I'm not really one for short stories, I think they just get going when it's all over. I much prefer something longer where the story can actually develop but after reading a couple of Jojo Moyes books just recently, I thought I'd give Paris For One a go. I have to say that I did enjoy it and I think the Characters were put across very well to say there aren't that many pages to establish personality traits and back-stories. I'd say give it a go if you get the chance but I wouldn't particularly go out of my way to buy it.
Death On The Nile is one of Agatha Christie's most famous novels, however, I don't think it's one of her best. I thought it took some time to get going, the murder doesn't happen until half way through the book, there's a lot of setting the scene. I actually guessed the murderer right from the start. I still enjoyed reading it but I've read better from her.
I've read Jennifer Worth's midwife trilogy, the books that Call The Midwife is based on, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Afterwards, I read In The Midst Of Life, which is about her experiences as a nurse and ward sister, treating patients nearing the end of their lives but I didn't enjoy this one as much. This month I've read Letters To The Midwife which is a collection of correspondence received by Jennifer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, each letter gives a glimpse in to what life was like 'back in the day'. It also contains some of Jennifer's journal entries along with an introduction from her family. I enjoyed reading this book.
Eleanor& Park by Rainbow Rowell is a book aimed at young adults but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually bought it quite a while ago for Eleanor but she's not a bookworm in any sense of the word and she's never read it so I decided I'd read it myself, I'm glad I did. The story is set around two sixteen year olds, Eleanor, who lives in a dysfunctional family and Park who's half Korean and keeps himself to himself. It's basically a story about first love but with issues. I really enjoyed it and though it's aimed at younger readers, I think it's a book for older readers too.
I've bought lots of new books just lately, some that I've found in charity shops and some which have been offers on the Kindle. I won't be stuck for something to read for quite some time.
Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, although I've never read Death On The Nile, I find I prefer her Miss Marple adventures rather than Hercule Poirot........I think much of young adult fiction is really brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI used to read Agatha Christie in my teens and enjoyed her Miss Marple adventures then but I've found I've warmed to Hercule Poirot this time round. I do wish that Daniel and Eleanor read more, they used to love books when they were being read to but neither of them have ever enjoyed reading to themselves very much.
DeleteMy youngest daughter, (she's 23 now), devours books at a rate of knots, she usually has 2 or 3 books on the go at once, she puts me to shame, lol.
DeleteI think it's lovely to see anyone reading. My mum was an avid reader, always had a book in her hands, but she's suffering from the early stages of dementia now so she doesn't read any more, it's really sad as she loved her books.
DeleteI enjoy young adult fiction but my teenagers are not great readers so not much exchange of opinion in my house.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same here, Daniel and Eleanor have never been great readers, I've always been sad about that.
DeleteI enjoyed seeing what you've been reading lately, Jo. I have been reading a lot of Jojo Moyes lately myself. I really like her and wish I'd discovered her sooner. I just finished reading her novel One Plus One and I'd recommend it highly if you haven't read it. It was a really nice story. I've been meaning to read Eleanor and Park too; the title caught my eye because...that's my husband's name (I don't use it on my blog, but I don't mind sharing it here). Happy reading! :)
ReplyDeleteI started reading Jojo Moyes on your recommendation when you were reading Me Before You. I've recently read The One Plus One and enjoyed it too. It's funny what makes a book catch your eye, isn't it? I picked that one up because it had Eleanor in the title.
DeleteI liked the Eleanor and Park book too, in fact I liked most of Rainbow Rowell's books, except for Fangirl.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of Rainbow Rowell before but I think she wrote this book very well, I really enjoyed it.
DeleteThanks for the book reviews. I wasn't aware of Letters to the Midwife, so will be ordering that one soon. As for books aimed at younger readers, sometimes they can be better than the ones aimed at older readers.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Letters to the Midwife, it was nice to hear of other people's experiences of life around the same time as when Jennifer Worth was working as a midwife. I must admit that I don't often read books aimed at younger readers but those I have read have been really good. I wish Daniel and Eleanor were better readers and then I may have read more of this genre.
