Well, Rick’s ill, so he said he won’t be here. I don’t know if Jeff will be or not, since they are either on their way, or just arrived in Florida. We’ll make do! Thank you, again, to Glen for sharing his list of Favorite books of 2021. I hope you had a chance to look at Glen’s list yesterday. Margie’s list will be up next Wednesday.
We were doing a genre study of historical fiction at work, so I picked Kate Quinn’s forthcoming book, The Diamond Eye, to read. It’s about Mila Pavlichenko, in her twenties, a single mom, a student of history, who is working at the Odessa Public Library when Hitler’s troops invaded the Soviet Union. Mila enlisted that day as a sniper. With 309 kills, she became known as “Lady Death”, and eventually became a good friend of Eleanor Roosevelt’s, meeting her first in 1942. I hadn’t read Kate Quinn’s books include The Huntress about the Soviet Union’s Night Witches, bomber pilots in World War II, and The Rose Code about female codebreakers at England’s Bletchley Park. I have a copy of The Rose Code, but haven’t yet read it, so I picked Kate Quinn’s March release to read. I liked Quinn’s Author’s Note in The Diamond Eye. She said, “It’s sometimes said that World War II was won with British intelligence, American steel, and Soviet blood.” She said because the Cold War started so soon after WWII, we sometimes forget the Soviet Union was our ally during the war, and their losses on the Eastern front were enormous. It’s a fascinating, easy-to-read book, not what I expected with a book about a female sniper.
So, that’s what I’ve been reading. What are you reading this week? I hope you’re taking care of yourself!
Hello, Thursday Peeps! Happy New Year!
I enjoyed reading Glenn’s list and was surprised to see that I had not read a single one! I plan on correcting that.
Hope Rick is feeling better and that Jeff and Jackie have a safe trip to Florida.
I have read and loved everything by Kate Quinn. The Diamond Eye sounds like another that I’ll enjoy.
I’ve read 3 good books –
The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton, inspired by a true story.
The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams (ARC)
We Lie Here by Rachel Howzell Hall (ARC)
All good. Each keeping me up very late (not a complaint).
It’s not quite 1 a.m. and I’m wondering whether or not to start reading The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick . . .
Since you wrote that so late, you’ll probably sleep in this morning, Kaye. Now, I’m curious as to whether or not you started the next book.
I picked up the Postmistress of Paris from the library yesterday. I’m looking forward to reading it. You are going to enjoy The Diamond Eye. I really need to read The Rose Code.
Snow today here! Fortunately, nothing like yours! Hugs, my friend!
And I also recommend The Alice Network by Ms. Quinn!
I read till about 3, woke up at 9:30.
Stay warm!
We’re expecting more snow later today.
Hugs and smooches flying your way!
Checking in again from Southern California. The holidays through my schedule all out of whack. Honestly, I still don’t quite know what day it is. I’ve been struggling to remember all week.
As I write this on Wednesday night my time, I am currently between books. Early today, I finished THE TURNCOAT’S WIDOW by Mally Becker. It’s a historical mystery set during the Revolutionary War, and I really enjoyed it.
I think I’ve finally decided on what book is next – CEMENT STILETTOS by Diane Vallere. I’m really trying to catch up on her books, so now seems like a good time to slip this one in. It’s the seventh in a series, and they are usually a lot of fun.
A little jealous about The Diamond Eye, Lesa. I loved all those titles you mentioned. The Rose Code was my favorite book last year.
This week I read The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede. It is the 20th anniversary updated edition about the planes that landed in Newfoundland after 9/11. At the end, he gave updates on some of the passengers and townspeople. It was a fast read and I enjoyed it.
I am nearly at the end of The Art of Betrayal by Connie Berry. Another stellar outing with Kate Hamilton. I like Kate and her detective boyfriend Tom as well as reading about the antique world which I know nothing about. I hope her antique shop owner friend Ivor sticks around for more installments in the series.
Our snow event they had been predicting has pretty much fizzled out. We are just going to have cold temperatures. A perfect day to stay in, make beef stew for dinner and read.
Happy Reading!
Sharon, We’re having “a snow event” this morning. I’m okay if it ends at noon. Then, by the time I go home at the end of the day, the roads will all be cleared. It’s supposed to end by noon here. Fingers crossed.
I “think” Ivor is in the next Kate Hamilton book. I read a short description someplace, and I think he was mentioned.
