Good morning, folks! It’s been a good week for finally catching up on the reviews I’ve needed to write for a while; I’m really getting somewhere! And it felt like a good week for reading, even though I finished fewer books than I thought.

Books acquired:

Books read this week:

Reviews posted this week:

–Murder Most Unladylike, by Robin Stevens. Not 100% my thing, but fun for a change, and something I would recommend for someone in the right age group. 3/5 stars
–Rosewater, by Tade Thompson. For me, the intriguing setting and ideas were eclipsed by the main character being a sex-obsessed misogynist. 2/5 stars
–Stars Uncharted, by S.K. Dunstall. A ragtag crew end up being something like a found family, after being chased around the universe by bad guys. Sounds familiar? Yeah. Fun, though, and with a couple of elements that stood out. 3/5 stars
–Kill the Queen, by Jennifer Estep. Very very typical fantasy tropes in a blender, but it’s nice brain-candy, and does not take itself overly seriously. This is like… an urban fantasy feel on an epic fantasy scale. 3/5 stars
–How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith, by Mary Beard. Really, this is best viewed as two separate books bound into one. Both topics are fascinating, although the analysis here is fairly shallow — an introduction and overview. 3/5 stars
–A Local Habitation, by Seanan McGuire. A reread; not the strongest of the series, I think, though there’s some intriguing stuff going on. 3/5 stars
–Death at Bishop’s Keep, by Robin Paige. A kind of meh mystery with an interesting female lead. 3/5 stars

Other posts:

–WWW Wednesday. The usual weekly update on what’s on my reading pile right now.

Out and about:

–NEAT science: ‘Burning questions‘. Your chance to ask the science questions you’ve been wondering about!

So how’re you doing? Good reading week? Wish you’d had more time for books? Something you’re excited about?

Almost forgot to set this up — in fact, have snuck out of bed because I know I’ll forget in the morning! 2019 continues with me being very good about book purchases, and better about what I ask for to review — only one new book this week, from Pan Macmillan!

Books acquired:

I’m not sure whether I want to reread Sorcerer to the Crown first. Hmm…

Books finished this week:

Reviews posted this week:

–The Raven Tower, by Ann Leckie. I was so excited to get this advance copy, and it did not disappoint me. 5/5 stars
–To Davy Jones Below, by Carola Dunn. Fairly typical Daisy story with a slightly different setting and some recurring characters. 3/5 stars
–What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape, by Souhaila Abdulali. A frank and freeing look at a taboo subject, treating rape as the violence it is and as something that doesn’t have to be defining, while looking at the social issues surrounding it. 4/5 stars
–Shades of Milk and Honey, by Mary Robinette Kowal. This novel actually grows on me every time I read it. This one is primarily romance, but the later books expand the world and feature a lot more politics and world events. 4/5 stars
–Band Sinister, by K.J. Charles. Like Georgette Heyer, but with more free-thinking and queerness. 5/5 stars

Other posts:

–WWW Wednesday. The usual update, featuring my thoughts primarily on Space Opera by Cat Valente.

How’s everybody doing? Read anything good this week?

Today I’m going to keep this quick, because one of my rabbits has been sick* and I’m really tired and worn down. And starting to get a cold myself! Gah. So, keeping it quick…

(*It’s Biscuit. She was spayed on Wednesday and hasn’t been eating too great since then. Cross your fingers for her!)

Books acquired: 

Books read: 

Reviews posted:

–Stitches in Time, by Lucy Adlington. A restful read that goes into some details about the history of the clothes we wear. 4/5 stars
–Busman’s Honeymoon, by Dorothy L. Sayers. This might not be the height of the series, but it’s lovely for those who know and love Peter and Harriet. They are my idea of romance. 4/5 stars

Other posts:

–Discussion: Book Blanket. A progress pic (with a scene-stealing hedgehog) and some pondering on how to fit it together.
–WWW Wednesday. The usual update.

How’s everyone else doing? Read anything good this week?

Right. Writing this the night before, so hello from the wrong side of sleep, and goodbye!

This post is prepared well in advance, as I’m away this weekend! I’ll pop by and see everyone as soon as I’m back, though: pinky-promise! We’re just off to Wales to see some of my friends from university (*waves*) and my aunt. Road trip time!

