Ten days ago I got a message from WordPress congratulating me on 7 years of blogging. I knew that the anniversary was coming up, but I had been under the impression that it had been 6 years – ah well, numbers have never been my strong point and time flies when you’re having fun! When I started ‘Pining’ I was very loath to stick my head up above the parapet on the internet and I was determined to be more or less anonymous, hence at the beginning I didn’t even put my own name on any comments, just the blog name. The photograph of me wasn’t really recognisable – I hope. But I’ve sort of got over my shyness now (probably an age thing) and I’m out there and I just don’t care! I’ve ‘met’ some lovely friends from all over the place through the blog and I just never would have met them otherwise. It has been a life enriching experience. Anyway …
I haven’t been one for joining in many challenges, in fact I’m not a big joiner of anything like clubs, but this year I hope to join a few more, certainly the Reading My Own Damn Books Challenge hosted by Estella’s Revenge – because I really have to concentrate on my books rather than reading those from the library.
To encourage me and make my reading a bit less – hmm what shall I read next … decisions decisions -ish … I’ve decided to publish a list of books I intend to read soon. So starting with March, yes amazingly it’ll be March in just over a couple of weeks, I’m going for six must reads although I know I’ll be reading more than that within the month.
1. The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett (I’ve had it over a year)
2. Introduction to Sally by Elizabeth von Arnim (over two years)
3. Crossriggs by Jane and Mary Findlater (around about eight years)
4. Murder in Piccadilly by Charles Kingston (a recent purchase)
5. The Winds of Heaven by Monica Dickens (fairly recent)
6. Cork on the Water by Macdonald Hastings ( I have no idea how long)
Have any of you read any of them?
If anyone wants to share their ‘forthcoming bookish attractions’ then feel free to do so via the comments. Or you might want to read one of my March books so we can compare notes when the time comes.
I am a huge fan of Dorothy Dunnett’s books, particularly the Lymond Chronicles. I also like her book about Thorfinn (Macbeth), and her thrillers are fun though completely wacky at some points. That looks like a first edition of Game of Kings. I have one but its in much worse shape.
Lisa,
It’s actually a third edition 1962 but in great condition. I bought it in a secondhand bookshop in Glasgow for £3.49 and I’m kicking myself for not buying the other Dunnett books they had, all in the same condition. My only excuse being I have never read any and didn’t know if I would like her writing. This one is on the best 100 Scottish books list.
I think there were a whole lot of Americans voting to get it on that list!
Lisa,
I think you’re probably right about that! I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like now!
That’s a good selection of books. I’ll be interested to know what you think of The Game of Kings as I read it a few years ago and loved it. If you do enjoy it, there are another five books in the series which are all wonderful too.
Helen,
I think I’ll read Game of Kings first. I’m sure it must have been the whole series I saw in the secondhand bookshop. I’m needing my head looked at for not buying them all.
Such understatement. Congratulations on seven years of blogging! I have not read any of the books on your list. Looking forward to hearing more about them especially the von Arnim!
Stefanie,
Thanks. I can’t believe it has been seven years. I hadn’t even heard of that von Arnim book when I stumbled across it in Buckingham on one of our England road trips.