It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR
Wasn’t Armchair BEA fun? It almost totally consumed my week. My wrap-up post told the story by the numbers and listed all my posts, too.
Read
The Secret History Beneath the Streets
I didn’t read all that much last week, but I happened to be near the end of some books, so it looks like I read more than I did.
I finished The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick and London Under by Peter Ackroyd. Watch for reviews — probably my next two British Isles Friday posts.
Samurai Game by Christine Feehan was a diverting adventure, but I was bothered by it in the end. I don’t know if I was being unusually sensitive or if Feehan crossed a line here. A character who goes around assassinating members of our government is not exactly hero material, is she? In the world of the story, of course, she only kills bad people who are working for a truly evil person — and taking bribes. But the victims don’t believe that person is evil and taking bribes isn’t a capital offense. In this plot, it all seems justified, but who gets to decide? How do we know that next month she isn’t getting rid of people who are inconvenient? That seems like an ethical point that should be addressed.
Reading
I’m moving on to the 1700s in England, after finishing Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson and The Clockwork Universe that were, more or less, centered on Isaac Newton. Now, I’m going to learn about the 18th century efforts to figure out how to compute longitude from aboard a moving ship. The book is The Illustrated Longitude by Dava Sobel and William J. H. Andrewes.
I started Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson. It’s predictably funny, but I wanted something even lighter on my recovery day from Armchair BEA, so I started Slated by Teri Terry. That’s just the sort of book I’m looking for — YA set in England. In fact, I wrote a whole post about it for Armchair BEA. So far, it’s excellent.
I’m still reading Blameless by Gail Carriger on my phone.
Will Read
That seems like plenty for now — it’s unlikely that I’ll be starting another book this week.
It’s Monday! What Are Your Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Be sure to check out her post today to see her selections and the list of links to all the other participating bloggers.
Surprised to see you address the ethical side of a novel. It’s good to read a different point of view. Your words are thought provoking. Won’t be easily forgotten.
Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker. Into the South.
Looks like I will be staying away from Samurai Game. It reminds me of the movie we watched Olympus has Fallen where our government is attacked and everyone in the White House is killed except the President and a few key officials who are tortured during the movie. I just didn’t enjoy watching that. Too much needless violence for books/movies I turn to for entertainment and relaxation.
Hope you’ve linked up with Small Victories Sunday this week!
A few years ago I read so many historical novels that I find myself choosing contemporary fiction mostly these days.
I appreciate your comments on the first book noted above. So many times people avoid noting what doesn’t work. We all have our own moral compass too (for example politics) that can justify a point of view. Maybe not in this case, but in general.
I haven’t read much the last few weeks so I understand. The Bill Bryson book sounds good.
The Illustrated Longitude! Great title, great cover, and it sounds like the insides are just as interesting
Have a great week, Joy!