Books read this week:

Reviews posted:

–Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L. Sayers. It’s a lovely book that is the culmination of so much in the other books, while being unlike them in some ways. (For instance, it’s largely Harriet’s point of view, and it’s mostly not a crime story but a story about a long process of trying to prevent a crime… but mostly coming to terms with personal and philosophical pros and cons of married life vs vs a job vs academia.) It’s well worth it for people who are fans already, but I wonder how interesting it is to new folks. 4/5 stars
–Breaking the Maya Code, by Michael D. Coe. Really fascinating history of how the Mayan glyphs were finally, finally decoded. 4/5 stars
–Mystery in White, by J. Jefferson Farjeon. Rather incoherent and reliant on coincidence, actually; I turned out not to be much of a fan, despite enjoying Farjeon’s other work. 2/5 stars
–The Cobbler’s Boy, by Katherine Addison and Elizabeth Bear. A historical fiction/mystery about how Kit Marlowe first became a spy… I really enjoyed it, though the decision to render the dialogue somewhat realistically for the time period might throw people off. 4/5 stars
–Ninja, by John Man. Eminently skippable. Bleh. 2/5 stars
–Molecules at an Exhibition, by John Emsley. Kind of interesting but got boring fast as the novelty wore off. 3/5 stars

Other posts:

–WWW Wednesday. The usual weekly update!

Out and about:

–Once Upon a Blue Moon: ‘A Woman Skilled in Physic.’ A short story which will turn out to be a retelling if you give it a few moments…
–Once Upon a Blue Moon: ‘A Room Without A Soul.’ An attempt at making books creepy.

So how’s everyone doing?

Hey folks! Another week, another… total lack of new books?! What’s wrong with me??

Anyway, so that was January, I guess. I read 15 books, bought only a handful, and generally behaved myself pretty well.

Books read this week:

Reviews posted this week:

–The Nine Tailors, by Dorothy L. Sayers. Beautifully atmospheric, and always one of my favourites of the series. I love how much work Sayers did to integrate change ringing into the fabric of the story. 4/5 stars
–Seahenge, by Charlie Watson. Definitely a good primer on what Seahenge was and what was done to preserve it; Francis Pryor’s book does more work on interpretation, though, if that’s your interest. 4/5 stars
–Styx and Stones, by Carola Dunn. Okay, one aspect of this book really annoyed me: that stupid scene where Daisy and Alec briefly break up. What’s the point? Otherwise a fairly standard entry in the series, with a couple of twists you may not expect. 3/5 stars

Other posts:

–A Personal Note. In lieu of a discussion post this week, I wrote about my feelings on Brexit.
–WWW Wednesday. The usual weekly update!

Out and about:

–NEAT Science: ‘Is there any (intelligent) life out there?‘ My answer is ‘I really don’t know, and I don’t think anyone else has any idea how likely it is either’ — and I touch a little bit on why I think so and why other people think it might be likely or unlikely.

So that’s this week. How’s everyone else been doing? Any good books? Anything you’ve been dying to get your hands on finally fall into your lap?

Good morning, folks! It’s been a heck of a week, as I think I already said; thank goodness it’s over, and I can start the next one fresh. In theory, anyway! I’m ending/starting the week with the #24in48 readathon, so that’ll be good.

Books read this week:

Reviews posted this week:

–Greenwitch, by Susan Cooper. Never a favourite of the series, but there’s a lot to love all the same. 4/5 stars
–A Little History of Science, by W.F. Bynum. Did not finish this one, because inaccuracies. Meh. 1/5 stars
–Hidden Sun, by Jaine Fenn. Did not finish this one, because despite some intriguing stuff, the characters decide that rape isn’t so bad as long as you don’t kill anyone, and I’m not into that. 2/5 stars

Discussions:

Discussion: Book Blanket. This week, I shared a photo of one motif, and the pattern I’m using to make them! The photo at least is worth it, I promise; it’s a very pretty colour combination!

Out and About:

NEAT science: ‘Gum Disease causes Alzheimer’s?‘ You heard me! It’s a theory so far, but from what I’ve read, it’s kind of convincing!

So how’s everyone else been doing?

