Author: whatcathyreadnext

My Week in Books – 6th January ‘19

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MyWeekinBooks

New arrivals  

The Turn of MidnightThe Turn of Midnight (Black Death #2) by Minette Waters (audiobook, courtesy of RB Digital and Wokingham Libraries)

As the year turns from 1348 to 1349, the Black Death continues its relentless course across England. In Dorseteshire, the first county to be afflicted, the people of Develish begin to question if they are the lone survivors of this terrible pestilence. Guided by their heretical mistress, Lady Anne, they wait inside the protection of a moat as their stores dwindle, knowing that when the food is gone they will have no choice but to leave. But where will they find safety in the desolate wasteland their county has become? And how can Lady Anne, a woman without rights herself, grant them the freedom they long for?

One man has the courage to find out.

Thaddeus Thurkell, a bastard serf, educated in secret by Lady Anne and risen to the post of steward, takes a band of raw, untested youths in search of supplies and news. As free-thinking and heretical as his admired mistress, Thaddeus makes a compelling leader, and his companions quickly learn to throw off the shackles of serfdom and set their minds to ensuring Develish’s future.

But what use is freedom that cannot be won lawfully? Aided and abetted by Lady Anne, Thaddeus conceives an audacious and dangerous plan to secure her people’s right to determine their fates for themselves. Neither foresees the life-threatening struggle over power, money and religion that follows…or the trial for heresy that will imperil all in Develish.

On What Cathy Read Next last week

Blog posts

Monday – I played Reading Bingo 2018 and shared my review of my final Buchan of the Month for 2018, Sick Heart River.  I also published an end of year report on my 2018 Blogging & Reading Goals.

Tuesday – For Top Ten Tuesday, I revealed the Ten Best Books I Read in 2018.

Wednesday – WWW Wednesday is the opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next…and have a good nose around to see what other bloggers are reading.   I also published my review of Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller and a wrap-up post for the What’s In A Name 2018 Reading Challenge.

Saturday – I took part in the first Six Degrees of Separation meme of 2019 and published my review of historical novel Blackberry and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton.  I also shared my five favourite books I read in December.

As always, thanks to everyone who has liked, commented on or shared my blog posts on social media this week.

On What Cathy Read Next this week

Currently reading

Planned posts

  • Book Review: The Ice House by Laura Lee Smith
  • Buchan of the Month: Reading List 2019
  • Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases in the First Half of 2019
  • Waiting on Wednesday
  • Book Review: The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker by Jenni Keer
  • Throwback Thursday/Book Review: The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood
  • Blog Tour/Book Review: A River in the Trees by Jacqueline O’Mahony

My 5 Favourite December Reads

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My 5 Favourite December Reads

Despite the distractions of preparing for the festive season, I managed to read fourteen books in December with a couple deserving the full five stars and others getting close. Click on the book title for the book description on Goodreads.

You can find a complete list of all the books I read in 2018 here, with links to my reviews.  If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.

To complete the What’s In A Name 2018 Reading Challenge, I needed a book with a title commencing with the letter ‘Z’ and in Zoo Station by David Downing I hit on a cracker.  I described it as a ‘taut, compelling espionage story with an authentic sense of the period and setting’.  You can read my full review here.  This was also my first foray into audio books, to which I think I may have been converted.

Next up it’s another historical thriller, The Cold North Sea (Ingo Finch Mystery #2) by Jeff Dawson, which is based on a real life incident that could have plunged England and Russia into war in 1904.   I enjoyed it just as much as the first book in the series, No Ordinary Killing.  Read my full review of The Cold North Sea here.

Staying with historical fiction, I also really enjoyed The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau, set in 18th century London in which the heroine, Genevieve, longs to be an artist and, in her attempts to achieve her aim, becomes involved in murky goings-on in the world of porcelain manufacture.  I described it as ‘full of twists and turns, intrigue and unexpected revelations’.  You can read my full review here.

My Buchan of the Month reading project for 2018 reached its conclusion with one of my favourite Buchan novels, Sick Heart River.  I’ve read this a number of time but it never loses its power to move me, especially the final chapters.  You can read my review here.  Buchan of the Month will return in 2019 with a new list of titles.

Last but definitely not least, there’s a historical novel replete with atmosphere and mystery – Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield.  The book also made it into my Top Ten Books of 2018.   I described it as ‘magical, atmospheric, mysterious’.  You can read my full review here.