Let’s chat. As most of you know, I’m retiring from my day job on Aug. 31. Then, I’m moving to Ohio on September 18. Word of warning: it’s not wise to retire and move at the same time. I took yesterday afternoon off to run errands, going six places, and half of those errands related to retirement or the move.
This all means that I’ll have posts some days, and I won’t on others. It’s going to be scattered. When I mentioned yesterday that I might not do an October Treasures in My Closet post, one of you suggested I do an abbreviated one earlier in the month, or ask you to submit your own lists of October books. We might do that. I will be temporarily cutting off my Friday giveaways by the end of August so I don’t have to run to the post office in the midst of everything else.
Don’t worry. As I said earlier, I’m not discontinuing the blog. It just might be in a state of flux for a while while I’m getting ready for all the changes. But, I hope we still show up here on Thursdays for “What Are You Reading?”
I’ve only read the first chapter of Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake. I did start it before Reese Witherspoon announced it as a Reese’s Book Club Pick. Because I’ve only read one chapter, I’ll use the book summary to describe it. I will say, though, that I don’t normally read Patchett’s fiction, and the format of the first chapter totally threw me. Donna told me, though, that the author often uses that device. You’ll see if you read it.
“In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara recalls the past, her daughters examine their own lives and relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.
Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart.”
What about you? What are you reading this week?
Don’t you hate it when real life gets in the way of your fun? Don’t worry about it, we’ll be here when life settles down again. (And can I tell you how jealous I am of your retirement?)
I’m about 2/3 of the way through DEATH ON THE GRAND CANAL by M. A. Monnin. It started a little slowly, but it’s picked up speed and I’m really enjoying it now. This is the second in her Intrepid Traveler Mysteries, and this one is set mostly in Venice.
I do hate that, Mark! And, it’s getting in the way of my reading, too. By the time I’m done with the day, I’m too tired to read. Life will eventually settle down, though!
I looked up the Intrepid Traveler Mysteries. I like the locations, but I hate it when the amateur sleuth is the suspect.
Hi Lesa and everyone – I totally agree with Mark, it’s so annoying when we have to do all these admin things. But at least yours are all for something you want to do – it will all come together in the end, and as he says, we understand and we will be here waiting for you when normal service resumes!
I’m in Edinburgh to review in the Fringe, Book and Art Festivals. The Fringe started properly yesterday and I saw one show – Upstart! Shakespeare’s Rebel Daughter Judith – which I enjoyed. Today I am seeing a comedian called Robin Ince. His show is called Weapons of Empathy, and I think it’s all about books – the notes say we should prepare to be confused, but to come away with a very long reading list. Just what I need 🙂
This afternoon I’m also seeing Thorns, a reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty story. Looks interesting.
I can’t remember if I was last on here before or after we went to the Latitude Festival, so apologies for any repetition. We had a good time, despite one day of torrential rain (and the organisers’ utter inability to cope with it, despite it having been forecast well ahead). I survived four nights in a tent!
We saw some great performers, including Pulp – Jarvis Cocker was on top form – The Proclaimers, ditto, and Paul Heaton. We discovered a new feminist punk band from Cardiff called Panic Shack; brilliant, so much energy and so much fun. I think they were my favourite act all weekend. A near second, however, was Siouxsie Sioux – what an amazing woman, still making no compromises and belting it out at 66 years old. I had a great dance to the hits of my youth – especially Hong Kong Garden and Dear Prudence.
We also enjoyed John E Vistic, Teddy Swims and a fantastic group from Mali called Tinairwen, plus two groups from Ireland, Red Rum Club and Kingfishr.
There was also a ‘Listening Tent’, in which we heard a curator from the National Portrait Gallery talking about Yvonde, one of the first women photographers, about whom they have just opened a new exhibition. Chelsea Manning also appeared to talk about her new book, and Ellen E James and Mark Kermode led an interesting discussion about stand-up comedy on film.
On our way back up to Edinburgh we stayed in two different B & Bs, each of them really lovely. One was in Laxton, an affluent farming village in Lincolnshire, the other was a farmhouse miles up a track outside Morpeth in Northumberland. Both were beautifully furnished with everything you could need, and with fabulous breakfasts made to order by the hosts.
