Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Books

 I've read or listened to a total of three books in 2025 so far.  

The one I listened to, The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, was not that great but I felt invested once I started. I particularly got tired of the narrator's voices.  If I had been reading it I would likely have skipped to the end to see who did it and then called it quits.



My second book was excellent: I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon.  This is the third book by this author I have read and enjoyed.  And yes, it is about that Anastasia, the daughter of the Tsar of Russia. The author relates the story first from the present backward in third person and from the Russian Revolution, it's related in first person - Anastasia - forward in time.  Eventually the two stories meet up and you get your answer.  Now since this is a historical fiction I usually start with the author's historical notes in the back but she warns the reader off from reading them.  I heeded her advice.  It was worth the read.






The third book this year was The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett. What was interesting right away was a quoted recommendation on the cover from author Nita Prose (see book 1 above)!  This was quite the mystery told in a transcript of iPhone recordings by the principal character.  It's a bit confusing at first but the narration draws you in to try to figure it all out. I can't say anymore or I'll give it away.  Mystery lovers out there should look for this one.  It's not your typical "who dun it".

Got any book recommendations for me?






4 comments:

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Marcia, here are a couple of recommendations for you: The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell, How to Age Disgracefully by Claire Pooley.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Also, an audiobook that I just finished: Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan, who is also a prolific audiobook narrator herself. She narrated her own nivel.

Vicki Lane said...

I'm in the midst of listening to Mansfield Park. The narrator is mostly good except for the screechy voice she uses for older women.

Buttercup said...

I'm listening to Caste by Isabel Wilkerson for my book club and reading The Women by Kristin Hannah and enjoying both.