Posting the books (mostly audiobooks) I've recently completed first.... 50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Spiritual Giants of the Faith ~ Warren W. Wiersbe (2-3) switched between audio and book and thought the book would have been better titled 50 People Warren Wiersbe Thinks Every Trainee Minister Should Know. Age of Swords: The Legends of the First Empire, BK2 ~ Michael J. Sullivan, narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds (3) Not as good as the first book and the middle portion of the story really drags. The third book in the series has just become available for library loan, and so far is better than this second book. Dr Finlay: The Complete BBC Radio Collection ~ A.J. Cronin, narrated by David Tennant, John Gordon Sinclair, Celia Imrie, full cast (4 ) An escapist listen, the stories range from humorous to sobering. The last story was a tail-dragger, which detracted from other well told ones in the collection. Recommending to those that enjoy Dr. Tom Smith’s Adventures of a Scottish Doctor books. Extra: domestic violence. Roxanne: Kings Lake Investigation Bk3 ~ Peter Grainger, narrated by Gildart Jackson (5) The picture of the young girl on the cover put me off wanting to listen to this audiobook – I actively avoid listening to modern era crime stories with violence against children - the picture is a flashback moment of the young woman (who is murdered) when she was a girl. The perpetrator of the crime in this story became obvious as I read along, and makes for an interesting twist to most fiction crime stories about escorts. Though everything is discussed pretty euphemistically, there are some really gritty topics in this Kings Lake investigation branching out from escort agencies, and, ‘party drugs’. Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm ~ Isabella Tree, narrated by the author (3.5) for the audiobook. This is one of those times when I know the physical book would have been the better option for me as opposed to an audiobook. I found the audio dragged in places, too many side-trips into supporting papers, or books, Isabella had read (the travel journalist in her coming to the fore?), and her need to discuss the prehistoric mammals their current livestock may have evolved added to the dragging feel for me. The chapter on worms was one of the most interesting in the book for me .... it's a topic I'm actively interested in. This was a buddy listen with my Dh, he gave this an extra star, ranking it at 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This. Some letters are hard to find a good book for ..... (do you count titles from a series if you're struggling: thinking of that tricky letter "u" ) You may like the story in the last book - I seem to have slipped into a "grumpy reader" mood this year. Nodding - I didn't like that portion either, the author rights the scales (her way) over than incident ...... (Taking a rest during a series is a good reminder, I think I gobbled this one down too quickly.) Only two books after that one and you're 'caught up'. 😉

I really appreciate you including wee notes like this in your reviews. Thank you.

Yes! This exactly. I highlighted so many portions. ( I might revisit it again in a few years too )

