General Comment: As mentioned earlier posts, I have embarked on writing a few words on all the books that I may read in my retirement.
Since 2011, I have refrained to read serious books – on politics, spirituality, philosophy, society etc but I like to read -so I have gone reading light books to entertain me.
Both my kids have got KINDLE (electronic reading) but i have not . The younger lot like gadgets – new ones all the times but senior like me is finding that to be a bit overwhelming.
These days I am in Mystery books . I have reverted to my teenage passion.
The first book I read after the new year 2012 is Agatha Christie book – which I bought for a dollar from the local (deep River) library, They are discarding many old books .
The book title is ” Five Little Pigs” .This is about a painter (Amyas Crate) who was murdered and his wife got charged and convicted a murderer BUT after 16 years had passed – her daughter (Carla) – who was in her early teens and was on thye cusp of marriage – was not comfortable that her mother was convicted as a murderer and she wanted to find the truth behind the case. She engaged the famous & brilliant detective ” Hercule Poirot” to unravel begind the case. He set about interviewing the old companions of the painter and then lo behold found the Carla’s mother was innocent and the another lady (whose picture the painter was painting) killed him.
The next two books i have recently completed are Perry Mason books. The local librarian had NOT heard about thsio famous fictitious Lawyer – whose books were vary pupular when I was teenager. So I got two books using the “Inter-library” system.
All Perry Mason books are written by Erle Stanley Gardner .
The first Perry Mason book I read recently is ” The Case of the Half-wakened Wife” – a paper back book from Greater Madawaska Public Library, Calabogie, ON.
The second Perry Mason book I read recently is The Case of Foot-Loose Doll ” – a hard cover book from Alliston Public Library , Alliston, ON. This is also a large letter book for visually impaired.
Monday 13 February 2012
Finished reading “The Case of the Glamorous Ghost ” – a Perry Mason book
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Terrified Typist ” – a Perry Mason book
Thursday 16 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Lucky Loser ” – a Perry Mason book
Friday 17 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Screaming Woman ” – a Perry Mason book
Saturday 18 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Long-Legged Models ” – a Perry Mason book
Sunday 19 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Waylaid Wolf ” – a Perry Mason book
Note : All above Parry Mason books by Erle Stanley Gardner are part of a book – a thick book with severn Complete Novels,
obtained from Oshawa Public Library by the Deep River library using Inter-Library loan system.
This book is returned to the Deep River Library on completion of reading it . ( Friday 24 Feb 2012)
Saturday 25 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Spurious Spinster ” – a Perry Mason book
Sunday 26 February 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Shoplifter’s Shoe ” – a Perry Mason book
obtained from Turner Branch by the Deep River library using Inter-Library loan system.
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Interesting side show:
Friday 2 March 2012
Finished reading ” The Case of The Worried Waitress ” – a Perry Mason book and then on Sunday 4 March 2012 finished another Perry Mason book titled ” The Case of The Silent Partner ” obtained from Thorold Public Library by the Deep River library using Inter-Library loan system
Between 3 March to 28 March 2012, I have completed reading the following books . A bit delay in writing thsi post -as the something went wrong with the Web-Site but we are up and running.
a) The Mystery of The Blue Train by Agatha Christie ( a discarded book bought from Deep River library).
b) The A.B. C. Murders by Agatha Christie ( a discarded book bought from Deep River library).
c) The White Chapel Conspiracy by Anne Perry ( a discarded book bought from Deep River library).
d) A compendium of books by (This book is bought & given to me by my daughter – as she got to know about my recent interest in mystery books) Readers Digest – 4 books in the big thick volume – all very gripping mysteries. These are:
– Married to a Stranger by Patricia MacDonald
– A Christmas Guest by Anne Perry
– Sailing to Capri by Elizabeth Adler
– The Conjurer’s Bird by Martin Davies
Since then until April 8th – my birthday i have completed reading the following books.
– Death On The Nile – an Agatha Christie mystery book
– Murder in Mesopotamia – an Agatha Christie mystery book
– Murder on the Orient Express – an Agatha Christie book
– Thirteen at Dinner – an Agatha Christie book
– Cards on the Table – an Agatha Christie book
– Recently (last week of April 2012) I have completed reading the Book ” By the Pricking of My Thumbs ” bu Agatha Christie with new characters ( Tuppence & Tommy) as detectives who happen to come upon crime and perpetrators through Tuppence’s trailing & tracking of something that incite her curiosity. This book was loaned to me by Patsy/George.George is one of my card (Bridge) playing colleague and Patsy helps out at the Deep River library.
