Greetings from a very rainy Boston on Memorial Day! So I’m obviously not going to the beach today, so it’s an excellent opportunity to catch up on some reading and other stuff (aka the blog and laundry). Week 13 covers March 27 – April 2. As always, feedback is encouraged and treasured.
Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers – I borrowed this as an e-book from the Boston Public Library. This is Lord Peter Wimsey #1. I am always looking for new detective series. This was okay, though I feel like I should read another one in case the author picks up steam with experience. I honestly found this a bit difficult to follow. In this, basically there’s a dead body in the tub at a friend’s house. The body is intended to look like someone else who also seems to be missing. The whole thing is confusion. The ending was petty stellar, though. I’m giving it 3 stars.
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez – I received this as an e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an excellent story collection. Although I’m not sure collection is the correct term since it is one author. It’s also a translation, which proves that it is probably pretty good. Why would they bother translating it if it were crap? The stories are based in Argentina and show the lives of the people living there. There is something for everyone in this collection (still using that word). Some of the stories are quite creepy, some are political, others show humanity at its best and worst. I thought they were all quite great. I’m giving it 5 stars.
The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman – I borrowed this as en e-book from the BPL. I wish this author had written more books, but I am glad that her daughter finished this one (whatever that actually entailed). Her grasp of this time period is excellent (from what I gather, not having actually lived in the 12th century myself). The characters in this book are incredibly well written. You immediately fall in love with all of them (except the villains, of course). This is the story of Em who is seized by mercenaries and manages to survive, though she has no memory. She is found and protected by an archer named Gwyl, who helps her to hide as a boy and teaches her to shoot. You should read this to see how it all plays out. I highly recommend it. I’m giving it 4 stars.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau – I borrowed this as an e-book from the BPL. It is Book of Ember #1. It was on the mayor’s list of books the city should read, so obviously it got added to mine. His list is full of works dealing with prejudice and how the world is changing and not in a good way. He would like all of us to be aware of the state of the world but also to be cognizant of the way things may go if we do not affect change in a pretty substantial way. I like the mayor. Have I mentioned that? 200 years after the apocalypse, the city of Ember is beginning to die. They are running out of supplies and the electricity is beginning to fail. Lina and her friend Doon must find a way to save the people of Ember before the lights go out permanently. This is basically a kids’ story. It is well written and engaging. It’s also a pretty quick read, so definitely worth giving it a whirl. I’m giving it 3 stars.
That is it for Week 13. I hope you’re inspired to perhaps try something different or discover a new favorite author. If you have books or authors you would like to recommend, please do not hesitate.
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