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?
As always, clicking on the cover image will take you to the book’s Goodreads page.
1. What I’m reading at the moment
The Ballroom by Anna Hope
I don’t know. I think I’m too optimistic. I read the blurb and thought this would be more hopeful and uplifting than it is. Ah well… things could still end well, I guess…
The blurb: Where love is your only escape…
1911: Inside an asylum at the edge of the Yorkshire moors, where men and women are kept apart by high walls and barred windows, there is a ballroom vast and beautiful.
For one bright evening every week they come together and dance. When John and Ella meet It is a dance that will change two lives forever.
Set over the heatwave summer of 1911, the end of the Edwardian era, The Ballroom is a tale of unlikely love and dangerous obsession, of madness and sanity, and of who gets to decide which is which.
2. The last books I read
What Milo Saw by Virginia MacGregor
An enjoyable mixture of the light-hearted and serious. Not as gloomy as the blurb might make it sound. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: Nine-year-old Milo Moon has retinitis pigmentosa: his eyes are slowly failing and he will eventually go blind. But for now he sees the world through a pin hole and notices things other people don’t. When Milo’s beloved gran succumbs to dementia and moves into a nursing home, Milo soon realises there’s something wrong at the home. So with just Tripi, the nursing home’s cook, and Hamlet, his pet pig, to help, Milo sets out on a mission to expose the nursing home and the sinister Nurse Thornhill.
AND
Oy Yew by Ana Salote
This is an original and quirky middle grade novel. Well-written with a splendid cast of characters. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: ‘Lay low and grow’ is the motto of the waifs of Duldred Hall. The only way to escape their life of drudgery is to reach the magical height of 5 thighs 10 oggits, yet Master Jeopardine is determined to feed them little and keep them small.
When the Master’s methods grow more sinister the waifs must face their doubts. What is kept in the Bone Room? Why is Rook’s Parlour locked? A new waif arrives and the fight for survival begins. But this child brings another mystery. Who is Oy?
Oy Yew was longlisted for the Times/Chicken House prize.
AND!
Blood of my Blood (Jasper Dent #3) by Barry Lyga
The final book in the Jasper Dent trilogy. It was gripping… but not as good as Book 1 (amazing, fantastic, etc) or even Book 2 ๐ฆย ย I did a short review over on Goodreads if you want to check it out.
Please don’t let this put you off reading Book 1 (I Hunt Killers). It would be worth reading even as a standalone it’s so good.
The blurb:ย I won’t put the blurb here because it contains spoilers for the previous 2 installments in the series. If you click on the cover image you can read the blurb over at Goodreads ๐
3. What I’ll read next
The World According to Anna by Jostein Gaarder
This is Gaarder’s latest book and I look forward to seeing if it’s up to the standard of Sophie’s World, which I’ve read a few times (although I still can’t remember as much of it as I’d like!).
The blurb: When sixteen-year-old Anna begins receiving messages from another time, her parents take her to the doctor. But he can find nothing wrong with Anna; in fact he believes there may be some truth to what she is seeing.
Anna is haunted by visions of the desolate world of 2082. She sees her great-granddaughter, Nova, in a wasteland peopled by ragged survivors, after animals and plants have died out.
The more Anna sees, the more she realises she must act to prevent the future in her visions becoming real. But can she act quickly enough?
AND
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
I finally read an Agatha Christie last year (Murder on the Orient Express) and I made it my mission to read at least one more of her books this year. My library helped me out by practically throwing this in my path ๐
The blurb:ย The tranquillity of a cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot through the head. She was young, stylish and beautiful, a girl who had everything – until she lost her life. Hercule Poirot recalls an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: ‘I’d like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger.’ Yet in this exotic setting’ nothing is ever quite what it seems...
AND
Broken Homes (Peter Grant #4) by Ben Aaronovitch
Another book my library threw at me. As it’s the continuation of the series I plan to zip through it and put a quick review on Goodreads.
What’s it all about? If you’ve never heard of the Peter Grant series, these books are London-based police procedurals with some supernatural goings on thrown in for good measure. So far we’ve had vampires, river gods, fae, wizards, witches… all within a contemporary London setting. It’s all rather good fun with a few moments of tension and suspense.
