Time to check in! How are you doing, especially if you’re in California? I know you might have had some extreme weather there.
I hope you all had the chance to check on the blog yesterday. Rosemary Kaye was kind enough to share her list of Favorite Books of 2022. We’ll have another list up next week one day.
How about you? What are you reading this week? I just finished Chris Offutt’s June release, Code of the Hills. I’m addicted to his books about Mike Hardin, who is now retired military who returns home to Rocksalt, Kentucky where his sister is the local sheriff. I’m not going to say much about it since it’s so far in advance of release date. but Offutt’s economical way of writing is just beautiful.
And, you? What are you reading and doing this week?
I’m in Northern California, and although we’ve had a lot of rain (continuing for at least the next week, I believe), we certainly need it. And where I live, we haven’t experienced flooding or power outages. But in Sacramento, which is about a 30-minute drive from here, there has been some severe flooding. And the lights flickered several times tonight, so I’m keeping at least one lantern close by. As for my reading this week, please read on.
I thoroughly Holly Goldberg Sloan’s charming YA novel To Night Owl from Dogfish, so I was excited to receive an advance copy of her first adult novel, PIECES OF BLUE, a loving portrait of a family in flux. The Hills had gone through many changes as the father, Paul, became CEO of his own tech startup, then was disgraced as the company failed, and finally disappeared into the sea after a surfing accident. Now the mother and their three children are in a remote corner of Oahu, with Lindsey having used Paul’s life insurance money to buy a rundown motel sight-unseen, planning to restore it to a money-making business. She soon discovers she’s in over her head, but a former guest volunteers to do some of the repair work in exchange for the use of one of the cabins. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Olivia, 12-year-old Carl, and 7-year-old Sena have varying levels of success meeting the challenge of being the “new kid in school.” What I particularly liked about the book were the immersion in small-town Hawaiian culture far from the big city of Honolulu, the distinctive and entertaining characteristics of each of the children, and the exciting scene toward the end of the story. I found the writing style to more reminiscent of YA writing, and a bit choppy. I would have liked the romance subplot to be better developed, and I couldn’t figure out why Lindsey had to be originally from Wales–it really didn’t have any significance to the story. But as this is the author’s first foray into adult novels, and based on her success in the YA genre, I am convinced her style will further transition from YA to adult and will look for future books from her. (May)
In THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo, Laurie and her mother, Elizabeth, couldn’t be more different. Laurie is a successful marketing professional–a divorcee in her mid-thirties who was a prize-winning swimmer in high school. She has a casual personal life, not putting a lot of thought into what she wears or whether her luggage is old and stained. By contrast, Dr. Liz is a widowed OB/GYN for whom appearances are everything and work is prioritized above all else. She hasn’t exactly had a warm parental relationship with Laurie, but now she is experiencing medical issues that may bring the two closer by necessity. In fact, Laurie has surprised herself by suggesting a two-week trip together to Paris and to Norway, her mother’s birthplace. This is the story of their trip, narrated by Laurie, which includes at least two meltdowns and some surprising revelations from both sides. I reveled in the descriptions of Paris and several Norwegian cities–the food, the shopping, the men, and, of course, the Northern Lights. I found the two women’s story, along with their mother-daughter dialogue, accessible and interesting. The ending was unexpected–it took me a minute to roll with it, but I ultimately found it satisfying. A quick read, recommended for mothers and daughters in particular. (April)
Annabel Monaghan’s second adult rom-com, SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER, focuses on Sam(antha), an HR consultant who is planning her wedding to dermatologist Jack. They’re visiting the Long Island beachside community where Sam’s family spent their summers to check out a possible wedding venue, and Sam never expects to run into Wyatt, who broke her heart when she was 18. Their paths haven’t crossed much in the intervening 14 years. Sam has finished college and established a professional career, while Wyatt skipped post-high school education, working at a gas station and writing songs. Jack is a handsome, financially secure doctor who believes in playing by the rules, while Wyatt is a free spirit. Surely Jack is the right choice for Sam’s future. Well . . . The second half of the book, which spends more time on Sam’s current life and less on flashbacks to her teenage romance with Wyatt, is where the story took off for me. A family secret is revealed, with devastating effects. I enjoyed getting to know Wyatt a lot better, and I loved the character of Gracie, Sam’s much younger sister. Sam knows what she should do about both her relationships and her career but takes a frustratingly long time to get there (not unusual for a romance). The conclusion, however, is ultimately satisfying. I found Monaghan’s previous novel, Nora Goes Off Script, much more imaginative and fun, but I will continue to seek out her rom-coms. (June)
