I know it’s Thursday, and we’re here to talk books, but I just want to extend my thoughts to any of you facing fires in California, and those of us in the Midwest who have been dealing with snow and ice. I’m thinking of all of you.
We had 5 1/2 inches of snow here in the Columbus area, but I’m guessing Sharon had much more in Cincinnati. Before I moved home to Ohio, I was in Evansville, Indiana. Evansville was hit hard with ice, ice that took down trees and electric wires. I saw pictures of arcing wires in Evansville on the Weather Channel. The library has been closed there all week, but they’re open again tomorrow. But, the roads were a mess there.
Although we’ll keep everyone in mind who is coping with weather and fire, I do want to turn to something else. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow. MM Jones will have her list of Favorites of 2024 up on Friday. Stop by and check out her list!
On a lighter note, I just read John Scalzi’s latest science fiction novel, When the Moon Hits Your Eye. This one comes out on March 25. This is a standalone, but Scalzi said it’s sort of in a group with his last two novels, The Kaiju Preservation Society and Starter Villain.
As much as I liked The Kaiju Preservation Society, this one was even better. It begins at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio where staff members discover that the moon rock in the exhibit has changed to cheese. In contacting other facilities around the world, they realize all the rocks are now cheese. When the moon looks different, it’s learned the moon itself has changed to cheese.
Scalzi tells the story from all kinds of viewpoints. If the moon changed, governments, NASA, astronauts are not the only ones affected. We meet a professor emeritus of philosophy and his retired friends at a cafe, members of a religious cult, two young employees at cheese stores in Wisconsin, a couple college students, a billionaire determined to land on the moon, a writer. I can only imagine how much fun John Scalzi had as he brainstormed how different people would react to the moon changing to cheese.
When the Moon Hits Your Eye will come out at the end of March. It’s delightful, and just what I needed right now.
What about you? Check in. Let us know how you’re doing. And, what are you reading?
I am at a loss for words for California. Sending so much hope to everyone affected.
I have lost count of how many consecutive days we’ve had snow/ice/snow/repeat, but we’re fine and using it as another excuse to eat eat eat sweets/salties/sweets/salties/repeat.
One of the books I read was every bit as good as all the hype, IMO.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Description from Amazon
1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the smalltown of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.
When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.
Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.
A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.
I know, Kaye. It’s just unbelievable what’s going on in California.
Oh, salty and sweet, all that sounds wonderful. I don’t blame you for settling in during the ice and snow. Sending hugs.
I haven’t read All the Colors of the Dark, but if you say it lives up to its reviews, that’s good enough for me.
Kaye, as mentioned below, I picked up the Whitaker book at the library yesterday, and so far it is quite interesting, though I haven’t read enough to judge it yet. It is nearly 600 pages, so it is good to hear that it is definitely worth reading.
Lesa, When the Moon Hits Your Eye does, indeed, sound delightful! Thank you!
I think a lot of people will like it, Kaye, who would say they wouldn’t read science ficiton.
I put it on my list to read, Lesa!
I’ve been watching the news on TV. The fires in California are just devastating; with lives lost as well. Just awful.
And lots of snow and ice always makes me worry for anyone who needs an ambulance to reach them in an emergency.
I feel very lucky to live where currently there are no traumatic weather-related issues.
Two books this week:
DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE by Laura Jensen Walker
I enjoyed this novel about a little-known piece of history from WWII – what the press/media of the day referred to as ‘The Flying Nightingales’. These were women nursing orderlies given a mere six weeks of training, but who were nevertheless the ones in charge of keeping severely wounded soldiers alive on the air ambulance flights from wherever they’d been rescued from (only one nursing orderly per plane) until the planes landed in England and they could be seen to by doctors.
Although there are many great characters, the novel mainly follows three very different women who have signed on for duty:
– young Betty, whose life thus far has been lived on the family farm; her brother has been killed in the war, and she wants to do everything possible to help keep other men from dying
– Maeve is from Ireland (a neutral country) whose beloved fiancé was killed in the war and she too feels the need to help save the lives of other soldiers
– Etta grew up in the slums of London, left school at age 14, and craves adventure; and she also signs up
These women see first-hand the ravages of war. Horrendous injuries, broken bodies and minds. Unspeakably difficult tasks. Ever-present danger while flying through combat zones. All of this is lightly yet skillfully rendered by the author; we feel we are on those planes; we are looking after these men; we are sickened by the things we see. It’s all told and written in a way that keeps you reading – just one more page; just one more page; and so on until before you know it, you’ve finished the book.
