Well, I knew I was behind on posting my reads on this thread, but I didn't realise quite how behind I was. Other than brief check-ins the last review I posted was >6 books ago, and that's assuming I haven't missed any out.
So without further ado:
13.) Last Days, by Adam Nevill -- reread of a horror novel about a independent documentary maker, hired to make a documentary about the ill-fated cult Temple of the Last Days. Along with The Ritual, I think this is one of his best novels. I am starting to notice a bit of a pattern in his novels: a slow and deeply unnerving build-up in the first two thirds, followed by a more action packed finale. He's well worth a look if you're a fan of horror.
14.) The Owl Killers, by Karen Maitland Another reread. A historical novel about the founding of a beguinage am all-woman community, rather like a nunnery but taking no vows in an English village held under the grip of the pagan Owl Masters. I really must read more by Karen Maitland I keep meaning to but never seem to get around to it. I'm not sure the structure of overly short chapters alternating between quite a few viewpoints was the best choice for this, as it took me a while to get into it, but once I'd got used to it, this really grabbed me and I liked how ambiguous it was about whether there was really something supernatural going on or if it was all simply superstition.
15.) Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella -- no shame. This got me through when I woke in the middle of the night to what I think might have been a panic attack. Silly nonsensical fluff that soothed me right the fuck down and helped convince me that I probably wasn't actually having a stroke (it was a tough week). Reread.
16.) Happy, by Derren Brown -- I love Derren Brown. Non-fiction book about the quest for happiness, which leans heavily on Stoic thinking, and makes a strong and highly convincing case for it. Readable and compassionately written, and did I mention I love Derren Brown? Definitely one that I'm going to dip into again with more consideration and detail, because it makes a lot of sense, and I can see that Stoic thinking, combined perhaps with mindfulness and meditation, could make a huge difference to my life.
17.) A Surfeit of Lampreys, by Ngaio Marsh -- My first Ngaio Marsh. Tanaqui made the point earlier about reading the books in order, and I get it. Unfortunately this one (the first in an omnibus) was the earliest my library had in stock. The Lampreys are an old family, charming and feckless and irresponsible, veering from one financial disaster to the next. Then their last chance to prevent them dissolving into penury, the loathed Uncle Gabriel, makes it clear he won't be assisting them and winds up dead. Interesting to compare this with the many Agatha Christie's I've read. The story focuses very closely on the Lampreys, so we get to know several characters very well indeed, but I did think the outer cast of characters weren't quite so distinct. Partly this might have been down to the POV being so often fixed in the head of the NZ outsider Robin Grey, but I think with the Agatha Christie's I've read, while the characters in general may be more shallowly drawn on the whole, I have more of a feel for all of them. Enjoyed it though, and I'll certainly be reading more.
18.) Death Knocks Twice, by Robert Thorogood -- The third in the Death in Paradise book series, featuring DI Richard Poole. Usual locked room murder mystery, this time set on a coffee plantation. Enjoyed it. Engaging, fun, and fairly undemanding.
19.) Cheer up, Love, by Susan Calman -- comedian Susan Calman writes very well and engagingly about her experiences of depression and offers strategies for coping.
Oh bloody hell. Apologies for the gargantuan post. I'll try to stay a bit more up to date in the future. I also finished The North Water today, and loved it, but I'll hold off on posting my review on that because I want to let it sink in a little. I've just started on The Little Stranger (another sodding reread).