A coming-of-age period piece set in the mid-1950s, THE RADCLIFFE LADIES’ READING CLUB by Julia Bryan Thomas covers freshman year for four young women at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, MA. Two pairs of roommates in the same dormitory, they bond over books at Alice Campbell’s local store. Alice has left her previous life (and husband) to strike out on her own, and one of her goals is to encourage girls to have their own ideas, dreams, and goals, even though society will urge them to marry early and take on a domestic role instead. In her monthly book club meetings, Tess, Caroline, Evie and Merritt have the opportunity to read thought-provoking books and discuss their feelings about them and how they might relate to their own lives. The girls couldn’t be more different–from beautiful, wealthy Caroline to buttoned-up, mousy scholarship student Tess–and although they become a group of friends, their experiences at Radcliffe and nearby Harvard are quite different. And in the latter part of the book, there is real trauma and loss for more than one of them. The writing is largely unembellished, and I would have preferred more nuance in the characters, but It is an effective story of historical fiction, especially when compared with the current mores and zeitgeist. And I felt the ending was just right. (June)
Having enjoyed Clare Mackintosh’s Let Me Lie a few years ago, I had high hopes for The Last Party, and they were definitely fulfilled. I’m not crazy about thrillers with no likeable characters, but this was more of a mystery/thriller, and the detectives were two of the most likeable characters. You might say they “met cute,” finding out only after a one-night stand where they gave each other fake names (ouch!), that they will work together on a murder case near the Wales/England border at a newly built luxury resort. After a lively New Year’s Eve party, the resort’s co-owner and former celebrity singer is found dead, and no one except his twin daughters seems to be sorry. Welsh detective Ffion is a character I can get behind. She’s not perfect, and she does have some secrets, but she’s not afraid to stand up to her superiors–or to anyone, for that matter–and her dialogue is often sharp and witty. Yet she definitely has a vulnerable side. Leo, the English detective, is smart but less willing to clash with his abusive boss, and he is in an adversarial relationship with his ex-wife over the custody of their young son. Other interesting characters/suspects are distinctive and well drawn. I felt the story bogged down a bit in the middle, and it wasn’t always easy to keep track of the many characters, but the short chapters, suspense, and clever plotting kept me turning the pages. I’m happy to see that there will be a sequel later in the year.
Margie, I’m glad you’re getting much-needed rain. Now, I’m worried, though, about a friend in Sacramento.
An eclectic mix of books this week!
We’ve had much more rain than this around here, but the drought made everyone complacent.
Margie, I haven’t gotten to Clare MacKintosh’s The Last Party yet, but I will. Have you read her first book, I Let You Go? It has the best twist I’ve ever read in a mystery/crime book.
Reading The Fireballer by Mark Stevens.
Also found tonight the next Eve Ronan series novel up on NetGalley. Snagged it. Also have an ARC for the upcoming new novel in the Ed Earl Burch series by Jim Nesbit.
And I forgot to mention, I requested Code of the Hills. Don’t know if I will be approved. Time will tell.
Kevin, Did you find Malibu Burning, or was it another title by Lee Goldberg. I snagged Malibu Burning, but it looks like it kicks off a new series.
Well, I am once again confirmed as an idiot. I saw Malibu Burning and just grabbed it thinking that it was Eve Ronan. As you point out, IT IS NOT.
You are not an idiot! And, I’m glad you grabbed it so I could, too. We’ll try this new series!
Oh, I am an idiot. Still awaiting the Grade A Certification from the FDA. Scott is reading my copy. Says he is enjoying it. Says he likes Ronan better.
Wednesday/Thursday is the most rain we’ve had in my part of Southern CA. I’ve got to admit, my perspective on rain has changed quite a bit now that I can enjoy it from my condo/don’t have to go out in it.
Thursday, I’ll be finishing up OH DANNY GIRL by C. Michele Dorsey. It’s a wonderful book, and I can’t wait to see how everything plays out.
Up next is WHERE THE GUILTY HIDE, the first in a new series from Annette Dashofy.
