I had a great week! My best friend, Donna, came in from Evansville. She and I worked together at the library there for ten years. When I first started, I worked on the first floor and she worked on the third. We’d meet in the stairwell in between and talk books. It was much easier to talk books after I changed jobs within the library, and moved to the third floor for the last few years. We’ve traveled frequently together, to New York City, St. Louis, to book conferences in Tennessee, Kentucky and Tucson, to concerts in Indiana, Nashville, Chicago and St. Louis. I introduced her to my favorite Celtic music. We travel well together, and always have a good time. It’s been two years since we’ve seen each other.
Once she was here we went to a couple bookstores, my local library, met at Linda’s one day, and met up with Linda at a fun restaurant called Asterisk Supper Club. It’s so much fun that Donna and Linda are so much alike. It’s like spending time with two sisters when the three of us are together. And, we talked and talked and talked. We had such a great time again, and I’m hoping I can get to Evansville to see her and her husband in September.
So, my week was spent with my best friend. I hope you had a good week.
I’ve kept up with my reading until Wednesday. So, I’m just starting Murder Most Delicious by Daniella Postell-Vinay. It will be released on Tuesday. Here’s the description.
In Paris, murder is a dish best served with chocolate éclairs.
Starting over in Paris was supposed to be the opportunity of a lifetime for American sommelier Olivia Beech—until her dream job ends in murder.
Once a rising star in the wine world, Olivia was one of a handful of women in the world to hold the distinction of being a Master Sommelier before COVID stole her sense of taste—and her career. Adrift and depressed, she gets a second chance when beloved celebrity chef Jacques de Bizet invites her to Paris for a job interview. But as the interview begins, he collapses, poisoned, making Olivia the prime suspect.
Olivia is in trouble, but she has an advantage: her extraordinary nose is still sharp enough to detect the subtlest of scents, including the poison that killed Jacques. Olivia knows she’s innocent, but how can she prove it?
What about you? What are reading this week? What have you been doing while I’ve been hitting bookstores and libraries?
I’m glad you had such a good visit Lesa, two years is a long time.
Sunday’s weather here was a return to winter. Windy & overcast with bits of snow in the air. Perfect time to settle in with a murder mystery. HOW TO CHEAT YOUR OWN DEATH is the third in Kristen Perrin’s Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series. Two interlocking mysteries occurring decades apart with a London setting.
After seeing a mention on Kevin’s blog, I was curious about this Rex Stout novel set outside New York. DEATH OF A DUDE is a 1969 Nero Wolfe mystery, notable for being set entirely outside of New York City, in Montana, where Archie Goodwin is vacationing at Lily Rowan’s ranch. Fortunately, my library had the audio via Libby.
Someone recommended the Chief Superintendent Fran Harman series by Judith Cutler. I read the first book in the series COME TO HARM (originally published as Life Sentence) and was impressed. The series follows Harman’s career in the Kent Force. Sympathetic characters, complex cases and personal challenges.
Finally, the 2026 British Book Awards Book of the Year – Crime & Thriller was announced and I think it was Lindy that recommended this book.
A Case of Mice and Murder, Sally Smith’s “exquisitely written” murder mystery, set in London’s Inner Temple, was singled out by the judges as a “standout in this category”. Edwardian barrister Gabriel Ward KC a new “memorable sleuth” on the crime and thriller shelves.
I’ve read this one and the sequel, A Case of Life and Limb, and can totally support the selection.
MM, I hadn’t heard that A Case of Mice and Murder won that award. I’m so happy it won! I recently read that there will be a third book in the series – A Case of Fear and Favour. Being released in the UK in January 2027; probably later over here.
I would not at all be happy, MM, with a return to winter here. I’m sure you’re used to it, but my response would have been, but it’s May!
Sounds as if you had a good week of reading. I even own A Case of Mice and Murder, and haven’t gotten around to reading it. It’s one of those someday books for me.
MM, I totally agree about the Sally Smith books. I’ve read both as well, and I hope there will be more. I’m glad she received this recognition.
What a fun and busy week you had Lesa! Good for the soul. Out of curiosity, what is your favourite Celtic music? I love it myself. David and I have seen several Celtic groups live over the years – The Chieftains, Altan, Leahy, Capercaillie, Lunasa, Natalie MacMaster, Barra MacNeils.
My week wasn’t terribly interesting as I was busy with editing Strata Council minutes, revising the agenda for the upcoming AGM, and other such time-consuming tasks. They have to be accurate and it’s easy to overlook something. But we also had fun on the weekend visiting with good friends from the building we lived in before.
Only managed to finish one book this week:
THE LIBRARY by Bella Osborne
I happened to discover this book just after we all talked about libraries here on Lesa’s blog; it’s like it was put in my path at this most appropriate time.
We have two lonely people who couldn’t be more different from each other.
Maggie, 72 years old, lives on her small sheep farm just outside of town. For over fifty years she’s been grieving a deep hurt, and it hangs heavy over her every day. She attends the weekly book club meeting at the tiny local library just so she can see and interact with other human beings once in a while.
Then there’s 16-year-old Tom who lives in town with his father; they are both mourning and dealing with the death of Tom’s mother a decade or so ago. His father still can’t cope with her loss, much less be there for his son; and has slowly but relentlessly descended into alcoholism. The house is a mess, and all the bills are overdue. There seems to be no way out of the sadness and dysfunction.