I’d like “The Day the World Came to Town”. “Come from Away”, about the same event in Gandor, is one of my favorite plays. I’ve seen it 3 or 4 times.
I had that same problem, Mark, when I was off work for two weeks over the holiday. Actually, it was a delightful problem to have. Just days stretching before me with books to read.
Oh, I like historical mysteries. I’ll have to check that one out.
It’s funny that you just read your first book by Kate Quinn because I did too. My cousin gave me a copy of THE HUNTRESS for Christmas. It’s the first time I’d ever heard of the Night Witches and that part of the book was really interesting. I did feel that the middle of the book dragged though. My Mom just finished The Rose Code and she said The Huntress was better.
I also read
HER FIRST TASTE OF FIRE by Kristen Painter, a funny paranormal romance featuring a dragon shifter, Famine’s daughter, and lots of chocolate.
BARNABAS, QUENTIN AND THE SERPENT by Marilyn Ross, one of the books from the 70s that was very loosely based on the Dark Shadows TV show.
I am going to get to those Kate Quinn books sooner or later, Sandy. This one hasn’t dragged at all. I meant to get to her books earlier.
Chocolate and fire just don’t seem to go together!
And don’t forget The Alice Network!
Yes, another one I want to read!
I’m here (though not much reading done during four days on the road). You know that big snowstorm in Virginia that stranded hundreds for up to 24 hours? We were almost in that! In fact, we were in the beginning of it. What happened was, we left New York on Sunday and it was amaingly mild, up to the low 60s by the time we got to Virginia. But by the time we got up on Monday it was snowing hard, the cars were covered, and it was getting ugly out there. (Clearly, we should have left a little earlier.) I decided we could get through, whereas if we waited we could be stuck in the hotel for two days without food. Once I got to I-95 it was doable if you were careful. There weren’t many cars (and almost no trucks) on the road, visibility was OK, we have an all-wheel drive Subaru. The main issue was the lack of snow plows, but we made it. It took me three hours to go 120 miles (mostly going 30 mph), and before we got to Richmond it had changed to rain and we were safe. But people were still getting on the road at 3 in the afternoon and 7 at night! Why wasn’t I-95 shut down by Virginia? Crazy.
Books? Nothing to report. I don’t have my previous year’s book with me so can’t report the end of the year, though I did get to 151 books total, plus 920 (previous high: 820!) short stories read (and 68 collections finished). I did finish the two books I was reading last week – GRAVE’S END by William Shaw, set in a desolate area of Kent, and JIM HANVEY, DETECTIVE by Octavus Roy Cohen, a collection originally published in 1923. Currently reading Tom Hanks’s collection UNCOMMON TYPE. I probably wouldn’t have read it before reading Ann Patchett’s high praise in her book of essays. It’s pretty good so far.
I hope to be back to normal by next week. I’ve started (finally) Archer Mayor’s MARKED MAN, his latest Joe Gunther book. I’ve read them all.
Oh, Jeff! Maybe you should have started sooner, but at least you made it through, and you weren’t stuck for 2 days on I-95. You’re right. They shut have shut it down before all those people were stuck. I’m glad you made it safely.
I liked Jim Hanvey, Detective. The stories started to feel the same, but I still enjoyed the book. I haven’t read Uncommon Type, although I think that’s another book I have in a pile someplace.
I’m glad you and Jackie are now in Florida. Stay safe! I know you’ll try.
Jackie was kicking herself (figuratively because she woke up at 4 AM and it was raining, and she thought “maybe we should leave now” but didn’t wake me up, but all’s well that end’s well.
That’s true. At least you made it.
Oh my goodness Jeff, that sounds horrendous. I’m so glad you arrived safely. There is nothing worse than driving in snow at night, the headlights just seem to make things worse. Our ploughs do try to keep the main roads clear, but sometimes they just can’t keep up with it. The side roads are rarely cleared unless the snow lies for days.
When I read about you going south to Florida, it immediately makes me think of Some Like It Hot. I’ve seen it many times, and I always think how exciting it must have been to have travelled in one of those sleeper cars, leaving freezing New York City behind and arriving in beautiful sunshine. It seems very exotic to us, as although you can take a sleeper from London to Scotland, it doesn’t really take long enough to make a night, so the train goes on a longer route, and stops in a siding near where we used to live in East Lothian, so that the passengers didn’t arrive in Inverness or Aberdeen till they had at least had their coffee and biscuits!
Your reading records are so impressive, I wish I could read even a half of what you two get through. Have a lovely time in Florida!