I suspect that might be how I feel about snow, Mark, after I retire in September and no longer HAVE to drive in it to get to work.
Annette Dashofy is doing quite well right now. I see her name all over the place.
Annette Dashofy is my blog guest SUNDAY when she will be discussing her new book and more. The first guest post of the year.
Mark, I’ll be reading Annette’s new book, Where the Guilty Hide, either starting tonight or this weekend. Annette and I have become quite good friends, and I’m so happy that she’s doing so well. As you say, Lesa, her name is all over the place. Winning the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for Death by Equine was so great for her. Kevin, I look forward to reading your blog with Annette.
Good morning from freezing north east Scotland. I am hoping that if I leave it long enough the ice will melt off my car and I won’t have to scrape it before I go to Tesco’s. I fear I most probably hope in vain.
I’m afraid, what with all the family problems we seem to have at the moment, I have read almost nothing this week. I’ve been carrying on with Alan Rickman’s diaries (MADLY. DEEPLY) though, and very much enjoying them.
I hit a problem when the book was due back at the library, and un-renewable as so many people are on the wait list. So yesterday I did something I rarely do, and went into Waterstones to treat myself to a hardback copy. Then of course I couldn’t find it anywhere (they had stacks before Christmas) and one of the assistants said she thought they’d sold out. But another lovely girl trawled around the shop and found a pile of them in an unexpected place, and they were still on half-price offer, so hoorah, only £12.50 for a book that I am sure I will dip into many times even after I’ve finished it – it is so full of great quotes. Rickman was a brilliant actor, a good friend to many and a stalwart supporter of new talent. Of course he was also cynical, often brusque, always insecure (are any actors not?) and permanently furious with most reviewers, many directors and quite a few fellow actors. But I love his writing.
My other achievement this week is finally to have managed to upgrade my Spotify account to the ad-free version. I’m sure most of you will say, ‘how can you possibly have found this difficult?’ – and of course you’d be right, but I think I was just so sure I wouldn’t be able to do it that I hadn’t really tried. And of course it was easy, and I am very pleased with it – even though I now spend far too much time adding songs (etc – they also have podcasts and audiobooks) to my playlist. I’m especially listening to Terry Hall this week – This Guy’s in Love with You, Our Lips Are Sealed, and of course Ghost Town. RIP to such a great musician and such a good man.
And I was delighted when I also worked out how to run my playlist through the car stereo. Small things!
We came back up to Deeside on New Year’s Eve. I was still *gutted* to miss Pet Shop Boys’ Hogmanay concert in Princes Street Gardens, but none of my miserable lot would come with me. The Scotsman (not normally my favourite paper, but still) gave it a fabulous review and FIVE stars. I may not fully recover from this for some time……:-)
Instead we watched Jools Holland’s Hootenanny (?) which I found very disappointing – the only act I wanted to see was Self Esteem, so once she’d been on I went to bed.
It’s been so lovely to be back up here and away – even if temporarily – from the sturm & drang. On Tuesday I visited my friend Nancy and we had such a good catch-up. We have managed to walk every week for the past 3 years, but what with her shoulder injury and all the interruptions in my life, we hadn’t seen each other for weeks. She is much better, and we even got a short walk around Westhill.
Yesterday I met my friend Karen for lunch at Aberdeen Art Gallery. It was another wonderful few hours. We had intended to look at the new exhibitions, but we talked so much we ran out of time. I’m in town again tomorrow and will try to fit that in then.
I’ve been down to the river twice this week, and am about to do so again. It’s very calming to walk beside the water. It’s stran, though, to think that only a few months ago I was sitting on the seat reading in the sunshine. The seasons really do seem to fly past as one gets older! But we are past the shortest day now, so it will soon be light later than 3.30-4pm, which is what we have at the moment.
So we will be back down to Edinburgh on Friday night. I am really hoping to be back up here no later than Wednesday as I have an appointment with my lovely hairdresser, who never fails to cheer me up, on Thursday morning. We’ll see! While I am down there I will also try to pop into a gallery or two, but whether I’ll get the time I don’t know. Fingers crossed. I’ve also noticed an Edinburgh Writers’ Forum event that’s on the Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile – Jenny Colgan and Laura Horsley (a publisher). Not buying a ticket in advance though – that feels like tempting fate just now.
Charlie is doing his best to contribute to this, so I will stop now before he deletes the lot.