One day Tom wanders into the small local library on a whim. Once inside he’s a little overwhelmed by feelings and memories of his mother reading to him there. As he begins to spend more and more time there, he gradually feels a sense of peace and safety, fragile though it is; but he also has some exceedingly awkward yet entertaining interactions with other people.
There’s a girl involved; a grumpy farmer; a bully; dogs and sheep; assorted other characters; and the library is under serious threat of permanent closure. Through all this Maggie and Tom form a totally unexpected bond with each other.
A nice mix of drama, humour (I was laughing out loud within the first ten pages). a lot of heart and tenderness, some life truths, and characters to care about, this is a story of people, their messy lives, and the library that connects them – all of them in need of saving. A very satisfying read that I much enjoyed.
Lindy, I fell in love with Celtic Thunder soon after my husband died. They were on PBS here, and I saw several of their shows on TV. Then I started going to see them. I saw them in Arizona, LA, Cleveland, all over Indiana, St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, and Columbus. Linda and I are going to see them in September here in Ohio. But, in recent years, I’ve gone to see The High Kings twice and love them. I have seen The Chieftains but prefer Celtic Thunder and The High Kings. I’ve seen Celtic Woman, but I’m not as fond of them. I really like Nathan Carter, and some other small groups. But, Celtic Thunder, The High Kings and Nathan Carter are my favorites. See, you ask one question, and I go on.
I like the sound of The Library.
Lesa, I’ve heard of Celtic Thunder but we’ve not seen them in person. And thanks! Now I have The High Kings and Nathan Carter to look up and see if they might ever be heading this way. What fun! They are both new names to me.
Mmm, Lindy. Not sure. Celtic Thunder tours the US, Canada, and Australia. They do that because of the PBS exposure. Nathan Carter is doing only a few places in the U.S. and eastern Canada. He usually tours the U.K. and is known as “country-pop”. The High Kings have an extensive tour in 2026 in the U.S. and eastern Canada. So, maybe they’ll eventually tour your area. In the meantime, since I’ve never seen Nathan Carter live either, I watch YouTube videos of them.
I love the sound of The Library, Lindy, and I’ve just seen that our library system has a copy – and many other books by this author, of whom I’d never heard. Thanks for the heads up!
I love both The Chieftains and Capercaille. I still remember an amazing concert I went to at, I think, the Shepherd’s Bush Odeon in London and probably well over 30 years ago now. It was Van Morrison and the Chieftains, and it was an absolute riot – we were all up and dancing, it was so good. In 1995 The Chieftains released an album, THE LONG BLACK VEIL, with lots of guest singers, including Van Morrison and also Mick Jagger, Sinead O’Connor, Mark Knopfler, Marianne Faithfull, Sting and Ry Cooder. I still enjoy listening to it today.
Another old favourite of mine is CLANNAD, and later ENYA. The theme from HARRY’S GAME still resonates today.
I do the minutes and agendas for our Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums meetings – it’s a chore, isn’t it? Good luck!
I listened to both Clannad and Enya, Rosemary. I remember Clannad did the soundtrack for a Robin Hood series we watched many years ago.
Glad you had such a good visit. Friends like that are wonderful, aren’t they?
Saturday, I went down to Knott’s Berry Farm. First time there in decades (like I was in single digits last time). It’s not own by the same company as Six Flags, so my pass is good at both. Couldn’t afford not to go, right? I had a great time, although there were a couple of rides I didn’t get on.
Weather was cool while I was there on Saturday (mid-70’s), but it was back to the upper 80’s today. Supposed to cool down some going forward.
Reading wise, I’m between books. At lunch time today, I finished ONE FINAL TURN, the last Electra McDonnell book from Ashley Weaver. The book focused on the romance more than the World War II London mystery and intrigue. And, since I’ve never been a fan of the way the romance was handled in the series, that didn’t make me happy. Still, there were things I liked about how storylines were wrapped up.
Next up, I’m staying in London but jumping forward to just after World War II with THE LADY FROM BURMA, the fifth Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery from Allison Montclair. No real idea what it is about, but looking forward to revisiting the characters, who run a matchmaking service.
You are so right, Mark. Those kinds of friends are so nice.
I have no idea why I just never got into the Sparks and Bainbridge mysteries. One of my close friends loves the series, and reads them the minute a new one is out.
Yes, you couldn’t afford not to go to Knott’s Berry Farm. I’m glad you had a good time.
What’s going on in the characters’ personal lives, which is a large part of each book, reads like a soap opera. Maybe that’s why you didn’t connect? It’s not my usual preference, but I am hooked by those storylines.
That might be it, Mark, if it reads like a soap opera. I know I like the personal lives in police procedurals, but they usually don’t read like soaps.
Lesa, I’ve also tried and given up on the Sparks and Bainbridge series. Can’t say why–except that they seemed too silly for me. I prefer my mysteries solved by the police, which is why I have trouble with a lot of cozies. Just too improbable.
Mark, I remember Knott’s Berry Farm from a visit to my Californian cousins in, I think, the early 1970s! I had no idea it would still be going strong!
Nice visit! This upcoming weekend, we’re headed to Worcester, MA to watch NEIRA’s – my daughter’s boat qualified! So exciting.
I’m currently reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett – I don’t like his “thriller” books but I’m enjoying this one so far. Next up is likely going to be Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I also am listening to To the Moon and Back. It’s taking me longer than I wanted it to mostly because I’m binge listening to the True Crime podcast Your Own Backyard – it’s about the Kirsten Smart case.
