It’s almost the weekend and I’m already looking forward to carving out some time to read. I know many of you are participating in Dewey’s Read-A-Thon and I wish I could join in but I know I just can’t commit as much time as I would like to reading. I hope you all have a blast!

So in between running errands, spending time with my mom and crafting, I do plan to pick up these books throughout the weekend:

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Are you tired of reading about how long it’s taking me to finish this? I know I am. Still about half way through the book but maybe this weekend I can move the bookmark a little bit further. Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying the story but unfortunately I just seem to be taking my time with it.

Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon. I picked this one up thinking it would be a great choice for the Once Upon a Time reading challenge. It’s the secret story of Cinderalla’s godmother. So far I like the story and a big plus is that part of the setting is in a tiny bookstore in Manhattan. I wouldn’t mind visiting that store and losing myself among the stacks.

The Dying Hours by Mark Billingham. This one is my gym audiobook and unfortunately I was getting all confused because my playlist was on shuffle. I thought it was the strangest chapter organization I had seen until I figured out it was messed up. Back on track now and looking forward to listening to this one this weekend.

The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene. I wanted a cozy read and I figured this story of friendship would be the ticket. It’s definitely a light read so I think I’ll probably get through this one quickly.

And, I’m also looking forward to date night at the bookstore this weekend. What about you, got big plans?

“They were able to guess his age, but had more trouble determining which part of the world he came from.”

Arctic Chill
By Arnaldur Indridason

Frigid temperatures and dark days are the backdrop for this mystery featuring Reykjavik police detective Erlendur. This time his team is called out to investigate the murder of a Icelandic-Thai boy. His body was found in the garden of his apartment, lifeless from a knife wound to his stomach.

By all accounts Elias, the ten year old boy, was well-liked by his teachers and friends but as Erlendur investigates he realizes that there are many who people who are wary of immigrants and others who downright don’t want to mix with them.

When Elias’s older brother disappears Erlendur doesn’t know if another crime has been committed or if Niran is the guilty party. On top of trying to find Niran quickly, Erlendur is plagued by thoughts of another crime his trying to solve and a woman caller who he can’t decipher.

So not only is the main plot tragic, as it surrounds the death of a child, but Erlendur is also struggling with the recent death of his mentor, his poor relationship with his son and daughter and his guilt over the death of his own brother when they were children. All of this makes for a very somber mood.

I have enjoyed other entries in this series a bit more. I found the resolution to this mystery a bit of a letdown and overall it was sad but I will be back for more because I’ve read that there will be an end to this series in a couple of more books and I am hoping for some closure for Detective Erlendur.

Source: Library copy