also just searching for a readily attainable copy of 'Turtles all the way down", after reading TFIOS, Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska (fav).Have you tried seeing if a copy of Turtles is available in your local library? That might be a great way to start! ;D
Have you tried seeing if a copy of Turtles is available in your local library? That might be a great way to start! ;DI ran through the the plot Summaries of "An abundance of Katherines, and didn't like it as much as I liked "Turtles all the way down. But I am open to suggestions, and that is next in line after Turtles... :D
I'm also really glad you find that Looking for Alaska is your fave! (I really liked that one, it was the first John Green book I bought as well haha)
I also recommend An Abundance of Katherines as well, whilst we're talking about John Green :)
I just finished a book called To the Bitter End by Peter Hartcher, and I really, really enjoyed it.
It's a book on the fall of the Howard Government and the rise of the Rudd Government. This was interesting to me for a few reasons:
* I wrote my Honours thesis on media representations of the Rudd/Gillard Governments.
* Peter Hartcher penned some of the articles that I analysed.
* The book started out with development of the Howard/Costello/Downer/Turnbull/Andrews/Abbott etc. relationships, which I knew less about.
I found the whole thing fascinating from cover to cover, and am hoping Hartcher has written other books more recently (I think this one went up to 2008 only).
How about you? What are you reading at the moment?
He has written some books since! I read one of his books (I think it was called the Sweet Spot) some time ago. Basically about how Australia managed to survive the GFC and the policies that have made this country successful, with the classic warning for the future attached.
Does this focus mostly on the policies, or the politicians behind them?
The author is a Director of the NYU Human Microbiome Program and Professor of Microbiology at the New York University School of Medicine.
This is a really eye opening book about how we are somewhat *mistreating* people via giving people antibiotics and breeding a generation of super bugs. The real life case scenario that he talks about where (no antibiotics may no longer stop previously stoppable bacteria).
With the overuse of antibiotics through prescription and in animal production, it may breed a generation of "fragile" humans with weak immune systems!
He argues that for something like a simple cold or cut, we may not need antibiotics. He also argues that it isn't beneficial for us in the long term!
(https://i.imgur.com/JAfkKos.png)
I'm not sure if I'm educated enough to believe his premise, but it is a sort of eye opening book from someone who obviously has lots of experience in the area!
To be honest with you, I can't really remember. I've had a quick read of a synopsis and basically it talks about how Australia became a successful country, by tracking those "big moments" in our history. It sort of looks at the cultural foundation of our politics and why that has generated such a high standard of living for this country.
Last night I finished The Party Thieves by Barrie Cassidy. I found it interesting; it focused on the build-up to and duration of the 2010 federal election. Pretty nifty election to cover given its context and eventual closeness.
Would recommend!
You have two options. You die, or you Qualify.
The year is 2047. An extinction-level asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, and the descendants of ancient Atlantis have returned from the stars in their silver ships to offer humanity help.
But there’s a catch.
They can only take a tiny percent of the Earth’s population back to the colony planet Atlantis. And in order to be chosen, you must be a teen, you must be bright, talented, and athletic, and you must Qualify.
Sixteen-year-old Gwenevere Lark is determined not only to Qualify but to rescue her entire family.
Because there’s a loophole.
If you are good enough to Qualify, you are eligible to compete in the brutal games of the Atlantis Grail, which grants all winners the laurels, high tech luxuries, and full privileges of Atlantis Citizenship. And if you are in the Top Ten, then all your wildest wishes are granted… Such as curing your mother’s cancer.
There is only one problem.
Gwen Lark is known as a klutz and a nerd. While she’s a hotshot in classics, history, science, and languages, the closest she’s come to sports is a backyard pool and a skateboard.
This time she is in over her head, and in for a fight of her life, against impossible odds and world-class competition—including Logan Sangre, the most amazing guy in her school, the one she’s been crushing on, and who doesn’t seem to know she exists.
Because every other teen on Earth has the same idea.
You Qualify or you die.
Long walk to freedom by Nelson Mandela.Well?
800 page's. I'll report in a month.. ;)
Well?
