I moved a little over a week ago, and I still feel snowed under. Unfortunately, I spoke with someone today who said she moved eight years ago, and she still feels unsettled. I hope that doesn’t happen to me. I’ll get there. The best part of being here? Time with family. I’ve had a couple dinners at my sister and brother-in-law’s (have to include him because he’s the cook). She and I walked a couple miles yesterday in a park, and I bought a couch, chair, and ottoman. Eventually, my life will come together.
What have you been doing this week? What are you reading?
In the meantime, I’m still reading for Library Journal. I just finished Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita. The sequel to City Under One Roof will be released Feb. 13. Set in Alaska, it features three women whose troubles come together. Two are returning characters, Cara Kennedy, formerly with the Anchorage Police Department, and Elie Wright, owner of Cozy Condo Inn in Point Mettier, the city all in one building. Mia is a waitress, a young woman who grew up in Unity, a village and refuge for women who suffered from sexual assault or oppression. They become tangled up in the search for Cara’s missing husband and young son.
What about you? I hope you found something to read this week.
Lesa I surely hope you settle in quickly and enjoy your new life. It’s been ten years since I last moved and those twenty-some moves are just a distant memory. I’m working on getting an updated Covid vaccine. Unfortunately CVS is the only location that has it here and that’s sketchy. I’ve already had two appointments canceled via text.
I did have some good reads this week.
Translated from French FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS by Valérie Perrin is a beautiful story of love and family and grief. The main character is a cemetery keeper who grew up without a family. At first I thought it was moving too slow, but then I was wonderfully absorbed in the characters and the multiple intertwining subplots. “I would see it all, hear it all. Violence and hatred, relief and misery, resentment and remorse, grief and joy, regrets. All of society, all origins, all religions on a few hectares of land”
A multi-character story beautifully set in 1958 along the Alabaster River in Jewell Minnesota and the farmland of Black Earth County, William Kent Krueger’s latest non-series THE RIVER WE REMEMBER is a thoughtful read. Racism and insularity of a small town disrupted by the war years.
And to wrap up the week, a “domestic thriller” EVERYONE HERE IS LYING by Shari Lapeña. The author keeps the suspense mounting as the neighbors each manage to accuse another of some nefarious behavior. A young girl is missing and the police have too many suspects and no real evidence.
Ten years already, Margie, since you’re move to be near your grandkids? It’s hard to believe. I remember when you were planning that move. I can’t even imagine twenty-some moves!
William Kent Krueger. I haven’t read his new book, but I’m sure the writing is beautiful.
I apologize, MM. I read this wrong. No wonder the time seemed so short. Margie did move within the last ten years – not you. I’m sorry.
MM, I am a big fan of Valérie Perrin’s work.
First Perrin I’ve read, definitely impressed! Might have been one you recommended.
Earlier this week, I breezed through SUGAR PLUM POISONED, the newest Cupcake Bakery from Jenn McKinlay. It was so much fun as always.
Now I’m working on BRUSH UP ON MURDER by Sybil Johnson. It’s been about 4 years since the last book in the series came out, so it’s taking me a bit of time to return to the world, but I’m enjoying being back very much.
Jenn McKinlay’s books are just fun, aren’t they, Mark? I’m looking forward to her next Library Lovers’ mystery.
LESA: I hope you do get settled in your new home/town quickly. When I moved from Toronto to Ottawa 10 years ago, the hardest part was moving away from family. It was also the last time my employer paid for my move to a new city/job. Professional movers came to pack/unpack my apartment but I still remember spending several days organizing my 22 bookcases full of books!
I am starting two e-books: The first is COLD TURKEY by Amy Patricia Meade (ARC). Caterer Tish Tarragon is less annoying (so far). And I know you also like reading the Samuel Craddock mysteries. The new book is GUILT STRIKES AT GRANGER’S HOUSE by Terry Shames (ARC). And I am listening to BENEATH THE SURFACE by Kaira Rouda. It’s a thriller with 3 couples going on a weekend luxury yacht cruise to Catalina Island. It has 4 different narrators, which is a bit hard to get used to, but I am liking it so far.
FYI, Iris Yamashita’s first book is one of my fave reads (so far) this year. I met Iris at San Diego Bouchercon and am looking forward to reading VILLAGE IN THE DARK.
Twenty-two bookcases, Grace! And, my mother thought I had too many books! There’s never enough!
I like that series by Amy Patricia Meade, and I’m definitely looking forward to Terry Shames’ new book. You’re right. I’m a fan of that series.
That’s great to know that you liked City Under One Roof. I think you’ll like Village in the Dark, too.
LESA, I agree you should cut yourself some slack in adjusting to your new home.
