I’m actually on a Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trip with my Mom and sisters today, so I won’t be checking in until this evening, if we have Internet. The last time we went on a train trip, we were in the mountains with no Internet connection. So, we’ll see. We will be home tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime, I hope you all talk about what you’re reading, and I hope the weather is unimpressive this week.
I actually have several books I want to read right now, but I’ve read the first chapter in Stanley Tucci’s new book, so I’ll mention that. It’s perfect timing for What I Ate In One Year because it starts out with a month in Italy when he was filming “The Conclave”, the current movie. I like Tucci, and I really like food, so this will be fun.
Food has always been an integral part of Stanley Tucci’s life: from stracciatella soup served in the shadow of the Pantheon, to marinara sauce cooked between scene rehearsals and costume fittings, to home-made pizza eaten with his children before bedtime. Now, in What I Ate in One Year Tucci records twelve months of eating—in restaurants, kitchens, film sets, press junkets, at home and abroad, with friends, with family, with strangers, and occasionally just by himself. Ranging from the mouth-wateringly memorable to the comfortingly domestic and to the infuriatingly inedible, the meals memorialised in this diary are a prism for him to reflect on the ways his life, and his family, are constantly evolving. Through food he marks—and mourns—the passing of time, the loss of loved ones, and steels himself for what is to come.
What about you? What are you reading this week? I’ll try to catch up on Friday evening! In the meantime, talk amongst yourselves, please.
I have not read much this week as yet more medical appointments. Cardiologist tomorrow, with another test, so sleeping is not going to happen much tonight.
In good news, I submitted my second short story this month. Don’t have much hope of getting in at either place, but at least I took my shot.
Still working on reading the Sex and Violins anthology.
And, in weather, it is too damn hot. Low 90s is nonsense.
In sports, the Dallas Cowboys stink because the owner and GM, Jerry Jones, is a moron.
In traffic, the roads are a mess because of construction and fools that can’t figure out how to drive.
You’re very blunt and to the point in your assessments. I love it. But I’m sorry for your traumas, both large and small, and can totally empathize with all you say! Good luck with your appointment, and with your story!
Thank you. I tend to be too blunt, but try to tone that down here and elsewhere.
Good luck with your doctor appointment, Kevin.
Fingers crossed your story gets accepted.
Thank you. Appreciate it.
“[GM] Jerry Jones is a moron.” Never trust anyone named Jerry, Kevin. they’ll do you dirt every time.
Ha!
Kevin, I understand why you don’t have time or interest in reading with all the doctor appointments.
I think it’s great, though, that you’re submitting some of your stories. You’ve had some success. I hope you have more here or there. Good luck!
And, you’re right. 90 is too hot for the end of October.
They just wear me out and make the chronic pain I deal with so much worse. Yesterday, traffic was again a little better than normal, so it only took an hour each way. Then there is the wear out of being around people. I always had to gear up to deal with folks, but that is harder now. Probably because I am so isolated. I go do one of these deals and it is home and to bed afterwards.
As to the visit and the tests==Cardiologist thinks everything looks fairly good and I am relatively stable. When you have borderline stage 3 congestive heart failure with severe high blood pressure, stable is a good thing. He has some concerns and wants to monitor things, but he is thinking that nothing is happening that needs urgent attention
My son, Scott, went with just to hang out and because he is worried. We are coming back and passing a very poorly worded sign at a fast food place down the street. Out of the blue he asks— Do you think cannibals can taste the gender when they eat the meat in a sandwich? Like, this one is good today as they gave me a female sandwich. Last week, they have me a male one and it was not very good.
My son, ladies and gentlemen.
The original Dunkin’ Donut was male, I’m sure.
Kevin. I gather you’ve been unwell for a long time. I’m sorry. I know how very hard it is to never have a break from ill health and pain and stress and worry, and how one thing leads to another and before you know it you are pretty much in isolation and often annoyed at everything, and how hard it can be to cope with it all. I don’t know you personally but I can understand a little bit of how you feel. But I’m so glad you have your son who obviously cares about you, even if he does seem to come up with very ‘creative’ thoughts about things ha ha ha.
I’m a 49ers fan, so I’m happy as long as Jones stays on the road he’s travelling!
With lower expectations, I liked THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY by Nita Prose more than you did, Lesa. But I read it as a light romantic Christmas story. I don’t think the author was able to maintain the unique neuro-divergent character past the first novel.
And a captivating story with exceptional characters, the debut novel, SLEEPING IN THE SUN by Joanne Howard. This is a morality story set in the backwater of Bengal during the unraveling of the British Raj. The story examines home and belonging through the parallel lives of an American family and their native servant as these lives are disrupted. Beautiful descriptive language sets this apart from other historical novels.
MM, Sleeping in the Sun has now been added to my lengthy wish list. You have made it sound so intriguing! I hadn’t heard of it, so thank you.
(On a side note, I must be the only person on the planet who actively disliked Nita Prose’s first book, ‘The Maid’. I think because I’d been so looking forward to it, that it was the writing itself that disappointed me, so I haven’t read any others in the series. Although absolutely everyone else I know who’s read it has loved it.)
Lindy, You said what I often think. When I’m too excited about a book, or anticipating it too much, it doesn’t often live up to my expectations.
I find it so interesting to see comments about Nita Prose’s works. Everyone has different opinions.
I just got a call from the library that Stanley’s book is in and I can’t wait to read it as I read his other book and totally enjoyed it. I just read Ina Garten’s memoir Be Ready when Luck Happens and it was very interesting. She is an amazing business woman. Enjoy your trip – sounds like fun.
I’m looking forward to Ina Garten’s book, Donna, but I was something like 350 on the list.
The train trip was cancelled due to mechanical issues, but we had a wonderful backup plan. The best part is being with family.
Cool. I like trains and enjoy traveling on them, though we haven’t done it since we took the Grand Canyon Railway with my sister and her family – can it be? – 20 years ago.
Speaking of a long time, today is our Anniversary, and when you look at the number (50+) you can’t help but feel old, even though I really don’t. We’re going out to our favorite restaurant today, and Sunday we have tickets to a Broadway show and will be staying at a Marriott.
Weather continues dry, with no measurable rain since the end of September. This could be the first month EVER in New York history without rain. We need some.
To books, then. Jackie is reading and enjoying the new J. D. Robb book, PASSIONS IN DEATH, though she says it is “not one of her best.” She said not enough of a mystery plot – only two suspects – and too much filler to make up for it, though she likes the Eve-Roarke scenes, of course.
This week I read:
Lee Goldberg, Ashes Never Lie. This is the second book about arson investigators Walter Sharpe & Andrew Walker. Sharpe is the somewhat humorless long-time investigator and Walker the former US Marshal who transferred because his wife insisted he find a less dangerous job. Here they are joined by Goldberg’s other current series characters, LA homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone (who is sadly underused here). There is a series of arsons and a murder. Eve and Walker carry most of the action here. Good book.
Philip K. Dick, The Minority Report and Other Classic Stories is the fifth and last of his collected stories I’ve read this year, and while there are some good ones, “classic” is a real stretch. Mostly for Dick completists.
Current reading is Richard Osman, We Solve Murders. Sadly, this is NOT a Thursday Murder Club book. I’ve only read 70 pages so far and it is slow and confusing getting started and sorting out the characters. The main characters are retired cop-turned-investigator Steve Wheeler and his daughter in law, Amy, a private security “close protection” adrenaline junkie. People are being killed and Amy seems to be a target. So far, Steve is the best character by far, a delightful guy who would fit in easily with Joyce and ROn and Elizabeth and the rest. Otherwise, I’ll have to see where the plot goes before the final rating.
Happy golden anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you and Jackie!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you and Jackie, Jeff! What show are you going to see?
I totally agree with you about We Solve Murders, and I read the entire book. Amy didn’t move me at all. It doesn’t live up to his earlier books.
Happy Anniversary to you both. Hope it was a great one.
Torrential rain this past Friday and Saturday. Several areas in the city were flooded. My older daughter’s house had water coming in even though their sump pump was working hard both days. They managed between the four of them and every towel they possessed (used, dried, used again, dried, etc.) to keep most of the water from spreading too far inside. The Coquitlam river near our own home was at its highest level since 1975, and rose by at least 2 m (over 6 ft) in two days. It was flowing SO quickly, and the amount of debris and large logs that were racing by at speed was astonishing. My husband and I went for a walk and were soaked through in short order, including our waterproof shoes which were clearly not up to their one purpose in life.