There is a mystery but it almost takes a backseat to the historical side. And surprisingly there is romance. Which is a good thing because of the feeling of hope it provides. The fact that history is important comes through in spades, and the book is full of interesting historical details. These are never delivered as mini-lectures, but seamlessly woven into the narrative. I even learned something about Audrey Hepburn. The author’s notes at the end are also well worth reading. And … I would not have known about this book were it not for Lesa’s interview with the author a while back. Thank you Lesa!
A HOUSE OF GHOSTS by W. C. Ryan
This novel takes place in 1917 at Blackwater Abbey on the island of Blackwater. There are ghosts, spiritualists, espionage, intrigue, secrets, soldiers, officers, secret passages, seances, red herrings, nothing is what it seems to be, and everyone has something to hide – all of which makes it very difficult to determine who, if anyone, can be trusted.
The premise is that Lord Highmount and his wife have lost two sons to the war. He hires two spiritualists to arrange a seance in hopes of contacting his sons. Sent into this gathering by Captain Smith-Cummings are Donovan, posing as a valet for one of the guests; and Kate, ostensibly re-kindling her relationship with her former fiancé who is also one of the guests. Both Donovan and Kate are there to find out what’s truly going on at Blackwater Abbey.
Oh, and there is of course a wild storm and everyone is trapped on the island since the sea is much too rough and dangerous to take a boat out on.
I did enjoy the book, and I liked the writing and the language used. The quibble I had after finishing it, was that given the variety of characters and the situations they found themselves in, and the many themes/issues I somehow expected a bit more suspense or something. Still, it was worth the read I thought.
It is just awful, Lindy. I agree from what I’ve been seeing on TV.
I’m glad you discovered Death of a Flying Nightingale due to the interview. Thank you for your review.
I agree with you about A House of Ghosts. You’re right. I expected more, but enjoyed it.
I have two of the fires near me. Or, I should say, nearish. One of them is at the south end of my town, and the wind is blowing it away from me, so I’m not that worried about it. The other started this afternoon, and it’s about 15 miles from me. However, the last report was that all forward progress has been stopped and it is 40% contained. Which is more than the other fires in So Cal. The winds are supposed to calm down tonight. I am home. I’m not in any evacuation zones or evacuation warning zones. I do have a few things by the door in case I need to leave in a hurry, but I think I’ll be okay. (Even started undecorating from Christmas today so I could put things in my car.
I’m planning to work from home tomorrow (they are giving us that option) since it was pretty much dead in the office today. But all that could change overnight. We’ll see what I think then.
The destruction here is awful. Not in my town, but the pictures I’m seeing and stories I’m hearing. Thinking one friend has lost her house. Others I know are still evacuated.
Needless to say, I didn’t get much reading done today. (And I have two book reviews to write as well.) I am currently reading MURDER AT MALLOWAN HALL by Colleen Cambridge. It’s the first in a series that features Agatha Christie’s housekeeper as the sleuth. I’m very intrigued so far. Hopefully, I’ll get more read tomorrow.
Stay safe, Mark.
Oh, Mark. I hope you’re working from home today so you can keep an eye on what’s happening and your home. Stay safe.
And, of course you can’t settle into a book right now. I’d be too worried, too.
Mark, I am sorry that you are so close to some of the fires. I know how that feels, the tension it causes. We are in the Goleta / Santa Barbara area, so not near to any active fires.
The lifted the evacuation orders and warnings from the fire closest to me just after I posted this last night. Hopefully no new fires get started. The winds are supposed to pick up some today but not be nearly as bad as they were.
And yes, I am working from home.
Yesterday, the LA fires were the first topic on the Swiss evening news—terrifying video footage. My thoughts are with everyone involved.
I have probably mentioned a fantasy book I greatly enjoyed, THE GOBLIN EMPEROR. Yesterday, I finished the second in a series by the same author, Katherine Addison, called The Chronicles of Osreth. The first is THE WITNESS FOR THE DEAD, about a man (goblin, actually, but it doesn’t matter) whose job is to communicate with the recently dead if there are any questions about how they died or if they left any vital business unfinished. It’s not a unique skill, just rare, and an important job, although the man who does it is very modest. As you can see, this makes both books mysteries since quite a few of the people whose “mind” the hero reads after death were murdered. I’m also reading Kaliane Bradley’s THE MINISTRY OF TIME, about the London Secret Service bringing a few people from the past as an experiment. It’s very well-written and has appealing characters, but it’s so full of foreboding that it’s hard to keep reading. I’ll report more when I finish it.
I agree, Kim. The scenes shown on TV are terrifying. And, some of the pictures look like the end of the world.
Oh, I like the sound of The Witness for the Dead. It sounds good. Thank you!