Me, I had to start working full time in my new job on my second day in Ottawa (in frigid January, no less). I was a tad stressed, to say the least.
Enjoy the experience.
That’s what I usually did, Grace, moved and started work. It is stressful.
Hi everyone, from a cloudy and damp Aberdeenshire. The sun was shining merrily when I woke up, but now it’s taken its leave. We had a storm last night with torrential rain and strong winds; at least that has now passed over.
Lesa – it’s only been a WEEK! Cut yourself some slack – it doesn’t matter how long you take to settle in, just do it in your own time. It’s very disconcerting, this moving lark, even when it’s by choice, plus you have just left your job too. Two huge life events. Go easy on yourself.
This week I finished Olivia Laing’s FUNNY WEATHER: ART IN AN EMERGENCY, which I mentioned last time and very much enjoyed.
I’ve also read TEA IS SO INTOXICATING, a novel written in 1950 by Mary Essex, aka Ursula Bloom. I found the plot of this one very silly (girl marries slightly stuffy man, almost accidentally has a daughter, gets bored with the whole thing, elopes with another man – who turns out to be absolutely useless at everything, so they end up living in a run down cottage in a village where they will forever be considered ‘foreigners’. Useless husband then decides he has the skills and experience to open a tea shop. He has neither of these things. The whole book leads up to the eventual opening of the tea room, with numerous disasters along the way.)
What I did appreciate about this book, however, was the light it shed on the changes in society after the war. Marghanita Laski’s THE VILLAGE, which I know I’ve spoken about before, did this too, and in my opinion did it a whole lot better, but TEA IS SO INTOXICATING does address similar issues. Mrs Arbroath, the matriarch of the village who has been used to having her own way in all things and isn’t prepared to tolerate any challenges, soon has to accept that she no longer has the power she had pre-war. She’s particularly vexed by the ‘servant problem’ that so shocks her and others like her, now that young girls have realised they can have better lives outwith domestic service. There’s also reference to the fact that, in those days, you could still sue someone for breach of promise if they broke off an engagement.
The novel is one of the British Library Women Writers series and I have to say that none I have read so far has exactly thrilled me. I feel the same way about the BL Crime Classics, so maybe these are just not for me.
I’m now reading the last of my 20 Books of Summer (a month late, but I’m not counting August!), A CALENDAR OF LOVE by George Mackay Brown.
This is a small collection of short stories, all set on Orkney, where Brown was born and spent most of his life. It was first published in 1967. Some of the stores incorporate Orcadian myths and legends, some are contemporary. One includes a large swathe of dialect, which took me a while to decipher. The stories remind me of Ian Stephen’s A BOOK OF DEATH AND FISH, also set on Orkney but in modern times; there is the same feeling of otherness, the same emphasis on fishing, the sea, the kirk, illicit stills, crofting, tinkers, and tiny closed communities. It’s all beautifully written, with such economy of language.
After this I really must tackle my stack of library loans, but I also need to choose a book or books for our #1962Club read. I have so far unearthed several possibilities, some of which would be re-reads. They are:
THE HOLIDAY AT THE DEW DROP INN* by Eve Garnett (the third and last in her wonderful Family From One End Street series)
THE MOONSPINNERS by Mary Stewart
THE PUMPKIN EATER* by Penelope Mortimer
THE MIRROR CRACKED FROM SIDE TO SIDE* by Agatha Christie
CASSANDRA AT THE WEDDING* by Dorothy Baker
THE KINDLY ONES* by Anthony Powell (Book 6 of his A Dance to the Music of Time series)
THE GIRL WITH GREEN EYES* by Edna O’Brien
JOHNNY PANIC AND THE BIBLE OF DREAMS by Sylvia Plath
(The ones I have marked with * would be re-reads.)
I usually end up choosing short books for this bi-annual reading week as I know I won’t otherwise get through them AND review them in time. Some people seem to manage so many books!
Last weekend we were in Glasgow to see THE NATIONAL in concert. They were very good, though I didn’t know their work as well as David does, so it took me a while to get into it. It was a long concert – they even did FIVE songs for the encore – so we didn’t leave till after 11pm, then had to drive back to Edinburgh for the night. It was an early start on Monday as well, as David wanted to be in his office in Aberdeen by 10 (and it’s a 3 hour drive…)
So now I have Charlie with me for two weeks. He seems very chilled about the change in his residence, and does seem to remember living here before. He loves being able to see the birds and the river from the window – and the binmen coming along the road at the front!
On TV I started watching WIRE IN THE BLOOD, which for some reason I’d never seen before. I made it through the first episode but I’m not sure how long I’ll last as it does seem very gory. Good acting though.
