September 2013 in Books

The Reading Commute…

Last month I perfected the art of ‘walk reading’. Walking five miles a day means I can get through 30 more pages a day as I dodge other London commuters in the rush to and from work. I must admit that I have also started getting up an hour early just so I can read and cuddle the cat before work… this all means that in September I got through three novels in a month – which I haven’t done for quite some time!

The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin book reviewThe Moving Toyshop, by Edmund Crispin

I found this copy in Oxfam Books on Upper Street. This novel is a delight. It’s like reading a good Poirot mystery but with a lot more humour!

It’s fun, exciting and fast-moving, and as a result is a very fast read. It’s part of a Gervais Fen series, and I’ll definitely be tracking down the rest of the books.

I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy and entertaining murder mystery romp.

scores on the doors

9/10

The White Queen, by Philippa GregoryThe White Queen by Philippa Gregory book review

This one I read as part of the book club at my work. In other words, I would not have chosen it myself – I don’t usually go in for historical fiction.

Taking me by surprise, I enjoyed a large chunk of this book. It was a real page-turner, speeding along with intrigue, action and romance. I enjoyed the beginning especially, with the classic romantic story of the prince and the pauper.

In the latter parts of the novel, Gregory really did delve into the ‘fiction’ part of the ‘historical fiction’ genre, supporting the conspiracy theory of the hidden prince. This worries me, because if I didn’t know better I might have been taken in and thought this was fact. This theory has been long since disproved and simply does not hold water…

She ends on a cliff hanger, but it didn’t pull me in, and I won’t be reading her other novels. Still, a lot to discuss when the book club meets again.

scores on the doors

4/10

Lord Lucan My Story by William Coles book reviewLord Lucan: My Story, by William Coles

I found this copy in the second hand area of my Dad’s bookshop, Laurence Oxley’s. After reading John Pearson’s The Gamblers I was taken in by the story of the fugitive who was once a member of the Clarence Club. I’m lucky enough to be able to talk to John about these characters, and was interested to read William Coles’ take on the infamous story.

Lord Lucan: My Story is supposedly written by the infamous murderer, and details a disturbingly possible explanation of the man’s disappearance. The book is fast-moving and hard to put down, and I found myself learning more and more about the events that surrounded the murder of Sandra Rivett.

The story is skillfully peppered with anecdotes and interesting characters, and right through to the very end does not disappoint, sending chills up my spine.

I’d strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in real crime stories, and also crime fiction, as it’s a real mixture of both.

scores on the doors

9/10

Currently Reading

My current book of choice is another by Mick Jackson. After so enjoying The Underground Man, I am now nearly finished with Five Boys, which is another triumph.

Mick Jackson Five Boys bookChad Harback the art of fielding book

I’m also soon to read the next London Book Club title -Chad Harback’s The Art of Fielding. Not sure how I feel about this, but apparently it doesn’t matter how much you know about American baseball…

 

Review: The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared

Book Review: Monsieur Linh And His Child

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