This meme is hosted by Sam over at Taking on a World of Words. A similar meme, This Week in Books is hosted by Lipsyy Lost and Found.
Why not join in? Just answer the following three questions in a post and then put a link to that post in the Comments over at Taking on a World of Words.
The questions are:
- What are you currently reading?
- What did you recently finish reading?
- What do you think you’ll read next?
1. What I’m reading at the moment
The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine
I don’t know how else to describe this but “cute”. It’s a cosy mystery set at the start of the twentieth century in the setting of a sumptuous London department store blatantly modeled on Selfridges. It’s enjoyable so far and the illustrations are lovely.
The blurb (their caps): You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Sinclair’s department store!
Enter a world of bonbons, hats, perfumes and MYSTERIES around every corner. WONDER at the daring theft of the priceless CLOCKWORK SPARROW! TREMBLE as the most DASTARDLY criminals in London enact their wicked plans! GASP as our bold heroines, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lilian Rose, CRACK CODES, DEVOUR ICED BUNS and vow to bring the villians to justice…
2. The last books I read
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
You can read my full review here. Chevalier keeps up her high standards with her first novel set in the USA. The Last Runaway tackles difficult themes (slavery and women’s rights to name just two) within an engaging and interesting story. I don’t think Chevalier gets enough praise for writing historical novels which show often familiar events from the viewpoint of believable female protagonists. Writing “herstory” is an under-appreciated art.
The blurb: In New York Times bestselling author Tracy Chevalier’s newest historical saga, she introduces Honor Bright, a modest English Quaker who moves to Ohio in 1850, only to find herself alienated and alone in a strange land. Sick from the moment she leaves England, and fleeing personal disappointment, she is forced by family tragedy to rely on strangers in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape.
Nineteenth-century America is practical, precarious, and unsentimental, and scarred by the continuing injustice of slavery. In her new home Honor discovers that principles count for little, even within a religious community meant to be committed to human equality.
However, drawn into the clandestine activities of the Underground Railroad, a network helping runaway slaves escape to freedom, Honor befriends two surprising women who embody the remarkable power of defiance. Eventually she must decide if she too can act on what she believes in, whatever the personal costs.
AND
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Last week I asked for your help on deciding what to read next (thank you all for your suggestions!) and the majority suggested I go for Red Queen. Sorry to those of you who love this book, but I can only say I liked it. It’s an entertaining, well-written book, but I think it suffers from being the first in a series. You can read my full review here.
The blurb:
The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers. To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.
Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control. But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win
3. What I’ll read next
The Martian followed by Station Eleven! I’ve only heard good things about both of these so I’m really looking forward to them 🙂
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! 🙂
You can also find me on Twitter @ClaraVal and on Goodreads.
Definitely agree with you about Red Queen! I’m going to carry on with the series but I didn’t really understand the big hype around it. And have fun with The Martian and Station Eleven! I started the Martian a few weeks ago but I think I just wasn’t in the mood for it so had to put it down – I’m hoping to pick it up again soon and form a better opinion because the story did intrigue me 🙂
My WWW post
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I’m glad it’s not just me! I’m always a bit nervous about posting a review when I feel like I’m the only person who doesn’t love a book 🙂
Thanks! I’ll check out your post now…
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I think you may have swung me towards buying The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, I have been dithering for ages but a cosy mystery with lovely illustrations sounds like what I am in the mood for! http://dualreads.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/www-wednesday-12th-august.html
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Hooray! I’ve only got 100 pages left and it’s still good. A relaxing read with a period mystery along the lines of “the butler did it!”
Thanks for visiting! I’ll check out your post now…
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I’ve heard a lot of things about Red Queen, a couple of them being what you said. I hope that you like the other books in the series better, will check out your review because I have it on my TBR.
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I have high hopes for the rest of the Red Queen series because Aveyard is clearly a talented writer and I think things can only get better!
Thanks for visiting and happy reading! 🙂
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I hope you like The Martian! I really loved it. And I’ll be reading Station Eleven myself in the future. I’ve heard great things. Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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I’ll be very surprised if I don’t like The Martian – it sounds like my kind of book.