I have lately started watching Perry Mason episodes on TV – ( recorded on PVR – which I procured along with the HD TV – at 2011 Christmas time . The Perry mason shows are recorded during the week.
– First one is ” The Case of the Fickle Fortune ” watched on 5 February 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Blindman’s Love” watched on 23 February 2012 –
– Then ” The Case of the Angry Deadman ” watched on 23 February 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Nimble Nephew ” watched on 24 February 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Difficult Detour ” watched on 25 February 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Cowardly Lion ” watched on 3 March 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Violent Vest ” watched on 11 March 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Duplicate Daughter ” watched on 17 March 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Flighty Father ” watched on 21 March 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Guilty Clients ” watched on 22 March 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Jealous Journalist ” watched on 23 March 2012
– Then “The Case of the Treacherous Toupe” watched on 30 March 2012
– Then “The Case of the Impatient Partner” watched on 31 March 2012
– Then “The Case of the Missing Melody ” watched on 1 April 2012
– Then “The Case of the Credulous Quarry” watched on 6 April 2012
– Then “The Case of the Posthumous Painter” watched on 7 April 2012
– Then ‘The Case of the Injured Innocent” watched on my 72nd Birthday -8 April 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Ill-Fated Faker ” watched on 13 April 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Roving River’ watched on 14 April 2012
– Then ” The Case of the Crippled Cougar ” watched on 15 April 2012
(Note: All these shows are regularly being beamed on AMI channel ( Channel 48 on Bell Satellite)
Friday 18 May 2012
I just finished reading the book called ” Evolution ” by Stephen Baxter. This book I bought at the Deep River Library at their Book Sale about 10 days before. This is a book in a novel format written based on evolution of mankind. Stretching from the distant past into the remotefuture, from primordial Earth to the stars . Evolution is soaring symphony of struggle, extinction, and survival.
It was slow read but interesting. The book travelled with me to Toronto on May11-13 where I (with Mrs) had gone to attend an AGM for my Engineering Association . We also spent time with our son, daughter-in-law and Maya (our lovely youngest granddaughter) .
Thursday 24 May 2012
This past week I have completed reading two books – the latest being completed this morning.
The books read are:
1) A book with an insightful look at love and marriage -and HOMICIDE – Long Island style. The book is called ” After all these years” by Susan Isaacs. This book when one starts to read finds difficult to put down. Well written and enjoyable.
2nd Book – This book is a ‘Romantic Suspense” with Episcopalian clergy ladies murder etc as well as romance. The book is called “A lover scorned” by Isabelle Holland.
Note: Both books bought at Library Book Sale ( one in Deep River and the other in Petawawa.)
Monday 28 May 2012
I just completed (yesterday) reading a book titled ” A is for Alibi ” by Sue Grafton. This is a fictional mystery with a fictional detective called Kinsey Millhone.
Wednesday 4 July 20122
Last month, i completed reading the following books
1) A book titled “Deadly Endplay” by Ken Allan – this is about a “Death in a small town” – a bridge card playing club member at asmall Canadian town ( in Ontario) – Pemberton Bridge Club mystery. This book was given to me by one of my bridge club colleague ( George) in Deep River. He got the book as a birth day gift from his daughter.
2) A book titled Three Fates” by Nora Roberts. A Mystery bpook based on three ancient Greek statues .
I also watched a TV movie: Murder on the Orient Express’ by Agatha Chrietie on Sunday 2012 July 1. I read the book a couple of months ago.
Tuesday 31 July 2012
I completed reading the book titled ” Midnight Bayou ” by Nora Roberts. A very interesting book.
Monday 6 August 2012
Though suffering from inflamed right ear and hearing problem -with medication treatment; I managed to complete
reading the book called ” Anonymous Rex ” by Eric Garcia . This book had unusual detective – a dinosorous .
Tuesday 14 August 2012 – completed reading the book titled ” Going Out With A Bang ” – a crime and mystery collection by The Ladies’ Killing Circle – Twenty authors from all across Canada tell chilling stories – each one contributing a story.
Note: Monday 13 August 2012 – I bought 20 books -all by Agatha Christie – Gladys from The Deep River library collected these for me . Thanks.
Tuesday 21 August 2012 – completed reading the book called “Alibi” by Sydney Bauer.
Between Wednesday 22 August 2012 to Thursday 30 August 2012, I completed reading the following books – of which the first two (2) books I completed reading while in Toronto – visiting Sunir & family and attending a wedding & functions .
1) A book called “Third & Forever ” by Lowen Calusen. This is about a serial rapist ( a footballer – a white footballer who befriends and entices black girls – after that he becomes sadistic while raping them) The book is about a lady cop (along with her other lady cops – all black) – who pursues this rapist . The story does not end well – as the footballer escape going bar due to his prowess as a footballer and being connected to the larger society.
2) An Agatha Christie book titled ” Double Sin ” – with short stories featuring H. Poirot as well as Miss Marple.
3) An Agatha Christie book titled” And Then There Were None ” – also published as ” Ten Little Indians” .
Friday 7 August 2012
I have completed two (2) Agatha Christie books in the past week.
a) A book titled “Murder in the Mews ( also published as Dead Man’s mirror) ”
b) A book titled ” The Clocks ”
Friday 5 October 2012
Since Friday 7 August 2012, i have completed reading the following books.
a) 2 books by Agahta Christie
i) Five little Pigs –
ii) One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (also published as An Overdose of Death and The Patriotic Murders)
mostly read when in Toronto during the week (between 16 Sept to 23 Sept 2012)
b) A book titled ” The Conquering Worms” by Brian Keene
c) A book titled ” The Last Smile ” by Marvin Albert – a book left behind by my recently visiting elder brother,Kanti (from Kenya)
Sunday 14 October 2012
Since last few days I have completed reading 2 books by Agahta Christie
1) Poirot Loses a Client
2) The Mysterious Mr. Quin – this book is without H. Poirot as detective.
Friday 19 October 2012
I have completed one (1) book by Agatha Christie – titled – The Body in the Library ( Miss Marple as crime solver).
Saturday 27 October 2012
in the last few days I have completed reading three (3) books. Of couse two(2) books by Agatha Christie were small and easy read.
These two (2) are:
– Curtain — Poirot’s Last case ( actually the character of H. Poirot dies in this book)
– Mr. Parker Pyne, detective ( a new detective by Agatha Chistie)
The other book I read (the 3rd) is titled ” The Beekeeper’s Apprentice ” by Laurie King – who intorduces Mary Russel as an apprentice and then as an asisitant/partner of famous Sherlock Holmes. A large book but very capticating.
This book was loaned to me by my daughter (Nina). She Gave that to me prior to her reading it to cheer me up after my Hearing loss in right ear. Now I will be able to return it to her ( I completed reading the book within a week ).
Monday 5 November 2012
Completed reading the following two (2) Agatha Chistie books
– Sparkling Cyanide ( no H. Poirot)
– Hallowe’en Party ( with H. Poirot)
Thursday 22 November 2012
Completed reading the following four (4) Agatha Chistie books
– The Sectret Adversary (no H. Poirot but Tommy & Tuppence)
– The Mysterious Affairs at Styles ( with H. Poirot)
– Postern of Fate (no H. Poirot but Tommy & Tuppence)
– The Harlequin Tea Chest and other stories ( mixed detective stories)
Friday 14 December 2012
To-day I completed reading the book titled ” Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures ” by Vincent Lam loaned to me by my daughter a few days ago. The book is centered on medical career and life experiences in providing medical treatment by young doctors in Toronto . NotE: To-day is Nina’s birthday and thus this is a nice present to her – my completing reading of the book.
Earlier I had completed the following Agatha Christie books (prior to completing the reading of ” Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures ” by Vincent Lam.
– The mirror CRACK’d from side to side.
– Murder with Mirror.
I have also started on the book ” Every Breath You take ” by Ann Rule – which is a true story of obsession, revenge, and murder. This is a difficult book to read – no! no! – the writing is good and with easy flow but the human evil – a real case – is difficult on the mind and very aggrevating . Thus i have only read half the book and have diverted myself to other books as described above.
Tuesday 26 December 2012
I completed reading the book titled ” The In-between World of Vikram Lall” by M G Vasangi – our Indaim famous writer – two time Giller Prize winner. This book took me to a nostalgia tour of my past – being born and brought up in Kenya and eventually migrating to Canada. The author currently lives in Toronto – not very far from where my son (Sunir) lives.
This is the final book for the year. Looking forward to read many more next year.