With the new year upon us and at least some of us having resolved to read a bit more or perhaps even take part in the 2023 GoodReads challenge, I thought it might be nice to offer a few suggestions for your to-read shelf, taken straight from my recently-read shelf. As is usually the case with me, most of them are from a good many years ago, as I tend to prefer the gentler writing of earlier eras. (Affiliate links.)

MYSTERY

Nine Coaches Waiting (Mary Stewart, 1958)

Wow! I credit this thrilling and atmospheric novel with reinvigorating my interest in reading. While it begins a bit slowly, it gradually becomes a riveting page-turner and I ended up “gulping” the last half of it in one sitting. It is also tangible proof that intense suspense can be achieved without gore or profanity.  

There Was an Old Woman (Ellery Queen, 1943)

Those who are somewhat familiar with the Ellery Queen novels may have noticed that Ellery Queen books can vary quite a bit by publication date. However, I feel this one may combine the best elements of all the different types of Queen books. The plot is enthralling, the characters are clearly portrayed, and there is a carefully reserved sprinkling of Ellery-style humor throughout. Last but not least, the ending possesses that small spark of positivity and redemption that can make some of these books such a satisfying read. And for those wondering, murder does occur, but there are no gory or unnecessarily lingering descriptions and only a few uses of mild swear-words. 

HUMOR

Miss Buncle’s Book (D.E. Stevenson, 1934)

What a delightful book! This is a wonderfully “cozy” book, complete with small-town intrigue, mysterious goings-on, surprising developments, and even a love story or two mixed in. For those familiar with the movie Sitting Pretty, the setting and events of this book bear similarities to those of Hummingbird Hill. 

Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (Jean Kerr, 1957)

While written in more or less essay style rather than a more traditional narrative style, this is the comedic account of playwright Jean Kerr’s life as the mother of several small children and as an accomplished writer dealing simultaneously with moving her family into a somewhat questionable home out in the country. I laughed aloud at several points in the book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it, although there are one or two chapters toward the end that seemed abrupt and out-of-context, and which I didn’t quite understand. (Incidentally, the movie of the same name, starring Doris Day and David Niven, loosely follows the events of this book.)

NONFICTION

Steps in Time (Fred Astaire, 1959)

In his own charming words, Fred Astaire tells the story of his long-lasting and much-loved career, all the way from his childhood to the beginning of his thoughtful and tentative relationship with television. Along the way, readers learn about his love for family, horses, and of course dance, discovering behind-the-scenes trivia about his many movies along the way. It really offers a good insight into the creative genius of Fred Astaire.