Hot, hot, hot. I know, not as hot as Texas, where Kevin Tipple lives, but hot enough here. Even so, I did get out of the house a couple times. You already know about the Columbus Book Festival. Linda and I went on Sunday, and enjoyed the book vendors and people who loved books. I’m continuing the book events, heading to Dover, Ohio on Friday. Linda Castillo, author of the Kate Burkholder mysteries, is appearing for the Dover Public Library on Friday night. I’ve met her, but never heard her speak, so I’m going Friday.
What about you? What have you been doing this week? Surviving the heat? What are you reading to help you escape from the weather?
It’s 9 PM on Wednesday night as I write this. I just finished Framed for Murder by T.L. Haseeb, the book I’m reviewing for Friday. It’s a debut, a police procedural. But, after I wrote the review, I didn’t have time to start a new book. So, what am I reading? Nothing yet. I don’t have a book to share today, something unusual for me on a Thursday. Instead, I’ll enjoy reading your suggestions. I’m looking forward to it!
We had front row tickets to Urinetown on Saturday. When I bought the tickets I didn’t know that the front row is considered the splash zone because they toss water at the audience. They did offer a choice of a poncho or moving but the only open seats were towards the back so we stayed put. The woman next to me got wet but we stayed dry and enjoyed the show.
Otherwise it’s been too hot to do much besides water the garden first thing in the morning and stay inside. I think we’re going to the diner for breakfast this morning just to get out of the house.
I’m trying to whittle down one of my tbr piles so I read the three books on the bottom of the stack.
ALAKAZAM, a novella by Mia Dalia. Two friends break into the abandoned Atlantic City home of a magician who vanished years ago and get more than they bargained for. It’s told as dual timelines, both in the past from the magician’s prospective and in the present time.
DOLL BONES by Holly Black. A YA book about a trio of 12 year olds who go on a quest to return a haunted doll to the ghost’s grave site. Not very believable but entertaining.
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE by Michele Pariza Wacek. After Emily loses her job, her home, and her fiancé, her aunt offers her a place to stay and a job. The job turns out to be the office manager for a detective agency her retired aunt and several friends are opening. A fairly standard cozy mystery and not a series I’ll continue.
I don’t normally read YA books, but Doll Bones intrigues me Sandy. I’ll have to see if I can find a copy!
I like the sound of your escapes more than the books – a play and a diner for breakfast. BIG fan of diner breakfasts. Enjoy your day, Sandy.
I’m also between books at the moment. Earlier today, I finished up THE GLASS THIEF by Gigi Pandian. This is the last novel in her Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries, although I do still have a short story anthology with the character to go. I really enjoyed it. And I’m glad she’s bringing the character back starting next year.
Up next will be a new author and series. I’m starting an ARC of A TASTE FOR MURDER by Matt Baker. No relation to me, but the name did catch my eye. It’s set in Italy and involves a homicide cop who gets involved in a case while there. I think it’s already out overseas, but it comes out there the beginning on August.
Mark, David and I have watched quite a few episodes on TV of A Taste for Murder. I didn’t know it was a book but the show is pretty good!
We have A TASTE FOR MURDER saved on Britbox but haven’t gotten around to it yet. This may give us the push. Lately, Phyllis Logan is in everything.
I tried watching A Taste for Murder, but my subtitles weren’t working at the time, and I needed them. I hope you enjoy the books, Mark.
I read some of Gigi’s Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and a couple of the Jaya Jones ones. I need to get back to them.
Mark, I am also excited to see more Jaya Jones mysteries from Gigi Pandian. Right now, I have an ARC Gigi sent me for the next in the Accidental Alchemist series and am looking forward to that. Her current Secret Staircase series is awesome as well.
It was 30C (86F) here today. Not as hot as some of you are dealing with, but much too hot for me to venture outside at all. Nope, not happening.
The most exciting thing for us this week was buying and installing three bookcases on the wall in our den/office area. The wall is 94″ long and the bookcases cover the whole length and are about 80″ tall. I’ve just today finished filling it with books (shocker) and one shelf’s worth of bins for smaller items, and all our board games are on it as well. The oldest ones we have are Rummoli, a very well-used Scrabble (with wooden tiles of course), Ratrace, Careers, and Mille Bornes. At least forty or more years old, all of them. It looks good in our humble opinion and from start to finish it took up the better part of four days. Totally worth the time.