I’ve abandoned at least four books lately, one at half way through the book, and quite a few are garnering really low ratings this month: I think I may need to indulge in a reading detox - not sure what that looks like yet - so that I’m not continually starting out resistant to new books. Titles recently completed: A Willful Grievance: The Lillie Mead Historical Mystery Series Bk2 ~ Lisa Zumpano, narrated by Claire Storey , I increased the speed to 1.4X made for better listening. I definitely want to hear more in this series: easy listening, with an interesting mystery; and, thankfully no women are subjected to brutal misconduct after they are kidnapped. Extra: Some cursing and using God's name as an expletive. No f-bombs. Abandoned children, orphans, a policeman has O.C.D. The Virgin in the Ice: Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Bk6 ~ Ellis Peters, narrated by Vanessa Benjamin. I've listened to the dramatised version of this story, but never to the unabridged: discounting the narrator who was just ‘okay’ to listen to, the unabridged version of the story is so much better than the dramatised audio. Extra: a young nun is r*aped and murdered (the telling of these events is told euphemistically). All the Tears in China: Rowland Sinclair Bk9 ~ Sulari Gentill (late night reading) This book seemed to have more mystery in it than the others I’ve read so far, books 2-8, or perhaps it’s the person who ends up doing the murders that make it feel that way. I really enjoyed the mystery in this one and stayed up late to devour the last part of the book. Extra: Brutality in prison, opium addiction, gang lifestyle, the discussion of bigotry/ racism/ racial prejudice, an ex-boyfriend is an abusive, controlling manipulator and a stalker. A Testament of Character: Rowland Sinclair Bk10 ~ Sulari Gentill (late night reading) Others can love this edition in the series, sadly, I just cannot. 😔 Two scenarios the author 'gifted' to Rowly left me feeling really (!) sad - she and Edna, a character in the book, have used him for their own ends and I closed the book wishing he’d find another girl as his muse and love. Poor Rowly. Extra: distressing content (homophobia in the 1930’s) what they did to Daniel’s boyfriend was awful. The bedroom door is open on one scene (heterosexual), kidnapping of a female. Dark Threads the Weaver Needs: The Problem of Human Suffering ~ by Herbert Lockyer (129pgs) (CC) (4) Though the book is slight, only 129 pages long, it was not a fast, nor easy read for me: time was needed to pause and reflect on so many portions. The Adventures of Maud West, Lady Detective: Secrets and Lies in the Golden Age of Crime ~ Susannah Stapleton, narrated by Clare Wille. The author’s sentence, in chapter five, “Could one ever trust a private detective?” is the driving thought she is writing from throughout the entire book. I found this a negative toned read, with Stapleton trying to prove that Maud is a fake and a liar: the later portion of the title is the clue, Secrets and Lies in the Golden Age of Crime with the main secret and lie in this book being Maud herself. While some of the supporting historical details are interesting this is not a title I’ll be recommending to anyone. I found the audio needed to be sped up as Clare Wille’s reading became rather slow and ponderous after a while. This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing ~ Jacqueline Winspear (ebook) I rather enjoy Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series, the later books more than some of her early ones, and so was keen to read this memoir. It’s not a favourite read for me and I gave it 2.5 stars on GR. After reading the endnotes I could see why the book read as it did: this is a collection of stories melded together from, mostly, workshopping sessions. It feels like more was missing from the book than was often being said - again that workshop feel to it - yet I'm pleased I read it, as it gave me an insight into the creator of Maisie Dobbs. (ETA: please excuse any typos in my posts, editing before hitting submit is not always an option if I want to get anything posted.)

@Lady Florida. agreeing with your comment in last weeks thread: our GR reviews do seem to be helping each other. (So glad that @Kareni kept mentioning the Linesman series, which I enjoyed on audio) Adding here, I enjoyed reading The Goblin King and got to gift him with a kindness your audio/narrated experience doesn't appear to have gifted him with. Thank you for crafting the thread each week for us @Robin M. I can't always get here to chat but do try to read offline later, and see what you are each reading or link sharing. Q: One of my reading goals this year is to complete the A-Z challenge; and I was wondering this week if anyone else who has done, or are doing this challenge was loathe to include books in their final tally that they ended up really disliking? 😏 I think I’ve got about four letters to read, unless I change my mind again……

In my late night reading I’ve read three printed books, books six to eight in the Rowland Sinclair mystery series by Sulari Gentill, so far this month, and the series is averaging between 3-4 out of 5 stars from me. There are some content issues (could be triggers for some) in these books, the bedroom scenes are all closed door. I was so happy to complete two sip reads this week that I began late last year – both are Christian non-fiction: Keep a Quiet Heart ~ Elisabeth Elliot, God in the Docks ~ C.S. Lewis. I enjoyed the first half of Elisabeth Elliot’s book more than the second half due to the topics being discussed. Lewis’ book is a collection of essays which contained some hits and misses in appreciation for me. I also completed When We Were Orphans ~ Kazu Ishiguro, narrated by Michael Maloney. This is my second Kazu Ishiguro book, and I ended up liking it a whole lot less than my first book, thanks to Uncle Philip. I was enjoying the ambling, slightly baffling approach until we got to the reveal* and the way the man intentionally did it. The baffling portions are intentional so that Christopher and the reader have quite a few things that need resolving. *the reveal was definitely a horrific and discordant note and the deliberate destruction of any innocence. Currently reading or listening to A Willful Grievance: The Lillie Mead Historical Mystery Series Bk2 ~ Lisa Zumpano, narrated by Claire Storey , The Virgin in the Ice: Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Bk6 ~ Ellis Peters, narrated by Vanessa Benjamin - I haven’t been through the unabridged edition and decided to so for this weeks cloistered life theme, All the Tears in China: Rowland Sinclair Bk9 ~ Sulari Gentill (late night reading), and, This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing ~ Jacqueline Winspear, as the hold came due at the library.

