I’ve had lazy days lately when I really only needed to do basic household tasks and read. It’s been great. We’ve had just a few days with rain, and we could certainly use more. I did go to Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore, on Monday. They have a new “passport” that describes nineteen local independent bookstores. You can get it stamped as you go to them. I picked up two because my sister, Linda, and I have talked about visiting some, and then going to lunch. This will give us some incentive.
While I’m home, I’m reading a new book that Margie heartily recommended, one of her favorites. It’s Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner. I don’t cry over biographies, but I’m halfway through this one, and I’ve cried twice. I teared up when Miranda’s father sent him a letter, and when his grandfather died. It’s a very interesting book that delves into his passion for film and theater, and how he learned to work with others to better develop his work. I’ll review it tomorrow, but it’ going to be a tough one to review. Biographies are always diffictult.
What about you? What are you doing this week? What are you reading?
Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack sounds interesting, and is on my list.
Any week I’m able to read a book by Nora Roberts or J. D. Robb is a good week.
Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb made it a.very good week.
Description from NetGalley:
A violent death and a vault of stolen treasures has Eve Dallas struggling to solve crimes old and new in the next thriller in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series.
A blow to the head with a block of amethyst has left multibillionaire Nathan Barrister dead—while nearby, a vault, its door ajar, sits filled with priceless paintings, jewelry, and other treasures. Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband, Roarke—who misspent his youth in Ireland as a scrappy thief—recognizes at least two stolen pieces among the hoard. The crime scene suggests a burglar caught in the act. But only one item seems to be missing.
Then it’s revealed that the vault had actually belonged to the victim’s late father—and no one in the household knew it was there until a recent remodeling project exposed it. To protect the family name and business, they explain to Eve, they’d been looking for a way to return the ill-gotten gains anonymously and avoid the police. But now the police are all over their elegant house, and have a bigger, bloodier mystery to solve.
By all accounts, Nathan Barrister was a good man, a generous employer, a devoted husband and father. As for his father—he clearly had secrets. Now it’s up to Eve and her team to find out if those secrets got Nathan killed—and if it was a crime of passion or revenge.
Couldn’t wait, could you, Kaye? That’s funny, but I have nothing more to suggest for you right now! Sending book hugs!
I love the idea of a passport to visit nineteen independent bookstores! I think I might run out of money quite quickly though. Not to mention there are not many independent bookstores near me. There’s one used-books store within walking distance, but the closest one with new books is at least an hour’s drive away. It doesn’t exist anymore, but when our children were young I worked part-time at a small independent bookstore; I loved it and the owners were delightful. A Korean couple and they would always leave two treats for me from a local bakery to see me through my shifts. Then later on in life I worked at a brand new location of a chain bookstore, which I also enjoyed. Big store, two levels. It was a lot of fun being part of setting up a new store, and unpacking boxes and boxes of books and putting them all onto the shelves. Once the store was open for business they had me working in the office, creating formulas for various things to do with sales, and I had to place orders for books. Between the two bookstore jobs I learned a lot about the book business, that’s for sure.
I had a very simple joyful experience this morning; such a small thing but it was good to just be in the moment for a while. David and I were walking along the river and we were just on a pedestrian bridge that crossed the river when a leaf fell from a tree into the water and was gently carried along downstream, then under the bridge and we could watch it again as it came out the other side, floating in and around and past the rocks. We watched until we couldn’t see it anymore. Like I said, such a simple thing to do, but it was soothing. Perhaps I should set loftier goals for myself!
Books I read this week:
THE SECRET BOOK SOCIETY by Madeline Martin
Set in Victorian times amongst the aristocracy, when men were the undisputed heads of their households and when women often – too often – had very few freedoms. They were expected to spend all their time being mothers and obedient wives, and were actively discouraged/restricted from reading novels lest they get ‘ideas’ and become difficult. Women were careful not to cause their husbands trouble because they could easily be sent to a lunatic asylum. The author’s notes tell us that this was a not-uncommon fate for many women, and just by claiming their wives suffered from ‘hysteria’, husbands could have their wives committed to an asylum and thereby be rid of them.
There are four main characters:
Eleanor: abused by her husband both physically and emotionally, and only allowed to see their young son twice per week, and then only for an hour each time.
Rose: an American who is not accepted by the English aristocracy due to her blunt ways. She loves her husband yet their relationship is fraught because her husband’s brother despises her and takes every opportunity to let her husband know just how unsuitable she is.
Lavinia: much younger than Eleanor and Rose, she feels things deeply but keeps those feelings hidden, coming across as nervy and unstable with the effort. She fears suffering the same fate as her grandmother who was much like her and was sent to a lunatic asylum.
These three women are brought together by Lady Duxbury, a fascinating lady with secrets of her own, who feels she can help these women. So is born The Secret Book Society; meetings are held at Lady Duxbury’s home and books are read and discussed. But even more important than that, each woman finds a safe space in which it seems natural to reveal ‘secrets’. True friendships are formed, confidence and courage are found and they come to realize they’re stronger than they thought they were.
In a very tense final quarter of the book, one of this group is in grave peril and the women will need to use everything they’ve learned in order to rescue her.
