I can’t believe that it’s already 2016. Happy New Year, by the way! I would like to share my Top 10 Favorite Books of 2015. Sadly, I wasn’t able to complete my reading challenge last year. I read 49 books and my goal was 50. I know right! Just one book. I still stick to 50 books for this year and hopefully, i’ll be able to complete the challenge.
So, let me start with my top five favorite stand-alones, in no particular order.
One of the highlights of my reading experience this year is to finally read the works of „The Queen of Crime“, Agatha Christie. I read „And Then There Were None“ and some books from her Miss Marple series and I got hooked instantly. As a newbie, I am not so familiar with her other works especially the underrated ones that’s why I am so happy to know about this new app called Mr Quin.
Mr Quin app brings Agatha Christie’s short story collection, „The Mysterious Mr Quin“, to life. This app introduces us to a whole new experience of solving one of Christie’s mystery story with the use of social media and high technology gadgets.
Love & Death, the pilot episode, is based on „The Coming of Mr. Quin“. A launch party was held at a manor known as the Suicide House and Mr. Satterthwaite has been invited to live blog the event. Things turned out strange when a Mr Quin joins their conversation and helps them uncovering the mystery of their friend’s death five years ago in the same manor. Check out MrQuin.com to watch the trailer.
One of the things i like about this app is the way the story unfolds. The characters are conversing in real time by posting their messages (both public and direct) on a twitter-like timeline that can be read by viewers. Just like in „real social media“, the characters are also posting short videos (shot by the characters themselves), funny GIFs and blog links. You can also view their profile to know more about them. If you’re in the middle of the story and you have to leave, you don’t have to worry because you can continue where you left. You can also restart if you want to read all over again. Surely you won’t miss anything.
It’s my first time experiencing this type of story-telling and I personally enjoyed it. It feels so natural especially for me who is into reading and social media. It’s fascinating how the past meets the present. To think that the story was written many years ago! I will definitely recommend Mr Quin app to my fellow readers. It’s addicting and I really hope there’ll be more to come. I’m pretty sure that the Queen of Crime is proud of this.
Am i the only who feels like October went by so fast? I feel like I’ve just posted my September Wrap-Up yesterday and now it’s time again for a monthly wrap-up. Oh well, I read a total of 6 books this month and they are all good.
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED BY AGATHA CHRISTIE – 4/5 STARSThis is the fifth book in the Miss Marple series and my second read from Agatha Christie. This book introduced me to Miss Marple and her unique way of investigating and solving a crime. She has an interesting character and maybe after reading some of the books one the series, she will become one of my favorite „detectives“. My full review here.
The first book in the Miss Marple series. Since I was quite disappointed with the appearance of Miss Marple on A Murder Is Announced, I expected that this book will show more of her or will tell me more about her but it doesn’t. This one is quite different from the other books I’ve read from Agatha Christie (this is my third) because this book was written on the Vicar’s (main character) POV. It shows us his thoughts about the other characters including Miss Marple. I still enjoy reading this book and guessing who the real suspect is. I actually guessed the right one but I wasn’t 100% sure about it.
This is part of our (me and Joyce) October TBR. It’s quite hard for me to write a decent review for this book because I don’t know where to start. This is the kind of book (series) that you have to read and see for yourself. Cress is a fairytale retelling of Rapunzel with a twist. I think Cress is so far my favorite from the series. It’s a mix of action, comedy and romance. Great characters and the world building is astounding. It is definitely a must-read. I can’t wait for Winter!
This is the fifth book in the Miss Marple series and my second read from Agatha Christie. I totally enjoyed And Then There Were None (ATTWN) so I’ve decided to read more of Christie’s novels and luckily, three of my favorite bookstagramers are hosting #QueenofCrimeReadalong, an Agatha Christie-themed readalong.
„A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks, at 6:30 p.m. Friends accept this, the only intimation.“
Just like the residents of Chipping Cleghorn, I bet you’ll also get nosy once you’ve read this announcement. You will also think that this must be a „murder game“.
Continue reading „Book Review : A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie“
Guys, today is the first day of the #QueenofCrimeReadalong hosted by Lotte (@lottelikestoread), Abeer (@lookingforabura) and Paula (@booksfordessert). The goal of this read-along is „to spread the love for Agatha Christie’s works and to get some more people to read her books.“
We will be reading A Murder is Announced (Miss Marple #5) as a group and we will choose the rest by ourselves. I’m planning to read Murder on the Orient Express and The Clocks.
I’m excited for this read-along because some of my favorite bookstagrammers are the hosts and I want to read more of the Queen of Crime’s works. Feel free to join and don’t forget to use the hashtag. ♥
These pretties came in the mail today, except my Gizmo, and I can’t help not to share them with you guys.
I’ve read And Then There Were None with Joyce few days ago and we both loved it. We’ve decided to start collecting Christie’s novels. This book was recommended to me by the majority of my bookish friends (one of them is Erika) as a second read from Christie.
This is my book for this month’s „1HB a month“, a „thing“ that Joyce and I started. We love hardbound books (Who doesn’t, right?) but they are quite expensive so we’ve decided to save some money (it’s our husband’s money, actually. Haha!) so we can buy one hardbound every month. I am reading a lot of good things about this book and I’m excited to read this.
Meanwhile..
I’m excited for Funeral for a Friend. They will be performing later at 9pm in MusikZentrum (Hannover) and it will be my first time watching them live. Yay! Last time I’ve been in a concert was in 2013 when Paramore performed live in Docks, Hamburg and it was epic.
Edition : Masterpiece Edition, Paperback (317 pages)
Publisher : Harper Collins (March 2013)
First Published : November 1939
Genre : Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Classic, Fiction
Source : Hugendubel Buchhandlung
Date Read : August 2015
Check this on Goodreads
First, there were ten – a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal – and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. And only the dead are above suspicion.
My Thoughts
Ten strangers were invited to visit Soldier Island in Devon. Later that night, a recorded message was played saying that each of them are responsible for a crime. One by one, the ten strangers begin to die. The question is, „Who is the murderer?“
I’m so glad to finally read an Agatha Christie book. I chose „And Then There Were None“ after searching for Christie’s best-selling novel.
This book is brilliant!
Continue reading „Book Review : And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie“