Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Monday 19 January 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

I haven't taken part so far this year, so I've included in my 'recently read' books the ones I've read over the past couple of weeks. I'll try and write up some longer reviews or thoughts on some of these if I can soon.


Recently read:

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

I found this a quite magical, wonderful read. I felt immersed in the world created in the novel and the characters were really memorable. One to treasure, it took me away from my troubles and I really enjoyed reading it. I'd heard so much about this novel and I think maybe I worried if I'd love it or not myself, and I'm so glad I've read it now. The cover has to be one of the most beautiful around, too. 

 


Chess by Stefan Zweig (translated by Anthea Bell)

This was a superb little read, another that I ought to have read ages ago that has been languishing on my tbr pile, it's only a short work of about eighty pages, and I thought it was a fascinating tale, brilliantly told. I loved The Post Office Girl by Stefan Zweig - link to my review, as well as a couple of other works by him (Journey into the Past and Fear - reviews linked); this one is equally impressive. It was also great to read something in translation after not having done so for a while. 



The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie 

I've been aiming to try and read some Agatha Christie novels for a while, at least the idea has been in my mind to get round to it, and I've finally made a start, with this, the first of her Poirot novels. It was a really good read and I look forward to reading more soon.



Reading now:

The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker

This was a lovely gift to me from a very kind and thoughtful book loving friend last year (who also gave me Chess, above) and I am so glad to be reading it now, I am about a quarter of the way through so far, it's quite a long one, and it is captivating and magical, I will savour reading more of it this coming week. 


Plumdog by Emma Chichester Clark

This is a graphic novel I bought at the weekend, it is beautifully illustrated and is an absolutely wonderful thing for dog lovers, just a delight to read and to look at!


Reading next:

I'm not certain what I will read next, I want to try and read this one very soon though as it has been on my tbr pile too long, so it may well be my next book.

Precious Thing by Colette McBeth



Did you read any of these/do they grab your interest?
What are you reading? 

I hope you have a great week of wonderful reading!


38 comments:

  1. My copy of Stefan Zweig's novella was titled The Royal Game. I forget who the translator was, but I liked the title! It really is an impressive story. I was very fascinated by Zweig's life (and death) at the time, but never got around to reading anything else by him. I'll pick up The Post Office Girl now.
    I read The Golem and the Jinni last year and I was surprised by how much I liked it. Hope you enjoy it to the end.

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    1. Priya your brilliant review of this one made me want to read it, so thank you again. I'm so glad I read it. I would recommend TPOG, hope you get chance to read it. Also glad to hear you liked TGATJ too. Thanks for commenting :)

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  2. I have Precious Thing waiting on my Kindle...must get to it soon! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Yes I hope to get to it as it's been waiting patiently for too long! Thanks for commenting :)

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  3. Thanks for reminding me about The Golem and the Djinni. That's one of those books I just keep forgetting to pick up!

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    1. Yes, I don't know if it was the size as I have a big hardback copy but I kept waiting to read it and saving it as a treat I suppose and it's nice to actually be reading it. Thanks for commenting :)

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  4. I'm so glad you enjoyed The Mysterious Affair at Styles! I do love that one though it's not my favorite Poirot. I'm in the middle of rereading them all so I'm not exactly sure what my favorite is just yet. The Miniaturist is on my TBR so I'm excited that you enjoyed it so much. I'll have to move it up the list a bit. Enjoy your reading!

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    1. Thanks Katherine. I think I saw some reviews of Poirot novels on your blog and was inspired to make a start with them. I'll be interested to see which one(s) come out as your favourites in your reread.

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  5. I've wanted to read Agatha Christie for so long now, but still have yet to get around to it! I'm hoping this year I will finally make the time.

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    1. Same here, it's taken me ages! Finally I've read one, and I want to read more. Hope you get to one soon :) Thanks for commenting.

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  6. I loved Zweig's Journey into the Past and The Post Office Girl is in my TBR, one for later this year I hope. Great to hear you enjoyed Chess so much. Have you seen Wes Anderson's film The Grand Budapest Hotel, the one inspired by Zweig's writing? If not, it's a delight.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Jacqui. No I haven't seen it yet, I want to try and get hold of the DVD soon, I want to watch it.

