This weekly meme is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
My reading last week was slow and steady. After finishing Heart of the Country by Tricia Stringer, the first in her new historical Australian saga, I continued on with The Orphan Gunner by Sara Knox. Last week, after only having read the first chapter, I said it was too early to form an opinion of it and I'm finding that even now when I'm half way through my feelings are mixed. The relationship between the two friends is a strange one, but I'm liking the story enough to keep reading.
The other book I began last week was the classic Mary Anerley: A Yorkshire Tale by R.D. Blackmore. I was reading this on my tablet when disaster struck. My charger decided it had had enough and until the replacement charger arrives Mary Anerley must wait. I could continue reading it on my lap top, but as my preferred reading positions are to curl up comfortably on the sofa or in bed I'll just wait for the charger.
Oliver Twist Investigates by G.M. Best was the other book I picked up last week. I've only read the preface so far, but that in itself is intriguing. The author explains how the book is an old manuscript found in a trunk full of Victorian documents he purchased at an auction "on the off-chance that they might contain something of interest". He divided the manuscript into chapters and amended the spelling and punctuation. Of interest also was a letter attached to the manuscript which "purports to have been written by Fagin".
Waiting for me at the library is Anna Funder's debut fictional novel, All That I Am. This novel won various awards in 2012, including the Miles Franklin Literary Award. Anna Funder is another Australian author I have recently discovered. My plan is to read this book next.
What I Read Last Week
Heart of the Country by Tricia Stringer
1846. Newly arrived from England, Thomas Baker is young, penniless and alone. Eager to make his mark on this strange new place called South Australia, he accepts work as an overseer on a distant sheep property, believing this will be the opportunity he seeks. But when Thomas’s path crosses that of ex-convict, Septimus Wiltshire — a grasping con man hell bent on making a new life for himself and his family at any price — trouble is on the horizon.
But Thomas is made of stern stuff and his fortunes take a turn for the better when he meets spirited farmer’s daughter Lizzie Smith, and soon he envisages their future together.
But this land is like no other he has encountered: both harsh and lovely, it breaks all but the strongest. When his nemesis intervenes once more and drought comes, Thomas finds himself tested almost beyond endurance with the risk of losing everything he and Lizzie have worked for… even their lives.
What I'm Reading Today
The Orphan Gunner by Sara Knox
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfZVUTGn1A6cBAokMsjSJyeMwpzUT1u_nhbJfxTm9SNwWwz0z1v4oAAsAG83x0nygTxYBdttZdRWBhtRTd-KOzuqtZ5M9Rnm86c4kLeImX5b1C5yqterMYBlId45t6_K4OVLCCcrHUA/s200/the-orphan-gunner.jpg)
Mary Anerley: A Yorkshire Tale by R.D. Blackmore
An early 19th century romance set in Yorkshire. Mary Anerley falls in love with smuggler Robin Lyth, but the relationship is discouraged by Mary's family due to Robin's obscure beginnings and his occupation as a smuggler.
Oliver Twist Investigates by G.M. Best
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3WDELF7EQ3Vr0fFoR9gvqZj8wdgEoNEDHADZ1uFundYF7SFgdoVUD3Us0JzvrCWeA8ru2xF4NJgxT6IR4yY3q5mSGXexhwR2MRwkYpnmApAtxjfinoapwKTCyvUDRqDKmpy2Vi023A/s200/oliver+twist+investigates.jpg)
What I Hope to Read Next
All That I am by Anna Funder
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6-5aefoHHTcSUokTGRFuWomVVYL0VSlnuZy3JH87wT052XY-OGjRgheXuWCahORuY8nNBJXTnIDcuNX7zBoN6XyeOrpFrNnEoLpNHXczkV0NG50uschOAgX93DzgHGf7zsp0WIOSvA/s200/All+that+I+am.jpg)
The Orphan Gunner sounds interesting, an interesting time and I suspect different kind of relationships.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unusual story with lots of historical detail.
DeleteI have never heard of any of your books. I hope you enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteTheresa (The Truth About Books)
See my answers here
Thank you, Theresa.
DeleteWhen I was 10 years old my grandfather bought me a copy of Oliver Twist for my birthday, and I couldn't have been more disappointed - it was so big! I never actually got around to reading it, so I don't know if I'd be able to follow along with Oliver Twist Investigates too easily, since I think I only know the story through the musical movie...!
ReplyDeleteI think the musical has all the elements of the main story, so I think you would be able to follow Oliver Twist Investigates. Worth a try.
DeleteThe Orphan Gunner sounds great. I haven't heard of it yet, but I'm definitely going to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis book was first published in 2007. I only came across it recently.
DeleteThese all look tempting...I love the cover and sound of Mary Anerley: A Yorkshire Tale.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
The cover of Mary Anerley is the 1880 edition. A sweet cover that gives no hint of what the book is about.
DeleteLooks like a good week...I hope this week has been good too.
ReplyDeleteMary Anerley looks good.
Have a good rest of the week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Delete