Some of us are tucked in at home, avoiding the temperatures in the 90s. Or, at least that’s what I’m doing when I’m not at work. What have you been doing this week? And, what are you reading?
I’m reading a debut novel that comes out next Tuesday, The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. I’m only a third of the way through it, but I think some of you will like this one. It’s set in the Wembley area of London. Mukesh Patel is a retired widower there who doesn’t know what to do with himself after his beloved wife’s death two years earlier. He’s not a reader, as she was, but when he finds one of her books that was never returned to the library, he thinks maybe he can find a book to read. Aleisha is a young college student working at the neighborhood library for the summer, but she’s definitely not a reader. And, she’s rude to Mukesh when he asks for book suggestions. One of the library patrons suggests a book, though, and when Aleisha finds a scribbled list, she sees that title on the top of it. The list says, “Just in case you need it:”, and includes titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner. Aleisa needs those eight books to help her escape her own problems at home. Once she’s read one, she also has a book to suggest to Mukesh the next time he ventures into the library.
The Reading List is a book to savor, not to rush through. There’s so much loneliness in it. There’s also so much to love about libraries and books.
Oh, I should tell you my other news. You all know one of the reasons I sometimes don’t have a review ready is because I’m often on deadline. I review mysteries for Library Journal, a trade journal for librarians. Early this month, I was asked to interview Wanda M. Morris, author of the debut mystery, All Her Little Secrets. The book comes out in November. The interview is for the August issue, and it’s the cover interview for the magazine! I’m so pleased. It’s a lengthy interview. I always enjoy interviewing authors.
What about you? How are you this week? What have you been reading?
It’s hot. You’re all probably tired of hearing me mentioning it, but I moved from Southern California partly because I’d had enough – more than enough – of heat. Drought data released last Friday showed that what is already the worst Western drought so far this century is only intensifying. Any additional heat will aggravate an already dire situation, and it’s getting hotter. We’re in the 90s again this week.
Few things say “Summer” to me as much as do grilled steaks, corn on the cob, and sweet cold watermelon, all of which I’ve enjoyed in the past few days. In spite of the heat, it’s been a nice week and though watching Olympics coverage has eaten into my reading time, I did get to some things.
I may have mentioned last week how much I enjoyed Steve Burrows’ A PITYING OF DOVES, his second Birder Murder mystery. I now have the next (3rd) book in the series but haven’t started it yet because there are so many library books at hand. A good problem to have. I just returned two and still have three on hand and nine on hold.
I also read THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON by Madeline Martin, which I enjoyed. I was tentative at first with all the descriptions of clothes, wallpaper, perfume and so forth, but soon got interested in the country girl in London shortly before and during the blitz, and the bookshop and its owner where she worked. All in all a light, easy read with a good character set in an interesting time.
The next book up is WINTER COUNTS, but I’m not in the mood for it, as my Very Noisy Neighbor had another loud music and chatter pool party until 2am and I got very little sleep. It happens about three times a week, but not wanting to make an enemy next door in these difficult times there’s little to do except send the Midnight text asking to “please turn it down”, which accomplishes little. So I’m reading short stories.
LONG STORY SHORT: A Short Story Collection (Chronicles of St. Mary’s) by Jodi Taylor, (Headline June 2021 trade paper) I like Taylor’s Chronicles of St. Mary’s books a lot, though I’m the first to admit I’m way behind on the 10-book series. But short stories about the place? Sign me up. Not every story is about St. Mary’s history detectives, but any Taylor is good. The collection has together seven short stories. It was my Wednesday blog post.
Also read we’re another handful of stories from THE THINKING MACHINE: Fifty Novelettes & Short Stories by Jacques Futrelle. If this sounds familiar, yes, I’ve been working my way through this doorstop for months, a few at a time.
You’re in a drought, Rick, and here we are closing in on the all-time record for most rain in the month of July (set in the 1880s – not a typo). We’re fine but there are flood-prone areas that have been inundated. No 90s in the last 10 days (though we were close twice), so that’s good. And we also had corn on the cob and watermelon.
I had the same reaction (not in the mood) when WINTER COUNTS came in from the library. Maybe another time.
Looks like 98 today, 100 tomorrow and Saturday.
Hi, Lesa. Congratulations on the cover interview for Library Journal. That’s awesome! I remembered to stop by here for the Thursday discussion of what everyone is reading, even if it’s a bit late in the day. So many great reads can be found here.
The Coffin Trail by Martin Edwards — I adore Martin Edwards, and I’ve so enjoyed his new Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mysteries series and his volumes of classic mysteries he’s edited for British Library Crime Classics. I was determined to start reading his Lake District Mysteries because a new one came out in July, The Crooked Shore. So, I did read the first one, The Coffin Trail and loved it. It features DCI Hannah Scarlett and Oxford historian Daniel Kind.
Last Seen Wearing by Hillary Waugh — Published in 1952, this book is the first acclaimed police procedural. While Lawrence Treat in 1945 came out with the first police procedural, V as in Victim, it was Waugh’s book that gained popularity for the new sub-genre. It follows the investigation of a missing college girl in 1950 at the fictitious Parker College for Women in Bristol, Massachusetts. The police chief and policemen are given little to no character development because the focus is all on the investigation and the steps they take to gather evidence. I usually like complicated layers, but I surprised myself by really enjoying this classic book.
