The Ruby in the Smoke | 
pickA random find in a charity shop called to me from my shelves this week. Its an engaging easy read and just what I needed. They call it YA historical fiction. It‘s a mystery with a great creepy Victorian feel and some really grim villains - published in 1985 - there are a few cringey moments but it feels like Pullman was trying to pull away from cultural stereotypes (not quite making it) Highly enjoyable - would make a light creepy October read
pickAn excellent adventure story set in Victorian London with a found family and a stong cast of female characters, considering the setting. Couldn't ask for much more than that.
Only qualm was with the drug use, but it proved important to the story so can't be too mad about it.
pickWell, it was good, but I expected something better tbh. I loved His Dark Materials, and I expected something in that vein again, though set in our world in Victorian times. I liked the characters and the story was fine but it all felt a little flat to me. And I hate it that they didn't find Adelaide again in the end!
Maybe it was just me taking ages to finish it that it felt so flat
@MoonWitch94 #thursday
Thanks for the tag @maich
1) Vacation to family and friends in March. Otherwise I didn't put anything on hold, everything's just going way slower with the kids at home
2) still in the middle of tagged book
3) I took off several evenings for reading instead of doing course work for university
Don't like the cover much, but I found it at the second hand bookstore.
So far it's good. Only a couple chapter in
pickYou don't need a sparkling vampire or a well dressed billionaire to make you evolve as a character and Sally Lockhart proves this throughout this book. In a mere 209 pages Pullman manages to beautifully capture a nail biting thriller, flesh out each and every character in the book to such a degree of perfection that both heroes and villains alike, seemed to jump out of the page. My rating: 4.8/5.
pickSuper quick read. But I liked the story and the characters. I wasn‘t completely satisfied with the ending but it was fun nonetheless.
#currentlyreading
I'm having a terrible reading slump and haven't read as many books this month as I normally would, so I haven't been posting much. These are all the books I'm currently trying to read. I'm hoping to break out of the slump soon!
pickForgie to review this one. I really liked, even though the big revelation at the end came a bit sudden. I will watch the movie next and decide whether it‘s a good one or not. #therubyinthesmoke #pullman #philippullman
Started this one some months ago and never finished it. So I started all over.
#philippullman #pullman #therubyinthesmoke #rubyinthesmoke
This was actually a book which was mentioned in one of my English schoolbooks I use in class. It sounded good, so I got it for myself. 😊
#therubyinthesmoke #philippullman #derrubinimrauch
I read this one as part of my YA Lit class in college. I enjoyed the many characters and actually created a cheat sheet for myself to keep the storylines straight.
This was my first Pullman novel.
#yawednesday
#YAWednesday #mysterythriller
This historical thriller fiction series featuring 16-year old Sally Lockhart.
pickIt's been ages since I read this, but for some reason I felt like it today. I don't know if I'll bother rereading all of them -- I never liked The Tin Princess that much, and I think The Tiger in the Well was a longer read. This one took me just over an hour and I ate it up: Sally is a great heroine.
I have the Sally Lockhart mystery #series on my TBR shelves. I‘ll get to them one day. Soonish.
#litsyclassics #maylovesclassics
Almost done on this! Not as great as I was expecting, but I‘ve enjoyed it! Northern lights is still my favourite Pullman though 😊
Today's #uncannyoctober photo challenge is #hatsandotherheadgear
I was spoilt for choice
@RealLifeReading
Book Haul #3. Was listening to @Robchilver and @magic_kitten on their podcast, Adventures with Words, and Kate mentioned this series. Ordered them from Amazon UK.
Order of books:
• The Shadow in the North
• The Tin Princess
• The Ruby in the Smoke
• The Tiger in the Wall
Found these at a secondhand book fair. Really like the cover design on these copies
pickWith the death of her father, 16 year-old Sally Lockhart has been left an orphan. Struggling to live with a cold aunt, she receives a mysterious letter that will bring her in the path of her father's killers and a cursed ruby.
I loved Phillip Pullman's Dark Material series but hadn't realize he'd written a mystery series until I saw the PBS series (this is one of two episodes). Set in Victorian England, I enjoyed this short mystery novel.
Time for another new read for me.
I do like Pullman's work, so hoping this is as good as what else I've read! 😊
#newread #secondhandbook #prelovedbooks #philippullman #fiction
pickI loved revisiting this series in audio and felt captivated by Sally's story and mystery yet again. Pullman was one of my first fave authors and the reason is his writing really pulls you into the story.
so-soA mystery involving a 16-year-old girl, her recently-deceased father's past and his shipping business, an asian triad, a handsome young photographer who isn't great with money, a really nasty old woman, a ruby, and a fair amount of opium. Not a bad read; the story was enjoyable enough, but I wasn't engaged to the extent that I feel I need to read the rest of the series.
Sally Lockhart is a teen heroine with plenty of skills and spirit! After the death of her father she must find her own way in the world and put to rest her suspicions that his death was no accident. It's a fun, atmospheric, action-packed adventure, YA but with plenty for adults to enjoy. I've only read the first one but I'll get to the others one day... #smellsliketeenspirit #junetunz
Picked this series up @TheBookmarkPR Boutique today. Hoping it will help me overcome the feeling of depression blanketing me today. And Harry and Hedwig always bring a smile to my face!
#bookishresolutions
To read more of the books on my "someday" pile, they've been neglected for far too long, already.
To stay more on top of book releases... it was so much easier when I was working in a bookstore, can't be lazy, now!
To investigate into my school library's Percy Shelley collection... they have a 20-something volume set that was making me drool.
Finally getting around to starting this series. It's been a few years in the making, but the end of the semester seems like a good time to start! So far, it's REALLY good! =] #formerbookseller
"Her name was Sally Lockhart; and within fifteen minutes, she was going to kill a man." Pullman's 16-year-old heroine who "shoots like a demon" and is always involved in a deadly web of events, is not your normal girl next door.
The Honourable, fabulous Miss Phryne Fisher, 1920s‘ most elegant sleuth, handles danger with aplomb and flair..all in her stylish outfits!
These 2 are my favourite #kickassheroines #seasonsreadings2016 @RealLifeReading
Reputedly, Pullman wrote a play for his daughter and her friends for some sort of school event, and that play was the genesis of the Sally Lockhart stories! Dark, intense, and well-researched, these are steampunk novels that feature an independent young woman who confronts the harsh realities of Victorian life while solving a couple of its mysteries. The audiobook narrator (Qyburn on GOT) is absolutely brilliant #audiobookpantheon #recommendsday
Oh, this was one of my go to #rereads growing up! I just loved it so much! 💗
#somethingforsept #septphotochallenge There's just something about the expression on her face....and that mean old lady....and the colors...that made me choose this one for ugly cover day!
About to see The Ruby in The Smoke performed at the Ed Fringe! It had been a wonderful week and a bit of fantastic, thought provoking and awe-inspiring shows!
Just started this series from a favorite author...lets see where it goes!
pickFirst intro to Pullman. There is alternating points of view which may leave some readers confused but this is so worth the read. Ten years ago I recommended this to many of my 8th graders. Sadly, this wonderful book is too high for the majority of my recent 8th grades.
Trying to break out of a mega reading slump with a reread of an old favourite