Good morning all,
Firstly, like you Lesa, I am so sorry for all the people affected by the fires in California and the extreme weather elsewhere. Those fires are especially frightening to us as (so far anyway) we do not have things like this in the UK. We do have idiots who cause fires on hills and moors , usually by mistake, but on nothing like the kind of scale we are seeing in the US. Mark, I do hope the fires avoid your home.
We have had masses of snow and ice here in Aberdeenshire since last week. I came back up the road from Edinburgh on Friday, when it wasn’t too bad, but it’s become worse and worse as time goes on.
I haven’t been further than the garden (bird feeding duty!) since Sunday, when we went for a walk on the Skene estate. It was beautiful there but so cold and so slippery that I have to say I spent most of my time looking at my feet. We did at least do a grocery shop en route, so we are well stocked with everything.
I am in a bit of a state today as our cat Charlie seems to be ill. I was looking after him and Herbie last week and they were both absolutely fine. The cat sitter took over from Friday night to Saturday night and she reported that they were both on great form (she is very experienced and we have used her for years). But since Anna came back from Ireland on Saturday evening Charlie has more or less refused to eat. She took him to the emergency vet on Sunday and they gave him an anti-emetic, but he’s still not eating and she’s now at her own vet waiting for his blood results. It is such a worry, and of course I am also worried for Anna, as she is on her own down there.
Apart from that, I’ve actually got quite a bit done this week through not being able to go out/see people! I’ve been writing reviews, sorting out art gallery admin, and reading more than usual too.
I finished THE CAT WHO TURNED ON AND OFF by Lilian Jackson Braun and enjoyed it. Next I read a book for review, A LEAP IN THE DARK by Justin Kerr-Smiley. This is a fictional story based on the life of Deacon Brodie, an 18th century Edinburgh tradesman and councillor who lived a secret life as a burglar – this was partly to fund his gambling habits and partly just for the thrill of it.
In the book, David Stoddart is a councillor and shipwright – and an obsessive gambler. He is already living apart from his wife and child (whom he loves) because Annabel can’t put up with all of his carousing. She doesn’t know that he spends some of his nights housebreaking in the Old Town (then inhabited by the affluent as well as the poor, as the New Town, to which the wealthy eventually moved – and live in to this day – had not yet been built.)
Like every addict, Stoddart needs a bigger and bigger fix, so he ends up recruiting accomplices and planning a heist far beyond his usual targets. When the burglary goes horribly wrong, he leaves the country. I’ll not say what happens to him next, but the plot moves along at a cracking pace, and Kerr-Smiley does a very good job of recreating the various locations in which Stoddart finds himself.
I enjoyed this story, but unfortunately it’s another example of a book that has not been properly proof read/edited. Since when did 18th century British people talk about ‘being on vacation’? We don’t even use that term now. And glaring mistakes like ‘ a stew of beef and leaks’ are really unforgiveable. The author is Scottish born but has worked around the world as a journalist. This is not his first book. If you like a good, fast moving story with some well drawn characters and a (mainly) Edinburgh setting, you might well enjoy this one. It’s just a pity that the publisher has not done a better job.
So now I’m reading MRS TIM OF THE REGIMENT by DE Stevenson. Stevenson was an Edinburgh-born author who wrote over 40 novels, all of them light and many of them funny. The Mrs Tim books are some of my favourites – Mrs Tim is the wife of an army officer, and in this book she keeps a diary of her life on various military bases. As her husband is fairly senior, she is required to involve herself in social activities and to ‘look after’ many of the other wives. She writes mainly about her domestic life – this is 1932 so she has ‘staff’ who are always causing problems, plus two boisterous children and a husband who doesn’t expect to have to think about home very much. The diary reminds me of THE DIARY OF A PROVINCIAL LADY – they are both very funny. Mrs Tim tries to maintain a positive attitude throughout her daily ups and downs, and her dry and witty comments are very entertaining.
I’m reading this as part of my plan to read mostly Scottish books this year – fiction, non-fiction, whatever. When I looked at my shelves, I found heaps of qualifying books. I’ll never get through all of them in a year, but at least I have plenty to choose from. I’m still thinking about trying to set up a ‘Reading Scotland’ week, along the lines of Reading Ireland or Dewithon – though this week Paula, who runs Dewithon, has announced that she’s giving it up as it just takes up so much time, and she is involved in so many other things (many of them book-related), and a few weeks ago Cathy of @746 Books said she’s no longer going to run her 20 Books of Summer challenge (which must be a very demanding one – I can’t even get the books read, let alone anything else) so I do wonder if I should try this or not.