I’ve been plodding – and I do mean plodding – through One Half Truth by Eva Dolan – at this point I really don’t care who murdered this guy but I never give up so I hopefully will finish this one tomorrow. We are expecting snow in the morning so not planning on doing anything. Glad Jeff got through – what a mess. Happy New Year to all!
Oh, Donna. You really need to read #3 here – In its preface, the book by Daniel Pennac called Comme un roman (Paris: Editions Gallimard/Folio, 1992), begs its reader not to use the book as an “instrument de torture pedagogique.” Pennac enumerates 10 Inalienable Rights of the Reader:
Here are the first 5 –
The right to not read,
The right to skip pages,
The right to not finish a book,
The right to reread,
The right to read anything,
Thanks so much – maybe that should be my new resolution for 2022!
Nancy Pearl, a librarian, provides advice that works for me.
” If a reader is under 50 years old, then consume 50 pages before dropping a book. If a reader is over 50 years old, take the number 100, subtract your age, and this is the number of pages to read before switching to the next book.” I really don’t bother with more than 36 pages. If it hasn’t caught my attention by then, I move on.
Well I listened to everyone and have decided to not be so hard on myself in always finishing what I start so started a new book this morning and am having a relaxing day.
Oh, Donna. That’s great! Not that you had to listen to us, but that you’re having a relaxing day because you’re not being so hard on yourself. That’s great!
Lesa! Love this! How have I missed knowing about Pennac’s 10 Inalienable Rights of the Reader?! I’m off to find out more. I totally agree with #3!
Oh, I agree with his list, and Nancy Pearl’s advice above, Kaye.
I also haven’t heard of these rights – and I am very glad to read about them today, as I have just this morning returned a book to the library that I decided to give up on. And I don’t even feel bad about it (not now, anyway…)
I never feel bad about it, Rosemary.
So true, I sill have a couple of friends who claim they “never” abandon a book once they’ve started it. Life’s too short. I used to believe in the 50 page rule, but…life’s too short. If I read half a book or even two-thirds and just don’t really care about what is going to happen the rest of the way… right, life’s too short. I have abandoned books at well past the halfway point and I don’t feel at all guilty about it.
Similarly, if I read 50 or 100 pages and feel the book has barely gotten started and there are another 600 pages to go…life’s too short.
But also, just because I dislike a book doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with it! It just doesn’t appeal to me in this time and place. You might well love it. There are books and authors I love and friends have said that they “can’t” read them. Does that mean there is something wrong with them? Well, maybe, but no, I’m kidding of course. Read what you want to, not what critics or friends or your mother (or book club) tells you you MUST read.
Good morning and a very Happy New Year.
I read Mango, Mambo and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes. This was just ok for me. I disliked the mother-in-law and how she treated Miriam. I also disliked the relationship between Miriam and her husband Robert. He did not stand up for her with his mother nor consult her when making major life decisions (taking a new job). Miriam putting up with this behavior soured me to her character and probably influenced my enjoyment of the story.
The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman. I enjoyed this. It is about overcoming guilt, acknowledging grief and not running from it. It is an ode to winter in Northern Michigan. It almost had me enjoying the idea of snow. As I said…..almost. Until the reality of it set in (and the forecast for snow for this area of NY/NJ for later tonight. Ugh!).
I am reading the Ladies Most Likely. I am about 10% into the book. I read the summary on Goodreads, I am scratching my head thinking, this is not the book I am reading. I finally realize, my version of the book is a collection of the two Ladies Most Likely stories, and I am reading the first one. I skipped ahead to The Lady Most Willing which is the one I was interested in reading.
Lesa, I am looking forward to reading The Diamond Eye. I have read all of Kate Quinn’s books and really enjoyed them all. The Rose Code was one of my favorite books for 2021.
Wishing you all a wonderful week. More and more people are coming down with this Omicron variant, so stay safe.
Oh, Kathleen. I’m sorry you didn’t like Reyes’ book. Oh, well, it’s not for everyone.
I’m really liking The Diamond Eye. If you read Quinn’s earlier books, you’ll probably like this one, too.
I know! I hope everyone does stay safe!
