Series I Stalk

In an earlier post, I had shared my fondness for the Ruth Galloway novels. Some series have a permanent place on my bookshelf. I might even go so far as to say that I am obsessed with them.
I stalk every forthcoming entrant in these series, eagerly wait for the new book to be released, read every review about it, and buy it as soon as it becomes available. Why do I have this special regard for series?

Unlike a stand-alone which comes into my life once, for maybe a week or so (even though some of them do leave a lasting impression and are read again), a series has the charming quality of steadfastness that develops through its continuity and return. As I go forward in life, the series will progress to the next book and give me company, year after year. The characters in a series are the good friends who were once acquaintances but with getting to know their lives over the years, I now feel a certain kinship with them. 

We grow together, these characters and I, while facing our struggles, dealing with disappointments, solving our problems, and celebrating our joys. I have watched Ruth become a mother (Ruth Galloway series), Nelson’s wife Michelle’s troubled acceptance of his baby daughter Kate from Ruth; Cathbad’s emergence as a loyal friend to Ruth, responsible dad to Maddy, and loving uncle to Kate from his early days as a flaky druid. The characters evolve with each book, and so do I with each passing year of my life. At times, their tough but strong decisions lend me the courage to make some hard changes in my life. 

Lady Julia and Nicholas make me smile on sad days with their inquisitiveness, stubbornness, sense of humor, and love for each other (Lady Julia Grey series). The silly antics of Becky (Shopaholic series) propel me into unrestrained laughter as she mirrors many of my foibles (addictive shopping, impulsive actions, escapism, and more). When I need a good puzzle to challenge my brain, DI Wesley and Neil (Wesley Peterson series) always have a fascinating mystery linked to history that they are trying to crack. On days when only a gothic, dark, and atmospheric story will satisfy me, I look no further than Sharon Bolton (Lacey Flint series). Lacey’s complex character, harrowing background, and her attractive mix of vulnerability with raw courage is sure to hook anyone’s interest in all the books released, and those that are yet to come.

For long winter nights, when a scary story is very much the perfect accompaniment, Nell West and Michael Flint provide the perfect blend of ghosts, haunted houses, and a tragic past in the cases they try to solve. Add a dash of romance (Nell and Michael) and humor (Gilberforce’s antics) and I have a series I can’t help but follow. Yrsa Siggurdardottir (Thora Gudmundsdottir series) also fits the bill for a deeply arresting blend of creepy mystery, unique setting, romance, and humor.

So, here’s to series and may a book continue to be released each year in the ones I stalk. The series mentioned in this post are listed as follows:

·         Ruth Galloway Series

·         Lady Julia Series

·         Shopaholic Series

·         Wesley Peterson Series

·         Lacey Flint Series

·         Nell West/Michael Flint Series

·         Thora Gudmundsdottir Series

The ones that I look forward to following are:

·         Sebastian St. Cyr series (historical mysteries)

·         Merrily Watkins series (Diocesan Deliverance Consultant a.k.a exorcist solves crime)

·         Veronica Speedwell series (by the author of Lady Julia series, need I say more?)- Book 1 review.

·         Flavia de Luce series (precocious girl detective, murder mysteries)

·         Frey and McGray series (crime, mystery, horror, detective fiction)- Book 1 and 2 review.

Beckon Book Bliss (D-I-Y Session)

“We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don’ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever.” — Philip Pullman

Image Source- Freepik

“I am simply a ‘book drunkard.’ Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them.” — L.M. Montgomery

Flights of Fantasy

Recently, a friend read 'Cruel Beauty' by Rosamund Hodge and she hasn’t been the same ever since. Having found the book to be an amazing read, she went on a fantasy fiction reading spree hoping to come across another story that would give her a similar high, engage her with the same intensity, and impress her with its elegant characterisation of complex people. While I do read fantasy fiction (have some of my favourites among the works of C.S Lewis, J.K Rowling, Juliet Marillier, Patricia McKillip), it is towards the crossbred genre of ‘historical-gothic-supernatural’ fiction that I gravitate more often than not.  I pick up other books only off and on, more as an in-between phase, when I feel weighed down by the suspense-laden, tragedy-infused, fear-inducing, and anxiety-driven atmosphere of the gothic novels that I find most fascinating because of the very same elements! It's quite interesting to note how our contradictions rule us and exemplify our humanness.  Another time when I deviate to alternate genres is when friends can't help raving about certain books.