This book was a little slow going to begin with but it took time to show us the ins and outs of the women’s lives, and it was all teased out slowly. The last half was more plot-centred and quite suspenseful. Sobering to realize that life could be like this for many women not all that long ago.
THE GOODE GIRLS OF MAPLE LANE by Jacqueline Firkins
I think Margie mentioned this book a while ago. It’s a sweet, feel-good novel about a young woman named Cameron and her rescue dog.
Cameron is in her second year of veterinary school, under a mountain of debt, taking a full course load while working two part-time jobs to make ends meet, and lives in a tiny 500 sq ft apartment and has to endure her father’s pointed remarks about how she should be making ‘smarter choices’. In the process she tends to keep other people strictly at arm’s length.
In other words, she’s the last person who should take on a dog, never mind a rescue dog that will need extra care. But when an agency an hour’s drive away calls her about a golden retriever who has been severely mistreated and is now so overweight that its completely immobile and can’t even raise its head, and that she’s the agency’s absolute last resort before having to put the dog down, well … she just can’t say no.
Because she has no car and cannot afford an Uber, she reaches out and asks for help from the man down the hall. If he says no she’ll have to find another way. But surprisingly he agrees to help and so ‘Aggie’ comes to her new home.
Not a lover of social media, Cameron nevertheless posts a few pictures and captions on TikTok now and again over the next few weeks. A large part of the story is about what happens when people start following her account.
I loved that poor broken Aggie was the catalyst for so many good things, beginning with Cameron learning to engage and connect with other people. Some of my favourite parts were the interactions between the residents of the 6th floor of the Maple Lane apartments. Until the advent of Aggie, none of them had spoken more than a few words with each other. A light, heartwarming story.
Lindy, That’s how I felt when I worked at the library. I loved to open the boxes of new books. And, I was lucky in my last job to have one that allowed me to order the books. Just wonderful!
I don’t think it’s minor to enjoy watching that leaf. I had a similar experience on Monday when I saw three Trumpeter swans by our large pond. I didn’t even know what kind of swans they were until friends identified them. We don’t have Trumpeter swans here. They were migrating someplace warmer for the winter. I felt so lucky to have seen them.
I have a copy of The Secret Book Society. I have to get back to it. I’m in a slow part, and put it aside to read the Lin-Manuel Miranda biography.
I love the sound of you slowing down and just watching the leaf go by! I used to do that as a kid. This past week I’ve been sitting in the grass with our German Shepherd. It probably looks silly, but we’ve both been enjoying it!
Lindy, I loved hearing about the bookstores you worked at, and also about following that leaf as it floated downstream on the river. Thanks for that.
Lindy, what an interesting career you had in all those bookshops. I’d have loved that.
When I was in senior school I was allowed to run the junior school library. The teacher who was nominally in charge wasn’t that interested, so not only was I allowed to make up displays and themed book selections, i was also given a more or less free hand to order new books. (Can you imagine that happening now? Schools must have had a lot more spending power in the 1970s.) It was just about the only thing I enjoyed at school, and I really loved that little library.
As for your leaf – what a wonderful story! When my son was little, we had a daily walk around some woods where, at one point, a little bridge crossed a tiny burn. We regularly played ‘Pooh sticks’ – he’d throw a twig into the water on one side of the bridge then run round to watch it come out on the other side. Simple pleasures, as you say, but your words about the leaf brought back lovely memories of Freddie’s early childhood.
You were given a lot of freedom and responsibility in that school library! What fun.
I also (in my book career ha ha) worked in a high school library for several years, much to the dismay of our youngest daughter who was in her last year at that school when I started working there. Many book-related tasks of course, but also crowd control! I may have mentioned before that you haven’t really lived until you’ve done lunchtime library supervision of 100+ teenagers five days a week!
Oh my gosh Lindy, that lunchtime supervision does not sound like fun! I used to be in the library every lunchtime but only a few girls (it was an all girls school) came in, and they were quite happy to chat with their friends or – whisper it low! – READ A BOOK!!!
Years later, when I was in high school, I was appointed to the library book buying committe. I’d like to say the power went right to my head, but I really didn’t have any power!
The authorities gave us a list of books we could choose from, and we voted on the, I think, ten books we hoped the library would buy.
I was the library Teachers’ Assistant, and spent most of my time making copies for teachers, instead of doing anything actually library related.
It’s no wonder so many of us ended up as book lovers.
It was hot all the way until today, but now it’s humid enough, it seems hot, anyway. Can’t win for losing!
Went to a concert by the premier Journey Tribute band. I’ve never seen Vernon Street Square so packed. I think we had to walk about half a mile to get there, as both parking garages were full.
This week I read:
Cooking with Clydeo by Jennifer Aniston; I didn’t think cookbooks were good for the book club, but I got outvoted.
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel; A biography about a slacker and his girlfriend who stole pricelss works of art for their own pleasure. In the old days, we called it kleptomania, but nobody much talks about it anymore.
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton; A mute kid has a talent for opening locks. The kind of people who would take advantage of such a talent aren’t really the kind you should be hanging out with. Less depressing than a lot of Hamilton’s stuff.
