Spoilt for Choice
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I hope you have, like me, been indulging in the many new books that have recently been added to our
collections, both physical and electronic.
I’m suffering from an ever-growing list of books that I really want to read but am having to pace myself to read and savour the current one before moving on to the next. Too many good books and too little reading time!
I am looking forward to starting the second in Joseph O’Connor’s Escape Line trilogy The Ghosts of Rome – based in Nazi occupied Rome in 1944, it continues with characters from the first book (My Father’s House) and their struggle to survive under Nazi rule whilst running an escape route for allied soldiers. I loved the first one and this one promises to be equally as riveting.
I have just finished reading Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent. Set in Oxford around a Dictionary this is a mystery centred around Martha Thornhill, a lexicographer, who returns to work there 
in Oxford ten years after her sister Charlie's disappearance. The staff at the Dictionary offices receive cryptic letters and postcards hinting at secrets and lies relating to Charlie, which leads Martha her and her colleagues to unravel the decade-old puzzle.
As you would expect of Susie Dent, it is full of strange words, together with their definitions and further quotes but if you are a lover of words, as I am, then you will love this. The story is well crafted and not in the least predictable as the reader is taken on a journey with the characters to solve the mystery of what really happened to Charlie all those years ago.
Janice Hallett is a new author to me – recommended by a friend who mentioned that the story of The Examiner is told completely through messages, emails and phone calls. I was intrigued enough to pick it up and became totally invested in the story as it is, very cleverly, revealed bit by bit. It is set amongst a group of mature art students as they try to complete their assignments. A murder is discovered and the external examiner is tasked with untangling the mystery to find out what actually took place. It is an intriguing method of telling a story as we get to hear what happens from the point of view of multiple characters, who may or may not be telling the truth.
If you are looking for inspiration for choosing books for your Reading Groups any of these would be suitable and some are available as eAudio and eBook on our Libby and BorrowBox apps too.
Just a note to let you know that the new ‘Sean Duffy’ novel Hang On St Christopher by Adrian McKinty is available as an eAudiobook on our Libby app. It won’t be out as a physical book for a while so why not take a few long drives or walks around Carrickfergus to listen to it. I think it’s one of the best of the series! As an added bonus we also have the short audio prequel to the series God’s away on Business on Libby too.
You can’t say I don’t keep you informed!
