“Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.”
— G.K. Chesterton
Quote of the Day – Fiction
Category: Books
The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie – Book Review
An early thriller that turned out to be much more enjoyable than I initially expected. It’s a silly romp with a far-fetched plot that requires a healthy suspension of disbelief, but you get a sense that it was written with tongue firmly in cheek.
Third Girl by Agatha Christie – Book Review
This foray into the swinging sixties doesn’t seem to be highly thought of among Agatha Christie fans, but I enjoyed it quite a lot, maybe because the idea of Hercule Poirot among mods and beatniks is just too much fun.
Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie – Book Review
A standalone spy thriller set during Cold War and inspired by Dame Agatha’s journeys in the Middle East, Destination Unknown is a fairly decent quick read that doesn’t really stick in the memory for either good or bad reasons.
Nemesis by Agatha Christie – Book Review
The last Miss Marple mystery Christie wrote is also the very last Miss Marple novel in my re-readathon. Bidding farewell to Dame Agatha’s old lady detective probably put me in a more sentimental and forgiving mood, because its flaws surely would have annoyed me more otherwise.
At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie – Book Review
One of Christie’s more unusual novels, this later-day Miss Marple mystery has a memorable setting and some interesting ideas, but it’s held back by a lack of focus and its various elements don’t quite gel together.
The Way Home: Tales from a life without technology by Mark Boyle – Book Review
After reading this book I can safely say that I’m not cut out for a life without technology, but regardless, this memoir of a year lived without the basic modern conveniences and ubiquitous technological connections was a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie – Book Review
The biggest surprise of re-reading this book was discovering that, contrary to my memory, it wasn’t actually a Poirot novel. In many respects it feels like it should have been a Poirot mystery, since the setting and the psychology behind the murder feel like such a natural fit for the little Belgian.
Sliver by Ira Levin – Book Review
Sliver is one of Ira Levin’s lesser-known and perhaps lesser novels, but there are plenty of reasons why I keep coming back to it when I want a quick and easy re-read. It’s amazing to think that this tense thriller was written before the explosion of reality TV and modern day anxieties about video surveillance and privacy.
Top Ten Tuesday – Bookish Memories
Another Top Ten Tuesday list, organised by That Artsy Reader Girl – this week’s topic is Bookish Memories. I really enjoyed compiling this one and travelling down the memory lane!
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