Books this week:
MOST ARDENTLY YOURS by Freya Sampson
Zoe doesn’t pick good boyfriends. She’s recently been dumped by her latest, and this after constantly been made to feel unworthy by him. One day, caught in a rainstorm, she seeks shelter in a bookstore catering to ‘men’s fiction’. Rather than be grateful she ends up arguing with Nick, the owner, when he proves to be very much against romance novels. Spying an old dusty copy of Pride and Prejudice way up on top of a shelf – and being that Pride and Prejudice has great personal meaning for her, she ill-advisedly steals the book.
Somehow, she ends up summoning her favourite imaginary book boyfriend Darcy from the pages of the book to present-day London. So far, so interesting. But of course there are problems galore – eventually Darcy needs to go back to his own time but none of that goes smoothly and there are some twists involved with that that surprised me; in a good way. But for me, most of the rest of the book was not as diverting as I’d hoped it would be. Neither Darcy nor Zoe felt like people to care about, and the story was fairly repetitive. My favourite character turned out to be Mrs. Atallah, Zoe’s landlady. Her character had presence and some grit.
Ultimately this seemed to be a story of learning to believe in yourself, and develop a sense of self-worth. If I had liked the characters more, I think the book would have been a lot of fun.
Freya Sampson is one of my favourite authors but this was not one of my favourite books by her. I would recommend The Lost Train Ticket instead.
SNAP by Susin Nielsen
This book turned out to be one of my favourites of the year so far! Even though it took about 60 pages or more for me to get invested in it.
At its core it’s a story of three people (Frances a 55-year-old children’s book author and about to be divorced. Geraint a 41-year-old auto mechanic, married and father of a young boy. And 23-year-old Parker, an assistant on a popular TV show) who each ‘snap’ one day and let anger get the best of them. The three meet at a court-mandated anger-management class.
None of them are normally angry people at all but circumstances came to a head for each of them, so here they are – bewildered as to how it came to this and yes, maybe a little bit angry now. They have nothing in common and barely speak to each other; they just want to complete the course and their community service hours successfully so as not to end up with a criminal record.
But slowly these three very different people start to bond a little and how that happens makes for a compelling, heartwarming, surprisingly emotional, and often very funny book. There’s great dialogue, and I can’t believe how much I ended up caring for these three likeable characters.
This is the first adult novel by a Canadian children’s book author and it’s set in Vancouver which added to the fun for me because of all the familiar street names and such.
Oh, Lindy! I absolutely love the description of all your bookshelves, including the bits and games. It sounds gorgeous.
I wondered about the Freya Sampson book. I think you’ve helped me to make up my mind. I think I’ll skip it.
Enjoy those bookshelves!
Lindy, your review of Snap intrigued me so much that I just paid $3.99 for the Kindle (no copies at the library)! Thank you–I’m looking forward to reading it!
Linda, I get how you feel about the bookshelves. We have a 12 x 20 foot den and 7 bookcases along one of the walls are 17 feet long (204 inches) by 96 inches ( 8 feet) high. When we moved here we discovered the big ones ( 3 are three feet wide) were too big for the elevator, so the movers had to walk them up six flights of stairs. Luckily, they had smoked a joint on the way here, so were mellow about it. And yes, we filled the bookcases.
Lindy
I hate autocorrect
Jealous of both of you, Jeff and Lindy!
I love the story of how your bookshelves got into your home Jeff.
I wish I could have a personal viewing of them! I bet the look of that whole wall is most impressive.
Oooh, loving the sound of your new book filled bookcases! I feel sad for people who live in a home without books.
Lindy, I’m jealous of your bookcases. I grew up in a house with a wall of floor to ceiling bookshelves. Now I have a couple of bookcases scattered around and books piled on a table.
Thank you for recommending Snap, Lindy. I read it over the weekend. I loved it so much, I recommended it to everyone I know!
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it Sharon!