Enjoying "The Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov, a must-read for any Sci-Fi people out there, the first book in a trilogy about a future detective, who has to work with a humanoid robot. It's pretty cool, I really love books by Asimov and Robert Heinlein, also.Have you read 'I, Robot'?
Have you read 'I, Robot'?Yeah, I thought it was really good. I basically like all of Asimov's robot books, they're pretty cool. If you like a lot of philosophy in sci-fi, you start with Heinlein's "Tunnel in the Sky", which is an awesome book also, though many of his books are just as good.
I'm more of a fantasy kinda guy, I would read most fantasy, and a bit of Sci-fi, gladly. I'm currently rereading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and later Brandon Sanderson, but my favourite books are the KingKiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss.hey, a fellow epic fantasy lover! Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is awesome. I still need to get around to finishing it though. And Patrick Rothfuss is a great author, too. Ever read Brandon Sanderson?
hey, a fellow epic fantasy lover! Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is awesome. I still need to get around to finishing it though. And Patrick Rothfuss is a great author, too. Ever read Brandon Sanderson?Of course, although in saying that I've only read the stormlight archive from him apart from his Wheel of Time books. Have you ever read the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks?
Of course, although in saying that I've only read the stormlight archive from him apart from his Wheel of Time books. Have you ever read the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks?No, but it's been on my list for a while, will definitely update if I ever get around to it.
No, but it's been on my list for a while, will definitely update if I ever get around to it.I've heard good things about mistborn but I've just been caught up with my english texts to read it
I recommend the Mistborn series by Sanderson.
An occasional student who comes upon the name may wonder idly who William Stoner was, but he seldom pursues his curiosity beyond a casual question. Stoner’s colleagues, who held him in no particular esteem when he was alive, speak of him rarely now; to the older ones, his name is a reminder of the end that awaits them all, and to the younger ones it is merely a sound which evokes no sense of the past and no identity with which they can associate themselves or their careers.
I've just started reading a book called Footballistics which is all about the intersection between statistics and Aussie rules. The misuse of stats in footy has been a bugbear of mine for a long time, so much so that I almost made a bigfooty account just to start a thread and rant about it, so this was a super cool find!
Just starting the CHERUB series...CHERUB was my all-time fave series in HS! (The original 12 books were the best aha)
From what I've heard, it's kind of a mix of HIVE and Alex Rider, so hopefully it's good.
It's also pretty long, so RIP exam prep... :P
CHERUB was my all-time fave series in HS! (The original 12 books were the best aha)LOL.
I still read the author's works- he just released a new book (Killer T) that I'm about 200 pages into rn. Hopefully you enjoy CHERUB though!!! Let me know how you go! :)
CHERUB was my all-time fave series in HS! (The original 12 books were the best aha)
I still read the author's works- he just released a new book (Killer T) that I'm about 200 pages into rn. Hopefully you enjoy CHERUB though!!! Let me know how you go! :)
LOL.Once you’ve finished that, there’s another series called Henderson Boys which is set during ww2 and when they started using kids. It’s aimed at a bit of an older audience and isn’t as light hearted as Cherub. Personally I didn’t like it as much as Cherub (although I still read every one I could find) but you might :PTwo out of thirteen down... :P
#Binge
EDIT: Make that three out of thirteen... :-\
Once you’ve finished that, there’s another series called Henderson Boys which is set during ww2 and when they started using kids. It’s aimed at a bit of an older audience and isn’t as light hearted as Cherub. Personally I didn’t like it as much as Cherub (although I still read every one I could find) but you might :PThanks. I'll check them out after exams. :)
I recently finished Phantom of the Opera, so now I'm onto Wuthering Heights! :))o_0 WHERE?
(After that, I plan to read some of the poetry I recently bought!!! ^-^ )
o_0 WHERE?From a bookstore. Maybe I'm secretly the poet ;)
I just finished the whole Zac Power series (anyone else read these as kiddies?)
I just finished the whole Zac Power series (anyone else read these as kiddies?)