America’s First Ladies 1865-Modern Times by Lillie D. Chafflin; A book like this comes out about every four years. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Democrats are STILL obsessed with the Teapot Dome Scandal that happened over 100 years ago. Mrs. Harding was not involved in any way, yet it takes up almost her entire entry. I find this bizarre. Let it go.
I can take the heat, Glen, but hate the humidity. It sometimes gives me a headache. One reason I preferred living in Arizona over Florida.
That’s funny that the kids outvoted you on the cookbook. It will be interesting to see how the discussion goes.
We went to the Warren G. Harding presidential sites in Marion, Ohio last year – their house, museum and burial site. I don’t know when I’ve seen such a beautiful burial site.
Glen, please enlighten me – what is Clydeo?
It’s kind of like a muppet that is supposed to be a friend of Jennifer Anniston’s.
I got to go to a sitcom taping Tuesday night. I went to see Happy’s Place, which I enjoyed last season, and seeing the taping reminded me why. It’s just so fun! As we were sitting there waiting for it to start, I heard someone call my name. A friend of mine was there because his girlfriend (who I’ve met a couple of times but don’t know as well) had written the episode! Talk about a happy coincidence. I’m guessing it won’t air until around the first of the year.
I did take the day off on Tuesday to go, but I was doing other things beforehand, so I really didn’t get much reading in yesterday. Or today, for some reason. So I’m only about 40% in my ARC of O, DEADLY NIGHT, the latest Year-Round Christmas Mystery from Vicky Delany. I’m enjoying it so far, but I’m wondering what is going to drive us into the second half. I could see the book stalling if something doesn’t fix it. Hasn’t stalled out yet, so I’m hopeful that I’m worried for nothing.
That sounds like fun, Mark! I would have enjoyed seeing Melissa Peterman and Reba McEntire. And, you knew the writer of the episode!
Vicki Delany usually comes through with her books. I hope it comes around.
What a special experience it must have been to go to a sitcom taping! I’m glad you could attend.
I am starting and already loving You Have Gone Too Far by Carlene O’Connor. set in Dingle, Ireland. It is the start of a great mystery with loving drawn characters like the vet who is short but very strong. She picks up things so keenly, that I feel like I am related to her. Ha Ha. I am amazed there are words that are Irish that I knew that I must that picked up from my father without knowing. Every time I see one, I feel like hugging the word because it connects me to my father! She has written a lot of books. I am already a fan.
Carol! I love that sentiment, that you want to hug those Irish words because they bring you closer to your father. I usually like Carlene O’Connor’s books, but I skipped the one you’re reading. The concept of the pregnant women was just too much for me.
Looks like a rainy day here today – yes, we can use it – though (fortunately) the original forecast of rain Tuesday through Saturday has changed for the better, so just today and maybe tomorrow. (We had a little burst come through half an hour ago.) We’re staying home, reading and eat leftover pizza later. It’s one of the benefits of being retired.
But I digress. Jackie read her J. D. Robb book, FRAMED IN DEATH, and pronounced the killer “totally insane.” She liked it. I think she was waiting for Peabody to move into her new place for a while. She has three library books waiting on her Kindle and the Cloud, unusual for her. We’ll see what she reads next.
I’ve felt like my reading has been a little lazy this week. I took out a “classic” for the second try and still found it too long and too pretentious for my taste, though I know many people love it and it has been highly rated, though I notice that Kirkus didn’t like it at all. I took out a highly rated New Zealand mystery, but the unreliable narrator didn’t do it for me, and I gave up on it. But mostly I’ve been reading short stories and non fiction.
P.J. Tracy, The Deepest Cut. It’s been six years since the last Monkeewrench book, and for the first time, the author has picked up plot twists from the last book and brought them to a conclusion with the new one. I probably should have done what Jackie is doing and either reread or at least review the previous book, ICE COLD HEART, but I didn’t, relying on being able to pick up the thread and remember the basics. It did work, but you’d probably be better off refreshing your memory of the last book. Anyway, Minneapolis cop Leo Magozzi is (supposedly) about to retire (though readers will have their doubts) and stay home with his love, Grace, and their daughter Elizabeth. But traces of the Balkan war are still active, plus there is an escape from a supposedly impregnable mental facility, and murder follows. Monkeewrench is on the case (it’s nice to see Roadrunner find romance), along with Magozzi and his partner Gino Rolseth and the local Sheriff, who was through in the deep end in the last book, but who seems much more competent now. I really like this series and, if you haven’t read them, you should start with the first book, MONKEEWRENCH.
Walter Tevis is known, as much as he is, for three books and their filed versions – THE HUSTLER (and its sequel), THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, and THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT. The King Is Dead is the collection of his short stories. The first group is mostly pool hustler stories, but there are a number of science fiction tales later in the book, as well as a couple of rather disturbing tales straight from the psychiatrist’s couch, “A Visit From Mother” and “Daddy.” Good book.
Antonia Fraser, ed., The Pleasure Of Reading: 43 Writers on the Discovery of Reading and the Books That Inspired Them Ballard, Edna O’Brien, and Germaine Greer. This is the kind of book I’m drawn to.
