So, I thought to myself today, that I might see if I like doing a Monday Reads on here. Sharing once a week the books I have been reading, am reading and might be reading next. And so here we are. Books.
Recently, I have re-read a lot but then last week, after finishing Persuasion for the millionth time, I decided to read some fresh books off the stack and that’s what I did. With mixed results.
BOOKS PAST
The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings
A dystopian fantasy novel set in a version of the USA that has deemed that all women have to register whether they are a witch and if you are not married by 28 and settled down, then you may be investigated if you are a witch anyway. Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was 13 and her life has been difficult ever since, and is set to become even more complicated with her 28th birthday approaching. And then a mysterious legacy from her mother arrives…
I really wanted to like this, but sadly it was just barely ok for me. Full of message and allegories for the actual US, it delivered plenty on that front, but the plot was just not really doing it for me. The language is very beautiful in places, and some imagery the author uses was incredible. Plot, however, is essential for me in a book like this. It is set up to a plotty novel and so when the plot has holes in it, I am left feeling a bit frustrated.
Murder at the Priory Hotel by Merryn Allingham
Book 4 in the Flora Steele mystery series. Sussex in the 1950ies, Flora runs the local bookshop after her aunt passed away and Jack is the local writer of crime fiction. Together, they become the sleuthing team in this cosy series. I adored the first 3 and so this 4th was a bit of a disappointment to me. Not bad, but just not as good as the others. I can forgive that in a series, and I am sure to pick up the next one anyway.
Hidden Heritage by Fatima Manji
Fatima Manji is a British broadcaster and journalist, and she wrote this book mainly because of her frustration with the lack of knowledge surrounding the art and objects that hail from the East and can be found in English country houses, yet no one seems to know what they are. At least the room attendants did not. I absolutely adored this book, and I am determined to see every single item mentioned in the book as a tour of Britain following this book. As much as I know about British history, there is always, always something new to be found out, and I loved how Manji’s fascination and delight of her discoveries jumped off the page.
BOOKS PRESENT
Small Bodies of Water by Nina Mingya Powles
I have followed Nina on instagram for years (love also her sewing instagram @sewingwriter) and so I am ashamed that I have not picked up her book earlier. I love nature writing and I love questions of belonging, so this should be up my street.
365 ways to have a good day by Ian Sanders
Someone please stop me from requesting these kinds of books. I am only about 20 things in, and I am already feeling irritated. I was debating whether to include this, but at times, as readers, I feel we have to own up to our utterly, utterly bad decisions. So, this might be a DNF (did not finish) sooner rather than later.
A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
I love a mystery, I adore crows, so of course, I requested it. Just started it this afternoon before dinner, so not much to say. It’s the start of a new series following an ecologist, who becomes a sleuth to clear her name. I am not particularly fond of that kind of trope, but I do love a village mystery. This is set to be published 1st of July.
BOOKS FUTURE
Divide by Anna Jones
You may know Anna Jones from her cookery books. A Modern Way to Eat is a firm favourite in the Martin household, then again so are her others, because I own all her cookery books. Yes, I am a bit of a fan. Funnily enough, I know nothing about her. So I figure this book will educate me not just on her viewpoints but also about her. I just hope, I don’t find that I don’t like her. I think this book is part memoir of her growing up in Wales and now living in London. Hm, we shall see. This came out earlier this year.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah
I am both very excited to read this fantasy novel and really worried, because I really want to love it. The premise sounds amazing. I love the criminal who has to redeem themselves trope, I love high stakes, I just hope it delivers. Some people I know have similar fantasy tastes to mine already said, they love it… so, fingers crossed.
So tell me what are you reading?
Thank you for the heads up on If Women Could Fly. I’ve been thinking about buying it (the blurb sounded so good) but as I’m struggling to find as much time as I’d like to read anyway, will spend it on Hidden Heritage instead. It sounds fascinating!
I’m barely reading these days. I appreciate some honest recommendations and I’m sure I’d enjoy Hidden Heritage. I’d like some fiction too but I’m so fussy that I DNF most of what I pick up lately.