The big news this month was that my books arrived! I have now a far reduced collection compared to what I had in the States, but it feels good to whittle down to essentials.
In the summer sometimes I feel like reading mysteries, though, and I didn’t have much on hand. If I want to read something that’s not already on my shelves, the online library remains a godsend. Some of these mysterious reads are highlighted below.
In anticipation of next month’s Robertson Davies Reading Week I read the nonfiction collection The Merry Heart, and I’ll be preparing a post about Davies’s “reflections on reading, writing, and the world of books.” I also couldn’t resist starting The Deptford Trilogy and I’m greatly enjoying it for the umpteenth time.
Are you planning to join us? Or what was your personal pleasure this month?
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Reviews
Summer Shorts cast a brief glance at some of my summer reading: Hag-Seed, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, Death of a Unicorn, and No Name.- I wrapped up my months-long journey through the second half of Don Quixote.
Other Books Read
- The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham
- The Merry Heart by Robertson Davies – Reread, review to come
- Fifth Business by Robertson Davies – Reread
- The Manticore by Robertson Davies – Reread
Other Features and Events
- For discussion, I asked How do you remember what you read?
- On my other blog, Entering the Enchanted Castle, I shared some first impressions and photos from my new home in Switzerland in From granite to limestone, and some discoveries from the past in Wise words from a toddler.
Shared in the Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the Month in Review linkup at The Book Date, and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
It can’t have been easy choosing what books to take with you. How did you decide what went and what stayed?
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Good question! I somewhat arbitrarily decided to take about 20 boxes of books. When my husband and son were done choosing what they wanted to take, I could fill up the rest. I basically had to ruthlessly prune out anything I did not think I would read or use again, even if having it in my possession “sparked joy” for me, even if it had been expensive — or I had gotten it for free. And if I could easily get it online, it was likely to go as well, though I did keep physical copies of my favorite classics.
There were a lot of books I’d been hanging onto for years intending to read them again, so I did my best to give them a reread before letting them go. Children’s books my son was unlikely to read could go to my sisters and their kids. That took care of quite a lot without making me feel my family heirlooms were being discarded.
I ended up with my very favorite and most essential books — kind of a “desert island” book selection but a little more extensive. There are few choices that I regret. Above all, I hope my books will find new owners who will actually read and appreciate them. That is the most important thing for me!
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I’m seriously tempted by the Robertson Davies read, and may have to adjust the list of books on my other reading commitment, ’10 books of summer’. At the very least, I’m looking forward to reading all of the thoughts.
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Indeed, if you can’t read a book by RD for the event you can certainly enjoy the contributions and hopefully be inspired for future reading. I hope you will join us!
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Always good to minimize, even in books. Happy August!
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Minimalism is going to be my middle name from now on.
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Looking forward to the Robertson Davies event, Lory.
Even though you culled many books for the move, I bet it is somewhat comforting to have your books with you?
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Yes very! I’m quite pleased that they proved to all fit into the two antique bookshelves that now stand on either side of my little computer table. I feel very warmly surrounded by my beloved books!
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Thanks for mentioning your Robertson Davies Reading Week. Another author to discover!
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My pleasure entirely.
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Yay, your books arrived! That must have been satisfying, opening the boxes and putting them on the shelves.
I’m reading Fifth Business right now for Robertson Davies Reading Week and really enjoying it.
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Hooray! It was very enjoyable on my recent reread as wel.
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Oooh how exciting, your books have finally arrived! It’s like the ultimate bookmail hahaha. Enjoy diving back in to that (whittled-down) library ❤️
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I am already doing so, thank you!
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I know what you mean about summers being a time for mysteries. I think, in the past, especially as a girl, I’ve binge-read them on long, hot afternoons, and that idea has stuck with me. And, yet, I also find myself thinking about them when it’s blustery and snowy outside. Which probably would lead one to think I read a lot of mysteries, as though any season will do! *laughs* Glad you’re feeling all settled with your books having arrived!
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Yes, long winter evenings are also good for mystery reading! I do think I tend to associate them with “vacation,” perhaps because there have been several times I got stuck somewhere with nothing to read except some random mystery books on a shelf in the inn/B&B/whatever. But anytime you feel like reading one is a good time.
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I’m soooo glad we’re not planning a move any time soon — there’d be a lot of heartache if I was to have to drastically whittle down my collection, and despite having completed 51 (yes, fifty-one! A new total for me) books this year there doesn’t seem to be any more space on my shelves. Maybe it’s something to do with me habitually visiting bookshops…
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That could be a factor I imagine. 😉 I have a really hard time going into a bookshop without buying anything.
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I just started reading Fifth Business and I’m really enjoying it – my first by Davies. Looking forward to discussing next week!
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Wonderful, I am so glad to hear that!
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