Hello! Today is not as hot as yesterday, and we’re taking a one-hour train ride to Zürich to have lunch with our son Tommy. After lunch, he’s joining us in the afternoon to see some new exhibitions at the Zürich art museum. I can’t remember if I mentioned that he’s just been awarded his PhD and will be moving to England in October for a three-year postdoc position. So we want to spend as much time with him as we can before he leaves!
I finished reading Sally Smith’s A CASE OF LIFE AND LIMB and loved it. It’s even better than MICE AND MURDER. Gabriel Ward develops as a character, and so does his cop sidekick; we get to know the lawyers’ Inner Temple better; and there are two mysteries to solve in this one. I appreciated the dose of understated feminism in the book, as well. Gabriel’s quiet kindness, tolerance, and sense of honor make him a great hero!
A friend who knows my weakness for Regency romances recommended a Regency mystery by Grace Burrowes: A GENTLEMAN FALLEN ON HARD TIMES, which is the first in a series featuring Lord Julian. He is home from the Napoleonic Wars, where he and his brother were spies and were captured. His brother was killed, but he survived—and now he’s suspected of having told the French military secrets (by everyone in upper society, although not by the Duke of Wellington and the Army). This background makes Lord Julian an interesting character with complicated psychological baggage. The mystery he ends up solving in this book is no great thing, but the story is entertaining. I’ll definitely read the second in the series.
I’ve just started another light summer read by Emily Henry, PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION. I’m enjoying it so far because of the humor, although there’s not much plot yet.
I finished listening to Kristin Hannah’s THE WOMEN, which I mentioned last week. In the first half, we find out what it was like to be a surgical nurse in Vietnam, close to the front. In the second half, at home in Southern California, the heroine, Frankie, faces PTSD before anyone knows what it is and a nation that either hates her as a “baby killer,” is ashamed of her service, or denies that she was even in Vietnam. “There were no women in Vietnam” is what she hears over and over, even when she tries to get help at the Veterans Hospital. It’s a harrowing book at times, but I thought it was excellent—as I know Kaye Barley did! Thanks for your comment last week, Kaye.
Now listening to PACHINKO (2017) by Min Jin Lee, a novel about Koreans living first under Japanese occupation and later in Osaka in the 1930s and experiencing Japanese prejudice. I haven’t gotten very far yet, but I’m finding it fascinating.
I read Pachinko a number of years ago and, I too found it fascinating. I’ve read one other by the author, but it didn’t have the same impact.
And congratulations to your son!
Congratulations to your son, Kim! What field is his PhD in? A lot of work. I’m sorry he’s moving away, but glad he has a position in his field. Enjoy her time with him for the next couple months.
I’m a fan of Regency and Victorian romances. I don’t think I’ve ever read Grace Burrowes, although I know the name.
Stay cool, if you can.
Congratulations to your Tommy! I can’t even imagine how much hard work he must have had to put in to be awarded his PhD. Where in England will he be for the three years? Exciting for him!
Kim, congratulations to your son.
Jackie read and liked the Emily Henry book. I agree with you on THE WOMEN. As someone who lived through that era, I like to revisit it in books from time to time.
Our county library system finally hired a new director after a bit of political turmoil and a funding cut. Previously in Hartford, CT, Broward County, FL and Linden, NJ., she is focused on “exciting programs and service innovations”. I’ll be happy as long as the library keep getting books.
A bit of library serendipity brought two books in a row with the “stumbles into a fake dating relationship” theme. Perfect light summer reading. From 2023, YOURS TRULY by Abby Jimenez and the current DOLLY ALL THE TIME by Annabel Monaghan. The two books take different approaches to the theme, and both books are entertaining.
SCANDALIZE MY NAME from the British Library Crime Classics series.First published in 1960, Sinclair’s stylish debut is a classic murder mystery shot through with a chilling vein of dread with dark secrets threatening to ruin each suspect’s good name.
Finally, THE PECULIAR GIFT OF JULY by Ashley Ream as recommended here a few weeks ago. Set in a fictional, isolated island town called Ebey’s End, off the coast of Washington State. The story is about forgiveness, family, community, the difference between knowing facts and truly knowing people. Charming story. I think I’ll go hang out at Tiny’s bakery for awhile.