From a bookstore. Maybe I'm secretly the poet ;)
(I haven't actually ever touched a Zac Power book. :-[ )
W H A T >:( >:( >:( G O T O T H E L I B R A R Y A N D R E A D O N E A S A PI'm sorry <3
I recently finished Phantom of the Opera, so now I'm onto Wuthering Heights! :))Update: I also just finished Robert Muchamore's Killer T. I will begin to read previously mentioned poetry- starting with Neon Soul by Alexandra Elle! :))
(After that, I plan to read some of the poetry I recently bought!!! ^-^ )
I've just started reading Tess d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy! Hopefully this book lives up to my expectations! ;D
I just borrowed Hegel's The Phenomenology of Spirit . Tbh I've always found understanding Hegel a bit difficult, but still keen nonetheless.Have you tried "Essays" By Montaigne?
Have you tried "Essays" By Montaigne?
Seems a similar vein... :)
I'd love to know what your thoughts were on Tess of the D'Urbervilles!Personally, I found it very slow to start with, but I love how the story developed. It was also really heartbreaking and sad. I have many emotions about the book, but I can't seem to put any words to it aha! :)
Jumping between books at the moment, rotating between The Lieutenant, Leah on the Offbeat, Dancing Girls and Other Stories (Margaret Atwood), and Wuthering Heights! ^-^Me too! Jumping between Sweetbitter, The Idiot, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I kind of feel like picking up Howards End too. ???
Finished my second reading of 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' by Benjamin Alire Saenz and wow I cannot praise it highly enoughI just read a tiny extract of this, and it jumped straight to the top 5 of my “to read” list! Love it! :D
Have started reading KRudd's second volume of his autobiography. Very policy focused atm which can at times be a bit of a drag, but interesting nonetheless.
I'm like two-thirds of the way through Volume 1. Would be really interested to hear how you've found Volume 2 if you stuck with it.
Have had a little bit of a hiatus but will get back to it once I'm done with my current book. Almost up to the juicy bits! How are you finding volume 1?
Finished my second reading of 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' by Benjamin Alire Saenz and wow I cannot praise it highly enough
Also revisiting my childhood favorite and 1st classic: The Count of Monte Cristo!Ooohhhh. I ❤ the Count!!!
Ooohhhh. I ❤ the Count!!!
Is second reading as good as the first though? 🤔
Ooohhhh. I ❤ the Count!!!The Count is an amazing story, absolutely love it. One of the all-time greatest classics.
Is second reading as good as the first though? 🤔
Just finished Reboots by Amy Tintera.that was a decent read, if I recall a sleepless night in year 10 correctly :D
It was an intriguing but slightly disturbing dystopian read. I loved the non-human POV. :)
Starting tonight: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee AhdiehTell me how this one goes- I finished her one of her other books, 'Flame in the Mist' last week, and I loved it!
The first book of the series (trilogy?) was amazing!
Finished a few days ago: Phantom of the Opera and Northanger Abbey (clearly, I had a lot of spare time during work lmao)What do you think of Great Expectations so far? :)
Next book: Great Expectations (been reading it on and off so I'm hoping I could finish it off soon)
What do you think of Great Expectations so far? :)The plot is a bit slow, but I'm really not liking Estella's character at the moment. I'm hoping she gets redeemed further in the novel. Apart from that, I just feel bad for Pip (the fact that he's an orphan, the way he's treated by his sister and Estella).
Everyone says read books, lots of books, and i just want to know.
What is the difference between if i read (lets say) 1000 Fictional books and if i read 1000 non-fictional books?
Ideally you'd probably learn more from the world with non-fiction books. Fiction books might allow you to develop a better writing style or even further develop a sense of empathySo i if i read non-fictional books, would that make me smarter? In the sense of being more logical/political?
Read whatever you enjoy best, however, not for ideal benefits. I read both non-fiction and fiction -- just whatever catches my eye at the time
So i if i read non-fictional books, would that make me smarter? In the sense of being more logical/political?
Read whatever you enjoy best, however, not for ideal benefits. I read both non-fiction and fiction -- just whatever catches my eye at the time
So i if i read non-fictional books, would that make me smarter? In the sense of being more logical/political?
The plot is a bit slow, but I'm really not liking Estella's character at the moment. I'm hoping she gets redeemed further in the novel. Apart from that, I just feel bad for Pip (the fact that he's an orphan, the way he's treated by his sister and Estella).I found it slow too.
