books

my year of Shakespeare (so far) 

Last July, I read Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench and tossed out the comment that now I had to read all of Shakespeare’s plays, which would be a good goal for 2025.

The thought stayed with me and then in November I found this at Value Village:

A sign, obviously.

So, on January 1, I duly began and have read some Shakespeare almost every day since. I am doing this purely for pleasure and will not try to say anything intelligent or insightful or scholarly about any of it. Just vibes, as everyone seems to say now.

Here’s what I’ve read to date:

1. The First Part of King Henry the Sixth

I truly enjoyed this and didn’t find it boring at all, as I had feared. Favourite quotation: 

O, were mine eyeballs into bullets turn’d,

That I, in rage, might shoot them at your faces!

-Sir William Lucy, Act IV, scene vii

2. The Second Part of King Henry the Sixth

Another good one. Favourite quotation:

Could I come near your beauty with my nails,

I’ld set my ten commandments in your face.

-Duchess of Gloucester, Act I, scene iii

3. The Third Part of King Henry the Sixth

Fast-paced and full of horrible schemers, like the first two parts. There are several to choose from, but I think my favourite quotation from this one is:

Thou hast spoke too much already; get thee gone.

-Queen Margaret (to King Henry, hilariously), Act I, scene i

4. King Richard the Third

As much as I enjoyed all the backstabbing melodrama of the first three plays, I found it a bit much in this one. “Too nasty” is all I’ve written in my notebook about it.

5. Titus Andronicus

Roman general Titus Andronicus returns from a long war fighting the Goths and kicks off a seemingly endless series of unspeakably violent acts ruining the lives of everyone in sight.

Blech. Did not enjoy at all. “Grim and depressing,” I wrote at the time.

6. The Comedy of Errors

Twins, separated at birth, end up in the same city, where continual mistaken identities convince everyone they are mad. 

It was silly, of course, but I liked it.

7. The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Two friends compete for the love of the same woman, even though one of them already has a fiancée. Creep.

Annoying, unlikeable characters. Not a favourite. 

8. Love’s Labour’s Lost

Four young men fall in love with four young women and much flirty wordplay ensues. 

Tiresome and tedious. The romance-y ones are definitely not my thing. 

9. Romeo and Juliet

Two teenagers with bad judgement and no impulse control make unfortunate life choices. Actually, everyone in this is pretty terrible, come to think of it. 

Fun when you can appreciate the ridiculousness of it all.

My week: Mar 17-23, 2025

It’s been a quiet week – just the way I like ‘em – and, after a few unseasonably warm days, it has turned cooler again. If only it could stay this way. Evening walks with Glen have been a treat – chilly, damp, grey, bug-less. Just us and the four thousand gulls picking through the recently ploughed field.

There are no spring bulbs up yet, but they’re coming:

Merlin hasn’t detected any spring migrants yet, so it’s been all the usual suspects: American Crow, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee, Black-headed Gull, Blue Jay, Canada Goose, Common Eider, Common Grackle, Common Raven, Gadwall, Hairy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Killdeer, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker, Red-winged Blackbird, Ring-billed Gull, Ring-necked Pheasant, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch.

It hasn’t been a stellar photography week. Exhibit A: 

In my defence, he was waddling away from me as quickly as he could.

Exhibit B:

Again, in my defence, this was taken through a wet window across a rainy yard.

Exhibit C:

I forgot I’d changed the camera setting the night before (after an unsuccessful look for the aurora) and snapped what could be an intriguing album cover.

Now that I’ve finished all of Foyle’s War, I’m on to Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries in the evenings and I am loving both the soundtrack and the costumes. I’d probably skip the feather boas, but otherwise I’d wear her wardrobe in a heartbeat. I’ve been reading Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, What Your Body Knows About Happiness by Janice Kaplan and The Bean Book by Steve Sando.