Last night I watched the first in the new season of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF. I felt it had lost its appeal in the last two series, but they now have a new presenter, Alison Hammond, and everyone (including the picky Guardian) says she is bringing new life to the show. I only watched half of the first episode as I was too tired, so I’ll watch the rest tonight and see what I think. It’s the first time they have had a deaf contestant, so there is a BSL signer standing alongside Hammond and Noel Fielding – I always find signing so fascinating to watch.
I’m also watching the second season the THE BEAR, which is so good.
I’m enjoying THE MOOKSE AND THE GRIPES podcast, which is probably the best book podcast I have found. Paul and Trevor are such nice people, so polite, so well read, and so interested in each other’s opinions. They really listen to what the other has to say instead of just talking over them, which I think is the problem with too many podcasts. The two instalments I’ve been listening to are about (i) favourite book passages and (ii) spinsters in books. The latter discussion also included Nora, a Dublin-based blogger I’d not seen before, but who apparently has a very popular Instagram book account (https://www.instagram.com/pear.jelly/). It was a great episode.
Our art gallery is currently inviting submissions for their next round of micro-commissions. At our committee meeting the staff mentioned that they would like someone from the Friends to join the selection committee, so I have rashly volunteered for that. The committee member who volunteered for the last round is an international law lecturer with no background in art, and she said she enjoyed it a lot, so fingers crossed!
This afternoon I am meeting my friend Karen for a walk on the Finzean estate on south Deeside. The Finzean Farm Shop is nearby so I daresay we’ll be popping in for some refreshment afterwards.
Have a great week everyone!
Followup:
Great news about the new Iris Yamashita book. I really liked the first one.
We usually get vaccines at Costco and were planning to get the new Covid shots there, but NYU-Langone emailed us that we could schedule shots closer to home, so we got appointments next Friday. But then Jackie got sick – not Covid, an upper respiratory thing – so we put them off until she feels better.
Rosemary, I thought of you. We are watching the odd, somewhat mediocre WHO IS ERIN CARTER? on Netflix. All of a sudden, who should turn up (in Barcelona, where it is set) but Douglas Henshall, fresh off finishing SHETLAND I guess.
At least Sunny finally got to read the riot act to his new boss in UNFORGOTTEN and clear the air last episode, so I’m hoping things start improving.
I’ve never heard of Erin Carter, Jeff – but it sounds like Dougie should have stayed on Shetland!
Oh, Rosemary. Thank you. I needed to hear that – that I’d only moved a week ago and I should cut myself some slack. Thank you. I feel as if everything should be done. Actually, I only remembered to go out and buy salt, pepper, and sugar yesterday.
I’m enjoying a cup of tea as I read your post. I agree with you. I love to watch sign language. It’s so beautiful and graceful. I always tend to watch the sign language signer instead of the speaker or performer.
Oh, Charlie. I’m glad he’s there for a couple weeks to enjoy nature. Give him a pet for me. I miss my Josh.
How many books do you read for your #1962Club read?
Lesa, you can read as many or as few as you choose. I don’t think I’ve ever managed more than three, and it’s far more usual for me to read just one – but some people get through 7 or 8.
Hi Lesa. I’ve moved over and over during my life to different houses, states, and countries, so I feel qualified to assure you that you will feel settled in your new home before too long! As for reading, I’ve just finished three excellent police procedurals: Sarah Stewart Taylor’s THE MOUNTAINS WILD (2020), the first in her Maggie D’arcy series set in Ireland; Ann Cleeves’s third Matthew Venn book, A RAGING STORM; and THE RIVER WE REMEMBER, a brand new standalone by William Kent Krueger that is not just a mystery but also a very moving novel about small-town Minnesota in 1958. I recommend all three very highly. Now I’m just starting another Minnesota-based novel that I’m really looking forward to, Allen Eskens’s latest, SAVING EMMA.
Thank you, Kim! This is comforting.
I read your first two books. That Maggie D’arcy series is a favorite.
Good to hear that. I’ve already bought the #2 Maggie D book.
KIM: I am a big fan of Sarah’s series. I also like reading Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series but have not read many of his stand-alones.
Hi Grace! I’ve read a number of the Cork O’Connor books, but not yet all–I’m getting there, and I’ve read the three standalones. I think this one is the best, but they’re all good.
You will get settled in soon, Lesa and pretty soon it will feel like you never lived anywhere else.
Two books for me this week.
I didn’t much care for The Moonlight Gardening Club by Rosie Hannigan. I couldn’t relate to much of the story and I figured the twist out early on. To be honest, I only finished it because I actually bought it.