But yeah, I'm hoping to finish it soon (from what I know about Dickens, he really likes to comment on social class).
Reading should really be about interest and/or enjoyment. Forcing yourself to read a particular type of book purely based on the idea that it would make you "smarter" will kill any genuine interest you have. I reiterate Caleb's post:
Personally speaking - I lost a love of reading mid way through high school... I believe being forced to read novels that I had no interest in contributed to this as it was considered a chore rather than something worth doing. I don't think i've picked up a book and read since I had to in high school... which is a shame but my sad reality.
Definitely agree with Aaron's response to this.understood, thanks guys!
If you want to be more learned on a topic (note: learned, not smarter), reading is a good way to go about it. But it'll only get you so far. Talk to others on the topic -- books usually only hold a single viewpoint, being that of the author. If you want to become more political/logical, as you put it, talk to others on the topic. Exchanging ideas and viewpoints can allow you to further enchance your view by finding the weakpoints of your own view or the strong points of another.
Again though, unless your reading is for study or work, reading should be pleasurable. Read what you enjoy and you'll benefit :)
Currently reading: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely FineI loved Eleanor! Hope you enjoy it :)
Next two reads: Warcross and The Thirty-Nine Steps (the latter adding to my collection of orange-covered Penguins!)
(https://i.imgur.com/shU2Sbs.jpg)
I am reading brawling go manga at this moment and This is my favourite manga.
I loved Eleanor! Hope you enjoy it :)I did!
I finished Adnan's Story the other week. Was very good. Highly recommend to anybody who has listened to and enjoyed Serial.
OOoooOOOoo, looks i'll be adding that to my list of books to read!! Loved the first two seasons of Serial and can't wait to finish season 3!!
Currently reading; Bloom by Beau Taplin and The Up Side Of Down by Megan McArdle
Bloom is a collection of poems on on growth, the heart, their stories, their scars and the challenging times; if you liked Milk and Honey you'll like Bloom.
The Up Side Of Down is a book on why failing well is the key to success.
I finished Adnan's Story the other week. Was very good. Highly recommend to anybody who has listened to and enjoyed Serial.*adds to the to listen list*
Have you listened to Undisclosed?
The Sun and Her Flowers - Rupi KaurI really enjoyed that one, I hope you do too! ^-^
I really enjoyed that one, I hope you do too! ^-^
Have you read Milk and Honey? :)
Haruki Murakami's pretty famous for his contemporary fictional work. I'm almost done with "Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche", one of his (lesser known) non-fictions and I must say,
damn. This book is fucking riveting. My commutes to uni haven't been more moving than the past few days and the book just sends me to class feeling strange.
I'm currently reading a book called "Homo Deus" by Yuval Noah Harari. Most people have heard of Harari through his book, "Sapiens", which covers how human civilisation has evolved over time to become what we are today. Homo Deus is the second of that series and focusses more on what narratives humans rely on to navigate today's world, as well as what obstacles humans will face in the future. He starts off discussing how in future humans will thrive for infinite happiness, immortality and, through the assistance of medical evolution and technology, divinity. Pretty thought provoking stuff!!
Just picked up reading The Book Ninja- it's been on my TBR for a while, I've heard nothing but positive things, so high hopes for this book!
what's it about?It's basically a cheesy romance-type book, but with plenty of Jane Austen book references haha.
The wonderful ladies who wrote it are Melbourne-based and co-created the Books on the Rail initiative, which is what inspired them to write in the first place!
I am thinking of starting to read Maze Runner, as one of my friends recommended it for me.Given that Maze runner is one of the most popular books out there, there must be some who have read it. What do you guys think? Should I read it? What's it about?
Getting stuck into the second book of the Tomorrow series, The Dead of Night and man, the way they describe deaths in this book is... vivid...
I know right! Really, really enjoyed reading that series!Funnily enough, I'm reading to Kill a Mockingbird at the moment, too! (For fun aha)
At the moment I'm reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" (for school) but the language use has been really, really fun!