An exciting visit to the Little Free Library:

I am powerless in the face of those kitschy covers. These were both published in 1959.

I spent quite a while moving books around this week in my never-ending game of Musical Bookcases. It’s a good opportunity to weed some titles I’m no longer interested in, I tell myself, yet somehow everything always makes it back onto the shelves. In other hoarding news, I made some progress on my yarn stash inventory (I should be knitting 16 hours a day, seven days a week), and finally got all the tea together to make an intimidating wall o’ loose tea packages in the pantry. No more David’s Tea shopping for me for the foreseeable future.

My week: March 10-16, 2025

For many years now, it’s been hard to see the point in blogging. No one visits, or, if they do, they don’t comment. I have persisted, half-heartedly, because I like the idea of recording things – books I’ve read, places I’ve gone, birds I’ve admired. I need to write things down or I forget.  

To minimise what has long felt like wasted effort, I had taken to writing only two monthly summaries: one of what I’d read and the other of photos of anything that had captured my interest. Eventually, I dropped the  ‘month in photos’ post, even though I enjoyed the opportunity to review the past month and pick favourites. Despite keeping a paper journal of everything I read, I could never quite give up on the book review posts, though, because the blog’s search function does come in handy sometimes.

Thanks to Feedly, I still keep up with about a hundred blogs, although the number dwindles every year. People get discouraged and give up, or switch to Patreon or Instagram or Substack (which pays actual Nazis to create newsletters, btw), or drop the personal (and, to me, more interesting) posts to focus on whatever bland content SEO demands.

I do enjoy the hardy bloggers who stick it out – like Lucy at Attic24, Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits, Barbara at Coastal Ripples and Pip at Meet Me at Mike’s – even though I am also guilty of not leaving comments. I guess it’s nosiness, but I love the glimpses into their daily lives. I like seeing what they’re interested in and what’s particularly trying to them at the moment and what they’re doing with their time. And every time I see them add another post I think again about how nice it would be to have years and years of detailed records of a life. How gratifying it would be to look back on. 

Anyway, all this blah blah blah is me trying to remind myself that even if no one ever sees a thing I post, future-me would be grateful to current-me for taking the time to jot things down. 

So, to keep it brief, this past week, I:

-celebrated Anna landing a permanent, full-time OT position only 20 minutes away (instead of the current six-hour drive to visit)

-started putting Merlin in the window again to listen to the birdies (no spring migrants yet)

-have been reading A Pelican at Blandings by Wodehouse, Undoctored by Adam Kay, Marple by Mark Aldridge, and listened to The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

-sowed Brandywine, Sweet 100, SunGold and Roma tomatoes, as well as Bright Lights chard, Sugar Ann bush pea, Grand Rapids lettuce and basil

-tidied all the seeds and potting stuff

-cleaned out and reorganised all the pantry shelves

-opened all the windows because it’s been unseasonably warm for mid-March

-watched Blue Jays spring training baseball

-went to the farm market for fruit and veg

-scored a couple old music books at the local Little Free Libraries

-cooked a gigantic pot of chickpeas to freeze (but have since used four jars so so much for a huge freezer stash)

-worked on the never-ending blue alpaca lace wrap and a very chunky baby blanket (nothing exciting – just using up stash)

-sat with my boy, the maple-dipped doughnut 

my favourite reads of February 2025

Ayoade on Top by Richard Ayoade (2019)

Short, autobiographical tidbits sprinkled amidst an extremely detailed analysis of the 2003 Gwyneth Paltrow movie View from the Top. I haven’t seen the movie, but it sounds terrible. The book is a bit strange at times, but really funny.

A Deadly Affair: Unexpected Love Stories from the Queen of Mystery by Agatha Christie

Audiobook narrated by Judith Boyd, Hugh Fraser, Joan Hickson and David Suchet.

A collection of Christie’s short stories. Not as gripping as her novels, but still enjoyable.