After dropping the other two books I mentioned, I went to a sure favorite, Tim Sullivan’s fourth Sgt. George Cross book, The Politician. More next time.
Have a safe week, everyone.
We’re supposed to have rain all morning, Jeff, and then a sunny afternoon. That’s okay.
Tell Jackie I agree with her. The killer in Framed in Death was totally insane. But, I enjoy this series.
I’m glad to hear you liked The Deepest Cut. I’m on hold for it at the library.
My copy of The Politician is on its way! I can’t go on with the others I have until I read that one.
I seem to have screwed up the Fraser book comment. I was listing some of the authors (you can see the end of that comment). 25 of the 43 authors have died since the book was published in 1992. They each talk about how they learned to read, what they read as children and what their favorites were, and end with a Top 10 list of their favorite books.
Some of the still living authors: Margaret Atwood, Jeanette Wintersen, Tom Stoppard, Germaine Greer.
Jeff, I often find that if I try to corect so much as a spelling mistake, the site deletes several words and sometimes whole sentences, and I don’t always notice until after I’ve submitted the comment – it’s not just you!
My August was filled with one set of visitors after another staying with us, and then my husband and I left for England until a week ago. First, we traveled with my sister, who flew in from Olympia, WA, and met us at Heathrow, where we rented a car. After spending almost two weeks as tourists in Oxford, Cirencester (a village in the Cotswolds area), Bath, and Exeter, and seeing wonderful gardens, Gothic churches, castles, art museums, and coastal scenery, we arrived in Glastonbury (a village an hour from Stonehenge), where my sister’s daughter was getting married. The icing on the cake was that our 32-year-old son came for the wedding celebrations AND joined us for two days in London. We rarely spend that much time with him anymore, so that was a huge treat.
All of which means we’ve just had two delightful but hectic months, and I have been terrible about writing about what I’ve been reading. However, no travel is scheduled for the next six months, so I hope to keep you all better posted on my progress with my books.
While I was in England, I read APOSTLE’S COVE, the latest William Kent Krueger mystery, which I enjoyed very much. This is his 20th book about Cork O’Connor, and it follows a tried-and-true pattern that I appreciate, with plenty of new material to make it stimulating. I also read Malcolm Gladwell’s REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT (2024). It uses his ideas about how apparently small influences can cause enormous changes (this was discussed in his first book from 2000, THE TIPPING POINT, which I found fascinating). In this second book, he analyzes a number of events throughout the world, including the spread of COVID to the opioid epidemic and all the deaths it has caused, to prove his point. The book’s disjointed but full of fascinating information, and I found it worth reading, even though it’s not as good as some of his earlier books.
Since I’ve reported many times here how much I enjoy Mick Herron’s Slough House/Slow Horses series about MI5, the British spy agency, you won’t be surprised to hear that I devoured Herron’s latest book, CLOWN TOWN, which was as full of black humor, manipulative and violent villains, and mix-ups as usual. Although I like it, I found it sadder and even more cynical than his other novels, which wasn’t a plus.
Finally, I’m two-thirds of the way through the newest Robert Galbraith/J. K. Rowling mystery, THE HALLMARKED MAN, with her private detectives Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott investigating another ultra-complex murder case. I’m listening to the audiobook every chance I get, including while brushing my teeth at night (!), and it’s funny, exciting, and puzzling without being confusing. Rowling is very good writer. However, if Robin and Strike don’t finally declare their love for each other after EIGHT books of not being able to speak up about their feelings for an increasingly unrealistic set of reasons, I may have to give up on the series!!! Enough already!
Sounds like a fun trip, Kim. We spent time in the Bath/Bristol/Glastonbury/Cotswolds area in the mid-1970s. We stayed on a farm in the middle of Bristol, Bath & Wells where the woman was the best cook ever in 1972 and again in 1975. I think we paid ten pounds a night for bed & breakfast and evening meal!
I hope you are working on your next book. Looking forward to it.
That farm B+B back in the 70s sounds great, Jeff. And thanks for encouraging my writing. For now, I’m taking a break from my mystery series and trying a novel. We’ll see if I stick to it or write #5 in the series instead!
Welcome back, Kim! That’s okay. As with Rosemary’s trips, it’s fun to hear about your trip to England. Those are all areas I would have liked to have seen, but I think my European trips are over, unless I go back to Ireland. I envy those who have someone to travel with. My late husband never would have gone, but I had family to go with when I went to Ireland, and friends when I went to Paris. Your trip sounds wonderful.
And, I’m glad to read about what you’re reading again!
I hope you find someone to go back to Ireland with, Lesa! It’s definitely more fun traveling with someone than alone.
What a wonderful trip to England Kim. It sounds completely perfect in every way; especially being able to have that precious time with your son.
It was wonderful, Lindy. Going to our favorite museums with our son in London and also getting to spend so much time with my sister, who lives nine time zones away!
Robin and Strike STILL not together?? Bummer.
I’m reading #6 The Ink Black Heart which is a marathon to get through although I am loving every page of it. It seems like I’ve been working on it for over a week now.
I only read one of the Harry Potter books, just could not get into them, but I do really like these detective novels. Hope she continues on with the series.
