Heat, humidity, rain, lack of power, work. In Richard’s case, I hope you have new glasses. All kinds of reasons you might be busy this week. I hope you found time to read. If you’ve read earlier blogs this week, you know I’m snowed under, using some of Sandie Herron’s posts. Thank you, Sandie!
I did take time to look through a new cookbook. I am not a cook. I like to bake. But, Sabrina Snyder’s new cookbook is a possibility even for me. It’s called Dinner then Dessert: Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5, or 7 Ingredients. I can handle that. I can open it up to recipes such as Apple Cider Pork or Asparagus with Lemon and Ricotta, and see meals that I can handle with little effort. Oh, I CAN cook. But, if it takes took much time or effort, I”m not interested. Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken? Yes, when three of the six ingredients are vegetable oil, salt and pepper. In the midst of reading all these mysteries, I can look at a recipe or two.
I’ll be back on my reading schedule before next Thursday. What about you? What are you reading this week?
I got to attend two great (virtual) book events this week–Hank Philippi Ryan’s launch of Her Perfect Life, with 350 people attending (!) and a book panel with five terrific authors sponsored by my chapter of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Watching the filmed version of the wonderful show “Come From Away” on 9/11 was a real highlight–my son and I saw a regional production of the musical a couple of years back. And watching Mike Richards as “host” of Jeopardy for the first week of the new season–weird, given what we know his fate was, but rooting for Matt Amodio, who has 21 wins so far! Here’s what I read:
Whether or not you are already invested in the four previous books in the Ellery Hathaway series by Joanna Schaffhausen, you will appreciate a master of suspense at the top of her game–and LAST SEEN ALIVE can be read as a standalone. The tension the author creates is almost unbearable. I found myself holding my breath and putting off my bedtime through much of the latter half of the story. Ellery is the one survivor of a serial killer’s crime spree, captured at age 14 and held for three days of unspeakable suffering until she was found and saved by young FBI agent Reed Markham. For 17 years, violent predator Frances Coben has been on death row, showing little remorse, but now he says he’ll reveal the location of one of his victims in exchange for a televised meeting with the one who got away. Reed and Ellery have been reunited to determine what makes sense in the middle of a senseless situation. These characters have gradually wormed their way into my personal pantheon of literary favorites–a scarred and brittle young woman who has turned her ordeal into a career as a detective, and her savior, who wants more from Ellery than she can give. I can’t recommend highly enough this compelling police procedural/thriller with masterful writing and unforgettable characters. (January)
Lesa, thanks for recommending the contemporary romance IF THE SHOE FITS by Julie Murphy. After the tension and mayhem of the previous book, this was just what I needed. I’m very picky about the romances I read, and this one ticked all the boxes for me. Gimmicky? Yes, but totally charming. Cindy has just graduated from design school in NYC with a special interest and talent for designing shoes, but she is still dealing with the death of her father a few years back. Her stepmother, Erica, happens to be executive producer of a reality dating show (read: The Bachelor), and Cindy’s slightly older stepsisters will be going incognito as contestants. Erica doesn’t think it’s appropriate for Cindy, and Cindy agrees. But when a show producer takes a liking to her and suggests it could lead to job opportunities in her field, she relents. As the show’s only plus-size contestant, she never expects to fall for the “suitor,” but it’s a romance after all. This is the first in this prolific author’s Meant to Be series, which she calls “modern day fairy tales.” This book has parallels to Cinderella, of course (hence the protagonist’s name), but her stepsisters are supportive, not evil, and Prince Charming has issues. I can’t wait for the next installment.
The latest in the Linda Castillo’s reliable, long-running series about Kate Burkholder is equally as arresting as any other book in the series. Kate returned to Painters Mill, Ohio to become their Chief of Police many years after leaving the Amish community when she was a teenager. Now, in FALLEN, a beautiful young woman who had also left the community is found brutally beaten to death in a local motel room. Rachael was even more of a rebel than Kate–and a troublemaker–when she contentiously broke with the community after her Amish baptism. Her parents and her former best friend hadn’t heard from her in quite a while and are surprised to learn she had returned to town and to a community that had shunned and excommunicated her. It seems that no one in the community knows who hated her enough to murder her, or why, or at least they are not coming forward. I enjoy the perspectives on both Amish and “Englischer” lifestyles present in the town, told by a character who has spanned both experiences. At the same time, the murders in the series are well plotted and believable, leading to exciting action scenes.
