I couldn’t wait to share my new book with all of you! And, I’ll probably be reading it for the rest of my life, but I won’t post it every week – promise! I bought the new book by James Mustich, 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List. And, I’ve actually read some of the books in it! I’m a genre reader who reads for pleasure, not a literary reader. But, this book has not just classics, but children’s books and popular titles. I just started it, but I’ve read two of the first seven titles. And, it has a checklist at the back so you can check what you’ve read. The author also includes referrals. Add this to the couple thousand books in my house, and I’m set for a couple lifetimes! It’s also beautifully illustrated.
Here’s one paragraph from the Introduction. “And true readers talk and listen to one another, recommend and contend, make lists in the service of their search for another volume; it’s all part of the dance of serendipity and conversation that sweeps up all genuine book lovers time and again.” Even with all of these titles and the lists, he ends the Intro with a quote from Randall Jarrell. “Read at whim! Read at whim!”
“Dance of serendipity.” I love that. So, what are you reading or listening to this week?
Thanks, Lesa. That is exactly the kind of book I love, and it immediately went on my library hold list.
Just finished P. J. Tracy's THE GUILTY DEAD last night. While I wouldn't rank it as their best, I did enjoy it as always. It's good to see Grace and Magozzi so happy. I also finished Jo Walton's multi-Award Winning fantasy novel, AMONG OTHERS, yet another book that gave me titles to add to my list, as the main character and her friends discuss science fiction books and authors they read.
Still reading Rick Wilson's EVERYTHING TRUMP TOUCHES DIES, whose title is self-explanatory. In short stories, I'm reading Lord Dunsany's collection of very short pieces, FIFTY-ONE TALES, and have started Abbey Mei Otis's ALIEN VIRUS LOVE DISASTER (how could I resist that title?).
Next I will probably read Mary Robinette Kowal's first Lady Astronaut novel, THE CALCULATING STARS, as it was the one library book I was unable to renew and it is due in a week. I also downloaded a first mystery that sounded good, as it alternates between what happeened in 1986 and 2016. It is THE CHALK MAN by C> J. Tudor.
Of course, I have another half dozen or so library books on the shelf, including the new Archer Mayor and two by Brendan DuBois, including THE NEGOTIATOR.
*sigh*
I need more time.
I finished THE LIBRARY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD by Felicity Hayes-McCoy. My daughter recommended it to me. I found it a bit slow at times but it was a good story. It takes place on a remote peninsula in Ireland. I loved the underlying theme of the importance of libraries in a community.
Now I am reading HITTING THE BOOKS by Jenn McKinlay. I think I like this series more than her cupcake one which has become a little too outlandish for my tastes.
We ate at Cedric's Tavern during our stay at the Biltmore last week. It was delicious. Thank you for the recommendation Lesa.
Happy Reading everyone!
Like Jefferey I put 1,000 books to read on hold at the library. I may not read the whole thing but it’ll be fun to look through.
The book I read with the strangest story behind it was a cozy mystery MURDER AT THE MOONSHINE INN by Maggie King. She was an author I’d never heard of but I won an ebook of it on Facebook. It was an enjoyable read but the funny thing was that when she sent me the book I found out that we’d both grown up in the same town and gone to the same high school, although not at the same time. And it’s only a three square mile town.
I also read 3 other cozies
READ AND GONE by Allison Brook
THE CATS CAME BACK by Sophie Kelly which was really good
SAMHAIN SECRETS by Jennifer David Hesse
I am still reading the following:
Desert Vengeance by Betty Webb
Freshly Ground Murder by Tonya Kappes
I love books and reading them.
📚📚📚📚📚📚☕️🕵🏻
Oh, I get that you need more time, Jeff. And, you might want more time with 1,000 Books as well. I see a possible present from Jackie. I have The Chalk Man is some pile someplace. I've heard good things about it. I hope you enjoy The Negotiator when you get around to it.
You're welcome, Sharon! I'm so glad you enjoyed Cedric's Tavern! I hope you enjoyed your whole trip to the Biltmore area.I agree with you. I like the Library Lover's mysteries more than the cupcake ones.
Serendipity, Sandy! You never would have discovered that except for a contest. That's funny. I enjoyed the cats book, too.
At 647 pages, LETHAL WHITE, the fourth Cormoran Strike novel by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) is too long, with a confusing array of characters, an excessive amount of detail, and a disappointing reason why one of the characters is being blackmailed when it is finally revealed. Yet I found it an absorbing page-turner. The two main characters–Cormoran, a one-legged hulk of a brilliant PI, and Robin, his former secretary/now partner in his agency–continue to evolve and get under my skin. This one starts with Robin's wedding, which is obviously a big mistake, and features the pair's efforts to solve a twisty mystery involving members of Parliament. Of course it's a challenge to read, but Rowling's books are always long and, in my opinion, always worth the time and effort. I am addicted to this series.
