I had such grand plans regarding reading goals this year... haha! I might manage to squeeze in one more book before 2024 ends, but hitting ten is definitely off the table. Oh well, it’s all a learning process, right? Trial and error. Here's to trying again next year!
My aim: read ten books this year, providing short reviews for each. I’ll record them in the chart below, which I'll add to with every read.
| Date complete | Title | Author | Rating (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03.04.24 | Dune | Frank Herbert | 8.5 |
| 20.07.24 | A Thousand Splendid Suns | Khaled Hosseini | 9.5 |
| 22.12.24 | Death on the Nile | Agatha Christie | 5 |
"And so it begins..." – my epic globetrotting journey included a classic murder mystery. (Let's just say the book rivalled the intricacy of my flight itinerary.)
Not much of a movie gal, I brought with me an aged copy of Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile". It proved a worthy companion whilst traversing five cities and four countries to get back to NZ for Christmas. (The journey was as thrilling as any Poirot investigation, believe me.)
From Manchester to Beijing, then Guangzhou (shoutout to its jaw-dropping airport), Haikou, and finally Auckland, each leg of the trip matched the novel’s suspenseful buildup.
Christie crafts a sun-soaked, boat-bound puzzle full of eccentric characters, sinister motives, and, of course, the immaculate Hercule Poirot. As the Nile flows, so does the tension, with several twists and turns. Christie’s portrayal of greed, jealousy, and love-gone-wrong is pretty timeless, and Poirot’s unwavering logic is a delight.
I'd never read an Agatha Christie novel before - I found it a little dry in parts, and the detail lacked. It may have been a bit predictable, too. But overall it was a fun, simple but entertaining read. Perfect for long commutes.
** Before I conclude and join the family for brunch, I'd like to leave you with a little FYI...
For those thinking about a similar route (why?!): be prepared. Internet access requires a Chinese number and specific accounts, so bring a good book to stave off boredom. Many shops and services only accept QR codes via WeChat Pay or Alipay, systems requiring long-term residency to register. Cash is your best friend here. Appreciate your online freedom - you’ll miss it!
All in all, my travels were paired perfectly with Christie’s mystery. "Death on the Nile" is a captivating escape, especially at 30,000 feet above it all.
Happy reading, Hivers. 📚
Only three down, but that's probably it for this year! Helaas.
Happy, Happy Holidays ~~~ 🎄👨👩👧👦 💫🧡
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Photographs: unless otherwise noted, all images were taken by me with an iPhone 8