Congratulations to your daughter! My kiddo joined the crew team at college and is really loving it. I’ve enjoyed watching races in Worcester.
Oh, Melissa. Have fun. I had to look up NEIRA, but Donna was guessing rowing, and I see it is.
You said The Pillars of the Earth, and I said it to Donna, and she was all excited. He’s one of her favorite authors. She’s read all of his books.
Melissa , PILLARS OF THE EARTH was one of my late wife’s favorite books. We met Ken Follett at a book signing in Nashua, NH many years ago –it was one of those poorly advertised signings where nobody showed up, so Kitty got to talk with Follett for quite some time; she told him that she thought the book should be required reading for high school and junior high school history classes and he was delighted. A thoroughly nice man and a truly talented author. I still have the signed copy he gave her, although it is now pretty tattered and shabby after many readings.
Glad you enjoyed your visit Lesa. It’s been in the high 90s the past 4 days so we’ve pretty much just been watering the garden first thing in the morning and then staying put. A thunderstorm came through last night and this morning it’s in the 60s.
This week I read and enjoyed two Japanese translations.
THE LUCK RIDE by Yasushi Kitagawa. A man who feels he is the unluckiest man in Japan gets a ride in a taxi. The driver won’t take him where he wants to go, but rather where he needs to go to turn his luck around. The catch is that he has to be able to recognize the opportunity and of course one ride isn’t enough.
An ARC of WELCOME TO THE KOKORO CAT CLINIC by Syou Ishida. This is the third book in the We’ll Prescribe You A Cat series and like the others consists of several stories that are tied together by visits to the clinic. My favorite of the stories was the one where they didn’t actually prescribe a cat, To Cat or Not to Cat.
Sandy, I like the sound of your weather, but I think it’s too early for those temperatures.
I’ve enjoyed most of the Japanese translations that I read. I only discovered them in the last year and a half or so. The two that you read sound good.
Good morning – what fun times to hang out with an old friend – the best! Thanks for sharing your happy reunion with us, Lesa. I had a birthday this past weekend and my husband did his best to make it special – dinner out, birthday cake, ice cream and wonderful gifts. It was a perfect day. This weekend we will travel to our grandson’s first birthday party. In the meantime, now that last night’s threat of frost is behind us, I need to get my flowers in the ground today. Happy Memorial Day weekend all!
This past week I read “Bitter Fall” by Bruce Robert Coffin. In this sequel to Crimson Thaw, Detective Brock Justice is still trying to make his way in his new job in the middle-of-nowhere Maine. Having been reassigned, after implicating his partner in a jury trial of murder, instead of self defense, his partner walked free and Brock was ostracized by his colleagues. Now Brock has what looks like a murder to solve and who walks in to assist? None other than his ex-partner, who is now assigned to the local police force. To make matters worse, during the course of his investigation, he is lead to believe that his ex-partner has committed another murder. Now he has two murders to solve. This was a fast paced book and I would definitely recommend it.
Good morning, Mary. Happy belated birthday! That was so nice of your husband to make it special. Then, a one-year-old’s birthday party. My niece went all out for her son, but she said as he gets a little older, she won’t be able to pick the party theme, so she did want she wanted this year.
Kevin Tipple is a big fan of Bruce Robert Coffin’s series.
That I am. He has several series. All good ones.
Happy Birthday Mary! Your day did indeed sound like it was perfect.
Sounds like you had a great time with your friend.
Weather has been more than summer-like this week, with first 80s and then 90s. It isn’t that unusual for May to get hot weather, but it had been so cool before that. When the rain finally arrived in the form of thunderstorms last night, it dropped from 92 to 67. It’s 63 now, and will go down today and be cool through Monday, with 50s predicted (with rain) Saturday and Sunday. Nice to be retired and able to stay home on a day like this.
Books. Jackie read Carley Fortune’s THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT. It was silly, she said, but she liked it. She likes these more modern romance novels, which successfully “take her away” from the news of the day. She also found the Canadian-ness of it rather British – Earl Grey tear for breakfast, etc. Anne of Green Gables and Price Edward Island come into it too. She is now reading the latest Haven’s Rock book by another Canadian, Kelley Armstrong, FIRST SIGN OF DANGER.
I so agree, Jeff! It’s wonderful to be retired. No, it’s going to rain off and on today. I’ll run those errands tomorrow. I like that.
I like some of the modern romances, too. Ask Jackie if she’s read Katherine Center. I haven’t yet, but I’m going to pick one up. My sister, Linda, loves her humor in the romances. She said the latest one, The Shippers, was really funny.
My favourite Katherine Center book is The Bodyguard. David liked it too!
What a perfect week you’ve had! Yay!!
My week hasn’t been anything other than a typical week in the mountains for two older retired folks. Not too bad, not too bad.
Thanks to NetGalley, I read the upcoming book by William Kent Krueger.
The Cork O’Connor series is one of my faves and although not all installments have been as much to my liking as.others, I love it and never miss reading the newest.
GOD’S COUNTRY will stay with me for a long time.
Description from NetGalley
From the New York Times bestselling author of The River We Remember, a new mystery in the wildly popular Cork O’Connor series.
Cork O’Connor, preparing for a family trip into the Boundary Waters, is troubled by ominous visions about his future. Ignoring the warnings, he uncovers signs of violence while searching for his missing friend, Cordell Bishop. Soon, he is forced to negotiate with dangerous criminals, the Kennedy brothers, who are seeking their late father’s hidden stash.
