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I'm being lazy here and nicking bits of my quick reviews from goodreads, so if you're one of my friends there please don't be surprised if you have deja vu.

A new mystery book that I enjoyed a month or so ago was In the bleak midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming. This is a modern mystery/crime book set in a small town in New York and starring a female Episcopalion priest and the local police chief. The setting was very well done (it made me feel cold!), the characters mostly believable and the storyline well paced and interesting. It's the first in a series, which is great as now I have the sequels to look forward to now! I think I owe Jen for this recommendation.

As I mentioned recently, I've started reading my way through the Elizabeth Goudge books in my library system. I liked Linnets and Valerians a lot more than Green dolphin country. This is a children's book from 1964 (though set at the turn of the century) that combines a family story with elements of fantasy. The family part revolves around four children who have had to move in with their previously reclusive uncle. There are lots of loving descriptions of the English countryside and meals, and everyday childhood dramas over chores etc. Overall I enjoyed it, although the fantasy parts felt less well done than in The little white horse. People who enjoy Enright, Nesbit etc would probably like this book.

In a comment of my 2006 review of The sharing knife: beguilement I said I'm sometimes surprised at how enthusiastic I am in a blog entry compared to my memories of a book later on. And sure enough, I just re-read this book (in preparation for reading its sequel The sharing knife: legacy) and was surprised that I was so warm in my reaction in 2006. This time around I felt that despite touching moments the romance was not wholly believable, and Fawn, the main female lead was a bit irritating in her naivity. The relationship didn't develop as much I'd hope in the sequel, either. I still found the world building excellent and the overall story interesting. I wonder if my love of Bujold's other books have led me to be too critical of these books which are quite different in tone and pace? Are there other Bujold fans who think the Sharing knife books are her best?