I did enjoy Murder is No Picnic by Amy Pershing. It is the 3rd of the Cape Cod Food Mysteries. I especially enjoy these because the Sam doesn’t find herself in mortal peril when the mystery is solved. I hope there are more.
A rainy morning on tap for us in Cincinnati.
Happy Reading!
I agree, Sharon. I don’t care for a cozy series when the amateur sleuth is “too stupid to live”, and ends up in danger.
Thank you. I appreciate everyone’s comments about the move.
Give yourself time to settle in Lesa. You can’t do everything in a week. I’m just lurking this week to see what everyone is reading. We were on vacation last week and I didn’t read a single page. It rained every day while we were away but we still had a good time.
Thanks, Sandy! And, I’m glad you had a good time on vacation, even if it did rain every day.
Like Margie, I read Everyone Here is Lying by Shari LaPena. The title is certainly accurate — every character has some sort of scummy personal secret and a reason to lie in a way that slows down the search for a missing 9 year old girl. Starting with the abominable father, who was with his lover (a woman who lives on the same street) in a motel the afternoon his daughter vanished and struck the girl in the face, a habit of his, right before she left the house. The girl is psychologically disturbed, has terrible parents, and everyone, including her parents, considers her exasperating. The author makes little effort to make her sympathetic. Yes, it’s a very suspenseful story, just as a multi-vehicle collision on an icy highway is a can’t-look-away disaster, and it sadly but accurately illustrates what happens when special needs children don’t get the care and attention they deserve. Every adult in this story is untrustworthy and most get exactly what they deserve.
It just doesn’t sound like my kind of book, Sandra. I have to like some of the characters. A whole cast of untrustworthy adults? I don’t think so.
I usually enjoy LaPena’s books, and will continue to read her when I’m in the mood for twisty, super-suspenseful entertainment. But in general I do not like books in which children are victims, and this child was victimized by every adult around her, including her teachers. The girl is insufferable, but basically a scared 9 year old who can’t trust anybody. And the overload of liars was a bit too much. I will continue to be a fan, though, and recommend LaPena’s other domestic suspense novels. I’m sure many readers will enjoy this one and it will also be a bestseller.
I just read last week’s What Are You Reading yesterday and learned that you had to put Josh down. Marmalade, orange spoiled 16 year old cat sends his condolences. I also send mine, you will know when/if it is time to get a new cat. I was almost 6 years between having one but he has been such a joy – most of the time. We have been together for 12 years now.
Only one book read this week, Song of the Lion by Anne Hillerman for a book club. Am enjoying it. Next up will be the new Osman book.
Take your time getting settled. And take some time away from getting settled.
I like that comment, Jeannette. “And take some time away from getting settled.” I promise I won’t complain again next week.
Thank you for your condolences, and Marmalade’s. That was the name of my first cat. I miss Josh every day, but you’re right. I’ll know when it’s time.
My best friend LOVES Anne Hillerman’s series.
Good morning! Last night I did nothing but watch TV, so I forgot to post then. It was Jeopardy, part of The Voice from the previous night, Celebrity Jeopardy, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, and $100K Pyramid (that last one doesn’t count because I fell asleep at the beginning and didn’t wake up until it was half over). For Wheel and Pyramid, I watch only when I like the celebrities. But why are all of these on Wednesdays? I didn’t have time to watch Amazing Race, but the recording is waiting for me.! By the way, this is a particularly busy week–two card games and a Rummikub game with the Newcomers Club in 3 days, then walking, Toastmasters (I am the Toastmaster of the Day , meaning I will run the meeting), and a massage (hallelujah!) today, and my flu shot tomorrow.
Anyway, you’re right, Lesa, I just moved 3 years ago, and the day before I moved in, my local son tested positive for Covid. So not the help I was hoping for, but I made it happen. It is exhausting at first, but you’ve gotten the really hard part (the actual move) behind you, so take it easy and take your time. You’re retired!