Facing escalating danger and difficult choices, Cork grapples with his darkest instincts as he helps others escape and eventually takes justice into his own hands. God’s Country is an action-packed thrill ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
I think a week in the mountains with two retired people sounds relaxing and just right. Time to enjoy each other and Annabelle, time to enjoy your beautiful views and a few meals out. And, a favorite series, Kaye, with William Kent Krueger. Just right.
I do not understand this. I posted the above, with no problems. Then I typed my reading and it was back to the error message and it refused to post.
Crap.
Anyway…
My books. I ‘m glad to know that I’m not the only one to read more than one book at a time. George Easter, who edits and publishes Deadly Pleasures, said he reads 5-6 mysteries at a time, rotating from one to another! This seems nuts. I read a mystery, sometimes with one or two short story collections and one or two non-fiction books, but never more than one novel.
Last year, Jordan Harper’s EVERYBODY KNOWS got a lot of attention. It dealt with the underside of Hollywood publicists, whose job was to keep their clients out of the public eye, a cynical but well written book. While waiting for the new book, A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE (which just came in), I’ve been reading his Love And Other Wounds, possibly even darker than the novel. Still, if your taste goes to the dark side, I liked it…for the most part.
Jeff, Erin said she tried to whitelist your IP addresses so you could get in, but then Google wanted to charge for Captcha. So, if you’re okay on your phone, she suggests you just do it that way. I’m sorry. What a pain. I told her I’m beginning to hate all this stuff, but I don’t want to quit writing the blog even with all the problems.
Oh no, please don’t Lesa! What would Thursdays be without out meet-ups?!
I’m not going to quit Rosemary. I’ve made too many good friends here, and I enjoy “talking” with all of you. The Internet problems just get frustrating.
Good morning! Such a wonderful week for you, Lesa. Mine was excellent as well, with a theme of entertainment. Last Sunday I went to the Harris Center by myself for the third in a series from the Pops Chorale and Orchestra, this one titled American Bandstand. It featured the terrific 60-voice chorale, some of whom also are dancers, with familiar songs of the 1950s through 1980s that were all presented by the original artists on Bandstand. I’m from Philadelphia, where Bandstand originated, and I remember as a child seeing my 10-years-older cousin sitting in the bleachers at the show. Many of those attending the show came directly from school, quite a few still sporting their parochial school uniforms. It gave the show quite a homey feel. I think this was one of the best shows I have ever seen at the Harris, and my seat was in the first row. Then, on Tuesday I joined a group of friends from the El Dorado Hills “Newcomers” Club at a movie theater just 5 minutes away for a viewing of “The Sheep Detectives.” After initially wondering whether this would be too cheesy, I was excited to go because I had heard so many positive reviews of the movie. And I wasn’t disappointed. It is funny, emotional, and overall an uplifting experience. And it was especially fun to try to figure out who voiced the CGI sheep. I recognized Brett Goldstein and Julia Louis-Dreyfus right away, but there are many more. I highly recommend it. This coming weekend, I’ll be seeing two musicals–Mrs. Doubtfire and Back to the Future. I’ll report next week.
I did manage to finish two books and finished the review of the second just this morning.
In THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU by Libby Page, Tilly’s marriage to her much-loved husband, Joe, was way too short. The pair had been together for several years, but a fatal diagnosis meant a quick wedding and a few more months together until Joe’s untimely death. Tilly doesn’t know how to recover and isn’t even able to read a book, but five months later, she is notified by the manager of the local bookshop that there is a gift waiting for her at the store. When she reluctantly arrives to pick it up, she discovers that it is the first in a year of monthly gifts from Joe–each a book he had lovingly selected to help her reconsider her newly reclusive existence and encourage her to re-enter her life, along with a heartfelt letter. Alfie, the store manager, refuses to give her all of the books at once, as she demands, instead keeping his promise to Joe of the monthly distribution. As time progresses, Tilly discovers that the books cover quite a bit of territory–romance, children’s classics, poetry, self-help, traveling, crafts, and much more. And as Tilly also renews her relationship with her sister, she starts to come out of her self-created shell and open herself to new friendships and experiences, including travel to a number of memorable cities and countries. Alfie is also a major player in the plot, desperately committed to keeping the store he inherited from his father going in the face of financial difficulties. This is such an uplifting and inspiring book. chockful of book recommendations from the bookshop employees, in addition to Joe’s gift books. I couldn’t help purchasing one of them myself! Tilly’s old friends and the new ones she meets are supportive just when she needs them the most. And they encourage her to decide whether her current job editing celebrity memoirs is her real dream career. Thank you, Lesa, for your detailed review of this book, which I am so glad I finally found at the library.