Honestly, I hardly know what to say about HOW LUCKY by Will Leitch. I totally enjoyed the first 90 percent or so, then was crushingly disappointed with the ending. The protagonist is Daniel, a man in his twenties who has had a progressive disease since childhood. It has left him confined to a wheelchair, unable to move most of his body and able to speak only through a computer speech recognition app. He has a job responding to a local airline passenger’s complaints and a small group of friends and caretakers who are committed to making his life a bit easier. HIs best friend since childhood is a bit eccentric, and somewhat of a stoner, but he knows how to give Daniel what he really needs. One day Daniel thinks he sees a female college student kidnapped, and his life begins to change. That’s all I can say without spoilers, but I felt the ending didn’t fit the story at all, to the point where it made me angry and disturbed (it isn’t what you think). Most reviewers on Amazon disagree, however.
Katharine Schellman’s second Lily Adler mystery, SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY, is a worthy successor to her first, The Body in the Garden. Regency mysteries can sometimes feel a bit stale, but this series is nothing of the sort. Young widow Lily, who lives alone in London–much to the distaste of her father–is often escorted by her late husband’s best friend, Captain Jack Harley, and is only just starting to shed her widow’s weeds after two years. But when she hears that a long-term family friend has been murdered not long after marrying a much younger second wife, she can’t help wondering whether a member of his family might be the guilty party. The investigating constable, who is familiar with Mrs. Adler from the previous case, reluctantly accepts her musings and suggestions but tries to discourage her from any greater involvement. I found the author’s greatest strengths to be her expert plotting and the layers she gives to each of the characters–no character is black or white, making it more difficult to guess how the mystery will be resolved. I truly hope there is a third in the series.
Good morning Lesa and friends!
I’m writing this from Islay, one of the Inner Hebridean Islands off the west coast of Scotland. It has lots of beautiful and unfrequented beaches (at Saighmore, the one we walked at on Tuesday we saw just two other couples, both in the distance), moorland, lochans, and distilleries (10 so far). Of course one of the things you need for whisky is water, so there’s also plenty of rain, though it tends to sweep in and out on the islands, and you can have showers one minute and bright sunshine the next.
At the Saighmore beach we also saw a very sad memorial to 241 Irish emigrants who drowned when their ship, the Exmouth, sank off the rocky coast. It was 1847, the time of the great famine, and they were bound for Quebec. 108 bodies, mostly of women and children, were recovered. 63 were under the age of 14. They are buried ‘under the soft green turf of Traigh Bhan’. Ireland has a tragic history. The monument was finally unveiled by the Consul General of Ireland in 2000.
I brought a stack of books with me and – predictably – am still on the first one, which is Martin Edwards’ THE COFFIN TRAIL. Enjoying it so far. (The others I brought are:
THE LARK by E Nesbit
THE QUESTION OF MAX by Amanda Cross (a reread for the #1976club, coming up next month)
HIS BLOODY PROJECT by Graeme Macrae Burnett
SOMEONE AT A DISTANCE by Dorothy Whipple
THE BACHELOR BROTHERS’ BED AND BREAKFAST PILLOW BOOK by Bill Richardson)
Lesa – as regards cookbooks, after many years of turning out endless meals for my family, I now feel much as you do about cooking – I have better things to do! But one writer I have recently discovered is Jack Monroe (female). She was living in virtual poverty as a single parent with her young son, and started a blog about how to produce meals on next to no money. It became very successful and she has now written several books and is a columnist for The Guardian. She has certainly not forgotten her past, and is a very active campaigner against food poverty. I love her recipes because they are so simple and use only a few ingredients, and most of all because she has no qualms about using budget brands, swapping ingredients for whatever’s on offer, and debunking all the nonsense some of our more ‘precious’ celebrity cooks promulgate.
The first book was called ‘A GIRL CALLED JACK’ and there are now several more, including ‘COOKING ON A BOOTSTRAP’ and ‘GOOD FOOD FOR BAD DAYS: what to make when you’re feeling blue.’