A Gingerbread House by Catriona McPherson — I’m a little over halfway through Catriona’s book that comes out next Tuesday, Aug. 3rd. It’s described as a twisty tale, and it is indeed that. There are two storylines that I’m sure are going to meet up at some point, but they haven’t yet in my reading. I will warn you that there are a lot of characters to keep up with. I’m doing fine with that so far, but it’s not just two stories with a single main character you’re following. Quite a few chapters end in cliff hangers, and I’m getting anxious to see where those cliffhangers lead. Catriona McPherson is a prolific writer, putting out two series and one stand-alone thriller a year. I’ve always found her thrillers to be chilling reads, and this one is following suit.
Sorry this turned up on someone else’s comments, but that’s where the comment box was located on the page. I looked to see if it appeared anywhere else on the page, but it didn’t.
Rick, I’m glad The Last Bookshop in London was an easy read. Sounds like you needed something light at the moment. I’m so far behind in the Chronicles of St. Mary’s books, too, but like you and Jeff, I really enjoy them.
Take care. Do your best to stay cool and take care of yourself!
It’s been hot here too. It cooled off last night and there was a free concert in a nearby town so we went. It has to be one of the worst bands I’ve heard. They started 20 minutes late, were still having technical issues, and after five songs where we had no idea what they were playing we headed home and sat on the porch to enjoy the nice weather.
Like Rick, we’ve been watching the Olympics so I only made it through two books.
THE LIGHTS OF SUGARBERRY COVE by Heather Webber. This book has everything I usually don’t like – a southern setting and magical realism but somehow when Heather Webber is the author they wind up being things that I really enjoy. After their mother has a heart attack, two sisters try to mend their strained relationships with each other and their mother with the help of the B&B guests and a little lake magic.
THE KILLING HILLS by Chris Offutt. Another book with a southern setting that I wound up liking.
Sandy, I had mixed thoughts on THE KILLING HILLS, liking the characters but not the setting.
That’s interesting, Sandy, that you’re not a fan of southern settings in books. Out of curiosity, what is your preferred setting?
(I’m glad you liked The Killing Hills, though.)
Lesa, My preference is western settings but I’ll read books set almost anyplace. It’s more the characters in a lot of the southern cozies that have put me off, not the places themselves.
Congratulations Lesa on that cover review. It’s always good to have your work appreciated.
We’re finally getting a break from triple digit temperatures and smoke filled skies to more normal cool nights and clearer skies.
Since the smoke has led to lots of indoor time, I did a bit of reading this week.
First off, Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life, Julianna Marqulies memoir. The first half of the book covers her peripatetic childhood. The remainder, her personal and professional, rather charmed, adult life.
On to a second nonfiction, fourth generation apiarist Andrew Cote’s Honey and Venom, Confessions of an Urban Beekeeper. Founding member of “Bees without Borders” takes an entertaining walk through a year in the life of a New York “beek”.
Intrigued by Lesa’s review earlier this month of the newest Lissa Marie Redmond cold case book, I’m starting with the first of the series. 2018’s A Cold Day in Hell featuring Detective Lauren Riley working both as a private investigator and Buffalo police. Griping.
Finally, A Gambling Man by David Balducci, this ebook was on library hold so long, I’ve forgotten why I wanted to read it. Features anti-hero Aloysius Archer, in a classic take on Private Investigator. Set in the post-war atmosphere of the 1950s with colorful language and historical references. Concept is interesting, but the story is overwhelmed by all the interesting, though not necessarily relevant, facts the author wants to share.
Nevada is reinstating the mask mandate this week. The vast majority of those over 60 have been vaccinated, but not enough of the general population, so the virus is making headway and filling up hospitals again.
Thank you, MM! You’re right. It’s nice to be appreciated.
A friend who posts here often on Thursday had to take his son to the hospital yesterday, and he said it looked like an airport when all the computers are down – it was that jammed with people. Sounds similar to Indiana – those of us over 60 have been vaccinated. It’s all of those younger who refused to get the vaccine who are driving up the COVID stats.
Sounds as if A Gambling Man isn’t quite living up to whatever expectations you had when you placed it on hold.
What are we doing? Nothing much since we got back from Boston. We do have several concerts (one indoors) coming up in mid-August. Mostly we’re going for walks, occasionally eating out (Indian and Japanese restaurants most recently), reading and watching Netflix and Amazon Prime/Acorn/Britbox/MHz Choice.
Jackie followed up Christine Feehan’s LAIR OF THE LION (which was a Beauty and the Beast theme) with her THE SCARLETTI INHERITANCE (more Cinderella), another stand alone. She is now reading Iris Johansen’s BULLET, an Eve Duncan/Catherine Ling book. She is going to reread another Feehan, DARK SYMPHONY, next, as it is connected to the SCARLETTI book.
