HelenLiz
@helenliz
Avid bookworm, keen cross stitcher, haphazard quilter, really bad bellringer.
I'm a fan of no mow May, to the point that I added March and April to that. Finally bit the bullet. Good thing the lawn is no bigger, wheelie bin brim full! Garden bin collection tomorrow.
Book 36 Title: The Pursuit of Love Author: Nancy Mitford Published: 1945 Rating: **** Why: It was available on Borrowbox and I've not read it. Ending took me completely by surprise.
Book 35 Title: Killing Floor Author: Lee Child Published: 1997 Rating: *** Why: Listened to him on BBC Radio 4's This cultural Life and I've taken to trying to read the authors interviewed. I'm too squeamish for this, the eye gouging especially 🤢
Book 34 Title: Mythica: A New History of Homer’s World, Through the Women Written Out of It Author: Emily Hauser Published: 2025 Rating: *** Why: Having read a number of retellings of the classics, I thought this would be an interesting take on them.
Book 33 Title: Doggerland Author: Ben Smith Published: 2019 Rating: ***** Why: Random pick. It is possible I have been abducted by aliens. Yes, that's a 2nd 5 star read!
Book 32 Title: The Village of Eight Graves Author: Seishi Yokomizo Published: 1951 Rating: ** Why: I'd listened to previous books int eh series and thought it was time to get back to it. Each is narrated by a different person and this narrator was rather (very) irritating.
There you go, a head of silver. No, not yet 104 years old, despite appearances to the contrary, from this angle.
Happy May day. 1st May sees the 170th wedding anniversary of Anne Pattingale. One has to wonder what the givers thought of the groom, seeing he gets no mention whatsoever!
Book 31 Title: Minor Disturbances at Grand Life Apartments Author: Hema Sukumar Published: 2023 Rating: *** Why: Shelterbox book club
Book 30 Title: A Small Death in Lisbon Author: Robert Wilson Published: 1999 Rating: ** Why: I like to read a book set where I am on holiday and this was on the boat. Not for me.
Book 29 Title: Hearing Secret Harmonies Author: Anthony Powell Published: 1975 Rating: *** Why: FINISHED!!!
Book 28 Title: Temporary Kings Author: Anthony Powell Published: 1973 Rating: *** Why: Nearly there, book 11/12
Book 26 Title: The Best of Everything Author: @kitdewaal.com Published: 2025 Rating: ***** (Yes, 5 stars! You'll have realised by now that I mark hard, so this is something of a rarity!!) Why: Something reminded me to read more of her work, so I did and it is excellent!
If life is all about being open to new experiences, may I present this week's new experience. Cola with orange juice. Bizarrely quite a bit better than it sounds.
Book: 23 Title: The Grand Central Cinema Club Author: Alan Nolan Published: 2025 Rating ***1/2 Why: A challenge wanted us to head to the cinema this month.
Book: 22 Title: Books do Furnish a Room Author: Anthony Powell Published: 1971 Rating: *** Why: Book 10 of 12...
This afternoon's culture vulturing was Deep Azure at the Globe's indoor theatre. Play was very good, seat the most uncomfortable I've sat on in a long time!
This morning's culture vulturing, Tracey Emin exhibition at Tate Modern. Challenging, but ultimately life enhancing.
@mthrjo.bsky.social saw this paragraph on writing, and thought of you. From Books do Furnish a Room, book 10 of Powell's Dance to the Music of Time series.
Afternoon coffee and cake isn't helping me get through my list of things to do, but it is very nice.
Book 21 Title: The Evin Prison Bakers’ Club Author: Sepideh Gholian (Author), Hessam Ashrafi (Translator) Published: 2025 Rating: ** Why: Shelterbox book club. Didn't really engage me, felt I was being kept at arms length. Which is a shame.
Book 20 Title: Ocean State Author: Stewart O'Nan Published: 2022 Rating: **** Why: Because I loved Last Night at the Lobster, so am reading more of his catalogue.
Book 19 Title: The Skeleton Road Author: Val McDermid Published: 2014 Rating: *** Why: Next up in the Karen Pirie cold case series. One for the strong of stomach, the war crimes descriptions are pretty horrific. BUT I did guess the murderer, so calling that a win.
Book 18 Title: The Penguin Lessons Author: Tom Michell Published: 2015 Rating: ***1/2 Why: I saw it recommended and I have a small thing for penguins. The tale of one man and his penguin. It is very sweet.
Book 17 Title: Becoming Dinah Author: @kitdewaal.com Rating: ***1/2 Why: it made for a good plane book, not too heavy, but engaging. It grew on me.
Book 16 Title: Murder before Evensong Author: Rev'd Richard Coles Published: 2022 Rating: ***1/2 Why: It was a perfect plane book, not too heavy, engaging but fun.
Book 15 Title: The Military Philosophers Author: Anthony Powell Published: 1968 Rating: **** Why: book 9 of 12. I set out to read 1 a month last January, so we're late but continuing!
Book 14 Title: The Empress and the English Doctor Author: Lucy Ward Published: 2022 Rating: ***1/2 Why: had a challenge to read a medical book, and this fitted.