The Amazon summary for Paige Harbison’s DESTINATION FUNERAL was misleading for me. Rather than being ” laugh-out-loud funny,” I found it to be an absorbing and sometimes disturbing story of grief and family dysfunction with a magical realism component. An interesting combination, to be sure, and it took me a while to suspend my disbelief and accept how the various components came together. Four thirtyish people with longtime family or friendship connections are invited to gather on a small Georgia island for the reading of Babe’s will. Babe’s daughters, Sammie and Didion, a chef, have been estranged for some time. The other two–lawyer Matt and tennis professional Austin–were almost part of the family at Babe’s house each summer after Babe moved away from her husband. They all struggle with issues of unstable romantic relationships and problems with family members, with an overarching theme of miscommunication. When the plot morphs into something reminiscent of the movie Groundhog Day, it suddenly becomes more focused on the reasons for all of the bad feelings. Although the four expected to be on the island for the weekend, culminating in Babe’s celebration of life, they suddenly realize that Saturday is repeating itself on a daily basis. They are forced to live together for the duration, without their phones (a requirement of the will), which slowly leads to some clearing of the air and, finally, an explosive session where all is revealed. I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional payoff, although I wish it had come earlier in the book. It would have gone a long way to bring understanding about what led each one of them–including Babe–to the universally unsatisfying life they are leading. The primary focus was on Didion, who was an unlikeable character throughout most of the book. But the epilogue was very welcome, wrapping everything up in a gratifying way. (July)
So much to respond to, Margie! I’m glad you enjoyed The Sheep Detectives. No, it isn’t at all what you think it will be, is it? And, it definitely isn’t for children! I thought it was excellent.
Linda and I saw Back to the Future. I’d never seen the movie, which just shocked Linda, but we thoroughly enjoyed the musical.
I’m most pleased, though, to see that you enjoyed This Book Made Me Think of You. I enjoyed all the elements you mentioned, from the various booklists, to the characters, to the bookshop itself. Just a satisfying book at the end.
Good morning! Here in Michigan, I awoke to 39 degrees. And it is supposed to rain most of the weekend. I am so over this weather.
My 2 year old grandson has been sick for almost 3 weeks now and spent the night in the emergency room. He has had a couple of viruses, one after the other. He was given fluids and sent home. Hopefully, he will start feeling better soon. As soon as I arrived to babysit, he held up his arms and said “bed”. And, we found out yesterday that our son is having his first baby, a girl, in December! I am so excited and was given permission to start buying books for her! So, the yucky Michigan weather is worth staying for.
This week I read James by Percival Everett. It was a really good read. I also read Upward Bound by Woody Brown. This book is set at a care center for adults with disabilities and was also very good. I am on to the next Kate Ellis books in her Wesley Peterson series. This books combine a historical archeological element with a current police investigation. Enjoyable reads, not too taxing when there are distractions.
I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day weekend.
Oh, a new baby to buy books for! That’s so exciting, Jennifer. Congratulations! I tend to wander into the children’s sections of bookstores, and pick up books for a great-niece and nephews. Or, sometimes, I buy a book for one of my sisters to keep at their house for Grandma’s collection. I enjoy that. When my niece had her baby, she asked for people to bring a book for the shower. I loved that!
You described the Wesley Peterson books perfectly. Enjoyable and not too taxing. And, I can go a year or so before picking one up, and it doesn’t matter.
OK. This is Jackie’s phone, so let’s see if I can get the rest of the comments in.
As mentioned, Jackie is a huge J. D. Robb/Nora Roberts fan. She has read the bulk of her books – definitely more than 100! – including all 62 or so Robb books about Lt. Eve Dallas. She has been trying to get me to read them forever (the first was published in 1995). I finally did. Naked In Death is set in 2058 New York. Eve Dallas has the case of a serial killer of high end (it’s legal then) prostitutes, killed with 20th Century guns. Of course, she runs across Roarke, the richest man in the world and her future husband, who she quickly falls for despite her instincts. Will I read another? Probably.
The Library Book is, as you might guess, a celebration of libraries (and, sometimes, librarians) by (mostly) British authors, as sponsored by The Reading Agency. You should check your own libraries for it. The Tory government was trying to close libraries at the time, to “save money,” despite the damage that would have done.
Lastly was Jill Lepire’s 600 page The Deadline: Essays, mostly recent so somewhat depressing.
I’m reading a collection of Ray Bradbury’s short mystery stories and another of his essays.
Sorry about the lack of comments, everyone, but I read them all and I continue to enjoy stories of your lives, as well as your reading.
I’m really sorry about all the problems, Jeff. Erin is taking a look to see if she can determine why you can’t get on.
I like the continuing storylines in J.D. Robb’s books. The mysteries are all different while the characters continue.
I haven’t read near as much Bradbury as I should have. I say should have because I do enjoy his writings. “A Sound of Thunder” is my favorite short story.
What a wonderful week for you, Lesa getting to visit with a friend.
My sister and her husband are coming through tonight on their way to Cleveland for a graduation. We will be meeting them at the Golden Lamb for dinner tonight in Lebanon as per tradition. It is the oldest restaurant in Ohio owned by former Senator Rob Portman and his family.
I read two books this week. You already reviewed A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn. I found this entry of Stoker and Veronica on the trail of vampires a fun addition to the series. But about halfway through, I got a little bored with it. My daughter, who also read it said she felt the author was a getting a little tired of Veronica. I think I am just tired of the series. Something seemed a little off with this one despite a plot that held together with likeable characters.
My second book was Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. I enjoyed this one. It told the story of Mabel and 81-year-old who wants to live a quiet life on Kenny Lane and not be bothered. Enter Persephone, a precocious seven-year-old, daughter of s single mother who wants Mabel to become her friend.
Mabel’s past of being called Mad Mabel comes back to haunt her when her neighbor is found dead and there are questions for Australia’s youngest convicted murderer.
The story is told in two timelines past and present. I liked this a lot, but when it got to the very last page, I decided it was rather sad.
We got a break from the rain today but it’s back tomorrow. I am okay with that. Good reason to stay in and read!
Happy Reading!
Sharon, enjoy dinner with your sister and her husband. I’ve never been to The Golden Lamb although I’ve heard of it. What a nice tradition!
