- Books on the wish list: reviews from Catherine and Lyn have made my list a little longer. Has anyone else read Longbourn
- Bookplates: take your love of reading to the table!
- Books to look forward to: the publication date for Anne Tyler's next novel A Spool of Blue Thread was announced recently; the book won't be out until spring next year, but while we wait for it you may like to listen to this interview in which she talks a little about it and her work in general.
- 'Best' books: here's a list of the 20 best crime novels of all time. I've read only 6, I think - Tey, Christie, Sayers, Vine, James, and the Kate Summerscale which isn't a novel at all!
As usual with such lists, heavily weighted towards modern books. How could they miss out Margery Allingham?
Posted by: Barbara | 06 May 2014 at 07:39 AM
I read Longbourn last year and can thoroughly recommend it as I absolutely loved it. I suppose it helps that I love Pride and Prejudice too, but looking again at that story from the servants' point of view as well as the stories of those in the servants hall seemed to add to the enjoyment.
I think that it would make a wonderful holiday read so I hope that you get around to reading it and like it too.
I did try Hue & Cry when it first came out and liked it at first but went off it a few chapters in and gave up. I can't remember why it was that I disliked it so I should maybe give it another try if it crosses my reading path.
Posted by: LizF | 06 May 2014 at 09:31 AM
Thank you for the mention and for the link to Lyn's blog which is new to me and now bookmarked!
Posted by: Juxtabook | 06 May 2014 at 11:49 AM
Thanks for linking to my blog, Cornflower. The MDH is a lot of fun, perfect for fans of the Golden Age.
Posted by: Lyn | 06 May 2014 at 01:02 PM
I'm only about 70 pages in so far but really enjoying it and loving the vivid detail.
Must get Longbourn!
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 May 2014 at 01:38 PM
Pleasure!
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 May 2014 at 01:39 PM
You're welcome, Lyn, and I love the sound of Death on the Cherwell.
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 May 2014 at 01:40 PM
Surprised to find that I'd read so many of them, as I don't think of myself particularly as a crime fan. But thoroughly recommend Miss Smilla and In Cold Blood. Which isn't a novel either.
Posted by: Mary | 06 May 2014 at 06:27 PM
Glad to have those recommendations; thank you, Mary.
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 May 2014 at 08:24 PM
Very much looking forward to Anne Tyler's next book, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait. I think the A Spool of Blue Thread is a wonderful title.
Posted by: B R Wombat | 07 May 2014 at 10:26 PM
I agree!
Posted by: Cornflower | 08 May 2014 at 08:16 AM
Interesting: I read several reviews of Longbourn that were so negative I decided to skip it altogether and leave my Austen memories unsullied. Will be looking forward to your opinion!
Posted by: Rebecca | 10 May 2014 at 12:45 AM
I've somehow missed those negative reviews. Which camp will I fall into, I wonder!
Posted by: Cornflower | 10 May 2014 at 04:09 PM
Indeed.
Posted by: Cornflower | 18 May 2014 at 08:49 PM