On TV I finished DEADLOCH, which I loved. Such good acting, and such a good mixture of comedy and darkness. I’m looking forward to the next series. I’ve reverted to my MONARCH OF THE GLEN box set now, but I only watch that in small doses, so I must look for one of the series Jeff has recommended.
One other thing I’ve been doing is setting up an account on BlueSky. I have had enough of Twitter – Musk has ruined it, and it looks like Facebook is rapidly going the same way, so I’m going to give BlueSky a go. People seem to like it.
Next week I am hoping to catch up wiith all the friends I have missed this week – all of us are too nervous and too old to brave the ice, but although I’m enjoying staying home just now, I know I’ll start to go stir crazy soon! So I’ll be out for country walks, having coffees in town, and generally reinvigorating my social life.
Have a good week everyone.
I hope Charlie recovers quickly, Rosemary.
Thank you. He is young so fingers crossed.
Oh, Rosemary! I hope the vet finds what’s wrong with Charlie, and can take care of it. I’m sorry.
That’s the difference between you and me. I don’t really care if I never leave the house. I don’t really go stir crazy as long as I can talk to my Mom and sisters.
I hope you can get out next week!
Latest Charlie update Lesa: the blood tests did not show anything abnormal so he has been given another antiemetic (though he’s not actually vomiting) and a can of very expensive cat food that the vet says is the smelliest one they have, to try to tempt him.
Anna says it’s very very cold in edinburgh (though she does of course have the heating on) – Charlie really does not like being cold, and Siamese cats are so highly strung at times that we wonder if he is just upset about the weather. It’s cost over £700 so far to try to get to the bottom of this – thank goodness Charlie’s insured and PetPlan are usually very good payers. (They should be given their premiums!)
And yes, I totally understand your enjoyment of staying home. I like it too, but I also like to go places.
Keep us posted about Charlie, Rosemary. Hope he perks up quickly.
I will do – thank you.
Poor little Charlie; I hope he recovers very soon from whatever is ailing him. Sick pets are so worrisome.
I remember loving Diary of a Provincial Lady so will have to seek out the Mrs. Tim books if they’re sort of similar. Should they be read in order?
Thanks Lindy – yes, it is worse than with children sometimes.
The Mrs Tim books, in order, are Mrs Tim of the Regiment, Mrs Tim Carries On, Mrs Tim Get a Job and Mrs Tim Flies Home. It’s probably best to read them in order but I don’t think it’s crucial at all.
Rosemary, I hope Charlie gets better. It must be scary not to know what the problem is.
Thank you Tracy. The vet told Anna that the blood test results had ruled out a lot of serious things, but if he’s still not eating tomorrow I think she said they would do an ultrasound.
I have a niece in CA but fortunately she’s about 5 hours north of LA. Here in NJ we’ve only had a little snow but it’s been cold and windy. Good weather to curl up with a book.
I read Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn. A radio DJ accidentally starts a talk show for supernaturals and gets outed on air as a werewolf.
Chill in the Blood by P. N. Elrod. This is part of an ongoing story about a vampire P.I. In post prohibition Chicago who’s out to get revenge on the mobster who killed him. This is one of those series you have to read in order because the story continues through the books.
Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander. The first book in her Tort Bakeshop series. I reread this for a 50 state challenge I’m doing.
I texted my college roommate, Sandy, who lives in LA. But, she said she’s 50 miles away, and her place is okay. Those TV shots worry me.
I read a few of the Ellie Alexander books. I preferred her Sloan Krause mysteries.
My thoughts and prayers for those affected by the California fires. It’s so devastating to see on the news. Here in Idaho, it’s cold and we’re socked in another inversion. They say we might get snow tomorrow. We haven’t had any since New Year’s Day.
This week, I read Sean Dietrich’s latest book “Tomato Sandwiches Are Eaten Over the Sink. If you haven’t read any of his books, you won’t be disappointed. Sean is a columnist in Alabama and writes a weekly column. His nickname is “Sean of the South” and he has a blog that appears on Facebook.
It’s hard to describe his writing. He’s a great storyteller. Sometimes it’s humor and sometimes it’s inspirational. Either way, he writes great stories. The book is a compilation of his columns. They are short stories (one to 2 pages) that can be read slowly so you can savor and reflect on them. I really recommend him.
I tried to read the “Expectant Detectives” by Kat Ailes that someone here mentioned. The blurbs about it said that it was hilarious, but I just found it to be simply frustrating. I can’t really pinpoint why. Maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to read it.
