Reading the Detectives discussion

This is a new thread for 2023. A lot of us have other reading passions as well as mysteries. Have you been reading any other good books lately which you'd like to share with others? Please post about them in this thread.

The previous thread has been archived but can be referred to here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Currently reading The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett and about to start the Agatha Christie read in this group for January, as well as The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield for another group.

Currently reading Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

Planning to read a Ruth Rendell standalone, and start an Ngaio Marsh or a Louise Penny mystery this month. Have never read these two authors so far...excited to start!

Abigail wrote: "Currently reading The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett and about to start the Agatha Christie read in this group for January, as well as The Diary of a Provincial Lady..."

I want to try Bennett this year. What do you think of him, Abigail?

Mansfield Park for me. I always like to start the year with an Austen.

I am currently reading (and enjoying) Crampton Hodnet and, for non-fiction Touch: The Power of Human Connection and The Long Hauler's Guide to COVID-19: Everything You Need to Know about Living with and Healing from Long Covid

Noble wrote: "Currently reading Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

Planning to read a Ruth Rendell standalone, and start an Ngaio Marsh or a Louise Penny mystery this month. Have never read these two authors so ..."

Note that the Louise Penny series should really, really be read in order! I will be starting the latest today as the library will reclaim it soon. If you like audiobooks, there are two narrators (the first died) and both are excellent. Enjoy.

Sandy wrote: "Noble wrote: "Currently reading Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

Planning to read a Ruth Rendell standalone, and start an Ngaio Marsh or a Louise Penny mystery this month. Have never read these t..."

Good to know about The Louise Penny books. Thanks

Carolien, I am thoroughly enjoying Arnold Bennett! He has a light, easy tone and an observant eye, but unlike writers of social comedy in the vein of Jane Austen he turns his focus on a family of shopkeepers. He lets us see deeper issues under the surface comedy, and not only in the realm of romance. I can’t help but wonder why Bennett is not ranked in the first tier of British novelists.

And I second what has been said about Louise Penny. There is a consistent story arc in the series, not only for the main sleuth but also for ALL the main characters. The first book, Still Life, is more conventional than the rest but it must be read.

Noble wrote: "Currently reading Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

Planning to read a Ruth Rendell standalone, and start an Ngaio Marsh or a Louise Penny mystery this month. Have never read these two authors so ..."

I finally finished “Bleak House” last year after starting it several times during a hospital stay - I was listening to the audiobook and kept falling asleep! I got hopelessly muddled where I’d left off and forgot about it for a few years - finally finishing felt like such an accomplishment. I have several used books by Dickens, Anthony Trollope and other classics I want to read, I need to get myself sorted in 2023, between group reads I want to enjoy, and personal reading challenges I want to pursue as well!

Congratulations on scaling that mountain, Susan! I hope in your personal challenges you continue to include nonfiction, because I have really enjoyed your interesting reviews on nonfiction books this past year.

You and me both, Jackie - enjoying Crampton Hodnet, looking forward to getting back to it after I finish my reread of Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer. I like to usually have a mystery, a nonfiction book, and something lighter and humorous going (at least one as an audiobook), so no matter my mood, one of them appeals.

Abigail wrote: "Carolien, I am thoroughly enjoying Arnold Bennett! He has a light, easy tone and an observant eye, but unlike writers of social comedy in the vein of Jane Austen he turns his focus on a family of s..."

I’ve never read him, but he and this book sound very interesting. I see it’s labeled “Five Towns # 5”, do the books need to be read in order?

Just started reading, “A Boy’s Life” by Robert McCammon who is new to me. I’ve come across some reviews stating that this is his best book. At face value it starts off as a murder mystery but will over time will develop into a dark fantasy. Just came across this passage for example:

“…a human corpse had floated past on the current, the body’s chest peeled open like a sardine can and it’s arms and legs ripped off at the roots.”

Sandy wrote: "Note that the Louise Penny series should really, really be read in order! I will be starting the latest today as the library will reclaim it soon. If you like audiobooks, there are two narrators (the first died) and both are excellent. Enjoy."

Thank you, Sandy

Susan in NC wrote: "I finally finished “Bleak House” last year after starting it several times during a hospital stay - I was listening to the audiobook and kept falling asleep! I got hopelessly muddled where I’d left off and forgot about it for a few years - finally finishing felt like such an accomplishment. I have several used books by Dickens, Anthony Trollope and other classics I want to read, I need to get myself sorted in 2023, between group reads I want to enjoy, and personal reading challenges I want to pursue as well!"

