20 Books of Summer #4-6(7)

To my own surprise, I have made a strong start with this challenge, hosted by Annabel at AnnaBookBel and Emma of Words and Peace. Since my last update, I have read four more books. One of them I started before June, so I am not sure if it counts? I am including it anyway. Also, three of the books were not on my original list. Surprise, surprise.

The books

Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford - I bought this during my trip to Paris in May, and a review will follow as part of Paris in July.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie - I listened to this one, wonderfully narrated by Hugh Fraser. It is a typical Christie novel, full of scattered clues that make it diffult to identify the culprit until the end. I found it a bit confusing, probably because I listenen to it while falling asleep and had to rewind frequently after dozing off. Still, it is another tick on my goal of reading all, or most, of Agatha Christie's books. (This book is not on my list.)

101 World Heroes: Great Men and Women Who Changed History by Simon Sebag Montefiore (NF) - Montefiore is one of my favourite historians, and this book is excellent for reading in bits and pieces. Each figure gets a two-page spread (the format is quite large), and another page is related to a historical event or context. It is engaging and accessible, perfect for readers who might not be deeply into history but want an overview of important figures across time. Highly recommended. (Also not on my list.)

Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson - I recently discovered this Swedish thriller writer, and she is fantastic. Isbrytare is the second book in a series featuring August Strindberg - a young economist who leaves Stockholm for a small village on the west coast, where he opens a second-hand shop. Yes, he share a name with the famous author, but that is all.

Ohlsson's murder plots often goes back to events from 20-30 years ago, adding a rich layer of backstory. The local police team - one man and one woman - are great characters: strong friends who complement each other well, each with flaws and private challenges. But refreshingly, they break the typical characters in such books (not your usual middle-aged, depressed man or overwhelmed single mother). I loved the first book, and after reading this second one, I have already downloaded three more in the series.

Some of her other series have been translated into English, but unfortunately, it seems this one featuring Strindberg hasn't - yet.

Statistics

Including Montefiore's book which I started before June, I have read seven books so far. I am pleased with the outcome, and my hope, being able to read 20 books this summer, looks promising. How are you doing with your 20 books of summer reading?

20 books of summer - June to August

• Aurelius, Marcus - Meditations (NF)


• Austen, Jane - Lady Susan

• Brook, Timothy - Vermeer's Hat (NF)

• Brooks, Geraldine - Nine Parts of Desire

• Byatt, A.S. - The Children's Book

• Craike, W. A. - The Brontë Novels (NF)

• Desmond/Moore, Adrian/James - Darwin's Sacred Cause (NF)

• Fitzgerald, Penelope - Edward Burne-Jones, A Life (NF)

• Franzen, Jonathan - Freedom

• Gabaldon, Diana - The Scottish Prisoner

• Geras, Adèle - Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light)

• Johannesson, Jan - Experimentet

• Koen, Karleen - Och nu ansikte mot ansikte (Now Face to Face)

• Laoutaris, Chris - Shakespeare and the Countess

• Lucas Correa, Armando - De som färdas om natten

• Merriman, Helena - Tunnel 29 (NF)

• Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford

• Oates, Joyce Carol - Blondie

• Roy, Arundhat - The God of Small Things

• Talbot Rice, Tamara - Memoirs of St Petersburg, Paris, Oxford and Byzantium

  
  

Not on original list

• One Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie

• 101 World Heroes: Great Men and Women Who Changed History by Simon Sebag Montefiore (NF)

• Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson