Hello lovely reader!
February has come and gone, albeit slightly longer than usual. Without further ado, let's jump in.
Books read: 5
Local: A search for Nearby Nature and Wildness, by Alastair Humphreys (own copy, Eye Books, pbk)
Abroad in Japan: Ten Years In The Land Of The Rising Sun, by Chris Broad (Audible subscription, audiobook)
The List of Suspicious Things, by Jennie Godfrey (own copy, Penguin, hardback)
City On Fire, by Graham Bartlett (Allison & Busby, hard copy ARC)
The Dog Sitter Detective Takes The Lead, by Antony Johnston (Audible subscription, audiobook)
All cracking reads. I had the pleasure of meeting Al Humphreys at a talk for his book at Alpkit in Hathersage. Great talk, great beer, cracking night out. Forgot to get a selfie, damnit. He's still on tour so if you can get hold of a ticket, I'd highly recommend it. I also now have a spare signed copy to give away - will figure out when to do this very soon!
Abroad in Japan was based on a recommendation from @halfmanhalfb00k (thanks Paul!) and is gently entertaining with a great sense of humour. It wasn't until about halfway through that I realised I'd actually watched some of his YouTube videos.
The List of Suspicious Things is a book that I've seen EVERYWHERE recently. I'd seen it fleetingly at Harrogate last year (I will stop banging on about that at some point, probably after Harrogate this year). I'm usually one to shy away from the hype, but a lot of trusted bookblogger friends had sung its praises so I picked up a copy when it finally came out. Lawks, it's fabulous. So, so good. Full review later. Short review: go buy a copy now.
City on Fire is for a blog tour later this month, watch this space.
The Dog Sitter Detective Takes The Lead is the second book in Antony Johnston's fabulous series (met him at Harrogate too). I've listened to the audiobook of both and Nicolette McKenzie is a brilliant voice for Gwinny Tuffel. Loved it.
Books reviewed: 1
Local: A search for Nearby Nature and Wildness, by Alastair Humphreys (own copy, Eye Books, pbk)
See above. Though if you've got this far, you'll already have done so. Read on!
Books purchased: 2
We Can't Run Away From This, by Damian Hall (Vertebrate Publishing)
The List of Suspicious Things, by Jennie Godfrey (own copy, Penguin, hardback)
Quite restrained this month. We Can't Run Away From This has been on my list to read for ages, and the lovely Vertebrate Publishing had one in their excellent outlet, so picked it up for six quid. Bargain.
Books received:4
City On Fire, by Graham Bartlett (Allison & Busby, hard copy ARC, March 2024)
The Stranger's Companion, by Mary Horlock (Baskerville, hard copy ARC, June 20024)
Virtual bookpost (Netgalley/email):
A Spy Like Me, by Kim Sherwood (HarperCollins, April 2024)
The Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley (Hodder, May 2024)
Reviews incoming, I'm sure.
Currently reading:
The Red Hollow, by Natalie Marlow (pbk ARC, Baskerville, 28th March 2024)
So, five read, seven acquired. This beat the TBR list challenge is going SO WELL.
As ever, any books in there which take your fancy? Any you've read and loved? Any that you've read and not loved?
See you next month!
Dx
Looking forward to reading the list of suspicious things!