Thanks for visiting and happy reading! 🙂
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I’m also toying with the idea of reading The Martian before the movie comes out. I’ll see how I’ll feel about it after I finish my current book. Happy reading!
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I don’t when I’ll get the chance to see the movie, but the trailer looks amazing. This does mean I’ll be reading the book picturing Matt Damon though – good thing he’s one of my favourite actors 🙂
Thanks for visiting and happy reading!
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I hope you’re enjoying The Mystery of Clockwork Sparrow, it seems like an interesting novel! And The Martian and Station Eleven has gotten a lot if praise, I agree! I hope you enjoy them both once you read them, I’ll be looking out for your thoughts. ❤ Happy reading!
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Edit: I hope you enjoy The Mystery of Clockwork Sparrow by the end of the novel, I know you’re enjoying it so far. 🙂
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I hope so too!
Thanks for visiting and happy reading 🙂
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The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow sounds really interesting!
I’ve been seeing The Martian around a lot lately. I think I may have to check it out. I’ve been back and forth on whether I wanted to or not.
Great post! I hope you enjoy your next reads!
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I had doubts about The Martian too. I’m always wary when everyone loves a book in case it turns out to be a disappointment. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for visiting and happy reading 🙂
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I’m always wary about that too, because sometimes it does happen where I get disappointed with the book and then feel totally left out that everyone is loving it and I’m not! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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Great Post… Check out my WWW Wednesday
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Thanks! Heading over to your post now 🙂
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Off to check out The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow; I don’t mind a cute mystery, give me Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher any day 🙂
Thanks for visiting me – https://bookboodle.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/www-wednesday-august-12th
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It is very much in the vein of Miss Marple. I’m expecting the guilty parties to hold out their hands for the cuffs and then have a cup of tea with everyone else before being taken off to the police station! Thanks for visiting and happy reading 🙂
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Sounds right up my street!
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I’ve noticed the Red Queen isn’t really living up to it’s hype. It seems interesting enough though. I still might try it out. The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow doesn’t seem like a title I’d call cute so now I’m intrigued. lol. Here’s my WWWs!
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Red Queen is good, just not amazing and life-changing! 🙂
My eventual review of The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow will include photos of the book too because it is also lovely as an object…
Thanks for visiting. I’ll check out your post…
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The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow does sound like a cute mystery! I have seen The Last Runaway elsewhere and it has definitely caught my eye!
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I’m hoping for a Miss Marple/Scooby Doo-type conclusion, where all the important characters are brought into one room for the villain to be revealed! 🙂
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I loved Red Queen. And I was thinking about reading The Martian too. So great picks!
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Thank you! Looking forward to The Martian so much 🙂
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Both of your upcoming reads are such excellent choices!! Excited for your reviews. 😀
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Thanks! Fingers crossed I enjoy them as much as everyone else 🙂
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I like the sound of The Mystery Of The Clockwork Sparrow! And I will be trying to read The Martian as well. 😉 I’m sorry to hear you didn’t end up enjoying Red Queen that much!
Happy Wednesday and thanks for visiting my WWW!
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It’s just nice to read something so fluffy and cosy. Although “unfortunate” things happen, you know you’re in a world where nothing terrible will befall the characters. Can’t say that for The Martian!
Thanks for visiting and happy reading!
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Definitely! Sometimes all you need is a feel-good story to take a break from the ‘heavy’ stuff. 😉
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I’m so glad you linked me to this post. The Last Runaway sounds really great. That’s an era I haven’t read much about, but I’ll have to check it out.
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Thank you! I think it might be the first book I’ve read about the era with a US setting.
Thanks for visiting and happy reading! 🙂
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Red Queen I feel is one I need to read. I tried to listen to the audiobook, but I keep getting lost. I think it’s one I need to sit down for. I hope I like it at the very least the cover is to die for! =)
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I think you’ll like it, for sure. I just didn’t think it was as “amazing” as others did. Although the cover is fantastic! 🙂
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I just need to push myself to pick it up. I was so excited when I bought it! Maybe I should watch the trailer
again =]
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