Two books read this week:
A JEWEL IN THE CROWN by David Lewis (book 1 of The Secret Churchill Files)
A historical adventure/thriller set in the London of 1940.
Caitrin Colline, a police constable from working class Welsh background and Lord Marlton, Hector Neville-Percy are tasked by Winston Churchill himself to pose as husband and wife in order to raise as little suspicion as possible as they travel while transporting the British Crown Jewels to Scotland, at which point the treasures will be put aboard a submarine to make their way to Canada to be kept safe from the Germans. Caitrin and Hector will stay at a series of estates along the way. Naturally things don’t all go according to plan, and no one can be trusted.
This was an entertaining story – full of suspense, action-packed, and all the characters were well-portrayed, with much witty banter between the two main characters. I particularly enjoyed the sections with Winston Churchill and his long-suffering bodyguard Walter Thompson.
There’s a helpful short note at the end explaining what in the novel was fictional and what was true.
NOSY NEIGHBORS by Freya Sampson
I know many of you have already read this one. I’m a bit late to the party but I really enjoyed this book.
Dorothy is a crotchety older woman who makes copious notes about any and all transgressions that any of the other five tenants in her building commit. One of them sublets (illegally) a room in his unit to Kat, a grumpy young woman in her twenties. When this same would-be landlord is attacked, these two women very reluctantly join forces to find out who is responsible. There’s also the problem of how to save their historic 130-year-old building from being torn down and developed into a modern block of flats.
On the surface the books seems like it will be fun light read, and it is, but it is also surprisingly deep and deals with secrets, loneliness, addiction, feelings of guilt, regret, and forgiveness. It’s touching, full of heart, often funny, and a delightful story of ‘finding family’.
Both of the books you described sound good, but especially Nosy Neighbors.
I looked up the Coquitlam River to see where it was located, and the photos I saw were just gorgeous. (No flooding in the pictures of course.)
I’m glad Tracy mentioned looking up the Coquitlam River. She made me do the same. The pictures are gorgeous, but I can just see it as a raging river with the amount of rain you received, Lindy.
I enjoyed Nosy Neighbors. As you said, it didn’t turn out to be what I expected.
Lesa, have a wonderful train trip! Here’s what I finished reading this week:
Linda Holmes’ writing is so clever and heartfelt that I wish she would release a book more frequently than every three years. I know she’s busy with her job at NPR (I am a regular Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast listener), but right now I’m delighted to be able to sit down and read an advance copy of her newest, BACK AFTER THIS, which I devoured in a couple of sittings. Linda knows a thing or two about podcasting, and so does the main character, Cecily. Her boss treats her more like a utility player, even though he swears she is his best editor and producer, while Cecily dreams of having her own podcast. With the business in financial trouble, a guaranteed-killer podcast is needed to save them from cutbacks. That’s the only reason Cecily reluctantly agrees to be the centerpiece of this podcast where, under the direction of a popular influencer and relationship coach, she goes on 20 dates to find her soulmate. I should mention that Cecily’s love life has been stalled since her breakup with a man who stole her work and conveniently fell out of love with her. I’m happy to say that there is very brief coverage of most of the dates, and that the focus of the plot is squarely on Cecily coming to terms with–and being able to articulate and even demand– what she wants from a man, her career, and herself. I love the depth Holmes has given not only Cecily, but also her loyal sister and friends, and (eventually) her coach, not to mention an appealing man who is not part of the podcast and doesn’t have it all together either, but who has showed up unexpectedly to change everything. Then there’s the 160-pound dog who becomes a cherished character. I also enjoyed getting some insight into what podcast editors and producers do, and what goes into making the podcasts that I enjoy. Linda Holmes is high on my must-read author list, and I recommend all three of her novels. I think this one may be her best, especially for her ability to come up with unique characters I haven’t read about before, and for exceptional writing that brings them to life. (February)
