While I had to start a new book (Mansfield Park) in the New Year to celebrate a new reading year, I am actually in the middle of some interesting reads.
The first one is Evil and the Mask by Fuminori Nakamura. This thriller started off exactly as I was expecting, very creepy and disturbing but somewhere along the middle of the way I’ve lost some interest. The book is dark and maybe it’s my mood but I just want to be done with it. I’m reading this one for the Japanese Literature challenge which is drawing to a close this month.
Next up is The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. I’ve not read a Christie book in years and this one is a lot of fun. A murder of a socialite on a train headed towards to Nice. This is a case for Hercule Poirot to investigate. I have about 60 more pages and have my suspicions on whodunit but am not sure. This book goes towards the Vintage Mystery Bingo challenge.
My other read is The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen which I picked up when I was getting a bit too disturbed by Evil and the Mask. This Danish crime novel also has it’s own share of violence but there are at least a couple of characters I enjoy reading about. I’ll probably take me a while to finish this one.
Finally, the last book which I was sort of taking my time with is now taking precedence because it’s due back at the library on Saturday. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud I know has been talked about quite a bit in blogland and it seems people either loved it or hated it. While I may not like the main character very much I find her thought-provoking and I’m curious to see what is going to happen to her.
So those are my reads for the weekend. What about you?
Oh and by the way, did you see that Barnes & Noble has their classics on sale? Might have to add a few more to my shelf. Happy weekend everyone!
The Woman Upstairs is on my TBR list. I read Messud’s The Emperor’s Children and quite liked it — so I am trusting you now that “the woman upstairs” will be thought-provoking.
I stopped reading more than one book in 2013, but I am back at it this year. 🙂 It is just who I am… I started a new book for the New Year in any case.
Like I said before, I HATED The Woman Upstairs, but there is something to be said about such a visceral reaction. I loved Gone Girl and The Silent Wife, and I hated all those characters too, but this one really rubbed me the wrong way! I did not know that the classics were on sale at B&N but my son and I went yesterday and took great advantage of the graphic novel sale!
I’m not that familiar with that Agatha Christie–will have to look it up! I am reading her Man in the Brown Suit which is fun and very light as mysteries go. I just started Antonia White’s Frost in May and have several other new books on my pile all calling for attention–but they are all really good and absorbing so I am off to a good start I think. I’d like to read the Massud at some point, too. Have a great weekend.
Sounds interesting!
It sounds like you’ve got some great reads going. Don’t get me started on the Barnes & Noble classics sales, I can never resist so I won’t click that link! lol
I love reading Agatha Christie’s books. It’s been awhile since I last read one. I have a ton of them though.
I really liked the characters in Adler-Olsen’s series. I’ve only read Mercy, but I liked it a lot because of Morck and Assad.
I am looking forward to reading Woman Upstairs. I did download it a while back from the library but it expired before I could get to it.
Ooh I am very interested to hear what you’ll make of The Woman Upstairs. I found it a very intriguing novel, flawed, but in a way that never spoiled my enjoyment of it, or the novel’s capacity to make me think. I will have to confess that Mansfield Park is the only Austen I’ve never read to the end. I began it for a night school class in English lit after I’d finished my degree and before I returned to graduate studies, and because I never finished the course (couldnt manage to work and study at the same time) I never finished the book. I should do something about that!
Cipriano – I finished and I did like it. Especially the beginning was really good. I need to put my thoughts together on that and write a bit more. I’ll try to do that soon!
Kailana – Me too! I typically do juggle several books but try to limit myself to no more than 4 or 5. And, usually only one mystery otherwise plots may get mixed 🙂
Sandy – I remember you didn’t like it at all. I can understand why! This is one of those books I’ve been thinking about all day and go from really enjoyed it to maybe not as much? Nora was quite the character wasn’t she? This would definitely be a great book for a book club.
Danielle – I think you might enjoy The Woman Upstairs so I hope you’ll check it out and we can compare notes. This is only my second Hercule Poirot book and I really liked it. I was able to figure out the whodunit too – yay!
Sheila (Book Journey) – All of these are quite different so that’s always a good thing!
Bookworm – I resisted the sale! Granted, it’s going on for a couple more weeks I think so I’m not sure if I’ll really be able to resist in the end 🙂
Literary Feline – As much as I love mysteries I actually haven’t read many Christie’s – maybe about four but they’ve all been really fun.
Jenclair – The characters are great aren’t they? I am very curious if more comes out about Assad’s life. Sounds like there’s something to investigate there!
Athira – As soon as I read about that book I wanted to read it but you know how it goes. I’m actually surprised I got to it so soon. Anyway, I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Litlove – I agree, The Woman Upstairs is definitely a book that makes you think. I think this would be a perfect choice for a book club read to discuss don’t you think? I’m going to have to read more by Messud. And, it sounds like Mansfield Park is definitely not at the top of anyone’s list but I’m sure even a less than great Austen is probably still good 🙂
Good books in progress! I would like to read the Messud sometime. Looking forward to your thoughts on it. Barnes and noble classics sale, dangerous!