With the first few paragraphs of Sea of Shadows by Amy Maroney the reader steps into the reality of fifteenth century Rhodes – the heat and shadows, the swirl of myriad scents and colours, the bustle of the city and the port, the people drawn from countless nations, all under the control of the of … Continue reading Book Review – Sea of Shadows by Amy Maroney
Reviews
2021 – A Year of Reading
Having read 50 books in 2020, I started 2021 with the intention of reaching my long term goal of reading a book a week. I even signed up for the GoodReads Challenge nominating 52 books as my goal. I reached 42 books but that includes several Kindle items that are essentially short stories. I have … Continue reading 2021 – A Year of Reading
2020 – A Year of Reading
I could argue that I have done reasonably well with my reading this year having finished fifty books but I feel, in some ways, that I have cheated. Nine of those books are children's books and all but one of them less than 200 pages long. These were Tove Jansson's Moomin series which I would … Continue reading 2020 – A Year of Reading
My Reading – December 2019
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson In was an early, very warm morning in July, and it had rained during the night. Khaki Town by Judy Nunn There was a tap at the north-east door. The True Colour of the Sea by Robert Drewe Don dropped dead on the sand and that was that.
My Reading – March 2019
The Familiars by Stacey Halls I left the house with the letter because I did not know what else to do. The Innocents by C. A. Asbrey The blade slipped through the skin, twisting and gouging over and over again until the soft flesh was mushy and yielding to the blade. The Watermelon Boys by … Continue reading My Reading – March 2019
My Reading – January 2019
Call of the Curlew by Elizabeth Brooks Virginia Wrathmell knows she will walk on the marsh one New Year's Eve, and meet her end there. The Corset by Laura Purcell My sainted mother taught me the seven acts of corporeal mercy: to feed the hungry; refresh the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the traveller; visit … Continue reading My Reading – January 2019
My Reading – October 2018
The Watchers. A Secret History of the Reign of Elizabeth I by Stephen Alford The Spanish ambassador came to St. James's Palace in Westminster on 9 November 1558, a Wednesday, in time for dinner. The Lady of the Tower by Elizabeth St John Her slap shocked me, for until now she dared not strike where … Continue reading My Reading – October 2018
My Reading – August 2018
The Trick to Time by Kim de Waal Five o'clock, Monday morning, there's a purple light far out at sea. The King and the Catholics : the fight for rights 1829 by Antonia Fraser The story begins with violence: in the summer of 1780 London was the scene of the worst riots the city had … Continue reading My Reading – August 2018
My Reading – July 2018
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan They'd driven all the way to Mr Styles's house before Anna realized that her father was nervous. The Women in Black by Madeleine St John At the end of a hot November day Miss Baines and Mrs Williams of the Ladies' Frocks Department at Goode's were complaining to each other … Continue reading My Reading – July 2018
2017 – A Year of Reading
While I have done reasonable well this year, managing to read fifty books, I haven't yet achieved my goal of a book a week. Once again, the fiction is mainly historical with a few classic works as well as a handful of books of poetry and of non-fiction. My top reads for the year are … Continue reading 2017 – A Year of Reading
Catherine Meyrick 