Books read in May

The Inklings by Humphrey Carpenter (May 2)
I just loved this biography.

The Oxford Guide to Word Games by Tony Augarde (May 3)
This book I picked up because I thought it would be interesting, but once started, I didn't want to put it down. It is rare that a non-fiction book grips me so.

The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham (May 3)
Albert Campion would drive me insane in real life, but in fiction he's rather enjoyable. One of the wonders of literature, I suppose.

More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl (May 4)

Q’s Legacy by Helene Hanff (May 4)

A Landscape With Dragons (reread) by Michael O’Brien (May 5)

A Passion For Books edited by Harold Rabinowitz (May 7)

Great Books of the Christian Tradition by Terry Glaspey (May 7)

Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn (May 15)
A science fiction retelling of Jane Eyre. It followed a little too closely to the story to be a good retelling, but it was light and enjoyable and would be a good way to get non-classic-lit people to enjoy the story, I think.

That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis (May 17)
I finally finished this book after putting it down three different times. I hoped it would pay off, but I really didn't enjoy it at all.

Excessively Diverted by Juliette Shapiro (May 17)

Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. (May 18)

Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers (May 18)
Lord Peter Wimsey is a wonderful creation...I wonder why Tolkien and Lewis didn't like him. He reminds me rather of Sir Percy Blakeney.

Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel (May 20)
I prefer reading fiction, but if not, then biographies. This one was excellent, though I prefer Longitude.

Northanger Abbey (reread) by Jane Austen (May 23)

Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer (May 24)

North by Northanger by Carrie Bebris (May 25)
The newest Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery. The mysteries aren't very elaborate, but I love her characterizations. I laughed out loud in several spots for this one, which is my favorite of the three so far.

A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer (May 26)
Neville Fletcher is a bona fide Heyer character, and I love him. I didn't know if I would like her mysteries, but this one tickled me pink.

North and South (reread) by Elizabeth Gaskell (May 29)
Even better the second time. I just watched the excellent BBC adaptation, and when rereading the book, recognized many scenes from the movie that I thought were added, but were not.

Isaac Bickerstaff by Richard Steele (May 30)