DeleteI generally like short stories. I agree with what you say about the Agatha Christie book. Like you I've been stocking up with some extra books. Happy reading. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI think short stories are good for when you haven't got a lot of time, or perhaps they're good if you haven't got a very long attention span, they've certainly got a place but I do prefer longer stories myself. I'm glad I'm not the only one with this opinion about Death on the Nile. I do like to have some books ready to read, I think I've got some good ones lined up so I'm looking forward to getting to read them.
DeleteI rarely choose short story books either ... but after reading your review I may just have to give this one and Jojo Moyes a try.
ReplyDeleteAgatha Christie - a much loved favourite by so many.
I think you have done well again, thanks for sharing your reads and thoughts.
All the best Jan
I've really enjoyed all three Jojo Moyes books that I've read, I think I have another one in my pile of books waiting to be read so I hope that one's just as good.
DeleteI haven't read very much at all of late. I must get back into the habit of reading before bed. I didn't realise there was a letters to the midwife, I must try and get that when the library bus comes on Friday.
ReplyDeleteI only read in bed before I go to sleep, I don't read for long but I manage to get through a fair few books this way. I really enjoyed Letters To The Midwife, it was really interesting hearing other people's experiences.
DeleteEveryone I know loves Jojo Moyes, her storytelling is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
I've only read three of her books so far but I've enjoyed them all.
DeleteI read Paris for one a few weeks ago and loved its lighthearted storyline. Easy read.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it, it's just a shame it wasn't a bit longer.
DeleteAnother good reading month for you. I've only read Paris For One out of the four you mentioned, but like you i'm not really a fan of short stories. I've read a couple of Tammy Cohen books this month, have you read any of hers? She also used the name Tamar Cohen.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any Tammy Cohen books, actually I've never even heard of her before. I shall have to look out for some of her books.
DeleteMy reading seems to have slowed down recently, I must get back in the habit. I don't often read short stories, though I do like Jeffrey Archers xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a long time since I've read a Jeffrey Archer book, I read a couple years ago and really enjoyed them.
DeleteLetters to the Midwife sounds so interesting - I love books based on the past, especially when they are written at that time for the very reason you mentioned...getting a glimpse of what people did and thought at the time.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Jennifer Worth's trilogy and Letters to the Midwife just naturally follows on from those, they were all really interesting books.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your reading! I am always interested on your thoughts and especially on the Agatha Christies.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying reading the Agatha Christie books and have enjoyed them all so far, even though some are better than others.
DeleteGood on your reading. I just don't seem to settle to read a book, unless it's very gripping these days, though I've put 2 books on hold at the library. One is Monty Don's new one about his dogs and the other is Amber's Donkey which is also a true story. Look forward to hearing about next months. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI should imagine you'll enjoy both those books knowing how you like reading animal books. I looked at the Monty Don one recently and it sounds like something I'd enjoy too.
DeleteOOh interested in the midwife one and the YA book, thanks for the tips Jo
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both of those, I hope you do too if you decide to read them.
DeleteSome nice books ♥ Happy Monday♥
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all my reads this month.
DeleteYou absolutely put me to shame. My reading list goes Hygge Hygge Hygge..... to the point where even I am fed up of the word (but only for a night!) I love the Christie book, it's just so twenties/thirties decadence and the only way I want to see Egypt. Peter says no.
ReplyDeleteI went for years where are didn't read much at all but I'm so pleased that I've found my reading mojo again, I can't imagine not having a book on the go now.
DeleteI finished the last Louise Penny mystery and I h=am having a hard time finding another book to love. Nothing seems to work right now. Does that happen to you?
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything by Louise Penny. I often find it quite hard to start something else when I've just finished a book I've particularly enjoyed, I think it's because I want that book to go on and on.
DeleteAnother selection of good reads. I think everyone has heard of that AG one especially with the Peter Ustinov movie, he was an entertaining Poirot.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I thought Death on the Nile was going to be one of the best Agatha Christie books as it's such a famous one but I've read better from her. I've never seen the film.
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