Here’s what I’ve been reading:
Carlie Walker’s first book for adults , THE TAKEDOWN, really shouldn’t work–the premise is so unlikely. But, to my amazement, it does work beautifully as both a romantic comedy and a spy novel/.Sidney Swift is a highly-effective but disillusioned CIA agent recruited by the FBI for a special assignment. Her younger sister, Calla, is about to marry Johnny Jones, a member of a notorious criminal family, suspected of organizing and executing heists that have resulted in numerous deaths. Does Calla know who her fiancé really is, and is she secretly working with him? And can Sydney get the goods on Johnny and prevent the next deadly heist, not to mention the wedding scheduled for Christmas day? No spoilers here–you need to discover for yourself how it all works out–and it’s a lot of fun. The author has written eight books for young audiences, so she has perfected a style that is both engaging and compelling. There is a good balance between the romance and the suspense, with family dynamics an added component of the story. The major characters are nuanced and interesting, and the holiday setting is a welcome element. The story is also enhanced by well-placed humor, which often had me chuckling. I found this book to be a delight and highly recommend it. I hope Carlie Walker has her next adult novel on the horizon, as I have added her to my must-read list of authors. (October)
In BEING HENRY: THE FONZ AND BEYOND, Henry Winkler has given me everything I look for in a show business autobiography. Now age 77, Henry’s illustrious career really took off when he famously became Arthur Fonzarelli on Happy Days. It made him a superstar, but it wasn’t without bumps along the way, threatening his deep friendship with Ron Howard when the network wanted to change the name of the show to Fonzie’s Happy Days, which he thankfully refused. Henry worried about typecasting but managed to overcome it after the series ended as a movie star, producer, director, voice actor, and later, series regular in Parks and Rec, Arrested Development and Barry. There is enough behind-the-scenes detail to keep any fan satisfied. But it is also a very personal memoir about Henry’s struggle with severe dyslexia. Undiagnosed until his thirties and punished by his German refugee parents for his poor grades, he has a bottomless empathy for others, especially children, with similar disabilities. For them, he has co-written the long-running Hank Zipzer series of books with a dyslexic young protagonist. Most of all, the book is a profoundly affecting portrait of a man who didn’t allow his struggles to prevent him from succeeding in his chosen field. Barely able to read, he somehow achieved an MFA at Yale School of Drama and triumphed at auditions where he could only give the “essence” of the lines he had struggled to learn, using humor as his super-power. Henry is a committed family man, and Stacey, his wife of more than four records, pops in with her own perspective on her husband throughout the book. Henry is frank and open about everything from his insecurities and perceived failures to his treasured children and grandchildren and his love for dogs, gardening, and fly fishing. It’s easy to see why he is considered one of the nicest people in Hollywood. My only disappointment is that he didn’t mention his hilarious and touching reality adventure show with George Foreman, William Shatner, and Terry Bradshaw, Better Late Than Never. (October)
In FALL, the second book in Tracy Clark’s outstanding Detective Harriet Foster series, Harri has proven herself with her new Chicago PD team and her current partner, Vera Li, but her life is still deeply affected by the murder of her teenage son and the suicide of her former partner. When local politicians start meeting with brutal deaths, the spotlight shines most glaringly on Maren, one of their fellow aldermen. who went to prison for three years as a scapegoat for the others. Could the 30 dimes found on each of the victims symbolize the Biblical 30 pieces of silver–a sign of betrayal? As Maren is released from prison, she wants nothing but to reunite with her young daughter and forge a new life for both of them. But whether someone is trying to frame her for the murders or whether Maren herself is responsible is a mystery that must be resolved. Harri is a fierce and complicated character who will stop at nothing to solve a case, but she goes about it with thoughtfulness, compassion, and keen intelligence. Working together with the cops in her unit is a challenge, as Harri has to deal with the reality that some of her coworkers are biased by gender and age differences, not to mention different perspectives on how to solve a series of crimes. There are welcome flashes of humor to relieve the often-tense situations, but Harri and Vera are dead serious in their quest to winnow out the real murderer, regardless of the danger they may face. The book succeeds as an intricately plotted police procedural that is tempered by believable, nuanced characters and an exquisitely suspenseful, heart-pounding conclusion. I can’t wait for Harri’s future challenges and the further development of her character. And if you haven’t read Hide, the first in the series, I recommend checking that one out as well for more on Harri’s background. (December)
If you enjoy stories about people seeking to put their past behind them and find true happiness, tinged with a dollop of magical realism and a low-key romance, RECIPE FOR A CHARMED LIFE may be the book for you. An excellent author who drew me in with her last book, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, Rachel Linden focuses this time on up-and-coming chef Georgia, who is hoping to achieve her ultimate dream of being head chef at a new Paris restaurant helmed by her mentor. But when her world is suddenly turned upside-down, she decides to accept her estranged mother’s invitation to visit her at her home on San Juan Island in Washington State. Georgia has always felt inferior because her mother, Star, abandoned her when she was five years old, and the rest of her life has been devoted to proving her worth to everyone in her life. But when she finally reunites with Star, she learns something about herself that feels like a game-changer. Maybe it can help her get through a troubled time when she can’t even taste her own cooking, or anyone else’s. And maybe she can figure out why a handsome local oyster farmer dislikes her so much. I found the book to be an easy and enjoyable read with a relatable message. I would have found it more gratifying, however, if Georgia hadn’t sabotaged her own career so thoughtlessly and if there was more opportunity to read about what made her previous job as a chef –not to mention her long-term ex-boyfriend–so satisfying. I would also have liked more about her special gift, and that of other women in her family. Finally, I would have welcomed more development of the romantic plot to make it more convincing. I did enjoy the last chapter, in particular, as well as the whimsical “appearances” of her idol, Julia Child, in her head, giving her advice and empathy. I will definitely look for Rachel Linden’s next book (January)
I can’t wait to read Tracy Clark’s Fall, Margie. I’m going to get to it soon. Thank you for your review.
