Category: For Fun

Shelf Control #88 – 18/04/2025

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Happy bank holiday Friday, friends! Today’s Shelf Control post comes to you after a much-enjoyed day off work. That’s always a bonus, yes?

I may not have been at work today, but I’m not off the hook from providing you with the next instalment in my Shelf Control series. And it’s a good one today, fellas, so get strapped in.

Today’s feature is a courtroom thriller with the added twist of multiculturalism. I will provide a word of warning here that the story and courtroom case centre around an alleged sexual assault. If reading about this makes you uncomfortable, this is full disclosure here to stop reading— and also to not read this book.

Here’s a recap of what Shelf Control is all about… and then we’ll get stuck in, shall we?

Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.

If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.


Take It Back – Kia Abdullah   

Genre: Courtroom Thriller

Pages: 384

Audience: Adult

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 08 Aug 2019

 

Goodreads – Take It Back

 

IT’S TIME TO TAKE YOUR PLACE ON THE JURY.

The victim: A sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities, neglected by an alcoholic mother. Who accuses the boys of something unthinkable.

The defendants: Four handsome teenage boys from hardworking immigrant families. All with corroborating stories.

WHOSE SIDE WOULD YOU TAKE?


My Thoughts

It’s been a little while since I picked up a thriller that takes place in the courtroom. However, it’s a genre I like and I have several books on my reading list that fit into this sub-genre. The latest I added was The Sentence back in January 2024 – I need to add more to my reading list clearly! 

I have no idea how the implied cultural aspect and classism is going to shape the narrative. Will it make it different from our more Westernised view of how proceedings would take place? I guess that depends entirely on where the book is set.

Honestly, I don’t know very much going into this book other than the synopsis. That was enough to capture my attention and get this book on my reading list pronto. I really like the sound of the book and I’m intrigued to see what this narrative and author has to tell us.

Thanks for reading today’s Shelf Control. Have you read it back or any other book similar to it? Would you recommend this?

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First Lines Friday – 11/04/2025

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Happy Friday friends – and can I tell you – I’m so glad it’s the end of the week. Today’s First Lines Friday post marks the conclusion of a very busy but successful week.

I’m not quite ready for the weekend yet though! The last thing on my to-do list for today is to share with you the opening lines to a fantastic book I’ve discovered. And, with any luck, persuade you to read it.

Let’s get to it!


“Happy birthday, Haymitch!”

The upside of being born on reaping day is that you can sleep late on your birthday. It’s pretty much downhill from there. A day off school hardly compensates for the terror of the name drawing. Even if you survive that, nobody feels like having cake after watching two kids being hauled off to the Capitol for slaughter. I roll over and pull the sheet over my head.

“Happy birthday!” My ten-year-old brother, Sid, gives my shoulder a shake. “You said be your rooster. You said you wanted to get to the woods at daylight.”

It’s true. I’m hoping to finish my work before the ceremony so I can devote the afternoon to the two things I love best — wasting time and being with my girl, Lenore Dove.

 

 


Sunrise on the Reaping – Suzanne Collins

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 382

Audience: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: 18 Mar 2025

Goodreads – Sunrise on the Reaping

 

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight… and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

 

My Thoughts…

Any book in the Hunger Games series is going to be a book that ends up on my reading list! I loved reading the core series when I was a teenager, and more recently I really enjoyed going back to the prequel in A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I’m even thinking of re-reading the main series at some point soon!

It says a lot when I make the effort to go to the cinema, because the local facilities we have aren’t the best. Even still, I made the effort to go and watch A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes film when it first came out. I watched it again for the second time just a few days ago on TV.

It’s fair to say I have a compulsion to keep up-to-date with this series. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with Haymitch’s story to understand where he ends up by the time we get to Katniss’ first Hunger Games. At this point, Haymitch is a mess. To describe him as a raging alcoholic doesn’t quite seem to do it justice. What happens to him that forces him down this route? Does anything special happen in light of the fact that his games were the 50th year and therefore a Quarter Quell?

I don’t know yet – but I’m excited to find out!

