Have you had time to read or listen to books this week? What are you reading?
I’m reading a fascinating book of history and politics, with a little bit of speculation thrown in. It’s Helen Rappaport’s The Race to Save the Romanovs. It’s about the interconnected royal families in Europe, and the plots and plans to try to save the Russian Tsar and his family at the time of the Russian Revolution. I can tell you that the overall conclusion is that Nicholas and Alexandra did not want to leave their beloved country. I’ll be giving away copies of this book, either this Friday or next.
And, I just finished a book that was a gift from a friend who knows how much I love Ireland. It’s called The Feckin’ Book of Everything Irish by Colin Murphy and Donal O’Dea. It has some crude humor, but also includes a glossary, words to Irish songs, and Irish recipes. It was fun.
What are you reading this week?
After finishing the collection of Edward D. Hoch's SHERLOCK HOLMES STORIES (pastiches), which was OK (but nowhere near his Dr. Sam Hawthorne series), I'm reading Elizabeth McCracken's (straight fiction) THUNDERSTRUCK & Other Stories.
The other current book is Megan Abbott's new GIVE ME YOUR HAND.
The other book I downloaded from the library is one I haven't started yet, but which sounds right up my alley, an end-of-the-world thriller compared to THE STAND and the like: FEVER by South African writer Deon Meyer.
I finished THE LATE BLOOMERS' CLUB by Louise Miller and am ready to move to Guthrie, Vermont now 😀 Nice to read a book about a caring community and a main character not 20 or 30 something.
Now I am reading ALICE AND THE ASSASSIN by R.J. Koreto. I read the second book in the series and enjoyed it so much, I decided to go back and read the first one in the series. It is about who put Leon Czolgosz up to assassinating William McKinley. So far so good.
Happy Reading!
As usual, what everyone else is reading sounds good! I remember seeing a movie in my young school days about Nicholas and Alexandra – think that's what it was called even. We went during the school day in middle school maybe? I just know that I've always been fascinated with their story since that time.
I'm reading Lori Rader-Day's new book (published next week) called UNDER A DARK SKY. Set in a dark sky park (which I didn't even realize was a thing), it's about a widow who is afraid of the dark. Her late husband set up this trip for them before he died and she decides to take it alone. Then she arrives and find he booked only a suite in a house that includes a larger group of college friends. I've just started it, but I understand that someone dies. Of course. So far, so good.
On audio, I'm still trying to complete Elena Ferrante's Neopolitan Quartet – pretty much an Italian soap opera. I'm rather weary of it, but I will persevere because at this point – I gotta know. Ha!
I finished Daniel Silva’s latest Gabriel Allom book, THE OTHER WOMAN. It’s the first one I read instead of listening to on CD. I enjoyed it but I like that series better in audio.
I’m just finishing THE MOUSE THAT SAVED THE WEST by Leonard Wibberley. It’s Vaughan familiar so I must have read it years ago.
So funny to see that someone is listening to the Neopolitan Novels – I am currently almost through book 3 – and as stated they are an Italian soap opera. Someone recommended them and I kind of got suckered in and as stated – once you start you have to know how they end up! I also finished The Perfect Couple which was getting good reviews all over – I thought it was fair – also one that was too soapy for me. Happy Reading Everyone!
I finished:
Santorini Caesars by Jeffrey Siger
I am reading:
Desert Shadows by Betty Webb
Reading a book is a good thing.
📚☕️
Quite a variety of choices this week, Jeff.
Sharon, I agree with you. I like reading about characters that are a little older. Sometimes I get tired of the young, inexperienced characters.
Kay, I read & saw the movie of Nicholas and Alexandra. The book came out in 1968, by Robert Massie. The movie came out in 1971. And, it's fascinated me, too. I saw the musical, Anastasia, twice on Broadway. And, of course, read and saw I Am Anastasia. Of course, the Anastasia ones have been proved to be false, but I'm still fascinated.
Under a Dark Sky is on my Hope to Read pile.
Sandy, I'm always interested to learn that someone prefers the audio books over the actual books. The narrator does make quite a difference, I'm sure.
Donna & Kay, I have the first of the Neopolitan novels at home. I'm a little leery, though, because it sounds as if I'll have to read the next 3 if they're as addictive as you say.
Oh, Charlotte! Just one more Jeffrey Siger now until January!
