Since we're at the mid-point of January it's time to pull out Stevie Smith's Novel on Yellow Paper for The Slaves of Golconda. The discussion is starting January 31st so there is plenty of time to grab a copy if you'd like to read along. We'll be chatting about it here. I've been really looking forward to starting this one.
Although I've been trying to stay on the straight and narrow with my reading, I'm already feeling urges to start new books. (Without first having finished one I'm currently reading that is). Actually I've pulled out two books that will both be rereads. January is a rough month, this year particularly with the lousy weather, so I'm ready for some tried and trusted friends. I've pulled out Chocolat by Joanne Harris (one I pick up very often and have already read multiple times) and In a Good Light by Clare Chambers. I think I'll start with In a Good Light as Chocolat is the perfect read for Lent (the story begins in February and is set in a Chocolaterie). Clare Chambers is an especial favorite of mine when it comes to comfort reads. You're probably tired of me mentioning her. There are a couple of ladies in my online reading group indulging in her books at the moment and I hope they find her as enjoyable as I have.
I'm nearly finished reading Elizabeth Chadwick's The Greatest Knight, which has been as good as everyone said it would be. It reads very easily and I've been so absorbed in the story that I take it with me to the gym. I love a book that catches my attention so fully that I don't constantly look to see how much time I have left in my workout! I'll be picking up the sequel, The Scarlet Lion, soon. For my next library read, though, I've already started (am jumping the gun a bit) Rebecca Stott's The Coral Thief. From first impression I think I'm going to like it. I must have checked this book out at least three times now and had to return it for other readers. I can't possibly return it again unread.
As for what else I'm reading, I'm sticking pretty closely to the books on my sidebar. The only book I've not yet started is M.J. Farrell's Taking Chances. I'm waiting until I can properly spend time with it and I also want to read a bit from these books and articles when I do so. Maybe this weekend.
One last bookish note. I received Clare Langley-Hawthorne's email newsletter a couple of days ago. She writes a mystery series set in Edwardian England featuring a suffragette. I've read the first two books and have been anxiously awaiting the third, Unlikely Traitors. In her newsletter the author mentions the book is out on submission. That sounds somewhat ominous, and I guess that must mean she's looking for a publisher to pick up book #3. Penguin published her first two books. I can only say Boo to you, Penguin. Things were left hanging in the second book, so it seems particularly cruel of Penguin to do this to readers. Hopefully some other publishers will snap up her next book. She's been busy writing a YA novel, but more interesting (for me anyway) another mystery called Lady Coppers, which is about the first women police. It takes place in 1915, so you can be sure I'll be watching for that as well. You can check out Clare's newsletter here.
Monday is a holiday here, so I'll have a long weekend, but I decided to expand it a little bit more and take Tuesday off, too. More greediness on my part, since I just had a break from work, but I can't help myself. I plan on getting in as much extra reading as I can. Have a nice weekend everyone.