It’s nice to see an author successfully transition from YA to adult, isn’t it?
Thank you for your comments about your move. I’ll get there, and I’ll find something else to talk about next week instead of the move.
MARGIE: Based on your assessment, I will look for Winkler’s autobiography. I was a huge Happy Days fan as a kid.
As for FALL (Harriet Foster #2), I am glad you enjoyed it. I loved HIDE (Book #1) so I am looking forward to reading the ARC but will hold off until mid-November. I got too greedy and have waaay too many October/November ARCs to read/review first.
Wonderful to hear, Grace. I’m looking forward to seeing Henry Winkler in person at a local theater early next year. Maybe we’ll have an opportunity to ask questions?
I hear you about too many ARCs, although all of mine won’t publish till January or after. I’m trying to concentrate on them right now, although I picked up two holds at the library yesterday and just got a B&N preorder in the mail as well.
I loved meeting you in person at Bouchercon. Grace. Let’s keep up the conversation!
Yes, it was nice to finally met you in person at San Diego Bouchercon.
I also have 14 library books signed out in addition to the ARCs. I am a fast reader, but this may be more than I can manage to read this month/October!
You will get there. The difference in this apartment between now and when we moved here (over 35 years ago!) is night and day. First, there were NO light fixtures. We had to have them put in ourselves. We had to have the wood floors scraped and polyurethaned. The bedroom had these old wind out windows (as did the rest of the building, not just us) in the corner window box, which they did replace with all new windows (which they were able to use to raise rents). etc. Jackie has done so much work since then, that there is little other than the basics that looks the same. I’m sure yours will be a lot easier to deal with. I don’t even want to think about moving away from here, though it will probably happen, someday,
But, moving on. Books. Jackie read and really liked Christine Feehan’s SHADOW DANCE. Feehan writes 6 or 7 series and Jackie reads tehm all. She is probably her favorite writer. She is now reading ALONE IN THE WILD by Kelley Armstrong, a Rockton book set in the Yukon.
I hope to finish Edward D. Hoch’s LEOPOLD’S WAY (1985) soon. It was the first collection about Captain Leopold, his police procedural series that started in 1962 and ran over 100 stories. I have the new collection with later stories to read next.
Jane Smiley, THE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER MOST. I mentioned this last time. Good book.
Rozlan Mohd Noor, 21 IMMORTALS. Also mentioned before. I enjoyed this first book in his series about Kuala Lumpur Insp. Mislan.
Ann Cleeves, THE RAGING STORM, third in her Insp. Matthew Venn series , set in North Devon. Sailor and adventurer Jem Rosco returns to his home town for some unknown reason, possibly to meet a long lost love. But when his body is found in a small boat on the water, Venn and his team have to find out who killed him and why. Of course, it is not the only death. I liked the book, and it got better as it went along, but Venn as a character leaves me pretty cold. We have his background from the previous books, but for me there is something lacking.
Craig Johnson, THE LONGMIRE DEFENSE. Now, on the other hand, there is nothing lacking in Walt Longmire or this book, which I raced through in two days. Yes, there could have been more of Henry and Vic, but no complaints here. A very old rifle is discovered that was used in a killing in 1948, and Walt is only too happy to believe that the killer was his hated grandfather. But was it? Then there is a shocking development in his personal life that could have a big impact on future books in the series. As I said, I raced through this and really liked it. Not all the books in this series would get the same rating from me – I couldn’t read the Mexican one – but this is definitely one of the best, at least for this reader.
I went to pickup a couple of books from the library, but instead I found there were SEVEN! John Scalzi, Richard Osman, Lou Berney, Allen Eskens, Joe Lansdale (short stories). Plus I already had the new Adrian McKinty book. Gotta read faster.
No light fixtures! I can’t even imagine, Jeff. Good for you and Jackie for turning that barebones apartment into a home.
I’m sure all the books help it look like home! Seven from the library. That’s pressure for you. All good authors.
Interesting to read your comments about the Longmire book, and see you say it was one of his best. I know Kevin Tipple wasn’t sure what he thought of that one.
I agree with you about Matthew Venn. I read the series because Ann Cleeves writes it, and she’s so good. But, Matthew is lacking as a personality.