On BBC Sounds I’m still listening to THE FORTNIGHT IN SEPTEMBER (wonderful) and the latest Charles Paris mystery to be dug out of the BBC archives, A DEADLY HABIT.
My daughter Anna is watching VIGIL on TV. It’s a crime drama set on a submarine and it’s had excellent reviews. I think the lead (police detective) is played by the excellent Suranne Jones. I’ll have to gird my loins and watch it, but not till I’m back at home as it’s apparently VERY scary. Submarines are scary enough to start with. My husband informs me that nuclear ones can stay submerged for months. I don’t know how the crew can stand it.
Today we are visiting the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinard and the Kilcomman distillery.
Have a great week everyone!
Rosemary, sounds great! We never got farther north in Scotland than Perth and St. Andrews. Of course, Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities. Just wanted to say that we watched the second episode of VERA (series 11) and totally agree with you – it was much better and more interesting as a mystery than the first one.
Have fun.
I’m so glad we thought the same thoughts Jeff!
I hope this means the series was just getting into its stride, and that the episodes due to broadcast later will be top notch.
Rosemary, I enjoyed every bit of your description of your holiday so far. I totally understand taking a pile of books and not reading much. I always do the same when I go home to visit family.
You’re so right about Ireland’s sad and tragic history. I didn’t know about this ship and the loss. Just so sad.
As to cooking, that’s why I’m liking this new book. Simple recipes with simple ingredients. Jack Monroe’s cookbooks sound interesting.
Hugs! Enjoy that holiday!
I’ll bet the birdwatching on Islay is wonderful!
Yes Rick, it’s really well known for it. The RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart is one of their flagship centres; the actual visitor centre is quite small and currently unmanned (so no guided walks this season) though it has a lot of interesting displays and information.
The reserve itself is wonderful, home to many birds, both resident and migratory. It is a working farm, and great efforts are made to manage the land in the best way to make it attractive and safe for so many species. At the moment they are expecting several thousand geese to arrive on their annual migration from Greenland – and indeed we saw several groups fly over as we drove back across the moor. These birds are amazing – they fly from Greenland to Iceland then, after resting, fly NON STOP to Islay, where they spend the winter.
Outwith the reserve the island is home to many other birds, and native wildlife. We will hope to revisit the Oa before we leave – another RSPB reserve on a very exposed headland, where you can see mountain goats, eagles (I never have so far but I live in hope), sometimes otters, dolphins, basking sharks, seals, choughs, hen harriers and many other birds. The Oa was once home to about 800 people; the Clearances put an end to that, as they did in so much of the Highlands and Islands.
The Oa also has a memorial to the many men lost when two American troopships – the Tuscania and the Orantro – that had sailed from New York collided in a terrible storm and sank within sight of land. This was in 1918 and they were coming, in a convoy of 13 boats, to support the Allies in fighting against Germany. Today we also visited one of the Commonwealth War Graves graveyards, again on a headland, this one near the Kilmochan distillery, and it was truly moving to see those headstones – many to sailors that were never identified, others who were named and shown to have been only 19 or 20 years old.
For such a small place Islay has so much history.
Margie, Wasn’t “Come from Away” wonderful? It was so good to see so many of the original cast in it. I saw it 3 or 4 times on Broadway, and have to say it may be my favorite musical (unless it’s Les Mis with Ramin Karimloo). I still cry in the same scenes. It is weird watching Mike Richards, and I feel bad about his history because he really was my favorite host during all the try-outs. Oh, well. Move on.
You included three books I already read on your list, and I have to say I agree with your summaries of all of them. Some good books there. And, I won’t bother with How Lucky.
I’m reading “The Church of the Dead, the epidemic of 1576…” I stated that after watching the virtual book event of –Hank Philippi Ryan’s launch of Her Perfect Life.
Now, I’m curious, Maureen, as to why Hank’s book launch led to that book.
MARGIE – I forgot to say, I like the sound of FALLEN. I know almost nothing about the Amish community apart from what I learned from Witness. But I do know there are many Amish romance novels and some bloggers who seem to read nothing but. Not sure about those, but a crime story sounds much more my thing.
And Lesa, I also forgot to say that I’m so glad you enjoyed The Bookshop of Second Chances!
I loved that book, Rosemary! It was just so satisfying, and I loved Thea!
