I don't know Margery Allingham nearly as well as I do the other "Queens of Crime", so picking which of her books to read with my students next year haI don't know Margery Allingham nearly as well as I do the other "Queens of Crime", so picking which of her books to read with my students next year has been challenging.
Tiger in the Smoke is considered by some to be her masterpiece, but it's more of a psychological thriller than a detective story, so I think we'll stick with one of the earlier Campion books....more
Ernest Hemingway was a fascinating man--a train wreck, but a fascinating one.
And yet, Dearborn managed to make reading about his life a bit of a slogErnest Hemingway was a fascinating man--a train wreck, but a fascinating one.
And yet, Dearborn managed to make reading about his life a bit of a slog. Her biography is thorough and sufficient if all you want is to supply yourself with information, but it's not one I'd necessarily recommend. ...more
Most mystery readers know of the Detection Club, but it's founder, Anthony Berkeley, has long been eclipsed by more famous members. Still, I wanted toMost mystery readers know of the Detection Club, but it's founder, Anthony Berkeley, has long been eclipsed by more famous members. Still, I wanted to include at least one of his novels in next year's class, and The Wintringham Mystery is a great option. Despite kidnapping and robbery, it feels like a low stakes mystery and is peopled with delightful characters. ...more
Death of My Aunt has been sitting on my TBR shelf for about a year, and since I'm picking books for my Mystery Bookclub class, this seemed like the riDeath of My Aunt has been sitting on my TBR shelf for about a year, and since I'm picking books for my Mystery Bookclub class, this seemed like the right time to read it.
This is my first time reading anything by Kitchin, and apparently he generally focused on more "highbrow" novels than mysteries. While the mystery itself was interesting, I didn't find myself particularly attached to or impressed by any of the characters. For me, it's a solid middle of the road sort of classic mystery, one that is an enjoyable read but doesn't stand out among its fellows. ...more
I am currently trying to decide which Sayers mystery to read with my students next year. Murder Must Advertise is one of my favorites, but I needed toI am currently trying to decide which Sayers mystery to read with my students next year. Murder Must Advertise is one of my favorites, but I needed to read it again with my students in mind before making a final decision. Unfortunately, my copy is packed, the library doesn't have a physical copy, and the only audio version available anywhere that I can find is this brutally abridged BBC Radio Drama.
It gave me a refresher of the basic plot, but is utterly devoid of Sayers' magic. I'm going to have to leave Murder Must Advertise in the "maybe" pile until I can get a hold of my copy. ...more
Lord Emsworth (Oh, CLARENCE) is an absolute delight, even if he does happen to look like a bereaved tapeworm.
Heavy Weather takes place immediately afLord Emsworth (Oh, CLARENCE) is an absolute delight, even if he does happen to look like a bereaved tapeworm.
Heavy Weather takes place immediately after Summer Lightning, so it's best read after that one, but a Wodehouse fan would be able to enjoy it on its own. I adore everything about it. There was much cackling while listening in the car. ...more
Trying to find a good Marple mystery for next year's class. While I enjoyed The Moving Finger, the plot revolves around anonymous letters being sent tTrying to find a good Marple mystery for next year's class. While I enjoyed The Moving Finger, the plot revolves around anonymous letters being sent to almost everyone in a little English village--letters accusing people of sexual impropriety. Nothing explicit, but still one I could see parents objecting to....more
This was one of Lewis's earliest projects, published under a pseudonym before his conversion. You can see hints of the writer he will become in the poThis was one of Lewis's earliest projects, published under a pseudonym before his conversion. You can see hints of the writer he will become in the poems that are at turns bitter, despairing, and longing.
It is not, perhaps, a book for those who like to only experience an author at his best, but for those who love Lewis, it's a fascinating insight into his thoughts and feelings as a younger man. ...more
A great non-Poirot mystery. It's in the running for next year's Mystery Bookclub class. A great non-Poirot mystery. It's in the running for next year's Mystery Bookclub class. ...more
A short collection of three Peter Wimsey stories. A fun listen, but unfortunately, none of the stories will work for my class next year. The two best A short collection of three Peter Wimsey stories. A fun listen, but unfortunately, none of the stories will work for my class next year. The two best were stories of Wimsey as a father, which were absolutely delightful, but require several books of context for best appreciation. ...more
I hadn't realized that The Mousetrap was the theatrical version of Three Blind Mice, which I had read before. Still, a fun read, even if you know the I hadn't realized that The Mousetrap was the theatrical version of Three Blind Mice, which I had read before. Still, a fun read, even if you know the ending, and a solid contender for next year's Mystery Bookclub. ...more
I appreciate people who love Shakespeare and want to make him accessible to wider audience. But often, I think, they underestimate the ability of theiI appreciate people who love Shakespeare and want to make him accessible to wider audience. But often, I think, they underestimate the ability of their audience to handle the beauty and the grandeur of Shakespeare's language.
I've seen some juvenile adaptations of Shakespeare that stray far enough from the original that it works. But those that try to keep too close always seem to end up a disappointment.
I had forgotten just how rough this book is. It's dark and harsh and painful and made even more bleak by the tiny hints of hope that you know Ooooof.
I had forgotten just how rough this book is. It's dark and harsh and painful and made even more bleak by the tiny hints of hope that you know are never going to pay off.
A great collection of short stories from the Golden Age of Mystery. (I did find myself both delighted and irritated by the brief author bio that folloA great collection of short stories from the Golden Age of Mystery. (I did find myself both delighted and irritated by the brief author bio that followed each story. Sometimes I wanted that information and sometimes I just wanted to get to the next story. In a physical book it wouldn't have been a problem, but the audiobook made it more of a hassle to skip.)
This is one collection I will be returning to. ...more
While I will acknowledge that Hemingway earned his place as one of the greats of American Modernists, I just don't like him. The Old Man and the Sea iWhile I will acknowledge that Hemingway earned his place as one of the greats of American Modernists, I just don't like him. The Old Man and the Sea is a book that should probably be read at least once, but it's not one that I'll pick up for pleasure.
Update, 4/23/25: Prepping to teach Hemingway tomorrow. Still not my favorite, but given that I had a couple students in a raised voices argument about it last week, before the class had even read it, I anticipate a delightful class discussion. ...more
I read this book because I was participating in a research study and it was assigned to me. If I hadn't been, I would have abandoned it after the firsI read this book because I was participating in a research study and it was assigned to me. If I hadn't been, I would have abandoned it after the first couple chapters. It reads like every other mediocre historical novel: uninspired writing, flat characters, contemporary sensibilities assigned to historical settings.
A thorough, even-handed biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald, by a biographer who clearly admires his work but is under no illusions about the self-createA thorough, even-handed biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald, by a biographer who clearly admires his work but is under no illusions about the self-created disaster that was his life. ...more
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