After finishing the three books I was reading (LONG STORY SHORT, which Rick reviewed), LET’S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED (Jenny Lawson memoir) and THE LAST SUPPER and Other Stories (Howard Fast), I am now reading another four at the same time! Don’t ask me why I do this. In order of how close I am to finishig them, then:
Bill Bryson, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE THUNDERBOLT KID. Was recommended here a week or two ago. I’m really enjoying this memoir of growing up in Des Moines, Iowa in the 1950s. We are of a generation (I am three years older than Bryson), and though Iowa is very different from New York, there are many, many things we had in common growing up. I must admit his parents sound a lot of eccentric than mine, which makes for a lot of humor. Recommended highly, especially to Baby Boomers.
Jeffrey B. Burton, THE FINDERS. First in his Max Reid K-9 series, set near Chicago. Very fast read (had I only been reading this, I could have finished it in a day or so), entertaining, with great dogs. I’ll be going on to book two (THE KEEPERS) after I finish this.
Clifford D. Simak, I AM CRYING ALL INSIDE and Other Stories. Volume I in his Complete Short Stories. Mostly science fiction (though there is one western, “Gunsmoke Interlude”) by a well-known writer. I might read more of his at another time.
Robert Edward Eckels, NEVER TRUST A PARTNER, subtitled “The Con Games of Robert Edward Eckels. Eckels (who is 90) published 55 short stories from 1969-86, many in EQMM. This Crippen & Landru collection has the 12 stories about Lang & Lovell. Lovell is an “artist” who can paint in any style and can forge virtually any painting in the style it was originally painted. Lang is the con man who sells the forgeries – or in some cases, pretends to do so – to rich, greedy men ripe to be taken. These are fun, short tales but don’t read more than one at a time as there is inevitably a certain sameness. The other five stories (which I haven’t gotten to as yet) are about Major Henry T. McDonlevy and co-conspirator Thomas James, who swindle gamblers and card players. This is a fun collection by an author I wasn’t familiar with. Crippen & Landru always does a quality job – I can say that as I have read ALL of their collections – and they range from good to very good to outstanding in quality.
That was supposed to be Mace Reid, not Max.
I never even heard of Robert Edward Eckels, Jeff, but you’re much more familiar with short story writers than I am. Oh, I definitely agree about Bill Bryson’s books. Those of us who are Baby Boomers will definitely find something to relate to in that one. I’m glad you enjoyed The Finders. I like Mace, but I love the dogs. You’re right. Great dogs.
Stay safe!
Hot and smoky here, but perhaps not as bad as yesterday. Air quality is listed as good, so I might as well go walking with my “Walkie Talkies” group. Here’s what I’ve been reading:
In 17 books in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King, only 4.5 years have passed and Mary Russell, the much younger wife of Sherlock Holmes, is still only 25 years old. In CASTLE SHADE, the pair are summoned to Castle Bran in Transylvania (Romania) when mishaps that could be indicative of vampires have started to occur. No one really believes in vampires anymore, but it does seem that these events have been precipitated to threaten the teenage daughter of Romanian Queen Marie (who has family ties to the UK and Russia) and to force the Queen to abandon Castle Bran. The intrepid couple sometimes work separately to get to the bottom of the threats, with Mary often taking the brunt of the physical punishment, but they ultimately land on the villainous perpetrator and solve the case (as they always do). This was a fun story, with lots of description (maybe too much?) of the setting and information about the history of the area.
In THE BOMBAY PRINCE, the third book about Perveen Mistry, the first female solicitor in 1920s Bombay, the city is in an uproar about the Prince of Wales’ visit. Many citizens gather for a glimpse of the Prince, who is expected to rule India eventually, while others riot against British colonialism. In the midst of the confusion, a local college student, Freny Cuttingmaster, is found dead. Perveen and her father offer to represent Freny’s parents in the ensuing legal case, and Perveen is allowed to speak in front of the court at the inquest. Freny, a member of a student club that advocates Indian independence, had sought Perveen’s counsel earlier in the week, asking if she could be expelled from the college if she refused to join the students and staff at the upcoming gathering to welcome the Prince. When the jury rules her death a homicide, Perveen strives to protect Freny’s reputation and to seek answers among a mostly uncooperative community. This series excels at realistically portraying the turmoil, fear, and intolerance surrounding Perveen in Bombay, as well as the hurdles she has to clear in order to be a respected solicitor. Although it is a historical mystery, the emphasis of this particular book is more on India’s political history than on the actual mystery being solved. It’s an excellent series, well researched and entertainingly delivered, and I look forward to hearing the author speak at a virtual Sisters in Crime NorCal meeting on August 7.
I had high expectations for Beth O’Leary’s THE ROAD TRIP after loving her two previous novels, The Flatshare and The Switch, but this one fell short for me. Addie and Dylan had met and quickly fallen in love in the south of France, where Dylan was vacationing in the house where Addie was acting as caretaker. After a couple of years together, their relationship came to a very loud and emotional halt from which neither of them has completely recovered. It’s two years later, and they find themselves traveling together from England to a mutual friend’s wedding in Scotland after an accident left one of the cars undriveable. Smashed together in a Mini Cooper with Addie’s sister Deb, Dylan’s best friend Marcus, and a stranger who needed a ride to the wedding, they can barely talk to each other. Yes, there’s a happy ending, but I found I didn’t really care whether Addie and Dylan got back together–all I wanted was never to have to read about the unbelievably unpleasant Marcus again. Too much unconvincing, excruciating, pointless melodrama for me.