Lesa, I’m on the fence about whether to read The Diamond Eye, although I love the title. I loved The Rose Code, but I am reluctant to read any more books set in WWII. You’ve just about convinced me, though. Here’s what I finished this week:
THE MATCH is the sequel to The Boy from the Woods that I’ve been waiting for and my pick for the best thriller I’ve read in 2021. Wilde was a little boy when he was discovered living alone in the NJ mountains. He was able to read and survive but had no memory of a family, and no family had claimed him in the 35 ensuing years. After using his special skills to locate a missing girl in the last book, he is now having mixed success in tracking down his own relatives. But who would have thought that submitting his DNA to an online genealogical site would result in such confusion and mayhem, including multiple murders? The character of Wilde, a study in paradoxes, is one of the most compelling selling points of the book. He prefers to isolate himself in a self-created “ecocapsule” in the mountains but is able to break out of isolation and help to solve puzzling situations when needed. Attractive to women–and attracted to them–he has trouble forming lasting attachments. Although he has trust issues, he is committed to a few special people in his life: attorney Hester, his closest thing to a mother figure; Hester’s grandson Matthew, the son of Wilde’s deceased childhood friend; and Matthew’s widowed mother, Laila. Wilde’s character shows development throughout the book, which helps him become more relatable to the reading audience. The other major strength is the intricately plotted story. Elements as diverse as reality TV dating shows, online trolling, a secret vigilante group, and a religious cult intersect in fascinating ways. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, and I found the ending satisfying. There are still a few loose ends, which encourages me to hope that there may be future Wilde adventures. (March)
IT HAD TO BE YOU by Georgia Clark is a contemporary romance featuring no fewer than five existing or potential couples, all of whom are connected through a wedding planning business, In Love in New York. Liv’s husband died suddenly and, to Liv’s surprise, left half of the business to his young mistress. Over time, Liv and Savannah learn to work together and appreciate each other. But Liv is also challenged by a relationship with her much younger caterer–both of them with young children. The business’s frequent musical entertainers–a singer and her accompanist/songwriter–embark on a faux romance to satisfy one’s parents and the other’s financial needs. A server who works occasionally for the business and who also works periodically in foreign countries supervising humanitarian volunteers finds herself falling for a popular screen actor who guards his privacy fanatically. Two florists have an open gay relationship, but one of them longs for something more permanent. And Savannah is shocked to learn that she might have a love life entirely different from what she envisioned. I would have preferred maybe one or two fewer couples so the others could be followed in more depth, but I still enjoyed the ride.
The suspense and despair crackles on every page of STAY AWAKE by Megan Goldin, making it a particularly fast read for me. I tried not to imagine myself in Liv’s shoes because it seemed all too hopeless. Whenever she wakes up from sleeping, Liv can’t remember anything that happened before she fell asleep, even after a short nap. In fact, the only way she can remember anything that has occurred in the last two years, or anything she desperately needs to remember, is to record it in a journal, or on Post-Its, or on her own hands and arms. And the messages she writes herself are growing more urgent and more alarming–stay awake, don’t fall asleep, don’t trust anyone. She has to rely on others to help her find her apartment, her favorite night spot, her car, and to tell her what she should be doing. Unfortunately, not everyone is reliable or worthy of her trust. The story goes back and forth in time, sometimes back two years, sometimes back 24 hours, sometimes in the present, gradually revealing much of the information we need to know to understand what is happening to Liv. The author ramps up the creepiness to a fever pitch all the way until the end of the book. However, I prefer thrillers with more relatable characters and interesting plots, and I was disappointed by the way the author’s writing style seemed to deteriorate after the story was resolved. (Aug.)
Thank you, Lesa, for recommending Kim Fay’s LOVE AND SAFFRON. Whether you were alive in the mid-1960s or not, the letters exchanged by 27-year-old Joan in LA and 59-year-old Imogen in Washington state will give you a fascinating glimpse into that time in history–the Cuban missile crisis, JFK’s assassination, the burgeoning Women’s Lib movement, and pop culture names such as Johnny Carson and Helen Gurley Brown. But what started as a fan letter telling Imogen how much her monthly column in Northwest Home and Life magazine meant to Joan, with a sample of saffron enclosed, turns out to be more about each woman sharing her life with a total stranger who eventually becomes her beloved friend. Both are writers, but that’s where the similarities end. Well-traveled, college-educated Joan has a job covering women’s issues for a newspaper and is adventurous about trying new foods, while 44-years-married Imogen, a secretary as well as a columnist, is much more knowledgeable about the world around her, particularly the outdoors. Though they only meet once in person, through their correspondence they are able to help each other expand their lives, see those around them–and themselves–in a different way, and support each other through challenging times. This is not a long book, but one that imbues each word and sentence with meaning and emotional heft, often mixed with humor. A quote that I highlighted while reading the book sums it up for me: “The less we cement ourselves to our certainties, the fuller our lives can be.” I’d say everyone can benefit from reading this book and will be better off for it. (Feb.)