So instead, I read, courtesy of NetGallery “The Man Who Swore He’d Never Go Home Again”. Which started out slow. Hoagy (a bestselling author) meets an actress (Marilee) and it’s an instant attraction. They ended up going home together and everything is lovely dovey. They ended up after three days of knowing each other moving into together. He buys her a car and a dog which they named Lulu after one of the Honeymooner characters. Life is good and then Hoagy receives a call from his first love, Maggie McKenna whose mother was one of Hoagy’s favorite people. Maggie is calling to let Hoagy know that her mother has been murdered and to let him know when the funeral is. Hoagy swore he would never go back to his hometown but feels obligated to go and attend the funeral. From this point, the book actually gets interesting.
The Tomato Sandwiches book sounds delightful – thanks for the recommendation!
I agree with Mary, Bev. The Tomato Sandwiches book sounds a little like Rick Bragg’s. I’ll have to look for it. Thank you!
We’re expecting snow again on Friday. I’d still be snowed in from the last one if my sister hadn’t cleared out my driveway. Stay safe!
Mild winter in northern Nevada so far. Warmer & drier than normal, the dreaded drought word is popping up again. We’ve had higher winds than normal, but nothing like the 100 mph winds in Southern California. That is a truly scary situation there with the thousands of people ordered to evacuate.
As to reading, I thoroughly enjoyed the British Library Crime Classic reprint of a rare 1935 non-series novel by E.C.R. Lorac (Edith Rivett) DEATH OF AN AUTHOR. Bond and Weaver of Scotland Yard investigate a murder with no body, perhaps a fictional – although well known – victim. Step-by-step detail is given as the detectives imagine what could have happened and then hunt facts to back up their suspicions. A well crafted plot written with wry humor and plenty of red herrings.
The cover blurb calls it “Truly Bewitching”. THE MAKER OF SWANS is an earlier book from Paraic O’Donnell. Clara, a precocious young girl, lives on a sprawling country estate with Mr Crowe, a mysterious wastrel. She is left alone to explore hidden rooms and compose fantastical stories for Crowe’s valet, the dismal Eustace. But when Mr. Crowe kills a stranger in an apparent crime of passion, the secret society of which he is a member arrives to extract justice. As Clara discovers the truth of Mr. Crowe’s fabled talents, she must learn to master her own still greater gifts in order to protect the people she loves.
As mentioned here Sunday, O’Donnell’s most recent book came out this week (The Naming of The Birds).
I’m currently reading the 4th in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series by Colleen Cambridge, MURDER TAKES THE STAGE. Set in the theater district of London where Agatha Christie is temporarily located. Murder & Scotland Yard make for an entertaining read.
I realized I skipped over the previous entry in the series, but I’ll be able to get it at the library tomorrow.
MM, I hope your weather stays the same in Nevada, and that you don’t end up with California conditions. It is scary.
The Maker of Swans sounds interesting. I’m not ready to read another of O’Donnell’s books, but I may pick it up sometime.
MM, I’m intrigued by the plot of The Maker of Swans – so now my book wish list is even longer. Thanks!
I finished City of Windows by Robert Pobi. A former FBI agent is reluctantly forced back to work to help solve the sniper murders of law enforcement agents. It was a good read.
We are headed to NC today for my mother in law’s funeral. Had to go down a day earlier than anticipated due to expected snow in NC. No snow here in Michigan. Thoughts are most definitely with those in CA.
Condolences on the death of your mother-in-law. Such a sad time. Hoping that the service will bring your family comfort.
Thank you, Mary. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and has left her family with such a firm, loving foundation. She will be missed, but we are very grateful for her.
Safe travels, Jennifer. And, I’m sorry, again.
Was it Jeff who likes Robert Pobi, or one of my other friends? I don’t remember.
Thank you, Lesa. And yes, I believe the book was recommended by Jeff. Will be looking for the next two in the series when we get back.
Jennifer, I’m very sorry about your mother-in-law. Such a sad thing, especially as she seems to have been a very special lady indeed.
Thank you, Lindy. She was wonderful! Always smiling and positive.
Good morning, Lesa et al. First, weather. We’ve had a couple of really tricky years weather-wise on trips to Florida. One year they predicted snow was coming at 7 PM, but of course, we were leaving in the morning. But, surprise! The snow arrived at 7 AM. It was a very tricky drive across Staten Island and down the northern half of New Jersey. Then three years ago (I think) we were in Fredericksburg, Virginia when the snow started several hours earlier than expected. Again, it was a scary trip out of there and down I-95 for the next hour or so before we got out of the snow zone. Some of you might remember than I-95 was virtually closed for 24 hours in central Virginia, so we really dodged a bullet that time.