Too much politics in the library world right now, MM. You’re right. I do go to a book program at my local library, but the books are the most important part for me, too.
I’m glad you liked The Peculiar Gift of July. I’d hang out at Tiny’s Bakery, too.
I had to take Dolly Out of Time back to the library, unread. But, it’s back on my list. I think I’ll enjoy it.
Hot is right! I was in St. George, Utah last weekend for a cross-stitch retreat and it was super-hot there. Yes, it is the desert, but Salt Lake City broke a record of 109 last weekend. My plane home kept getting delayed because of problems with the heat. All things considered, the retreat was so much fun!
After two weeks of short work weeks, I’m finally getting back in the groove. I haven’t been reading much but what I do read seems to evolve around Christmas.
I finished “Murder on 34th Street” by Mariah Fredericks. It’s 1932 and Grace is an assistant to person who oversees the Macy’s parade. Three days before the parade, the man playing Macy’s Santa receives a death threat. Someone dies during the parade and Grace decides to investigate. One of my favorite movies is “Murder on 34th Street” and there were quite a few similarities between the movie and the book. It was a fun read.
Your people, Bev? I know when I used to go to mystery conferences, those were my people, and I always enjoyed that time. I’m sure you enjoyed your cross-stitch retreat.
I’ll have to look for Murder on 34th Street. I’ve liked some of Mariah Fredericks’ other books. Thank you!
I just finished THE TRAVELLING CAT CHRONICLES by Hiro Arikawa. I’m not sure if I first heard about this book here, but it’s very charming, especially if you’re a cat lover. It’s also a major tearjerker. I think I cried for about the last quarter of the book! Gotta rehydrate today.
I think I’ll read KEEP THEM CLOSE by David Ellis next, a psychological thriller about two siblings with secrets. I haven’t read his books before, but he did an event in Toledo last week and I really enjoyed listening to him speak. I’ll report back on the book next week! It’s very hot and terribly smoky here today, so I’ll have a good excuse to stay inside and read.
I keep hearing on the weather, Kate, that the air is smoke-filled from fires in Canada. I wasn’t out yesterday, but I’m guessing it’s even worse where you are. You’re right. It’s best to stay inside!
I don’t think I’ll read The Travelling Cat Chronicles. I like a good tearjerker, but you cried for the entire last quarter of the book? Maybe a little much for me.
Yes, the heat. Unfortunately it has linked up with a busy few weeks for us. We got home Sunday from Maine (great trip), where it was warm but not as hot as it is here. Then Tuesday we had another concert (and one night hotel stay) on Long Island for another concert, so not much reading time. I’m hoping to do some catching up the next few weeks. To make things worse, not only did we have 95 degrees yesterday but also very unhealthy air caused by smoke from wildfires west of Toronto streaming down here. They are advising people to stay inside in the air conditioning if possible.
Books. Jackie is reading the next Darynda Jones book about Grim Reaper Charley Davidson and her boyfriend, who is the son of Satan. Not surprisingly, she called it “crazy.” She has the new Ashley Poston book up next.
Despite everything going on I did manage to finish two books this week.
Keith McNally, I REGRET ALMOST EVERYTHING: A Memoir. McNally was a working class Londoner who is considered the restaurant king of downtown Manhattan, with hugely successful places like Odeon and Balthazar. But his fascinating memoir is about so much more than that, including his devastating stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and suicidal. Highly recommended.
Martin Edwards, ed., METROPOLITAN MYSTERIES: A Case Book of London’s Detectives. All of Edwards’s anthologies for the British Library are well worth your time and this is no exception. I raced through it quickly, stories from Sherlock Holmes to lesser known but worthwhile writers like Henry Wade, Anthony Gilbert, Josephine Bell, J. Jefferson Farjeon, plus the little known – Wilfred Fenburgh, Eric Bennett and Malcolm Gair.
The Linda Castillo collection is next.
