I haven't actually been anywhere. but I am on holiday, so it's holiday reading.
On my Kindle I have been reading 50 Shade of Grey by E L James. I haven't quite finished it, but I really can't see what everyone is raving about. I have read many more much better written books. Christian Grey is not a terribly well developed character, nor is Anastasia Steele. The book seems to be written just to describe the sex taking part. I don't really care about either main character. I might be in the minority in not liking the book much, but suspect differently. Although in the book's favour I will say it is an incredibly easy book to read, and my son's girlfriend said that she read it in a day.
As for real books.
The Woman who Died a Lot by Jasper Fforde.
This is the latest Thursday Next book. Swindon is due to be "Smitten" on Friday, in the biblical sense of the word. Tuesday Next, Thursday's 15 year old daughter, is working on an anti-smiting device. Chronogaurd has been disbanded, and has left some with very difficult lives to lead. Goliath are up to their dirty tricks, and Jack Shitt is in the thick of it as usual. Despite dying several times in the book, (you have to read it to understand this, but it makes sense,) Thursday wins through.
I really love Jasper Fforde's books and this is just as good as the rest of them. And Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey is much superior, in my opinion. There is also lots of grey in it! lol.
Knife by R J Anderson
An engrossing book about a faerie called Knife who is not as cute as fairy tales would have us believe.
Little People by Tom Holt.
This one's about elves. Michael has seen an elf, but his step-father discourages him from talking about it. Some years later he encounters another elf, and this time he is drawn into their world. It turns out that Daddy George, Michael's step-father, has enslaved some elves and Michael is the only one who can save them. Another brilliantly crazy Tom Holt book.
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis.
Nina gets an urgent hone call from her friend, asking her to meet. She is given a key to a left luggage locker, told to collect what is inside, but not to open until well away from the railway station.
It's a suitcase, and inside is a young naked boy. The story travels from Denmark, to Lithuania and back with loads of tension. It's a brilliant mystery and very well translated. I think translators of novels are getting better, as earlier translations always seemed a bit clunky to me, but this one is really well done.
The Sweet Smell of Decay by Paul Lawrence.
I've almost finished this one, will do after I've finished here.
Henry Lytle is asked to investigate a particularly brutal murder. He's told that the victim is his cousin. He's ably assisted by Davy Dowling, a butcher. Set in Restoration England there are very detailed descriptions of the squalor of the lower classes living conditions, but I think the title also refers to the corruption of the court at the time, and the way factions were deliberately set against each other. The detail of living conditions, and some of the murders are not for the squeamish, but it is an excellent book. I believe it is the first of a series.