Friday Reads 12/19/2025

It's Friday! Let's talk about books. Yes? Yes!

May Contain Murder by Orlando Murrin - The last time I posted about this book, I said a necklace had been stolen, but considering the title, there is probably a murder coming. I was right. In a cruel twist, the murder victim is the same woman whose necklace was stolen. Our man Paul was very good friends with the victim and he is convinced it was murder, while everyone else on the boat thinks she choked on a piece of chocolate cake. Paul is in a significantly weird place. He was on the boat as a gues of the victim because he was helping her write her memoirs. So he's not one of the rich and famous folks on the boat. His room is in the crew quarters, so he has a crew access badge that also allows him into certain guest spaces as well. He is frequently asked to help in the kitchen as he is a renowned chef. This allows him to listen to crew gossip. When he helps serve meals, he become one of the "help" that the guests barely even register. Another prime opportunity to overhear and observe. I am now 40% through the book. I have spotted some plot holes, which is rare for me, but maybe they will get tied up at the end.

The 33 by Hector Tobar - I have not quite read 50 pages in this one. The mine collapse has just happened and the men stuck in the mine are gathering together and taking stock while the people outside the mine are realizing the actual immensity of the problem. There are 33 men down there. It's hard to keep them all straight in my head. So far the author has identified them with other markers like, "(name) who is called CD because he sells pirated music discs." I don't know how long that will continue. It helps keep them straight, but it might get annoying after 200 pages or so. I'm not loving it. We'll see how far we get. I'm tempted to pick up something else along with it.

I still want to try to read a historical fiction from my shelves, just to be able to write something on that section in my book journal. But none of those has jumped off the shelf and said, "Pick me!"

In other news, I have read 78 books this year. I don't think it will be too hard to hit that 80 books goal, now. Especially since I'm reading a book for work that will count as well.

As for reading time, tonight is book club. I will be able to read tomorrow after work, I think. I ring bells in church Sunday morning, but I might get to read in the afternoon until dance in the evening, if I don't take a nap. I have exactly one thing on Monday: an appointment at 11:00 am. I hope to do a lot of resting and reading the rest of the day.

What are you reading this weekend?