I read things!

[st_aurafina]

Just finished reading:

Hild by Nicola Griffith.

I loved it! I always worry when I'm reading books with historical settings, because I have a huge inferiority complex about my history learnings which basically ended in Fourth Form in 1986. This story is beautifully immersive, though, and while I don't actually know much about this time period, Nicola Griffith built the microcosm of Hild's world as thoroughly as she outlined the history and politics, and so I never felt left behind. I adored all the botany, agriculture, and herbalism, as well as the day to day life in a royal court, the espionage, and the massive religious shift of the time. Hild, and the way she creates her own legend, is amazing.

I had read other reviews that said it ended abruptly, and wow, that's certainly true. But there's another book coming, apparently? Definitely looking forward to that.



Currently reading:

Pop Goes the Weasel: the Secret of Nursery Rhymes, by Albert Jack.

Because nursery rhymes are creepy and full of hidden stories, and I love that. So far, it's pretty light and easy, but there are still a few that I've never heard and are super creepy.


Damiano by R A MacAvoy.

This is a re-read for me - I picked it up randomly on Sunday when it was 45C and my head was swimming. It's a very dreamy book. It's still as trippy for me as the first time I read it - I picked it up in a book exchange when I was living in Sydney in 1992. I completely forgot about the talking dog. Macchiata!



Planning to Read

I find it really interesting to look at this over the past few weeks - I very rarely seem to actually read the things I'm planning to read, and instead grab random things off the shelf. Still, it's fun to speculate.


I want to give Nicola Griffith's Ammonite a try, since I enjoyed Hild so much. Still have the next India Black novel to try. The Damiano trilogy, since we've got some hot days coming up and that seems to be when I like to read trippy fantasy with angels.


Ugh, so many hot days coming up. Still, we may get our first tomato this weekend. In the last month of summer, wtf.

Comments

[sineala]

Yay, Hild Hild Hild! I do agree that it ended suddenly, though. But I definitely rec Ammonite and Slow River (and I guess also the thrillers if that's your thing).

[st_aurafina]

It did end suddenly, especially when I was waiting for the only thing I did know about Hild to happen, and it just... stopped.

Yes, I am definitely going to check out Ammonite. It sounds like something I'd enjoy!

[vass]

*adds Hild to reading list*

[st_aurafina]

There are long and loving descriptions of barley and carding wool. It was a very satisfying read.

[realpestilence]

If you can get hold of a copy of McAvoy's "Tea with the Black Dragon", you might enjoy that. I got mine at a used bookstore many years ago; and though I don't read it often, I won't get rid of it.

[st_aurafina]

Ooh, do you know, I think I have it on the shelf somewhere, from the same book exchange. I've never gotten around to reading it. I'll move it up the list.