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! ๐
In another Easter-themed baking post, last Friday I made chocolate Shredded Wheat nests with golden syrup and mini eggs.
Claire Huston / Art and Soul
I have ‘The Ballroom’ on my wish list but not sure whether to get it or not. Heard so many different opinions about it. But love the cover of ‘The world according to Anna’ and the description sounds good too! Might have to look out for it ๐
Happy reading!
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Thank you!
I have rather mixed feelings about The Ballroom. I think it’s either one of those books you’ll love and it’ll be a favourite, or you won’t be all that moved by it.
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I have never read an Agatha Christie although the library where I work has quite a number of her books. I will make a point of checking them out, hopefully I will find Death in the Nile, it sounds interesting.
Happy reading.
Here is my WWW:https://dwgitau.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/www-wednesday-3/
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This will be my second Christie book and I’m looking forward to it!
I’ll visit your post now…
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The Ballroom looks interesting but I think I’ll wait until you review it first before I go looking for it.
I’m glad you kind of enjoyed Blood of my Blood but you don’t sound as impressed with this one as you did with I Hunt Killers
Here’s my post: https://raptureinbooks.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/www-wednesday-32-23rd-march-2016/
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The Ballroom is good, but too gloomy for me. Review up later today ๐
I think the problem with the Jasper Dent series was, when you’ve started a trilogy with a book as spectacular as I Hunt Killers, the only way is down! I’d still recommend reading I Hunt Killers though, even if you don’t read the rest of the series.
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That’s a shame. You’d hope they go up!
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I’ve loved just about all of Jostein Gaarder’s books but I’ve not picked up this latest one yet. I really hope you enjoy it and that it lives up to the brilliant Sophie’s World, I’ll be looking out for your review of it. I’ve been keen to read The Ballroom but I might leave it for a little while if it’s a bleak read, I hope it does pick up for you.
Hereโs my WWW / Week in books:
https://rathertoofondofbooks.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/www-wednesday-23-march-2016/
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I loved Sophie’s World – it’s such a good balance of story and history/philosophy.
The Ballroom is a bit gloomy. I was hoping so something a bit more uplifing!
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Yes it is. I first read it when I was a teenager and it made such a big impression on me, I’ve since read it as an adult and still loved it. Oh dear, I think I will pass on The Ballroom for now then until my reading picks up a bit more.
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Libraries really are evil aren’t they? They are just full of tempting books with pretty covers that you can’t resist.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on a Ben Aaronovitch for a while now but so far no joy. I think I may have to cave and buy it but I think I should try to read some of the books I have first ๐
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Absolutely! I swear those book stands next to the entrance are the equivalent of chocolates by the check-out in supermarkets ๐
I have so many books already and I’m trying to prioritise them. But then I get distracted by the prospect to new books! Book magpie ๐
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Yep. I’m pretty much the same.
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I got a selection of Agatha Christie books for my birthday last week so I am aiming to read those soon! Didn’t get Death on the Nile though unfortunately!
http://dualreads.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/wednesday-catch-up-23rd-march-2016.html
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I wanted to read Death on the Nile next only because I’d seen the first ten minutes of the film version and I liked the drama! ๐
Off to visit your post now…
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I saw your review on I Hunt Killers and I think I’m going to read it.
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It’s an excellent thriller. A little gruesome in places, but nothing overly gory. I hope you enjoy it!
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I keep finding such good reads in your Wednesday posts! I love the cover for The Ballroom, but the blurb doesn’t convince me. It’s not my usual kind of book and I’m not sure if I want to make an exception for it. There are so many other books I KNOW I want to read!
Once again I’m in awe of how many books you can read in a week! I wouldn’t be as intimidated by The Name of the Wind if I was as fast a reader as you are.
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Thank you! I read such an odd bag of stuff… ๐
I’ve been lucky lately to be picking up very “readable” books. When things are in series I seem to be able to zip through them quite quickly. I hope it continues because for every book I finish two more seem to add themselves to my list (it’s like the magic porridge pot!).
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That’s exactly how my TBR list works, but on the plus side I’ll never run of books to read! ๐
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I’m so glad you’re finally done with the I Hunt Killers series!! As a whole what did you think?!
