Being Bookish

Returning to the world of science fiction with the first in The Illuminae Files trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - I found I couldn't stay away from their collaborations and I am sad that after I finish the third book in the series, Obsidio, there are no more. What happens when it seems as though the only beings talking sense after a planet is invaded by a violent and greedy corporation are a psychotic AI and two teenagers? Through medical files, IM chat records, illustrations and military reports we find out what Kady and Ezra do when their planet is taken over and, having lost everything, they have to figure out what's really going on and try and protect what's left of their lives. And then of course there's AIDAN...

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Aurora Rising

Skyward

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I couldn't stay away from Carsely, so I decided that I wouldn't. With a whole series to choose from I decided to return to the small Cotswold Village with book 31 in the series, Hot to Trot.

Agatha and Charles are in trouble, and it's not the fun kind. Charles's new and admittedly unbearable young wife, Mary, has been found dead and of course, CI Wilkes is placing Agatha on the suspect list. Agatha knows that she has to solve the murder before Charles is jailed for killing his bride...but the suspect list is long and time is growing short. With the help of her friends, she will find out who killed Lady Mary and get an innocent man free before things go even more wrong.

Find out what I thought about this 2020 cosy mystery release, and you know I won't reveal the ending!

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Cosy mystery playlist

There Goes the Bride

A Spoonful of Poison

Dead on Target

Iron Flame

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Iron Flame was released on Tuesday the 7th of November, the second in The Empyrean Series by author Rebecca Yarros.

If you want to know more about the next biggest fantasy fad to hit after A Court of Thorns and Roses then you're in the right place. I had a few days off this week and read my way through the 623-page sequel to Fourth Wing to learn more about Violet, Xaden and that surprise revelation in Iron Flame. It's the second year at Basgiath and a lot is changing, with the dragons, the students and the teaching staff...are they perhaps getting a little more brutal? Are things getting even more real? And is Xaden's past going to start getting in the way of his future?

To find out what I thought about Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, give this episode a listen.

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Fourth Wing

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The Sparks Trilogy by Kerry Law

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I thought I would switch it up a bit for the first true Winter episode, and this week I am joined by Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare to talk about the 2012 novella In the Tall Grass, written by father and son, Stephen King and Joe Hill. This episode is part of a short planned series across Being Bookish and Once Upon a Nightmare where we will talk about a book and a film in our two shows, so if you want to find out what we thought about the Netflix film of the same title, head over to Once Upon a Nightmare from Tuesday the 7th of November.

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Who Goes There?

Psycho

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This debut cosy crime by new author Jessa Maxwell has everything a cosy crime baking fan could want. You have a baking competition taking place in a somewhat isolated location, a group of people who seemingly have zero connection to each other but are all keeping secrets. But more than that, there's a mystery victim, who could possibly have wanted to murder them? Were they keeping a secret?

I love cosy crime, so when I saw this promoted a few weeks ago, the idea of baking and murder just piqued my interest.

What did I think of the novel? Find out, but know I won't be revealing the victim or the murderer...they're for you to find out for yourself!

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Cosy crime playlist

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Probably better known for her stint on I'm a Celebrity (though I am going to admit right now I have never seen that show), Rosemary Shrager is a TV cook who has appeared on a lot of shows with lots of recipes. With her latest creation, Prudence Bulstrode (herself a retired TV cook), Shrager has put on another hat, that of cosy mystery writer. When Prudence Bulstrode is asked to take over as chef at a Cotswolds Manor house where her TV rival has recently died, she doesn't exactly jump at the chance, but a job is a job and something about rhubarb is pinging a nerve. What she gets when she arrives is anything but friendly, or a gathering of friends...so who could possibly want Deirdre Shaw dead and what is happening at Farleigh Manor?

Remember, I am not going to reveal whodunnit, but enjoy my spoiler-free and honest review.

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Cosy Crime Playlist

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I am back in the world of fantasy this week with the first in a spin-off romantasy by Stephanie Garber. I am taking you to the Magnificent North where miniature dragons aid in the creation of exquisite sweet treats and magic just is. Where the Immortal Fates have a hand to play in your life and where Evangeline Fox is about to discover that life isn't as straightforward as you wish it was. Being jilted is one thing, but making a bargain with the beautiful but deadly Prince of Hearts is another thing altogether. Find out what I thought of the 2021 series opener that closes with A Curse of True Love...no spoilers!

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Fourth Wing

Aurora Rising

Shanghai Immortal

Divine Rivals

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What can I say? Agatha Raisin keeps on drawing me back in and when I got approved for the latest addition to the series I wasn't sure whether it would be a topic I chose or if I would just write a review and talk about something else. The 34th book in the Agatha Raisin series was released on the 19th of September and though still published under the name MC Beaton, the baton has been taken up by co-writer RW Green. So, what does that mean for our beloved Agatha and her friends in Carsley? Join me to find out if I liked this book and whether it met the high standards of previous offerings or if it is a damp squib?

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Cosy crime playlist

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Could I have picked something a little less obscure this week? Possibly. However, if you're a fan of John Carpenter films, then the story behind this book will definitely be familiar, for Who Goes There? written in 1938 went on to become the 1982 Kurt Russell film, The Thing! As part of a special crossover event, I am joined by Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare to talk about the book that inspired the film. As always, there will be no spoilers here! Give this episode a listen to discover if we were surprised by this 70-page science fiction novella. Does it truly stand the test of time?

This week I am celebrating a huge milestone, my 150th episode. After three years and a lot of changes, I am going to be taking a look at my last 9 months of reading and picking out my top (and bottom) 5 books. Which ones did I love, and which ones did I unhaul? Believe me when I say that it took me a long time to put together lists that I was happy with, but I have no doubt by the time I listen to this back at the end of the year I will have changed my mind several times. What books are you surprised about? Which would you add to your favourites? Let me know.

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Daisy Jones and the Six

Fourth Wing

Clytemnestra

The Marlow Murder Club

Murder Before Evensong

Aurora Rising

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Being Bookish

Books to Last Podcast