It’s the style my DD dresses in, and was a new word for me too until clothing items starting hitting her wardrobe.😋 (interested to see what it looks like in books @Kareni)

@mumto2 You may have already read this book.... while I was listening I thought this is a book you might enjoy: No Cure for the Dead: The Florence Nightingale Mysteries Bk1 ~ Christine Trent, narrated by Lucy Rayner. I gave it 3- out of 5 stars. Here's my goodreads review. If you enjoy cosy mysteries and a, Carola Dunn toned, Daisy Dalrymple character being Florence Nightingale you’ll like this historical mystery series. This definitely has all the hallmarks of first in a historical series with the setting up of characters and locations in the Victorian era. A few other books I've completed: A Murder Unmentioned: Rowland Sinclair Bk6 ~ Sulari Gentill . I gave this 4 out of 5 stars. Rowly and friends are back in their best setting, Australia, and we finally get to see what happened to Rowly’s abusive father and who killed him. Extra: domestic violence with life threatening beltings, compromised mental health (Elizabeth Sinclair), child abduction (ends well), gaslighting. Wild Strawberries: Barsetshire Bk2 ~ Angela Thirkell, narrated by Hilary Neville. Out of the three books I've read in this series - High Rising 3-4*s, and, The Brandon's, I noted that one as just so-so and wouldn't recommend - this title falls between those two ratings earning itself three stars. Though the ending felt rushed and rather unsatisfactory, Hillary Neville read this so well she created an audio story I still liked afterwards. A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of WWII’s Most Dangerous Spy, Virginia Hall ~ Sonia Purnell, narrated by Juliet Stevenson (4) I was familiar with Virginia Hall ( & Noor Kahn) having read Sarah Helm's book, A Life in Secrets: Vera Atkins and the Missing Agents of WWII in 2016. I enjoyed getting to hear a much fuller account of Virginia's courage during WW11, and then her life after the war. To have given so much during the war and then to be side-lined afterwards must have been so hard. This is the kind of book that encourages me to want to do more study about the character; and, I see a movie was released about her a little while back "Liberte: A Call to Spy", has anyone here watched it?

No, no need to read these in order. Cotillion is a fun read, if you like Heyer: I do, many of her books are comfort-read favourites. I'm just about to start Winspear's memoir, so your "enjoyment" comment caught my attention (hoping I do too). 12 Rules has been on my to read list for ages, for the same reason's you've mentioned.

@Lady Florida. I completed T.C.o.M.C a wee while back .... looking forward to any possible BaW discussion at the end of this scheduled read: I can see why you gifted it all the starts you did 🥰 (hoping you're continuing to heal and strengthen after your op: thinking of you often!) Looking forward to coming back and falling down those rabbit holes (links) you've provided @Kareni @Junie Oh my! Paddington Bear! What a flashback of wonderful memories. I LOVE the original Paddington Bear chapter books and yet failed in the attempt to read him aloud to my D.C, I'd end up laughing myself absolutely silly and so the DC requested DH take over so they could see what I was laughing at.

Thank you to who ever mentioned/recommended The Devotion of Suspect X: Detective Galileo Bk1 ~ Keigo Higashino , Translated by Alexander O. Smith, narrated by David Pittu. I gifted it 4 out of 5 starts. This story is unlike any other mystery I've listened to recently, the crime and the participants in this story are revealed right off, then a twist comes with suspect X taking the initiative to ..... can't say too much it'll generate spoilers. Clever. I wasn't expecting THAT ending. So many layers to this story with the background issues; domestic violence, single parenting, attempted suicides, homelessness, and, friendship versus professional obligation

Have you read the sequel to Bel Lamington, Fletchers End ? I'm stalling hoping it will come available on audio. I am enjoying them for that reason too: there are decent chunks of Australian history in there that I didn't know about.

