Six Books Saturday #11: Books with Interrogative Sentence as Title

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.

This week prompt is something I've just realized, that I have read quite a few books with certain similarity, here it is...

BOOKS WITH INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE AS TITLE

1. Madam, Will You Talk? (Mary Stewart)

A gripping romance-thriller novel, of which genre, Mary Stewart has always been the queen. The curious title was quoted from an old Chesire song lyrics:

“O will you accept of me a new silver pin
To wrap up your hair and your fine muslin?
Madam will you walk, Madam will you talk with me?”

2. How Do You Live? (Genzaburo Yoshino)

A coming-of age Japanese psychological fiction which the author wrote specifically for younger readers, to teach them the importance of free and rich culture to human progress. It was an essay that his friend offered the job to write at first place, but fortunately he wrote this deep and enjoyable novel instead.

3. Where Are You Now? (Mary Higgins Clark)

A classic suspense-romance from another queen from another era (the 80s): Mary Higgins Clark. A young property agent accidentally witnessed a murderer leaving the victim's house, and she was put into witness protection program. With a new identity, nobody's supposed to know where she was.

4. Why didn't they ask Evans? (Agatha Christie)

One can always trust Agatha Christie to get interesting idea for her book title. This one isn't quoted from nursery rhyme, as were with many of hers. But rather, it's a remark from the sleuths when they finally realized that the key to their puzzling mystery should have been in the hand of the person called Evans.

5. N or M? (Agatha Christie)

It's a Tommy & Tuppence mystery, so it's naturally about spy operations. N and M are the initials of two German spies whose identities Tommy and Tuppence must find out among the seemingly innocent guests at a seaside hotel.

6. Whose Body? (Dorothy L. Sayers)

This was my first Dorothy L. Sayers (and still is - I need to read more soon!) A bachelor architect found a dead body of a stranger in his bathtub one morning, and no one have any idea of the who and why. It's an intriguing mystery for Lord Peter Wimsey to solve!


Have you ever read books with interrogative sentence as title? What's your favorites?


Next Six Books Saturday: 26th October 2024.

Six Books Saturday #10: Memorable Horses in Books

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.

I just realized that I have been reading more than a few books about horse lately. I always love horses - in books or movies I mean. I tend to love every book with horse that I've read so far, so why don't I feature the creature in this month's Six Books Saturday? Here they are...

SIX MOST MEMORABLE HORSES IN BOOKS

Beauty in Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)

My love for the equine was probably started when I read Black Beauty. Anna Sewell did a fantastic job in bringing the horse to life. A beautiful book about a beautiful creature!

Joey in War Horse (Michael Morpurgo)

Joey the War Horse is probably the most sensitive horse I've read so far. His personality made the book shone, more than his handsome appearance, with chestnut color, four equally white socks and a white Cross on his forehead.

Gabilan in Red Pony (John Steinbeck)

I think Gabilan's memorable feature for me is his color - red (he must look quite striking!) and his name. Poor Gabilan the red pony!

Paras in Perestroika in Paris (Jane Smiley)

(I have just finished reading the book for Paris in July, but the review would be up next week.)

Paras, short of Perestroika (what a name for a horse!), is a horse with the most interesting character I've ever read. She's so cheerful and inquisitive that her life as a racehorse didn't dampen her spirit at all. She's also kindhearted and amiable that her presence is always uplifting for others. I love her!

Battaile in Germinal (Emile Zola)

Okay, Germinal isn't about horse at all. Battaile is a minor character too, and there's little of him that we know of, apart from his being brought down to the coalmine from his early life. But his plight is so touching that makes him very memorable. The miners are able to go up again after work, but Battaile never see the sun again for the rest of his life, and that broke my heart more than the miners' sorrows!

Misty in Stormy, Misty's Foal (Marguerite Henry)

What I love most about Misty is... her name! Misty is such a gentle soul, that the name Misty matches her perfectly. |

Honorable mention:

Potato Chip in Aunts aren't Gentlemen (P.G. Wodehouse)

I have to mention this one, even though his (or her? I think it's a he) role isn't that important. But how can you forget a racehorse called Potato Chip in a Wodehouseian universe who won't prance unless his BFF of a cat is present. Cute, isn't it? 

Have you read any of them? Which one is your favorite?

Next Six Books Saturday: 27th July 2024.

Six Books Saturday #9: Favorites from A Century of Books (so far)

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books. 