I’ve seen Mad Mabel. I like the sound of the plot, but once you said it was rather sad, I thought not now. I’m not in the mood for sad.
Lebanon is a cute little town that is rapidly exploding like everywhere in Ohio. I think you would enjoy a day trip there, Lesa.
Mad Mabel was I guess bittersweet. She had a rough childhood but found community in her later years. Her interactions with Persephone were endearing but the ending was rather sad to me. I did enjoy it but uplit, it is not.
Running a little late today. 4 more days of school which is when it gets super busy.
We are finally warming up after a really cold spell over the weekend. I had to wear a winter coat because it was so cold. Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be in the 90s. We’ll be outside doing yardwork. Neverending yardwork.
Because of the cold weather, I actually got some reading time this week. I finished “Stolen Lady” by Laura Morelli for my book club. It wasn’t quite a mystery. The book flips between the 1400/1500s and 1940s when the Germans were invading France. The 1400/1500s storyline deals with Leonardo Da Vinci painting the Mona Lisa. The 1940s is when an archivist at the Louvre helps move the valuable paintings to the countryside to prevent the Germans from seizing them. It’s fiction but I wonder if Leonardo was really as vain as the author described him. Overall, it was interesting how Leonardo went about painting the Mona Lisa and how he didn’t particularly like doing portraits. He was an inventor first, he painted for money.
I also read “The Daisy Chain Flower Shop” by Laurie Gilmore. Daisy’s family has owned the Daisy Chain Flower Shop for at least a hundred. She normally did lots of weddings but this year the three weddings she did flowers for ended in divorce. Thanks to the mayor, who claimed he had seen a dark cloud hovering over the shop, no one was having her do the flowers for their weddings.
Her ex-husband and his new fiancée show up in her store to let Daisy know they are considering having their wedding in her hometown. Daisy freaks and grabs Elliott who just happens to be in the store. She introduces him as her new boyfriend. They have to continue the pretenses of being a couple because it’s a small town and gossip spreads like crazy. Eventually, they fall in love. It’s a cute and spicy romance. Definitely a fast read.
Bev, I have the Daisy Chain Flower Shop waiting for me at the library. Picking it up tomorrow. One of six books on hold! Too many! That’s overwhelming.
Good luck with the last days of school!
Good afternoon from Aberdeenshire, where the weather was forecast to be wet, but has in fact been sunny and warm all day. I walked by the river before lunch and it was absolutely beautiful. I may do the loop of the river path and the Deeside Way again before dinner.
Last week I went to an excellent talk about regenerating Union Street – the main street in Aberdeen. Like almost every other town and city in the UK, it suffers from empty units, too many vape shops, and some quite anti-social behaviour at times. A group called Our Union Street, which consists entirely of volunteers, are doing their best to clean it up and to get new businesses into the empty lots. The man who came to talk to us was quite inspirational; he told us all about their projects and plans, and mentioned several things that I, who thought I knew all about the city, hadn’t heard of.
One of the things that he said people really have to take on board is that the days of the department store are gone; people simply do not shop like that any more. Instead they want cafes, small independent shops, and ‘experiences’ (eg bowling.) Most of the audience was supportive and interested, but you always get one or two who just want to go on and on about the Old Days, and how every single thing that’s gone wrong since is the council’s fault (which of course it isn’t.) One man complained about chewing gum on the pavements so many times I could have screamed. A lady from the project pointed out that the council cleaning teams work very hard, but as soon as they have cleaned up one thing, another thing is dropped.
On Friday we had a Friends’ preview of an exhibition of hand made automata. I had no idea that so many, often slightly eccentric, people still make these in little workshops up and down the country! They ranged from tiny models of people cycling or flying to much larger representations of waves in the sea. The exhibition has clearly been timed to coincide with the school holidays, which begin in mid-June in Scotland; I will be interested to see if these blasts from the past still interest children who have access to so much digital entertainment. I’m sure their parents will see the exhibits as very ‘wholesome’, but sometimes children just vote with their feet.
Last Sunday I went down to Edinburgh, and on Monday saw my lovely friend David and his new(ish) girlfriend Bel, whom I’d not met before. She was lovely, so friendly and easy to talk to, and the pair of them are clearly besotted with one another; it was so sweet to see. (I should explain that they are contemporaries of my own children – I am the granny figure in the room!) We had a great afternoon chatting in a cafe and hiding from the torrential rain. As you so rightly say Lesa, it’s so good to spend time with friends.
On Monday evening we went to the Queen’s Hall to see GoGo Penguin in concert. They are an electro jazz band from Manchester and they were brilliant, such exciting music. They are in the middle of a tour, so I did check to see if that would include the USA, but it seems to focus on Europe and, for some reason, China.
Yesterday I went to another talk, this time about Aberdeen’s railways – I wasn’t sure how interesting this one would be, but the answer turned out to be ‘very’ – the speaker had done lots of research, and while he did of course talk about the railway lines and the locomotives, he had also investigated some of the men who had been involved in the early days (late 1800s) of the various railway companies. 99% of them were absolute shysters – and most were lawyers!