I started two new books yesterday. First was Matt Haig’s THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY (from 2020) and second was the fascinating time travel book THE TRAVELER by Joseph Eckert. Scott Treder is driving to work at exactly 7:52 am (yes, this has echoes of GROUNDHOG DAY), when his car disappears and he finds himself on the ground, exact 25 hours later to the minute.
Huh? The next day it happens again, though this time the jump is two days. Any fan of time travel fiction will have to keep reading to find out…what happens next. I know I will.
Jeff, Tell Jackie I just started the Ashley Poston novel. I’m liking it so far, but I’m not far into it.
Martin Edwards’ new book sounds good. I’ll have to look for it. I have a copy of The Traveler somewhere.
I hope you enjoyed the concert.
Stay safe.
Well the Canada wild fires are ruining yet another summer for us in Northern Michigan – this time it’s way worse! The smoke is seeping into the house. When we go outside we come in smelling like we’ve been sitting around a campfire. Sigh. I guess more time for indoor reading?
This week I finished Road Trip. Another enjoyable Mary Kay Andrews book. This time she takes us to Ireland, along with two sisters who are looking for their real ancestors, and the story behind their great grandmother’s move to America when she was 18. Kathleen Connor, unbeknownst to her, was the bastard child of Edward Rossington. She had been raised in the Rossington mansion by her Aunt Delia, until one day when Aunt Delia said that she must run for her life and take the first boat to America, where a job would be waiting for her. To fund her trip, she was given some of the family jewels and the portrait of her Grandmother, that had hung in the mansion’s hallway. Fast-forward 100 years later, and two of Kathleen’s offspring are trying to deal with their mother’s death, the house that they thought they would own but has been mortgaged to the hilt, and no jobs. In order to find money to manage all of their financial woes, they want to sell the portrait of their ancestor, which could be worth a million dollars. But first they have to prove its provenance. Bowing to their mother’s death wish, the two girls head to Ireland, where family bonding and a surprise romance takes place. There was a bit too much going on in the story in such a brief period of time for my liking, making some parts highly unbelievable, but it was still a fun, page-turner read.
Oh, Mary. I’m sorry smoke is leaking into your house! I’m sure that makes it hard to concentrate, and to sleep at night.
I enjoyed Road Trip, but didn’t love it, despite the Ireland part of the trip. I found the beginning slow, and might not have finished if Kaye and my mother hadn’t told me to keep going.
In the 60s in our beautiful mountains this week. i will never complain about our cool mountain weather – not even when it snows. I am not a fan of hot weather. ugh.
Two books I read this week that could not be any any more different.
In one, a group of women live a mission. Power to the Women! In the other, a woman inherits a house from an unknown auntie. WHY does this only happen in fiction?! i know some don’t like the this trope. but me? I loves it.
The Protectorate,A Phoenix Rises
by Samantha Sonnett
Publish date Sept 1
Description from NetGalley
Durham, North Carolina, 2012. When Detective Sofia Rodriguez is called in on her day off to find a plumber dead in his van—posed with Black-Eyed Susans and a Sylvia Plath verse cradled in his bloodied hands—she knows this is no ordinary murder. By the time the second body surfaces, then a third, Sofia and her partner Detective Jones are hunting a serial killer with a message, a method, and a symbol none of them can identify. That symbol belongs to The Protectorate—a century-old secret society of elite women that has quietly shaped American history from the shadows. When their emblem appears at a crime scene, the organization’s leadership launches its own parallel investigation, desperate to contain the exposure before the FBI closes in.
Wake-up Calls by Mariah Stewart
A woman’s surprising inheritance opens the door to her family’s secrets in a moving novel about healing, forgiveness, and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart.
Kit Porterfield is coping with the upheaval of her personal life when another shock blindsides her. Maxine Meadows, an aunt she never knew existed, has bequeathed to her a rustic campground in Maine. With it comes a long-buried family secret that Kit’s late mother took great pains to hide for her entire life.
When Kit arrives to tenuously claim her inheritance, she learns the town’s history and finds the lakeside sporting camp and its beautiful wooded acres in need of restoration to their former glory. But it’s Kit’s own history that compels her to stay, and she’s not returning home until she uncovers the secrets that tore two sisters apart so many years ago.