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon (2024)

Lampo and Gelon, two unemployed potters in 412 BCE Syracuse, decide to put on the play Medea starring Athenian prisoners-of-war being starved to death in a quarry.

It won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction, which surprises me because I found it terribly sad. Creative and well-written, for sure, but definitely sad.

Howards End by EM Forster (1910)

I was inspired to finally read this after watching an excellent adaptation on PBS at Christmas time. After the briefest of romances between young Helen Schlegel and Paul Wilcox falls apart, Helen’s sister Margaret befriends Paul’s ill mother, Ruth. After Ruth’s death, the Schlegel and Wilcox families continue to grow closer, despite their very different approaches to life.

I enjoyed it, but it was a bit slow at times.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (1926)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

Poirot is drawn out of his rural retirement, and the growing of vegetable marrows, to solve another murder. I’ve read this so many times I practically have it memorised, but I still love it. Pure comfort reading.

Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson (2023)

Audiobook narrated by Paterson Joseph.

A collection of interconnected stories, all a bit eerie, creepy, unsettling and sad. It was good, like everything Atkinson writes, but I’m not sure I’ll be recommending it as heartily as Life After Life and A God in Ruins.

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith (2023)

A collection of short – sometimes very short – pieces about her marriage breakdown, drawn-out divorce, the ugly aftermath and development of a new normal with her children. She writes of her husband’s disdain for her writing career so her success must be absolutely delicious. I am delighted for her.

my favourite reads of January 2025

Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey (1949)

Not long after his parents’ deaths in a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Patrick Ashby disappears. He leaves a vague farewell note and his folded jacket near a cliff well known as a suicide spot, but his body is never found. Eight years later, cash-strapped Brat Farrar is recognized by a friend of the family as a dead-ringer for Patrick and together they scheme to reintroduce “Patrick” just in time for him to collect a large inheritance. Will Brat get away with it?

An excellent book. I loved it.

Dead Famous by Greg Jenner (2020)

An examination of celebrity (mostly human, but also the odd animal) from every possible angle.

Fun, fast-paced, really enjoyable.

Mike and Psmith by PG Wodehouse (1909)

Mike and Psmith meet at boarding school and hijinks ensue immediately. Like some of Wodehouse’s early work, it’s a bit heavy on the cricket for someone who does not know or care about cricket, but it’s still a lot of fun.

An A+ Christmas present from Charlotte!

Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie (1940)

Audiobook narrated by David Suchet.

Elinor Carlisle is accused of poisoning Mary Gerrard, her late aunt’s companion, after Elinor’s fiancé confesses he is in love with Mary. The case against Elinor couldn’t look more bulletproof, but Poirot investigates anyway.

David Suchet is a great narrator.

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (1848)

At almost 700 pages (of very small print), I started Vanity Fair last November and read a chapter per day, aside from a couple weeks at Christmas when my girls were home. Best friends Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley leave their girls’ school and head out into very different futures. The book’s original subtitle was ‘A Novel Without a Hero’, which is absolutely true since almost everyone in it is terrible. They scheme, lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, boast, blame, condemn, shun, and bootlick in a constant jostle for social superiority.

It’s a bit wordy, yes, but hilarious. I honestly looked forward to reading it every single day.

my favourite reads of November 2024

Celebrating the Seasons with the Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen (2021)

I can’t remember how this book entered my orbit, but it was an interesting glimpse into a lifestyle very different from my own. I especially liked the many photographs of absolutely gorgeous Yorkshire landscapes.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie (1940)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

Poirot’s dentist seemingly commits suicide, but Poirot sets out to prove it was murder.

The Secret Hours by Mick Herron (2023)

I’m torn about whether to include this in my favourites because it was easily my least favourite Herron book. It starts off really well, but then gets bogged down with way too many words and much too little action. I’m not sorry I read it, but I wouldn’t recommend this one like I do his others.

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie (1922)

Audiobook narrated by Nadia May.

