I first #read The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite in Feb 2020 when I had a mystery virus that put me to bed for a week. I can only plead illness for giving it only 4⭐️ in GR. This week, I bought the #audiobook. I’ve now revised to a perfect 5⭐️ - a perfect F/F #historicalromance. In addition to the #romance, it dives into access & equity debates of women’s & 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ rights. @romancebooks@bookstodon#books#reading#romancelandia https://amzn.to/3Sn3z50
just started listening to In An Absent Dream, book 4 of #TheWaywardChildrenSeries by @seananmcguire, and holy fuck, get out of my brain. how she managed to create my exact childhood likeness in the character of Katherine Victoria Lundy, aged 6-8, I'll never know
I'm really enjoying this series, and I'm only 30 minutes into book 4, but it's my favorite so far (special thanks to @ninsiana0 for the recommendation)
#Bookreview Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh
read on audio
Narrator: Marie McCarthy
Harpercollins
Pub. 1962, 251pp
This is a classic crime read set in a village among a group of neighbours who’re related in various ways. I knew I was going to get on well with the #audiobook from the start as the narrator was instantly engaging, expressing the dialogue brilliantly.
The action centres around the home of snobbish Percival Pyke Period, an eccentric figure who’s writing his memoirs, alongside the cook Mrs Mitchell, his loyal servant Alfred and his new lodger Mr Cartell who has a rather troublesome dog, Pixie. The first chapters set up the world surrounding this household with the introduction of a cast of distinctive characters. I particularly liked Mr Cartell’s ex-wife, the Flamboyant Desiree Bantling, and this great description:
“with her incredible hair brushed up into a kind of bonfire, her carefree makeup, her eyebrows and her general air of raffishness she belonged, asMr Period mildly reflected, to Toulouse Lautrec rather than any contemporary background.”
She’s known for her amusing parties and there’s a long build up to her April Fool’s treasure hunt which is set to end in tragedy. In fact, as the murder doesn’t take place until about Chapter 14 I felt I knew everyone involved very well and of course there were plenty of strong motives for possible killers.
The central idea of a letter being sent in condolence to someone for the death of a loved one before the deceased was discovered was unique and played out well.
One thing that surprised me was the lack of period details to root the story to the 1960s. It seemed to me that it could’ve very easily been set in the 30s or 50s, though there were a few passing references like mentioning TV. I guess it stuck out as my other read for the #1962Club was the Miss Marple which was very much about social change.
This is my first Ngiao Marsh novel and I’ll be returning to her in future. #Bookstodon@bookstodon
Tim Johnston's DISTANT SONS: 5* A multilayered book that is so much more than the mystery at its focus. I'll say right up front that Johnston just wows. This one of my top reads of the year.
We're back with more #TaleOfTwoCities tonight, and the end draws near! Will Charles Darnay escape alive? Will the suspiciously Darnay-looking Sydney Carton devise a plan? Will Jezemiah Brunkleskin make an appearance?
Find out at https://www.twitch.tv/chilliteracy
Through a completely unavoidable series of unfortunate circumstances and coincidences, Bad Luck keeps happening to the thoroughly unfortunate Charles Darnay*! And you can find out what happens next on https://www.twitch.tv/chilliteracy
*endless foreseeable terrible choices, and nothing else
For lovely UK and Aussie people, the OverLondon audiobook is currently free for Spotify subscribers.
Why not put a smile on your dial by listening to Brendan McDonald (who read C.K. McDonnell's excellent Stranger Times - BSF 2023 Winner of Best Audio) work his magic? 😁
We were at the BFS awards when Caimh (C.K) won and we were so ridiculously happy for him and his wonderwife, Elaine. We owe them all the things for introducing us to Brendan. :blobsmilehappyeyes:
💜So grateful to the amazing @lyssachiavari, author of the incredible Iamos Trilogy, for these lovely words about the Chameleon Moon #Audiobook! Which drops this Halloween! 🎃
CHAMELEON MOON: An entirely #queer (including polyam, and #asexual-led) cast of superheroes survive a permanently-burning city with the power of love and rock n'roll!
Now getting an enhanced-audio #audiobook, which drops on #Halloween! More info on RoAnnaSylver.com!
Got a new #audiobook on the go today that I’m reading for the #1962Club which is coming up soon. The book’s Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh which I found on the RNIB Talking Book library and, judging from the first chapter, both the story and audio narration are going to be very good!
If you fancy joining in then pick a book published in 1962 and post a few thoughts about it on your social media/blog from 16 to 22 Oct, all good fun! It’s hosted by bloggers Karen @kaggsy59 and simon (Stuck in a Book .com) #bookstodon#reading@bookstodon
The other day, I read „The goal“, a novel about improving a production plant in an unconventional way. Now, I followed up with „Beyond the goal“, a collection of recordings from the author.
It might be me, but I really enjoy these recordings. The „book“ is full of anecdotes, rants and little stories. In only 8 chapters I was getting more background about process improvements, system thinking and theory of constraints.
I #read the #audiobook of Unfit To Print by KJ Charles. This lovely Victorian #historicalromance is notable not just for the M/M #romance but because both MCs are POC in late-1800s London. For some reason, this #book hasn’t fared as well as her other #books in ratings - the setting & sub-plot might be uncomfortable for some. But I loved #reading it. #romancebooks ##bookstodon#romancelandia@romancebooks
🏳️🌈❤️🏳️🌈❤️🏳️🌈❤️🏳️🌈❤️🏳️🌈❤️
amzn.to/3PFFKT9
Starting right soon, we have a selection of short stories from the magnificent #MarkTwain, read for you by Sam! Stop on in for some tall tales and some satire, with a seasoning of social commentary. https://www.twitch.tv/chilliteracy