I know some people (like my wife!) don’t understand how I can read two books at the same time, let alone multiple titles. Generally, as long as it is only one novel and the others are non fiction or short stories, I have no trouble switching back and forth. Of course, that way there seem to be periods with no listed titles because I am in the middle of several books, while other times I (coincidentally) seem to rad two or three books in a day because they all come to an end at the same time. This is just my way of prefacing that even I think I’m a little out of control at the moment, as I have four collections of short stories going at once! I read one story a day in each. The books are by John Dickson Carr (half hour radio mysteries from 1948; if you like Carr’s atmospheric mysteries, as Lesa does, you might like this one, THE ISLAND OF COFFINS), Robert Silverberg (not science fiction, but rather a collection of short stories he wrote for Men’s Adventure Magazine Exotic Adventures when the science fiction magazines died out in the late 1950s; mostly ludicrous but short tales of sex amidst the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya or an “Attack By Monster Crabs” in Central America), plus straight fiction by Junot Diaz (I found this one in the basement laundry room) and Sherman Alexie. By next week, all or most should be finished.
Jackie is currently reading Suzanne Brockmann’s KING’S RANSOM, from her revived Tall, Dark & Dangerous SEAL Team books. She’s read all the earlier ones. Shelly Laurenston’s “shifter” book, BREAKING BADGER, just came in from the library, so she will be reading that next.
I did finish Jenny (The Bloggess) Lawson’s second memoir (of sorts), FURIOUSLY HAPPY, and I have started her new one, BROKEN (IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY).
In 2005 I read something about Jonathan Coe’s THE ROTTER’S CLUB (2001) which made me want to read the book about (mostly) three friends in England in the mid-1970s up to the disastrous 1979 election of Margaret Thatcher. By coincidence, we went to London that November and I picked up the paperback and read it and enjoyed it a lot. When we got home I read the sequel, CLOSED CIRCLE(2004), bringing the characters up to the Tony Blair era at the end of the century. A few weeks ago, I suddenly discovered that Coe had brought back his characters (and their families) one more time in 2018’s MIDDLE ENGLAND, covering the last depressing decade – bombings, the London Olympics, Brexit, Donald Trump, etc. Of course I had to read it, and I really did enjoy it too.
I’ve been a fan of Joe. R. Lansdale’s since a friend introduced me to his ACT OF LOVE in the early ’80s, and I’ve met and talked to him a couple of times. His latest is MOON LAKE, called “An East Texas Gothic.” In 1968, 14 year old Daniel Russell escapes when his father deliberately drives them off a bridge and into a lake. Ten years later Daniel, now a reporter and a published author, returns to New Long Lincoln to find out what really happened, now that the lake is drying up and they finally retrieved his father’s body. Terrific read as always.
Stay safe out there! New York has started checking Proof of Vaccination for eating in restaurants, which makes us a lot more comfortable.
Jeff, I laughed when you said that even you think you’re out of control at the moment. I’m sure those books will all work out. And, you did mention finishing the Joe Lansdale and Jonathan Coe books. Like you, I often read a couple books at a time, a mystery and something else – whether that’s nonfiction, a romance, or a story collection. I have a couple story collections waiting for me right now.
I agree! Stay safe. I’m sure it makes you feel more comfortable with the Proof of Vaccination.
Jeff, I too read The Rotters’ Club many years ago, and meant to read the sequel but of course forgot – thanks for the reminder!
There is a tremendous fuss going on here about vaccine passports, and that idiot Boris Johnson has now caved into pressure from his super wealthy backers (who own pub chains, football clubs, etc) and says he’s abandoned the idea. In Scotland we are due to have them by the start of October and I welcome the idea. I think that, whatever the Westminster government do, many places will just decide for themselves; they have a right to refuse entry and many are already exercising it. I am glad.
Here on Islay we were shocked to go into a cafe where no masks were being worn by the owners or the clientele. This is a statutory requirement in Scotland. I felt extremely unsafe and we left asap. The cafe had the nerve to be displaying a poster ‘confirming’ its ‘Covid-safe’ status.