In THE FOUR QUEENS OF CRIME, debut author Rosanne Limoncelli writes a classic-style mystery featuring the four real-life “Queens of Crime” from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction–Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham. In 1938 London, all four have agreed to host a high-society benefit at the estate of Sr. Henry Heathcote to attract donors to an organization that aims to help Britain prepare for an inevitable war with Germany. And when, on the morning after the big event, Sir Henry is found murdered in mysterious circumstances, they can’t help trying to work together to identify the murderer. That’s fine with DCI Lillian Wyles, but her partner in the investigation, Scotland Yard’s Richard Davidson, is reluctant to involve anyone outside of law enforcement. I enjoyed the opportunity to “get to know” the Queens of Crime better, as they have some lively discussions about each one’s style and how their writing differs. Their individual personalities are also distinctly imagined. As for the mystery, has Sr. Henry done something to bring about his untimely death? The suspects, of course, are plentiful, including quite a few from the extended Heathcote family and others who attended the gala. Classic mystery tropes such as an English country house murder, hints of unexpected romance, lots of red herrings, and a final “reveal” over dinner are in evidence. It’s a fun read. (March)
Maddie Sanderson’s father left early, her mother blames her for his departure, and her first real boyfriend (her brother’s best friend Dominic) proposed to another woman the day after he and Maddie were first intimate. Worst of all, her beloved older brother Josh has recently died of cancer. Is it any wonder she prefers to work all the time, making herself indispensable to her boss and her employer so they won’t “leave” her, too? As portrayed in PS: I HATE YOU by Lauren Connolly, Maddie isn’t the most likable person, but we understand how she got that way. We learn even more about her after the first quarter of the book, when she and Dom are persuaded by posthumous letters from Josh to take eight trips together to scatter his ashes in different states and cities that he wished he had visited himself. The story unfolds slowly as the trips occur over a space of two years. Through their conversations and activities, as well as flashbacks to their younger days, we obtain more insight into both of these very different people, their lifestyles, and how they view themselves. I enjoyed the ride and the real emotions demonstrated by both. I also appreciated Maddie’s supportive friends and the flashes of humor throughout the story. (December)`
Margie, Like you, I really enjoyed The Four Queens of Crime.Just fun!
Back After This sounds really good.
It’s so good to have you back on the blog, writing three or so reviews a week. Thank you!
Like a few of you, I fell in love with Kim Fay’s writing with her Love & Saffron.
The love continues with Kate & Frida.
Description from NetGalley:
From the author of instant national bestseller Love & Saffron, this bright and comforting novel follows the surprising friendship between two young women in 1990s Seattle and Paris, illuminating the power of books to change our lives.
Sometimes a book can change your life…
Twentysomething Frida Rodriguez arrives in Paris in 1991, relishing the city’s butter-soaked cuisine and seeking her future as a war correspondent. But then she writes to a bookshop in Seattle, and receives more than just the book she requests. A friendship begins that will redefine the person she wants to become.
Seattle bookseller Kate Fair is transformed by Frida’s free spirit, spurred to believe in herself as a writer, to kiss her handsome coworker, and to find beauty even in loss. Through the most tumultuous years of their young lives—personally and globally—Kate and Frida sustain and nourish each other as they learn the necessity of embracing joy, especially through our darkest hours.
This mouthwatering oasis of a novel is a love letter to bookshops and booksellers, to the passion we bring to life in our twenties, and to the last precious years before the internet changed everything.
I can’t wait to read this one, Kaye!
Two books for me this week.
Three Keys by Laura Pritchett was very good. Ammalie Dean is in her mid-fifties, recently widowed and jobless. She has three keys in a drawer that she hopes will be the keys to unlocking her life. They are from Colorado where she and her husband stayed plus Arizona and New Zealand where her husband went alone. I enjoyed her journey of flirting with the law, living off the grid and discovering herself in the process.
I didn’t enjoy my second book as much, but it was good too. The Crescent Room Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski. Triplet witches, Beatrix, Violet and Anne Quigley run a tearoom in Chicago in the 1800’s reading tea leaves and serving pastries. They are visited by the council of witches because the diviner of the coven has lost her powers. They are tasked to help 3 other witches discover their true tasks or are in danger of losing the tearoom and their bonds to each other.