If you have been following this blog long enough, you've probably noticed that I am doing a personal challenge/project of A Century of Books - reading 100 books in two years, one book for each year. I am following Simon's idea, by the way. Intending to read 50 books this year, I have now up to 19 done. Not bad at all, eh?

So, for this month's Six Saturday Books, I'll do some kind of review of my A Century of Books, by rating six of my most favorites.

SIX FAVORITES FROM A CENTURY OF BOOKS (SO FAR)

6. The Man Who Died Twice (Richard Osman)

My review

5. The Cornish Coast Murder (John Bude)

My review

4. The Easy Life in Kamusari (Shion Miura)

My review

3. Cigarette Girl (Ratih Kumala)

My review

2. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Dorothy Gilman)

My review

1. Scarlet Feather (Maeve Binchy)

My review

Have you read any of them? Which one is your favorite?

Next Six Books Saturday: 29th June 2024.

Six Books Saturday #8: Favorite Émile Zola's Books

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.

As Zoladdiction 2024 will begin in two days, it's more than appropriate, methink, to soft-kicking it off by sharing some of my favorites from the Rougon-Macquart cycle. I have read all but one from the series (I couldn't get through with Doctor Pascal - yet) - and even read some of them more than once. So, without further ado, here's my...

SIX FAVORITES FROM ÉMILE ZOLA

1. Germinal

I might have said this over and over again, that Germinal is my all time favorite - not only of Zola, but of all. It has all the elements of what a good book is supposed to be. Here's my first and second review. I'm currently listening to the audiobook for Zoladdiction, let's see what I'll think of Germinal after the third read!

2. L'Assommoir

This one is the most mind-blowing for me. Maybe because it was my first introduction to the Rougon-Macquart. But L'Assommoir is also the most picturesque in the series.

3. La Bete Humaine

Another picturesque book from Zola's bibliography, so vivid and beautiful! And it is dear to me especially since is talks about kind and evil in human being, a topic which I have interest in. Here are some posts which I have dedicated for this book.

4. The Conquest of Plassans

Another masterpiece from Zola, with a surprising twist in the end and a great momentum building. My review.

5. The Ladies Paradise

Who would have thought that Zola would write something with a love story, and a happy ending? Yes, a happy ending - a rare occurrence if you read Zola's. It is the lightest of the Rougon-Macquart and actually quite a fun read! Review of my second reading (listening from the audiobook).

6. The Fortunes of the Rougons

It's the first of the series/cycle, and you know how it usually is - laying the background, foundation, and all. It is also a remarkably entertaining story with various plots following several characters. Some of them would also appear in later books. I have read it first in 2015, then reread it in 2020.


Have you read any of them? Which one is your favorite? If you haven't, which one would you like to read first? You can join us in Zoladdiction 2024 and read it to celebrate Zola's birthday!


Next Six Books Saturday: 27th April 2024.

Six Books Saturday #7: Exciting Reading Events in 2024

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six bookish things of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.

During last Christmas holiday (how long ago it seems now!) I've actually started preparing a sort of 2024 reading plan post, but somehow it never really came off. So, I think I will do that for this month's Six Saturday.

SIX EXCITING READING EVENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN 2024

A Year with John Banville 

hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books & Kim @ Reading Matters
Details of the event

After Mrs. Osmond last year and The Sea from pre-blog era, I've been meaning to read more of John Banville, but didn't know where to start. So, when I found out that Cathy & Kim's choice for A Year with a writer this year was John Banville, I couldn't resist to join. My plan is to read at least three books, but judging from how much I'm currently enjoying The Secret Guests, don't be surprised if I ended up reading more..

We ❤ Sibling Stories Week
hosted by Hamlette's Soliloquy
Details of the event

I have joined Hamlette's We ❤ L.M. Montgomery Week last year; it was a tremendously fun event, and I enjoyed it very much. This year she will be hosting another equally interesting reading event, and of course I've joined it without thinking! I have The Penderwicks at Gardam Street on my TBR - I'd love to read it for this event. And, if I still have time, I'd read Cigarette Girl too. It's an Indonesian historical fiction I've been meaning to re-read since last year.

Zoladdiction 2024

hosted by me

 

Of course, Zoladdiction - the event of reading Emile Zola - will return this April! This time it will be pure reading, no game, meme, or anything like that. I don't think I'll have enough energy to do more than just reading together. This year I'm thinking of re-reading my all-time favorite novel (not just from Zola): Germinal. This will be my 3rd read, and I'm going to listen to the audiobook. I might also read a few short stories, but let's just see. I'm going to post the official announcement around March, so... wait for it!