Everywhere else we have been has been exemplary – eg an art gallery that also serves coffee and cakes was spotlessly clean, everyone wore masks, lots of sanitizer available – and the lady took everyone’s track and trace details (another legal requirement totally ignored by the cafe), also the cafe at the Kilmochan distillery today was excellent, everything being done properly. You do feel so much safer in these places. (And it works both ways, as – because we felt well looked after at the distillery – my husband asked to taste the whiskies and bought one, while I bought a bottle of their new black currant and honey liqueur for my friend.)
I am dithering about whether to report that cafe to Visit Scotland. There are notices all over the island asking visitors to ‘keep Islay safe’ by following all the anti-virus measures – but sometimes it’s not the visitors who are at fault.
And now I am off my soap box – I like the sound of Moon Lake! I’d not heard of the author; I’ll look him up.
Lesa, a cookbook is a nice break sometimes. Glad you found one you like.
Our weather has continued to be beautiful, although today is very overcast. We are expected to have sunny skies and a high of about 80.
Here’s what I’ve been reading:
The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson – Young Dick Shelton has been in the care of Sir Daniel since the death of his father. When Dick learns that Sir Daniel is a murderer and he might be next, he takes to the forest in an attempt to save his life. There he is captured by a band of outlaws, but soon becomes their leader. Sir Daniel’s reputation precedes him and Dick has no trouble gaining followers for his cause. He realizes that he must go to battle against Sir Daniel in order to regain his fortune. Along the way he must discern between friend and foe, survive a shipwreck and fight for his life. The story takes place during the War of the Roses. It was quite an adventurous tale that I enjoyed.
Death in a Strange Country (Commissario Brunetti #2) by Donna Leon – Commissario Guido Brunetti is called out of bed early one morning to inspect a body that has been found in the canal. The man has no identification on him, but several things point to him being an American. It appears he was the victim of a robbery gone bad. However, once the medical examiner has finished, things are looking a little different. The knife wound that killed him was done in such a precise way that it would have killed him instantly. There are only a few people who would know how to perform such a cut or else, someone got very lucky. As Brunetti begins his investigation he is met by several roadblocks. It seems there are things going on that someone wants kept secret. I love the Venice setting and Commissario Brunetti and his family.
Hope you all have a good and safe weekend!
You’re right, Gretchen. The cookbook is a nice break.
I never read The Black Arrow. Of course, I read Treasure Island, A Child’s Garden of Verses, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I have to admit I didn’t even know the plot of The Black Arrow. Thank you!
And, I need to get around to Donna Leon someday. I do own the first in her series!
Enjoy your weather and your weekend!
This week I read THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY by Freya Sampson. This is set in a small English town. When they are notified that their town’s library may be closed a shy, quiet assistant librarian has to decide if she can move out of her comfort zone and fight for the library. This isn’t something I would have normally chosen but I surprised myself by enjoying it.
THE CHOCOLATE RACCOON RIGAMAROLE by JoAnna Carl. The latest in her chocolate shop mystery series has local shops being burglarized but the only things being stolen are snacks. Until a sheriff’s deputy goes missing. The story isn’t very believable but it was a light read which is what I wanted.
I’m currently reading WHEN SORROWS COME by Seanan McGuire. It’s the 15th book in her October Daye fantasy series and one of the few fantasy series that I still buy. Mainly set in San Francisco where Fairy overlays humanity without the humans knowing it, October is a changeling and a hero of the realm which means her life is full of complicated, dangerous and often bloody quests.
Sandy, It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a good fantasy book. I’ll have to keep an eye out for the first in a series.
I’m always happy to see someone enjoy a book with “Library” in the title!
Have a good weekend!
Good morning. Lesa, I have to say that cookbook does look interesting. I have already put a library request in for it. I am always on the hunt for quick and easy recipes.
This week I read Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown. I enjoyed it very much. I liked the bootlegging theme. For me, it was a bit different. Next up is The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer.
I am heading to West Point this weekend to visit my nephew who is a cadet there. I am looking forward to it. Next week headed to NH to visit with my daughter who recently moved there. I hoping to see some fall folliage but it may be a bit too early. It will be fun just the same.
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
You’re right, Kathleen. Just getting away and seeing family will be fun. West Point sounds fascinating, especially with someone to show you around.
You’ll have to let us know what you think of the cookbook after you get it.
Safe travels, Kathleen!
