Haven’t read as many books as I would like to as most of the books I want to read, my library doesn’t carry and neither does any library in my county. Ah, #bookwormproblems 😀 But I did get in 4 books this month which is still good, right?
What I read in July:
Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis by Ed Sikov
Bette Davis is one of my favorite “Old Hollywood” actresses, and her movie All About Eve from 1950, is on my top ten list of favorite movies EVER, so I was intrigued to read this biography of her life.
I liked reading about Bette’s early life before she moved out to Hollywood and I loved the behind-the-scene shenanigans that went on, on her film sets. I even loved reading about how pissed of she was that Vivien Leigh was picked to star in Gone With The Wind, and not her.
But it is a very long read and the alcoholic tantrums that became part of her persona as she got older, became tiresome after a while. All in all, a great read but will take you more than an afternoon at the beach to finish.
Goodnight From London by Jennifer Robson
I looooooooved this book!! I couldn’t put it down 🙂
The book starts off in 1940 and an American journalist named Ruby Sutton is sent over to England to report on the Second World War for both her American editors and her new job at an English magazine in London. The story follows Ruby all the way through the war including London being blitzed, to the end of the war in 1945. She endures loss and heartache, but also gains a sense of stability and perseverance while working and reporting/writing stories for her job.
Great book, seriously!
Tug of War by Beverly Cleverly
This book started off a bit slow but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it!
Here is a great synopsis from Publisher’s Weekly:
“Set in 1926 France, Cleverly’s impressive Joe Sandilands novel finds the Scotland Yard detective, still scarred by WWI, taking a relaxing jaunt around Provence until Sir Douglas Redmayne of the British War Office gives him a sensitive assignment: to ascertain the identity of an amnesiac war veteran who’s surfaced in a French hospital speaking English. As the French government would provide a lucrative pension to the soldier’s family, there’s no shortage of people who claim him as their relation. Accompanied by his precocious ward and honorary niece, Dorcas Joliffe, Sandilands probes the four most likely candidates, each of whom has ample motive to lie. Before long, an old murder is uncovered, further complicating the quest to identify the soldier”.
You will never guess the ending and that is what made this novel so enthralling and such a great read!
A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King
Any book involving Sherlock Holmes has my name written all over it!!! 🙂
The year is 1923. The book’s main characters Sherlock Holmes and his wife Mary Russell are at their home in Sussex when an old friend, archeologist Dorothy Ruskin pays them a visit with a papyrus that she believes was written by Mary Magdalene. She asks the Holmes’ to investigate and later that evening, Ms. Ruskin is murdered. Sherlock and Mary uncover clues not only to whether the papyrus is truly real, they also solve Ms. Ruskin’s murder, inadvertently placing themselves in jeopardy while doing it.
Loved this book! Definitely a must-read.
What have you guys read lately? 🙂
Laurie R. King has been on my TBR for some time now. You know how much I love Sherlock Holmes! I feel like I say that about so many authors, because I do. 😀 But there are just so many books that I get pulled here and there and sometimes forget about certain books. I probably need a better system! Tug of War also sounds really good and I’m adding it to my TBR. I’ve been overall pleased with my library selection. It’s pretty rare that they don’t have a book I want, even if I have to go onto a long waiting list for it! LOL!
I think you’d really enjoy the Sherlock series from Laurie R. King, since you love Sherlock Holmes as much as I do! 🙂 Tug of War is good; I am now planning to read more of the books that the author wrote that have this detective.
Reading is one of the best frugal activities out there. And the fact that you use the library instead of your money to get the books you read is very admirable. If I couldn’t find what I wanted at the library, I’d have a hard time not buying it. I’ve just finished The Wonder by Emma Donoghue (who also wrote Room – another excellent book). Thanks for these suggestions, and happy reading while you can! In another few months, it won’t be so easy for you to read as often : )
I love my local library and the libraries within my county, but yes, it is super frustrating for them to not have books that I want to read! I don’t want to spend money on the books and buy them, so that leaves me in a bit of quagmire 🙂
You are totally right Ruth; once the baby arrives, reading books definitely will take a backseat. I remember that part of newborn life very clearly with my daughter, ha!
Stay away from her book Frog Music. It was terrible.
you sold me with Goodnight From London! adding it to my list 🙂
You will totally love it! 🙂
I love that you like what you like when it comes to books and stick with it.
Thanks Jana!
I love the cover for Goodnight London.
It’s really a great book!
Oooh, I like your reading style! I love historical fiction and it seems like you found some great ones! Totally adding Tug of War to my TBR list!!
Thanks Louise! I love historical fiction too! 🙂 Tug of War was good, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Oooh added goodnight from london to my TBR. It sounds really good! I’m in a reading slump and hoping to get out this month! Here from SUYB. XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I couldn’t put that book down, I loved it so much! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