6 books this month, bringing my total for the year to 44, so on target.

Silence by Shusako Endo
Read for my (zoom) book club. It's the story of a Jesuit priest who goes to Japan in the seventeenth century. While the priest initially comes over as arrogant and ready to die for his faith, since Christianity is outlawed with severe penalties for those who disobey, the story deepens and because thought-provoking as it continues. Outside my usual range of reading, but I'm glad I did read it.

Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out by Ryan Love
The story of a grandfather, who comes out just before his 80th birthday and his grandson who struggles to make the same decision. I liked Arthur, and while the story piled on too many twists and turns, I was always rooting for him. I became tired of the grandson and didn't like the way his story ended.

Tour de Force by Christianna Brand
Runner up for the Shedunnit 'set in a holiday resort' read. I tried the winner, read three chapters, the end, and took it back to the library. I did finish this book, as I've never read any Christianna Brand, but wasn't impressed - I guessed 'whodunnit' about two-thirds of the way through. And I didn't like her detective, who she seemed to be making unlikely - why do that?

Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett
Quite fun, but lacks my favourite characters so not up with my top ten.

Karolina, or the Torn Curtain by Maryla Szymiczkowa
Set in Cracow in 1895 this is an entertaining read, with a good mystery. The amateur detective is the wife of a university doctor, who has plenty of personality and determination. It's a great look at Cracow society at the time, and some of the issues there were. This is the second book in the series, but sadly the later ones haven't been translated from Polish.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner
Recommended some while ago by badly_knitted this is aimed at older children, with two children as the main protagonists. I rarely read fantasy, but the story was enjoyable and didn't read like a 'kid's book'. I suspect if it had been written purely for adults the timing of the last few chapters would have changed, but it remained entirely believable in its universe.


And so I've finished my Book Bingo for this year. I used my two substitutions, but only the central Free square. The full list can be found here
( bingo card )

Just under 14.5K for the month, bringing my annual total to 77K and allowing me a bit of breathing space.

I completed my whatif_au Bingo card, with Miss Marple to the Rescue written last month, but now edited and posted (High/Low fantasy - Miss Marple/Sleeping Beauty - Bourne), The Baker Street Incomparables (Superheroes - Sherlock Holmes (ACD)) and Summer at Bag End (Decade Specific (1920s) - The Hobbit).  The last was also written for melagan 's Dust off your Plot Bunny challenge.

no_true_pair had a 4 fandom No True Fandom challenge, which gave me the chance to write some interesting crossovers When World's Collide

And then were two challenges this month on allbingo   My favourite Winterfest in July: A Slightly Different Christmas where, using the Holidays list I again wrote for my Spooks Love in all Seasons 'verse.  And the new Western challenge, which gave the Ferret from Sherlock Holmes (ACD) the opportunity to shine (or not!!) When Plan A Fails Try Plan B (or Plan C...)

Picking up on my post for Sunshine Revival Challenge #4 and mentioning the Teddy Bear's Zip Wire, Thursday turned out to be the perfect day, both dry and not too hot.  Families brought picnics and their soft toys, the ice cream van came for part of the time, and there was even a selection of children's crafts to try inside the church.

The zip wire was attached at the top of the church tower and then run across the churchyard.  Teddy bears, and other soft toys, were placed in little harnesses and hauled up the outside of the tower in a basket.  They were then attached to the wire and travelled down to be collected by their owners (both young and old).  After which all the teddies were awarded a certificate for their bravery.

Today'sthefridayfive  questions:

5. Name five favourite movies.
Casablanca, Singing in the Rain, The Sting, The Italian Job, The Fifth Element

4. Name four areas of interest you became interested in after you were done with your formal education.
History, Crafting, Astronomy, Battlefields

3. Name three things you would change about this world.
Greater respect for all people; greater care for ecology; a true desire for peace

2. Name two of your favourite childhood toys.
My teddy bear, which I still have, my collection of zoo animals

1. Name one person you could be handcuffed to for a full day.
Please no!