For readers of my old blog, you know what this post is about 😉
For readers of my new blog, I am a huge bookworm and every month I will share what I read for the previous month and link up to my good friend Jana’s link-up about all the good, the bad, and the ugly, that we #booknerds read. So without further adieu…
What I Read in September:
The Summer Before The War by Helen Simonson
I have been wanting to read this book for everrrrrrr, and the waiting list at my library seemed to be crawling at a snail’s pace, but then I realized why. This book, even though it really is good, took forever and a day to read. No wonder it took ages for it to finally become available!
This novel, about the summer of 1914 before World War I started and subsequent events after, is definitely a good read and the story does draw you in. But just be prepared for this book’s longevity. It is for real…
The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
Can’t go wrong with my favorite author! 🙂 A group of friends decide to meet and they each bring up a case of murder where they know the identity of the perpetrator but the other people in the group have to guess who they think did it. They meet on Tuesdays hence the original name of the book, The Tuesday Club Murders. A+ in my book!
The Raven and the Nightingale by Joanne Dobson
This book is one of my faves because I love how the author intertwines the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, with a murder on a college campus in present day, and the case ends up being solved by an English professor, who part of her teaching curriculum is the work of Poe. In fact, a Poe poem helps her figure out who did it!
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
The original alphabet mystery book with one of my favorite heroines, Kinsey Millhone 🙂 Great weekend read with a cup of hot cocoa.
The Shattered Tree by Charles Todd
I wanted to enthusiastically give this book two thumbs up but I cannot. Let me preface that by saying that Charles Todd is my second favorite mystery author behind my beloved Agatha Christie, so I don’t go into my “meh-ness” lightly.
I felt like with the character of Bess Crawford, the author has already explored this territory before with Bess traipsing across World War I battlefields and cities therein, looking for a murderer and cases of mistaken identity and the like. They’ve done this before with this character and having to go through this again with a new person Bess has to search for, just felt repetitive.
The other Bess Crawford mysteries that came before The Shattered Tree are really good, so don’t let this one deter you if you are looking for a good series to dive into.
By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie
Mwah, ha, ha, ha!!!! Creepy cover, creepy book, perfect for fall♥
Strange things are going on at an English nursing home and well… read the synopsis for yourself:
“Tommy and Tuppence Beresford decide to pay a duty visit to Tommy’s elderly and unpleasant aunt in her nursing home. That visit results in a strange inheritance, black magic- and danger”. And murder…don’t forget murder.
By the way, most of my book pictures are from my Instagram account, so if you want to follow along with what I am reading in October, come say hi!
What books have you guys read lately? I am open to some awesome suggestions!
I like your succint round up! Some interesting choices here! Bronte
Thank you so much! 🙂
I do NOT like creepy stories, movies, books . . .Because they actually do scare me. I remember teaching “The Cask of Amontillado” by Poe, and it’s haunting! (Does the Dobson book involve a murder by trapping someone and building a brick wall around him/her?) I’m reading with book clubs at my school. The Jane Austen Book Club is my favourite : )
No, the Poe clue has to do with The Purloined Letter 🙂 But I get why you don’t read mystery books. Even I have a specific genre I read, and nothing gory or anything like that.
I still have yet to read a Jane Austen novel. It is on my list though!
I loved Major Pettigrew and was so looking forward to The Summer Before the War. I liked it but didn’t think it had the same charm. And yes, It took me forever too read! Very slow-paced. I think one of the back cover quotes says, “for fans and leisurely British fiction,” and leisurely is certainly the right word!
Tommy and Tuppence are my favorite Agatha Christie characters. 🙂
I totally agree, The Summer Before the War was super slow-paced. I haven’t read Major Pettigrew yet, I’ll have to check that out!
Tommy and Tuppence are awesome!! 🙂
I enjoyed Summer Before the War but it was definitely a slow-paced book, which made it tough for me initially. I tend to read faster-paced books, although I am glad that I read Summer. All these great-sounding Agatha Christie books. I need to one (or all) because Mystery is my favorite genre and she is the Queen.
Yes, you still need to read Agatha Christie! You won’t regret it 🙂
I love how into old mysteries you are. It’s so different.
I have yet to read a book in the alphabet series. I know.
Thanks Jana 🙂
I think you’d like the alphabet series!
I absolutely love the Alphabet Series. Starting over from the beginning sounds like a fabulous idea.
Yup, you forget how good the early books really were!
I’d like to try Sue Grafton’s series sometime soon. I’ve only read one book by Agatha Christie but hope to read more!
Both ladies are really great authors! 🙂
I still stay away from fiction, mostly because I get SO involved in the stories!! Everything I read is non-fiction, but aside from the Bible, I’ve read nothing new lately! I’ve got to get on the ball. 🙂
Reading is also a great stress-reliever! 🙂