I hope everyone has a good week, and that no one’s weather is too awful. The frost is not lifting here. I’ve been out to feed the birds, poor things. Then of course I will worry about them when I’m away! Life is so complicated!
Rosemary
Rosemary, You should back up to yesterday’s post if you have the time, and read the comments about your list of Favorites.
Tell Charlie I said thank you for his contributions! Josh often tries to make his own as well. They’re probably planning a cat takeover one day.
Oh, Rosemary. If only you were going down to Edinburgh for all fun things – several galleries, the Edinburgh Writers’ Forum, etc. Sending lots of hugs.
I can certainly understand, though, why you haven’t been reading much.
Rosemary, I read Truly, Madly as well and enjoyed it tremendously. He comes across as a curmudgeon often and yet the book is filled with offhand descriptions of favors or connections he helped other actors make. After his death the outpouring of sorrow and great stories made me want to read the book and I’m glad I did. Eileen
Good morning. Both of the books I read this week turned out to be set in Virginia.
I read an ARC of Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn. It’s a romance about a woman who looses her job in CA and returns to her hometown in VA. She’s going to stay at her parents house while they’re away but of course they’ve forgotten that they already have a house sitter.
An ARC of Aida Time by ACF Bookens. When Paisley Sutton and her fiancée turn up a 150 year old skeleton under an outbuilding they are renovating on her property, Paisley and her group of friends have to dig into historical records to solve the mystery.
How was Aida Time, Sandy? I like the sound of that one, digging into historical records.
I enjoyed it. It’s part of a series and most of them involve at least some historical research
Oh, I like that, Sandy. Thank you.
On the eastern edge of those California storms we’ve been getting more precipitation than normal, but nothing too drastic. Just a bit south of here it’s been a continuing saga of road closures from snow/ice, flooding, mudslides & flipped vehicles. My brother in the Bay Area (east of SF) experienced some flooding in his basement & backyard.
For my current reading I’ve selected a few books that made the “best-of” lists elsewhere.
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
The story follows three residents of a secluded, seemingly peaceful commune as they investigate the disappearances of two outsiders. Key to the plot is the macabre children’s book written by one of the missing. The backstory of the commune is revealed slowly, keeping things interesting.
Just starting a book, Portrait Of A Thief, a debut by Grace D Li. (Currently in development at Netflix). The imprint, Tiny Reparations Books, began a couple years ago from Penguin RandomHouse for Phoebe Robinson to amplify diverse voices. Can’t say that I even know who Phoebe Robinson is, but the book is good so far. I’m all in favor of any effort to create more books and readers.
I’m glad you’re not in the mess of the storms, MM. I hope you stay safe.
I agree with you. Any efforts to create more books and readers is good!
I’m glad to hear that those of you in California have not been washed away in all the rain. Here in Virginia our temps have been a tad warmer than usual and great for getting out and walking. Right now I’m reading a non fiction book The Temporary European by Cameron Hewitt. For over twenty years he has worked as Rick Steves’ right hand man writing guide books, making the tv shows and leading bus tours. I am thoroughly enjoying the book. As someone who loves to travel it is interesting to read his observations. I rarely use a tour company but always use a guidebook and I’ve picked up some good tips. Plus after these last years of Covid reduced travel it is fun to travel vicariously.
Oh, I love the sound of The Temporary European, Susan. Thank you for suggesting that one. I just added that to my list.
Your weather sounds great! Enjoy it!
After springtime in January, we are back to winter today. Wintry mix predicted for tonight. My sister-in-law lives in Sacramento. She has not mentioned flooding but said she was without power for 12 hours so far.
Starting the new year off with less than stellar reads. I gave up on Better Than Fiction from Alexa Martin and The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. Neither could hold my attention. I did finish Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah. Overall, I found it interesting. It was about Jacqueline Bouvier’s year in Paris while she studied at the Sorbonne. I enjoyed reading about Paris post-WWII and the glimpse of the expectations and behavior of a young American woman of means. I especially liked how the author tied in Jacqueline’s experiences in France to the influence it had on her the remainder of her life, especially during the White House years. What I didn’t like were all the nonstop references to her smoking. It was so constant on nearly every page. I nearly gave up on it by the time I reached the last third it was such a disraction.
On the plus side, I started On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry last night. I am just loving it so far.
