This month’s reading plan was called “Notes on the Law” and was chosen specifically because I had far too many neglected books on Law and Note taking on my TBR shelf. Additionally, this year I plan to read 12 works of Shakespeare.
NOTES ON THE LAW
A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke was a fun murder mystery pairing young Ruby who has just rented her first Boston apartment and it came complete with the ghost of the former tenant, Cordelia. After a murder in the neighborhood, Cordelia tries to keep Ruby safe while the two solve the mystery together. A fun series and a well produced audiobook. I would love to continue the series.
The Art of Visual Notetaking by Emily Mills has been on my physical TBR for an embarrassingly long time. Even more embarrassing is how quickly I read it. I think the author has solid ideas but I will just stick to doodling.
Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson was another murder audiobook. Usually I prefer Nonfiction for my audiobooks, but I managed to pick up a lot of legal-themed mystery audiobooks this month. This one was probate-based and took me to Georgia and an inherited bookstore. Twists and turns and a couple of fires later and the solution still managed to surprise me!
The Clementine Complex by Bob Mortimer features a quirky British legal assistance Gary in South London. Also embroiled in a murder mystery, Gary has managed to fall quickly in love at first sight with Emily who is being chased by her ex-boyfriend. This book was funny and poignant and I loved it.
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein was a re-read but more informative and enraging this time. To see the myriad of ways the Federal Government conspired to discriminate boggles the brain.
Finally, and proudly I must say, I read Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynn. I have had this one on my shelf for years. I’m not sure the book really talks about the rise of the Comanches, but we certainly get to see the fall. The dichotomy between the abject violence of the tribe and the dedication of Cynthia Ann Parker and Quanah still has me reeling. There are stories in here that terrified me. Honestly, but for disease and superior firearms, the Comanches could have held the line of immigration for much longer. As it was, they managed to Forstall the Spanish, the French, and White settlers for longer than anyone could have anticipated.
BOOKS OUTSIDE THE THEME
How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum stressed me out. All I see is plastic everywhere. I am doing what I can to decrease my plastic consumption but, holy moly, this book only highlighted how little control I have in this world. I’m traumatized in the grocery store.
The Ministry of Unladylike Activity by Robin Stevens is a middle grade off shoot of the YA series A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery. I was surprised to find that it was middle grade but it was such a fun read. Great diversity of cast and growth within the book. People do die an awful lot but middle grade is not for the weak. May Wong runs away from her elite boarding school to try and find her sister and join as a spy. Instead, she is sent to a country home where she meets two new friends who help solve a couple of murders.
Suspicious Minds by Rob Brotherton arrived from the library earlier than expected and demanded to be read. This is the best book I have read about conspiracy theories and has me convinced that everyone believes at least one themselves. If you have ever watched or read about Cults or Conspiracy Theories and wondered, “who could fall for such a thing?” this book has the answer. It has also helped me be empathetic with so many who believe wild things, they are just seeking control in a world wrapped in far more plastic than is necessary for anything (see..? traumatized).
Coming in Hot and The Blonde Identity were two quick reads on my kindle in the middle of the night. Neither kept me up for a long, which was nice of them, but neither provided me joy.
Richard Osman’s We Solve Murders absolutely did not disappoint. I loved (loved) the Thursday Murder Club series and was frankly worried that this one couldn’t live up to the series. I apologize for my doubts, it is just as good. I want to be friends with Rosie and Steve now and be Rosie when I am older.
SHAKESPEARE
This month’s Shakespeare was Much Ado About Nothing. I started with a Manga graphic novel to get an overview of the story and worked through it slowly with the No Fear version. The month culminated in watching the 1993 version with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. I love Beatrice and Benedick in all three versions. I was shocked at how much Branagh, Thompson and Denzel Washington outshined so many of the rest of the cast. Honestly, Micheal Keaton’s Dogberry won the day for me. My favorite quotes include,
When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I was married
Everyone cannot master a grief but he that has it
Kill Claudio (I laughed way too hard at Emma Thompson’s performance and had to replay this several times)
Overall, January was a great month for reading. I cannot believe how many murder mysteries I read this month but, considering the state of the world, I think we do what we must to stay sane.
Tell me, please! What did you read in January?
Silver Button Books 
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