I'm also reading "The Bogan Mondrain". I've read about 50 pages, and the story has been a little slow so far. I've heard it gets better and so I'm holding on.
Funnily enough, I'm reading to Kill a Mockingbird at the moment, too! (For fun aha)
Also starting on the Nevernight Chronicles, in time for the release of book 3!
Ah cool! Are you enjoying TKMB?I am! Are you enjoying it so far? :)
I am! Are you enjoying it so far? :)
I have an illustrated version of The Hobbit I am reading to my nephew. He's (almost) two, and he can speak basic words, but he doesn't quite understand the book. However he enjoys the pictures, likes the voices I put on, and will try to say new words as I read them.Although of a different version, I remeber being read an illustrated version of the hobbit when I was a wee lad. I don't really recall the story as such (I do know the story as I have read it since), but I do remember looking at the pictures.this one as there's a few versions(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nv0Bbn-JL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Just finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. A friend recommended it to me and I finished it in a day, it’s that good. Quite confronting on the loneliness topic.I too liked Eleanor Oliphant, I read it earlier this year. It is definitely confronting on the topic of loneliness! :)
I've almost finished Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design - which I have enjoyed every minute of reading.I really enjoyed The Grand Design too.
But I have a dilemma... I don't know what book I should read once I've finished it.
I have some options...
3. Why We Sleep by Matthew WalkerI've heard some pretty good things about this. Supposed to drastically change the way people look at the importance of sleep.
5. Cosmos by Carl SaganBeen on my reading list for a while, Sagan's supposed to be a master expositor.
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen HawkingI actually found these fairly boring. If you've done some physics and science (which it looks like you have:), then you might find them a bit superficial and plodding.
8. Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson
I've almost finished Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design - which I have enjoyed every minute of reading.
But I have a dilemma... I don't know what book I should read once I've finished it.
I have some options...
1. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
2. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
3. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
4. The Little Book of Psychology
5. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
7. A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss
8. Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Currently reading the 'Children of Virtue and Vengeance'. It came out quite quickly so me being me, I scrambled to the Dymocks bookstore, bought it with my gift card and literally hugged it.Pls tell me if you like this one! I've heard a lot of good things and I'm keen to actually read that series... when I get around to it :D
It's the second book in the Children of Blood and Bone series and it's pretty good. Highly recommend to anyone who likes young adult books and fantasy.
Pls tell me if you like this one! I've heard a lot of good things and I'm keen to actually read that series... when I get around to it :DYES, I love it! It's probably one of my favourite books of all time! You should definitely read this series! You won't regret it! ;D ;D
Currently reading: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus.I loved 'One of Us is Lying'! It was also pretty easy to read which was a major plus! I've been recommending it to everyone! How do you like the second book so far? ;D
I absolutely loved her first book, One of Us is Lying, and 100% recommend it to anyone who likes murder mystery.
It may sound cliché but it's a nice, chill read which keeps you on your toes :) A great book to get you back into reading.
Last night, I finished This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. I found it extremely enjoyable and humorous but also very thought-provoking and sad. It follows the experiences of a junior doctor (in the NHS) through their career. It's split into journal entries, so if you can equally read it for three minutes or three hours at a time.
Really recommend it to everybody. All of the actual medical stuff is extremely well explained for the layperson (like me) in footnotes. 10/10!
Last night, I finished This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. I found it extremely enjoyable and humorous but also very thought-provoking and sad. It follows the experiences of a junior doctor (in the NHS) through their career. It's split into journal entries, so if you can equally read it for three minutes or three hours at a time.
Really recommend it to everybody. All of the actual medical stuff is extremely well explained for the layperson (like me) in footnotes. 10/10!
I just finished reading it this month! If you are more interested in medical stuff, read When Breath Becomes Air. It’s about a neurosurgeon resident (basically still training to be a neurosurgeon) who becomes diagnosed with a certain disease. It does not have the humour found in Adam McKay’s book, but I found it to be much more profound. Read it 2 times or more, to my memory. Give it a go!