So now here I am, and life will be busy for the next few weeks. My 20 Books of Summer schedule has more or less ground to a halt – partly through lack of time, and partly because I am immersed in Darren McGarvey’s THE SOCIAL DISTANCE BETWEEN US, which I probably mentioned before. It is such a good book, so incisive and thought-provoking. He has also written POVERTY SAFARI, which I will try to read next.
Our son, daughter-in-law and elder daughter Anna all went to see the BARBIE MOVIE and enjoyed it very much, so I would like to get to that sometime soon. And on television Anna has introduced me to THE BEAR, which is so good; of course it took us some time to get our heads round all the quick fire dialogue and restaurant/Chicago slang, but it was worth the effort. We’ve also been watching PHILOMENA CUNK (a British spoof documentary series) and DINNER LADIES, which I’ve seen before but am still enjoying second time around.
Some of the tickets I requested for the Book Festival have at last been allocated, so I will be going to see Alice Oseman, creator of the comic strip that led to the wonderful TV series HEARTSTOPPER, and Richard T Kelly, who has written a novel about the oil industry in Aberdeen and how it affects people’s lives.
My walks in Edinburgh are largely limited to rushing backwards and forwards from Leith to the Old Town and various other Fringe venue areas. The city is very busy, so I have to do my best to stay calm as I negotiate narrow streets milling with wandering visitors! It’s such a shame that it has rained so much lately; I do feel sorry for the tourists, especially those with young children – it’s so expensive to keep them entertained, especially when parks and playgrounds are just too wet to be an option.
I’ve got an hour or so now to write up an art exhibition I saw at the university – The Carrying Stream, in which three artists were commissioned to create new works based on materials from the archives of the Scottish Studies department. The department’s staff have been going all over Scotland since the 1960s, recording people’s memories, photographing them in their homes and at work, and preserving their history. Some of the equipment they used is on show – back in the day they would lug huge tape recorders and microphones along unmade roads to get to remote settlements; now, of course, it’s much easier.
Have a good week everyone – and don’t rush about too much Lesa!
Don’t rush about too much! Ha! Oh, Rosemary. Yesterday, I took the afternoon off and went six different places. Tomorrow morning, I have a lengthy dentist appointment. I’m trying to get a lot done before I leave. And, you’re a fine one for talking. I think you rush about quite a bit.
I love a good book festival, but, I’m sorry that you and everyone else have to cope with all the rain.
Thank you for taking time to share both festivals with us, in between writing up reviews of art exhibitions. Sending thank you hugs, Rosemary!
Good morning. Lesa, thanks for the heads up about the sporadic posts. That way I won’t worry when you don’t have one up. Last night our town had an 80s band playing in the park. Not the best band we’ve heard this summer but it was a beautiful evening- cool and low humidity- so there was a good turnout. Two dollar hot dogs and the ice cream truck that stops by don’t hurt either.
This week I’ve been binge reading the rest of Jen J Danna’s Abbott and Lowell series so that my mom can read them too. Fortunately she’s about a book and a half behind me.
A FLAME IN THE WIND OF DEATH. The Salem, MA fire department responds to a suspicious fire and finds a body. The victim was murdered and signs at the scene point to the witch community. Trooper Leigh Abbot and forensic anthropologist Matt Lowell have to identify the victim and find the killer.
TWO PARTS BLOODY MURDER. when a 96 year old Alzheimer’s patient keeps insisting that there’s a body in a building, his family finally report it to the police. But when trooper Abbot investigates she finds more than she bargained for.
And I’m halfway through the final book in the series, LAMENT THE COMMON BONES.
You’re welcome, Sandy, although I’ll probably have to post notes saying “Not here today.” My sister worries, too, if she doesn’t see a blog post, and then she checks on me. That’s good, though. Several times, such as on Tuesday, I set the posting time wrong, and it hadn’t posted at all.
Some interesting sounding plots in those Abbott and Lowell books. They sound a little different.
I thought I’d get in early this week for a change. First, congratulations again on your impending retirement. I think any of us who have reached that stage of life will tell you, that once it is done you will be very happy you did it. And you’ll be so busy you’ll wonder how you had time to work before. (Of course, with the impending move, you already know that.) I will admit moving is awful, but we’ve settled here for over 35 years and hope to stay many more. Moving a carload of stuff to Florida and back every winter is all the moving I can handle these days.
OK, books. Jackie is reading and very much enjoying her “space opera” by Linnea Sinclair, GABRIEL’S GHOST. I believe it is the first of a series.
After weeks of reading it in daily bits, I did finally finish Jane Smiley’s excellent 13 WAYS TO LOOK AT THE NOVEL. I’ve never read her fiction but this makes me want to do so. She does a wonderful job, and her reviews of the 100 novels she read for it are quite interesting and helpful. She’s a big fan of Dickens, Trollope and MIDDLEMARCH. Not so much Henry James or James Joyce, if that helps.
I discussed THE WAY OF THE BEAR by Anne Hillerman last week. Did finish it on Thursday.
My library finally came through with WALK THE BLUE FIELDS (2007), the final book by Claire Keegan that I hadn’t read. It is another beautifully written collection of short stories, set in the west of Ireland. She is always worth reading.
I got the third collection of essays by Helen Ellis, KISS ME IN THE CORAL LOUNGE, and have read a few chapters.
Still reading Edward P. Jones’s second collection of stories set in black Washington, D.C., ALL AUNT HAGAR’S CHILDREN. Will discuss it when I finish.
I read and enjoyed (especially the first) the previous three books about deep state operative Hayley Chill by Chris Hauty, but the fourth, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, is a different kettle of fish. Chill is the super competent overachiever, a West Virginia Army brat who finds herself behind the scenes in the White House helping save the country and the world. (Origin stories are usually the best.) Also, the books are tightly focused on her. There are a few chapters centered elsewhere, but the books are mostly from her point of view. But several bad things that happen in book three have left Hayley something of a wreck, almost a shell of herself, so she quits. But as GODFATHER 3 showed, “Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in” is the relevant quote.She’s needed and has to pull herself together. The first half of this one, involving a plot to murder two Supreme Court Justices (and when you see who is behind it, I bet you will – like me – find it totally believable), is too scattered, with Chill barely a part of it, with the judges, a very unsubtle crew of Mexican drug cartel members, Marshals and other law enforcement, even a busload of kidnapped kids. The second half finally gets things in hand. I am not finished with it yet, though I anticipate a happier ending. But definitely read book one, DEEP STATE.
I need to finish this as I have the new Linda Castillo book on hand, as well as a Joe Lansdale.
By the way, thought I’d mention how glorious out weather has been this week after the crappy July we did. It’s upper 70s to low 80s, low (like 30%) humidity, good air quality (24 today, 34 yesterday), a nice breeze and sunshine. Now this is the way summer should be! Have a good week.
Thanks for the reminder on Claire Keegan. The library here has five of her books, so I have several more to read.
Jeff, Your weather sounds gorgeous! And, I don’t blame you one bit for not wanting to move from someplace where you’re happy. Too much work! I am looking forward, though, to being with family again.
I love Claire Keegan’s writing. You’re right. She’s always worth reading.
Enjoy the new Linda Castillo!
Lesa I can certainly commiserate with the “fun” of moving. I think I relocated fifteen times during my working years, once from Florida to Alaska. The final time we ran out the last month on the lease traveling locally and arranging to move, easing into retirement. Most fortunately our home was waiting although halfway across the country.
This week I read Elly Griffiths THE LAST REMAINS
This is the 15th and rumored last book in the excellent Ruth Galloway crime/archeology series. But, as I’m not even halfway through the series, I still have a few to go. This story starts off with a relatively recent skeleton hidden behind a wall. The characters are great and the bits of archeology are interesting.
And Wow! One of the best books I’ve read in a while although I can see how the subject matter might not appeal to everyone. S.A. Cosby’s ALL THE SINNERS BLEED is as good as others have mentioned and the language is amazing. “Chafing at the limits of their own manifest destiny”
No topic is untouchable for this author, all captured within good storytelling. I admire that the Sheriff, his lead character, isn’t dummied-down, a university graduate that always knows the source of a quote.