I’m glad to find another Robin and Strike fan, Diane. Sorry I gave you a spoiler, but at least you know that as long as they still aren’t together, the series will have to go on!
Diane, I had to read almost all of those Harry Potter books to one or other of my children, and Rowling’s writing drove me completely nuts. Whoever said Rowling ‘had never met an adverb she didn’t like’ was spot on.
Kim, I’m so glad you had a good time in England – come to Scotland next time!
I’ve never been to the Glastonbury festival, but I do remember climbing Glastonbury Tor with an old boyfriend many, many years ago. It’s a beautiful part of the world. We will be in Bristol for a couple of days next week, but I doubt we’ll go to Bath, even the thought of parking there makes me feel stressed! As I have probably mentioned before, my mother used to have a friend who lived near Bath; when we went to stay, she would take us to the Roman baths (which in those days were very old fashioned and shabby) and we would swim in the pool fed by the hot springs. Back then you could also ‘take the waters’ in the Pump Room, but I believe they stopped that some years ago in a scare about the purity of the water.
Another good place to visit in that area is the American Museum, which has a fabulous collection of quilts.
The next series of SLOW HORSES has just started here on Apple TV. The Guardian absolutely slated it, but just about all of the other TV critics have loved it. Our television is annoyingly incompatible with Apple (I watched the first couple of series on a special deal on my i-Pad) so I’m unlikely to see this one unless one of our children shares their subscription!
It was pretty quiet here this week. I did go to a library book sale last weekend and there’s one at another library this weekend so I’ll probably go to it. Not that I need any more books.
I read a book that I picked up at the sale last weekend, MARS ATTACKS: MARTIAN DEATHTRAP by Nathan Archer. Martians, death rays, and giant insects. It was based on a set of cards Topps issued in the 1960s, not the Tim Burton movie, so it had a fair amount of gore but otherwise it reminded me of the old sci-fi movies.
CORBIN THE PERSISTENT by Ashley Scott. A thief who can’t stay dead, a discredited witch, a guilt ridden knight, and a cat go on a quest to break their curses.
An ARC of the newest WICH-TV book SUGAR AND SPITE by Carol J Perry. Because of her advanced pregnancy Lee is doing human interest pieces instead of investigative reporting. Of course she stumbles on a dead body while prepping for a shoot at a chocolate factory.
I did enjoy it even though the murder investigation took a back seat to Lee’s pregnancy and her adaptation to being a new mother. This also feels like it’s going to be the last book in the series based on the way the author wrapped things up in the last chapter.
Sandy, Your martian book sounds like something Glen would read!
Well, darn. I like that series by Carol J. Perry, so I’m sorry to read that it’s probably a wrap-up. But, if she concentrated on the pregnancy more than the mystery, that’s okay.
I have to thank all that mentioned the book “All the Beauty in the World” by Patrick Bringley who was a guard at the Met. I haven’t been to the Met in many years and it was on my list to visit this summer but I haven’t gotten to it. This book is just so interesting – I’ve never thought about how hard it must be to stand for 8 or 12 hours! Loved his descriptions of the various art and also his own personal story. Thanks again for this recommendation.
I was young, Donna, when I worked as a page in the library, but there were days my feet hurt at the end of the day and I had a hard tie sleeping. And, I wasn’t standing for 8-12 hours, but just for 4-5. I enjoyed that book, too.
Happy to hear that you’ve had some down time, Lesa! And putting it to good use!
I had some unhappy news this week – the sore knee that I’ve been dealing with since May has a torn meniscus. I’m pretty sure that they will recommend surgery. Anyone had such a thing repaired?
This past week I read one of my new favorite books! “A Case Of Mice and Murder” by Sally Smith. I haven’t been this excited about a series since The Thursday Murder Club. Somewhat reclusive resident and barrister Gabriel Ward lives and works inside the Inner Temple. Surrounded by his treasured books and preparing for legal cases, his life is very satisfactory. Then the Chief Lord Justice ends up dead on his door step and the Treasurer assigns Gabriel to round up the usual suspects within the Temple to try to determine who did it. HIs investigation will require tact, questioning those who are his equals or superiors, as well as take him outside the sacred walls of the Temple. Simultaneously, he is preparing a legal defense for the publisher of “Millie The Temple Church Mouse”. The here-to-for unidentified author of this very popular children’s book has turned up and wants money and the rights to her book. Gabriel has multiple mysteries then to solve: who murdered the Justice, why didn’t he have any footwear on, is Millie’s author the rightful owner, and if not, then who is? Delightful from start to finish!
Enjoy the balance of September, everyone!
Oh, Mary. I’m so sorry about your knee. And, I can’t answer questions about it. Good luck with your doctor appointments.
I have a copy of “A Case Of Mice and Murder” on my table. Your review means I should move it up on my TBR pile. Thank you!
Wow, it seems like more of you than usual are up and commenting early today! And I loved reading your comments. Lesa, I’m glad you are enjoying the Lin-Manuel Miranda book. This week wasn’t quite as frenetic as last week, but I did see a small-theatre production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit on Saturday, and it was wonderful. The cast of seven were all very professional and excellent actors, and I can’t imagine how they learned all of their many lines in this drawing room farce. It was daunting when we read in the program that there would be two intermissions (the first part alone lasted a good hour), and the play would be 3 hours long! But we survived, and it was well worth it. Plus the ticket price was only $20! The theatre, only 180 seats and located on the El Dorado County fairgrounds in Placerville, is very comfortable as well.