About to start reading House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J Maas! I'm excited but terrified to read this big one because I've heard that it can be slow for a lot of the book! 🙈
I LOVE Sarah J Maas! Have you read her other series'? My all-time favourite is TOG and I've probably read all the books a billion times over. ACOTAR is good too, but TOG holds a special place in my heart. I want to read Crescent City but I hate books that end on cliffhangers/just end in general because I want to know MORE (the pain is real) so I'll probably start reading when a few more books come out.I've read both the others! I prefer ACOTAR (but not the new covers (they're gross imo)- Bloomsbury just are trying to milk the $$$ on those ngl) as that's the first one I read (thanks to my school library gifting me ACOTAR for some competition I entered once and forgot about haha). :D
Have just begun The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn.YES! I remember reading them when i was 13 or 14 and the books 100% outdid the movie! I also recall a book called "Ashes" by Illsa J Bick I think... which is similar and very good
I described the plot to my brother and he reckons it sounds like Tomorrow when the War Began (which I haven't read). This one's written by an Australian author as well. Maybe I should try that next, if this is any good. :)
I think i should get a sugar daddy and he can send me books in return for feet pics hahahahah 8) guyyyys imma die without many boooooookkkkkkkkkksLibraries have a great range of ebooks and eaudiobooks you can download and listen/read online/offline if you have a library card- if you're going to run short on books! ^-^
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Such a pleasant trip down memory lane in these stressful times!Still need to finish that series tbh :-X
Still need to finish that series tbh :-XThat's a crime against humanity!!!!!
Still need to finish that series tbh :-XAhem...
Libraries have a great range of ebooks and eaudiobooks you can download and listen/read online/offline if you have a library card- if you're going to run short on books! ^-^Firstly, I just hate ebooks so much, but it's looking like I will have to work with what I've got
Still need to finish that series tbh :-X
Just started The Priory of the Orange Tree. So far I'm finding to a fun fantasy read, despite it being 800 pages ^-^How are you finding it? I've been meaning to read it as the dragon element look's interesting, but I haven't had time.
How are you finding it? I've been meaning to read it as the dragon element look's interesting, but I haven't had time.I love it so far! I'm only just getting into the dragon element parts, and the world is super rich! ❤
I may have got it in hardback because it was on sale and it's soooo pretty!
Tried putting a book on hold from my local library. Says i cant as i am a "barred" user...No idea what it means and i dont have any overdue books or fines?? is this a covid thing?This could also be because your library account has expired- same thing happened to me recently! I suggest ringing/emailing your library/council about it :)
Currently reading:I have The Testaments out on loan from my library. Glad it's worth the read!
Kafka on the Shore by Murakami. Has started off all right. Recently read Norwegian Wood which was super weird but weirdly good.
Recently finished:
The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments. I found the former a bit slow at times and anticlimactic and half-reluctantly bought the Testaments because I liked the world Atwood had constructed. Very glad I made that choice, The Testaments is brilliant
As my mental health has taken a toll (yet again), I'm currently spending a majority of my time with my head in book and this week's contender is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen! I'll update you guys as soon as I finish :)I love Pride & Pride Prejudice! Hope you're enjoying it!
Currently on the second 'Loveda Brown' book. It's a fun, lighthearted read by an author who knows how to combine humour and serious subject matters. The first book - well, I recommend it, despite it catching me entirely flat-footed by the presence of occasional swearing - although a twist threw me for a loop and the character involved (no spoilers!) seemed to go out of character and suffer from inadequate foreshadowing. The second I'm not far enough into to know if I would recommend it. So far, yes, but not to the standard of the first book, the opening of which made me laugh aloud, which few books do.
The books are on Amazon, author Jolie Tunnell, first book 'The Great Loveda Brown'. I have the first three although not the fourth one, released recently. I wouldn't be surprised if I purchased it (I collared the ebooks of the first three in a giveaway which was nice! :))).
Just from your description and looking at its cover, it really reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events! I feel like you've certainly already read it :) Sounds intriguing though, mystery is such a great genre and so satisfying when it's written well.If you enjoy mystery - I've never really got into it as a genre - I'd really recommend the series!
I'm currently reading Ruin and Rising (the third book in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy) and I'm absolutely loving it so far! I can't wait to read The Six of Crows Duology!