It’s November WWW Wednesday time! This is a weekly meme (but I tend to do it monthly) hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. If you’re curious about what other people are reading right now too, join in!
All you have to do is answer the three bookish questions below and pop your blog link on Sam’s weekly post in the comments.
/ WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW?
Last year I discovered the brilliant author Laura Purcell. The Shape of Darkness is her fourth book and, so far, it’s just as engrossing as its predecessors. Laura’s books are Gothic stories with strong female leads, mainly set in the Victorian era.
The Shape of Darkness tells the spooky tale of Agnes, a silhouette portrait artist who becomes concerned when her clients keep dying… She seeks the help of a spiritual medium and things take a sinister turn. I’m only about 1/4 of the way through but can’t wait to see what happens!
/ WHAT HAVE YOU RECENTLY READ?
If you’re a fan of TV/radio presenter Graham Norton but haven’t read one of hi novels yet, then I strongly urge you to! I have recently finished Home Stretch, his third novel and it was a delight! He is a wonderful storyteller, blending comforting and colourful Irish characters with serious issues.
In this book, he looks at what it was like to be gay in Ireland in the 1980s and the effects of a fatal car crash of the people that survive. Heavy topics, yes, but in Graham’s hands, you can’t stop reading.
/ WHAT WILL YOU READ NEXT?
I don’t know about you, but I am fully embracing the joy and distraction of Christmas this year. I even had a mulled wine last night, so that’s the official start of the season for me! This is why a Christmas themed read is next on my reading list. I am open to suggestions, so please let me know if you’ve read a great one!
I thought I might try Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford. She is an author I’ve been meaning to try and I do like the sound of the book:
‘An outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease may have terminated the hunting at the Compton Bobbins’ in the Cotswolds, but it has not dampened the Yuletide spirit of the Bright Young Things who find themselves among the oddly assorted guests of the not-so young and quite formidable Lady Maria Bobbin.
Hilarious misadventures abound as Lady Bobbin’s serenely beautiful daughter, Philadelphia, meets the advances of the very eligible, and equally dull, Lord Lewis and of the charming but penniless Paul Fotheringay, whose terribly serious first novel has, to his dismay, just been hailed by critics as the funniest book of the year.
With signature wit and gentle mockery, not to mention her acid malice for the second-rate, Nancy Mitford romps rippingly through the wold and the life of the county set in the cozy English 1930s.’
Hilarious misadventures are exactly what I’m in the mood for right now. I’d love to know what you’re reading this week / plan on reading soon – let me know!
The new Laura Purcell sounds terrific and you’re not the only one I’ve seen giving such positive thoughts on Home Stretch.
Here’s my WWW https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/wwwwednesday-18th-november-2020/
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Yes, it’s very good so far, defintiely one for you if you like Gothic stories!
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I have read The Corset by Laura Purcell and really enjoyed it. I also read Graham Norton’s Holding and loved that one, so those two sound really interesting to me!
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Yes, if you loved those reads then you’ll love these two to. They’re very much in the same voice of the authors, but with fab new stories!
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Yes. I will definitely read the other books at some point! 🙂
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Oh good – hope you enjoy!
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I love Graham Norton, definitely checking out Home Stretch!
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He’s a great storyteller! Hope you enjoy!
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I’ve read so many good things about Laura Purcell I must pick up some of her books and I LOVE a Christmas read too – Happy reading.
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You’re in for a treat – I’ve loved all her books! Happy reading to you too!
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The Shape of Darkness sounds really good! I love reading gothic novels. Christmas Pudding sounds interesting as well – I don’t read holiday books often but I think I’d like to this year. Happy reading!
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This is probably the first year I’ve decided to read a Christmas book with such enthusiasm! I think it’s the 2020 effect… just need some festive cheer in my life!
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The Shape of Darkness sounds great 😮
https://musewithmeblog.com/2020/11/18/www-wednesday-november-18-2020/
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It is excellent so far!
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Jen, I haven’t read anything by Laura Purcell, however The Shape of Darkness and her other novels sound like I something I would enjoy! Happy reading! 😃
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Her books are great, definitely worth a read! 😊
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I read Christmas Shopaholic last year and I really enjoyed it. I was even laughing out loud at certain parts!
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Sounds good – I need some more laugh out loud books on my list, so will take a look. Thanks!
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I had put The Silent Companions by Purcell on my mental list several years ago, waiting (I think) for it to come out in the US and forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me of this intriguing author. Here are my Wednesday reads: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2020/11/www-wednesday-november-18-2020.html
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You’re very welcome! Hope you enjoy reading her books 😊
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