Reading Challenge: The Backlist Reader

Just so I remember:

Book need to be on my TBR list somewhere before signing up for this challenge.
Doesn’t metter if I own the book or borrow it from the library. Or buy it during the year as long as it was on my list.
Book publishing date needs to be before 2022 so 2021 downward.

  • Challenge Website: Link
  • Goal: 20
  • Challenge Post: Link

The Castle of Otranto

LauraLeave a Comment on The Castle of Otranto
The Castle of Otranto
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Penguin
1764
Paperback
160
English
March 18, 2023 March 22, 2023
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On the day of his wedding, Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed in mysterious circumstances. Fearing the end of his dynasty, his father, Manfred, determines to marry Conrad's betrothed, Isabella, until a series of supernatural events stands in his way. . . .

Set in the time of the crusades, The Castle of Otranto established the Gothic as a literary form in England. With its compelling blend of psychological realism and supernatural terror, guilty secrets and unlawful desires, it has influenced a literary tradition stretching from Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker to Daphne Du Maurier and Stephen King.

This Penguin Classics edition includes a full selection of early responses to the novel, as well as a critical introduction, chronology of Walpole's life and works, suggestions for further reading, and full explanatory notes.

What I think

The story is cute, but nothing special. The version I read is a bit difficult to read, as they adopt an old-fashioned style and don’t use the right direct speech signs. And there are some typos.

The story is obviously dated and it is noted that at the time women were subjected to the will of their father first and then their husband, but I’m happy with how the book ended.

 

Les Misérables

LauraLeave a Comment on Les Misérables
Les Misérables


Penguin
1862
Paperback
1463
French
Norman MacAfee, Charles E. Wilbour, Lee Fahnestock, Isabel Florence Hapgood
January 1, 2023 March 17, 2023
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Victor Hugo's tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, when, owing to a case of mistaken identity, another man is arrested in his place; and by the relentless investigations of the dogged Inspector Javert. It is not simply for himself that Valjean must stay free, however, for he has sworn to protect the baby daughter of Fantine, driven to prostitution by poverty.

What I think

I liked the book much more than War and Peace although this book also has some history though not as much as War and Peace which is way better.

I liked Fantine’s part. Although I knew her ending, her whole story is very fascinating or rather you want to know how it ends.

Continue reading “Les Misérables”

Demon Slayer vol 5

LauraLeave a Comment on Demon Slayer vol 5
鬼滅の刃 1 [Kimetsu no Yaiba 5]
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, Book # 5
VIZ Media
March 3, 2017
Paperback
192
Japanese
March 12, 2023 March 12, 2023
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Tanjiro sets out on the path of the Demon Slayer to save his sister and avenge his family!

In Taisho-era Japan, Tanjiro Kamado is a kindhearted boy who makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life.

At Mt. Natagumo, Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke battle a terrible family of spider demons. Taking on such powerful enemies demands all the skill and luck Tanjiro has as he and his companions fight to rescue Nezuko from the spiders’ web. The battle is drawing in other Demon Slayers but not all of them will leave Mt. Natagumo alive…or in one piece!

The Fourth Figure

LauraLeave a Comment on The Fourth Figure
De vierde gestalte


, Book # 3
Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller
January 1, 1998
Paperback
274
Dutch; Flemish
Brian Doyle
March 3, 2023 March 11, 2023
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A young woman is found dead in the canal outside her Bruges apartment building. But what seems like a clear-cut suicide evolves into something much more complex when Commissioner Pieter Van In uncovers the girl’s involvement in a satanic sect. Who is the mysterious Venex, and why does he inspire such devotion from his disciples?

Complicating the investigation further, Van In’s boss allows beautiful journalist Saartje Maes to profile the case, sparking tension with the commissioner’s expectant wife, District Attorney Hannelore Martens. As a horrific tragedy shocks the city, Van In seems to be surrounded by secrets. And though exposing them will lead him to the truth, it will also pit him against the very police force to which he’s devoted his life.

A Belgian national bestseller, has been reprinted in Dutch seventeen times. It is the 4th book in the Pieter Van In Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

What I think

Cases on satanic cults interest me a lot but sadly that wasn’t really the focus of the book. I would have preferred less drama and more sect. I still don’t like the main character. Also when in chapter 11 you already understand how it ends and you really don’t like it. I don’t want to give too much spoiler but there are some “clichés” that I just can’t digest and unfortunately one is mentioned here. This made my rating drop by a lot. I don’t think I will continue with a series and the main reason is that I don’t like Van In.

The Honeybee Heist

LauraLeave a Comment on The Honeybee Heist
The Honeybee Heist
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, Book # 7
Poisoned Pen Press
October 24, 2020
eBook
106
English
February 13, 2023 February 17, 2023
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The world's greatest detective is back in an all-new adventure! When thieves pull off a daring heist that threatens a quaint town in Montana, Virginia Holmes and her partner decide to work "pro bono," taking no pay unless they can solve the case in time to prevent economic ruin. What they find is an elaborately planned theft that baffles them at every turn. And at the center of the mystery is one crucial question ... how does thief steal MILLIONS OF HONEYBEES?!

What I think

Nice story, certainly not full of twists. The style still doesn’t convince me, too many repetitions and a superficial language. Although I learned a lot about bees, I don’t understand what these poor bees did to get stolen. Or rather, I understand the reason given but, bees? really…oh well. I don’t think I will continue with the series. However I have to say that I like Holmes, I feel like I’m reading Hetty from NCIS: Los Angeles when I read her parts.