This year, fortunately, we got it right. We left Friday morning and it was cold but dry, and it stayed that way for the next couple of days. The snow hit the Maryland/Virginia area Sunday, I think, and we were well past it by then. So, whew. It has been “cool” for Florida – mid-60s today – but so much nicer than it is in New York (low to mid-30s) there is no comparison.
Two, the Scalzi book. I’m a big fan of his, read his blog daily, and have rest most of his books, so this one has been on my radar since he announced it. Glad you enjoyed it so much. Can’t wait.
We went to the library yesterday to pick up a couple of books I had put on hold from New York, and a very helpful librarian showed Jackie how she can put ebooks on hold and borrow them. In fact, she checked two books out for her at once. What we weren’t told last time was, rather than looking in the regular catalog, what you do after signing in to your account is to go to the ‘Streaming & Downloading’ section, then Cloud Library. So she’s excited, as am I, because it takes so much longer to get a book in Brooklyn! For instance, on my current hold list at home, Chris Whitaker’s ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK has 50 copies in the system, and 281 holds. The ebook edition has 86 copies,, and I was #320 on hold. Here, my copy came in while we were on the road and I picked it up yesterday. Now let’s see if it lives up to the hype.
Similarly, a book I know I definitely want to read, Liz Moore’s THE GOD OF THE WOODS, has 151 ebook copies and I am #346 on hold. (I just checked, and while I am #346, there are now 1645 holds!) The first edition has NINE HUNDRED HOLDS. In Palm Beach County? I got an email this morning that my copy is available to pick up.
OK, reading then. What with packing and loading the car, then 4 days on the road, followed by unpacking everything and putting it away when we got here, plus trips to Publix (several), Costco, Target, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s (so far), my reading time has been minimal. I have managed to keep up with my “one story a day” reading plan, but barely got to start any of the novels I have, though I did read a little last night, as things finally seem to be getting closer to normal.
I mentioned Shelley Burr’s Murder Town last week, which I finished on Thursday before we left. I’ve been reading Peter Tremayne’s Hemlock At Vespers (will finish it by next Thursday). Tremayne has written something like 35 books about 7th Century Irish lawyer/detective Sister Fidelma, a very good character, the sister of a King and a top advocate of the Brehorn court. In other words, everyone, no matter their rank, is compelled to cooperate with her investigations. Some of the cases are murders, others look like murders but aren’t. She always gets to the bottom of the case. I have previously read his second Fidelma collection, Whispers of the Dead. Both are recommended. Some day I should read the novels.
We did get some wildfire stories here, though mostly through the NY papers (as we haven’t watched TV news). Jackie said Billy Crystal and his wife had lived in their house for 40+ years and raised their children there, and now everything is gone. All the people we knew in that general area live elsewhere now – one sister is in Arizona, the other in San Jose – but it is really a horror show. I think one of the main things keeping us from moving to Florida is, to stay away from places with extreme weather. New York may have a lot of problems, but we don’t generally have to worry about fires (in the city, New Jersey has had plenty this year), tornadoes, mudslides, etc. Hurricanes have come close at times, but I think the last really major hurricane in the area was 1938, even before my time! Flooding? Yes, if you live by the coast – the Jersey Shore, the Long Island beaches, even parts of Staten Island – you know you are vulnerable to flooding.
Of course, good thing there is no such thing as climate change, right?
/end sarcasm
You’re better off reading the wildfire stories, Jeff. The pictures are horrifying on TV.
I’m so glad the librarian was able to help Jackie get lined up with their ebook collection. It sounds as if the two of you may be able to catch up with some reading.
You’re going to love Scalzi’s new book!
I really like Peter Tremayne’s series, Jeff, and will check out the short stories. Thanks for mentioning.
Jeff, there is a new Bill Slider Mystery coming out on April 1st!
Great. I am at least half a dozen books behind, though.
The wild fires in LA are so tragic. I haven’t read the headlines yet this morning, but I am hoping that the firefighters can get a handle on it soon. 🙁
This week I read “Heartshot” by Steven F. Havill. An easy enough read. The first in the series about Bill Gastner, a New Mexico Undersherriff in Posadas County. I have read so many great reviews about his latest novel, “If It Isn’t One Thing…” that I wanted to get familiar with the characters. There are 27 books in this series! So I may jump ahead and read his latest. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the plot line was interesting. Cocaine was making its way into the county and teenagers were dying because of it. Bill Gastner and his partner Estelle Reyes solve the mystery with an almost bang up finish.
I forgot to say how interesting “When the Moon Hits Your Eye: sounds, Lesa! Will have to check it out!
I’m not saying you shouldn’t jump from Heartshot to If It Isn’t One Thing, Mary, but things really change by the most recent book.