Happy Thursday at Lesa’s!
I can’t read more than one novel at a time; the characters seem to hop around from one book to another and I cannot keep them straight. But I like having a book of essays, poetry or a cookbook close by to jump into. My cooking skills and my desire to cook don’t reflect the hours I can spend reading cookbooks, which I thoroughly enjoy doing. Odd how a person (me) can own so many cookbooks and still serve up the same boring rotation of meals week after week.
Thank you, Lesa, for your review and recommendation of The Bookshop of Second Chances. I loved it!
I bet Donald isn’t bored with those meals, Kaye. They always sound delicious to me. Of course, they do if I don’t have to cook!
You are so welcome, Kaye. Wasn’t that a fun book?
I am reading “People of abandoned character” by Clare Whitfield and “The Book Artist” by Mark Pryor. On audio, I am listening to the latest by Karin Slaughter “False Witness”.
I’ll be interested, Katherine, to see what you think of People of Abandoned Character. It’s certainly different. Ah, Mark Pryor. Another, I’ll get to his books someday author for me.
People of Abandoned Character was a very different book. It certainly put a new spin on Jack the Ripper . Sometimes it was a bit gory for my taste in her description of certain things but I am glad I read it.
Happy Thursday at Lesa’s!
I can’t read more than one novel at a time; the characters seem to hop around from one book to another and I cannot keep them straight. But I like having a book of essays, poetry or a cookbook close by to jump into. My cooking skills and my desire to cook don’t reflect the hours I can spend reading cookbooks, which I thoroughly enjoy doing. Odd how a person (me) can own so many cookbooks and still serve up the same boring rotation of meals week after week.
Thank you, Lesa, for your review and recommendation of The Bookshop of Second Chances. I loved it!
I have a cookbook collection for browsing although I seldom follow a recipe. My sister-in-law told me she receives many as gifts and purges frequently; limiting herself to one shelf. I try to limit myself to one bookcase!
That topic segues to one of my reads this week, The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South (1955-2015). Not a recipe to be found, but this book examines history through the food eaten, showing it analogous to regional music or literature. The South and it’s food are more multicultural than one might expect.
My other reads:
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. Reviewed here to much interest when it was published in 2016. This book about life after a librarian loses her job was more aptly labeled with its UK title “The Little Shop of Happy-Ever-After”. The characters and the rural Scotland setting are done well, but overall a cozy romance with a light dusting of books.
I Couldn’t Love You More a new book by British novelist Esther Freud. The storyline involves motherhood, secrets, love and limited choices for three generations of women moving between London and Ireland. Memorable characters.
Dance With Death by Will Thomas is the latest book (#12) in the series featuring 19th-century British private detective Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. This entry, the only one I’ve read, is based upon the assassination attempt of the tsarevich Nicholas while visiting London for a royal wedding. Good series for audio fans as it is mostly dialogue and the inner musings of the storyteller.
Exciting to have a couple days of smoke free skies this week. The Dixie Fire is now 86% contained. A cold front is moving in this weekend with accompanying winds, but I was able to enjoy a restaurant meal (outdoor seating) postponed from August.
MM, I just can’t imagine smelling that smoke for weeks or months. I’m glad you finally had a chance to have that outdoor meal.
You’re right about Colgan’s book. It was light on the book aspect.
Just the little I know about regional foods would go with your book’s theme. It sounds fascinating. I’m closer to your sister-in-law because I’m not much of a cook. One shelf works for me. There are some gorgeous cookbooks out there, though. My Mom’s neighbor collects all those little ones from church and community groups. She’s right. They’re usually good recipes because those women were proud of them, and didn’t want a bad recipe to appear in connection with their names.
I picked up another Lisa Unger book at the library. This time it’s Heartbroken. Very nice suspense on an island and interesting characters with lots of conflict.
Patricia, Isn’t it nice to be able to return to a favorite author and find satisfaction?
Lesa,
I subscribe to Sabrina Snyder’s blog. Everything I’ve made from it was a success and easy.
I’m glad you liked THE BOOKSHOP OF SECOND CHANCES as much as I did. It is so refreshing when romance novels have heroines older than 30.
Not much reading at my house. We are knee deep in packing boxes. Our movers come next Thursday. I am so ready.