Thanks for checking out today’s First Lines Friday! Have you read any books in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins? Have you already read Sunrise on the Reaping?

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Authors I Will Always Buy Books By

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Happy Wednesday folks and welcome to today’s post. Today, I share the authors I will always buy books by. Since I got back into reading, I’ve discovered several authors from whom I will buy every single book they publish. There aren’t too many authors on this list, but I have got some big names. It’s inevitable that I will discover more throughout my reading life!

Given the amount I’ve featured each of these authors on my blog, none of these names should come as a surprise. Today’s post is to summarise the favourite authors I will always buy books by, and why!


George R.R. Martin

The thing I love most about George R.R. Martin’s writing is the depth and detail that he goes into. It does have its drawback though; this is why we’ve been waiting so long for the sequel to his Song of Ice and Fire series. But still, it’s why I love him.

If there is a fantasy world in which I find myself with so much immersion in the story, it is these. That said, even his books around the main series, including the prequel Fire and Blood, but also side stories have his same flair. I am a huge fan of his writing style. I will never get bored of the stories and characters he creates.


Brandon Sanderson

If there is one thing I loved about Brandon Sanderson‘s writing from the get-go, it is that he is able to write very different and complex stories within his universe. Although I would argue a lot of the stories have similarities in the magic system having some kind of ‘real’ or ‘relatable’ element to them, they are in fact very different from each other. That’s what I love!

I recently finished his The Reckoners trilogy in which characters became ‘Epics’ and developed powers like superheroes. Typically though, these individuals then turn on society and use powers for their own selfish gains. This is something we can recognise from comic books, even if it’s not feasible. Take instead his Stormlight Archives series and the idea of magic having to charge through access to light – that’s also something familiar.


Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is a relatively new addition to this list, given I only really discovered her writing a few years ago. However, from the seven books I’ve read out of the Realm of the Elderlings series so far, I am sold! I have yet to read outside of the series, but I am absolutely intending to do so.

One of my best friends, Rachael, put me onto Robin Hobb in the first place, and I can’t thank her enough for doing so. Like George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb is a fantastic writer whose emphasis on depth and detail makes for a fantastic epic fantasy world.

Out of the seven books I’ve read in her Realm of the Elderlings series to date, those books have been split down into trilogies that feature different characters and places within the wider realm. Whilst it did take me a little bit of getting used to the second set of stories, I went on to love them as much as the first set. Whilst I now back revisiting the characters from the first trilogy, I’m hoping we get to see more of the Vestrits in future books.


Jay Kristoff

I’ve read quite a few books by Jay Kristoff now. From his Nevernight Chronicles to Empire of the Vampire, if there’s one thing I love about his writing style, it’s his darker and grittier perspective.

That said, I have also read a science-fiction series he co-authored with Amie Kaufman in which the tone is very different. However, still had the same undertones of his writing. He is quite a versatile writer and I’m looking forward to trying more of his books in the future.

One I’ve got on my shelf to pick up soon is Lifel1k3.


Terry Pratchett

I discovered Terry Pratchett at the time in my life when reading became a regular habit again. Although I’m a predominant fantasy reader by preference, I do enjoy his satirical take on life. The stories he comes up with to poke fun at or highlight real-world issues are refreshing.

Luckily for me, I still have a lot of his books yet to read. I’m only around halfway through his Discworld series. He also has a few different books he’s written alongside these, as well as some co-authored with the likes of Stephen Baxter.

If there is one thing that Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series emphasises, it is that he is also a versatile writer. Having read the first book in his The Long Earth series co-authored with Stephen Baxter, it’s fair to say that he’s able to write multiple genres.

Terry Pratchett is an author I can go back to time and again. Whether I’m looking for something a little bit lighter to read, or perhaps a change of genre now and then, his humour and natural way of making you aware of his opinion on anything from gender rights to poking fun at show business, he is able to make me crack a smile.


Summary

Those are my favourite authors I will always buy books by! I’m sure in the future more names will get added to the list.

Are there any authors you automatically buy books from?