Margie, like you I think I have had my fill of WWII novels, but then find myself reading another. And enjoying it. When will it end?!
I too enjoyed The Match, and your thoughts on Kim Fay’s book reminds me that I do want to read it.
I hadn’t read too many WWII novels lately, so The Diamond Eye worked for me. Plus, it was set on the Eastern Front, and featured a woman fighting, which was a departure from anything I had read.
Yes, I liked The Match. And, I’m glad you went into much more detail with the Kim Fay book than I did.
Thanks to Goodreads giveaways and the recommendation from Kaye Barley, I’ll be reading all of Ruth Hogan’s novels as time allows. I loved Madame Burova! Now I’m reading The Missing Hours by Julia Dahl. So far, I wouldn’t care to meet any of the characters, but the story is interesting and intriguing. I’ll continue on to see if any of those characters redeem themselves.
Patricia! I love it when one reader says the recommendations of another reader here turned them on to an author. I’m glad you’re enjoying Ruth Hogan’s books!
Patricia, Ruth Hogan is one of my favorites as well. I hope she writes faster!
Good morning to all!
I have been meaning to get to Kate Quinn’s books as well, Lesa. The Diamond Eye sounds really good.
Our weather has been very cold. This is typical for January, but fortunately we will get two days of very cold – highs in the single digits or just below zero – and then a couple of days of upper teens or twenties. Then, back to cold. Unfortunately, it seems on the warm days we are getting snow. Things are finally getting back to normal in our home after our son left on Monday and my husband’s work schedule is back to pre-holiday hours. All that means I haven’t done a lot of reading!
I did finish The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman. This is the second book in the series where Mrs. Pollifax finds herself spending time in Istanbul. It was a quick read that was just perfect for busy times.
I am off to read Glen’s list of favorites.
Have a good week!
We have our first snow since last April, Gretchen. It’s pretty, but one day of it is enough for me! I hope it’s all finished by noon. Then, roads will be fine when I drive home.
I’ve never read the Mrs. Pollifax books, but I know they’re favorites of several people here.
You have a good week as well!
Greetings in the New Year! With a few days of above freezing windy weather much of the snow has melted leaving mud and standing water. A spring thaw in the midst of winter.
I was finally able to download Christmas In Absaroka County from the library.
The four feel-good Longmire short stories published in 2012 are maybe an hour reading in total, but made a very nice New Year’s Eve read.
Currently reading The Temple House Vanishing. It’s the debut and a best seller in Ireland from author Rachel Donohue, published in US in 2021. In 1990, 16-year-old Louisa’s test scores earn her a place at the prestigious Temple House, situated in a Victorian manse on a gloomy seaside hill. Louisa and her art teacher dissappear without a trace. Suspenseful
I’ll take spring thaws anytime, MM!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Christmas in Absaroka County. I know I’ve said before that I love Craig Johnson’s shorter pieces.
I am signing on late today,.I am reading Egg Driop Dead by Vivian Chen. There is great picture of egg drop soup on the cover and I was disappointed to find out that there is very little about the the Chinese food that I love in the mystery. But the author is ABC,slang for American Born Chinese,so that explains it. The main character Lana Lee, is a business rather than a cook, Lana is very ABC and the mystery is well constructed. I am loving it. to waitto
Also Reading Flesh and Blood by N. West Moss. It is a memoir centered around her problems. Married late in life, she found herself pregnant at the age of 51 and had miscarriage after miscarriage and the story goes back in forth through the past and to the current pribkm, a uterine hemangioma. The author tells the story of a world of emotional and boduly pain an losing enormous amounts of blood. One pitctute that i have seared into my mind is that of her cat, Rosie. The author was alone at home, bleeding strongly and in a panic mood.
“Rosie ran to me, firsr by the bed, then as I crawled down the hallway, and finally to the bathroom, She mellowed into my face as I shooted Craig’s name, and she ran back a few feet to wait, and then ran back to me. I thought childbirth in the movies,how people ran arounf tearing up sheets,and I thought Rosie would boil water for me of she could. She have torn up sheets, if I needed them.I remember being grateful to her as a witness.It amy
The above impressed me strongly, it would impress you too if you have ever had a cat mellow in your face strongly! Like the cat is telling you, I know this is serious and I want to help.
I wish Rick well.
