December 2011 book log

[julesjones]

Typing hurts at the moment, so limited comments on the books.

112) John Barrowman -- I am what I am
Second volume of Barrowman's memoirs, written with his sister Carole Barrowman. While the first volume was a largely chronological memoir of his life so far, this volume is a selection of stories arranged more by theme than by time, and including a lot of material in direct response to questions he was asked after the first volume was published. As with any good actor biography, part of the appeal of this book is a more general look at the side of showbusiness that the public don't see for themselves, including the amount of work needed to put a show on, whether on stage or tv. Well written, and very entertaining if this sort of book is your sort of thing.
http://www.librarything.com/work/8980550

113) Alan Hunter -- Gently go Man
Ninth of the Inspector Gently books. I mostly haven't been commenting on these, but have been enjoying them and intend to read more of them.
http://www.librarything.com/work/1774111

114) Diane Purkiss -- Fairies and Fairy Stories: A History
New edition of a book previously published as "Troublesome Things: A History of Fairies and Fairy Stories", and under at least one other title. I really need to write a proper review of this book, but right now I'm down with a viral infection and not up to the necessary thinking.
http://www.librarything.com/work/45521

115) Ruth Rendell -- Murder being Once Done
Seventh Inspector Wexford book.
http://www.librarything.com/work/292592

116) Mary Stewart -- Madam, will you talk?
Stewart's first novel, published in 1955, and the first one I've read. Contemporary (for the time it was written) suspense with a strong romantic element. Enjoyed this a lot.
http://www.librarything.com/work/96869

117) Carola Dunn -- Death at Wentworth Court
First of the Daisy Dalrymple series of 1920s country house cosies. I read this after reading several of the later books, so enjoyed seeing where it started. Great fun, and one for the re-read shelf.
http://www.librarything.com/work/39646

Comments

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

By coincidence, several LJ friends have been mentioning Mary Stewart. I loved her books when I was young and it seems that (unlike some novels) they will stand up to re-reading as an adult. Once I've got to the end of the Children's Literature course, I think I may indulge in a Mary Stewart binge.

[julesjones]

"Wildfire at Midnight" is in January's batch, and I liked that a lot as well. I have eight to go of a bundle of ten bought for ten quid at The Book People last year. :-)

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I was re-reading some Mary Stewart last year, and I think they stood up reasonably well. Wildfire at Midnight, I always visualise in James Bond-ish mode, what with all the car driving, and I still enjoy Airs Above the Ground, The Ivy Tree, My Brother Michael, and Nine Coaches Waiting very much.

[julesjones]

I think they have re-read potential, enough so that I would be inclined to go and buy the ebooks full price in order to clear some shelf room but sttll have them available. (At ten pounds for the whole set of ten, it's not as if I'd be out much money to buy a set full price.)

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

Oops, I meant Madam, Will You Talk of course, as there is very little car driving in Wildfire at Midnight as it much more about being lost on mountains in Scottish mists than careering through the French countryside.

I'm still dithering about an e-book reader, but having 10 Stewarts readily available for re-reads is very tempting.

[julesjones]

I assumed that's what you meant. :-)

Re-reading, my comment's misleading. I got the pack of ten print books for ten pounds from The Book People, so even if I had to pay full cover price to get the ebooks, I'm not exactly out a lot of money to have had both formats.

I finally bought an ereader second-hand about 3 years ago, because with being epublished it was getting a bit embarrassing not having one. I wasn't sure how I'd get on it with it, but within a week it was "prise from my cold dead hands". I haven't used it that much recently because The Works keeps leading me into temptation with the three for a fiver table, but it *is* useful to be able to carry an entire series with me when travelling.

[julesjones]

Hodder's released them in Kindle format for 4.49-4.99 each. It will have Amazon's evil DRM, of course, but I'd need to dig to see if they're available DRM-free or in a different DRM elsewhere.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mary-Stewart/e/B000AP6YNC

Ah, and in epub format direct from Hodder, although much more expensive and doesn't say if they're DRM-free. (If they are, even at 7 pounds I am seriously tempted to start collecting.)

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I have a strong feeling that 'prise from my cold dead hands' is what might happen to me if I get one. I've been in several situations recently where I've not been sure how much reading I'll be doing or what I might be in the mood for, and having a variety to choose from on a e-book reader is so much more appealing these days than lugging around five or more books.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

If you don't know of it already, you could try luzme (http://www.luzme.com/author/Mary%20Stewart) for price/format comparison.

[julesjones]

I didn't, thanks. (I have not got as far as buying books, I'm still working my way through the many, many things on Gutenberg I want to read, plus the ARCs I get.)

The Arthurian trilogy appears to be DRM-free from Kobo - must bear that in mind.