I thought for something lighter, I’d read Katherine Hall Page’s 26th Faith Fairchild mystery, THE BODY IN THE WEB. But, as others have said, it’s more a Covid novel than a mystery. And to me the handling of Covid was downright creepy – the insider information to order supplies & gaming the system to get their vaccinations first. I’m sure it colored my enjoyment of the story. So on to a collection of Christie short stories to cleanse the palate. A DEADLY AFFAIR from 2022 “Unexpected Love Stories from the Queen of Mystery” with her cast of detectives: Marple, Poirot, Parker Pyne, Tommy & Tuppence and Mr. Satterthwaite.
And finally THE VILLA from Rachel Hawkins, a bit of Gothic suspense set in Italy. In a story influenced by real life events, two story lines take place in the Villa – one set in the 1970s with rock musicians, the other current, tied together with excerpts from an imagined book. I’ve already placed a hold for her next novel in January.
Oh, MM! I can’t even imagine moving fifteen times during your working career. We moved five times when my husband was alive, but I was lucky. Except for the last move, he did most of the packing while I was working. Now, it’s up to me, but my Mom and one of my sisters will probably come down the first week in September to help.
I’m so glad you liked All the Sinners Bleed! Cosby is just such a wonderful writer.
Remember to rest yourself during these busy days, Lesa.
Books about strong women seem to be finding their way into my hands, and I couldn’t be happier.
I am familiar with The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, and it is a magical place, but I really didn’t know much about Ms. Gardner until recently. After reading The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin I squiggled my way down a rabbit hole and picked up Isabella Stewart Gardner:A Life. What an amazing life this complex, fascinating woman had! She was brash and outspoken, curious about everything, smart, kind, and determined to make her life meaningful.
Description of The Lioness of Boston from Amazon: Highly Recommended!
“Isabella Stewart Gardner, a daring visionary who created an inimitable legacy in American art and transformed the city of Boston itself.
By the time Isabella Stewart Gardner opened her Italian palazzo-style home as a museum in 1903 to showcase her collection of old masters, antiques, and objects d’art, she was already well-known for scandalizing Boston’s polite society. But when Isabella first arrived in Boston in 1861, she was twenty years old, newly married to a wealthy trader, and unsure of herself. Puzzled by the frosty reception she received from stuffy bluebloods, she strived to fit in. After two devastating tragedies and rejection from upper-society, Isabella discovered her spirit and cast off expectations.
Freed by travel, Isabella explores the world of art, ideas, and letters, meeting such kindred spirits as Henry James and Oscar Wilde. From London and Paris to Egypt and Asia, she develops a keen eye for paintings and objects, and meets feminists ready to transform nineteenth century thinking in the twentieth century. Isabella becomes an eccentric trailblazer, painted by John Singer Sargent in a portrait of daring décolletage, and fond of such stunts as walking a pair of lions in the Boston Public Garden.
The Lioness of Boston is a portrait of what society expected a woman’s life to be, shattered by a courageous soul who rebelled and was determined to live on her own terms.”
Kaye, Sometimes, I just collapse at night when I get home. Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t always shut off and I don’t sleep well because it’s making lists of things to do. But, thank you. I do try to do some relaxing. And, I talk with Mom for an hour or two during the week. That always helps!
I love rabbit holes! The Isabella Stewart Gardner one sounds so good.
That museum really is something! Stuffed with treasures everywhere you look. We found it a bit spooky. That might have been partly because of the unsolved art heist the museum had suffered. The sight of those empty spaces where the art had been stolen—the dim lighting—the melancholy grandeur— it all produced a singular vibe.
I can’t imagine moving 5 times, let alone 15! And from Florida to Alaska, no less.
I’ve moved a total of 5 times in 74 years! And the first two were when we were kids and my parents did the moving, including once when my brother and I were away in summer camp.
Hi all! I feel your pain, Lesa! Last year I sold our house of 15 years, moved, and left my job of 22 years (technically retiring but not really since I am in a different job now) all at the same time, and it was overwhelming and exhausting. I never knew if I was coming or going, probably because I was doing both at the same time.
