Posted on by Cathy

📘What, What, What,

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Well,  there’s a couple of books I have begun and put to one side:-

The Tower – Kate London 2015. 

A young woman plus a male police officer fall off the roof off a tall building- a newish to the role female police officer is on the team investigating the tragedy.
From the few chapters I’ve read I’m getting the feeling that the characters at this particular station are not quite the same as those in Dixon of Dock Green .
I’m aware that in real life as well as fiction there are good ‘uns and bad ‘uns in uniform but somehow I’m not sure I’ll finish this

A Mrs Miracle Christmas- Debbie Macomber 2019

One of those impulsive library picks – ‘I should get in the spirit of the season and read something Christmassy’ .
A young couple living with and tending for an older family member decide they need someone to help with her care  Enter Mrs Miracle!. 
I’m sorry, I realise this is a well known well ‘loved’ author but after a few chapters I’m finding this book is just a little bit too ‘cozy’  for me.

But . . .I do have another on the go which is more to my liking:-

Giants Bread  – Mary Westacott (Agatha Christie) 1930

Vernon Deyre is a sensitive and brilliant musician, even a genius. But there is a high price to be paid for his talent, especially by his family and the two women in his life.  source

Having read (and thoroughly enjoyed) my first Mary Westmacott at the beginning of November I am now several chapters into my second.  Working my way through Vernon’s childhood, learning about his fear of The Beast aka the Grand Piano and wondering how long until he becomes an adult
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I’ve not long finished:- 

The Erratics – Vicki Laveau Harvie

When her elderly mother is hospitalised after an accident, Vicki is summoned to her parents’ isolated and run-down ranch home in Alberta, Canada, to care for her father. She has been estranged from her parents for many years (the reasons for which become quickly clear) and is horrified by what she discovers on her arrival.

To begin with I thought this was just a short story- it reads like a novel but it’s actually a very short 224 page memoir. A very blunt, humorous (as in exasperated black humour) at times, no holds barred one. The author is a Canadian living in Sydney who is retelling the last years of her mother’s life, with flashbacks to years gone by and the effect it had on her, her father and her sister.

An interesting ‘oh my goodness, surely that (mental cruelty, elder abuse) couldn’t happen’ read — trouble is it does happen in many guises to many people world wide. Book club got it right this month!

******.
And what might be next:- 

I have no idea 😊

Kate Morton’s Homecoming is still waiting – but look it’s summertime.  And that to me is ‘whatever you fancy’ time.  There are three fairly recent ‘somehow I missed them’ books on the table plus an older ‘wonder what that would be like’ one.  And at least one of the nearby libraries will be open so maybe I’ll have a ‘lucky dip’ trip down there 📘❤️

Boys Swallows Universe – Trent Dalton (2018)
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens (2018)
In the Valley of Blue Gums – J.H.Fletcher (2018).
Starting Over – Marcia Willett (1997)

Linking with What’s on your Bookshelf.

Also linked to Book Worms Monthly  – as well as It’s Monday, what are you reading.

34 Replies to “📘What, What, What,”

    1. I’m just looking forward to some comfortable warm weather so I can laze around outside and get my teeth into them EC. I know there’s been good/bad reviews so will attack them with an open mind.

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  2. Just finished ‘No ordinary day’ by Matt Johnson and John Murray about the murder of PC Yvonne Fletcher and the way in which the then government blocked police attempts to prosecute the murderers as they wanted access to Libyan oil in order to stock up reserves prior to the miners’ strike. A filthy business, but John Murray, who was with PC Fletcher when she was killed, persisted for years until the truth came to light.
    Now reading ‘Didn’t you used to be Chris Mullin’…his diaries when out of politics between 2010 and 2022. He writes well and I think inadvertently shows the existence of the gravy train for those leaving politics….even if on the skimpy side with the gravy in his case.

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    1. Two interesting sounding books Helen, after reading your latest post I’m thinking it’s hard to imagine you having time to read – but then maybe it’s a way to take your mind off ‘problems’. Hopefully they’ll be solved soon

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  3. I love reading about books other people are reading. And what they think of them. Only a swap library here and I probably won’t come across any of these but I still note the authors.
    I have plenty of reading material at the moment. An English friend brought me some she had finished. Any book in English is a good book….. Well, except Steven King and a few others

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    1. Oh poo Linda – that’s definitely one of the difficulties with living in a non English speaking country- or rather one where English language books are hard to come by.

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  4. I just finished John Grisham’s latest book, The Exchange. It had so many gruesome parts that I skipped a lot. Reading the last quarter of the book, wrapped up the story well enough, and was probably written by Grisham. The middle of the book was written by ghostwriters. (my opinion)

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  5. Instead of reading I listen to audiobooks
    Just finished the latest from jimmy barns
    Listening to the newest from Miriam margules
    And I have no idea what I’ll be listening to next

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    1. Unfortunately Angela (because I know I’ve missed out on things I wanted to read) I’m not a fan of audio or ebooks. I just can’t get on with them at all. Good to hear you found and enjoyed something though.

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  6. Thank you for joining us for WBOYBS. I greatly enjoyed ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ (both the book and the movie and ‘Homecoming.’ I haven’t yet read ‘Boys Swallows Universe’ but I did read Trent Dalton’s ‘Love Stories’ and enjoyed it immensely!

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    1. It is so good to be able to share our reading likes and dislikes so thank you (and the co hosts) for the chance to do so. Hopefully I will enjoy the books you mentioned as much as others have

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  7. You have lots of good reading there. I too find Debbie Maccomber a little too cozy. I’m about to finish The Quickening, nonfiction about Antartica, finished Walking in Wonder. I thought both were quite good but then I like nonfiction. I’m listening to an Anne Perry, Christmas murder mystery, A Christmas Return. It’s a little old fashioned and predictable but I like them for light reading.

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    1. I’ll most likely start Homecoming in a couple of days Debbie, so will have well and truly finished it by the next WOYBS date – then I can begin something else. Definitely hope to have a few more under my belt by then as well. Lazy days ahead!

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    1. I’ll leave it a little while Joanne then see what else the library has by that author. I’m willing to bet it’s quite a few so I’m thinking I’ll be spoilt for choice.

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    1. Hello Lydia – I’m thinking the same illustrator was responsible for all the covers of these rereleased Westmacotts. There is a similar look to all of them

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  12. I love ‘whatever you fancy time’ for Summer, Cathy! I’ve not heard of any of the books you have mentioned and that is what I love about WOYBS? discovering books through friends who link up. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the Festive Season and lazy Summer days. I hope you will link up with us in 2024 to continue sharing our love of reading. xx

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    1. It would be nice if summer actually turned up Sue – luckily we are able to read no matter what the weather is like!
      Like you after reading everyone else’s entries my TBR list is growing and all being well I’ll be back on third Friday of January with my next WOYBS post. Summer might have arrived in Melbourne by then😎

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  13. The Erratics sounds very good. I haven’t been tempted by any of the cosy Christmas reads, but I do enjoy a bit of cosy crime. Enjoy your future reads! I loved Where the Crawdads Sing.
    Popping over from Book Worms Monthly.

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    1. So many readers have said how much they enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing that I’m hoping I feel the same way after I’ve finished it. But then if I don’t it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve bucked the trend.

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    1. You’re right about Kate Morton’s books becoming longer. She seems to be flowing the pattern set be J.K.Rowling/Robert Galbraith. I’m still not sure if longer is better but we’ll carry on turning the pages just the same 😊

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