Kit soon discovers clues in old photographs and in the tale of a tragic and enduring love story, but the most startling revelations are yet to come. For Kit, they could be the path to understanding the mystery that defined her mother’s life—and her own.
I want to read both books, Kaye! I was approved for The Protectorate! Yay!
I like the sound of Wake-Up calls. I enjoy Mariah Stewart’s books. And, I agree. Why can’t I inherit a house or bookstore from an unknown aunt?
Good morning! I had to stop and write a review before coming here today. It’s been a hot week–104 yesterday, but “only” in the nineties today. Because of the way the dates fell in July, I ended up with four games (cards and otherwise) this week (after only one each week for the past two weeks) so I canceled my attendance in one of them, to give me a break and to get some other things done. Today is Rummikub, my favorite, although I have to give up Toastmasters for the day because Rummikub has changed days. In the future, I might be able to dash home from Rummikub to attend Toastmasters, depending on who is hosting the game.
I am happy to say that now my new piano area is complete, as some cool artwork featuring an impressionistic, colorful piano in three panels, has now been installed (by son NIck) above the piano and, together with a piano light (installed by son Zach) ,makes that site in my living room/kitchen,dining room area complete. I have been playing (or trying to play) each of my books of piano music, intending to donate those where I either don’t recognize the tune or don’t think I can ever master playing it. I have to say, though, that I am starting to have a bit of luck with four flats and even four sharps, so we’ll see. The new music books from Christmas and those I bought recently are also proving to be fun, although I wish more of them were spiral-bound.
I managed to finish three books this week:
THOSE WHO ARE GONE, book #2 in Laurie R. King’s Raquel Laing series, is an ultra-detailed police procedural focused on Raquel, a neurodivergent SFPD homicide inspector, now relegated to assisting her mentor in the Cold Case unit. Raquel is an expert in analyzing microexpressions that others might miss and is respected for her analytical prowess, although fellow law enforcement professionals don’t always appreciate her lack of people skills. The gruesome murder of a low-level drug dealer sparks an investigation that takes Raquel in many directions, sometimes aided by information supplied by her sister. Dee is a cybersecurity expert (and hacker) who works out of her home because she is severely agoraphobic. As the investigation proceeds, Raquel and Dee also look into their own fraught early family history, which ultimately has some connections with Raquel’s current case. I admire the author’s ability to build a very convoluted legal case with authenticity, combined with her outstanding storytelling skills. I did have some reservations about this book, however. Chapters in the first 40% or so were labeled “Then,” with most of the successive chapters marked “Now.” I expected that with that labeling, the action would go back and forth between timelines, but the “Now” chapters just covered the continuing story after one particular traumatic event. I felt that a few intermittent chapters labeled “Him”–narrated by an anonymous, self-aggrandizing character I assumed was the ultimate villain–seemed unnecessary, considering what happened at the end of the book, although they did serve to increase the suspense . Finally, I was unable to connect with Raquel, who struck me as a one-note character. She and Dee each had romantic relationships, but neither was fleshed out enough to seem important. Although I may not seek out future books in this particular series, I love King’s other series and standalones and will definitely keep reading those on my must-read list. (September)
I have a sudden, overwhelming urge to rewatch–right now–the iconic Christmas movie, Elf (2003). Not surprising, as I just finished reading the delightful ELF UWRAPPED by actor/podcaster/comedian/Conan sidekick Andy Richter (with co-writer Aaron Karo).When the cast and crew were being assembled, neither the star of the movie, Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, or the director, Jon Favreau, were well known. Would Will be able to carry a movie after a few years on SNL and before his first starring movie, Old School, had been released? Co-star James Caan had his doubts. And actors such as Zooey Deschanel (Jovie the toy store clerk) were in the early days of their careers. The screenplay, written eight years earlier, continued to be rewritten even after production on the movie had started. One thing was for sure; the goal was to produce a Christmas classic with a nostalgic feel, appealing on different levels to both adults and children. CGI was intentionally kept to a minimum, while tried-and true techniques such as forced perspective and stop-motion animation were used, not only to stick to the budget but to remind viewers of their favorite Christmas movies (film and TV) of yesteryear. We are treated to a look behind the scenes–not only those featuring the more prominent actors such as James Caan, Ed Asner, Mary Steenbergen,and Bob Newhart, but those focusing on bit parts by unknown actors. Only the external scenes were shot in New York (how to shoot Buddy the Elf in the Holland Tunnel?) and the interiors in less expensive Vancouver, many in a building previously used as a mental institution. There are so many gems in Elf Unwrapped, which has a foreword by Will Ferrell, and Richter’s own role in the movie takes a back seat in favor of a broader perspective of the entire film by an insider. If you are an Elf fan, you will love this book. (November) ADDENDUM: I received my copy of the DVD yesterday, as I couldn’t find the movie for free anywhere on streaming right now. I haven’t watched it for years so I’m looking forward to that, in addition to seeing the extras.