I am not sure if I can post or not next Thursday, I saw my opthmalogist yesterday and
she said that my pressure is good, that I need a treatment for my eyes, On next Tuesday, I have an appointment for a Prokera graft. A piece od animiotic lining will be on a contact lens and it will be inserted into my eye. Then I come back on Friday to see if it can be removed. It may make it difficult to see but it is something that heals the eye some from dry eye destruction. It is approved by Medicare. If it does not work, there is a new eye serum that may help but it costs $500 and is not covered at all by Medicare. (maybe experimental).
It may be hard to see during the process and it could cause scarring, They don;t know if it will help until they try it.
Carolee, Don’t worry about us. We’ll be here the following Thursday. You just take care of your eyes. That’s most important!
I have to say, Egg Drop Dead sounds better than the other book. That one sounds tragic.
Carole, Many good thoughts for your procedure. I hope it turns out well.
The first week of January has been a good one for reading – lots of gloomy weather. I have read the second book by Mariah Frederciks – Death of a New American. featuring the ladies maid Jane Prescott. These are charming reads set in NYC in 1912. Lots of family secrets revealed in this book.
Then I read a cozy by Krista Davis in her Paws and Claws series -Murder She Barked. Set in the mountains of Virginia and features a darling Jack Russell and a lovely cat who help with the investigation.
To Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid set in the DC area and has Quinn Caine and her dog RBG solving two deaths that have perplexed the police. Romance and dogs – you cannot go wrong in a cozy.
Just finished Kate Bell’s second book in her Gotham series set in the late 1880’s – New York society is the centerpiece of this series and it is wonderful series. Genevieve Stewart and Daniel McCaffrey get involved in a very dangerous investigation involving a missing young girl from a very wealthy family and other serious issues. I checked her website and the third book will be out in October of this year. Deception by Gaslight was the first and I would recommend that you start with the first book in the series.
Next up is the new Miranda James – What the Cat Dragged In and there have been mixed reviews on this site regarding this book.
Oh, I like Mariah Fredericks’ books, Jeannette. And, they just get better the deeper you get into the series. The Gotham series is good, too.
Happy Reading!
Good afternoon everyone, and a belated happy new year to you all.
I am so glad to be back in our Thursday meet-up. I have had more than enough of running all over Scotland (mostly in the dark, as we have such short winter days.) It was great to see our younger daughter, Madeleine, in Glasgow on New Year’s Day, we had a very nice walk in her local park, which has a lot of ornate Victorian architecture (fountains and memorials), no doubt funded by some wealthy industrialist of the past. She had also made a delicious pistachio and raspberry cake for our visit.
We came back up to Aberdeenshire the next day, and since then we have had snow, ice, rain, winds and now more rain. The first full day we were back, I had a wonderful walk up to the top of the hill, with beautiful views right across the countryside; it was a cold but bright afternoon and I was filled with joy to be back here. That was the only good weather to date! But we expect snow and ice at this time of year, so i am not complaining, and I’m still very glad to be back.
I finally, FINALLY, finished the book I had been stuck on for far too long.
It was WINTER GROUND by Catriona McPherson. I have read several of her detective stories, which feature Dandy Gilver, an aristocratic woman who is bored with her very traditional landowner husband Hugh, and so solves mysteries with her very wealthy friend Alec. All of the books are set in the early part of the 20th century, mostly in rural Perthshire (a county which, to this day, has more than its fair share of enormous shooting estates).
I have enjoyed some of the other books in the series, but I found this one quite tedious – there were far too many characters with almost the same name, and although it was at first interesting to read about circus life and traditions, it soon felt as though the author had read a book about them and was determined to get all of her knowledge into the story. The plot started off in a reasonably interesting way, and part of the solution to it was convincing, but part was quite ridiculous and felt as though it had been tacked on at the end. Not sure I will read any more of these for a while.
I also gave up on another book and returned it to the library this morning. It was Catherine Alliott’s A CROWDED MARRIAGE. I very much enjoyed her A CORNISH SUMMER, but this one just did not do it for me. It’s about a couple and their young son who live in a yummy mummy part of London, but who are not as affluent as their neighbours. When the husband loses his job, his ex-girlfriend offers them the use of a cottage on her wealthy husband’s country estate (this, of course happens to everyone, hahahah.) Cue not only suspicion and jealousy, but also a large overdose of ‘oh how funny and unsophisticated these country bumpkins (ie the local workers) are’. It was all such sloppy wriitng. The characters were cliches, the story so transparent that you could see what was coming almost at the outset. I decided not to continue – and this is a BIG deal for me, though less so since I read about those rules, Lesa!
