Murder, fantasy and a couple of fascinating events.

I read a huge number of children's and young people's books (sort of goes with the job) but since I have retired I have allowed myself a bit more of a free rein and actually pick up a number of books from our local book swap, charity shops and other secondhand outlets as well as buying new from independent booksellers.  Deanna Raybourn has a huge catalogue of books to her name - though they had completely by-passed me until I picked up Killers of a Certain Age ( Hodder & Stoughton 2022 ISBN 9781399713108).  Maybe the title appealed because I am 'a certain age' I'm not sure, but I found this a thoroughly enjoyable light read. Four retired assassins (all female) are on a luxury cruise when they discover someone is trying to assassinate them!  And the mayhem, killing and humour go from there - it may not be to everyone's taste but I spent a few enjoyable hours in its company. 

A night in the museum - well, the Natural History Museum in the Earth room - a spectacular setting for the launch of Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures. This is a fabulous read set in an archipelago where glorious but impossible creatures - like centaurs and griffins exist, but where they are fighting for their survival. Wonderful writing keeps you on the edge of your seats and makes you totally believe all these creatures do exist...  The launch was enhanced by Charles Dance reading from the first few chapters of the book - I would love to hear him read the whole book!  I can't wait for the next volume. 

The Klaus Flugge Award is a vital, high profile and thoroughly enjoyable annual event rewarding the most promising and exciting newcomer to children's picture book illustration.  This year Mariajo Illustrajo won for the innovative and empathetic book Flooded (Frances Lincoln Books).  Do get a copy if you haven't already seen it!

 

A bit of a hiatus...

Well, I have really ignored this for some time - apologies to anyone who was following it. I will most definitely try to do better - I still read a huge amount of both children's and adult books across many genres but with a definite leaning to fantasy, crime, illustrated books and some old favourites. 

I get lots of suggestions for new reading from other blogs, reviews etc. but especially from a delightful journal called Slightly Foxed which suggests titles I may never have considered.  The reviews in SF are many and varied, and the arrival of the quarterly issues are usually a time of anticipation and discovery!  See if you can get hold of a copy - it's stocked in larger branches of Waterstones and other independent bookshops. Or check out their blogs and podcasts. 

I also do short reviews and ratings of most of my reading on Goodreads - perhaps worth a look...

So - the sun is out, and I am away to find a shady spot in the garden to finish my latest read - perhaps I'll write about it here later.