Anyone who is member of a book community or group would know that when it comes to book recommendations, we trust the reading taste of certain friends. We share our thoughts with them (on new books, on discovering some hidden gem, on highly anticipated releases, awesome book covers, and more) and consider their recommendations with the same gravity as we would a decision about having 'pasta arabiatta' or 'thin crust pizza' for dinner.  We find ourselves carried away by their enthusiasm, influenced by their opinion, and quite willing to try out the books they liked.

And so, spurred by the excitement unleashed from the discussion on Cruel Beauty, I  decided to devote an 'in-between' phase, solely to fantasy fiction. Having done this, I went a step further and created my ‘Fantasy Fiction Reading List’. Wondrous worlds await me!

<a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by Freepik</a>

After an exhausting search which led me across book blogs, online book sellers, journal/magazine book reviews and articles, I have shortlisted what I think is a fairly exciting assortment. Will post reviews as I read them. The scope of these books extends from the stand-alone to trilogies and am hoping to meet some very interesting faerie folk, vampires, demons, witches, trolls and whatnot between their covers.  

Flights of Fantasy scheduled for take-off are:

Trilogy

All Souls Trilogy (Vampires, Witches, Daemons, Humans)

The Malediction Trilogy (Trolls, Witches)

Order of the Sanguines (Vampires, Angels, Demons, Legion, Humans)

Duology

The Wrath and the Dawn (Thousand and One Nights)

The Rose and the Dagger (Thousand and One Nights)

Stand-Alone

Cruel Beauty (Beauty and the Beast)

Crimson Bound (Red Riding Hood)

Gilded Ashes (Cinderella)

Strands of Bronze and Gold (Bluebeard)

Enchantment (Snow White)

The Glass Casket (Red Riding Hood + Snow White)

Tam Lin (The Ballad of Tam Lin)

The Perilous Gard (The Ballad of Tam Lin)

Recommended by Friends

Rebel of the Sands (Trilogy)
Cat's Eye Chronicles (Series)

A Court of Thorns and Roses (Series)

Any other suggestions? Do share your favourite fantasy titles.

The Game is Afoot!

January 2016 started with reading Kate Furnivall’s Shadows on the Nile. Recommended by a friend who knows her books, it was as promised, a tale of mystery and adventure as well a touching reminder of how powerful and precious family ties can be, especially sibling bonds. Set mainly in the 1930s when Britain was experiencing the Great Slump and unemployment benefits were subject to a Means Test, the book throws some light on the unrest in London at the time with workers protesting against the same. It also shares the conditions in Egypt with the Land of Pharaohs echoing a political turmoil of its own. 

The story starts with the disappearance of Tim, Jessie’s younger brother, who hasn’t been seen since he last attended a séance at the Chamsford house. Jessie has already gone through the pain of losing a younger sibling when she was seven and her five year old brother Georgie was taken away somewhere in the middle of the night. Her parents have never shared the ‘why’ and ‘where’ of this with her, leaving a guilt-ridden Jessie to wonder and fret about Georgie's fate all her growing-up years. It is not surprising, therefore, that the thought of never being able to see Tim again fills her with dread and starts her on an immediate search for her missing brother. Enter, the charming and titled but impoverished, Montague Chamsford or ‘Monty’, the owner of the Chamsford estate and among the last few people to have seen Tim alive. Jessie soon discovers that Tim has been using their mutual passion for Sherlock Holmes stories to leave clues that will guide her to him. And then begins the chase, taking us from London to Cairo where Tim is supposedly staying, since missing from London. This brings us to Shepheard's Hotel, one of the world’s most celebrated hotels in the 19^th century, and Pyramids, and excavation sites and artifacts (all of which are also frequently included in the very addictive and good fun ‘Amelia Peabody’ series). 

Shepheard's Hotel (Image Source: Wikipedia)

Jessie, accompanied by the gallant Monty, teams up with a new friend Maisie to look for Tim and bring him to safety. Will she be able to do so? Or, has fate conspired against her again and intends to take away Tim too?   