The 1937 Club

hosted by Simon @ Stuck in a Book & Karen @ Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings

The club runs every April and October, and for this coming April we're tackling books published in 1937, which is exciting! I have searched for some interesting ones I'd like to read, but as usual, my final choices might be totally different from initial plan, so I'm not going to reveal the books in mins for now... let it be a surprise when the time come! :P

Paris in July

hosted by Emma @ Words and Peace 

The Francophile in me is always looking forward to this event, where I can transport myself to France through books, music, and everything we usually do in Paris in July!

Dean Street December

hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

I know I have just left December behind less than a month, but I'm always excited to read through Dean Street Press' books, especially the Furrowed Middle Brows' ones. It usually provides calmness amidst the chaotic end of year.

Some more honorable mentions of events I can't wait also to participate this year:
* Reading the Meow by Mallika @ Literary Potpourri (fingers crossing that she will host again this year!)
* Moomin Week by Mallika & Chris @ Calmgrove
* #WitchWeek24 (reading Joan Aiken) by Chris & Lizzy @ Lizzy Ross Writer

* Novellas in November 2024 (had fun last year, and can't wait to do it again)
* Non Fictions in November 2024 (would be my first participation)

Do you plan to join those events? Any other fun event I'm missing?


Next Six Books Saturday: 24th February 2024.

Six Books Saturday #5: Favorite Books of 2023

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.

As this would be the last Six Books Saturday of the year, it will be the perfect post to share my favorite reads of 2023. The candidates are 15 of 75 books I've read this year which I've given five stars. From those 15, I picked these:

SIX MOST FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2023

6. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

My review of the book

5. Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior

My review of the book

4. The Ladies Paradise by Émile Zola (a re-read)

My review of the book

3. Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott

My review of the book

2. The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain

My review of the book

1. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

My review of the book

Have you read any of them? Which one is your favorite?

This would be my last post of the year. I have read one more book, intended for #DeanStreetDecember, but I hadn't enough time and energy to write the review. So, I would include a short one for my Holiday Reads post early next year. Meanwhile, I'm wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year of 2024!

Next Six Books Saturday: 27th January 2024.

Six Books Saturday #4: Female Amateur Sleuths

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books. 

Any regular reader would have noticed that lately I've been reading a lot of crime novels. Today I will share my six favorite female amateur sleuths, whose series I'd love to read through. I love them partly for their sleuthing styles, but partly, also, for their personal characters. Here they are, in no chronological order:

Six Favorite Female Amateur Sleuths

Rachel Murdoch from Rachel Murdoch Mystery by Dolores Hitchens

A smart and agile seventy years old spinster who loves sleuthing with her clever cat Samantha.
🕵️‍♀️🐈

Hildegard Withers from Hildegard Withers Mystery by Stuart Palmer

An intelligent thirty years old school teacher and a romantic spinster.
🕵️‍♀️❤

Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde Withers

Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong from A Lady Hardcastle Mystery by T.E. Kinsey

The collaboration of a lady and her maid results in an unusual pair of amateur sleuth. Their dynamic relationship is part of their charm.
🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️

Vera Wong from [book] Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A Chinese-American elderly woman, owner of a tea house, with cheeky and affectionate personality, who uses her brilliant cooking ability as her main sleuthing tool.
🕵️‍♀️🍜

Joyce Meadowcroft from A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman

An elderly woman, ex nurse, witty and charming. One of the four residents of retirement village who love to solve murder mystery.
🕵️‍♀️👵

Flora Steele from Flora Steele Mystery by Merryn Allingham

A bookshop owner turns sleuth, partnering with a handsome crime writer, results in a fun bookish mystery series.

🕵️‍♀️📚

Have you read any of them? Who's your favorite female amateur sleuth?


Next Six Books Saturday: 30th December 2023.

Six Books Saturday #3: Bookish Books to Read Next Year

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books. 

This time around, I usually begin to make plans for the next year - reading wise. I've been having a soft spot for feel-good books-about-books lately, and so, that is theme I explore today:

Six Books-About-Books I Want to Read Next Year

What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Have you read any of them? Or do you have more suggestions for other equally good books with similar theme?

Next Six Books Saturday: 25th November 2023.