I did finish THE MAGIC OF FOUND OBJECTS by Maddie Dawson. Interesting premise of a 36 year old tired of dating. Her best male friend proposes they get married despite them not being in romantic love. It played out nicely. I felt a little let down by her choice at the end but it was an easy enjoyable read.
I am absolutely loving THE READING LIST by Sara Nisha Adams. I am having a hard time carving out a space of time during the day to read it with all the moving and conk out after a few chapters when I read before bed. But I think it’s a book I wouldn’t want to rush through any way.
Happy Reading!
Happy Reading, and good luck with the packing and moving, Sharon. I’m sure you’re ready, and ready for your new home!
Thank you. It’s nice to know you’re pleased with Sabrina Snyder’s cooking suggestions.
I didn’t remember who talked about The Bookshop of Second Chances here. You’re right. It is nice to have mature heroines in the books. Thea wouldn’t have had that sense of humor and ability to roll with the punches if she had been younger.
I also agree that The Reading List isn’t a book for a rush.
As I said, good luck! I’m sure you’ll be too busy next Thursday, so we’ll see you when you’re back!
In Portland, the weather has been high 70s, low 80s, which is fine, and we’ve been enjoying time in the garden, deadheading, weeding, watering, admiring. The GOOD NEWS here is that finally on Tuesday I got my new glasses. (Sound of thunderous applause)
Before my glasses went away I’d finished the excellent Lighting Strike by Kent Krueger, so I had to decide what to read next. I settled on Tainted by Ross Pennie. Due to getting our flu shots and other activities, I’m not far along with it, but so far, so good.
Meanwhile Barbara finished Louise Penny’s The Madness of Crowds. She says: “OK…now I have to wait for her to write the next one. I so love her style and characters. This one brought out so many different emotions and was great. I even read the acknowledgements in the back, for context. Suspect some will not like the pandemic being brought into it, but that was not the story, just part of what was going on while Penny wrote it.”
More good news! After severe drought (nearly 10 inches under normal), rain is predicted for both Saturday and Sunday. Yay! That’s it. Some things coming from the library, eventually, and lots of books in the house, and it’s so nice to be reading again!
The cookbook sounds interesting, but honestly we have shelves of them we rarely touch, while rolling along with our usual chicken, salads, pasta, veggies and casseroles.
One other note, though we’re not big “gamers”, we have, after reading an interesting article on its designer, bought and been very much enjoying playing Wingspan, a board game for 1 to 5 players which plays well for 2. Anyone who likes birds might be interested.
Oh, good, Rick. That’s great news about your new glasses!
Also good news about your weather including the hoped-for rain. I hope you get it.
Like Barbara, I read The Madness of Crowds, but I am one of those people who had a hard time with it. Although I love to catch up with her characters, this one really didn’t work well for me. I was angry for the first 150 pages.
I’m glad you’re “back”, and able to read the posts this week.
I like the sound of that cookbook, Lesa. We downsized our cookbooks over the years and have few standards we cook, but I like simple easy recipes.
As for my reading… Last week I finished THE CHINESE SHAWL by Patricia Wentworth, a Miss Silver book. I liked it a lot, especially the wartime setting. I am trying to finish all the books in that series set during the war or immediately afterward before I move on to later ones or Wentworth’s novels that don’t feature Miss Silver.
I also read BLACKOUT IN GRETLEY by J. B. Priestley, which was just released in a new edition by Valancourt Books. It was first published in 1942, and also set during the war. It is mainly spy fiction, with the protagonist trying to locate Nazi spies in a Midlands town in England.
I don’t know much about what else Priestley has written, I have only read one other book by him, Benighted. But I would like to try more of his books. My husband has one more book of his, Saturn over the Water, which claims to be “a fast-paced and clever mix of adventure, mystery, and science fiction.”
Currently I am reading A SIEGE OF BITTERNS. And enjoying it very much. It is described as “a birder mystery featuring DCI Domenic Jejeune.” Jejeune is the new DCI in the Norfolk town of Saltmarsh. Birding is big in the area, and Jejeune is a birder. A TV presenter and ecological activist is murdered, and Jejeune is heading the investigation. Rick Robinson read and reviewed this book a few months ago and that motivated me to find it and read it.
