Looking back on my book choices in February all I can say is that diversity was the name of the game. As some of you already know I vary in the way I consume a book, hardcopy, audio and e-books all hold a place in my world and I typically have an audio-book on the go while reading a hardcopy or e-book. Since not being able to go out and purchase physical books during the pandemic I have been working through my bookshelves and reading books that, perhaps, had been overlooked before in favor of the newest bestseller. E-books on the other hand I did go a little overboard on and, with the help of BookBub, have amassed quite a long list of titles waiting to be read. With that being said let's get started and see how these titles ranked.
Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin
I have always seen the huge amount of shelf space dedicated to this author in various bookshops but have never actually picked up a copy so I decided to start at the beginning of his most popular "Rebus" series. This book introduces Inspector Rebus, a Scottish detective with a rather checkered past, as he gets involved in a run of murders that turn personal and he must race to find the killer before his daughter pays the ultimate price. I had to keep in mind that this book was written in 1987 in order to not get frustrated with the writing style. Many TV adaptions have been done from this series and the author remains a prolific name in writing so I will keep a look out for the next installment.
Ranking: 2.5/5
Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone
This e-book was a purchase from way back that I never seemed to get to so I made a point of reading it. It is the first in a quirky series that has a down on her luck woman looking for employment and being offered a large amount of cash to find a "virtual" artifact that has been stolen. Not familiar with the online gaming world she finds herself embroiled in not only a virtual crime but a real world one too as her benefactor turns up dead. The book is a funny one, with a likeable and unlikely heroine in Dahlia Moss. While it was a cute read it does not have me racing to buy the next one.
Ranking: 3/5
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
This book of short stories won the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize and was named Time's Must Read Book of 2020. I chose the audio version of this book and I am glad I did as I felt more immersed in the stories. The premise deals with the trials of daily life when you are an immigrant in Canada making your way. Each story looks at life through the eyes of different generations of characters and how they each have to overcome difficulties. A parent trying to provide for their children and finding work when they barely know a word of English. A child navigating life caught between the old and new worlds. An aging woman coming to terms with life in a new country. Very touching with spurts of humor it is definitely an important read (or listen).
Ranking: 4/5
Here is an example of one of the books on my physical bookshelf, I read the first book by this author, The Dinner, and enjoyed it so when I saw this one in my neighborhood Little Library I thought I had hit pay dirt. It was not to be my friends. The premise is an aging author with one bestseller, based on a real-life disappearance, to his name is being followed by a man from his past. Told in multiple points of view you are taken on a journey back to the real disappearance and how things unfold and develop to where the characters are today. I have to be honest, I was confused during the entirety of this book and have no idea what I was supposed to get out of it. I closed the book once I finished and could not tell you if things were resolved or not.
Ranking: 1/5
I was very ready, after my next read, to tuck into something good so I went to my e-book list and picked the newest purchase, it did not disappoint. If you have read The Hunting Party by the same author you know you are in for a wild ride again told from multiple view points. A wedding on a remote island off the coast of Ireland is the starting point of this fast paced thriller. The bride and groom along with their wedding party arrive a couple of days prior to the actual event and in the span of time we learn of past events and alliances that culminate to unravel the worst, a body. Whose body and why is the ever present question, until the very end. Great book.
Ranking: 4.5/5
The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
Anyone reading a Susan Wiggs novel knows they are in for a charming read, just the title of this one had me glued to the pages. A small mystery, a family in crisis, a love story and books all rolled into one. When Natalie, a business women in San Francisco, learns that her mother has left her in charge of the family bookshop after her tragic death she embarks on a journey of, not only self-discovery, but of her family history. A very sweet and heartwarming novel to read in front of a roaring fire.
Ranking: 4/5
Hamnet and Judith by Maggie O'Farrell
I follow a lot of my favorite authors on social media, one to find out when to expect a new release, and two to find out what books they enjoy reading and recommend. This one was highly recommended by Marian Keyes and I thought I would give it a try. I chose audio again as sometimes it is easier for me to listen to heavier reads as apposed to reading them to really get the feel of the story. This book takes a reimagined look at the life of Hamnet, the son of William Shakespeare who died at the age of 11, and who is believed to be the inspiration behind one of the greatest plays of all time, Hamlet. The story follows the boy until his death and how grief and sorrow changed the family afterwards. I enjoyed this retelling even though I was never a fan of reading Shakespeare outside of school.
Ranking: 3.5/5
Gators and Garters by Jana Deleon
Those of you familiar with my best of posts know that I am a fan of this long-running series. It is a quick and funny jaunt through Louisiana with colourful characters and a detective team, nicknamed The Swamp Team 3, ready to solve any mysteries that hit their parish. A wedding is imminent in this installment but may be out of food when the caterer, Molly, goes missing days before the big event. Can the team find her before the wedding?
Ranking: 3.5/5
Another book from the depths of my shelves. Based in 1948 as England is rebuilding after the war this story follows Queenie Bligh as she navigates life on her own when her husband is presumed missing after service. For money she decides to take in Jamaican lodgers, to the dismay of her neighbors. As the story evolves we learn of the Jamaican involvement in the war, as one of the lodgers served in the RAF to fight in the war with Germany. Again different narratives give great insight into life at the time and how is varied depending on the colour of your skin, even when fighting for the same side.
Ranking: 3.5/5
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Another author recommended read. As the title states this book is about a Nigerian woman whose sister has a bad habit of killing her boyfriends, and of calling her sister to clean up the scene and cover for her. Now you may thing this is a comedy of sorts but I did not see it as that, the murders seemed to take a back seat to learning about the family dynamic and the why of it all. Very interesting premise but it was just an OK read for me.
Ranking: 3.5/5
There you are. Some very different reads that I hope will inspire you to look outside the bestseller lists or perhaps dig into old books.
Happy Reading!
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