When I think back on it, it was a mess. No cell phones back then, of course, and of course we hadn’t had the phone connected yet. So we had to sit there all day for a delivery (I think it was teh refrigerator) that never came. So I waited and Jackie had to walk FIVE BLOCKS to a pay phone (remember them, children?) to call and find out what was going on. Another time, the floor guy didn’t show either, so she decided to do it herself, that’s how crazed she got. (I stopped her in time.) The guy who did the lights did come and did a great job, by the way.
What I want to know is, how big were those 22 bookcases, Grace? When we moved here, we had to move seven bookcases, all 8 feet tall, 4 of them two feet wide and three of them three feet wide. The bigger ones would NOT fit in the elevator, so the movers had to walk them up… six flights of stairs. (Fortunately, they had gotten stoned halfway between the old place and the new ones, so they were totally mellow about the whole thing.) We also had several smaller bookcases too.
I moved boxes of books, one car load at a time, over the previous month.
Oh, Jeff. Was this a typical NYC story 35 years ago? I would have been as frustrated as Jackie, but I wouldn’t have tried to do the floors myself.
I’m curious about Grace’s bookshelves, too. Your story is funny about the stoned movers.
No, not really typical. But it happened. Our first apartment had no refrigerator so we had to buy one ourselves. Granted, we were paying only $200 a month rent. We also had to buy kitchen cabinets and put them up ourselves.
Jeff, sounds as if you could write a book about those experiences!
I have loved Anna Quindlen’s work forever.
AFTER ANNIE was lovely.
Description from NetGalley
“Anna Quindlen’s trademark wisdom on family, friendship, and the ties that bind us are at the center of this novel about the power of love to transcend loss and triumph over adversity, by the bestselling author of Still Life with Bread Crumbs and One True Thing.
“A new Anna Quindlen novel is always cause for celebration. After Annie might just be my favorite one yet. It’s a beautiful and deeply moving story about love, loss, friendship, marriage, family and community from one of our wisest chroniclers of modern life. I treasured every page.”—J Courtney Sullivan
When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her children, and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all their lives. Bill is overwhelmed without his beloved wife, and Annemarie wrestles with the bad habits her best friend had helped her overcome. And Ali, the eldest of Annie’s children, has to grow up overnight, to care for her younger brothers and even her father and to puzzle out for herself many of the mysteries of adult life.
Over the course of the next year what saves them all is Annie, ever-present in their minds, loving but not sentimental, caring but nobody’s fool, a voice in their heads that is funny and sharp and remarkably clear. The power she has given to those who loved her is the power to go on without her. The lesson they learn is that no one beloved is ever truly gone.
Written in Quindlen’s emotionally resonant voice and with her deep and generous understanding of people, After Annie is about hope, and about the unexpected power of adversity to change us in profound and indelible ways.”
I love Anna Quindlen’s nonfiction, Kaye. I just can’t seem to get into her fiction. But, as a writer? Oh, her writing is so good.
I’m still working on the Isaacson biography of Elon Musk. It’s long, but I’m finding it definitely worth the time.
I’m glad you’re appreciating the biography, Patricia.
Lesa, we still have 2 large boxes, unopened in our basement, from our move 20 years ago! I believe they are children’s toys. Perhaps we will unpack them in time for our new grandson to enjoy!
And due to our new grandson’s arrival last week, I have only managed to read the first few pages of the book Nazi Wives by James Wylie. Hopefully, I will finish it before I have to return it!
That’s funny, Jennifer, and it makes me feel better. I really don’t need to hurry, do I?
My sister just had a new grandson, too. I understand priorities!
It will take a while to unpack and settle in. Go slow and take time to enjoy
life!
Reading Adrift on St. John by Rebecca M. Hale. I won a contest for this book many years ago and also received a beautiful color photograph of St. John, matted and ready to hang. I was surprised that the main character, Pen Hoffrta,who is the manager of a resort on that island, is a constant drinker. She used to be an estate lawyer and was plagued in the past by many malpractice suits. Instead of a cat or dog, she confides in a beautiful Iguana, named Fred. A woman who appears to have sunk into the ocean came to investigate Pen. The mystery is very intriguing and easy to follow.
Also reading, The Polish Girl by Malika Adler. The family escaped from Russia and found a family to live in Poland. It is very detailed and currently, I am reading about the rounding of Jews. The little girl, Danuska was sent to a Catholic school. When the soldiers burst in to capture them, they heard Danuska saying Catholic prayers at bedtime, and that saved them temporarily. Their father had to leave the family, it was too dangerous for him to remain with him. The writing is brilliant.