I don’t own many cookbooks, Tracy, so I hope this one works for me.
I love it that you picked up A Siege of Bitterns because of Rick’s review. That’s why we’re all here, to share books along with a little talk about what’s going on in our lives.
Rick, could you tell me the name of your blog? I’d love to read it.
Rosemary, my blog is Tip the Wink, at http://www.tipthewink.net. The content has been somewhat chaotic lately, but you can search or just scroll. Thanks for the interest.
I was an election official over the weekend, and had plenty of time for reading as hardly anybody showed up until Tuesday, and even then it wasn’t exactly a flood of people. On Tuesday, voters were telling me to my face they thought the whole thing was rigged, and that LA was becoming Chicago West. That’s never happened before, and it certainly isn’t a good sign. Ballots or bullets, they used to say…
I also got bitten by a kissing bug out there. Hope I don’t get some kind of disease.
This week I read:
Mystery of the Cowboy Summit by Darryle Purcell; Silver screen cowboys fly to Brazil to help with FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy, only to find espionage, saboteurs, and giant bugs! This series is loopy, but always entertaining.
A Baseball Story by E Ryan Janz; Doesn’t know whether it wants to be a romance or a sports story.
Wonders All Around by Bruce McCanless III; biography of one of the Apollo Astronauts who never made it to the moon, but still made gigantic contributions to science. Written by his son who mostly complained about having to mow the lawn as a teenager.
All The King’s Soldiers by John Anthony Miller; In WWII Lisbon, the nazi agent known as The Chameleon is ruling the roost. A British agent, known for solving puzzles is called to find him. There’s love with a Spanish Lady, double and triple crosses, abound, and the British Agent fills out his stamp collection.
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander; A cryptographer is recruited to find out who is sending letters to the Japanese after Pearl Harbor a handsome FBI agent is sent to accompany her. Cue the romance. I was expecting more secret codes, less pining away.
Rescuing Patton by Curtis Burdick; Old fashioned WWII action about a mission to rescue Patton, who was captured in Italy. Could be an 80’s TV-Movie, probably starring Telly Savalas.
Ophelia by Norman Bacal; Hamlet in a modern business climate. Just read the original.
Cat’s Got Your Arsenic by Tara Meyers; Small town veterinarian gets sucked into another mystery, when she finds a sick cat, and finds out it was given arsenic…Just like the dead man down the road! The usual small town secrets and romances, and so much poisoning I thought twice about eating dinner.
Glen, This was an exceptional list with a lot of opportunities for smiles. “Probably starring Telly Savalas.” So much poisoning you thought twice about eating dinner. Cue the romance. I have to admit I’m not as critical, but your reviews are much more fun than mine.
I completely forgot it was Thursday. So I’m popping in now.
I’m racing toward the climax of WREATHING HAVOC by Julia Henry. It’s set around Thanksgiving, so there was lots of turkey at one point, but we are slowly starting to get ready for Christmas. I’m enjoying it and curious what exactly is going on. Plan is to finish it today.
Looks like my last one didn’t take. Let’s try again.
I forgot it was Thursday, or at least not thinking about popping in here because it is Thursday. Got a lot on my mind right now, and my mind was whirling when I was doing my blog checks.
Anyway, I’m planning to finish WREATHING HAVOC by Julia Henry today. It’s set around Thanksgiving, so at the beginning we had lots of turkey, but now we are starting to get ready for Christmas. I’m enjoying it and looking forward to seeing exactly what is going on.
And now I’ve got two. 🙂
That’s okay. You’re not the only one today, Mark. WordPress must have been slow in the uptake. Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s getting to be the season for those mysteries!
I’m afraid I haven’t read a thing this week. Don’t everybody faint!! I’m fighting an infection in my elbow which has required antibiotics and a lot of sleep. I did recently finish the series, so far anyway, by Dianne Freeman with Lady Frances Harleigh. Hopefully the wedding will be in book #5. While it is a romance series to be sure, it is also a mystery series that is quite well done. It’s a nice juxtaposition. Thanks to Lesa who turned me on to this author. I’m sure to find another book somewhere to read, or probably listen to.
Sandie, Take care of yourself first, and then when you’re ready to start reading again, I’m sure the perfect book will pop up.