OK here I am after an incredibly busy week. I have decided not to do this book sale thingy again. As I said in my last post, lovely people and great fun but it is the carrying and lifting and loading in and out of the car etc which makes the whole exercise exhausting.
Anyway I have had a nice quiet weekend catching up on domestic bits and pieces, have made my Christmas cake, sent off parcels to daughter in Oz, remortgaged my apartment to pay for it (not really but you know what I mean....), taken shedloads of paperbacks to the charity shop and generally clearing and tidying up.
More recommendations. If you like Michael Connelly as I do, then you will be pleased to know that he has another book out (a Harry Bosch one earlier this year) but this one is about Mick Haller who I think I prefer as a main character. The Gods of Guilt has the usual snappy dialogue and the wonderful legal details and court room scenes. What is not to like?
Then the latest Jack Reacher, Never go Back. What can one say about these? I enjoy them enormously but that does not stop me from saying that they are all exactly the same, lone man comes to town, sorts out problem, beds glam female and then departs on the local bus. Fun though.
The latest Stephanie Plum book - Take down Twenty. Again, you know what you are going to get and they are a hoot.
Twelfth Hour by Ada Leverson. This was sent to me by a publisher, Mike Walmer,who got in touch on the recommendation of Simon of Stuck in a Book (thanks Simon!) and has a small but growing list of books
which are right up my strasse. I love The Little Otleys by this author and delighted to find that somebody else loves them too. This is a small paperback and can be slotted into any stocking around. I will be reviewing more fully in the New Year. .Click on the title to go to his website.
Blue Remembered Hills - Rosemary Sutcliff. I have yet to finish this but am halfway through and have no hesitation in recommending it. One of my favourite authors who has been responsible for keeping me happy and enthralled for hours as a child, this is a memoir of her childhood. Published by those gorgeous people at Slightly Foxed and, again, perfect stocking size.
The Santa Klaus Murder -Mavis Doriel Hay. I know I have already mentioned this but must just remind you that this is the perfect Christmas murder, long out of print, and available from another set of gorgeous people, this time at the British Library.
The Beau Monde - Hannah Greig. One of those books from OUP that you just want to hold and stroke as the paper is so wonderfully classy and the cover is gorgeous. Friends of mine who recently attended the Georgian exhibition at the British Library said these were piled up for your delectation and delight. A wonderful present if you have attended the Georgians, and a wonderful present if you have not. And no, I do NOT work for the British Library in case you were wondering....
And, finally, if you have friends who love history and biographies then please remember the following:
The Assassination of the Archduke - Sue Woolmans and Greg King
Magnificent Obsession - Helen Rappaport
Serving Victoria - Kate Hubbard
and my other recommendation, although I am only a third into my read, but am loving it is Princess Louise by Lucinda Hawksley.
There, that should keep you going.
