Good afternoon! As ever, it’s been a busy week for me, but I’m on track with my studying etc etc, so that means a nice chill weekend (as long as I’m on track, I like to make sure my weekends are work- and study-free zones). Reading time!
…And an eye test and such, but you know, there’s still plenty of time for reading around that.
Acquired this week
This week featured a trip to the library, a new book from my wife, and a book via my British Library Crime Classics subscription. So without further ado, here are the books I picked for myself at the library:
And here’s the books I got from the “blind date with a book” display left over from Christmas — I felt so bad that they’d gone to a lot of effort to wrap them beautifully and hand-decorate them, etc, and there were still a bunch left, so I grabbed all the SF/F ones. I’ll try all three!
I thought I might’ve read Spirits Abroad before, but apparently not, and I’ve read Feist and Lord’s work before and enjoyed it, so all in all, not a bad match for me for something chosen just because it was SF/F!
And then there’s the books I got in the mail, with thanks to my wife for the third Hilary Tamar book by Sarah Caudwell!
I already finished The Sirens Sang of Murder —Ā I’m really loving this series, and irritated the fourth book doesn’t seem to be readily available — and I’m eager to readĀ The Ten Teacups, since I’ve started enjoying John Dickson Carr/Carter Dickson’s work. It’s an “impossible mystery” again (which he was famous for), so I’m very curious how he makes it work this time.
Posts from this week
Aaand here’s the roundup of reviews:
- Historical fantasy manga: The Apothecary Diaries (manga), vol 1, by Nekokurage & Natsu Hyuuga (3/5 stars)
- Historical fantasy/fairytale retelling: A Sweet Sting of Salt,Ā by Rose Sutherland (4/5 stars)
- Classic crime: Mr. Pottermack’s Oversight,Ā by R. Austin Freeman (4/5 stars)
- Science non-fiction: Sing Like Fish,Ā by Amorina Kingdon (4/5 stars)
- Non-fiction: Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma,Ā by Claire Dederer (4/5 stars)
- Romance manga: A Side Character’s Love Story,Ā vol 8, by Akane Tamura (4/5 stars)
And a What Are You Reading Wednesday post, as well, of course!
What I’m reading
As usual, let’s start with a sneak peek at the books I’ve finished this week which I plan to review on the blog…
Ā 
Over the weekend, I plan to amuse myself by continuing to avoid a bingo on my BookSpinBingo card on Litsy (latest update to it posted here), so I’ll probably read The Tomb of Dragons (Katherine Addison),Ā A Pirate’s Life for TeaĀ (Rebecca Thorne) and Sir Hereward & Mister Fitz (Garth Nix).
But, as ever, I’ll also just go wherever my whim takes me.
Linking up with Reading Realityās Stacking the Shelves, Caffeinated Reviewerās The Sunday Post, and the Sunday Salon over at Readerbuzz, as usual!
I also like sarah caudwell ā¦ amazon.com does show four books available. I think Iāve read only three of them, you make me think I should get the fourth.
bestā¦ mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I managed to find a copy of the fourth one in a different edition, so the cover design won’t match but oh well! I’m looking forward to giving it a shot, though apparently it was written significantly after the others.
Lost Wonders definitely sounds like a book I’d love to read. But, sadly, none of my libraries have a copy. That seems unexpected. Maybe it’s still early days here.
I also am very interested in reading The Light Eaters soon.
I think it’s quite new, so maybe it’s just a matter of time! It was definitely on the “new” books shelf in the library, and I spotted it in new releases in the bookshop yesterday, too.
The Light Eaters was okay but I think got away from itself sometimes in enthusiasm about stuff that’s not yet proved.
An amazing looking haul. A great mix of books. My partner likes Raymond E Feist. He hasn’t read anything for a while though
Enjoy your work free weekend!
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/15/stacking-the-shelves-94/
I haven’t read anything by Raymond E. Feist in a looong time, but I did love his books as a kid. So I’m hoping I’ll enjoy this one! I’m at least going to give it a try, since the library folks went to such effort to set up the “blind dates”.
I have always been a bit scared to grab A Date With A Book books…I need to live a little LOL
Here is my link..
https://girlsatthebookstore.blogspot.com/2025/02/book-haul-stacking-shelves-february-14.html
I figure since it’s just the library, it’s not a big deal — if I don’t get along with them, I can return them, no prob!
Looks like a good reading week! Off to read your 4/5 reviews – except the romance. š
Haha, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I know!
You have some really interesting titles, enjoy!
Wishing you a happy reading week
Thank you! Looks like a busy week, but let’s hope I can fit in plenty of reading all the same to keep my sanity.
Unlikeable Female Characters looks interesting. Glad you gave the blind-date-with-a-book books a good home!
Sadly, I didn’t love it — it felt a bit obvious to me. But I’m sure it’s interesting for some!
I like the teals in the cover. Have a great week!
Teal is a favourite colour of mine, so it always catches my eye!
You really have a nice diverse set of reading. I’ve enjoyed Zen Cho but haven’t read that one.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Yes, I’ve read several of Zen Cho’s books, but it seems I hadn’t got round to that one yet!
Wonderful book haul. I havenāt tried a blind date with a book yet. Iām always concerned Iāll spend the money but it will be a book I wouldnāt read. I hope you have a great week!
In this case, it’s library books, so if I don’t enjoy them, they can just go back, hehe.
You’ve got a nice selection of books here.
Have a great week/
Thank you!
What a wonderful collection to dive into! Lost Wonders and Spirits Abroad have piqued my interest, thank you for sharing!
I’m looking forward to them! Thanks for dropping by. š
Lost Womders sounds great, but must be very sad as well.
Have a great reading week.
https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/02/16/sunday-post-132-more-snow-more-cold/
Yes, I think it’ll probably be a sad one. š Thanks for dropping by!