Happy Anniversary to you and your wife, Jeff.
Hope you are having a wonderful trip, Lesa.
Happy reading!
Happy to hear you liked The Crescent Room Tearoom, Sharon, even if it wasn’t as good as the other one. I have this one on a TBR pile.
Hope you are having a great train trip. Sounds very nice to me.
A couple of days ago I started reading BIG SKY by Kate Atkinson, the 5th Jackson Brodie book. I am liking it a lot, as I did all the previous books in the series.
In the last week, Glen finished two books: ICONS OF ENGLAND, essays edited by Bill Bryson, and THE BEST OF MCSWEENEY’S INTERNET TENDENCY, edited by Chris Monks and John Warner. He enjoyed the McSweeney’s book the most, of the two.
Now Glen is reading THE WAGER: A TALE OF SHIPWRECK, MUTINY AND MURDER. He says it is a history that reads like a novel and he is very happy with that one. He also says that life on a 18th century English naval vessel was horrible.
My husband David also read The Wager and liked it a lot. His words: ‘very well done; thoroughly engaging and it was obvious the author did a lot of research, so it’s likely as close to a true account as it’s possible to be’.
It is good to hear that your husband liked this book. I may be reading it someday; I have read the first three books in Patrick O’Brian’s historical fiction series about a Royal Navy Captain set in roughly the same time.
Tracy, I think David’s read the first three in that series as well, if it’s the one I’m thinking of. There are 21 books in that series!
You looked up the river! How nice. It is beautiful.
I need to read Kate Jackson’s series sometime, Tracy. I think I’d like.
And, I believe Glen when he says life on an 18th century English navel vessel was horrible.
I am also reading Ina Garten’s BE READY WHEN LUCK HAPPENS and enjoying it very much. Not only is it well written, but photos and a few recipes are interwoven into the narrative (at least they are in the Kindle version). I knew some of her backstory but not all of it and am finding it very interesting, especially her childhood background in light of her success.
Cindy, I don’t know much about Ina Garten’s childhood except from reviews of the book. Darn. I hope the book comes into the library soon.
It feels like autumn here, and there’s tractors all over the place.
Went to a Michael Jackson tribute. The band was called Rock With You. There were at least 20 folks on stage. They had a guy who could sing, and a guy who looked like MJ dancing around. The real guy had to do both!
This week I read:
Korak At The Earth’s Core by Win Scott Eckert; Korak is Tarzan’s son, and he is helping the Greystoke clan move to Pellucidar, then one thing happens after another, all of them coincidental. Over the top even for this type of novel.
Elephant Song; After a rather horrific description, of the counterintuitive practice of culling an elephant herd, the resulting ivory is stolen. A former ranger is after vengeance, but then meets his next ex-wife while he’s canoodling with a gold digger. Nowhere near as cynical as Smith’s 70’s peak. It’s tough to be cynical for long period of time. Eventually, sentiment always finds its way in.
Tricks by Ed McBain. Carella is mostly absent from this Halloween themed 87 Precinct novel. The big crime is trick or treating kids robbing liquor stores and murdering the owners. A magician disappears, and body parts are found all over the city. McBain didn’t start out the series seeing Carella as the main hero, but he took it over, becoming increasingly self righteous as the series progressed.
Glen, I used to say I was going to read Ed McBain’s 87 Precinct novels when I retired. Instead, I’m wandering all over the place with my reading. And, I don’t think I’d enjoy a hero who became self righteous.
You know what I like? You made the comment that people who are bored only have themselves to blame. And, you go to so many concerts and shows when you have the chance. There’s so much variety, and it’s one way NOT to be bored. My sister and I are going to a concert on Sunday night.
Jerry, I’ve heard that story. Over time, I felt he took over more and more of the series, especially after he was played by Burt Reynolds. Some people don’t agree with my assessment of the character.
Lesa, Have a good time at the concert!
Thanks, Glen! Oh, we will!
Glen, in the first 87th Precinct novel, McBain had originally killed off Carella. McBain’s editor said (in effect), “You can’t do that. Carella’s the hero.” In response, McBain said (also in effect), “He is?”