Thanks for publishing Rosemary’s list yesterday. I look forward to reading all the other ones in the upcoming weeks.
Happy Reading!
I’m glad you enjoyed Rosemary’s list, Sharon. It’s fun to see them because every has such different selections.
I’m also happy to see you’re enjoying On Spine of Death.
You’re right. The editor should have caught all the references to her smoking and eliminated them. I’m sure it isn’t an essential part of Jacqueline in Paris.
I feel more and more that hardly any books are properly edited.
Good authors – eg Graeme Macrae Burnet, Ian Rankin or Ruth Thomas – probably edit their own work before it even gets to the publisher. The late William Mcilvanney (of Laidlaw fame) said his publisher rarely had to change anything in his manuscripts because he was so careful. Others don’t seem to check their work, then the publishers don’t spend much time/money on editing at all. I am getting fed up with books that have glaring errors, endless repetitions, characters’ names muddled up, etc.
I read a crime novel recently in which one of the main characters sucked her cheek and chewed her lip so often I’m surprised she had any face left.
Love that last paragraph, Rosemary. The endless repetitions in several books got to me enough that I made a point of mentioning them in my review. I read both of them for journal reviews, or I probably would have just quit.
My pet peeve is “she hissed” as a modifier when no, she didn’t hiss because there WAS NO “S” IN THE WORD.
“No,” she hissed.
Try hissing “No” – it can’t be done.
Oh Rosemary I am with you! My pet peeve is characters that “smirk” on seemingly every page. The repetition is so distracting.
Yes Sharon, repetition of any mannerism is annoying, but words like ‘smirk’ are particularly aggravating – you soon get to the point at which they’re the only thing you see. I wish writers would stick to ‘said’ instead of all these silly words they presumably use because some creative writing course told them they need to change it up. They don’t. Who on earth says ‘smirk’?
It’s the same when a writer is so obviously trying to ‘use all five senses’, as writing books often advise. It’s OK in small doses, but when it becomes forced it’s just irritating, and as you say, distracting.
Sharon, I know what you mean about The Bodyguard. I finished it but rated it only a 3. Center’s books are hit or miss for me.
I just finished the first book in Marshall Karp’s new series, Snowstorm in August. Excellent thriller. Today I started The Lava Witch by Debra Bokur, the third in her Dark Paradise mystery series set in Hawaii. Bokur does a ton of research for her excellent series and I’m always happy to see a new one released. Bokur and The Lava Witch will be the author and read for the January Sisters-in-Crime Colorado Zoomed book club meeting.
I think I have The Lava Witch someplace in a TBR pile, Patricia. I know I’ve seen it someplace. I haven’t read any of the series, though.
I say ‘Thank you’ to Susan for the Temporary European tip. I’ve put it on hold, especially since I have itchy feet and hope to go to London this fall – if I can find a flight that doesn’t break the bank. For anyone who is interested, Rick Steves is doing an on-line travel marathon (Festival of Europe) starting next Monday and running the rest of the month. (I’m in Seattle, and he has his travel store and home in a nice, small town just up the road in Edmonds.) Check out his website.
For reading, I will soon be able to take American Zion (Betsy Gaines Quammen) back to the library. It’s a history of the Mormons from their beginnings in New York State, their travels across the country to Utah, the Mountain Massacre, to the recent land issues with the Bundy family being featured. The author is pretty evenhanded, although she does have my bias that the Mormons’ idea that they have dominion over the land (and get to do what they want to with it) is outdated. If anyone would like to know more about the Church and its people, this is an excellent place to start.
I recently listened to (I am big into audio downloads from the library. They are especially good when I venture outside to do yard clean-up on our occasional dry days.) Dan Fesperman’s Winter Work which takes place in Berlin just after the wall came down. There are plenty of Stasi involved! I liked it so much that I picked up his first book – Lie in the Dark – which is set in the latest Balkan Wars (Sarajevo). I have temporarily put it down because it’s pretty dark – people living with snipers waiting to pick you off and plenty of very nasty black marketers, all of which is hindering a murder investigation. I’m going to wait for a sunny day to pick it up again.
