A selection of quotes and pictures to represent April’s reading:
commonplace book
noun
a book into which notable extracts from other works are copied for personal use.
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But it was only in epic tragedies that gloom was unrelieved. In real life, tragedy and comedy were so intermingled that when one was most wretched ridiculous things happened to make one laugh in spite of oneself.
A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer (1961)
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For that matter, why would anyone bother to read a mystery novel if they had any doubts about the man who was leading them to a solution? It’s a simple rule. Detectives have to be infallible. If not, readers will never trust them again.
A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz (2026)
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Clytemnestra, by John Collier, 1882
‘Danger, yes, always,’ the goddess says. ‘Danger and doom and death, but also victory. It might be hard to tell the four apart, from where you stand. An ant caught on a thread cannot discern the loom’s grander design – yet it can change the pattern with its presence.’
Vile Lady Villains by Danai Christopoulou (2026)
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“One’s prime is elusive. You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognise your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur. You must then live it to the full.”
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (1961)
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The idea of the inexplicable meant nothing to them; they did not need it. So much that was inexplicable – for example, the phases of the moon – lay around them that they simply accepted it as part of their lives.
Tales from Watership Down by Richard Adams (1996)
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Pamela ‘Pixie’ Colman Smith from the October 1912 issue of The Craftsman magazine.
A surge of joy flows through me. I realise how much I’ve wanted someone else to know. Love feels real with a witness.
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Only the tone of his voice had remained distinct and clear within her…and a voice is to the blind what artificial light is to other people: it is sufficient to detach in a certain manner the shadows and the reliefs of an individual’s soul.
The Blind Woman of Sorrento by Francesco Mastriani (1852)
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“I asked you to solve my problem for me,” said Maria-Pia, slowly. “That was a foolish thing to do. Nobody can solve problems for other people.”
Dead Men Don’t Ski by Patricia Moyes (1959)
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Human happiness is rarely in the best of circumstances without shadows, and an almost pure happiness can be a terror to itself.
The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch (1973)
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Favourite books read in April:
A Deadly Episode, The Blind Woman of Sorrento and Pixie
Authors read for the first time in April:
Muriel Spark, Danai Christopoulou, Francesco Mastriani, Patricia Moyes
Places visited in my April reading:
England, Scotland, US, Jamaica, Italy
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Reading notes: I started the month with two books for 1961 Club – I enjoyed the Heyer and although I didn’t love my first experience with Muriel Spark, I do intend to try more of her books. The rest of my April reading consisted of some NetGalley review copies, a lost Italian classic, a sequel to a childhood favourite and the Iris Murdoch novel I had started to read in March! In May (can you believe it’s May already?) I’ll be joining in with the Read Christie challenge which I’ve neglected for the last few months, but otherwise I don’t have many plans.
How was your April? What will you be reading in May?
She Reads Novels 
My April was a good month – some really interesting books, although not all were 5 star reads! May is going to be a bit looser, I think – no reading events planned!
I’m glad you’ve had a good month of reading, even if not all of the books were perfect. I hope you enjoy whatever you read in May – sometimes it’s good not to have too many plans!
The Horowitz quote made me smile. And of course, sometimes detectives have to be so fallible that they’re endearing – think of clueless Inspector Clouseau! I’m also amazed you stuck at one quote from the Murdoch, I have about four pages of notes and quotes from The Black Prince. 🙂
It’s often very difficult to narrow down quotes and just choose one per book, but it’s a good problem to have!
That was a great reading month, the quote from Jean Brodie is a good example of her sinister character underlying her ‘charm’, quite horrible!
I thought Miss Brodie was a fascinating character, but yes, quite sinister!
That first Georgette Heyer quote is so true. But I think laughter is what helps us get through all the sad times. Even when it feels a little inappropriate. ;D
Yes, laughter is so important, both at good times and bad. I really liked that quote from Heyer.
The Heyer quote wins this month – I so agree with it! That’s why I hate books that are relentlessly miserable.
Yes, I love that Heyer quote as well. I can cope with miserable books now and then, but prefer them to include at least a little bit of humour!
Looks like a good, eclectic mix of books you read in April, Helen. I finished reading three books, including The Fourth Queen by Nicola Cornick, in April and I am carrying over two books into May. Happy reading! 😊
I’ve just finished The Fourth Queen today and enjoyed it. I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Happy reading in May to you too!
Ooh going to have to look up Vile Lady Villains with that Goddess quote. Did I miss your review (I’ve fallen a bit behind on blog hopping lately) or did you not post one? The quote from Dead Men Don’t Ski intrigues me too, although I’m less certain about the title in that case 🤔 I love how your first and last quote this month almost mirror each other too. Looks like another great month and I look forward to seeing what you pick up in May (I agree, where has this year gone so far??)
I haven’t posted my Vile Lady Villains review yet, but it should hopefully be up later this week. It didn’t entirely work for me, although it mostly did, but I think you would enjoy it as you read more fantasy than I do. I hadn’t noticed my first and last quote were both about laughter/happiness – well spotted!
I’ll keep an eye out for it then 😊 I did look it up and I’m not entirely sure how the characters meeting will work for me but I really hope the author pulls it off as both are villianesses that fascinate me