Lesa, you’re right, PACK UP THE MOON by Kristan Higgins will have triggers for many potential readers, but I found it to be very worthwhile and uplifting reading. Lauren and Josh had found a deep, true love together, never expecting Lauren to succumb before age 30 to a terminal disease just 3 years into their marriage. Lauren, a designer of interior spaces, reveals her past and the discovery of her perfect mate through letters she writes to her beloved deceased father. And because she knows that Josh will need to get through the worst year of his life after she dies, she writes him a letter to open each month during that year, delivered by her best friend. In each letter, Lauren gives Josh an assignment–from buying food and clothes and hosting a dinner party to visiting a medium and even kissing another woman. Josh is a brilliant and successful medical device inventor who is on the autism spectrum, so relationships and new experiences are especially difficult for him, and it sometimes leads him to meltdowns and even minor bouts of violence. We agonize along with him as he does his best to fulfill Lauren’s wishes for him. I was hoping we didn’t have to read about Lauren’s last day on earth, but it was described with sensitivity toward the end of the book. The families of both protagonists, along with old and new friends, are important parts of the plot, and there are flashes of welcome humor. I was very impressed with the author’s ability to combine such heart-rending elements into a story that emerges as an affirmation of life and love, and speculation about the “Great Beyond.”
I believe DOG EAT DOG is the 30th (!) book by by David Rosenfelt that I have read, and I never seem to tire of them. Seeing him interviewed online recently only made me more excited to read his books. This one is the latest in the Andy Carpenter series. Andy is a hotshot defense lawyer who only reluctantly takes cases since inheriting a small fortune. But where dogs are concerned, he’s all in. Andy is about to intervene when he sees a man violently kicking his own dog (a pug), when another passerby gets there first and subdues the thug, only to be taken into custody when the police arrive. It seems that Matt is wanted in Maine for killing a couple in the woman’s home. He proclaims his innocence, but DNA evidence indicates otherwise. Andy has some time on his hands and can’t resist helping out a fellow dog-lover, so he goes to Maine to take on Matt’s defense. Soon joined by his wife, Laurie (a former detective and current PI) and other members of his team, Andy learns that there are elements of drug trafficking and the local militia involved. The Carpenter books follow a formula, but it’s a formula that works. It amazes me that Rosenfelt is able to fashion such convincing courtroom scenes when he has no experience as an attorney, and he writes Andy’s snarky voice and the eccentricities of the others on the team so darn well. Bring on the next (a Christmas-theme book due in October).
Margie, I’m waiting for Dog Eat Dog from the library. Even though they are sort of predictable I enjoy reading them too.
Sandy, my library doesn’t have Dog Eat Dog, but I was able to download the Axis360 version immediately from my old library in the Bay Area. I think it’s one of Rosenfelt’s best in the series, really, and it looks like readers on Amazon agree. A couple of other things I heard David Rosenfelt say in an interview is that his publisher comes up with the book covers, and whatever kind of dog is featured on the cover, he writes it into the story! Also, he doesn’t come up with his own titles. Of course, he typically writes three books a year, so I guess he doesn’t have time for those details.
Margie, I know Laurie R. King went to Transylvania. It sounds as if she wanted to incorporate all of her knowledge of the place into Castle Shade.
I’m glad you enjoyed Pack Up the Moon. It is so well-done! Not for everyone, as we both said, but what a beautiful book.
Don’t overdo it with that hot and smoky weather.
17 books in the King series! Wow, I think I’ve read five, and had no idea there were that many. Truly, the number of books, hers and so, so many others, is beginning to feel overwhelming. An avalanche.
I agree, Rick, and I’m not helping. My TBR list is so long I’ll never get to all of it, yet I keep trying to get ARCs from NetGalley (getting just a bit better at it) and win books at Goodreads (no luck so far). I think part of it is the thrill of the hunt. But one month this year I read 22 books, and my eyes are suffering! More balance, please!
Twenty-two books in a month! Wow! Good for you.
Good morning!
Lesa, I’m so excited you got the cover issue! Congrats! Also, thanks for letting us know about the Reading List. It sounds like one I would enjoy, so I put it on hold at the library.
We have been very hot as well. Last night we had a violent thunderstorm. Thankfully there was no damage, just lots of leaves down in our yard. The dewpoint will be dropping today which will be welcome.
This week I read:
Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker – Benoit Courreges, aka Bruno, is chief of police for the small town of St. Denis. Not much happens there and that is just how Bruno likes it. He is currently working with the members of the town who offer their wares at the local market to head off the European Union health inspectors. So, when Bruno receives a frantic call from Karim stating that there may have been a murder, he is shocked. But he quickly shifts into the mode of calm, collected chief of police that he is. The murdered man is the grandfather of Karim. He kept to himself, usually only visiting with his son and grandson. The unusual way he has been murdered causes Bruno to dig through the history of France to uncover who might have murdered the man and why. I really liked Bruno and enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside and the food!