It was especially difficult to find time to read because many of my favorite TV series are back on the air: The Morning Show, Dancing with the Stars, The Great British Baking SHow, The Voice, Shark Tank, Halloween Baking Championship, and new shows The Paper and Task. Haven’t started watching High Potential yet this season, but I will when there’s time. Also, The Amazing Race is starting this week. And several of these are two hours long per episode! Anyway, I was only able to finish two books.
These days, I know I can count on Jonathan Kellerman for an intriguing mystery with his beloved protagonists. In JIGSAW, book #41 in the Alex Delaware series, slovenly but razor-sharp Detective Milo Sturgis again calls in brilliant psychologist Alex to consult on a group of murders that are particularly mystifying. In the first murder, a suspect has been identified with DNA evidence, but is it too easy to conclude that he is the actual killer? A second murder is particularly grisly, and the victim’s cluttered home doesn’t make sense, based on her former life in law enforcement. Milo and Alex, as always, work together as a strong team, sifting through clues and relentlessly seeking clarity. But even though there seems to be fewer suspects in this case than usual, resolution of their investigation is just as difficult–maybe even more so. I have always enjoyed the Alex Delaware mysteries, and this one is no exception. My only reservation is that the ending seems abrupt, once the killer is identified. I’m wondering why this book is significantly shorter (256 pages) than the rest of the books in the series. Nevertheless, I am still all-in with Kellerman’s long-running series and looking forward to the next book. (February)
Jenny Bayliss has styled herself as a specialist in holiday stories, and I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is her latest delightful standalone novel, set in a small-town in the Scottish Highlands. Bella gave birth to her daughter, Fred, at age 16 after leaving her unsupportive parents and moving in with her eccentric aunt and her aunt’s life partner in Pine Bluff. And 35 years later, Fred returns to Pine Bluff herself following a disastrous breakup with an older, long-term boyfriend and a layoff from her marketing job. The combination had stripped her of her former persona and left her feeling like a failure in every way. As she grew up, Fred had never appreciated Bella’s parenting style, devoid of rules and guidance and sometimes prioritizing her latest romantic fling over her daughter. She welcomes Fred’s return, but it’s a rocky relationship at first. Also still in town is Ryan, Fred’s childhood best friend, who has had some troubles of his own in his past career. Pine Bluff is wonderfully portrayed in the story, with its annual Krampus vs. Father Christmas event, festive Christmas fair, over-the-top decorations, scrumptious holiday treats, and Fred’s family’s business designing and manufacturing the Christmas crackers that are considered an important part of UK residents’ Christmas celebrations It may be the right place for Fred to heal, but there are some potentially conflicting romances, a serious betrayal, and a scandal that threatens to ruin Fred’s reputation in Pine Bluff. We know it will all turn out well in the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed the vividly detailed characters, the changing relationship between mother and daughter, Fred’s journey to recapture her confidence, and the humorous dialogue scattered throughout. This is my fifth Jenny Bayliss Christmas novel, and each has become a treasured part of my annual holiday reading. Be sure to read Lesa’s excellent review of this book, posted on September 21.
Margie, I’ve never seen Blithe Spirit, but I did see Kevin Kline on Broadway in “Present Laughter”. He won the Tony Award for his role in that.
I loved the Lin-Manuel Miranda book. I have a friend I’m going to recommend it to who is a creative. I think he’ll like it.
I’ve only read three of Jenny Bayliss’ books, but I really enjoyed them. I liked the mature characters in I’ll Be Home for Christmas. And, the aunts were great!
I read two books this week.
Picture Perfect Autumn by Shelley Noble was about Dani, a digital photographer whose career is on the upswing in the Manhattan are scene. While shopping at an antiques barn looking for inspiration, she comes across an envelope of old pictures that makes her realize her photography is missing something. She tracks down the artist, a recluse named Lawrence Sinclair who lives in a dilapidated farmhouse in Rhode Island. She exchanges cleaning and cooking services for advice on how to capture her photographic eye again. When Lawrence’s grandson shows up things get complicated and are not as they seem. This was an uplift novel, and I enjoyed it very much.
I didn’t enjoy my second book nearly as much although I was in the minority on Goodreads. In The Peculiar Gift of July by Ashley Ream, July finds herself on Ebey’s End and island off the coast of the Pacific after her adoptive mother is killed living with an estranged cousin. July has the ability to “know” what people need but not why. Pretty soon secrets are exposed, and the town comes to together. The characters were all quirky, but I didn’t find them particularly endearing. I found this to be slow going and actually rather sad until the final resolution. It just wasn’t the right book for me.
Happy Reading!
Sharon, Picture Perfect Autumn sounds excellent.
And, I appreciate it when we acknowledge that a book isn’t right for us. It may be right for someone else. I seldom use much criticism, except to say it’s not right for me. Thank you.