Tommy and Tuppence, the Young Adventurers, are tasked with finding Jane Finn, who has important government papers and has disappeared. Not my favourite Christie, but still enjoyable.

Treasure Island!!! by Sara Levine (2011)

There is a book reviewer and blogger I follow whose taste is pretty reliably the exact opposite of mine, so when I saw she disliked this book, I immediately ordered it and I wasn’t disappointed.

A young woman becomes obsessed with Stevenson’s Treasure Island and blows up her entire life by trying to live by its maxims of “boldness, resolution, independence and horn-blowing.” I love these unlikeable protagonists.

my favourite reads of October 2024

Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie (1937)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

Elderly Emily Arundell suspects a member of her household is trying to kill her and, sadly for her, she is correct. Features a star turn by Bob the dog.

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie (1941)

Audiobook narrated by David Suchet.

Glamorous movie star Arlena Marshall ends up dead on a beach and neither her family nor anyone else at their resort seem particularly bothered by that, but Poirot solves the case anyway. A particularly good Christie, in my opinion.

Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie (1923)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

Another rich, elderly person suspects he is going to be murdered by a member of his household and he is also correct. Unfortunately, Poirot has a knack for responding to these pleas for help just a little too late.

To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey (1950)

A famous young American photographer goes missing during a hike in the English countryside and good old Inspector Grant is called in to figure out what happened to him. A clever and entertaining mystery.

Wilderness Knits by Linka Neumann (2021)

I haven’t knit many sweaters lately, but if anything was going to tempt me to start one, it would be a design from this book. Lots of appealing patterns.

my favourite reads of September 2024

Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie (1938)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

A tyrannical matriarch is murdered while on holiday with her family in Petra and everybody has a motive. A bit slow to get going, but enjoyable.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan (2024)

In which Amy Tan gets super into birdwatching. Her enthusiasm is entertaining, her observations are interesting and her illustrations are beautiful. Talented lady.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (2004)

The first Jackson Brodie novel.

Jackson investigates three seemingly unrelated murder cases and gradually uncovers the truth in each case and how they are connected.

Another slow starter, but once it began to pick up momentum, I was hooked.

A Gentleman and a Thief by Dean Jobb (2024)

Exactly what it says on the tin: The Daring Jewel Heists of a Jazz Age Rogue.

Jobb has written another winner, just as gripping as The Case of the Murderous Dr Cream, which I loved in 2021. It’s meticulously researched and very entertaining. A+.

Golf Without Tears by PG Wodehouse (1924)

I love Wodehouse so much, I’ll even read a novel’s worth of stories about golf and golfers. Enjoyable, as always.

Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie (1938)

A sudden flurry of murders in a small English village is written off as a series of unfortunate accidents by the locals, but Luke Fitzwilliam – alerted by a fellow train passenger who shared her suspicions and was then killed by a hit-and-run driver – suspects a serial killer.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (1920)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

How many times have I read/listened to this one? Ten times? A dozen?

Another unpleasant matriarch gets herself murdered and Poirot, in his first appearance, solves the case.

One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (2006)

Audiobook narrated by Robin Downes. The second Jackson Brodie novel.

Atkinson again draws seemingly unconnected characters through a series of pretty traumatic situations until the connections are revealed. I liked it a lot.

Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie (1958)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

Yet another disliked matriarch is murdered, this time by one of her adopted sons. A witness comes forward with an alibi for him, however, which raises the question: who did kill her then?

Another one I’ve read/listened to multiple times. Such a great book.

Pompeii by Mary Beard (2008)

Pompeii from every possible angle. Very thoroughly researched and a pleasure to read.

Towards Zero by Agatha Christie (1944)

Audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser.

And another disapproving old lady is murdered while hosting her nephew, his current wife, his ex-wife, and a few other friends and hangers-on at her oceanfront estate.

One of the top-tier Christies, in my opinion.