Oh, Carol. The Polish Girl wrings my heart just reading your review.
Lesa, you are making me homesick for Ohio! Having lived both there and Arizona, I think you made the right choice. The weather and water situations in Arizona seem to be getting worse and worse. Plus you have the option of snowbirding in AZ…
I am about a third of the way through THE LAST RANGER by Peter Heller and am really enjoying it. It’s the first of his books that I’ve read. Last week I read BLESSINGS OF THE LOST GIRLS by J A Jance. I had a couple of problems with it. I think Jance’s editior lets her get away with things, especially outdated slang. A set of characters are introduced in the beginning and dropped. The plot was okay and it was definitely better than her last Beaumont book.
Cindy, I suspect you’re right about JA Jance’s editor. And, I’m only saying that after seeing her in person a couple times, and hearing her recent program about the book.
As much as I love Arizona, I know I made the right decision to come home and be with family.
I am sure it will take a while to feel settled in your new place. You are lucky to have your sister and her husband in the same city. And the change of being retired probably makes a difference too. Even if changes are good, they take a toll on you and take time to get used to.
This week I finished I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith. I have heard both good reports and negative reactions to this book, I am somewhere in between. I felt like it was too long; I might have enjoyed it more if it was tightened up?
I am now reading the 4th book in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. So many people rave about the series, but I stalled at book 3. I wanted to see if my opinion had changed—after 11 years. I have about 75 pages left to read, and I am not sure I find Maisie a convincing character. I don’t connect with any of the characters, but I do like the picture of life in the UK in 1931.
Glen is currently reading 1941 by Marc Wortman. The subtitle is “Fighting the Shadow War: A Divided America in a World at War”. Lately he has found a lot of books with just a year for the title and they all focus on the events of that year in the context of World War II. A few weeks ago he was reading 1939: A People’s History of the Coming of the Second World War and he is also interested in 1940: FDR, Willkie, Lindbergh, Hitler—the Election amid the Storm by Susan Dunn.
I know how lucky I am to have my sister and her husband here. Kevin is moving stuff, and picking up furniture for me, and doing anything I need. Then, he turns around and sends food home with me. I am lucky.
I was off and on with Maisie Dobbs quite a bit, too. I understand. Winspear does do an excellent job with Britain at the time, though.
Good late afternoon from NE Dallas where it is in the mid 90s and way too damn hot. Sick of it.
Give the settling in time. Not like you can wave a magic wand at everything. As long as the body parts are back chilling in the bottom of the freezer and the trophy kills box is at the very back left side of the closet under the old tax records, everything is good.
Current read is a NetGalley digital ARC of DEATH AT A SCOTTSH WEDDING by Lucy Connelly. Pub date is currently scheduled for January 2024. Just around the halfway point. Am enjoying it, but almost every chapter ends with a loud noise and our heroine–and others–screaming. If it was a drinking game and one took a shot every time this happened, one would have been drunk and passed out, a few chapters ago.
That’s the problem, Kevin! I don’t know where the trophies are!
I told you to keep it in the car with you. This is bad. Some meddling neighbor might have found it!
You’ll get settled eventually Lesa, there’s no hurry.
This week I read:
Black Sand by William Caunitz: American gunmen shooting a Greek dude to get an artifact creates a joint task force that doesn’t get along. I think it was a project for Telly Savalas, but John Stamos could have picked up it up later.
Pax Americana by Christopher Parker; After the fall of civilization, kingdoms rise up all over the world. A new Rome, Based in Missouri, one of the more successful is based on Rome…Guess they don’t know about Nero or Tiberius.
Moscow X by David Mckloskey; A dense espionage novel that tries too hard.
Easy Promises by Abby Reilly; When a big shot Irish American attorney is found dead on his boat, the police reluctantly investigate, and really hope they can put another lawyer in jail for the murder. It’s the first book in the series, but the book ended with me still unsure who the protagonist of the series was supposed to be.
Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; The book that started it all. I can see why it sold so well. Too bad the movie wasn’t better.
Eight Black Horses by Ed McBain; The Deaf Man is back at it. This time he’s got a caper where he seduces and murders various women for…shock value, I guess. Carella hasn’t become a self righteous prig yet, but a lot of the usual cast is strangely absent.
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis; A cozy that bogs down introducing all the characters, instead of getting to the puzzle.
Crazy Horse by Mari Sandoz; A biography of the famous chief, from the native perspective. Sometimes, it throws you off.
I’m in the middle of reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. It’s not a new book, but it was strongly recommended to me. I usually read fiction. However, I’m open to reading an book of quality.
It is now ten days and you should be fully unpacked and settled.
(snickers wildly and fleees)