because I'm a huge Richard Osman fan. Crime stories are not my favourites but I liked it and will probably read the second book for the same reason I read the first. But this time, I'll wait for the paperback.
DeleteI really liked The Reading List and reviewed it, too. I have read the Osman, mainly because my husband wanted to do a readalong, then we discovered his audiobook had slightly different names to my print book! Weird. We did enjoy it though are still confused about one plot point (how did the euros get there and why?). If you know, do tell me!
ReplyDeleteWeird thing with the names. There was not really an explanation. I presume you mean the money on the table in the photograph? Probably just a reference to how much money they made from their doggy businesses. Or, have I already forgotten about some other euros? Quite possible.
DeleteMmmh ... I don't understand the question. Where do they mention Euros? It's been a while and I probably would have realized if they had to pay in Euros.
DeleteSo, if you tell us when they turn up, I could have a look.
I presume it is the euros on the table in the photograph that turned up during the investigation.
DeleteNo, that's pounds. Steve the gym owner mentions a packet of euros that was handed into him. The detective thinks he's been very brave mentioning them and giving them to the police. It's a red herring that the Cypriot guy has been over intimidating Steve, leading us away from what really happened to him. But then how did they get there and who brought them?
DeleteI just imagined because he's Cypriot, he has Euros. I will see whether I find another reason when I find that part in the book but I doubt he gives more clues.
DeleteAs to the names in the audiobook - is one of your editions American?
Ok, I see. I had forgotten that. I found the police's interview with Steve. He hands over a wallet with 5.000 €. Presumably belonging to Johnny Gunduz. As I understand it he died, or were killed, while visiting England from Cyprus. He left his money with Steve who haded it over to the police. I think Johnny, just had some cash with him on his visit to England. Maybe to pay someone off, or just to live on for a while. Probably, not more mysterious than that. Although, one has to think the money comes from criminal activities.
DeleteI see, yes, I just presumed that was money he brought from Cyprus and therefore forgot. But I agree, probably criminal money. Why else would you walk around with €5.000?
DeleteNice! I received an unrequested review copy of The Maidens, but haven't started it yet. And I requested The Reading List through my library. Looking forward to your thoughts on these
ReplyDeleteI really loved his first book, and have high hopes on this one. I listened to a book vlog yesterday, that I am following. Emmie did not like it at all. On the other hand, she is young and usually read different kind of books. Although she is studying literature and would have an open mind. Well, well, we can't love them all.
DeleteOh I put a comment here and it's disappeared! I read the Osman with my husband on audio book and me on the paperback and we enjoyed it, but had a problem with one plot point (the euros? Why?). I enjoyed The Reading List, although you might find you've read the books on the List already!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, it is on-line above. I am on The Reading List now and really love it. I was happy to see that I have read all the books on the list except two; Little Women and A Suitable Boy. Both on my mind to read though.
DeleteI have read both of those books. I'm sure you'll love them, Lisbeth. Guess I'll have to get "The Reading List".
DeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteThank you, see it now!
DeleteThese look very good to me, especially the reading list and the Thursday murders!
ReplyDeleteThe Thursday murder club was a charming and funny book. A review will come soon. I am now reading the list and it is also very good. Easy reads that still give you food for thought about life and its mysteries.
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