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  7. Nice assortment of books, Lindsay. I'm pretty sure I have an ARC of The Miniaturist somewhere. I must unearth it--so many people have enjoyed reading it.

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    1. Ooh yes do give it a try, hope you like it too. Thanks for commenting :)

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  8. I love your concise, intriguing descriptions of these novels. I am especially intrigued by The Golem and the Djinni and Plumdog.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Irene :) They are both lovely reads so far.

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  9. I am really looking forward to reading your thoughts on The Golem and the Djinni. I have heard really good things about this book and it sounds intriguing.


    I recently read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon and that also touched on the mythology surrounding Golems.

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    1. Thanks Brian for commenting, I am really enjoying that one so far, it's an good escape.

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  10. I've yet to read "The Miniaturist," but I've heard some wonderful things about it! Perhaps I'll try and pick up a copy from the library.

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    1. Hope you like it if and when you try it. Thanks for commenting :)

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  11. I've just finished reading Mrs.Hemingway - a beautifully written book. Thanks for a really interesting post.

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    1. Thanks for commenting :) I wasn't sure if I fancied that one or not, but I think I will pick up a copy at some point. Thanks for recommending it.

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  12. Hi Lindsay,

    Anything by Agatha Christie has to be a winner for me. I have read all of her books, although many of them were finished back in my teenage years and I honestly can't remember 'The Mysterious Affair At Styles'

    I really like the sound of 'The Miniaturist', such a unique and interesting premise. I agree about the cover art also, however I think that I also like the alternative version which Goodreads features

    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22061531-the-miniaturist

    This is definitely one for my 'Want To Read' list

    Have a great week,

    Yvonne

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    1. Thanks for your comment Yvonne :) Thanks for that link too, it's interesting to see the different design, and I particularly love the bottom part of it which gives a good sense of the atmosphere where Nella goes to live. I have a long way to go to catch up with the number of AC books you've read!

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  13. I simply must read The Miniaturist soon, everyone seems to really enjoy it. I also must make a point of reading The Golem and The Djinni, which has been sitting on my shelf since it was first released.

    Happy Reading!

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    1. Thanks for commenting Melissa. :) I am really trying this year to read the books that have been sitting aroud too long and one of those was TGaTD.

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  14. Some lovely books you mention here. Love Stefan Zweig and everyone seems to be captivated by The Miniaturist, I really need to get around to it at some point.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Marina :) I'm glad you love Zweig's writing too. I'm so pleased The Miniaiturist lived up to the hype for me.

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  15. The Golem and the Djinni most definitely jump out at me. Having read lots of reviews about it a while ago now I had meant to add it to my Wish List, thanks for the reminder to do so.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Tracy :) I hope you get a chance to read that one too.

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  16. I've really enjoyed the Agatha Christie books I've reread recently and I loved the Colette McBeth book - I do hope you do too.

    http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com

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    1. Thanks for commenting Cleo, and thanks re the Colette McBeth book.

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  17. I've heard such lovely things about The Miniaturist. I know it's one that I'd like to get to one of these days. You know how it goes, so very many books... ;)

    I hope you're having a great week of reading!

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, yes I do! Thanks for commenting.

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  18. I have been wondering about The Miniaturist. You've convinced me I should read it. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie is one I would love to read. And I have The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker on my shelf waiting to be read.

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    1. Yay I hope you like The Golem... when you get to it. I have really enjoyed reading it. I hope to get to more Agatha Christie soon. Thanks for commenting.

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  19. I love Agatha Christie's mysteries and her Poirot books are among her best. I also like watching the TV versions with David Suchet.

    The Golem and the Jinni sounds really good and I love the cover of The Miniaturist. I'll have to look into that one too.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Christina. I used to watch the David Suchet adaptations years ago and I think I found a channel here re-running them so I am going to try watching some.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. It's great reading your comments and I really appreciate them :)