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I thought it was really good but the ending left me feeling so sorry and sad for poor Jazz. The first book is definitely the best one, the second one is still quite exciting but the last one becomes more about child abuse and just left me feeling quite down ๐ฆ
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Yeah I thought the second and third were so twisted. But it is just so different from anything out there that I couldn’t put it down!
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I’m sorry you were disappointed by the end to the Jasper Dent trilogy. I still plan to one day read all three, however far in the future that day may be. And I’m glad to hear you’re still enjoying Peter Grant.
Thanks for visiting my WWW post. Happy reading!
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It wasn’t bad. Perhaps when the first installment is just so brilliant, the only way is down! ๐
Happy reading!
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I love Death on the Nile! One of my favorite Hercule Poirot books! Here’s my post for this week. ๐
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It’ll only be my second Poirot book. I really should branch out into Marple next time ๐
I’ll visit your post now…
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A Body in the Library is probably my favorite Miss Marple book. ๐
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Ooo! Right – that’ll be the next one ๐ I like the sound of that title. It makes me think of Cluedo.
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I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like Blood Of My Blood that much! I agree it’s not as good as the first book though, but then again that book is amazing. ๐ I have been wanting to read more Agatha Christie as well, and I have the Peter Grant series on my TBR… Hopefully some time soon, although there are way too many on my need-to-read-soon list already haha. Those Eastern nests look adorable by the way!
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After Death on the Nile I should try a Miss Marple mystery because I’ll have only read Poirot.
The chocolate nests were delicious and far too easy to eat!
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The only Agatha Christie I’ve read so far is And Then There Were None, so I guess you’re ahead. ๐
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The Ballroom sounds like a really interesting book! I can see though how people would either really like it or not at all. Hopefully it gets better for you!
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I hope so. There could be a tremendous twist and a happy ending (I’m so optimistic!). Review tomorrow because I’m almost finished.
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I’m with you on that! I get a little upset if a book doesn’t have a happy ending.
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Once again I love your Easter baking! Cute and yummy!
“The World According to Anna” looks fantastic! That’s why I enjoy these “What are you reading?” type posts! I love to see what everyone is reading! ๐
Have a wonderful week! Happy Easter and Happy Reading!
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Thank you! They were delicious ๐
I hope The World According to Anna is good. It has a lot to live up to because I love Sophie’s World.
Have a great week and Easter weekend. Happy reading!
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Ohhhh, The Ballroom sounds really interesting! I may have to add it to my TBR. Can’t wait to see what you end up thinking about it. ๐
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I’m still a bit torn. I’ll finish it today though so hopefully I’ll have a review up tomorrow ๐
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I can’t wait! ๐
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Glad you enjoyed Death on the Nile. I’ve been meaning to read Christie for a while and I have one of hers on my shelf. Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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I’m impressed by your reading week! ๐
The Ballroom is on my MaybeBook list, I’m looking forward to your review to help me decide whether it should be moved to the actual TBR.
I’m glad What Milo Saw is not as sad as expected, I might get to it at some point. I wanted to stay away from anything sad and/or depressing and ended up almost shedding a tear reading the fate of a cute mouse in The Laptev Virus (sensitive, anyone, ahah!). Now that I’m aware anything can move me, I won’t try to sort through my books according to the tear scale!
I don’t know Jostein Gaarder but this book sounds intriguing. I’ll also check out Sophie’s World.
Have a good reading week! ๐
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Whether you enjoy The Ballroom will definitely depend on whether you enjoy a bit of gloom and heartbreak (some people do, apparently!). Review up tomorrow ๐
Sophie’s World is definitely worth checking out.
Happy reading!
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I’m waiting for I Hunt Killers to come back to the library! I see interesting books on your blog and right away put them on hold. And then when I’m there picking them up, I find more….
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Hooray! I can’t wait for you to read I Hunt Killers because I think you’re really going to enjoy it ๐
I cannot leave a library with one book. It’s an illness. And then the librarians put lots of eye-catching books by the entrance. That display is the book equivalent of the candy bars next to the supermarket checkouts ๐
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I’ve been thinking about reading the Agatha Christie books. I like the show, so I’d probably enjoy the books too. Happy reading!
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I was drawn to Death on the Nile because I’ve seen the first ten minutes of the film and I loved the high drama!