Last week I mentioned that we went to the Planned Parenthood book sale, and this week we returned two more times before it ended. Among Glen’s favorites that he picked up at the sale were a nice copy of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER by Tom Clancy, and PACIFIC by Simon Winchester. I bought a huge number of short story books that I don’t need. I bought two big fat books by Nelson DeMille (GOLD COAST and WORD OF HONOR), and THE MYSTERY WRITER by Sulari Gentill.
Glen is still reading PRISONERS OF THE CASTLE by Ben Macintyre, a book about Colditz, the Nazis’ Fortress Prison. This is the fifth book he has read by Macintyre, and he has liked them all.
Last week I finished reading a book of short stories by Kelly Link, GET IN TROUBLE. The stories are mostly weird stories with supernatural elements or fantasy and one seems to be a blend of science fiction and fantasy. I surprised myself by enjoying them all.
Last night I started reading CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA by Rebecca Thorne. I can’t resist a book with TEA in the title, and it was described as a cozy fantasy, which also intrigued me. This was a book that my son got at the book sale, and he let me read it first. It is about a lesbian couple who want to leave their current lives behind and open a bookstore in a remote location where no one can find them. The problem is that one of them is a private guard to a powerful and cruel queen, and the other is a powerful mage. I never have understood what a mage is so now I will learn about that.
Tracy, I like the title of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea. And, I like the sound of it. You’ll have to let us know next week how it was.
That sounds like such a great booksale!
Good evening everyone.
I’ve just had some great news – my youngest daughter Madeleine has just received the results of her Master degree in Art Writing, which were a Pass with Distinction and an A2 for her final project. I’m so delighted for her.
We’ve had a beautiful day here in Aberdeenshire. This morning Nancy and I walked through the Kinmundy estate and up to Brimmond Hill, a route I had never taken before. The trees are beginning to change colour, and the views from the top were magnificent. You can see Clachnaben, Scolty, Bennachie and many other hills from there, and there is a metal plaque pointing them all out for you. I don’t like going up – and especially not down – the really big hills; it’s many years since I’ve been up Bennachie, and I doubt I’ll ever do it again now, even though there’s a very good tea room in the immediate area!
Earlier this week we went to the Tivoli theatre to see a country music duo called Ward Thomas. We only discovered when we got there that they are in fact non-identical twins who have been singing and performing together for 30 years. They sing beautiful harmonies, and although they come from Hampshire (south of England) they finished the show with Caledonia, which is a song close to the hearts of most Scots. They attracted a huge audience of very enthusiastic fans, so there was a great atmosphere.
On Monday a friend and I went to Drum Castle specifically to see an exhibition by the artist Paul Furneaux. Furneaux lives in Edinburgh but has spent a lot of time in Japan and works mainly in traditional Japanese woodcut (I think it’s called mokuhanga.) His interest in this began when he was working at Peacock Printmakers here in Aberdeen and met a group of Japanese artists.
We enjoyed seeing Furneaux’s work, and there was also a display of some of his tools. On the way out we got a bit confused – the gallery is on the top floor of the castle, and there were no signs; I think most people are usually taken round by National Trust guides, one of whom kindly directed us to go round a small rope barrier and descend the same stone staircase we had come up by.
When we got to the bottom we were given an almighty row by the woman at the reception desk. It seems there is a one way system and she had been watching us flout this on CCTV. We explained that her colleague had told us to go this way, but she was not having any and gave us such a telling off – in front of several American tourists who were waiting for the next guide.
We had been planning to have coffee in the castle’s lovely tea room, but we changed our minds and walked down to the local garden centre instead! I thought about this for some time, and in the end decided to complain to NTS management about it. We are just locals, but if the woman had spoken to visitors like that she would have given a terrible impression of Scottish hospitality. I so often wonder why people like this are put into public-facing jobs. I was glad I’d been with a friend, as if I’d been alone I would have felt quite upset.
Last night I had to join a British Association of Friends of Museums and Galleries ZOOM meeting with people from various Friends groups in Scotland. I spent a good half an hour tidying the numerous piles of paper out of the spare bedroom, and even changed my T-shirt four times as all the colours I tried seemed to make me look awful on camera (which probably just goes to show how awful I look every day!) – only to find, when the meeting started, that my camera was malfunctioning and nobody could see me (or the room) anyway!
Nancy told me a story she’d heard from another friend, who had been on a ZOOM call with members of a committee. One of the women started taking her clothes off in full view of everyone else – she had not realised her camera was on and was merrily changing to go out after the meeting. No one had the guts to tell her either. Technology!
My reading continues to be slow. I *still* haven’t finished Debbie Macomber’s second Cedar Cove book, though I am now near the end. I did, however, listen to a podcast called Fiber Hooligan on which Debbie was interviewed at length, and I enjoyed hearing her life story.
I hadn’t at first realised that the podcast was all about knitting (I know, the clue is in the name, but that completely passed me by…) – the guy who presents it clearly knew Debbie from various yarn conventions (or something like that) and they had a really nice friendship. Her story is one of real perseverance; she was a dismal failure at school, and married (as girls in her town at that time were expected to) straight out of high school. She and her husband had four babies in very quick succession.