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon – Just like the subtitle says, this book offers motivation to stay creative. It is a small book that combines the author’s paper art along with the text. Austin Kleon reads widely and this always comes through in his writing. I took several things away from this that were good reminders.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy – Ivan Ilyich was a good person living a decent life. When he becomes ill after an accident and begins to see that he will not recover, he has a chance to examine his life and the choices he made. I was struck by how Tolstoy was able to get to the heart of the human condition. A short, but powerful work.
Have a good weekend everyone!
Thank you, Gretchen! I was excited when they asked me. Now, I can’t wait to see the magazine itself!
I’ve only read one of Austin Kleon’s books, but, as you said, I did find a few good reminders in the one I read. And, I’ve been following him since. I even ordered some pens he recommended, and I love them.
You have a nice mix of books there – a mystery, a nonfiction, a classic.
Enjoy your weekend, Gretchen!
Congratulations on your cover interview, Lesa! Yay, you!!!! <3
My reading this week has been okay. Nothing to squeal about.
NetGalley approved my request for P.J. Tracy's Desolation Canyon, the second in the series. An interesting cast of characters, and an engaging story. There will never, however, be another Monkeewrench Gang.
Thank you, Kaye!
I haven’t read Desolation Canyon, but you’re right. There will never be another Monkeewrench Gang. And, I love the two cops in that series, absolutely love them. In fact, I loved them before I loved the Monkeewrench team.
Good morning. I finished a couple of books this week. The first was When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Although this was not my favorite of hers, I enjoyed it just the same. I also finished on audio The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker. I always enjoy visiting with Bruno and his neighbors in St. Denis, France. The description of the food makes your mouth water. The ending of this book…..no I am not crying, that’s just something in my eye.
I have gone back to reading Plantation by Doreatha Benton Frank. I had to put it aside to read the holds that had come in.
On audio, I just started the The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas. I really like this series.
I just want to say, thank you Lesa for writing this blog. I look forward to reading it each day. I especially look forward to Thursdays to see what everyone else is reading. I get many good recommendations and enjoy the books that I have read that were recommended.
Have a wonderful week. Stay safe and helathy.
I’m going to quote you, Kathleen – “No I am not crying, that’s just something in my eye.” Thank you. I’m so glad you look forward to reading the blog. Like you, I always look forward to Thursdays. In fact, my best friend knows that it’s my favorite day of the week because I love to hear from all of you. I love to hear how you’re doing, and see what everyone is reading. Thursdays make the week special.
So, thank you, Kathleen. This makes Thursday even more special.
Yes, stay safe, please.
We had 102 degrees a couple of days ago, and I am dreading August, which is usually one long and hot month.
Still reading BlueBird by Sharon Campbell. about 100 pages, I thought it would make a good movie but I don’t think that people could sit through it. Not confused about the characters, anymore, due to the fact that the four have become two! There was a lovely scene of fast energetic dancing. One long moment of happiness and during that time, Eva was able to forget the War, the Holocaust and wonder if there could be a future after all.
You’re right, Carolee. August is usually hotter than July. Stay safe & cool!
Sounds as if I’ll skip Bluebird.
ok!
Good morning all! I am trying to read What a Body! by Alan Green, the winner of the 1950 Edgar for best debut. It is slow going. The locked room premise is good but the sexual innuendo and self-conscious witticisms are hard to get through. The publisher’s promo compares it to Wodehouse. Um, no. I am somewhat aghast that this was considered the best of new authors that year.
In better news Philip Kerr of Bernie Gunther fame was a huge soccer fan and he wrote three thrillers about a fictitious London soccer team. It combines real-life players and teams and incidents with wholly made up ones. I don’t know enough about the sport to fully understand which is which. The first one, January Window, is compulsive reading and everything else I was doing stopped until I finished it. Starting the second one soon.
In still more news I am pleased to have linked my oral surgeon, whom I know far too well, with Erin Mitchell, publicist extraordinaire. The surgeon has written a children’s book that is selling well locally but he would like assistance in promoting it more broadly. I was happy he asked me and I was happy I could recommend someone who won’t steer him wrong.
Isn’t that sad, Aubrey, when an award winner just doesn’t stand the test of time? I never even heard of Alan Green, but, from what you said, I’m not missing anything by not reading the book. I read a book recently that was also compared to Wodehouse. I said no on that one as well.
Oh, I’m glad you were able to hook your oral surgeon up with Erin. If anyone can help, it’s her.
Aubrey, that is very interesting about the Philip Kerr series about a London soccer team. I am not finished reading the Bernie Gunther series but I will look into that series too.
It has been extremely hot this week at my house-in the 90’s but the rain today is supposed to bring cooler weather. I am ready.
More baseball watching than they Olympics. The Olympic coverage seems to be focused more on the commentators and the human interest stories than the actual events and I’ve lost interest. We’ve fallen in love with The Indian Doctor on Acorn TV that takes place in Wales in the 1960’s and discovered the delight that is McDonald and Dobbs on Britbox. We are also racing through Unforgotten on our PBS Passport.