Six Books Saturday #2: Books That Remind Me of My Father

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Word Saturday, which I've stumbled upon Travel with Intent.

It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.


This month's theme is very personal. My father passed away two months ago, and I have missed him terribly. This is a remembrance to my dear Papa, who had imparted his passion of reading on me since my childhood. Here are:

Six Books that Remind Me of My Father

Harry Potter (book 1 to 7) by J.K. Rowling

It always amazes me how my father must have loved Harry Potter much more than I. But that's a fact. He had read through the series for probably six times (or more), especially during the last three to five years of his life. Looking at my now battered Harry Potter books will always reminds me of him. We often watched the movie together too, but more often he watched it alone on HBO.

The Adventures of Tintin (series) by Hergé

When I was about five or six years old, my father's hobby was photography. He often took me when he visited the photography shop, which was next to a bookstore. I remember how I used to read Tintin at the bookstore while waiting for Papa doing his business next door. I was so absorbed into Tintin's universe, that I didn't see Papa coming to fetch me.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

My first read of The Three Musketeers was a graphic novel, and it was introduced by Papa. He explained to me the story and taught me about integrity, loyalty, and friendship while we were reading together (I looked at only the picture mostly). Many years later, I might have forgotten the plot, but remembered clearly what a wicked woman Milady was.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

It all began on my seventeenth birthday. Papa used to write me a letter on my birthdays, and few others when I started college and on my 1st day of work. He imparted his wisdoms, everything that he had learned about life and human existence. On these occasions he often wrote about hope and positive thinking, quoting passages from Anne Frank. Later on he encouraged me to finally read the book, but its value had reached me long before. I always believe that my relatively smooth journey to adulthood was partly due to these letters from Papa, besides, of course, my parents' loving care.

Winnetou by Karl May

This is perhaps a less known series you'd probably never read or even heard of. It's about deep friendship between a German-American frontiersman and a Native American called Winnetou, chief of Apache tribe. Winnetou is one of Papa’s favorites, and which for years he had had persuaded me to read. At first I thought West World, horses, cowboy, and Indian was too masculine for me, but once I tried, I couldn’t put it down. From Winnetou I learned about true friendship between two different races, and of course, the injustice done by the stronger race against the weaker one.

Agatha Christie's mystery books

My first encounter with Agatha Christie's book was at the school library, and I found it too dark. Upon my reading it at home, Papa suggested I tried And Then There Were None, which he thought I might like better. I did like it, in fact I was addicted to Christie's to this day. I remember Papa used to bring Mama and me to the bookstore every month. He let me choose one Agatha Christie to buy, and what a tremendous joy those moments were when I spend a long time in front of the Agatha Christie shelf to pick just one I'd like to read (I wanted all! 😛). On certain occasions, Papa let me pick two, and how I left the store the happiest girl in the world!


I am forever grateful to my dearest Papa for everything he did to make me the person I am today, both as an avid reader, and a human being. He was a wonderful man and remarkable father. I will always love you, Papa!

Next Six Books Saturday: 28th October 2023.

 

Six Books Saturday #1: New-to-Me Crime Writers

#SixBooksSaturday is my new personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Word Saturday, which I've stumbled upon @ Travel with Intent.

I thought it would be fun to list six books of random category/theme, which I'd decide on the spot. It might be six favorite books from my favorite author, or six books I've just added to my TBR. Or, if I find a gorgeous pinkish cover, I might list six pink book covers. Anything is possible according to my whim.

I will post Six Books Saturday on the last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books with your own theme, and leave your link in the comment, so I can read you posts. Or you can share the posts in Twitter (I still call it that) with hashtag #SixBooksSaturday, and don't forget to tag me!

This month I pick a theme which is correlated with this month's British Classics Crime Challenge theme, which is Authors New to Me.

Here is my first Six Books Saturday:

NEW-TO-ME CRIME WRITERS I've read so far this year, whose books I'm excited to read more

(in no particular order)

Christianna Brand

(my first read: Heads You Lose)

Dolores Hitchens

(my first read: The Cat Saw Murder)

Stuart Palmer

(my first read: The Penguin Pool Murder)

E.C.R. Lorac

(my first read: The Murder in the Mill-Race – review yet to come)

Merryn Allingham

(my first read: The Bookshop Murder)

Robin Forsythe

(my first read: The Pleasure Cruise Mystery)

Have you read these writers? Which one is your favorite?