So I hope my next read is better (though maybe it was also something to do with my not very festive Christmas mood…)
I have started a book by Patricia Scanlan – ORANGE BLOSSOM DAYS. It is about the various residents (almost all of them expats) living in a smart apartment complex in Andalucia. I had never heard of Patricia Scanlan before, but it seems she is a well known Irish writer with many other novels to her credit. Has anyone read any of her work?
I’ve also enjoyed a long browse in my little local library, where I borrowed:
Barbara Cleverly THE LAST KASHMIRI ROSE
Stella Gibbons THE YELLOW HOUSES (I had no idea Gibbons had written so many books – I don’t like Cold Comfort Farm, but I did enjoy WESTWOOD when I heard it on the radio)
Kathleen Delaney CURTAINS FOR MISS PLYM
Ian Sansom DEATH IN DEVON
Adele Geras LOVE, OR NEAREST OFFER (I often chat with Adele Geras on twitter, but I’ve never read any of her books till now)
Peter Evans THE DEESIDE WAY (this is a new guide to the path of which I walk part almost every day – it seems to have a lot of information about the history of the area, but in a readable form, so I will be interested to find out more about that.)
And I bought two books from the newly-reinstated sale table:
ISLAND SUMMER by Tilly Culme-Seymour, which is subtitled ‘Memories of a Norwegian Childhood’ and has a very enticing cover
SAVED BY CAKES by Marion Keyes, subtitled ‘Over 80 ways to bake yourself happy’ – I don’t buy many cookery books these days, but I thought for 20p it was worth a try!
On TV I am very pleased to see the return of CALL THE MIDWIFE – I’ve seen the first episode and half of the Christmas Special now, and they were both excellent. Also back is THE GREAT POTTERY THROWDOWN, which both of us really enjoy. And we have a new season of QUEER EYE, which I love, especially as something to watch after a more sobering programme.
This morning when i was out walking (in the rain…) I listened to Stanley Tucci reading his new book TASTE: MY LIFE THROUGH FOOD, which I enjoyed very much. I knew that his first wife had died at a tragically young age, but I had no idea that he himself had had oral cancer. Food is so very central to his life that the possibility of never being able to enjoy – or even to eat it – again was even worse than it would be for most people. It took the best part of 3 years for him to recover, but recover he has, thank goodness.
What a lovely man Tucci is (there are a lot of very dry, very funny, self-deprecating jokes). His description of the family’s lockdown in their London home is hilarious – as well as Tucci and his second wife Felicity, there were two of his grown up children, one of the children’s friends who couldn’t get home to the US, and Tucci & Felicity’s very young children (then aged 2 and 5). Tucci had no work, so spent his time cooking endless meals and cleaning up the chaos. He said he is by nature a very tidy person,,and did wonder at one point if he could somehow attach a vacuum cleaner to the back of his trousers.
At the moment we are self-isolating as my husband is scheduled to have hip surgery on Sunday. I am not actually required to isolate myself, but I thought I should – though I don’t count my walks, on which I see hardly anyone and am certainly not close to them. While we are both a little apprehensive about the operation (which should be routine for the surgeon at least!) it is not a bad thing to spend some days at home. It’s quite peaceful.
So I hope everyone has a good week, whether in snow or sunshine. And I will head over to read Glen’s list; I always enjoy a list!
Rosemary, Queer Eye is so heart-warming for me as well. The season in Texas just started here, and I have gobbled up about five of them so far. They never fail to make me cry, but in a good way!
Oh I’m so glad you like it too Margie! I think we must also be in the Texas series – I’ve only seen the first one, about a man who works with homeless people but doesn’t take time for himself, and has a lot of (unfounded) guilt about his mother’s death?
I think all 5 of the guys are just great, but I do have a specially soft spot for Jonathan 🙂
Adele Geras, Rosemary! When my daughters were young in the 1980’s we read her book Apricots at Midnight. It is about a grandmother and granddaughter and a story quilt. Each quilt square was from an event in the grandmother’s past that she shared with her granddaughter. It is a wonderful book. I still own a copy. I helped my daughter’s make their own story quilts. It started me on my own quilting journey.
What a wonderful memory Sharon. Next time I ‘talk’ to Adele I must tell her about that. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.