While Jessie can be quite irritating at times with her penchant for getting embroiled in unpleasant and dangerous circumstances due to her impulsive and reckless nature, she does get full marks for the deep loyalty and concern she shows for her brothers. Monty easily charms and impresses with his admirable ability to balance action and caution intelligently when facing adversities. Add a dash of courage, and he quite succeeds in finding a place in our hearts. Tim is brave, loyal, compassionate, and noble. Some of his actions, though, seem questionable even as they are guided by good intentions. And it is these coupled with some hasty poor decisions that make him oh so very human. Georgie quickly endears himself to the readers, and Maisie wins our admiration for her strong personality. 

The synopsis on the back cover does mention séances and mystics but they hardly find any place in the plot and seem to be included just to hint at a supernatural element in the mystery. For books that interweave Conan Doyle and his creation Holmes in the plot, however, I have yet to read a book better than The Sherlockian.

Overall, Shadows on the Nile is quite an interesting book written in a fluid and engaging style and will succeed in keeping readers happily hooked to the story. And, needless to say, an exciting adventure is easily favored reading for many of us!

Eternal Entanglements

‘I’ve been here before’

If I were ever asked to share the one opening line that is sure to make me read any book or watch any movie, it is this line. A line that hints of an existence prior to this lifetime, and of memories from a time gone by rising to surface when confronted with places or people one had known in a past life.

It may sound strange but this is a belief shared by many across the globe. That we have shared an earlier life with others and have painted a personal history with them using brushes soaked in love, passion, betrayal, sorrow, hatred and happiness. These emotions that mark each existence create eternal entanglements.  And, I am not alone in thinking that some unfinished business lingers on from past lives impacting our present; leading us to people and paths destined for us. The ever popular notion of each of us having a soulmate is also closely linked to reincarnation. Reincarnation is the philosophical concept that states the soul can survive the body after death and begin a new life in another body. Just like we change clothes, our soul changes bodies with each lifetime spent in a different garb or body. 

The theory of Karma, an integral concept of Hinduism, also gives credence to reincarnation by stating that we are all governed by a universal principle of cause and effect. Our thoughts, actions, and words ( in this lifetime and previous incarnations) determine our fate in life. There are three types of Karma in Hinduism:

• Sanchita- Karma that has been accumulated over lifetimes or sum total of all karma
• Prarabdha - Karma that is manifesting in this lifetime or already yielding its effect
• Kriyamana/Agami- Karma that we are currently creating in this lifetime each moment

Illustration of Reincarnation ( Image Source- Wikipedia)

The theory of Karma proposes that no good deed goes unrewarded and no bad deed is left unpunished. A very simple example would be that if you were good to someone in some life you may find that person supporting you in this life even though you may not know why. Alternatively, if you were bad to someone you may experience the anger and hatred of this person and wonder why this person is being so harsh towards you when you haven’t done anything to deserve it. But you have. Just not in this life. For every action you take, there is a deserving reaction. Surely a notion that carries immense satisfaction, if not relief. 

Because of this deep fascination for karmic ties that bind us across lifetimes, reincarnation fiction is my favorite genre and some of the books that find a place on my Keepers Shelf are:

1. Yes, My Darling Daughter- Margaret Leroy (“I lived there, Grace. Before.” Grace has to accept that her daughter may be remembering a past life.)
2. A Memory of Demons- David Ambrose (Why does Julia insist that her name is Melanie?)
3. Sweet Heart-Peter James (Sinister memories of a previous lifetime start to haunt Claire)
4. Sleep No More-Greg Iles (The beautiful stranger John Waters has just met reminds him too much of his old girlfriend-because she is)
5. Caught in the Light- Robert Goddard (Is Marian Esguard still alive? But she was a 19th-century gentlewoman with a talent for chemistry.)
6. Midnight Bayou- Nora Roberts (Declan is seeing visions from a century past)
7. The Revenge of Kaivalya- Sumana Khan (Uncover a terrifying truth that binds lifetimes)

Others waiting to be read that find a place on my TBR Shelf are:

• All Susanna Kearsley books
• All M J Rose books
• Threads- Nell Gavin
• Green Darkness- Anya Seton

And what better way to conclude this post than with a befitting quote from Paulo Coelho’s Eleven Minutes:

“Important encounters are planned by the soul before the bodies see each other”