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Shelf Control #87 – 21/03/2025

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Happy Friday and welcome to today’s Shelf Control post. Today’s feature is an unusual choice – but it’s for that reason I want to pick it up. It’s a folkloric retelling in graphic novel format. Compared to my usual reading, it’s quite out there. However, it has a feminist slant that I’m looking forward to exploring!

As ever, before I get into the details, here’s a recap of what Shelf Control is all about.

Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.

If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.


The 100 Nights of Hero – Isabelle Greenberg   

Genre: Graphic Novel / Folklore Retellings

Pages: 244

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: 20 Dec 2016

 

Goodreads – The 100 Nights of Hero

 

‘A feminist fairy-tale… A wondrously intricate book, and a witty attack on the patriarchy, this is an instant classic.’ Observer

From the author who brought you The Encyclopedia of Early Earth comes another Epic Tale of Derring-Do.

Prepare to be dazzled once more by the overwhelming power of stories and see Love prevail in the face of Terrible Adversity!

You will read of betrayal, loyalty, madness, bad husbands, lovers both faithful and unfaithful, wise old crones, moons who come out of the sky, musical instruments that won’t stay quiet, friends and brothers and fathers and mothers and above all, many, many sisters.


My Thoughts

If there is one thing I tried my cell phone, it’s my willingness to try reading new things. In fact, one of my goals for this year is to read more out of my comfort zone. Whilst I wouldn’t describe this as necessarily a stretch, it is different.

I don’t typically read graphic novels, and I tend to stay away from shorter stories as well. The 100 nights of hero is both of these things. However, I think it will be a satisfying change of pace to the typical books I read. Sometimes, it’s nice to do something a little bit different or read something refreshing and new to act as a palette cleanser.

I don’t really know what to expect with the 100 nights of hero, but that’s okay. In a way, I think going into this book blind will make this an entertaining story for me. I’m not too familiar with the story it is retelling, but I can brush myself up on that detail

Thanks for checking out today’s Shelf Control post! Have you read The 100 Nights of Hero?

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First Lines Friday – 14/03/2025

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I’m back with a First Lines Friday post to round off the week! If you’re looking for an intriguing read to pick up this weekend, I have a great one for you!

I know that as it’s my current read! I’m just under 3 hours into the audiobook version of this book as of writing this post. The intro really got my attention. Shall we take a look?


If I leave this house, it will be in handcuffs. I should have run for it while I had the chance. Now my shot is gone. Now that the police officers are in the house and they’ve discovered what’s upstairs, there’s no turning back.

They are about five seconds away from reading me my rights. I’m not sure why they haven’t done it yet. Maybe they’re hoping to trick me into telling them something I shouldn’t.

Good luck with that.

 


The Housemaid – Freida McFadden

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 329

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 26 Apr 2022

 

Goodreads – The Housemaid

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own . . .

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of . . .


My Thoughts…

If you enjoy thrillers that have you second guessing what you’re reading, The Housemaid will suit you as it does me. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t know who I trust. What I can tell you though is that I’m motivated to find out!

I’m listening to The Housemaid going shopping, driving in the car and every opportunity I get. The story so far has set out enough information for me to get a grasp of the story, but at the same time there’s plenty yet to find out. Millie has a past, but we don’t know what. Not all is as it seems in the Winchester family, but who do we believe? Even if I wanted to tell you these things (which I won’t because I’m no spoilsport), I have no idea!

The opening lines caught my attention straightaway. Even if I wasn’t reading this book for book club, that introduction would have the book added to my TBR faster than I could click ‘add to cart’.

Has today’s First Lines Friday introduced you to a future read? Have you already read The Housemaid?

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Shelf Control #86 – 07/03/2025

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Good evening and welcome to today’s Shelf Control feature. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve shared one of these posts. But, I’m back and happy to share a science-fiction book I’ve picked up before and I’m looking forward to returning to. Before I get into the details, here’s a recap of what Shelf Control is all about.

Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.

If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.

