christianreader | March Books

The Great Gatsby (1925) F. Scott Fitzgerald (RE-READ)
Nick, a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby.
I read this in high school. It is good, but I can't figure out why I was so enamored with it before. Maybe my obsession with art deco, flappers, and the '20s in general was at it's peak ten years ago?

Murder is Easy (1939) Agatha Christie
An elderly woman's accusation of a multiple murders taking place in her village are dismissed as fanciful imaginings, until she herself becomes the next victim.
I read around 70% of Mrs. Christie's works when I was in elementary school. I'm in the mood for her brand of mystery again. This one I got the impression that she was going for a creepy atmosphere, but it didn't quite work for me.

Dear Enemy (1915) Jean Webster
An epistolary novel following the correspondents of Sallie McBride, the superintendent of an orphanage, with her friends and her "dear enemy."
This is the sequel to Daddy Long Legs and just as good, if not better. There were a few odd moments when it crossed the line between old-fashioned charm and being dated. But overall I adored it!

A Game of Thrones (1996) George R.R. Martin
The first in a series chronicling the violent dynastic struggles among the kingdom's noble families for control of the Iron Throne.
I read this in spurts between other books. This isn't the type of book I usually read, and there were more references to sex than I care to read, BUT I was very impressed with the scope of the story and some of the characters were really fascinating. When I finished it, I didn't think I would read the next in the series, but now that I've had time to mull over it, I'm starting to wonder about what happens next...

Incident on the Kalka Mail (Baksho Rahasya) (1972) Satyajit Ray
Feluda investigates the seemingly simple case of a pair of swapped suitcases, and uncovers treachery.
Another enjoyable caper with my favorite Bengali sleuth. However, there is a plot hole big enough to drive a train through, but I'm trying to ignore that.

Persuasion (1818) Jane Austen (RE-READ)
Anne is persuaded to reject a marriage proposal from Wentworth because of his lack of fortune and rank. Seven years later, he returns home, and is considered a most eligible bachelor...
I love Austen, that's all I have to say.

A Shilling for Candles (1936) Josephine Tey
A woman's body is found on the English seacoast. For Inspector Alan Grant, the case becomes a nightmare, as too many clues and too many motives arise.
I read this one because it was the basis for one of my favorite Hitchcock films: Young and Innocent. The film lifts the beginning of the story and a random bit in the middle, and then gives it a completely new ending. So most of the plot was new to me. Like Y&I, there are still some leaps of logic but the journey is so much fun, I didn't care.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (1940) Agatha Christie
A successful and happy dentist appears to have committed suicide, but Poirot suspects there is more to the case.
The beginning was so familiar, that I'm certain I must have at the very least read part of this one before. I like intricate murder plots, but it looses it's enjoyability when a clever twist becomes overwrought. It could have been sleeker in it's plotting.

A Spy in the House (2009) Y.S. Lee
A girls' academy acts a cover for an all-female investigative unit. Mary's first assignment has her taking the guise of a lady’s companion to infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships.
Some nice light YA in a Victorian setting.

The Body at the Tower (2010) Y.S. Lee
Mary disguises herself as a boy to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death on the construction site of the Houses of Parliament.
The sequel to the above mentioned. It's still very light and fun, but I enjoyed this one more. The mystery plot was better incorporated into the story. Furthermore, the fact that the heroine spends the story disguised as a boy means all the rules are thrown out the window, and I can stop being nitpick-y and wondering if she is really behaving as a lady in Victorian society would.

The Thirteen Problems (1932) Agatha Christie
A group of friends, including extremely perceptive Miss Marple, gather on Tuesdays to challenge each other with mystery stories.
Much like my favorite portmanteau movie -the British classic Dead of Night, the skeletal framework is my favorite bit. I love the "Tuesday Club" and their interactions. The mysteries they discuss are brain teasers and it's fun to spot the vital clue.