He also spoke about the hotels that grew up around railway stations – one of the less nefarious men had visited the Southern States to see how they did things there, and came back full of stories about the hotels. Two of our best known ones are the Station Hotel in Aberdeen and the Cruden Bay Hotel on the coast north of the city. Photos of the public rooms of both hotels looked more like luxury cruise liners than boarding houses. In its heyday the Cruden Bay Hotel hotel was immensely popular, especially with wealthy golfers. Until the 1940s it even had its own electric tramway service to connect the hotel to the railway station. The tram cars were stored in a shed in winter, but in the summer months they had to stay outside, as the shed was used to accommodate hotel workers!
And of course, it was in Cruden Bay that Bram Stoker wrote at least part of Dracula.
What with going to Edinburgh and doing all these other things, I’m afraid my reading has been super slow. I’m at last coming to the end of Maeve Binchy’s CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (it’s LONG!), and I have just borrowed Anthony Horowitz’s THE WORD IS MURDER from the library. I mentioned last week that the second book in this series about detective Daniel Hawthorne would form part of my summer reading challenge, but I decided i really should read the first book first, and luckily the library had it.
And tonight is the final of this series of RACE ACROSS THE WORLD – we are all really gripped by this year’s teams, and I’m looking forward to seeing which of them reaches the final checkpoint in Mongolia first. It’s a very interesting programme as we get to see the ordinary lives of people in such different countries – though my friend Karen said that, having watched it, she no longer had any of the ‘stans’ on her travel list – as in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, – and I understand what she means; life is hard and wild in these remote places, though the teams were very well treated by everyone they met.
Back to the river now I think.
Have a good week all!
Remember when vaping was going to save us all from the scourge of tobacco?
Rosemary, You inspired me to take a look at lecture schedules in the area because I used to go to a strange lecture series in Phoenix that covered all kinds of odd topics. A friend and I went, even though half the time we didn’t understand the topic until we heard the person talk about it. I miss that. Unfortunately, of all days, they’re working on the website that I really want to see for lectures. Now, I just need to remember to come back to it.
Enjoy your walk this afternoon. Our weather is cold right now, damp, and not at all conducive to walks. My friend, Donna, went to a nearby park twice while she was here. I’ve learned not to go with her. She used to do race walking, and she walks way too fast for me.
You’re right. It’s so good to catch up with friends.
I’m running late today, too, because I’ve been packing and doing other last-minute things before my husband Peter and I leave for two weeks on the island of Sardinia. We’ll drive our own car tomorrow to the Italian port city of Genoa and take a car ferry to the island. I’ve booked four different places to stay in different sections of Sardinia, so we’ll have a chance to get to know it. But there will be plenty of time to be lazy as well. We’re excited. I’ve never been there, and Peter was last there on his high-school trip!
Lesa, your week with your friend Donna sounds glorious. It’s great to have at least one friend whom you know so well that you can pick up where you left off, even after two years.
Last week, I reported that I was listening to the fifth book in the Will Trent series, FALLEN, by Karen Slaughter. I always enjoy the detectives, especially Will, but this one seemed particularly brutal, with the baddies torturing and killing a lot of people. I already have #6, and I want to read the whole series, but first I’ll take a long break.
After I reported on books last Thursday, I finished the unsatisfying fantasy I was reading, AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir. This one also had too many deaths of good people and too much sadistic torture. I will not continue the series, although please remember that it has been praised to the skies!
Just yesterday, I finished RAISING HARE by Chloe Dalton, a highly praised nonfiction book about an Englishwoman living in a rural area who rescues an abandoned baby hare (called a leveret) and keeps it alive while trying very hard not to make a pet of it. To her delight, the hare grows close to her and continues to live with her or visit her for the next four years, even giving birth to several litters in or near her house. I found the information about hares absolutely fascinating, and I agreed with what the author has to say about preserving and protecting animals and plants, and how important the experience of nature is for humans’ development into caring people. It was sometimes a little preachy, but I enjoyed it anyway.
I’m now listening to what is probably meant as a children’s book about Greek heroes, called HEROES, written and read by Stephen Fry. I know my basic myths, but Fry is teaching me lots and lots of new stories from (so far) the lives of Perseus and Herakles. Talk about being full of killing and cruelty! But Perseus’s cruelty to Medusa is easier to deal with than descriptions of contemporary violence, I find. In any case, I’m enjoying the book, although, with nine hours of listening and many more heroes to go, I may burn out. We’ll see!
It’s easy to catch up with Donna, Kim. We might not have seen each other for 2 years, but we talk every Sunday morning, unless one of us is too busy with family.So we don’t have to rehash what’s going on in families because we already know. And, I love her husband, have had meals with her mother. She’s met my Mom and sisters, had dinner at Kevin’s, met one of Linda’s sons. And, Linda and Donna could be sisters. They have so much in common. So, we don’t have to catch up.
We were talking about you and travel in Europe, and how envious we are that Europeans can hop on a train or bus or get in the car, and be in another country. She and I have been to 40 some of our 50 states, but the people and cultures are mostly the same, not like in Europe. Have a great time in Sardinia, and we all want to hear about it when you’re back.
Believe me, Lesa, I don’t take the ease with which I can be in another country for granted–I feel blessed. And I promise to report on our Sardinia trip.
Hi Lesa and friends! The spring term is over, so I can finally do more than read all of the comments (and make note of interesting books) too late in the day to join the conversation.
About a month ago the 19th book, Cast in Blood, in the main Chronicles of Elantra fantasy series was published. There are a lot of characters and lots of threads that wind between the books. I rushed through my first read so I could see what happened to the characters, and then I went back and re-read a couple offshoots (The Emperor’s Wolves and Shadow & Storm) so I could understand the events of this book better. I don’t think I could write a plot description that makes any sense, sorry, since so much is related to the earlier books.