In today’s post, I feature a book I started but put down a few years ago. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I was struggling with longer books at the time. I had started the second book in the series, but ultimately decided to ‘temporarily’ put it down in favour of other books.


Howling Dark – Christopher Ruocchio   

Genre: Science-fiction

Pages: 688

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Gollancz

Publication Date: 23 Jul 2019

 

Goodreads – Howling Dark

The second novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire.

Hadrian Marlowe is lost.

For half a century, he has searched the farther suns for the lost planet of Vorgossos, hoping to find a way to contact the elusive alien Cielcin. He has not succeeded, and for years has wandered among the barbarian Normans as captain of a band of mercenaries.

Determined to make peace and bring an end to nearly four hundred years of war, Hadrian must venture beyond the security of the Sollan Empire and among the Extrasolarians who dwell between the stars. There, he will face not only the aliens he has come to offer peace, but contend with creatures that once were human, with traitors in his midst, and with a meeting that will bring him face to face with no less than the oldest enemy of mankind.

If he succeeds, he will usher in a peace unlike any in recorded history. If he fails…the galaxy will burn.

 

My Thoughts

It’s been a few years since I put this down, so the break between stopping this book and my intended restart date has been a little longer than the ‘temporary’ break planned. Admittedly, I’m going to benefit from a recap of the first book’s events, or a reread, to get back into the series.

What also excites me about this book is that it’s a relatively new author to me. I’ve only read the first book of the series, and since I started it with the proof I got from Gollancz years ago, the series has expanded. It’s nowadays total of six primary works- and there’s a final seventh coming up. There are also side stories along the way, so there’s plenty for me to get stuck into!

I enjoy the science-fiction genre. In a slight twist, this series is marketed as a space opera. If I recall correctly, there is a lot of drama, tension, and action to keep me engaged throughout this now epic series.

An additional bonus is that I already have a copy of this second book on my shelf waiting to be picked up. Fingers crossed, it’s not too long before I get there.

Thanks for reading today’s Shelf Control post! Does Howling Dark appeal to you?

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First Lines Friday – 14/02/2025

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This week’s First Lines Friday post is a week later than intended. I didn’t get around to drafting this post last week. Even now, it is comparatively late for me to be drafting this post for this week. It’s been a busy week of plans, but I have managed to make time to squeeze this in.

This week’s featured book is one I need to get my skates on and pick up soon. I have a deadline to pick this up later this month. Can you guess what it is based on what I’m reading this month?


Renowned curator Jacques Saunière staggered through the vaulted archway of the museum’s Grand Gallery. He lunged for the nearest painting he could see, a Caravaggio. Grabbing the gilded frame, the seventy-six-year-old man heaved the masterpiece toward himself until it tore from the wall and Saunière collapsed backward in a heap beneath the canvas.

As he had anticipated, a thundering iron gate fell nearby, barricading the entrance to the suite. The parquet floor shook. Far off, an alarm began to ring.

The curator lay a moment, gasping for breath, taking stock. I am still alive. He crawled out from under the canvas and scanned the cavernous space for somewhere to hide.

A voice spoke, chillingly close. ‘Do not move.’

 


The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 480

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Anchor

Publication Date: 18 Mar 2003

Goodreads – The Da Vinci Code

 

Harvard professor Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call while on business in Paris: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered inside the museum. Alongside the body, police have found a series of baffling codes.

As Langdon and a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, begin to sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to find a trail that leads to the works of Leonardo da Vinci – and suggests the answer to a mystery that stretches deep into the vault of history.

Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine code and quickly assemble the pieces of the puzzle, a stunning historical truth will be lost forever…

 

My Thoughts…

Dan Brown and his The Da Vinci Code, amongst other books, are well-known names. I believe it’s rare to go into a charity shop and not trip over multiple copies of this book. Despite being well known, as of this first line is a Friday post, I have yet to pick up the book for myself. That needs to change soon. I will work book clubs are reviewing The Da Vinci Code in just a couple of weeks. So, I need to get my skates on.

Well, although I’ve never read this particular book before, I’m not going into a completely blind. I have watched a TV series based on this book. I can’t remember if I watched it to completion or not, but I certainly have an idea of the storyline from what I’ve seen on TV.