To take its place, I recently found a copy of Arthur W. Upfield’s The Mountains Have a Secret at a used book shop. It started slowly, but the pace has picked up, (search for two long-missing female hikers, and a subsequent murdered policeman in the neighborhood). Bony is on the job, but this one has gotten to be a little trickier than most and is presently in nail-biting territory. One of the things I enjoy about Upfield’s mysteries is the locale. I have a couple of maps of Australia and find myself referring to them for this series. For instance this book is set in the Grampians – mountains! Who knew there were mountains in Australia, not me, I thought it was quite flat. Guess I’ll have to put a geography of Australia on my TBR list.
Emma, I also picked up a copy of The Temporary European. It sounds like it’s our Pick of the Day here at Lesa’s Book Critiques. I hope you get to go to London in the fall! I’ve never been there, but hope to go someday.
Thank you for being a fan of the library’s audiobooks!
I started a cozy on my TBR shelf, I.O.U. by Nancy Pickard. I can only read one chapter at a time because it It is overfulling with good and bad emotion at the funeral of Jenny’s mother. Jenny is a detective and she has a dysfunctional family what would make Anne Tyler take note! Guilt, hatrd, family spats where at least releived byjoking of her niece and nephew.
Deeper into While We Were Apartment set in Brooklyn during WWII, has the building of racial hated for Jews growing, with the synagogue across the street from Mr, Mendel who is in mouring for his wife and searching for news of his son, daughter in law and grandchild who are missing in Hungary, His son left for Hungary where the family came from to further his education, now many of Mr, Mendel other relatives are also missing.
On the floor above lives Eddie Shaffer, his daugher, Esther and son, Peter. His wife, Rachel died in the same accident as Mr. Mendel’s wife. Eddie could not take living in the apartment anymore because of so many painful memories of Rachel and he volunteers for the army to fight in the war. He wanted to have his mother to take care of the children but she refused. Penny, who lives next door to his mother. Her motive is to make Eddie notice her and fulfill her childhood dream of marrying Eddie/
This book is a page turner that I do not want to lay down during the day.
Carolee, I mentioned earlier that you read much more serious books than I do. Your second one certainly sounds that way.
Yes, maybe I do! I love historical fiction, and as I read more I am finding that I am particurly interested in books set in United States and in the Great Depression and later. I want to know a little bit more about the times that my parents were growing up. I am still reading through my unread books, however, I have a few HF ones go back farther that I like now. Will try and still if I can get through them. I have picked out a few books, paperbacks that are cheaper and and ther era and place I love read about. Trying very hard to stretch our money.
Happy Thursday at Lesa’s, everyone.
I’m well into Donal Ryan’s The Queen of Dirt Island and hoping it never ends.
Description from NetGalley:
“From its opening pages, this book exerts a quiet, propulsive hold over its reader. The three generations of Aylward women will break your heart and then put it back together again.” –Maggie O’Farrell
“This is a generous mosaic of a novel about the staying power of love and pride and history and family.” –Colum McCann, author of Apeirogon and Let The Great World Spin
From the multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling author Donal Ryan, a searing, jubilant story about four generations of women and fierce love
The Aylward women of Nenagh, Tipperary, are mad about each other, but you wouldn’t always think it. You’d have to know them to know that—in spite of what the neighbors might say about raised voices and dramatic scenes—their house is a place of peace, filled with love, a refuge from the sadness and cruelty of the world.
Their story begins at an end and ends at a beginning. It involves wives and widows, gunrunners and gougers, sinners and saints. It’s a story of terrible betrayals and fierce loyalties, of isolation and togetherness, of transgression, forgiveness, desire, and love. Of all the things family can be and all the things it sometimes isn’t. The Queen of Dirt Island is an uplifting celebration of fierce, loyal love and the powerful stories that bind generations together.”
It showed up, Kaye! So, no “Poo” necessary!
Oh, this one sounds really good. I’ll have to remember it. Thank you!
Poo. I left a lengthy description of the book I’m reading and enjoying but it disappeared – The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan.
Well, Kaye. Did you let Annabelle get to the keyboard in the same way Charlie and Josh did? That’s okay. You don’t have to redo it. You mentioned the book. Thank you! And, I know you read all the comments. Sending hugs so the rest of your day isn’t “Poo”.
LOL! I now say Yay! And i need to practice patience. Annabelle said it was not her fault, and i guess we should take her at her word. Hugs back to you, dear one. ❤❤❤. And it really is a good book; give it a try!
Well, I know it’s Northern Ireland, so I should. And, the women sound wonderful. Thank you, Kaye. And, I’ll believe Annabelle!
