I’ve had my head down over Pink XII (send good writing vibes, all!), but this is what I’ve been reading in those early-in-the-morning and late-at-night snippets of time:
— Jennifer Robson’s After the War Is Over
, a lovely story of lost love found and class barriers overcome in post World War I England.
— Patricia C. Wrede’s Mairelon the Magician
, a very old favorite, YA Regency paranormal in an alternate England in which magic was real. I’d forgotten until this re-read just how much Wrede’s Freddy was a direct antecedent of Turnip Fitzhugh. She also does a brilliant comic group scene. The early books of the Pink series owe Mairelon a great debt.
— Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Scout’s Progress
, which my college roommate, source of all the best books (and some serious plot help– but that’s another story) described to me as, “Yes, it’s a space opera– but, really, it’s a Regency.” And she’s so, so right. I’m only partway through, but loving it so far.
What have you been reading this week?
I’m reading Parade’s End and Cynthia Harrod Eagles’ Goodbye Picadilly (in honor of Downtown Abbey. Enjoying both thus far.
I’ve been reading Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson, by Peter Kurth, who seems convinced that the Unknown Lady of Berlin really was Grand Duchess Anastasia…
Jessica, have you seen the DVD of the movie Anastasia? One of the extras on it is a fascinating documentary which begins with the story of the real Anastasia, then the story of Anna Anderson and finally ends with the making of the movie. I thoroughly recommend it for anybody interested in the topic.
I keep forgetting to update my reading on these posts, but over the last few weeks I’ve read Susanna Kearsley’s “Season of Storms,” which I really enjoyed. I was a little wary because the last re-release of hers that I read, “Splendour Falls,” was a bit disappointing but this one was great. I also read “The Bookman’s Tale,” which I think someone recommended here last year and that was fantastic as well. It’s a mystery/thriller about whether Shakespeare wrote his plays, and I’m looking forward to reading his other book, similar plot but about Austen.
I got behind on my reporting too! I’ve read Enter Pale Death by Barbara Cleverly: this is her Joe Sandilands series which I love. He is Scotland yard and a WW1 veteran. Then I read Charles Todd’s A Fine Summer Day to get the background on my favorite tormented WW1 vet/Scotland Yard detective, Ian Rutledge. Next, a change of scenery with Murder at the Breakers. This involves a distant Vanderbilt relative at the turn of the 19th century. She has to solve a murder to bail her stepbrother out of trouble. It was quite enjoyable and I’ll be looking for more in this series. I was quite tied up for a while reading Twelve Shades of Midnight. I got it on sale on my Nook. It is 12 novels/novellas by 12 different authors all incorporating paranormal romance. I liked all but one; one was a bit flat to me. But many of them were laugh-out-load so I can recommend them. Yesterday I finished Look What the Wind Blew In by Ann Charles. This is the first of her third series, all of them sharing some connection. If you like mystery, funny dialogue, smart-mouthed heroines and cool goings on you should read her books. She writes a Deadwood series and Jackrabbit Junction series.
Finally I’m reading the third Grantchester Murders book by James Runcie, called Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil. These are the books they’re basing the latest Masterpiece Mystery series on.
Pat, I’m loving the Grantchester series (What’s not to like about James Norton and Robson Green?) Glad to hear about the books – do you think they’re as good as the series?
The books are a little different, in that you get into Sidney’s mind. Each story is the equivalent of one of the shows. I’m enjoying them both.
Thanks for the recommendation – they’ll go on my to-be-read pile.
OK, I am liking having a mental block on what I’ve been reading, to goodreads!
Read a rather predictable ghost story for book club called ‘The Swallow.’ Just too obvious. Read the Marissa Meyer Lunar Chronicles prequel ‘Fairest’ and I found it interesting that a character I don’t like, evil Queen Levana, was able to carry a book quite well, nice surprise, though I still wish it had been the final book ‘Winter.’
I got an ARC of the new Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega book ‘Dead Heat’ and while I adore her books, there were too many horses in this one. I am not and never will be a horse girl. Then I read a middle grade Downtonesque book called ‘Secrets of the Manor: Beth’s Story 1914’ and it had so many issues that I can’t enumerate them here. Seriously, SO MANY ISSUES! And now I’m catching up on the Pink Carnation re-read… I’m a few books back, doh.
I read my 5th Grace Burrowes book, Lady Sophia’s Christmas Wish and am rereading The Temptation of the Night Jasmine.
I have traveling and visiting, and I will soon be on a ship with little Internet access. But when I CEO back I will probably have a long list!
I read Margaret Moore’s Bride for a Knight and it was traditional medieval and very good.
Finished Shana Galen’s Earl’s Just Want To Have Fun and rereading Temptation of the Night Jasmine.
I’ve been listening to Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini. Its quite good for long drives, or quiet evenings at home!