This week I read “The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett” for a book club, and it was pretty good. It was an interesting coincidence that I read 2 books about death doulas (the other being The Collected Regrets of Clover) in the same month. (I have some long thoughts about why death doulas are having a moment but I’ll spare everyone those!)
I also read The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katherine Schellman, which has well-drawn characters and an absorbing mystery in a well-drawn setting, an illegal Prohibition-era club in New York. I like the way the author pays attention to the ways race, gender, and class structure the characters’ lives and chances. I preached last week so I didn’t have a lot of time for pleasure reading. Lastly I’m still working through the 2 nonfiction books I mentioned last week.
Now, I’m curious as to your thoughts about death doulas, Trish. Maybe another time.
I’m glad you liked The Last Drop of Hemlock. You can tell she’s done her homework when she writes these books, as well as the Lily Adler mysteries. They, too, deal with race, gender, and class structure.
You’re making two major life changes at the same time, Lesa, so you have to cut yourself some slack. I know you’ve been looking forward to these changes eagerly, and I wish you the best.
I’m reading Laura Lippman’s latest, Prom Mom, another of the standalone suspense novels she does so well. Set in Baltimore, of course, during the surreal 2020-2021 period. Amber Glass is the infamous “prom mom,” who gave birth in a hotel bathroom on prom night and allegedly killed the baby after the father, Jim, abandoned her to pursue another girl. After avoiding Baltimore for years, Amber has returned for what she expects to be a brief trip to tie up her stepfather’s estate. But she makes the unwise decision to stay and open a business. She’ll be okay, she thinks, as long as she stays away from her teen boyfriend, now a successful real estate developer with a happy marriage. But Amber can’t seem to steer clear of him, and he is equally drawn to Amber. Trouble, of course, follows.
I have my copy of Birder, She Wrote, by my local friend Donna Andrews, and look forward to an escapist dive into that one. I’m also reading, bit by bit, a nonfiction bird book, What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman, a fresh scientific look at the iconic bird family that is revered in Native American cultures and is deeply imbedded in legend, literature, and even entertainment.
I didn’t think of it that way, Sandra – “two major life changes at the same time”. Thank you for making me think about.
I saw What an Owl Knows, and it did look like it would be a book to real little by little.
Good morning! I’ve been with my grandkids– all day yesterday and overnight at their house– while their parents are taking a break in Napa. Soon we will be going back to my house to pick up their uncle so we can all go to an outdoor presentation on wild and endangered animals at the library. Hopefully I’ll have time to post my books read on my home computer in between.
Hi Margie,
If you don’t get a chance to get back, at least we won’t worry about you. We know you were busy. Enjoy the library program!
Such exciting times for you, Lesa! With my husband’s army career we moved a lot but I still get weak knees when I see moving trucks. We used Leaders Moving and Storage when we moved from Columbus to Cincinnati almost 2 years ago. They were really reasonable if you are looking for moving company recommendation.
Two good books this week. I enjoyed The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. It involved a bookshop that only appears to those worthy of finding it and a final lost manuscript of Emily Bronte.
My favorite book was the latest Sparks and Bainbridge mystery by Allison Montclair-The Lady from Burma. Gwen’s lunacy status if cleared up in this one. This is one of my favorite mystery series and each book is better than the last. I hope there are many more to come.
We spent our day yesterday at the Cincinnati Art Museum seeing the special exhibit of Picasso’s landscapes. They did an amazing job displaying the artwork. We really enjoyed it.
Back to the high heat today with perhaps a little rain on the way tomorrow.
Take good care of yourself during this stressful time and Happy Reading!
Thank you, Sharon. I’m all set with moving because Donna told me I couldn’t wait until the last minute to get a company. I’m sure you were an expert at all that packing!
That’s one reason I’m looking forward to moving to Columbus – art exhibits!
I’m still going to get to the Cincinnati Zoo – hopefully next spring. I want to see Fiona and Fritz, the hippos.