Loved Whalebone Theatre., although it was a bit slow to start. “Deep in the woods”. Ok and just starting “Twice in a Lifetime”
I’m not good with those slow to start books, Carol Jeanne.
Carol, I have to admit that I bought Whalebone Theatre for its title and its cover. Hahaha! Well, I did read about it after I was sold on the title and cover. It’s waiting for me to read. Glad to hear a positive report on it.
Will try and write later. We are about halfway to Fredericksburg. I finished the second Stephen Spotswood book this morning. Still reading two short story collections. Jackie finished the Christine Feehan Dark Whisper and is reading J.R. Ward. I don’t think either will get much reading done until we get to Florida.
Very excited about the new Chris Offutt.
I thought of you, Jeff, when I mentioned the Offutt. I know he’s become a favorite of yours lately.
Safe travels! You can catch up with us next week.
We’re here. Just had a nice meal – pretty authentic fish & chips for me – at the Park Lane Tavern.
The Spotswood book is called Murder Under Her Skin. Ruby, the tattooed lady who befriended Will Parker during her time in the circus, is murdered by a knife in the back, and Will’s mentor is arrested. Naturally, she and her boss come to help find the real killer. This takes place in 1946. Good, but I think I prefer the first one. I know Sarah Weinman said book three is the best so far, and I put in on hold.
I’m working at the library today and ordering books for the inspirational book club I lead. I’m reading The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle. Listening to The Villa by Rachel Hawkins.
I ordered copies of The Villa today for our OverDrive collection, Katherine.
It has been raining here in Santa Barbara, but not as much as expected. Any rain is good though. Our winters have been so dry in the last few years.
One of the last books I read in 2022 was DEATH IN THE OFF-SEASON by Francine Mathews. This was the first novel that Mathews wrote, part of the Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery series. Four novels were published between 1994 and 1998. Later Soho Press asked her to write a fifth book in the series; Mathews returned to the first four books and edited them so that the fifth book could pick up where the last one ended (without a twenty year gap). That seemed strange to me but I certainly enjoyed the book; it was one of my favorite books from 2022. In DEATH IN THE OFF-SEASON, Merry is a new detective in the Nantucket police, working under her father. The death of Rusty Mason, whose family was prominent in Nantucket years before, is her first murder case. It was a very complex story with a lot of interesting characters and the writing kept me interested and involved until the very end. I loved the Nantucket setting.
In January I have returned to reading ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoy. I had read about 2/3 of the book and stalled. Now I am reading something every day and I am enjoying it more.
I have also started reading a non-fiction book about the Mitford Sisters: THE SIX by Laura Thompson. I am enjoying that very much.
I didn’t know that about the Merry Folger mysteries, Tracy. I read them as they came out, so I didn’t realize she went back and edited them. I like the setting of them, too.
Hi Tracy, if you enjoy The Sisters you might like to look for a collection of letters the sisters wrote to one another, spanning more than 50 years. It is called The Milfords and is edited by Charlotte Mosely who was Diana’s daughter in law. So much has been written of them lately it is fascinating to hear their own voices as one does in letters.
This is my favorite Thursday activity – reading what you are all reading! I rarely post as I am always reading in the evening and feel like I don’t want to clutter the mailbox but today I just want to say thank you all for sharing your reading. It truly is a great community that Lesa has cultivated through her consistency and generous efforts. I am truly thrilled that retirement, on your terms, is approaching this fall, Lesa. Wahoo!
I really enjoyed A Lot Like Christmas by Connie Willis during the “Bermuda Triangle week” between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I forgot how I enjoy this author’s wit and whimsy but I quickly fell under her spell in this sci-fi/aternate reality collection of short stories. Her appendices of recommended holiday listening, reading and watching was a treasure too. It was a long one (20+ hours on audio) but helped some of the wrapping, cleaning and cooking zoom by.
The Anomaly by Herve Le Tellier was one of my favorites of the year. This book, with it’s mystery surrounding a Paris to New York flight seemed to blend sci-fi, crime, and a thriller into one. I was kept wonderfing if I really knew what I was reading, but I was along for the ride and enjoying every bit. But that ending was ?!#!^?! It sure left me wanting to talk with someone about it as soon as I finished.