They were very hard up, but her husband didn’t mind her staying home and writing. He was then made redundant, and she had not sold a single thing, so he told her she must unfortunately get a job. She wasn’t qualified to do anything, but she circled a couple of very basic jobs in the paper. He saw how upset she was and said no, keep writing, we will manage somehow – and then, after so many rejections, she sold her first book. She does sound like a very kind and generous person.
I’m also still reading Peter Langan’s autobiography, A LIFE WITH FOOD, which, although it was unfinished and is very disjointed at times, is so redolent of a certain time in London, and especially in Soho.
Next Wednesday we are off to Bristol and Wales for 10 days. I have been looking for some books set in the area, and have come up with two from my own shelves;
HOME LIFE by Alice Thomas Ellis is a collection of pieces the author wrote for the Spectator. They are listed under the four seasons, and I think (hope!) many are about Wales, where the family had a second home.
THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING by Jackie Fraser is a novel about a woman who is running away from a bad relationship amd ends up in Wales. I read Jackie Fraser’s THE BOOKSHOP- OF SECOND CHANCES and enjoyed it, so I will give this one a go. The Bookshop of Second Chances was set in Scotland, so I am quite surprised that Fraser has switched locations so drastically – but then, why not?
On television I’m watching DEPARTMENT Q, which I’m enjoying, but my goodness I need to concentrate – so many time changes. I’m also watching SWEET MAGNOLIAS, which is quite the opposite – easy viewing for when you’e tired, or trying to do something else at the same time (I was at one point working on an exceptionally complicated jigsaw puzzle of Shakespeare’s London and I could still follow the plot quite easily!)
It’s 7.30pm here and my dinner is ready, so I’ll stop for now.
I doubt I’ll get in here next week, as we’ll be travelling, so have a good FORTNIGHT all!
Rosemary, We’ll all miss you next week. Enjoy your trip, and we’ll want to hear about it afterwards.
Congratulations to Madeleine! It sounds as if she may have inherited your artistic side.
I did enjoy Nancy’s story of the woman changing her clothes during her Zoom call.
You’re right. I’m glad you contacted the group who supervise the castle about the woman’s rude behavior. You’re not just local visitors. You’re visitors, and should have been treated politely.
I thought of you when I read the Lin-Manuel Miranda biography. He was part of a rap improv group called Freestyle Love Supreme, and they performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2005.
Enjoy your trip!
Thanks Lesa. And thanks also for your thoughts on the dragon of Drum Castle!
And I meant to say, I really like the sound of the Lin-Manuel Miranda book. Predictably mu library system doesn’t have it, so I have added it to my wish list, I’d like to read it.
Rosemary, I think you’d like it because it really is about his growth as an artist.
Great news about Madeleine, Rosemary. I’m glad you told us.
Thanks so much Kim. I thought afterwards that I probably shouldn’t be going on about my own children, but Madeleine’s message came in while I was writing my post and I was just too excited not to share!
Rosemary, have fun! The George Cross series by Tim Sullivan is set in Bristol.
We got a notice from Britbox that the second KAREN PIRIE series will finally be on here next month. We’re waiting until all 6 episodes of the new series of UNFORGOTTEN are available to watch them all. We are watching PROFESSOR T (series 4) and THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB (series two), as well as the Aussie RETURN TO PARADISE, a third DEATH IN PARADISE show.
Thanks for telling me about Tim Sullivan, Jeff. The Aberdeen library catalogue doesn’t appear to have a single one of his books, but I have tracked some down in the Aberdeenshire library system, so if I get time before we leave I’ll drive over to Banchory and borrow one.
I too haven’t seen the second Karen Pirie series, because although it has aired here (and I missed it) for some reason it’s not going to be added to catch up till October. I’ll look forward to it then. I’m not sure where I’m up to with Unforgotten, I must investigate because I still enjoy it, even though Nicola Walker has left the series.
Congratulations to Madeleine! She must have worked awfully hard to do so well.
Your experience with the reception desk dragon was awful. You were directed to go that way for goodness sake. I would have been so upset. I totally support your decision to not have tea there!
I loved The Bookshop of Second Chances, and have also read the one you’re reading now. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
Thanks so much Lindy. Madeleine would be mortified if she knew I’d so much as mentioned her on here, but I just couldn’t stop myself.
And thanks for the support re the woman at the castle – I’ve yet to receive a reply from NTS to my complaining email (I did also say how good the rest of the staff were) so I hope they aren’t ignoring me and hoping I’ll just Go Away.
I’m delighted to find another person who’s read the first Jackie Fraser book. Did you enjoy this next one?
I must confess that I didn’t enjoy this second one as much. Partly because of the setting I think.
The setting is so important, isn’t it? I’ll see how I feel about this one.
A while ago I read Laura Kenp’s BRING ME SUNSHINE, which is set in Swansea and the Mumbles. I enjoyed it very much.
The only other Welsh-set book I could think of was Nina Bawden’s wonderful CARRIE’S WAR, but I’ve read that many times, and watched both the original and the slightly more recent TV adaptations of it, both of which were were done, so I thought I should try something new.
And I did also think of HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY, which I’ve never read. I loved the now very old film, but I don’t have the book and I don’t think my library has it either.