As far as reading I finished ISN’T IT BROMANTIC? by Lyssa Kay Adams. The Russian’s story did not disappoint. It was funny and romantic and over the top but I loved it. Hockey player Vlad with the help of his book club bros tries to win the heart of Elena, his wife of 6 years.
Now I am reading THE LOST AND FOUND NECKLACE by Louisa Leaman. It is certainly a let down after the rollicking Bromance Book Club book but I am enjoying it. It is the story of Jess and an art nouveau necklace that has been part of her family history for generations. She is trying to get it back to bring to her dying grandmother. There is a love triangle element (groan) but also lots of information about jewelry making, art noveau, etc. It’s a good read for me.
Margie, I was really let down by THE ROAD TRIP as well. I found it a tedious read and wished I hadn’t finished it.
Sandy, I have the Heather Webber book next on my shelf to read. While I thought her last book was good, I was left with such an overwhelming sense of sadness that I am hoping this one is happier in tone.
Happy Reading!
Sharon, I’ll be interested to see how The Lost and Found Necklace works for you. I had it, but I just didn’t have time, so I took it back to the library.
I am happy to hear the latest one in Lyssa Kay Adams’ series was a good one!
Sharon, you didn’t mention it, but Sanjeev Bhaskar, who was THE INDIAN DOCTOR in that entertaining show, also plays Insp. Sunny Khan in UNFORGOTTEN. We also enjoyed McDONALD AND DODDS, though we only saw the first two episodes so far. I know series two (3 episodes) ran in Britain and there will be a third series. Jason Watkins, who plays Dodds, was excellent as Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the third series of THE CROWN.
Glad to hear you liked Isn’t It Bromantic, Sharon. I finally have it on hold, so I’m really looking forward to it after enjoying the previous books in the series. I’m also happy to hear it wasn’t just me who was disappointed with The Road Trip. I guess I should have known when Amazon had it at 4 stars and not 4.5 like her other two. I also toyed with not finishing it, but I ultimately did. Probably should have stuck with my first instinct.
It’s the start of close, and I’m watching Olympics as much as I can. But I’m not slowing down my reading. Can you say busy?
I read CAJUN KISS OF DEATH by Ellen Byron earlier this week. So touched by that dedication. And enjoyed the book as well.
Today, I’ll be diving into CLAWS FOR ALARM by Cate Conte.
That was a nice dedication, Mark. And, I’m sad to see those characters go in Cajun Kiss of Death. It’s been an enjoyable series.
I agree. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to them. The epilogue brought tears to my eyes.
Congrats on the cover review Lesa! It must be nice to be able to run a longer review. You work so hard for them that I’m glad they are acknowledging your contributions. I’ve never actually seen LJ. Perhaps you can post a photo of the magazine when it comes out?
There’s a new book in the Bromance Book Club series by Alyssa Kay Adams that I plan to start this week. I love this series about a group of men who read romance novels as manuals on how to treat women. Most have been helped by the group in their own situations with their mates. Now it’s time for “the Russian” to actually write a romance novel. Funny, sexy, contemporary, thoughtful, touching.
Sharon really liked Isn’t It Bromantic? I hope you do, too!
I’ll see what I can do when I get the magazine! Thank you!
I used to work for a publishing company (ABC-Clio, published mainly history-related serials) that circulated library publications to the staff so I am familiar with Library Journal, Booklist, and Publisher’s Weekly. That is very exciting about your having the cover interview for the August issue of Library Journal. I wish I still had access to those journals.
This week I finished reading ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE by Ian Fleming, the 11th book in the James Bond series. There are three books in the James Bond series that feature the villain Blofeld of Spectre, and this novel was the second one, following Thunderball. I enjoyed the book. I loved it when I first read it because the heroine’s name was Tracy and at the time I did not know many girls named Tracy. So it was a nostalgic read for me.
I also finished reading POIROT AND ME by David Suchet and Geoffrey Wansell. It covers the 25 years that Suchet was playing Poirot in the TV series, plus roles he played in the years when the Poirot episodes were not being filmed. I have been reading it off and on for the last three months, and found it very entertaining. I had finished reading most of the Poirot series in the last couple of years so that I could have the books read before I watched the TV episodes.
Last night I finished THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD by Zora Neale Hurston. Published in 1937, it is the story of a black woman from her childhood into her forties, following her three marriages and the relationships with her husbands. Set in Florida, it is a very interesting picture of those times. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The dialog was in dialect, and a good portion of the book was dialog; I thought that could be a problem but it wasn’t.
I can understand how you feel, Tracy. I don’t know what I’ll do when I no longer have access to the journals! I find so many good books through them.
Your reading is so eclectic! James Bond, a memoir, and a classic. That’s why I love to see what other people are reading. We have such a mixture here!