Like you, I hope the firefighters get control of the fires soon.
My heart goes out to those in the LA area. A few years back, when my son and daughter-in-law lived in Ventura County, they could see the fire from their house windows. Very scary. I know some people who live in the danger area now, and I pray they don’t need to be evacuated. We often have fires in NorCal also, but not right now. It hasn’t been bad here so far.
This was definitely a fix-it week for me. The builder finished our (my neighbor’s and my) back fence yesterday. He had to buy new wood because the wood from the collapsed fence was unusable. Looks great! We’ve had some problems with our front door to the point where we couldn’t open it from the outside or the inside–talk about a fire hazard! My younger son came over and fixed it so we could get out the front door and told me what mechanism to order. A few days later we had a totally functioning front door. While he was here, Zach also installed our new Ring doorbell, which he gave us at Christmas. Our old Nest doorbell would never ring inside the house. The new one works perfectly. AND a couple of days ago our dryer suddenly starting banging really loudly. I called the last tech we used, and it turns out he has moved his business to Texas! But he recommended someone else, who was somehow able to come out that same day and fix the dryer. I am so grateful! Fingers crossed that we don’t need any more repairs in the near future.
I also finally took down the Christmas decorations, and they are safely stowed away in the garage. What’s next? At 8:00 this morning I’m having a back tooth extracted in preparation for (later) an implant and a crown. (Sigh) Seems that the cavity spread quickly to below the bone, so there will be no easy filling. Anyway, here’s what I finished reading this week:
Rainbow Rowell’s latest book, SLOW DANCE, focuses on Shiloh and Cary during their senior year in high school and a short period after graduation. Fourteen years later, their lives have gone pretty much according to plan, although neither is completely happy with how it’s all turned out. it is clear at the second wedding of their other close friend, Mikey, that Cary and Shiloh are still attracted to each other–more than either had expected. Divorced with two young children, Shiloh had dreamed of being an actor and now teaches acting to children. Cary wants to stick it out until he can retire in five years from the US Navy, where his assignments frequently take him across the globe on a battleship or destroyer for six months at a time. Each has some reservations about the possibility of a life together, as they wonder why it isn’t easier to have a committed relationship with someone they love. There are more mundane issues to solve along the way, mostly family considerations, and all are addressed at length, sometimes a bit too repetitively for my taste. I was frustrated at times by the excuses the pair make–especially Shiloh– to avoid forging a lasting relationship and didn’t feel particularly engaged with either. The last portion of the book is, happily, much more upbeat and positive. It’s not my favorite of the author’s books I have read, but it was entertaining enough for me to see it through to its satisfying end.
I’ve read quite a few Brad Parks mysteries, but none for the past five years or so. So it was a delight to find his new book, THE BOUNDARIES WE CROSS, which I would describe as a “fun thriller,” two words I rarely use together. High school teacher Charles Bliss prides himself on maintaining a more formal relationship with his students than some of the other teachers at the Connecticut boarding school. So he is flummoxed when he is summarily dismissed one morning by the headmaster after a female student’s mother, a state senator, reports that daughter Hayley contracted a venereal disease from Mr. Bliss and insists that he be fired. There is no investigation because sayley’s wealthy family is just that prestigious, as well as a major financial contributor to the school. Besides having to leave his campus apartment, Charles also has to deal with his recent separation from his wife, who has just apparently decided to come home. WIth his career in tatters and his personal life not far behind, Charles makes some stupid decisions, especially when Hayley then disappears and is assumed kidnapped and/or killed. The way Parks constructs the story is interesting–between first-person narration by the protagonist, the author intersperses chapters from Hayley’s journal, as well as “midlogues” where he speaks directly to readers. But what I enjoyed the most were the twists and surprises that lifted this tale above a typical #metoo story and into a higher level of entertainment and intrigue. A favorite character is Mr. Bliss’s attorney, who is surprisingly astute despite his appearance. And Bliss himself has a number of surprises for the reader.
DETECTIVE AUNTY, Uzma Jalaluddin’s debut cozy mystery, introduces Kausar Khan, a woman in her fifties who was unexpectedly widowed a year ago. Kausar has long been reluctant to leave her home in small-town Canada for the big city of Toronto, where her family previously lived and where her youngest son was tragically killed. But when her daughter, Sana, phones to say she’s the prime suspect in a murder that took place in her clothing boutique. Kausar hops on a plane and moves in temporarily with Sana, her often-absent husband, and their two daughters. Kausar has always been praised for her keen intuition and analytical skills, so she gets busy talking to former friends and acquaintances in the community, including the police detective in charge of the case. People seem to open up more to her than to the police, even though she had left Toronto suddenly and hadn’t kept in touch with her friends there. This is clearly the first in a series, and after a slow start, the plot became more intriguing. It features overwhelming evidence against Sana, marital discord, teenaged angst, a crime ring, a fading shopping plaza with more than one determined buyer, and a final dinner scene with disclosure of the guilty culprit that is reminiscent of classic mysteries. The author has also written a successful romance and a memorable holiday novel, both of which I enjoyed. (May)
Margie, It’s so nice to read about ordinary day-to-day problems. Not that all those issues, stuck door, dryer, etc., aren’t frustrating for you, but it’s not a wildfire.
