Books I read in November
A Classic:
**Book of the Month**
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J.K.Rowling (Audiobook)
I was surprised to see Harry Potter on a list of 'classic' books, but when I discovered that it was published in the UK in 1997, won most of the British book awards that were judged by children and other awards in the US, reached the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August 1999 and stayed near the top of that list for much of 1999 and 2000. as well as being translated into at least 73 other languages, and has been made into a feature-length film of the same name, then I decided that it has earnt the classification of a 'classic' novel!
I love the story; the coming of age of a orphaned wizard, who discovers a new family made up of friends, is one that is enjoyable and heart-warming. I also have a real soft spot for boarding school books (such as Mallory Towers, Trebizon, St Claire's to name a few) and have always had a secret wish to attend!!
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J.K.Rowling (Audiobook)
I was surprised to see Harry Potter on a list of 'classic' books, but when I discovered that it was published in the UK in 1997, won most of the British book awards that were judged by children and other awards in the US, reached the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August 1999 and stayed near the top of that list for much of 1999 and 2000. as well as being translated into at least 73 other languages, and has been made into a feature-length film of the same name, then I decided that it has earnt the classification of a 'classic' novel!I love the story; the coming of age of a orphaned wizard, who discovers a new family made up of friends, is one that is enjoyable and heart-warming. I also have a real soft spot for boarding school books (such as Mallory Towers, Trebizon, St Claire's to name a few) and have always had a secret wish to attend!!
This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
November's book is the non-fictional diary of an obs and gynae doctor as he progresses through his training over 6 years. It is amusing, heart breaking, laugh out loud funny and sob out loud sad as Adam Kay shares snippets from his experiences. This is a must-read book to help us understand the stresses and strains our medical staff are under on a daily basis.
Unfortunately I missed the Book Club discussion on this book, but I'm sure it would have been a good evening!
Others:
Murder in the Vineyard (Maggie Newbury #12) by Susan Kiernan-Lewis
Another cozy murder; this time set in Maggie and Laurent's own vineyard, which leads to the arrest of Laurent and more investigations by Maggie. This book also touches on the dementia of Maggie's father and the impact it has on her mother, as well as the death of one of the main characters (queue the tears!).
Unforgotten (The Michelli Family Series #2) by Kristen Heitzmann
The second novel in this series continues the story from the first, as Lance uncovers more details to his past. The style of this book differs slightly as it contains Nonno Antonia's memories from her own perspective.The relationship between Lance and Rese continues to limp along with no real conclusion.
Murder in the Vineyard (Maggie Newbury #12) by Susan Kiernan-Lewis
Another cozy murder; this time set in Maggie and Laurent's own vineyard, which leads to the arrest of Laurent and more investigations by Maggie. This book also touches on the dementia of Maggie's father and the impact it has on her mother, as well as the death of one of the main characters (queue the tears!).
Unforgotten (The Michelli Family Series #2) by Kristen Heitzmann
The second novel in this series continues the story from the first, as Lance uncovers more details to his past. The style of this book differs slightly as it contains Nonno Antonia's memories from her own perspective.The relationship between Lance and Rese continues to limp along with no real conclusion.
Kissing Christmas Goodbye (Agatha Raisin #18) by M.C. Beaton
In my plan to read lots of Christmas related stories, I dug this one out from the depths of my Kindle. It is from another murder mystery series based around the detective agency on Agatha Raisin and is set in the Cotswolds. The story is light-hearted and quirky, and a fun read.
Best Murder in Show (Sophie Sayers Village Mystery #1) by Debbie Young
This was a freebie on Kindle; the kind where they entice you in with the first book in a series being free and then the subsequent books being sold at full price! The structure of the book made it an interesting read as the murder happened in the very first chapter (or prologue, I can't remember) and then we were taken back in time to a few months before. The bulk of the book is setting the scene and hinting at people's characters, and the resolution of the murder takes place quite quickly in the last few chapters. It was a very clever murder and one that I hadn't been able to guess, so that makes it a good book for me!
Books I hope to read in December
My plan in December is to finish all the unfinished books from the recent months (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Pride and Prejudice), as well as reading some easy Christmassy chick-lit! I am also reading two Christmas books; the first is a Bible devotional book of advent readings, the second is a light-hearted book looking at our British Christmas traditions and where they come from.