The great thing about book clubs is that you get a range of ideas and perspectives from chatting about the chosen book. I believe this book has some controversy around it, so I don’t know if that will feed into our conversation about the book or not. Before we get there though, I need to actually pick it up for myself!

That’s all for today’s First Lines Friday! Have you read any other books by Dan Brown, or The Da Vinci Code?

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The TBR Book Tag

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In today’s TBR book tag post, I’m sharing some fun content. Now and then, I like to break up my reviews and reading progress updates. Today, I’m sharing some books on my TBR and tips on how I keep on top of it (ha!).

I found this TBR book tag over on Pastmidnights.com and I thought it was a fun break from my usual content.


How do you keep track of your TBR?

I have used Goodreads to track my reading list since I really started getting back into reading in 2017.

I have tried other trackers like StoryGraph before. However, because I’m so used to Goodreads, I didn’t really get on with it. It would also be such a project to make the transition that I don’t really have the energy for it. Plus, there’s nothing I dislike about Goodreads either. I know some people like to stay away from it because of its affiliation with Amazon. It works for me though…


Is your TBR mostly print or e-books?

I have a number of books across all formats – physical, e-book, and audiobook. However, I’d say the e-book collection is by far the largest.

Arguably, it’s the more convenient format to have books in. It doesn’t take up physical space in the house, which is the most premium resource I have. Not that you’d know it from the stack of books that can’t fit on my existing bookshelves…


How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

It honestly depends.

Sometimes, very occasionally, I’ll have a reading theme. Take this month for example – Black History Month. If I want to pick up books on or around this topic, it’s a much smaller pool to choose from than the 200+ on my list.

Most of the time though, it’s what I feel like reading. I have some broader reading goals of finishing series. That usually bumps books up the list a bit. Occasionally, I’ll mood read and pick up whatever I want. I can judge that either by synopsis or genre. There isn’t really any rhyme or reason here.

Finally, I might just curveball and pick up something not on the list. Be that for book club or any other reason, I just keep myself on my toes.


A book that’s been on your TBR the longest


The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss – there is another question about unpublished books below in which I feature another I cannot wait to get to. This unpublished book features here though as it is literally the oldest book on my TBR by ‘date added’ and there is nothing I can do about it!

 

A book you recently added to your TBR


I added A Man Called Ove as I love the idea of the character. Although I’m not anywhere near the main character’s demographic (neither male – I hope not shocking news…, or of the elderly generation), I can sympathise with this character.


A book on your TBR you strictly bought because of the beautiful cover


Orbital is a fairly recent purchase. However, the cover caught my eye and then I rationalised that some shorter fiction on my TBR isn’t a bad thing!


A book on your TBR you never actually plan on reading

Um… none really? I don’t add books to the list if I don’t have any intention of reading them. That may change over time and I take something off the list as I no longer want to read it. But, there’s no point adding something I don’t want to read!


An unpublished book on your TBR that you’re excited for


The Winds of Winter is the most anticipated new release on my TBR. The only problem is, I’m getting increasingly worried that this sequel is still a long way off!


A book on your TBR basically everybody has read but you


I’ve put Throne of Glass on my TBR as a way of trying Sarah J. Maas. I’m not sure I’ll like all her books, but this is the series I’ve been recommended as having the most storyline sans romance to it.


A book on your TBR that everyone recommends


I’d have to go for The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang – ironic as I have just been gifted a fancy edition of the book!


A book on your TBR that you’re just dying to read


I’m not one for anticipating new releases much. However, I grew up reading The Hunger Games. I’m looking forward to the prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, coming out. It’s the story of Haymitch’s games. He’s a rich character in the later books; I’m interested to see what happened to him to get himself in such a sorry state!


The number of books on your Goodreads Shelf

As of publishing this post, the Goodreads list is 214 books long.

Please send help!

 

 

Thanks for checking out today’s TBR book tag post!