I’m not sure either of the books appeal to me this week. I have a copy of Brad’s book, but I really liked his series books, and I”m not enthusiastic about reading this one, even though I know things will turn out okay.
We topped out at a little over 8 inches of snow, but parts of Cincinnati got more. My community got the driveways and roads cleared by late Tuesday. We are in the deep freeze now but tomorrow brings 2-4 inches of snow.
I too am thinking of the families in California too. My brother-in=law is in Glendale but is not in the evacuation area (yet). I don’t understand his rationale to stay when the fires are just over the freeway not to mention all the pictures of smoke he sends from his Ring doorbell camera.
Two books for me this week. I enjoyed The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams (Dove Pond #4) by Karen Hawkins. Tay Dove returns to Dove Pond to research the biography of Seraphina Dove. She ends up on a research treasure hunt which uncovers the truth of the missing train robbery gold from the mid 1800’s and the fate of William Day. All these books have a magical realism plot line which I enjoy.
My second book was also very good. Pictures of You by Emma Grey takes place in Australia where 29-year-old Evelyn wakes in the hospital from a car accident that takes the life of her husband. Problem is she has no memories of her life beyond age 16. The story is told in part through flashbacks from when she was 16 onwards. The author listed trigger warnings of gaslighting and coercive manipulation. I didn’t find it too difficult to read but some might.
Stay safe everyone and Happy Reading!
I just finished the Marlow Murder Club so I can now watch the PBS series based on the book. I enjoyed it and was happy to see characters that were of a more mature age as the protagonists. I’m currently reading Silence in the Library by Katharine Schellman, the second in the Lily Adler series. It is a good distraction from all the devastating news. As an Idaho resident, I am familiar with wildfire danger so my heart goes out to those affected by the wildfires in southern California. It’s a tragedy beyond anything I can imagine.
We are watching the news about the fires and thinking of everyone affected. Firefighters and engines from our area are heading that way and we hopefully they have a safe trip over all the mountain passes in Oregon and California.
I wanted to mention a book I just finished, THE CHRISTMAS YOU FOUND ME by Sarah Morgenthaler. It has a silly beginning but keep going, the story is actually pretty good. What’s different about it is that Morgenthaler uses “they” and “them” pronouns for one of the characters. I thought it was much better than her Alaska series.
We hope – I am distracted by the funeral as I type.
As I noted in a comment to Mark, we are not that close to the active fires in the LA area. The damage from those fires is appalling and I feel for everyone who has lost houses or are even displaced right now due to evacuations. We are about 90 miles north of that area but we have had Red Flag warnings in our area for a couple of days due to high winds and little rain in recent months.
In the last week I read two books. The first was THE TRAVELLING CAT CHRONICLES by Hiro Arikawa. I read that for the Japanese Reading Challenge that runs in January and February. The story is narrated by a cat that was adopted by a man, and has lived with him for five years. Now the man has to find a home for the cat although no reason is given. They travel to various parts of Japan to visit with several of the man’s old friends to see it they can take the cat in. It is a lovely story and I liked the narration by the cat.
I finished THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware last night. It is not my usual kind of reading, but I thought I would give it a try and see if my tastes are changing. For most of the book I was not too impressed. There were no characters I cared about, and especially not the main character. But the end was very well done and kept me turning the pages, so I revised my overall opinion a bit. Now I will have to check the reviews and see what made it so popular originally.
This week Glen read 188 WORDS FOR RAIN: A DELIGHTFULLY DAMP TOUR OF THE BRITISH ISLES, LED BY NATURAL FORCES by Alan Connor. It is a humorous book and he enjoyed it very much.
Now he has started reading THE DEMON OF UNREST: A SAGA OF HUBRIS, HEARTBREAK, AND HEROISM AT THE DAWN OF THE CIVIL WAR by Erik Larson. He is liking that so far. He has read a lot of books by Larson and the only one he did not like was the one about Churchill. He is also reading a short story book, GHOSTS OF THE CHIT-CHAT.