In the nonfiction department I’ve been reading about Appreciative Inquiry, which is a way to get a group to think about what they might want to change without getting caught up in short term problem solving or harping on the negative (like Rosemary described about the gum above) . The phases are discover, dream, design, and destiny, which map on to a project I am doing nicely.
A couple weeks ago I read two of the Boneyard Key mysteries after reading about them here. They were fun!
Have a great week!
Oh Appreciative Inquiry sounds excellent Trisha. So many of these discussions get bogged down in moaning (Aberdonians are particularly notorious for it!) I will see if I can find this book over here.
Hi Trisha!
Appreciative Inquiry sounds a little like what a group in Evansville does. They call it visioning because they’re looking at the future, but not putting barriers in the way – such as the cost. Instead it’s like dreaming of what you see without worrying about short term problems. Donna works part-time for that group.
Happy to have you ready to talk about more personal reading!
Hi, I am feeling a little under the weather today and we decided to skip a planned trip to the plant nursery for some supplies. Glen is going to get some cat food at the pet store and some groceries at Trader Joe’s instead. Lesa, I enjoyed reading about Donna visiting you and the things you two have been doing.
Glen read a graphic novel this week, THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT by Mimi Pond. It is huge, 462 pages, hardback, and very heavy. He read it in one day, but I don’t think I will be able to do that. I will be reading it this summer. It is set in Oakland, California; I have never been there but have visited in that part of California over the years. A woman in her twenties is working in a diner while pursuing her artistic career. It is semi-autobiographical.
Right now Glen is reading a short story book: MURDER AND OTHER ACTS OF LITERATURE, edited by Michelle Slung. He has read 11 of the 24 stories, and liked 7 of them. The stories are about deaths but are mostly not mystery puzzles, I think. Some of the authors are: William Trevor, Eudora Welty, Muriel Spark, Alice Walker. Glen liked the story by William Trevor a lot, and also one by Evelyn Waugh.
I am now reading THE CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, by Charlie Jane Anders. It is a dystopian novel set on a planet that seems to be headed for disaster. My son read this first and said it had some flaws (too long, too slow) but the writing was good. So far I agree. I am often a bit challenged by science fiction stories, trying to figure out what the author is trying to get across. (John Scalzi is an exception. He writes well and clearly and creates good characters.)
I hope everyone is having a good reading week.
I hope you feel better soon Tracy.
I’m sure I’ve heard of Mimi Pond, I must look her up.
Murder and Other Acts of Literature sounds good too. William Trevor was a wonderful writer.
Tracy, I admire you. You put a lot more effort into books than I ever would. If I’m not enjoying it, I move on.
I hope you feel better!
We had a big windstorm. Lots of trees went down. I’ve been cutting so much wood, I’m starting to look for a blue ox.
This week I read:
The Great Brain at the Academy by John D. Fitzgerald; For the book club. The Great Brain goes to a Catholic academy which is very strict. The Great Brain has his adventures anyway. Almost like Hogan’s Heroes.
Dead Angler by Victoria Houston; A retired dentist, now mostly fishing, finds a body right before the big fishing tournament. Luckily, he’s a certified forensic dentist.
Thief of Souls by Brian Klingborg; A policeman in rural China investigates the murder of young lady, and finds a serial killer. At least the serial killer POV is kept to a minimum.
Three Assassins by Kotaro Isaka; A teacher seeking vengeance, joins a gang, only to find the object of his vendetta murdered. He chases the murderer, and finds himself in way over his head. Meanwhile, other assassins ply their craft. Somehow, it’s all easy to keep track of.
The Wicked Die Twice by William W. Johnstone; Two outlaws turned deputies have to take some cutthroats to prison, only to find the cutthroats put a bounty on THEIR heads. Like a 70’s TV Movie western.
The Cobra by Frederick Forsyth; This book was written in 2010, and it’s about the crack epidemic, at least 20 years too late. Should have been published in 1987. I think someone was looking for a change from Arab terrorists.
Glen – blame it on my Englishness, but what on earth is a blue ox? !!!
Rosemary,
It’s a reference to Babe, the famous blue ox that was the pet of legendary lumberjack, Paul Bunyan.
Thank you!
I find it kind of odd that I never read any of the Great Brain books. I think I’d like them, Glen, because I always liked Hogan’s Heroes.
I did like your side remark that you were looking for a blue ox! We’ve been to a Paul Bunyan site. To this day, it features in our family stories. We could pick a site we wanted to go to. My youngest sister was very young when she picked a Paul Bunyan site, very much a tourist trap. Makes for a good family story, though!
So… it is Saturday….. I meant to circle back and comment Thursday afternoon. Did not get it done. Had a doc deal yesterday and that wiped me out. So here we are.
So, I finished the Birds of Prey anthology that comes out next month and only disliked one story in it (still have to write my review) and have moved on to the July release, River Deep by Bryan Gruley. This is the second book in the Bitterfrost thriller series. I’d call these mysteries,, rather than thrillers, but that is just me. Enjoyed the first book and am just a little way into this one and enjoying it.
I am focused on trying to cutdown the pile at NetGalley. Am at 91 percent with four requests awaiting approval. That includes the next Eve Dallas novel.
Kevin, I read Bryan Gruley’s Starvation Lake mysteries, but haven’t read the new series. I hosted him at the library in Glendale, once.
Liked those books very much as well.