Good morning, folks! It’s late as I type this (the night before, as is traditional) and my wife would really like some sleep before my fancy-ass snobby hairdresser appointment. (It’s not bleach! It’s “toner”! Well let me tell you: I have dark brown hair, naturally. You’re not going to ‘gently tone’ it into accepting bright turquoise dye, my friends.) So I do this in a rush, so please excuse anything I miss…

Books acquired:

Books read this week:

Number of books in: 1
Number of books read: 2
Number of books from the backlog read: 0
Rereads: 1
Library books: 0
Bought in 2019: 1

Reviews posted this week:

–Dead in the Water, by Carola Dunn. Not exactly surprising or revolutionary — though nor have any of the Daisy books been — but comfortably entertaining. 4/5 stars
–Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge. If people could put aside the kneejerking about the title (which half the time just proves it’s point), this is an informative and civil attempt to, well, talk to white people about race. The anger is there, but muted; Eddo-Lodge tries to communicate facts as much as anything. 4/5 stars
–Murder Must Advertise, by Dorothy L. Sayers. Always a fun entry in this series, from my point of view; I was surprised to learn from the introduction (or was it the introduction to The Nine Tailors?) that this was more or less filler. I can see it, though, on reflection. 4/5 stars
–The Crucible of Creation, by Simon Conway Morris. A response to and a rebuttal of some of Stephen Jay Gould’s work, particularly Wonderful Life, from a scientist who has made a career from working on the creatures of the Burgess Shale. Unfortunately, I didn’t find his style very engaging… 3/5 stars
–A Most Novel Revenge, by Ashley Weaver. Meh. This series feels samey, though thank goodness this book put aside much of the drama about Milo being a playboy. Not continuing this series. 2/5 stars

Discussions:

–Discussion: Book Blanket. Wanna see my colour palette and the motif design? Here!
–WWW Wednesday. The weekly update!

Good morning, folks! It’s been a somewhat busy week, aka I’ve still been catching up from the holiday and just being kinda lazy, so there hasn’t been much activity. I have bought my first two books of 2019 though, and got my first request via Netgalley.

Received to review:

Bought:

Books read this week:

Number of books in: 2
Number of books read: 4
Number of books from the backlog read: 3
Rereads: 0
Library books: 0
Bought in 2019: 1

Reviews posted this week:

–The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper. Still beloved, though I had more quibbles and concerns this time. 4/5 stars
–The Mycenaeans, by Rodney Castleden. I don’t know the material well enough to judge his accuracy, but there are some things from what I do know that seem problematic. 2/5 stars

Other posts:

–Discussion: Book Blanket. My awesome bookish crafty project for 2019!

Out and about:

–NEAT science: ‘Neanderthal diets: follow-up.‘ Someone asked an interesting question about last week’s post, so I dug in a bit further!

So that’s it for this week, I think! How’s it going for you guys?

Hello folks! It’s been a slow week and I’m only just properly getting back to my posting schedule, but there have been some posts and there has been a new book! Technically I took back a book I already had and got a new book as a swap. I’m super interested in this one since I spent my Christmas prep time learning a new fabric-based craft for people’s gifts… Actually, first, let me show off said gifts! (Click to embiggen!)

The first pic is finished and framed ones; the second pic contains some of the other pieces I finished, and shows them drying on the radiator before being pressed and framed! (Thank you, wife, for making the pressing and framing part happen.)

So here’s the new book:

Books read this week:

Reviews posted this week:

–Death Wears a Mask, by Ashley Weaver. Not bad, but mostly just kinda lukewarm brain candy — and the romantic entanglement between the main character and her playboy husband is wearing on me. 2/5 stars

–Over Sea, Under Stone, by Susan Cooper. The weakest of the series, and probably could’ve done without rereading this one, though Cooper’s deft touch with characterisation is still a joy. 3/5 stars

Other posts:

–The Last Ten Books. A book tag with mostly interesting questions!
–Game of Books 2019. My points-based ‘game’ that gives equal credit for many short books or one long book, while encouraging me to read my backlog too!
–WWW Wednesday. An update on what I’ve been reading recently.
–2018 Stats. A look back at my year in books!

Out and about:

–NEAT science: ‘Neanderthal diets.‘ How do we know what Neanderthals ate? This post goes through one of the ways!

How’s everybody doing? Reading anything exciting?