Book review #37 for 2024 is Colin Dexter's The Wench is Dead. While recuperating from surgery, Morse finds his mind engaged in a murder that happened 140 years earlier. Morse concludes that the wrong persons were hung for the death of Joanna Franks. This is now at least in my top 10 favorite mysteries. ☕☕☕☕☕ review. @bookstodon@bookstodon@books#ColinDexter#books#bookreview#mystery
Book review #36 for 2024 is Colin Dexter's The Secret of Annexe 3. Another Inspector Morse case to solve. To me, it is one of the more complex plots of the series. And, until the end, if you think you know who did it, you don't! ☕☕☕review @bookstodon@books@bookstodon#ColinDexter#Mystery#books#bookreview
#35 Kelly Oliver's Villainy in Vienna. This is the third and final book in Oliver's inaugural series, the "Fiona Figg Mystery" series. This time Fiona is off behind enemy lines to Vienna (who is on Germany's side in WW1) to catch her nemesis, Fredrick Fredricks, the dashing German spy. The dry humor that comes through the conflict with the various characters is one of the highlights of this series. ☕☕☕☕review @bookstodon@books@bookstodon#books#bookreview#kellyoliver#mystery
Annie Londonderry proves women can do anything they set their minds to—even cycle around the world—in this nonfiction picture book for cycling enthusiasts, budding travelers, and anyone who dreams of reaching a difficult goal.
In the tradition of Elizabeth Kolbert and Michael Pollan, The Nature of Our Cities is a stirring exploration of how innovators from around the world are combining urban nature with emerging technologies, protecting the planet’s cities from the effects of climate change and safeguarding the health of their inhabitants.
The White Lotus meets Knives Out meets Crazy Rich Asians in this devilishly entertaining debut novel: both a sophisticated locked-room mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie, and a provocative literary whodunit for the twenty-first century.
Two friends who have unhappily found themselves in an accidental relationship try to drive the other one to call things off in this tongue-in-cheek middle grade romance.
Book 24: Summerwater, by Sarah Moss.
This novel consists of several vignettes in which we are shown the same situation (holiday cabins in the Trossachs, incessant rain) from the point of view of various characters, each with their own troubles and complaints. And then there's that one house with the loud music that seems to unite them in annoyance... Very well written.
Ashen Blades centers on the life of a half-demon girl with a serious bone to pick with demon-kind, because they murdered her parents. Read her story as she protects the human race, just like a shepherd defending their flock from a pack of ravening wolves.
Maybe it was the sunshine, pr the bottle of Processo, but I found myself entirely in agreement with the author on the nature of Herodotus' writing. Reading Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuściński. #books@bookstodon
Voice recognition mistake of the day: “Not everyone realizes that your brain can be a weapon against corporate muffins.”
I stumbled trying to pronounce malfeasance.
When a snake demon in an expensive, tailored suit takes an irreverent stab at American Presidential politics, the Hunter takes a literal a stab at him, to save the nation!
However, with both parties back a demon, does it matter which one wins?
Careful, or we might get a Demon for President!
Which Way Is Up?: Finding Heart in the Hardest of Times by Susan Gillis Chapman, 2024
A heartfelt guide for meeting difficult times with mindfulness, compassion, and courage—from a psychotherapist and Buddhist practitioner who learned from her own crisis.
Half-Truths: What's Right (And What's Wrong) With the Clichés You and I Live By Montague Brown, 2003
Presented here in an easy-to-read format are the common understandings of each saying, plus the additional insights you need to transform each from a dangerous cliché into a living truth that will improve your understanding and effectiveness in our world.
Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversations, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing by Josh Smith, 2024
Our lives are filled with conversations - from internal chats, surface level chats, dreaded chats to the deep and meaningful chats - but when was the last time you had a 'great chat'?
Alone Time Embracing Solitude for Health & Wellbeing by Sybil Geldart, 2023
Being alone gives you the chance to think about yourself and your needs and goals without undue pressure, distractions or interference.
The importance of personal space in a changing world. In Alone Time, clinical psychologist and professor of psychology Sybil Geldart, PhD draws on personal anecdotes, case studies, and research to help you live well despite an ever-changing world.
A Post-Truth World: Politics, Polarization, and a Vision for Transcending the Chaos by Ken Wilber, 2024
A piercing examination of our current social and political situation through the lens of Integral Theory—by the framework’s founder, cutting-edge philosopher Ken Wilber.
JACOBITES. Sham or collar shirts. Also partizans for the Stuart family: from the name of the abdicated king, i.e. James or Jacobus. It is said by the whigs, that God changed Jacob's name to Israel, lest the descendants of that patriarch should be called Jacobites.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)