Category: stats

So, it was my birthday last week and we went to Barcelona to celebrate for a few days.  Thus there was reading time on flights, in departure lounges, late at night etc.  So a fun week’s reading.

Read:

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Girl from the Opera House by Nancy Carson

Geek Drama by Holly Smale

Far in the Wilds by Deanna Raybourn

Black Rubber Dress by Lauren Henderson

The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells by Virginia MacGregor

Charlotte Bronte’s Secret Lover by Jolien Janzing

Stars over Sunset Boulevard by Susan Meissner

Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina

Started:

Death with an Ocean View by Nora Charles

Freeze my Margarita by Lauren Henderson

Still reading:

Princes at War by Deborah Cadbury

The Edge of the Fall by Kate Williams

Queen Lucia by E F Benson

I did have a bit of a spending spree on books though (twice) but it’s my birthday so I’m allowed – right?!

Not a huge list this week – but The Hourglass Factory is 500 pages long – and it’s worth it.  Busy week at work too and quick trains both ways several days (often on the way home in rush hour too) reducing the reading time.

Read:

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

The Night in Question by Laurie Graham

The Hourglass Factory by Lucy Ribchester

The Chalet School and Rosalie by Elinor M Brent Dyer

The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Started:

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Edge of the Fall by Kate Williams

Queen Lucia by E F Benson

Still reading:

Princes at War by Deborah Cadbury

One short story pre-ordered – but I don’t think I’ve actually bought a book so far this year (the Deanna Raybourn spree was before New Year).  I’m sure that will change though…

You may notice a theme in this week’s reading.  Yes I went all out for the end of the Pink Carnation series and read another Lauren Willig I had on the kindle as well.  And then while writing about Deanna Raybourn in my 2015 Obsessions post I found that a the book sale gods were smiling on me, and I could reading the rest of the Lady Julia Books safe in the knowledge that I wouldn’t get left on a cliff hanger!  I’m still trying to ration myself on the new Laurie Graham – by which I mean only letting myself read a bit more every few days to try and stop myself from bingeing.  So far it’s working.

Read:

The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

Whisper of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn

The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

Bleakly Hall by Elaine di Rollo

Started:

n/a

Still reading:

The Night in Question by Laurie Graham

Princes at War by Deborah Cadbury

Oh dear.  Massive Deanna Raybourn spending spree in the Kindle sale (as mentioned in my 2015 Obsessions post), then there was the only Hellions of Halsted Hall book I haven’t read on offer for 99p.  How could I resist.

More Christmas-y reading and a few tie-in short stories for last week’s Make a Christmas Wish.  I’m trying to make the Laurie Graham last – I love her books so much and I know there’s going to be a longer wait than usual for her next one, so against all my usual behaviour I’m trying to pace myself!

Read:

A Wicked Way to Win an Earl by Anna Bradley

Four Weddings and a White Christmas by Jenny Oliver

My Christmas Wish by Julia Williams

Dad’s Christmas Wish by Julia Williams

Granny’s Christmas Wish by Julia Williams

Anything for You by Kristan Higgins

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Started:

Princes at War by Deborah Cadbury

Still reading:

The Night in Question by Laurie Graham

No books bought, but several received as gifts – and they were all ones that I had asked for so that’s excellent news.  I’m going to try to continue to restrain myself, although if I see some good bargains I may not be able to!

Well this is what a week of Tonsillitis will do for the to-read pile!  And a reasonable mix of actual books and ebooks too.  I finally called time on Lair of Dreams this week – I tried again to get into it and I couldn’t.  It’s been lingering way too long, so I’ve reluctantly given up on it.

Read:

Paint the Town Dead by Sybil Johnson

Bricking It by Nick Spalding

A Talent for Trickery by Alyssa Johnson

311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber

Agatha Raisin and the Blood of an Englishman by MC Beaton

74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber

Snowed in for Christmas by Clare Sandy

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

The Beckoning Lady by Margery Allingham

Make a Christmas Wish by Julia Williams

A Christmas in Disguise by Katie Fforde

Started:

The Night in Question by Laurie Graham

A Wicked Way to Win an Earl by Anna Bradley

Still reading:

n/a

I managed to control myself and no books were ordered from my sickbed.  Which is impressive.  I did do some shopping – but it wasn’t for me!

I’m really struggling with Lair of Dreams – I just can’t get into it, but I hate giving up on a book, so I’m going to give it one more week and try to break through and see if I can get into it.  I developed a cold after last weekend’s nights and thought it was getting better until it struck back with a vengeance on Friday and the weekend, so comfort reading has been the order of the day, rather than the Christmas new releases that I should be looking at!

Read:

Mitzi’s Midwinter Wedding by Christina Jones

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

Tears of Pearl by Tasha Alexander

One by Sarah Crossan

First Season and Bride to Be (double pack) by Jane Ashford

Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days by Christina Jones

A Winterfold Christmas by Harriet Evans

Started:

Paint the Town Dead by Sybil Johnson

Still reading:

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

I didn’t buy me any books this week.  I have bought other people books as part of their Christmas presents – but that doesn’t count does it!

Back on track this week!  I finished a few books that I’d been reading for a while, and then started on the e-book and physical to-read pile.

Read:

Masquerade by Hannah Fielding

Master of Shadows by Neil Oliver

After You by Jojo Moyes

Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards

Hot Toy by Jennifer Crusie

From Bad to Wurst by Maddy Hunter

His Majesty’s Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal

Started:

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

Still reading:

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

I have been very restrained and not bought anything at all this week.  I’m not sure that it will last though.  I’ve been trying to put any books that I want on my Christmas list, but I think I’m running out of people who buy me presents who might get them for me!