QuestingA's books off the shelf 2014

Last year we bought two new book cases, and emptied most of my boxes o'books. This year I really will read books that are currently sitting on shelves! Again, I'm aiming for 30.

1. Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

I'm not sure where this book came from, but it's been on the shelf for over a year. Now it's in the charity box. Not as good as the other Odd book I've read (the first one).

Good luck! Hope the year goes well!

Hi Peace2, thanks and the same to you.

2. By Swords Divided: Corfe Castle in the Civil War by Andrew Norman

I got this from a book shop, after we visited Corfe Castle last year. I was very pleased to see a book giving more information about the Castle, and particularly one that focused on the Civil War. Quite short, but full of detail and well researched.

Have vague recollections of 'almost' visiting Corfe Castle on a school trip to Dorset when I was in my teens oh so many years ago! Good to find a book about somewhere you know and feel like it fills out that experience.

3. Deadly Pleasures ed Martin Edwards

The latest book of short stories to be finished. I bought this last year at a Literary Festival, along with three other books, following an interesting event about writing crime short stories. Overall, not the best collection from the CWA.

Hm, I have come to realize that I don´t like short stories...

HiAmsa1959! I like short stories, but not all of them. I usually have a book of short stories on the go, and read one (or two) on Sundays with my morning coffee. If the story is good it's a nice way to start the day. My current book is Alice Munro's Selected Stories.

Meanwhile…
4. The Foundling by Georgette Heyer

I didn't like this one much. Also, the print in the copy I had was tiny which made it difficult to read.

Re: Georgette Heyer: I gave up on Devil's Cub about halfway through. I guess romance just isn't for me.

I loved Munro's Hateship, friendship, courtship, loveship, marriage collection. I'm not a great fan of short stories either but she really is a master of the art.

Hi littlegreycloud. I generally love Georgette Heyer. The Foundling though focused entirely on the adventures of the hero and the female's role was to be a good wife to him. Usually her heroines have more character. I haven't read The Devil's Club for ages, but just checked and it's on my shelf! I'll make sure to read it this year and share my views.

5 The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

Like many other people, I love Jasper Fforde books. Not sure I got all the puns in this one, but it was still very enjoyable. I'm now up to date with these and waiting for the next one.

This book was an Xmas gift two Xmases ago.

6. The End of Ancient Christianity by R. A. Markus

This was a re-read, and a book I've owned since I was at university. It is now off the shelf!

7. Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I read this book as part of a university course. Re-read it yesterday/today. Really liked it both times.

8. The Woman Who Loved an Octopus: and Other Saints' Tales by Imogen Rhia Herrad

I got this several years ago while visiting Llandaff Cathedral in Wales.

9. Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

This was bought by my sister and then passed to me. There is a sequel that I'll read later this year. Enjoyable.

10. Death Walks in Eastrepps by Francis Beeding

This book was OK but not great. There weren't enough likely perpetrators, so guessing who did it was fairly easy.

11. The King's Gold by Arturo Perez-Reverte

This is the third Captain Alatriste book I've read. All of them enjoyable.

12. Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle

This graphic novel belongs to my sister, but I've been wanting to read it for ages so I'm counting it here. It was good.

13. These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer

14. Sloth by Gilbert Hernandez

Weird.
This short graphic novel was quick to read (i.e. this morning) and nice to read. It's been on my shelf a couple of years.

15. Marlborough by John Hussey

I've definitely owned this for more than a year. Bought because I don't know anything about Marlborough. Now I know a little bit.

16. The Volunteers by Raymond Williams

One of those books that you need to think about as you read. My sister picked it up during a holiday in Wales. Now it is off the shelf.

>17 QuestingA:: Glad to hear it was good, as I have his Chronicles de Jérusalem ...

Hi littlegreycloud! I hope you enjoy it. The Pyongyang book was clever and humorous. What an interesting life, to travel and stay in other countries.

Up to a point. I did that for a while in my twenties and ended up having my books distributed over four cities in three countries on two continents. Needless to say, the one I wanted never happened to be where I was ...;)

17. The Snack-Thief by Andrea Camilleri

18. The Terra-Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri

I read no.17 and no.18 round the wrong way. Both enjoyable.

19. The Diving Pool by Yoko Ogawa

20. The Amateur Gentleman by Jeffrey Farnol