So many books, so little time. I’m longing for a reading retreat, a la Stephany… but for now I’m just trying to cram in as much reading as I can. A couple recent reads…
This book was… interesting. I think I would have liked it better if I had different expectations going in. I thought it was a regular old mystery. While there was a crime- actually two crimes, ten years apart- it was definitely not a traditional whodunit or police procedural. Instead it was a beautifully written story of all the sad things that can possibly happen in a small town, starting with two girls in a car being pushed into a river. One girl drowns and the other, who survives, sets out to find out how it happened, and how it might tie into a similar incident years ago.
This book irritated me sometimes- parts of the plot were resolved and some not- but I also keep thinking about it. Everything can’t always tie up with a tidy bow, right?
After this, I DID want a tidy bow, and I knew just where to find it:
As with all Agatha Christies, this was a reread for me. As I read, I was starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with my brain, because I didn’t remember it AT ALL. I mean I read it many years ago, but there are some very distinctive elements that I thought I SHOULD have remembered… then at one point I suddenly knew who the murderer was. I couldn’t remember how or why, so it didn’t ruin the book for me, and I was happy that my memory isn’t completely gone.
I thoroughly enjoyed it- but on this reread some things struck me as odd. Some of the names- Lucy Eyelesbarrow? Josiah Crackenthorpe??? Were these normal names in the 1950s, or was Agatha getting bored? Some of the plot points seemed a little farfetched as well, but it all did make sense and tie together in the end.
I enjoyed it so much, I got two more from the library…
… AND I got this one that SHU recommended!
Speaking of Sarah, we had a blogger meetup!
I’m very excited because she had an extra copy of Big Time which she generously passed along to me!
I have a lot of books to read! I also just started this one:
See what I mean? I need a reading retreat!!!
Have you read any of these? What are you reading now?
Top photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash
13 Responses
what a fun meet up!
I’m currently reading every summer after, not sure if I’ve had it before or similar to a book I read before in term of plot, but it’s okay, it’s entertaining and a movie will come out soon.
That’s funny you can’t remember if you read it already or not- but if it’s entertaining and you’re enjoying it, it doesn’t matter!
I’ve read the Agatha Christie’s. Went on a big Agatha Christie bender in huh school and read all, or almost all of them. Now I get creeped out by most murder mysteries. Sigh.
I’m reading a book Elisabeth reviewed recently “Always Pack a Candle”. It’s very engaging but I’m tired and don’t have much reading stamina at the moment, so it’s slow going.
Yes, I read ALL the Agatha Christies in high school and college. Which was a long time ago, and is why I can now reread them without remembering the plot (for most of them- there are some that stand out too vividly for me to reread).
I did an Agatha Christie reread last summer. I think 450 from Paddington depends a lot on picking up the atmosphere of about post WwII England but the mystery part was good..
I read the new Murderbot , several mysteries including The Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage and I Am Not the Only Murderer in the Retirement Home. I didn’t necessarily like the protagonists, but I got caught up in them. And some miscellaneous fiction and nonfiction.
Yes, I enjoyed the post WWII aspect of the book very much. And, sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of reading!
SHU meetup!!! Epic!!!
I’m getting a kinda sorta reading retreat next week. I’m going on my first train trip, and it’s a fair bet that some serious reading will be going down. My Kindle is loaded! I’m halfway through Yesteryear (my take so far is that the hype is legit), and I also have the Library book. It was one of those things where when I stopped reading SHU’s post in the middle to get it on Libby.
Frozen River is one of those books that I’ve been hearing about for years but just haven’t picked up yet. Keep me posted!!!
I will keep you posted- so far I’m liking, but not loving, it. I have a library hold for Yesteryear but it will take a very long time before I actually get the book. AND, I’m so envious- a train trip!!! Reading!!! That sounds so, so fun and I can’t wait to hear all about it.
You DO need a reading retreat! How fun to meet up with Sarah. I need some bloggers to live in BC!! I’m so isolated out here in the sticks!
I am currently reading Kokoro, which is a book about Japanese life lessons. It’s SO good!
Maybe we all need to take a Canadian road trip, to meet you and Elisabeth. It would be quite a trip, since you guys don’t live anywhere near each other!
I loved Frozen River.
I agree with Nicole. After the wedding, you need a reading retreat. Come to NY.
I think if I went to NY, there would be so much to do I wouldn’t get much reading in!!!
A planner retreat with the expert?! IDEAL BLOGGER MEETUP.
The UK version of the Halloween book from Christie has a black cat on the cover, so OF COURSE I bought it when I was in London. I haven’t read it yet, though!
I’m reading James by Percival Everett and LOVING IT. I can see why it’s gotten so many accolades!