This month’s #ArmedWithABingo feature is writer Chris Hall who writes at Luna’s online and is a published author.
How’s reading going this year?
Pretty well, I think! As usual, I’ve read an eclectic mix of books across various genres including fantasy, crime, mystery, thriller, historical fiction, environmental activism, poetry and memoir.
I like to support Indie authors, as well as reading books by big, best-selling authors. My particular favourites in the latter group are Isabel Allende and Margaret Atwood. Both write the most beautiful prose. Oh, I wish that I could write like that!
What made you join #ArmedWithABingo?
It’s a fun idea and I thought it would encourage me to explore different books than I otherwise might. For example, I’m not a huge fan of memoir but I thoroughly enjoyed Raymond Blanc’s ‘A Taste of my Life’. I do love recipes and food generally though!
Equally, although I frequently read poems by writers/poets whom I follow on WordPress, I rarely sit down and read a book of poetry. I really enjoyed Eric Keegan’s ‘Lines in an Amusement Park’, and now I have a couple of poetry collections on my ‘to be read’ list written by poets I’ve come across through the ‘blogosphere’.
When you first looked at your board, was there a prompt that you were super excited to start first or one that terrified you in some way?
I’d just ordered both ‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood and ‘The Long Petal of the Sea’ by Isabel Allende, so I knew that I already had two books from the board that I’d really relish reading. I saved both of them for later in the year as I’d received a special offer from Kindle Unlimited in January, so was keen to take advantage of that before it expired in February. I still haven’t started ‘The Testaments’; somehow it doesn’t seem to be the right sort of book to read during these troubled times.
Talking of which (the troubled times that is), with bookstores and libraries closed, I decided to wade into my own shelves of ‘to be reads’. I’m an avid collector of bargain (and beautiful) books, so there’s plenty to choose from. This is where I found ‘The Seventh Sacrament’ by David Hewson and ‘The Black Album’ by Hanif Kureishi, both of which I bought last year. I’ve mostly leaned towards crime stories, mysteries and thrillers over the last few months. These seemed to have kept me more grounded just now.
There isn’t anything on the board that has daunted me, although I have to say that ‘Moby Dick’ was a little hard going, although I did enjoy it overall.
I’m still to find a book with food in the title (all suggestions welcome!). I could re-read ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ by Laura Esquivel, a superb little novel combining ‘recipes, romance and home remedies’. I still might anyway since now I’ve picked it up I just want to read it again!
How far along on the board are you at the moment?
I’m 80 per cent of the way through now and it’s been a very pleasurable breeze! My reviews and my Goodreads book challenge are here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62107379
Apart from #ArmedWithABingo, are you taking part in any other challenges?
I signed up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge again this year and set myself a not very challenging target of 36 books: 21 down, 15 to go.
Apart from an avid reader, what are your other interests?
If I’m not reading, I’m usually writing. I’m around two-thirds through the first draft of my fourth novel and, as a break from that, I write stories and poems on my blog site several times a week.
My other passions have been curtailed for the moment: meeting friends for coffee (and cake), lovely lunches at some of our nearby wine farms and opera, ballet and theatre. I’m very fortunate to live between Cape Town and the winelands of the Western Cape of South Africa, so all these things are normally on tap and almost on my doorstep.
And finally, I have to mention my little ‘mews’ Luna, after whom my blogsite is named, ‘Luna’s online’.
Ways to connect with Chris: Find her on her blog, Twitter and Instagram.
Reminder that Quarter 2 check in will be happening June 22-27. Take a look at this post if you aren’t sure how it will work!
Are you part of the #ArmedWithABingo community and want to be featured as you progress through the board? Let me know. 🙂 Spots are open for August and onwards!
It was a pleasure talking to you and sharing my reading, Kriti 🙂 I shall share widely!
I’ve been wanting to read Like Water for Chocolate ever since I saw the film in my college Spanish class! Magical realism is one of my favorite genres. I’ve also had Allende’s The House of the Spirits on my TBR for years.
I’ve heard good things about Saltfish Girl, by Larissa Lai, which could work for either your dystopia or food title squares!