Total list of books read in 2018
* Book of the month*
88. Best Murder in Show (Sophia Sayers Village Mystery #1) by Debbie Young
87. Kissing Christmas Goodbye (Agatha Raisin #18) by M.C.Beaton
86. Unforgotten (The Michelli Family Series #2) by Kristen Heitzmann
*85. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K.Rowling (Audiobook)*
84. Murder in the Vineyard (Maggie Newbury #12) by Susan Kiernan-Lewis
82. A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
81. Secrets (The Michelli Family Series #1) by Kristen Heitzmann
80. Paddington on Top by Michael Bond (Audiobook)
79. The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
78. Silenced (Alaskan Courage #4) by Dani Pettrey (Audiobook)
*77. Together by Julie Cohen*
75. Tin Man by Sarah Winman (Unfinished)
74. Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)
73. The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley
72. Date with Malice by Julia Chapman
70. Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
69. Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
68. Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
*67. Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson*
66. The Olive Tree by Lucinda Riley
65. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
6 in November
89. This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay88. Best Murder in Show (Sophia Sayers Village Mystery #1) by Debbie Young
87. Kissing Christmas Goodbye (Agatha Raisin #18) by M.C.Beaton
86. Unforgotten (The Michelli Family Series #2) by Kristen Heitzmann
*85. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K.Rowling (Audiobook)*
84. Murder in the Vineyard (Maggie Newbury #12) by Susan Kiernan-Lewis
7 in October
83. Murder in Grenoble (Maggie Newbury #11) by Susan Kiernan-Lewis82. A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
81. Secrets (The Michelli Family Series #1) by Kristen Heitzmann
80. Paddington on Top by Michael Bond (Audiobook)
79. The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
78. Silenced (Alaskan Courage #4) by Dani Pettrey (Audiobook)
*77. Together by Julie Cohen*
5 in September
*76. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett*75. Tin Man by Sarah Winman (Unfinished)
74. Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)
73. The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley
72. Date with Malice by Julia Chapman
7 in August
71. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson70. Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
69. Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
68. Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
*67. Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson*
66. The Olive Tree by Lucinda Riley
65. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
14 books in July
64. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
63. Unspoken by Dee Henderson
62. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
*61. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)*
60. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
63. Unspoken by Dee Henderson
62. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
*61. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)*
60. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
59. The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
58. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
57. Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
56. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
55. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
54. Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts
53. BFG by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
52. Twits by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
51. Ratburger by David Walliams
50. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
7 books in June
49. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)
48. Matilda by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
48. Matilda by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
47. Cure by Robin Cook
46. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
*45. Liverpool Girls by Lyn Andrews*
44. Murder on a Summer's Day by Frances Brody
43. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
432. Close to Home by Cara Hunter
7 books in May
41. The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
40. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
39. The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby
38. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
*37. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah*
36. Taken by Dee Henderson (Audiobook)
35. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
8 books in April
34. Gypsy Princess by Violet Cannon
33. The Lake House by Kate Morton
32. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
31. The Potluck Club: Takes The Cake by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson
30. The Potluck Club: Trouble's Brewing by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson
29. The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson
*28. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley*
27. The Wrong Side Of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
8 books in March
26. Win, Lose or Die by John Gardner
25. Underwater Adventure by Willard Price
24. How To Stop Time by Matt Haig
23. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
22. Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn
*21. Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford*
20. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes
19. Remember by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley
7 books in February
*18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Vol 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien*
17. Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent
16. The Whistler by John Grisham
15. Grand Depart by Susan Perry
14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
13. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
12. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley
11 books in January
*11. Walking the Nile by Levison Wood*
10. Valley of the Shadow (Cornish Mystery 3) by Carola Dunn
9. The Black Ship (Daisy Dalrymple 18) by Carola Dunn
8. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult
7. The Power by Naomi Alderman (Unfinished)
6. Without Warning (Elite Guardians 2) by Lynette Eason
5. Always Watching (Elite Guardians 1) by Lynette Eason
4. The Bloody Tower (Daisy Dalrymple 16) by Carola Dunn
3. Requiem for a Mezzo (Daisy Dalrymple 3) by Carola Dunn
2. Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth) by M.C.Beaton
1. Black Raven (Shetland Book 1) by Ann Cleeves