Congrats and good luck Susan! Happy further reading : )

Noble wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I finally finished “Bleak House” last year after starting it several times during a hospital stay - I was listening to the audiobook and kept falling asleep! I got hopelessly mu..."

Thank you, and same to you!

I'm getting towards the end of Celia's House by D.E. Stevenson, which I've been listening to on Audible, beautifully read by Lesley Mackie. It's a Scottish family saga and I've found it an enjoyable comfort read on the whole. A lot of the story follows the plot of Mansfield Park, which feels a bit odd, although the characters aren't all that similar.

Abigail wrote: "Congratulations on scaling that mountain, Susan! I hope in your personal challenges you continue to include nonfiction, because I have really enjoyed your interesting reviews on nonfiction books th..."

Thanks, Abigail, I missed this comment - yes, I definitely will continue my nonfiction monthly reads this year. I’ve always loved history, and was lucky in high school and college to have some wonderful teachers, but not so much in science or business. I’ve read some wonderful, well-written science books - and business/finance! There’s been some stellar reporting turned into page-turning drama over the last several years, almost can’t believe it’s nonfiction!

I finished and enjoyed the gossipy humor of Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym, now I’m going to readNear Neighbours by Molly Clavering, and The Zimmerman Telegram by Barbara W. Tuchman, an incident I’m embarrassed to say I know very little about. I’ve read her other two World War One books (The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914 and The Guns of August), time to get to the third! I doubt it will go any further to make my understanding of that horrific war any clearer - I’m afraid nothing could…I do love her writing style, and passion for her subjects. She was recommended to me decades ago when I was a college student, and I am so glad I’ve read her wonderful books.

Abigail wrote: "Carolien, I am thoroughly enjoying Arnold Bennett! He has a light, easy tone and an observant eye, but unlike writers of social comedy in the vein of Jane Austen he turns his focus on a family of s..."

Good to know, thank you!

An eclectic mix Abigail. 100+ years on and I'm not sure any of us can understand WW1. Both of my grandfathers fought in it throughout but neither of them ever spoke about it. That seemed to be a common coping mechanism.

Craftyhj wrote: "An eclectic mix Abigail. 100+ years on and I'm not sure any of us can understand WW1. Both of my grandfathers fought in it throughout but neither of them ever spoke about it. That seemed to be a co..."

It was horrific and I believe you’re right - we had a “Lost Generation” of artists and writers out of WWI, we studied them in high school, most notably Ernest Hemingway (there were other members among his Paris set, but my teacher felt his work was particularly powerful, so we spent the most time on him!)

Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Carolien, I am thoroughly enjoying Arnold Bennett! He has a light, easy tone and an observant eye, but unlike writers of social comedy in the vein of Jane Austen he turns his focus ..."

Sorry, I got bumped off this thread and didn’t answer your query. No, I don’t think Bennett’s Five Towns novels need to be read in any particular order. Although the setting is the same, the characters are different.

Now reading Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

Abigail wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Carolien, I am thoroughly enjoying Arnold Bennett! He has a light, easy tone and an observant eye, but unlike writers of social comedy in the vein of Jane Austen..."

Thank you!

currently reading nonfiction Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life

That’s a very interesting book, Jackie, hope you enjoy it!

Currently reading Towers in the Mist by Elizabeth Goudge. The first Goudge novel I have found disappointing.

Currently reading The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee.

I've started The Writing of the Gods: The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone. I'm not very far in but I've already encountered two Barbara Mertz quotes. Mertz was an Egyptologist who, as Elizabeth Peters, wrote the Amelia Peabody series.

I"ve been trying to finish up Carrie Soto Is Back today

Starting Fifth Business by Robertson Davies.

I just discovered a fabulous new ( to me ) author; Dorothy Whipple . I was lucky enough to find a Persephone publishers edition of " Someone at a Distance" in very good condition ...
It was unputdownable...

I’ve heard of Whipple—thanks for the recco!

MaryE wrote: "I just discovered a fabulous new ( to me ) author; Dorothy Whipple . I was lucky enough to find a Persephone publishers edition of " Someone at a Distance" in very good condition ...
It was unputd..."