I know I had The Lost Bookshop at home at one time. I’ll have to get around to it in my next life. (smile)
OK, back home for 30 minutes or so. Here’s what I read this week:
SUMMER STAGE isn’t my favorite novel by Meg Mitchell Moore, an author I admire, but I was drawn to it because of the theater theme. It’s a quiet story about a family that comes together one summer on Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island, to put on a professional production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Timothy has attained celebrity status in his show business career, which is now largely behind him, and he has signed on to direct the play, which will star his much younger ex-wife, Gertie. HIs younger sister Amy has abandoned her desire to be a playwright to raise her family and teach high school students, but she agrees to be the play’s production manager. And Amy’s daughter, Sam, is going through a crisis after a bad experience as part of a TikTok content house in New York. Sam has had a successful run as a child actor, which included playing Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird with Uncle Timmy as Atticus Finch. She no longer seeks attention on social media and refuses to take the role of Hero in the play, and she won’t open up to her mother about what has happened in New York. My favorite character is Gertie, who maintains her composure and good humor in the face of difficulties getting the play off the ground, as well as bids from Timothy to rekindle their love affair. It’s a quick read and a nice antidote to novels with heavier content.
I didn’t know there would be sequel to Nita Prose’s popular mystery, The Maid, but I was delighted to see it offered at NetGalley and thrilled to receive an advance copy. In THE MYSTERY GUEST, Molly has had the position of Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel for more than three years. She was instrumental in solving a murder in the hotel when she was a lowly maid, and now she is challenged again when a well-known author collapses before he is able to make an important announcement about his career to a gathering of his fans. When Lily, a maid-in-training, is suspected of poisoning the author, Molly is quick to supply the reluctant police detective with theories and evidence which will hopefully exonerate the young maid. Everything I loved about the first in the series is present in its sequel, including Molly’s constant struggle to interpret social cues while resolutely adhering to and enforcing important rules and maintaining a strong belief in Lily’s innocence. There are also many flashbacks to her life with her beloved Gran, who cared for her when her mother could not, taught her how to navigate the world, and–most importantly–believed she could succeed. Other hotel characters are again present–the odious Cheryl, demoted from Head Maid and now reporting to Molly, the supportive doorman, Mr. Preston, fellow employee and boyfriend Juan Manuel, and hotel manager Mr. Snow. The mystery is well designed, and its resolution is complicated by the fact that the victim is widely disliked by those who know him and has a past that is eerily familiar to Molly and her Gran. Part of the fun of The Maid was the thrill of getting to know Molly. It is no longer a novelty in this book, but Molly’s further adventures are fun and well worth your time. (November)
I am very impressed with Ritu Mukerji’s debut historical mystery, MURDER BY DEGREES, set in Philadelphia in 1875. Lydia Weston is a physician and professor at a time when women were often disrespected for pursuing what had always been a men-only career. Fortunately, she has role models at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, and her female patients find her professional and empathetic. But when one of her young patients is found lifeless in the nearby Schuylkill River, Dr. Weston rejects suicide as the cause of death. Finding the chambermaid’s diary, she does her best to analyze the poetry quoted in its pages to discover who might have benefited from her death. Could it have been someone in the wealthy family for whom she works? It seems that both the chambermaid and some of her wealthy employer’s family members, not to mention a few of her coworkers, have dangerous secrets, and Dr. Weston sometimes risks her own safety to bring her medical knowledge and interpersonal skills to a collaboration with the police. A physician herself, the author brings authenticity to the medical portion of the story. Also, her vivid descriptions of some of the venues makes it easy to envision them. As someone who spent many years living in Philadelphia and, particularly, in the suburb (Havertown) mentioned in the text, I fondly remember many of the locations. I’m hoping that this might be the beginning of a series. (October)
After Jenny L. Howe’s excellent debut romance in 2022, I couldn’t wait to read her next book. ON THE PLUS SIDE is the story of 24-year-old Everly, who works in an administrative position at a design firm, even though she has artistic aspirations herself. After her father died many years ago, Everly started gaining weight, and her mother couldn’t deal with it. Her grandmother, however, was her saving grace. She encouraged Everly to be herself, regardless of her plus-size body, and the message resonated with Everly. But when her grandmother died, Everly saw herself as “too much” and an object of scorn from fat-shamers. Her response was to make herself–her career, her wardrobe, and personal life–as small and drab as possible. But Everly is a huge fan of a TV reality show, also called On the Plus Side, where people who don’t fit the standard mold are showcased, encouraged, and helped to shoot for their dreams. Soon–too soon, I thought–we learn that Everly has been recruited to appear on the show for several weeks, her nominator remaining anonymous. I would have liked a bit more background about Everly to create more depth. Her experience on the show has many benefits for Everly, along with some unpleasant surprises, but nothing that will surprise fans of TV reality shows. Her love interest is perfect–again, too perfect, I felt. There are usually some late roadblocks in a romance that threaten to break up the couple that anyone can see are right for each other, but the only roadblocks here come from the production company. The story has its fun moments, but I don’t think it holds up to its high-concept plot. The body inclusivity theme is effective, but perhaps emphasized a bit too often. I much preferred and would highly recommend Howe’s debut romance, The Make-up Test. (December)
Thanks for finding time to talk about books, Margie. I was impressed with Murder By Degrees, too. I thought it was an excellent debut. Like you, I hope it’s the start of a series.
