No.783: What I Read in November 2023

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#81. THE HOLLOW by Agatha Christie // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “At six thirteen a.m. on a Friday morning Lucy Angkatell’s big blue eyes opened upon another day and, as always, she was at once wide awake and began immediately to deal with the problems conjured up by her incredibly active mind.”

Possibly my least favorite Agatha Christie so far?  Hercule Poirot was in the story very little and the cast of characters was quite unlikable.  I’m not sure how to describe it, but…it was just kind of weird.  2.5 stars, rounded up.

#82. THE REPORTER WHO KNEW TOO MUCH: THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF WHAT’S MY NAME TV STAR AND MEDIA ICON DOROTHY KILGALLEN by Mark Shaw // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

First line: “Any re-investigation of Dorothy Kilgallen’s death begins where a crack detective would start – with a background check of the deceased.”

I heard about this one when the author was interviewed on a podcast…and you know me!  I’ll read just about anything!  The book is about Dorothy Kigallen, most well known for her tough reporting as well as her time on the TV show, What’s My Line?  Shaw believes that she was on a mission to discover what really happened with the JFK assassination and that eventually got her killed.  I found his hypothesis and defense very interesting, but the typos and redundancy of the information made the reading experience less enjoyable.  (I also read this for my Reading the Alphabet Challenge.)

#83. THE TRAITOR by Ava Glass // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

First line: “He was exhausted.”

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Alias Emma, so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one.  Emma Makepeace, a spy focusing on Russian infiltration in Britain, goes undercover as a yacht stewardess.  Her mission is to figure out why a low-level MI6 “number-cruncher” agent was killed with a chemical weapon and that leads her into the shadowy world of Russian oligarchs.  The story was quick moving, but not as engaging as book one.  I guessed the traitor early on, so I wasn’t surprised by the reveal at the end.  Solid three stars.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!  The Traitor was published in September 2023!)

#84. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Frank W. Abagnale // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “A man’s alter ego is nothing more than his favorite image of himself.”

Well, this was a wild ride!  I can’t believe that Frank Abagnale was able to deceive so many people for so long.  So many gigantic lies about everything from college degrees to career experience.  I think I should watch the movie next.

#85. THE APPEAL by Janice Hallett // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “Sandra, please deliver to Femi and Charlotte.”

I really enjoyed this one!  It’s a British epistolary murder mystery told through texts and emails.  I was invested and finished the 400+ page book in days.

#86. THE CATHOLIC MASS: STEPS TO RESTORE THE CENTRALITY OF GOD IN THE LITURGY by Bishop Athanasius Schneider //★★★★★
(amazon // bookshop)

First line: “The Mass is prayer.”

Such an excellent book.  What a gift we have in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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MY UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2023: 207
Books Finished in November: 6
Finished Books Donated/Sold in November: 1
Books Added: +4
Unread Books Remaining: 203