Posting first and then hoping to get back here in a few days and catch up on what each of you are reading, or have read. Thank you (!!) @Robin M for these book threads. 💐 I appreciate the book recommendation, given a while back, @Kareni. I just checked and, amazingly, our library does have a printed copy. In the last six or so weeks , I've spent a good amount of time going back through series I'm familiar with - then it doesn't matter if I go to sleep as I already know what happens. I originally went through The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert for/with my young teen aged DD, the series isn't as charming this time through and I've abandoned things at the second to last book. Other repeat listens/reads have been; The Miss Silver series by Patricia Wentworth, which I mostly enjoy, and the Drumburly /Dering series by D.E. Stevenson, also enjoyed. I've just listened to a follow-on for the Dering series, Bel Lamington ~ D.E Stevenson which was gentle reading from an era long gone. Bel can be a bit sappy yet I gave the book four stars. I listened to two more in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series: A Fatal Lie: Inspector Ian Rutledge Bk23 ~ Charles Todd, narrated by Simon Vance (4-) Unlike others, I didn’t mind the shift to Simon Vance as the voice for Rutledge, if we can’t have Simon Prebble, Simon Vance is good too. As per usual, the mystery took us with Inspector Rutledge all over the U.K. The topic for Rutledge’s latest case was a little odd – I can’t give too much background with creating spoilers: some people just do not deserve to have the privilege of a child to care for. Ian has still not been cut any breaks in his personal life. A Hanging at Dawn: Bess Crawford Bk11.5 ~ Charles Todd, narrated by Rosalyn Landor (4) It is nice to hear the back story of Simon Brandon as he is so closely entwined in the Crawford’s life, especially Bess Crawford’s. Looking forward to the next book in this series. As I'm hoping to achieve at least two book read each month this year I've picked up the Rowland Sinclair Crime and Mystery series by Australian author Sulari Gentill (I think you've read some of these @mumto2?) Only one book has been a waste of reading time so far, the rest of the series is averaging between three to four our of five stars for me. Sip-reading is an ongoing habit for me and I have, at last count, five in my could-take-until-next-year pile, and, three in my try-to-read-some-each-day stack. A challenging and very slow paced read from amongst that collection is Herbert Lockyer's, Dark Threads the Weaver Needs: The Problem of Human Suffering. A few five stars listens for me have been : Age of Myth: The Legends of the First Empire Bk1 ~ Michael J. Sullivan, narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds There are some content issues that others may like to know before starting. (Some cursing, no F-bombs. A few violent squirmishes - especially amongst the magicians, and with the destruction of a bear. Some narcissistic characters. One magician had her girlfriend/ partner leave her because she’s never home. Newborn babies have been abandoned by parents due to famine/tribal laws.) The Other Bennet Sister ~ Janice Hadlow, narrated by Kristin Atherton ( I found this better listened to at 1.5x ) This story from Mary Bennett’s vantage point contains so many of the events that happened to others in the original Pride and Prejudice and are now happening to her, and around her: I enjoyed spotting them. I found Mr. Collins’ character development the least plausible, and was happy to dislike Miss Bingley and the pleasure-seeking-creep she was try to ‘land’.

Interested to hear your review of the movie (at some stage) as I really enjoyed the book, a few years back, as a read aloud with one of my teens. We can access the movie too here in NZ.

@Seasider too ymmv, but I enjoy Wilkie Collins books much more as audiobooks. With The Moonstone, about a third of the way through the book I was wondering if I wanted to keep investing in this "taking forever" serial styled story - time to read a quick summary and see where the story was going. I’m glad I did, as it gave me the impetus to keep listening to Peter Jeffrey's excellent narration of this work. I'm currently listening to No Name and read a summary before I even began. ETA: 15 Chapters in and I'm finding No Name hard going, even on audio.

Posting first, reading the thread next. I am hoping that once we get past February I can get here to read and post a bit more than I have been - not just zoom through the threads signed out. I may have to take a page out of @Matryoshka book and post once a month. Reading is a little challenging this month, yet I'm achieving some of that too, as we prepare for 3 birthdays we observe - one is my ds 21st - and then my in-laws 63rd wedding anniversary💞. We're hoping nothing happens down here to stop those celebrations taking place. I am getting through a few audiobooks. I've completed seven books so far for my a-z reading challenge. (thanks for your lists on Goodreads @mumto2.) Beneath are two of my reviews: 16/01 – 06/02 The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas, narrated by Bill Homewood (5) audiobook My start to this classic was not a good one, the first chapter felt like a fizzer, it gifted me with a character who was clueless about others feelings and motives toward him (that sort of character makes me want to shake them!) ..... I won't add any spoilers as others here are still at the beginning. I wasn’t sure I want to invest all the hours required to go through the journey with Dantes ….. so I went over to Goodreads to put this audiobook into my abandoned stack; and, then saw how much Kathy @Lady Florida. loved it - the 5 stars kind of loved it - so I decided I must have missed something as other books she’s gifted 5 stars to have been success reads for me also. I took a week break and tried again. With my next attempt I just stuck with the audiobook (on 2x speed) until Dantes meets up with the Abbe: I ended up really enjoying this involved, slightly convoluted tale and I had no clue of how the end was going to play out. I will add, as I was listening to the audiobook (at 1.9x speed) around chapter 55 I absolutely had to (!) pause and realign who everyone was, what they had done in the past and who they were now, whom they had married, and who each child belonged to. Others may like to note the author uses the 'n' word once. 31/01 – 02/02 The Forest of Wool and Steel ~ Natsu Miyashita, Philip Gabriel (Translator) printed book (4.5) My 19yr old daughter - a pianist and an artist - who is taste-testing non-western literature, recommended I read this: The Forest of Wool and Steel is such a gentle read, filled with lyrical, poetic beauty about a young Japanese man becoming a piano tuner. We both loved the satisfying ending. For those that are familiar with literature-based curriculums, this would have made a great Highschool “Sonlight” book for some families. Extra: one of the characters has anxiety attacks, and has an OCD issue about dirt. Picture books still feature big time for my dd and me and I just wanted to give a notable mention to this one: The Fire Wombat ~ Jackie French, Danny Snell (Illustrations) Picture e-book (5) An emotive book, for me, with poetic prose and soft water colours. A book that required a slower, thoughtful, read; and, is one that I think would be a challenge for me to read aloud to little people without tearing up.

I get distracted reading each new BaW thread (this year) and then run out of time to post. Posting tonight, coming back to thread read another day. My reading ideas for this year: Read 52 in 52 (12 physical books and 40 new-to-me audiobooks), and have a try at completing an A-Z challenge. I'll continue reading Christian based/ faith based books that will hopefully inspire, and, challenge me –it’s easy to read books/authors that I know I will agree with: it stretches me to read books where I know the authors beliefs and mine will vary. Please just ignore the titles in I’m reading that aren’t for you. 🙂 I'm aiming to include a good mix of other non-fiction in my reading pile, chip away at a few more of the classic titles, have retro titles and vintage whodunits once again featuring in the mix; and, I’d really like to read from my TBR pile. New-to-me fiction audiobooks I've enjoyed so far this month: 04 - 08/01 Prophet: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller: The Goliath Code Series, Bk2 ~ Suzanne Leonhard (audiobook) (4/5) While this is still a really interesting portion to the Goliath Code story I actually enjoyed the first book in the series much more and was a bit disappointed that the viewpoint switched to a male character, Micah from the first book . The abrupt ending is the kind I intensely dislike in a book, regardless of whether it’s part of a series or not. Despite those two factors, for others that appreciate a biblically based take on a post-apocalyptic story this one is worth listening to. (Just make sure you’ve heard the first book in the series first). Extra for others that like to know in advance too: domestic abuse (!), violence & bullying, discusses adults/ a child that had been harvested for ‘protein’, cursing and the occasional swear word (no f-bombs). Some churched followings feature (a prosperity doctrine scammer, spotlights faith based v works based beliefs). 06 - 12/01 The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories ~ Susanna Clarke (audiobook) (4/5) I saw @Mothersweets or @mumto2 (?) review this a while back and was keen to pull it out of my TBR pile. While I'll probably never go back and relisten to this collection of short stories I did enjoy getting to revisit characters Susanna Clarke wrote about at length in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I know if I hadn't read J.S & Mr. N first I wouldn't have liked this book as much as I did. ETA: Has anyone read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke?