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Shelf Control #85 – 24/01/2025

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Good evening readers and welcome to this Shelf Control post – hope you are well? It’s been a wild one here! Today I’ve been relegated to working from home as the office was shut due to storm Éowyn. All things considered, I’ve not suffered badly. Losing half a roof tile is nothing compared to other people. Someone had half their roof ripped off!

Anyway, less of topical commentary and more of what to expect from this Shelf Control. Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.

If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.

In today’s post, I feature the first police procedural in a good while. I enjoy the genre but don’t read a lot of it. No doubt I’ll be changing that soon!


The Whisper Man – Alex North

Genre: Thriller / Police Procedural

Pages: 384

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publication Date: 22 Aug 2019

 

Goodreads – The Whisper Man

 

If you leave a door half-open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken…

Fifteen years ago, a serial killer known only as ‘The Whisper Man’ wreaked havoc on the sleepy village of Featherbank.

But with the killer behind bars, the village is now a safe haven for Tom and his young son Jake to make a fresh start.

Until another boy goes missing. It feels like history is repeating itself.

Could the killer still be out there – and can Tom protect his son from becoming the next victim?

 

My Thoughts

I already have a copy of The Whisper Man, so I anticipate I’ll be picking up this police procedural soon. I enjoy picking up books like this, even if I don’t very often. The suspense is already palpable from the synopsis. Once we get into the story, it can only grow from there!

I added this book to my TBR in June 2019 and purchased a copy on Kindle on 2020. Taking advantage of a book being discounted to 99p is always a good idea when you read as much as I do!

Alex North is a new author to me. At the time I added this to my TBR, he had nothing else published under that name. Now in 2025 he has several books out, and another due out in May. What I hadn’t realised is that he’s also published multiple books under the pseudonym Steve Mosby. If I go on to enjoy this book as much as I think I will, then I have plenty more of his to read in future.

Do you like the sound of The Whisper Man? Have you read it and is it worth the positive press it’s received?

Stay safe and I’ll see you in my Sunday Summary in a couple of days!

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First Lines Friday – 17/01/2025

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Good evening and welcome to this First Lines Friday post! It’s the end of another working week for a lot of people (myself included!) and the weekend is finally here. Do you have any exciting plans?

In last week’s Sunday Summary I set myself the challenge of featuring a book I purchased last Sunday in this First Lines Friday. I checked them all out before I made my decision on which was best. You should be able to guess which one from the opening lines.

Let’s get into today’s First Lines Friday introduction, then I’ll follow with the details of the book:


Ove is fifty-nine.

He drives a Saab. He’s the kind of man who points the people he doesn’t like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman torch. He stands at the counter of a shop where owners of Japanese cars come to purchase white cables. Ove eyes the sales assistant for a long time before shaking a medium-sized white box at him.

‘So this is one of those O-Pads, is it?’ he demands.

 


A Man Called Ove  – Fredrik Backman

Genre:  Contemporary fiction

Pages: 337

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: 15 Jul 2014

 

Goodreads – A Man Called Ove

Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet. He thinks himself surrounded by idiots – joggers, neighbours who can’t reverse a trailer properly and shop assistants who talk in code.

But isn’t it rare, these days, to find such old-fashioned clarity of belief and deed? Such unswerving conviction about what the world should be, and a lifelong dedication to making it just so?

In the end, you will see, there is something about Ove that is quite irresistible . . .


My Thoughts…

There is something about a curmudgeonly main character that appeals to me. We all know how hilarious the elderly and outspoken can be at the best of times.

Now more than ever it must be difficult to live in our modern world. With the only constant being change, I can imagine myself being very sympathetic to Ove and his experience of life in these 300-odd pages.

I’m looking forward to reading a refreshing change in perspective. It’s not very often that I read fiction with a protagonist like Ove. I pride myself on reading diversely, and so I should also read more from all characters, perspectives and walks of life.

Lending to my aims of reading more diversely, this book was originally published in Swedish and translated into English a year later. It’s not often I read translated works, but I’m glad to have gotten a copy of this ready to read.

Have you read A Man Called Ove?

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