A love a good epistolary novel. MEET ME AT THE MUSEUM by Anne Youngson starts with a woman's inquiry about historic Tolland Man, on exhibit at a Danish museum. Tina and Anders have led totally different lives. She's a farmer's wife in rural England who thinks nothing of plucking pheasants and turkeys and enjoys poetry, while he is a refined Danish widower, museum curator, and writer who sings in a choir. Even the way they view their adult children is quite different. As their correspondence becomes more intimate, they start confiding in each other about the highs and lows of their lives. This is a quick read, but profound, touching, and highly entertaining.
I am enjoying Lesa's recommendation, A BORROWING OF BONES by Paula Munier, although not quite finished yet.
Good morning, Charlotte! Right with you on enjoying books. Have a good reading week! Hugs!
Honestly, a list of 1,000 books sounds daunting. I find most lists like this contain many, many books I have no interest in reading.
I just finished Michael Sullivan's THE AGE OF WAR and am now about 50 pages into Hank Ryan's TRUST ME.
I read The Chalk Man a while ago. It was OK, but didn't live up to the hype, IMHO.
This week I read:
The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen L. Carter, an allohistorical novel where Lincoln survives his assassination.
Wardtown by Brad Dennison; a sort of western romance.
Final Resting Place by Jonathan F. Putnam; this must be my week for Lincoln. Lincoln and Douglas are opposing attorneys in a murder trial. This series should be much more well known.
Finally got to Cobra Clutch by AJ Devlin. I have mixed feelings about this one. I felt like I knew more about wrestling than the author, and I certainly don't consider myself an expert, and the book contains more than its share of cliches. Still, I enjoyed the novel, and look forward to the next.
The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia Problem; It's supposed to be a mystery, but everybody talks in circles and never comes to the point, so you might miss it.
I’m working on A Perious Journey, the first in a middle grade series from Christopher Healy, author of the Hero’s Guide series. I should finish that up tonight, so then I will start on Academic Curveball, the first in a new cozy series by James J. Cudney.
I started THE CALCULATING STARS )as mentioned above) this morning and I can see that I'm going to love it. In 1952, a meteor unexpectedly hits the Earth and wipes Washington – where a joint session of Congress is in session – off the map. Can't wait to see what happens next.
So true, Rick. However, sometimes lists lead me down rabbit holes, as my best friend says, and I love the exploration. I hope you enjoy Trust Me!
Good to know about The Chalk Man, Glen. Also interested in your comments about Putnam's series. I have some of his books here, and just haven't had a chance to get around to them yet. I'm happy to know you enjoy the series. And, thanks for the comment about Devlin's book.
Margie, I was having problems with blogger when I tried to answer you earlier. I'm happy you're enjoying A Borrowing of Bones! And, I still haven't read Meet Me at the Museum, although I mentioned it here. Nice to know you enjoyed it!
Mark, I'm always interested in your selections. We tend to read similar books quite often, but seldom the exact same titles.
Ah, Jeff. Why can't a meteor wipe out Congress right now? Let's start over.
I'm enjoying Paula Munier's debut of a new K-9 series, A Borrowing of Bones. I now have at least four K-9 series to follow, and that makes me very happy (although I can't imagine my Scottish Terrier Sassy doing any hard work like the K-9 dogs do).
I am 72 and 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
sounds like too for me! LOL I could go for a list of 100. But it would be great to know which ones I have already read.
Finished the book for my friend and now have to read and review and post, post and post. Next, will read First Generation by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace which I am looking forward to.
Still listening to The Storuteller by Jodi Picoult. Love the FBI agent in the book.
Just a few more pages to go in Beauty in Broken Places by Allison Pataki, heart breaking and devasting store of her husband's thalmic
stroke at the age of 31. It tells of how terrifying it is to take care of her husband constantly, being pregnant and caring for her baby, managing writing and promoting her books, totally managing countless e-mails about medical bills and except when family and friends helped, feeling that she could not go on that way. The physical and emotional challenges of being a caregiver. There is a definite need for help for caregivers!
After that will read Winter Kept Us Warm by Ann Raeff.
I am about a third through "The Word Is Murder" by Anthony Horowitz. This one is shaping up to be as enjoyable as "Magpie Murders," which I read earlier this year and it was one of my Best Reads of 2018!
Listening to Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman. I am reading Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit by Amy Stewart and People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins
I'm on a blogging break and have been out of town, but I wanted to stop by and see what you've been up to (plus see what others have been reading). I read Anne Bogel's little new book – I'd Rather Be Reading. Great little book. Doesn't take long to read, but really spoke to my heart and reading life. To anyone reading this, if you see it at your library, pick it up. Bet you'll nod your head through it like I did.
I've been out of town, everyone, so I'm just now getting back. Thanks for continuing to chat about what you're reading. I have to look for that book, Kay. Thanks!