I love Dorothy Whipple, I'm always surprised at how compelling her novels are and find I breeze through her books. I only have two novels of hers left to read and have put them off because I don't want to run out. I'm currently reading another Persephone book, The Happy Tree by Rosalind Murray, which is great so far.

Abigail wrote: "I’ve heard of Whipple—thanks for the recco!" oh you are most welcome!!! :)

Tania wrote: "MaryE wrote: "I just discovered a fabulous new ( to me ) author; Dorothy Whipple . I was lucky enough to find a Persephone publishers edition of " Someone at a Distance" in very good condition ... ..."

Yes I cannot figure how I never knew about her and her amazing talent.... I know what you mean about not wanting to run out. Oh I'll have to look into The Happy Tree, thanks! (I am also in love with Persephone editions; and have been finding a few in very good condition through a good online used book seller.... ) :)

In case anyone doesn’t know, there is a Goodreads group devoted to reading Persephone books.

Abigail wrote: "In case anyone doesn’t know, there is a Goodreads group devoted to reading Persephone books."

I think you'd enjoy Whipple if you can get hold of her. The Persephone group is the reason I'm reading The Happy Tree.

MaryE wrote: "I am also in love with Persephone editions; and have been finding a few in very good condition through a good online used book seller.... )"


I love their books too and am rarely disappointed. Glad you have found a reliable source for them, I think the postage cost makes them expensive outside the UK so having a trusted dealer is great.
They publish a good literary magazine called the Persephone Biannually which is available to read online.

Abigail wrote: "In case anyone doesn’t know, there is a Goodreads group devoted to reading Persephone books."

I think you'd enjoy Whipple if you can get hold of her. The Persephone group is the reason I'm reading The Happy Tree.

MaryE wrote: "I am also in love with Persephone editions; and have been finding a few in very good condition through a good online used book seller.... )"


I love their books too and am rarely disappointed. Glad you have found a reliable source for them, I think the postage cost makes them expensive outside the UK so having a trusted dealer is great.
They publish a good literary magazine called the Persephone Biannually which is available to read online.

Sandy wrote: "I've started The Writing of the Gods: The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone. I'm not very far in but I've already encountered two Barbara Mertz quotes. Mertz was an Egyptologist who,..."

Oh, this sounds interesting - I read her nonfiction book on Egyptology years ago, made the Amelia Peabody series more fun knowing she knew her stuff!

Abigail wrote: That’s a very interesting book, Jackie, hope you enjoy it!"

I really did and I'd strongly recommend it. A friend of mine listens to the author's podcast and that's how I heard about it.

I just finished The Stone of Chastity which I enjoyed and just started Dragon Blood

I'm reading The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart, recommended by a member of this group a while back. I'm about 75% through it and keep imagining different upcoming plot points. A very enjoyable read.

Glad you’re enjoying it, Joanne! I just finished another Mary Stewart that I loved, Airs Above the Ground.

Abigail wrote: "Glad you’re enjoying it, Joanne! I just finished another Mary Stewart that I loved, Airs Above the Ground."
I'll add that one to my Want to Read list. Thanks!

I have just this afternoon finished The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. It must be nearly 30 years since I last read it! I shall work my way through the rest of the series over the year.

If you’re interested, there’s a Mary Stewart group here on Goodreads— https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/.... We’re currently reading the novels in publication order. This month is Airs Above the Ground and next month is The Gabriel Hounds. It’s a very informal group and the moderator is busy so it’s not always kept up to date, but if you dive into the Introductions thread you can keep up with what we’re doing.

Craftyhj wrote: "I have just this afternoon finished The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. It must be nearly 30 years since I last read it! I shall work my way through the rest of the series over the ..."
Such a good book. I liked the follow-up Love in a Cold Climate even more.

At the risk of sounding pushy, Joanne, there’s a group for that too! You seem like someone who might enjoy the Retro Reads group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/.... That group creates a pool each year of books the members want to read that were published in the first half of the 20th century and up to 1980. Each member then picks whatever books they like from the pool. If you like Mary Stewart and Nancy Mitford, you’ll find a lot of congenial books there.

Abigail wrote: "At the risk of sounding pushy, Joanne, there’s a group for that too! You seem like someone who might enjoy the Retro Reads group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/.... That group..."
I like these suggestions, Abigail, thanks very much!

Thanks for the reminder, Abigail, have to get back to my pool choices! Right now, reading a library mystery, another mystery for this group, and a nonfiction read from my library, River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile .