Books Read

Currently reading: TBD. Probably either 'Cannery Row' by John Steinbeck or 'O Caledonia' by Elspeth Baker. Or maybe another Daphne du Maurier - there are a couple of her other books I've never read and I've liked all her others.

The last couple of years I've been more disciplined in putting a book down when it no longer grabs me. There are so many good books to read, and I'd rather spend my time reading those than forcing myself to continue with something that isn't engaging after a couple of hours. 

Anyway, on with the list...

Books read in 2026

  • The House of Lamentations by SG Maclean (didn't finish)
    • This story is about Damian's exploits in Bruges after he leaves London. I got about 70% through before finally, finally deciding to put it down. The story just wasn't engaging or interesting enough to keep going. It was a let-down after the last book.
    • The Seeker series, book 5 of 5.
  • The Bear Pit by SG Maclean ★★★★☆ (4/5)
    • This was a great read, in the spirit of a classic rip-roaring adventure book.
    • A great return to form. Unlike the previous two books, this was fast-paced with plenty of action and intrigue throughout the whole book which held my interest right to the end.
    • Probably my favourite in the series so far, but you do have to read them in order to get the most from this series.
    • The Seeker series, book 4 of 5.
  • Destroying Angel by SG Maclean ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
    • Quite good, better than the last one, this time set in Yorkshire, and explores more about Damian Seeker’s family history. There’s an author’s note at the end of the book with the York settings that are open to the public- it would be interesting to see some of them if I’m ever there again.
    • The Seeker series, book 3 of 5.
  • The Black Friar by SG Maclean ★★★☆☆ (generous 3/5)
    • Historical fiction published in 2016.
    • The Seeker series, book 2 of 5. Not as good as the first book.
  • The Seeker by SG Maclean ★★★★☆ (4/5)
    • Historical fiction published in 2015.
    • Story about a soldier that works for Oliver Cromwell’s security service to uncover spies and their plots in 17th Century London. An easy and enjoyable historical fiction read.
    • The Seeker series, book 1 of 5. 

Books read in 2025

  • A History of Ireland in 100 Episodes by Jonathan Bardon (2023). Still reading.
    • I keep this on the sofa and dip in and out when the mood takes me. Very interesting.
  • No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (2005). Didn't finish
    • I was making good progress on this book but put it down over the Christmas break. I haven't picked it up again yet, but definitely will do when the notion takes me.
  • The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (2000). Didn't finish
    • Started but stalled - it didn't really grab me at the time. Will pick it up later for another go.
  • The Last Crossing by Brian McGilloway ★★★★☆ (4/5)
    • Historical fiction published in 2021
    • A group of Irish Republicans go back to Scotland to identify the location of a person they murdered 30 years previously.
    • I almost didn’t finish this book as the alternating chapter style of modern day and previous days with linking word or phrase was getting tedious, but once I got over that the book was good. After halfway the pace really picked up as the story unfolded. I liked the way that ‘the truth’ of events changed over time with the protagonists commonly having different memories of events attended together. 
  • Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett ★★★★☆ (4/5)
    • Historical fiction published in 1989
    • This was a great read. I never expected the building of cathedrals to be so interesting! The medieval history was also very interesting, and spurred me on to read more about those times, and watch some documentaries.
  • Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy (audio book on BBC Sounds)
    • Short story published in 1908.
    • Spoiler: The most important time to do anything is now, the most important person is who you are with, the most important affair is to do them good.
  • New Grub Street by George Gissing (1891) (didn't finish)
    • I last read my paperback of this about 10 years ago, and started re-reading on Kindle. Didn't finish reading it this time around.
  • I Am David by Anna Holm ★★★★★ (5/5)
    • Historical fiction published in 1963 about a young boy who escapes from a German-run prison camp during WW2. 
    • This was my favourite book as a child, and has always stuck with me. There’s a Grimms fairy tale vibe about it, and also a reverse-Pinochio where David starts out justifiably cynical of people but gradually learns to trust others more as he proceeds on his grand escape.
    • It’s also when I realised that a prepared boy needs a pocket knife, which started me on my ongoing penknife collection adventure that started in Switzerland a few years later!
  • Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier ★★★★☆ (4/5)
    • A dark, gothic, adventure story published in 1936. Some good plot twists that keep you guessing. Not quite as good as Rebecca, but well worth the read anyway.
  • City of Vengeance by DV Bishop (didn't finish)
    • Historical crime thriller that I never finished. I got about 30% through. Lots of reading, for not much reward. Characters were flat, story uninteresting. I like historical novels and crime novels, but this wasn’t very good at being either.
  • Coming Up For Air by George Orwell ★★★★☆ (4/5)
    • Novel published in 1939 about a pre-war insurance salesman who returns to his childhood village to escape the dreariness of his life, and premonitions of WW2.
    • I'm a big Orwell fan - this is up there with the best of them.

 

To do: back-fill some of of the books I remember reading before I kept a list.