Finished rereading Hild by Nicola Griffith, the first part of a fictional biography of the lightly-documented Saint Hilda of Whitby. I love this book, love how it centers girls and women in its well-researched portrayal of seventh-century life. I read this slowly enough that having the ebook was a huge advantage: Whenever a character I’d forgotten showed up again, I could quickly search to remind myself who they were.
Finished reading Index, A History of the by Dennis Duncan. Duncan made the topic as lively and entertaining as it could possibly be, though chapter seven did drag a bit.
Finished reading Last Exit by Max Gladstone. Lots of thoughts about the book — reminds me of Stephen King I read ages ago; repetitious and hamfisted observations on the Way the World Is Today; difficult to stay focused on, especially the first half — but in the end it won me over, and I really enjoyed it.
Finished rereading The Nutmeg of Consolation by Patrick O’Brian, book 14 of the Aubrey/Maturin series. Not quite as strong as the previous, but still a worthy continuation. The scenes in the penal colony of New South Wales, later in the book, are restrained but still horrifying.
Finished rereading The Thirteen Gun Salute by Patrick O’Brian, book 13 of the Aubrey/Maturin series. This is one of my favorites in the series, with some of the most memorable scenes, and for once the next book will start more or less where this leaves off. I can’t recommend this as the first to read (that would be H.M.S. Surprise), but it’s a high point to look forward to.