I always look forward to returning to Miracle Springs, North Carolina in Ellery Adams’ A Secret, Book, and Scone Society mysteries, a cozy series with a lot of depth. Bookshop/café owner Nora and her three closest friends are all memorable characters with troubled pasts, and her relationship with sheriff Grant is convincing and heartwarming. What I most enjoyed in book #9, THE LIARS’ BOOK CLUB was the emotions I felt when the whole town came together to help their neighbors in the aftermath of an utterly devastating flood that destroyed many houses and farms after a poorly constructed dam broke. But there’s more–a lot more: a wedding day when the groom never arrived, a later murder, a valuable document that went missing, a plethora of potential suspects, and a few characters who are not who they appear to be. Nora’s long-time employee and friend, Sheldon, is again featured, and he continues to prove himself one of the most valuable.steadfast, and charming assets of Miracle Books. The focus of this series has changed over time, but it continues to be a surefire, reliable read for me, and the quality remains high. (October)
Margie, Your piano area sounds delightful. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from playing piano there, and just the overall atmosphere.
I only read the first two Secret, Book, and Scone Society mysteries. I was impatient because it seemed as if there was so much time between the first few books. Now that there are nine of them, I should probably go back and pick them up.
What a dilemma – games or Toastmasters! Good luck!
What helpful sons you have Margie! And your piano area sounds perfect.
I have read a couple of chapters of a Kate Ellis mystery, but that’s it. Luciano had his overnight hospital stay for chemo last Thursday. On Saturday, my husband, daughter, Luciano and I started a 14 hour drive to Carolina Beach. It was too early to check in, so we took Luciano to the beach fully clothed. His first glimpse of the ocean was precious.. overjoyed, awestruck. He ran straight in, quivering with excitement, shrieking with delight at the waves. So, we all went in, fully clothed, shoes on, laughing and just so enjoying his delight. He and his mom had 3 days of joy and lower stress. Cancer is always there, but joy was there too. So thankful for the trip. Driving home to Michigan for tomorrow’s meeting with the radiation oncologist and another round of chemo. We will hang on to the joy as we power thru this.
Jennifer, I recently finished listening to Kate Bowler’s Joyful, Anyway, which is about the very thing you described—even in the midst of cancer, pain or heartache there can also be unexpected (and all the more precious for it) moments of joy.
I don’t even know what to say, Jennifer. It’s beautiful that you all found so much joy in the ocean and time spent with Luciano and your daughter. I know it’s a long stretch. You all seem to be caring for each other. I wouldn’t know from experience, but I think that’s important. Sending long distance hugs to all of you.
Jennifer, I’m so glad little Luciano was feeling well enough to thoroughly enjoy the family visit to Carolina Beach! I can picture the scene in my head, and can feel the emotions.
It is hot in Texas so have stay inside. Almost done with Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller. I love this book, set in modern-day Harbin and Beijing. Song takes her son River to Beijing because he is a child music prodigy. They come from a peasant migrant background so we how different life is from regular citizens. They get separated when they arrive in Bejing and we follow the mother, Song’a, and son, River”s, lives for four years trying to find each other. They never give up. I highly recommend it.
Also read a short book, Cancer Vive, a lovely book and a woman’s strong fight against cancer. I will be mailing it to my cousin.