Enjoy your grandchildren time!
Margie, glad to hear that you enjoyed the sequel to THE MAID. I plan to read that, but I always wonder whether the 2nd book will be as good as the first in a series.
Thanks for the tip Margie. The library has The Mystery Guest on order and I have my hold placed.
As you embark on two awesome adventures at the same time, you’ll need all the encouragement you can get. I’m sending you calm but eager vibes and cautioning you to give in and take a nap when needed.
I finished the Dean Koontz novel (which I enjoyed) and am ready to start Becky Clark’s Booked (at the Sugar Mill Marketplace #1) for our Sisters-in-Crime-Colorado book club. We always have the author appear at our Zoom meetings so Becky will talk about her books and her writing process. It’s always fun.
Thank you, Patricia! I’ll take those vibes! And, I’ve always been a napper, and I find myself taking long ones on the weekend. Just what I need.
Thank you!
Lesa, Best wishes on your retirement and move! I am listening to the Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey on audio and Out of Nowhere by Sandra Brown in print.
Thank you, Katherine! I’ll have to ask by Mom if you liked Harvey’s new book.
Do not envy you with two major life changes in a three week time frame. We will all be here when you get settled and know what you are doing. October treasures could be cribbed from someone else or get our friend Kevin Tipple to help you out. Sorry Kevin for giving you a project.
I have been lurking lately as by the time I get to this wonderful blog day it is usually late in the day, I need to take a page from Mark and do it Wednesday evening.
In the last week I have read three good books. Lucy Connelly’s An American in Scotland which I really enjoyed. Bleak but beautiful area of the world. Enjoyed the main characters and look forward to seeing how she goes forward with them.
Homicide and Halo Halo by Mia Manansala – a fun quick read. I love the characters in these books as it is pretty much a character driven series.
Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt. The latest in the Andy Carpenter books – have read them all but they are so entertaining. This may not have been the best one but it is still Andy and the gang.
Just started the second book in the Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns, Murder is a Piece of Cake. Really liked the first one – just about 20 pages in and so far so good. This series is pretty much character driven as well.
Thanks, Jeannette! We’ll see what happens with Treasures.
I’ve read two out of three of your books – An American in Scotland and Homicide and halo Halo. It sounds as if you read for character, as I do.
I liked Valerie Burns’ writing, whatever name she’s using.
Lesa, I can only imagine how stressful life must be for you right now. I haven’t made a major move like that for decades, and when I retired I was 71 and very ready to be done with it.
The only book I finished in the last week was MURDER MOST FOWL by Bill Crider. In this story, Sheriff Dan Rhodes is chasing down stolen emus, while looking for the person who murdered Elijah Ward, who has recently had to give up his hardware store due to the competition from Walmart. This book was published in 1994 and I think raising emus was pretty new in the US back then. I did not even know that emu farming existed. This was my favorite Dan Rhodes book so far, but Crider’s books are always an entertaining read.
Currently I am reading OPERATION MINCEMEAT by Ben MacIntyre, nonfiction about an intelligence operation during World War II. The fiction book I am reading is Charles McCarry’s last book, THE MULBERRY BUSH, also an espionage story. Possibly reading two books about espionage at the same time isn’t ideal, but I am enjoying both.
