Reading Log: March

I didn't do too well at updating this list through the month, so might have missed one or two along the way. I got through quite a few Discworld books, and discovered a Swedish author who seems to be very reliable easy listening for audiobooks.

Discworld series by Terry Pratchett:

Thief of Time

Monstrous Regiment

Going Postal

Thud!

Making Money

These are some of my favourite of the Discworld books, so I've been very happy to get to this point in the set. So worth re-reading - and now my Eldest Offspring is discovering these too, so I'm getting to enjoy the audiobooks with her. Lots to enjoy - Pterry's skill with unexpected similes is wonderful, and his wry incisive wit is just a pleasure to read every time.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

This month’s book club choice is a rather intriguing (and very short) one. Keiko Furuhama is a single woman, who - contrary to societal expectations - has been working in a convenience store for the past 18 years. She is constantly wrestling with the conflict between living her life the way she wants, and the pressure to conform to 'normality'. A very interesting portrayal of a neurodivergent individual finding her place in a strongly regulated society.

Som i ett vykort by Sofia Rutbäck Eriksson

Ida returns to her hometown, Luleå, after many years living in Stockholm, as her father's health is declining and he needs help to sort the house out. While there, she gets involved in helping her former boss at the tourist office try to find ways of increasing visitors to the old town, and discovers that small town life perhaps has more appeal than she initially thought. A nice, comfortable feel-good story, with a touch of romance.

Mord överbord by Sofia Rutbäck Eriksson

Hercules Persson, retired insurance investigator, is sent on a cruise by his bonusdaughter, rather against his will. Since his wife's death, he has lived a very insular life, with a distinct hypochondriac tendency; once at sea, he is forced out of his usual routines - particularly when one of the passengers dies unexpectedly. Somehow between his natural curiosity and desire for knowledge, the incompetence of the ship's investigator, and the captain's encouragement, he finds himself in the role of detective.

A light-hearted cosy crime story - the first in a series of eight 'murder onboard' stories which I suspect are going to get less and less plausible as they go! But an enjoyable read nonetheless.