Rescued is David Rosenfelt's latest Andy Carpenter mystery. Andy is a brilliant lawyer with a uniquely snarky voice who doesn't take a lot of cases since he is independently wealthy and because he likes to spend time running his beloved dog rescue organization on the side. His usual cast of supporting characters include wife Laurie (a former cop), downbeat investigator Hike, silent but deadly bodyguard Marcus (always hilarious!), police detective Pete, and senior citizen hackers the Bubelah Brigade, among others. The case involves a tractor-trailer full of dogs purportedly aimed for shelters which stands abandoned when the driver is murdered, and the prime suspect is Laurie's ex-fiance. Cleverly written, this series never disappoints. An easy, fun read.
The Endless Beach is yet another satisfying Jenny Colgan novel, a sequel to The Cafe by the Sea (the next sequel is due later this year). It features paralegal-turned-cafe runner/caterer Flora and her exceedingly troubled attorney lover, Flora's cheesemaker brother and his billionaire entrepreneur lover, and Syrian refugee doctor Saif and his search for his missing wife and children. Lots of drama and local color (a small Scottish island)–comfort food for the senses and the soul.
Lesa has already reviewed Murder at the Mansion, prolific writer Sheila Connolly's first Victorian Village Mystery. This traditional mystery has lots of historical detail about the mansion of the title and is a little slow at first, but it gathers steam as it goes. There is no shortage of suspects.
Sharon, I'm enjoying The Late Bloomers Club right now.
Lesa, I just checked the library to see if I can put Aegean April on hold. Still can’t. In the whole Pines library system there are only 4 available. None are on hold. Their policy is can not put on hold till it has been in the system for six months. I will never understand that. I am just not at the point of buying it for my Kindle. I waited long enough for The Otter of Death by Betty Webb to go from $9.99 to $2.99 for Kindle. Which I haven’t gotten to. I have plenty to read while waiting on the Jeffrey Siger book. I am assuming from what you wrote he must have a new book coming out in January.
Margie, Someday I have to try David Rosenfelt's books. I love the covers! My sister and I were just talking about Sheila Connolly's Murder at the Mansion. We're both fans.
Charlotte, I don't "know" that Jeff will have a new book out in January, but that's his normal schedule. I hope so!
I'm afraid I don't understand that policy at your library either, Charlotte.
I read Death Trust by David Rollins; sort of a Few Good Men type conspiracy thriller.
Shining City by Tom RosenStiel; a terrible Washington novel about a plot to confirm a supreme court justice.
Accessory to Murder by Elaine Viets; a novel out of time. Set in contemporary times, it is very much a 1970s sort of work, complete with Stepford Wives references.
Without Remorse by Blair Howard; Yet another Harry Starke novel, this time he solves the case of the murder of a turkey hunter. I think I got almost the entire series in a trade.
The system at Charlotte’s library would drive me crazy. My library system not only lets you put a book on hold as soon as they list it in the catalog but they also get extra copies of bestsellers and put them on a special first come shelf that has a 10 day checkout with no renewals so that they circulate faster.
Sandy, it is very frustrating. I asked years ago why and it really boils down to their system. I have found that nothing changes when you talk to them about anything you would like to have them change.
I have just sent a message asking again why you can’t place a hold on new books for six months. Wait and see if they will answer.
Really, Glen, the only one that sounds good is the Rollins one.
I agree with Sandy. I'm sorry, Charlotte, that your library system is so frustrating.
Thanks to this blog I just put put The Late Bloomer's Club on my library list.
Great, Gram! I hope you enjoy it.
Reading Watch the Girls by Jennifer Wolfe & All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover. In the car, I am listening to Believe Me by JP Delaney
Reading Daniel Silva's new book The Other Woman – as always it is very good. Gabriel Allon is my hero. Up next will be Sinners by Ace Atkins.
Lesa you need to read the David Rosenfelt Andy Carpenter books, I would recommend starting with the first one as it gives the story on how Andy ended up with 22 million dollars.
I have missed the boats for several weeks because of my computer not working well.
I have cut down to two books a week due to exhaustion!
Finished Gone Away Place by Christopher Barzak and loved it. I don't like ghost stories but this was very different.
Reading 24 Hour in Nowhere by Dusti Bazak.
Going to start Patriot Number One by Lauren Hilgers.