I can’t even imagine a mother separated from her son, and the two of them trying to find each other for four years. As I said, you read difficult books, Carol.
It is smoky where I am too, which makes it a good day to stay inside and read. I am still reading various books about Appreciative Inquiry for my doctoral project. That uses so much of my brain cells I mostly reread old favorites, most recently Frederica by Georgette Heyer. It’s a very funny Regency romance.
I had to do a lot of driving last week, so I finally finished listening to Kate Bowler’s Joyful, Anyway, which I mentioned above. And I listened to Whistler, by Ann Patchett, which I loved. No surprise there! I really felt for 9 year old Daphne as her world was turned upside down repeatedly by her mother’s romantic choices. (And the way her mother liked to ignore the impact of those choices on her girls.)
Have a great week, everyone!
I had to look up Frederica, Trisha. I thought this was the one with the monkey. I was wrong. That one was one of my favorites, but I can’t remember the title of that one. I can understand why Georgette Heyer works as a comfort read. I loved her romances.
We have an excessive heat warning for our area (Santa Barbara / Goleta) and supposedly it will get better tomorrow. It hasn’t been too bad, but Red Flag warnings for possible forest fires have been worrisome. We have been trying to stay indoors, and watching for plants that need water, since we have so many newly planted pots.
Glen is continuing to read ATLANTIC by Simon Winchester, but he took a break to read one of our new graphic novels. It was RUINS by Peter Kuper, 328 pages long, about a couple who travel to Oaxaca, Mexico. He liked it mostly, but did not care for the main character. It has a gorgeous cover and very nice art.
I finished GLASS HOUSES by Louise Penny. I always feel like Penny’s Inspector Gamache novels are too dark and serious while I am reading them, but at the end I always give them 5 stars. I have all the books in the series to this point, so I will keep reading them…
Now I am reading FLOATING HOTEL by Grace Curtis, described as cozy science fiction, set on a space ship. I have read close to half of the book so far and I am liking it a lot, but I disagree with the “cozy” part. It is a typical hotel story, focusing on the people who run the hotel. This is another book my son read first, then loaned to me.
I hope everyone else is enjoying their reading.
I started The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston, Tracy, so I’m now enjoying a book. I know what you mean about Louise Penny’s books sometimes being dark, but earning a 5. Beautifully written books, aren’t they. And, the forthcoming one goes back to Three Pines, and sounds like the ones I loved best.
It’s been well over 100 degrees. I got this outdoor swamp cooler that helps a little.
This week I read:
Dark Night in Big Rock by William W Johnstone; Smoke Jensen’s son is back home from college back east. He’s a newly minted lawyer. That doesn’t stop any gunfights, though.
The Biography of Sean Connery by Samuel Gate; A strange biography that tries to describe the tension between Connery’s portrayal of Bond with the rest of his career goals, but it’s written at the level of the Valutale biographies that were popular when I was about 9. I always thought the young Connery would have made for a good Tarzan,
There and Back Again: The Unofficial History of The Lord of the Rings Movies by Sam Moore; I’ve read several of these sorts of books. I’m not the biggest fan of Tolkein, but not a hater, either. I found the stuff on the proposed Beatles version of the movie the most interesting.
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo by Vic Crume; Herbie The Love Bug was a big deal there for a while, but today’s disney kids probably never heard of it. There was a time when The Monte Carlo Grand Prix was a big deal, too. Such is fame, I suppose. After the failure of the live action Moana movie, Disney could do worse than give Herbie a revival.
I took my sisters to see The Love Bug at a drive-in, Glen. An early Cars, I guess.
I can’t even imagine a Beatles version of The Lord of the Rings.
Stay cool!
Lesa,
Both John and Paul wanted to be Frodo, and George at the ripe old age of 27, wanted to be Gandalf. Ringo wanted to be Samwise. Twiggy and Donovan were also cast. I’m sure Mick Jagger wanted to be Sauron.
I can’t really imagine how it would look onscreen, but I would like to see it, if I’m ever in the correct alternate universe.
Popping in to say that I am reading MISSING: A NOVEL by E. A. Jackson. Picked it up by way of the library because of Lesa’s recent review of it.