This! 👍

Must have heard you calling @Robin M😋 I've been determining since November to sign in here and say "hello!" I've missed being here seeing what you're each reading. I'll try to come back later .... if I don't get back, may I sincerely wish each one of you some gentler days in 2021. Here's my reading year in a nutshell: my reading plan/challenge this year emorphed into mostly squishing in comfort listens, lots of repeats, to audios: and, to physically read 24 printed books. I'm not going to achieve that later challenge. I'm still working through wanting to read as many works of C.S Lewis as I feel like reading, and, in completing all the Miss Silver titles. Physical books read: Nothing to Report ~ Oman, Carola (3) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society ~ Shaffer, Mary Ann (4+) The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase ~ Forsyth, Mark (read and reviewed it , didn’t give it a rating) The Great Divorce ~ Lewis, C.S. (3) The Abolition of Man ~ Lewis, C.S. (4) The Blue Castle ~ Montgomery, L.M. (5) Recommended on BaW. Loved it!! Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship ~ Simons, Ruth Chou (4.5) sip-read The Hiding Place ~ Boom, Corrie ten (5) The Listening Eye (Miss Silver #28) ~ Wentworth, Patricia (3) She Came Back [The Traveller Returns] (Miss Silver #9) ~ Wentworth, Patricia (4) Mr. Brading's Collection (Miss Silver, #17) ~ Wentworth, Patricia (3) New Zealand Café Cookbook ~ Shahab, Anna King (the read thru was a 5, haven’t cooked from it yet) The Best of Annabel Langbein: Great Food for Busy Lives ~ Langbein, Annabel (5) Jamie's Ministry of Food ~ Oliver, Jamie (5) sip read/ cook thru it over 10years 😛 Mom Heart Moments: Daily Devotions for Lifegiving Motherhood ~ Clarkson, Sally (4-5) sip read (not just for motherhood)

I'm about to start listening to the second book in the Paige's Kathryn Ardleigh series. Interested to read what you think of that book, it's definitely a different styled story with those two 'old spinisters' ... 😞 That will be hard for your aged community? (But necessary). I know it will be tough for you, or will you switch to ebook reading?

That is such good news!!

Posting, to say hello to you all, and so that I can come back and find this thread easily and see what your doing, and how each one of you are. I just finished listening to a title @mumto2 recommended during our Brit Tripping (thank you! I did enjoy it): Death at Bishop's Keep (Kathryn Ardleigh, #1) Robin Paige, Helen Johns (Narrator) (4+) Unplanned, this is the second suffragette themed book I've read this month, the other was The Burning Issue of the Day, I prefer Death at Bishop's Keep so much more for these reasons: the characters are better drawn and well developed - I care about them, especially those young female servants; the mystery is engaging and interesting; there is a romance happening quietly (!) In the back ground. My full review is on Goodreads, which also notes sensitive topics and any cursing content. I didn't quote all of it here as it has spoilers. )

New Zealand has confirmed 7th (Wellington) & 8th (Queenstown) case today. Both are travellers from overseas. (These are the first two cases, confirmed, outside Auckland.)

NEW RULES FOR NZ * Every person entering New Zealand from anywhere in the world will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, excluding the Pacific (as @Ausmumof3 mentioned). These restrictions will all be reviewed in 16 days' time. * The existing travel ban for China and Iran will continue * Cruise ships banned from coming to New Zealand, until at least June 30, 2020 * Strict new health measures at the border for people departing to the Pacific * Measures to help those in self-isolation to be announced next week * Government will work closely with the aviation sector to encourage airlines to remain active in New Zealand, limiting the impacts on the tourism sector and exporters * There will be a directive on mass gatherings announced early next week (source) ETA: sorry @Arcadia, much of this is a repeat of your post above, which I missed seeing)