Speaking of Library Journal, I was lamenting the fact that I could only access so many PrePub Alert posts during the month before getting cut off, but now they are providing a post that encompasses all of the Prepub Alerts for a particular month and counts as one post, so those of us who don’t pay for subscriptions (and are only interested in Prepub Alert) don’t have to miss anything. Bravo, LJ!
I had that same problem until recently, Margie, and I review for them!
Tracy, I read the Hurston book in college. (I had several “black studies” courses.) I thought it was really good.
I’ve had a pretty good week, if you don’t count heat and bad air quality and disturbing news about waning vaccine efficacy. 😀 Anyway, I started reading The Stranger Inside by Lisa Unger. this morning and am hooked already. I might have to go on a long Unger reading binge to catch all the ones I’ve missed over the years.
Oh, a reading binge! Those are always fun, Patricia. I know. That waning vaccine efficacy is frightening, especially for all of us who cared enough to get vaccinated in the first place.
Take care of yourself with the heat and bad air quality and the vaccine. Stay safe!
Hi everyone,
Well done on getting your interview on the front page Lesa! I love reading author interviews, and I’m sure yours will be brilliant (of course it must be, or they wouldn’t have put it there!)
I have actually just closed the windows in the bedroom/study as I was getting too cold! Our warm weather – which seemed hot to us but wouldn’t to most of you – seems to have gone. There have been storm warnings all over the BBC Weather page, but we haven’t had a single one – just cloud and drizzle, which is quite enough for me.
On Tuesday my friend Nancy and i went to Castle Fraser for our walk, and so definite were the storm warnings that we went with waterproofs, spare clothes, extra shoes, etc – and absolutely nothing happened. We were sweltering in all our gear, and I was so glad to get those waterproof trousers off. But we still had a good time. The castle’s walled garden is looking really beautiful, with lots of roses, espaliered fruit trees, a herb bed, lavender, sweet peas, poppies, and so much more. They have two little carts, one with plants and one with vegetables, all their own produce that you can take for a donation. Unfortunately both of us had once again forgotten to bring any cash, but I’ll try to remember next time. The courgettes (?zuccini) looked especially good.
On the radio I am still listening to ‘The Corrupted’ by GF Newman; I’ve just reached the end of the first series, and I think there are lots more to come. It is an excellent production, with the inimitable Toby Jones as Brian Oldman, the son of a criminal dynasty in London just after the war. There’s a big cast of characters, and real people are woven into the story – the Kray brothers were particularly active around this time, and there is a lot about gang warfare and protection rackets, the police corruption of the day, the ‘fixing’ of working class sporting events like boxing matches and dog races, and the racism that grew and grew as more people arrived from former colonies and Ireland, looking for work. As we enter the 1960s, Brian’s father – himself a Jewish refugee from Eastern Europe – is buying up slums in Notting Hill (now one of the most fashionable parts of London!) and using them to house immigrants in appalling conditions. Peter Rachman, a notorious slum landlord, is frequently mentioned.
To change the subject completely, I have this week read ‘Rosemary at St Anne’s’ by Joy Francis (real name Mrs Olive Sarah Folds), written in 1957. I do enjoy an old fashioned girls’ school story every so often, and this one didn’t disappoint. Rosemary and Stella (twins – of course!) are weekly boarders at St Anne’s, one of three private schools for girls in the area. Their best friend Hazel Carmichael is also a boarder. Rosemary and Stella lead a very upper middle class life, with Mother and Father (as they are always known), various maids, a cook, a gardener and a chauffeur. Hazel is Officially Poor, but as always ‘poverty’ is a relative concept, and Hazel, together with her widowed mother, and Hazel’s little sister Sheena all still manage to live – with their housekeeper! – in the dower house of the manor that has been in Mrs C’s family for generations. There is of course no possibility of Mrs C actually getting a job – I suppose most married women just didn’t in those days, unless they were real pioneers, and Mrs C is definitely not one of those – she seems to be permanently exhausted by doing very little at all, though of course the girls all think she is a wonderful, tragic figure.
Then Mrs C has the brilliant idea of selling her antique and very valuable jewellery, so she sensibly (!) posts it off in a brown paper parcel to a London auction house. Would you credit it, she posts it the very day that the mail train is robbed by unscrupulous thieves. Had she sent it by registered post? Of course she had not – she didn’t want everyone in the village to know her business! So now Hazel and co are plunged into even more ‘poverty’ than they were before, and Hazel must leave beloved St Anne’s at the end of term. The twins are of course horrified, and start to think of ways they can pay Hazel’s fees.
Fees at the average private school in the UK are now upwards (sometimes a long way upwards) of £4,000 per term – and that’s day fees, boarding is MUCH more expensive – so even in 1957, how Stella and Rosemary think they can make sufficient money out of selling Stella’s prize roses and winning the local art competition is quite a question.
There’s also the matter of restoring Glory to the school, which has not won a single trophy, cup or prize for two years.
Can the Middle Fourth excel in sport, music and everything subject in which a young lady should excel this term? And can Rosemary and Stella save Hazel from her dreadful fate?
I expect, dear readers, that you can guess. But it’s still a fun book and I loved it.
