Wednesdays are for (more free) books

I'm on Rachael Herron's advance reader list, which means she emails to see if we want an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) before she releases a new book. Last week she sent through an email, saying the last of the Ballard Brother books Rock the Boat is coming out, would I like an advance copy. I clicked the "yes please" button, while scarcely registering that she asked her readers to read and review within two weeks. I'm reading the last of the Robin Hobb Farseer books, which is a thousand pages long, and full of tension, adventure, torture, drama. I'm usually a monogamous reader.

But I put aside that book, even though its amazing and I really need to know what happens next, because I wanted to read this so much. And it was the perfect break. It's a typical romance, with romance tropes, and is clearly heading for a HEA, but it has a quality of writing that is easy to read, intelligent and follows basic grammar (too many romances just don't bother). The dialogue reads smoothly, the characters are believable, flawed and ultimately likeable. The descriptions of Darling Bay are lovely and it was a pleasure to revisit old friends. While this certainly could be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the other books first, because there are spoilers in here for them, and all the books set in Darling Bay are wonderful. I am a fan of Rachael Herron, and this book lived up to my high expectation of her. I hear her next book is going to be a thriller,and I can't wait.

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Linky Wednesday - the one with the pause

In meditation it's said that the pause between the in breath and the out breath is a gap, a space to rest. Well, I'm in that in-between space for reading, listening and knitting. This is a random photo of a highlight of my week - I filled up my lolly jar. These are just supermarket party mix. During the lockdowns, we sources a great pick-and-mix delivery service, but at some point they started sending from the UK, which is a bit silly. Rachey messaged me a new one she found, and I impulsed purchased a kilo of mixed lollies, and then she sent me a link to the biggest lolly shop in Melbourne, which also delivers sweets by the kilogram, so i think I'm sorted for the rest of the year! In reading I've just finished The Beckoning Lady by Margery Allingham . It's the second last book in the Summer of Mystery, and I have to admit, having now read nine Margery Allingham books, that they are OK. I wouldn't have read them if they were not connected to this club, but on...

Geogradiant MKAL Part 1 - that was unexpected (spoilers)

Stephen West released the first MKAL clue on Thursday night. I started knitting it without looking at spoilers. When I got up on Friday he had sent through an "alternative" clue one. I then went and had a look at the spoiler thread to try to work out what was going on. Which was that some people thought the pattern looked like a "German hate symbol". I knit on anyway, since I was half-way through. Then he took down the original clue, replacing it with a mitred square in garter stitch. The Ravelry forums and Instagram are a complete shit-show, even though Rav is being moderated. It's been a bit disheartening, having something that is usually quite light and fun weighed down with all this. I admire Stephen's quick and sensitive response to this drama. I also feel that anything can look like anything if you squint. To me this looks like a Celtic knot. I think mine is pretty, and I'll knit on through all crises.

Unravelled Wednesday - the one where it's ordinary

This week I finished my first book for the 2025 When Are You Reading? Challenge , which was The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker , which covered the pre 1200 time period. I loved it, it's a retelling of the siege of Troy from a feminist perspective. I haven't worked out what I'm reading for the 1200-1399 time period. Suggestions are welcome. I'm currently reading Central Station by Lavie Tidhar , which is science fiction set in a future Tel-Aviv. It's good, but there are loads of characters and I'm not overly invested. Although at least I'm having no problems telling the characters apart, they are very district. I just don't overly care what happens to them. I'm listening to a NetGalley review copy of Mona Acts Out by Mischa Berlinski , which is the story of a woman unravelling. It's very different from Mischa's other books, but quite compelling. I'm not sure what's next, probably something from Kobo-Plus, perhaps Regrets...

What I made, by Sharon

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