Happy reading ๐
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Shame about The Ballroom..maybe the ending will save it. I loved Death on the Nile, well I love all Agatha Christie books so I’m bias! ๐
Thanks for visiting my WWW – http://bookboodle.co.uk/2016/03/23/www-wednesday-march-23rd
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I can understand why so many readers love The Ballroom. If you’re in the market for a bit of a weep and some serious gloom then it would tick all the boxes! As you know, I don’t like to read to be depressed ๐
I picked Death on the Nile next because I’ve seen the first 10 minutes of the film adaptation and I loved the high drama. I’m really looking forward to it ๐ I’ll have to branch out into Marple next because this will be my second Poirot.
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Hmm I might have to check out The Ballroom. I love when books are really emotional, whether it’s positive or negative. Maybe I’ll see if the library has it next time I go ๐ The World According to Anna sounds really cool too. I’ve never heard of it, but I’m definitely going to add it to my TBR.
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If you don’t mind whether the emotion is sad/happy, then you’ll like The Ballroom. The writing is beautiful and it’s very moving. I just tend to prefer happy (or at least happy if we’ve had to suffer to get there), so my experience was as positive as I’ve hoped.
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I want to read something by Agatha Christie, I’ve heard a lot of good things about her books! Happy reading ๐
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I can’t believe – given how many book she wrote – it took me so long to read anything by her! I think, because I’ve seen so many of the movie and TV adaptations, I sort of thought I had read her books… I think the same thing happens with John Grisham! haha!
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Really? I had no idea there were movies or tv shows!
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The Poirot and Marple ones in particular were all filmed and always seem to be on repeat on the TV here ๐
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I just started reading Agatha Christie this year and I really love her style! I’ve only actually read three of her books so far. I’m starting with the Poirot books and am trying to read them in order (although I don’t think that really matters). Then I’ll move on to Miss Marple. Agatha Christie has so many ideas and her plots are pretty complex!
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I can’t imagine where she got her idea from – she wrote so many books!
After Death on the Nile I’d like to switch from Poirot to Miss Marple ๐
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I’ve been wanting to read an Agathie Christie novel for a while now. It sounds like you really enjoyed the one you’ve read? Maybe I should bump her up on my list…
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I did enjoy Murder on the Orient Express ๐ The only difficulty I had was that there are so many characters I found it a bit hard to keep track of who was who! After Death on the Nile I’d like to read a Miss Marple mystery. Both the Christie’s I’ve read have been Poirot stories.
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I love Agatha Christie. Murder on the Orient Express was my first Agatha Christie book…I think. I had the same teacher for English my freshmen and sophomore years, so I get the books we read each year mixed up. One year we also read And Then There Were None. I need to read more of her books.
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And Then There Were None is high on my wishlist after watching the recent BBC TV Adaptation which was excellent. I’d like to move off Poirot next and maybe read a Miss Marple ๐
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You’ve read quite a few books lately! I have read one Agatha Christie book “And Then There Were None” last year for school. It definitely had a shall we say interesting ending. You should read it ๐
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I’ve been doing very well lately! I have a lot of writing to do in April so I’m trying to clear the pile of book I have to return to the library before the end of March ๐
I want to read And Then There Were None. The recent BBC TV Adaptation was excellent.
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That’s good!! Yeah, writing takes up a ton of time! Best of luck with that ๐ I heard about the adaption but never got to see it.
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I’ve seen Oy Yew around and thought it was interesting. Hope you’ll have a good week ahead ๐
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I’d glad you’d seen it before! I hope it does well and now I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Thank you – you too ๐
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Fantastic list! I think I am going to put The Ballroom on my TBR list. It sounds mysterious to me.
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I’ll be posting my review for The Ballroom later today. It’s good, but a bit too sad for me (I prefer happy books! Or at least ones with happy endings). If you don’t mind/ like more gloomy stories then I think you’d like it.
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The World According To Anna sounds amazing! What a synopsis! I will add it to my tbr list as of now. Also the dessert you made looks absolutely delicious! ๐
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Thank you. The cake was lovely ๐
I’m sorry to say that The World According to Anna is so far disappointing ๐ฆ Full review next week!
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Oh no!! That’s so sad since it sounded really promising! I can’t wait to read your review for it! ๐
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