I also enjoyed The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Adams. She has long been one of my heroes and her conversation with Douglas Adams (author of The Book of Joy with ArchBishop Desmond Tutu and his Holiness Dalai Lama) brings added candor and a sense of peace. It was a wonderful book to start off with for 2023.
One of my goals this year is to read at least one book a month off my packed shelves yet I still came home with 5 books from the library today! Oh well, at least one was a cookbook.
Our Arizona winter has started off with lots of rain down here in the desert and cooler than usual temperatures. Our mountains are covered in snow to the east and the north with record snowfalls at the ski resorts in Flagstaff. We will be in the 60’s for the next 10 days and I am here for it. Our citrus trees in the backyard weathered our freezing temperatures in December so now we have to try to do secretive drop offs to friends and neighbors – it’s probably a lot like giving away zucchini during the summer if you live in a state with great garden growing weather! Anybody want some lemons, grapefruit and oranges?
Thank you again for keeping me in reading recommendations and a comfy place to share thoughts, ideas and opinions.
Gaye, I love that Connie Willis book so much that I bought copies to share with my sisters. I can’t say if they love it as much as I do, though.
Me! I’ll take lemons and oranges! Just kidding. I’m glad your enjoying your winter.
And, thank you for your kind comments about what Kaye calls Thursdays at Lesa’s. It just makes me feel good that so many of you enjoy Thursdays here as much as I do. I tell others that this is my favorite day of the week because of all of you. Thank you!
Gaye, don’t worry about coming in late. I recently started posting, after reading the posts for a while, and I’m often the last one to comment. And, Connie Willis! So happy that you and you, too, Lesa, enjoy her writing. Willis’ time traveling historian books are some of my favorite reads. I’m absolutely embarrassed that I haven’t read A Lot Like Christmas yet. I actually have it. I’ll get it out and start fitting in a story when I can.
It’s been raining, but we’ve had more. I remember I was a kid when this area hit its record for most rainfall in history. I’ve been through the other floods we had in the area. Usually, they happen later in the year. I’m not sure I’m looking forward to March…
This week I read:
Chicago Confidential by Max Allan Collins; Only two more to go in the series! In this one, Heller is involved with the Kefauver Committee, and McCarthy, too. He runs around Chicago trying not to get squoze in the middle of the mob and the government. Heller has slept with virtually every sex symbol in Hollywood in his time. I guess he was just a bit too old for Raquel Welch.
Death by Smoothie by Laura Levine; Strapped for money again, Jaine finds herself involved in a play reviving an old sitcom with a cult following. By the end, I was wanting to see episodes of I Married A Zombie, too!
Kowabana volume 8 by Tara A. Devlin; Another collection of weird Japanese ghost stories. There’s a section of Christmas horror, that’s pretty scary, but no Krampus!
I hope your rain settles into what you need, Glen, and that March isn’t bad.
I laughed when you said Heller slept with all those sex symbols. Two people I know, my best friend, and my brother-in-law, quit reading Stuart Woods because they both said his character slept with a new woman in every book.
Here I finally am, Lesa. Since I got Covid a couple of days before Christmas, my reading suffered horribly. I just couldn’t read for the past two weeks. But, my reading mojo is coming back, and I have so many wonderful reads awaiting me. I did just finish Anne Cleeland’s 16th Acton and Doyle mystery, Murder in All Fury, and it is one of the best in the series. The next three books I read will be two new, beginning series. Annette Dashofy’s Where the Guilty Hide and Tracy Clark’s Hide are two I’ve been looking forward to. I read all of Annette’s books so far (Zoe Chambers series is a favorite), but this will be the first Tracy Clark book for me. I should have read Tracy before now, as she is widely praised, but I just haven’t gotten to her before now. The third book will be a highly emotional read for me. The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths is the 15th and final (well, the final at least for a while and maybe permanently) Ruth Galloway novel. Anyone who knows my reading favorites knows that I am completely besotted by this series. This book won’t be out until April in the U.S., but it’s out in Britain the end of this month. I try to read and review the books in this series before their UK publication date. I need to get reading right now.
Kathy, I’m sorry about the Covid. Now that you’re feeling a little better, I’m even more sorry for you about the Ruth Galloway series. You’re right. I know how much you love that series. It’s hard to let go of a favorite.
I am looking forward to this one. I loved the first two and it is nice to know this one won’t disappoint. Can’t wait.