My own mother used to do quilting, and I know she would have loved it if I had followed suit, but I am absolutely useless at sewing, and also don’t have the patience for it. It’s lovely that you passed that skill on to your own daughters. Adele is also the mother of the author Sophie Hannah.
Rosemary! It’s so good to have you back. I know you’re happy to be tucked in at home again, even if the weather is bad. I love reading about your home, your books, and what you’re doing. In fact, my best friend said she reads my blog, but sometimes on Thursdays, she really only reads your post because she loves your writing.
I hope everything goes well for your husband, and that his rehabilitation goes well. Thanks for writing on Thursdays!
It’s been raining and/or foggy here. I prefer the rain.
This week I read:
Murder On Principle by Eleanor Kuhns; Slave catchers and small pox come to Maine. John quincy Adams did NOT run for President in 1800.
At First Light by Barbara Nickless; a put upon detective and her semiotician friend, who happens to be a dwarf try to find a rune using serial killer. The troglodytes in the police department are their main obstacles.
The Complete Cases of Jeffrey Wren by GT Fleming-Roberts; A magician detective who doesn’t use much magic.
Blaze Returns by Bill Runner; Men’s Adventure with none of the cynicism and nihilism, as a somewhat former marshal shoots, stabs, and bludgeons people to find a missing marshal. These types of books don’t typically feature knife fighters, so that was a plus.
Flipping the Circle by Michael Leppert; A lobbyist has a mid-life crisis, and tries to bring down some vapers. The guy was such a jerk I hoped he’d lose, or at least have somebody knock his block off.
Glen, you’re right about the Barbara Nickless book. I love your comments. And, thank you again for sharing your Favorites of 2021.
Read Rose Code. It was good. Just finished 21 Immortals. Don’t normally like to read mysteries that take place in foreign cities. This was very foreign in names, foods and places, but the story was excellent. My favorite books are Ww2
I agree, Carol Jeanne. It’s sometimes hard to remember all the foreign names. I am going to read that eventually!
Arriving very late today, after going to the grocery store earlier in the day, and then discovering some plants in the front area needed some work.
Only one novel finished last week: THE DINING CAR by Eric Peterson. It is primarily about three people who travel around the country on a train, in a luxurious private railroad car. Horace Button is a food writer and social critic who writes for Sunshine Trails, a magazine that he and a friend founded many years before. He eats and drinks a lot, and smokes cigars. Jack Marshall is a former football star who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, and needs a job badly. Horace hires him as the bartender for the railroad car. Wanda is the chef, with her own set of problems and prejudices. They have just settled into their new working arrangements when two events threaten their way of life: a group of people try to take over the magazine and ease Horace out and Horace’s sister, a famous Senator, is killed by terrorists. I don’t know how I discovered this book but I enjoyed reading it.
Right now I am reading BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD by Toshikazu Kawaguchi as part of the Japanese Literature Challenge. It is about a tiny café which has been serving a special coffee for more than one hundred years. This café also offers a special service; customers can travel back in time under specific conditions. It is made up of four parts and I have enjoyed the first two parts. I will try any book that includes time travel.
Glad to hear that Jeff is safe in Florida now, and hope that Rick is doing better.
Tracy, The Dining Car sounds interesting. I never heard of that.
I have to put a hold on The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa. Thanks for reminding me when you mentioned the Japanese challenge.
My husband wants to buy The Cat Who Saved Books, but he wants a specific edition which doesn’t seem to be available any more. But one way or another he will get it sometime and I will read it then.
Checking in from NE Dallas where the cold is here as is severe drought and soaring Covid numbers….. We rescheduled Scott’s visit with the neurologist tomorrow to the next available appointment in early March. They do not enforce a mask policy which means folks come in all the time maskless. That is not all. While the doc knows how to wear the mask correctly his four person staff either refuses to wear one or wears it as a chin diaper. One of them at the last visit was telling others that she had Covid in recent weeks and had no idea how she got it. Heard that as we were checking out and it was all I could do not to look at her and point exactly how as she stood there without a mask.
Have not been reading much. Still working on Dirty Little Town by Frank Zafiro.
Stay safe, folks.
Kevin, If you haven’t been reading much, I hope you’re working on a short story!
Geez. You would think a doctor would make his staff wear masks appropriately. Take care, Kevin, of both you and Scott!
Hey Lesa, I am reading Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook and listening to The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth. I just checked out the Maid by Nita Prose. I hope to start that one soon.
I’m behind in that series by Allison Brook, Katherine. I hope you enjoy The Maid!