It’s time for WWW Wednesday! This is a blog hop hosted by Sam over at A World Of Words. Link up with us by commenting on Sam’s post for today, and just answer the three questions.
What have you recently finished reading?
I finished Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2) by Rachel Caine and I am disappointed to say that it was a real chore to get through in the end. Admittedly, part of this may be that I’m in a bit of a reading slump at the moment, and so it’s probably not the book’s fault entirely, but…
All I can say is I’m having a really awful run with series this year! I need to get me some more standalones.
I also finished The Collector by John Fowles on audio. While I did find the second part of the book, from the POV of the kidnapped girl, a bit boring, overall this is definitely a book that will stick with me a long time. It was chilling, and I had a couple of moments after finishing it where I was quite wary about leaving my house. In hindsight, reading it when my partner was away for a week so I was alone during the evenings probably wasn’t the best idea, either.
My review of The Collector went up on Monday, along with my review of the first Marcus Didius Falco book, The Silver Pigs, last Friday. Click the links to read them.
What are you currently reading?
I am back to reading The Birdman’s Wife by Melissa Ashley, a fictionalised account of the life of illustrator Elizabeth Gould. I’m over halfway through now. I think it may end up being one of those tricky books to review, because while it’s well-written and enjoyable, there is the fact that is based on someone’s actual life, so there’s no “plot” exactly, just stuff they did. Which is sometimes a bit frustrating.
After a brief flirtation with Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White, I realised that 
classics don’t really do it for me in audio form either, and I decided to stick with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical version of that one. Instead, I’ve started the audio book of the second Marcus Didius Falco book, Shadows in Bronze. I’m really enjoying these books, though it’s a different narrator for this one! He’s not bad, but I really liked the first guy. And going by Overdrive’s listing, it sounds like nearly every book in the series has a different narrator. Oh well.
What do you think you’ll read next?
I’m debating whether to return to The Rook by Daniel O’Malley, or keep going with some more ARCs. I accidentally requested another book from NetGalley today. The cover seduced me. I couldn’t help it. I do have two four hour train trips coming up this weekend, so I’ll be able to get quite a bit of reading done on those at least.
What are you reading this week? If you’ve read any of the books listed above, what did you think?
A Keyboard and an Open Mind 
Sorry to hear you struggled with Paper and Fire. I have to admit I didn’t enjoy as much as the first book in the series. I can’t put my finger on why but it just felt like there was something missing for me. What probably says the most is that I only read it about a month ago and I can’t really remember what happened.
I bought the Rook during the week but haven’t started yet. I kept hearing really good things about it. Had you previously started it and gave up?
P.S. Not sure I’m buying the “accidentally” thing 🙂
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I agree; I’m not sure I can exactly articulate why I didn’t enjoy it, but I really didn’t. I expect I will be the same in a month with not being able to recount what happened.
The Rook got put on hold because I’ve borrowed it from a friend, so it has no due date like library books and ARCs. I’m enjoying it so far but I think I might reach a point where it starts feeling a bit long.
Haha! 😀
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I get what you mean about The Birdman’s Wife though I feel like that about most memoirs or anything related to real life events. Its hard to even criticize such books because it almost feels like you are actually criticizing the author’s life. Glad to hear that its an enjoyable book though.Happy reading.
Here’s my WWW:https://ahavenforbooklovers.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/www-wednesday-september-7th/
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Yeah, I know what you mean sometimes. At least with this one, Elizabeth Gould lived 150 years ago, so a lot of it is the author’s speculation anyway.
Thanks for visiting!
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I loved The Rook! Such a funny book, and great characters. I haven’t picked up the next book in the series, though, as I’ve heard it actually follows new characters rather than staying with Myfanwy’s perspective.
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Oh, that’s interesting. I hadn’t realised it took on a different perspective. If I want to keep going, i may have to check out the reviews before I decide whether or not to pick it up.
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I’ve never read The Collector, but I recall the movie from back in the day. What a creepy movie! So I think I’ll pass on the book.
I’m curious about The Birdman’s Wife. Enjoy your week, and here’s MY WWW WEDNESDAY POST
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I watched some clips of the movie on YouTube and it was definitely very creepy! It was definitely a disturbing book.
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Oh no, the books on your list sound too interesting. 😀 MY TBR PILE IS TOO BIG, OKAY? 😛
Sorry to hear classics aren’t your thing though! I personally love the classics 🙂
Here’s my own WWW post:
https://mreadsbooks.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/www-wednesday-what-are-you-currently-reading/
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Haha sorry! If it’s any consolation, I often have the same issue on other people’s WWW posts, too! 😉
Yeah, a classic has to be pretty short for me to get through it, or I have to have some reason, like studying it in class or something. They’re just not my jam.
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Maybe you want to give Breakfast at Tiffany’s a try. It’s a modern choice, but still a classic, it’s also really short and Truman Capote’s writing is beautiful 🙂
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After recently reading Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone I can imagine what The Woman in White was probably like. I used to have a paperback copy that was the size of a doorstop..I never read it!
I’ve read The Ides of April by Lindsey Davis and quite enjoyed it considering it was somewhat out of my comfort zone being set in Roman times. I should read more!
Here’s my WWW – https://bookboodle.co.uk/2016/09/07/www-wednesday-september-7th
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Size of a doorstop is right! The audio book was something like 25 hours long, and last time I listened to one of that length, I had forgotten the beginning by the time I got to the end!
I like that Lindsey Davis’ books aren’t too bogged down by all the historical context; she weaves it quite nicely into the narrative and makes it really accessible.
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Good luck with your ARCs. I always find myself distracted and unable to finish them. Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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Luckily, the ones I’ve got at the moment are all due for publication some time down the track, so i don’t have to rush with them. Still, it is good to know I’m getting through them and not leaving them for the last minute.
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Sorry it’s been a struggle with the sequels lately. I just bought the first in the Great Library series, but I might have to temper my expectation to ensure a more enjoyable read.
Hopefully you’ll find some great sequel to change that, or an amazing standalone!
Happy Reading 🙂
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I read The Collector years ago but if I’m honest I can’t remember an awful lot about it now 😦
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Stopping by for a dose of “what to read next” inspiration and to say “Hi!” Miss you over at the WIPpet, but it sounds like you’ve got an awesomely full schedule of books on your plate. Still, “Hi!” 😀
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Hiya! Hope you are going well. 🙂 All being well, I should be able to pop back into WIPpet Wed. over the next couple of weeks. I miss you guys, too!
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