Glen is reading THE COMPANION, the first book in the Lizzie Martin series by Ann Granger. It is a historical crime novel, set in Victorian London. I think it was originally published as A RARE INTEREST IN CORPSES in the UK. I have read a couple of that author’s earlier mysteries from the 1990’s.
Tracy, I know. What was I thinking? Oh, well. I should live through it.
I miss Bill Crider and his Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. I started late in the series. Someday, I should go back and read either ones.
I can read multiple books at a time, but I usually don’t do the same subject. I’d find the two espionage books hard to keep straight.
Don’t worry about us. My question is do you have a definite place to move to? We have decided to give up on Las Vegas. We were trying to make a deposit on an apartment and found out that our charge card was hacked. The bank took the 5 charges off our card and is sending us new ones. We won’t be able to use the new cards for two weeks. We were able to get groceries via our debit card. But the apartment also told us of a number of monthly payments that we would have in addition to the rent. Bad news comes in threes, I think there is a saying about that.
So back to the drawing board. Take care, and much love, Carol
Oh, Carol. I’m sorry. What a mess!
Yes, I’ve signed an eighteen-month lease on an apartment in Columbus, Ohio. It’s close to my sister, and it’s going to be great – once I get moved in! It never takes me long to unpack. It’s the packing and getting there that’s a bother.
Good luck, and you take care, too.
Good deal!
You know how we get a free book as an Amazon Prime member each month? Well, we do. Anyway, one of the books I just got offered was the new Lee Goldberg, MALIBU BURNING. Cool.
Oh, I liked Malibu Burning!
Good luck with your transitions! I hope it’s as easy as possible for you.
The weather here has been nice, but it’s about to get very hot again.
This week I read:
But Enough About Me by Burt Reynolds; I’m just old enough to remember when Burt was the most famous actor in the world. I have memories of his career imploding, and when he became a joke for sure. In this book, Burt reminisces about his life and his relationships with many people, but mostly actors. He knew a lot of people, and most of his observations are interesting. I thought the section on his relationship with Dinah Shore was enthralling.
The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle; A Hollywood guy contrives to have his extensive and expensive wine collection covered in a famous magazine. Pretty soon, the entire collection is stolen. An investigator goes to France and sample food and wine with a beautiful French woman until he finds it. Almost like something from the 1930’s.
The First Eagle by Tony Hillerman; The series is changing direction, as Leaphorn is growing bored in retirement, Chee is acting Lieutenant and hating it, and Bernie is starting to take up more space. Janice is back, one of the few paramours that rival Susan Silverman in being annoying. It all has to do with medical research and fraud. More relevant now than ever.
Fit To Die: A Supper Club Mystery by JB Stanley; The Supper Club is a group of people trying to lose weight by eating together. It isn’t all that effective. A new gym opens up in town, and they join, murder soon follows, and the gym is a den of iniquity. This is becoming a common trope in cozies.
The Vault by Mark Dawson; This is the origin of Dawson’s inter-connected series. In the final days of the Cold War, a British agent tries to exfiltrate an asset. There’s a leak, and the agent’s Frenchwoman lover is executed. The agent goes on the vengeance trail and blackmails an Irish criminal into helping him. Almost seems like a Jack Higgins story.
Black Moon: The Complete Tales of Jules De Grandin by Seabury Quinn; Jules De Grandin was a popular supernatural detective in the days of the pulps. These stories are late in the series, and the series has reached decadence. Several stories lack any pop. In other, De Grandin is merely a guest star in his own story, a framing device for other characters. Still, a couple of them are pretty good.
Thank you, Glen! I don’t know how I missed your comments last Thursday. I’m sorry. The books all sound like ones you enjoyed, except maybe that last one.
I’m sorry the weather turned hot again. Our temperatures dropped into the 80s. Much better.
Lesa, based on your recent review I am listening to the audiobook “All the Beauty in the World” by Patrick Bringley. I love museums and hope to glean some insider info about how they operate. I am about 25% through the book. It is pretty short to I should have it finished by week’s end.
Susan, I hope you enjoy the audiobook. I read it, so I don’t know how it “listens”, but I hope it’s good!