I’m now reading ‘One Man’s Meat’ by Colin Watson. I’d never heard of this author before, but it seems he wrote quite a few novels between 1958 and 1982. One Man’s Meat is one of his ‘Flaxborough Chronicles’ detective series, four of which were adapted for television under the group title ‘Murder Most English’. I haven’t got too far with this one yet, but it involves the death of a young man who falls from a fairgournd ride. We have also just met David and Julia Horton, an affluent couple who now loathe one another. He wants a divorce, she wants to make sure she gets as much as she can out of him and his pet food company – the very company at which the deceased – Robert Digby Tring, or ‘Digger; – was an employee.
Watson apparently also wrote a study of interwar thrillers called ‘Snobbery with Violence’, which I think is a great phrase, and very appropriate for the works of authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Edmund Crispin.
I’ve just been listening to one of Anne Bogel’s podcasts, in which she recommeneded a book called ‘Parnassus on Wheels’, and I wondered if anyone had read that?
On television I am watching ‘London Kills’, a series I’ve probably mentioned before, which stars Hugo Speer and Sharon Small, two actors I really like. And I discovered yesterday that ‘Bad Girls’, a series from 1999, is being repeated. It’s set in a women’s prison, and although it can be a bit ridiculous at times I remember loving it back then, so I wondered what it would seem like now. I watched the very first episode last night and I felt it had weathered well. It’s something of a soap, but I reocgnised quite a few actors who have gone on to become household names – eg Joanne Froggatt, who played Anna Bates in Downton Abbey. I’m looking forward to following this series again.
I hope everyone has a great weekend,
Rosemary
Oh! Like Lesa, I too love Parnassus on Wheels and Christopher Morley’s other book featuring those same characters, The Haunted Bookshop.
Rosemary, I’ve never read Parnassus on Wheels, but I do listen to Anne Bogel’s What to Read Next podcast, and I heard her recommend that book this week. Sounds interesting!
Me, me, Rosemary! I read Parnassus on Wheels and Christopher Morley’s other book featuring those same characters, The Haunted Bookshop.They were his first novels, written in 1917 and 1919. I loved them, and I own both of them. In fact, I can even put my fingers on them, which is unusual with my books, but I lent them to my friend, Donna, once
I love how you summarized Rosemary at St. Anne’s, and then addressed us as “dear readers”. Very nice!
If you get the chance, Rosemary, go back to last Thursday’s post, towards the end. Kaye Barley answered your question about southern books.
Thank you for continuing to write your “Letter from Scotland”. I love to see what’s going on in your daily life. I didn’t know zucchini were called courgettes there.
Sending hugs!
Congratulations Lesa!!!
Why won’t there be any more Monkeewrench stories???
I continue to reread Lesley Egan and am up to Motive in Shadow..Also rereading Shelter in Place – one of my favorites by Nora Roberts…and now just started The Forbidden by Heather Graham
Gram, We didn’t mean there won’t be any more Monkeewrench books. She just started another series, but she says she’ll continue to write Monkeewrench, too. We just meant the new one is good, but it isn’t up to the other one.
Oh, I have The Forbidden to read, too.
I’ve read What A Body!, and the sequel, which name escapes me. IIRC, they were supposed to be somewhat in the vein of Craig Rice. She’s been mostly forgotten too, but was a major author for a while.
It’s hot, there’s smoke, and I somehow injured my shoulder. Good thing I’ve got books to escape into!
I read:
Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly Devos; Entitle teens battle zombies at a posh fat camp. I rooted for the zombies.
Mamoribito by Kevin Reynolds; A complete idiot is the Chosen ninja. I thought about Chris Farley’s movie Beverly Hills Ninja the whole time.
Crazy Foolish Robots by Adeena Mignogna; A girl runs away from her home in a space station, and winds up being kidnapped by a robot, and roped into a robot revolution. They didn’t really get to the terror that always accompanies a revolution for some reason.
Cherokee Sabre by Jamison Roberts; A wampus cat in Oklahoma gnaws the heads off some college students. A wampus cat is basically a six legged smilodon, so some pretty good gore.
The Sabotuers by Clive Cussler; One of the better Isaac Bell novels, as he goes into the Panama Canal Zone during the final stages of its construction, to put down an insurrection, and quash the assassination of Teddy Roosevelt. Pretty exciting. One sequence where Bell is standing underneath a poison tree is very effective.
What a mess, Glen, smoke, heat and a sore shoulder. Take care of yourself!
I’m with you. I would have rooted for the zombies, too.
It sounds as if your last two books were better than some of the ones you read.
I have The Reading List on hold at my library. My current reads are The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel and For Your Own Good (audiobook) by Samantha Downing.
Thank you, Katherine, for reminding me I need to ask my Mom if she liked The Forest of Vanishing Stars. I’ll be curious to see what you think.
DUKE: Inspector Mislan and the Expressway Murders by Rozlan Mohd Moor.
Next week I will have my reviews of DEAD BY DAWN and FALLEN.
I’m looking forward to your review Fallen. I hope you and Scott are both doing okay.
Doing okay. He has not felt so good today, but not as bad as he did back on Tuesday.
Hope he gets to feeling better soon, Kevin.