I missed you last week! I was in New York City, doing books and theater, so that was great. Even so, I missed our conversation. But, I knew I’d never have time on Thursday to go online and talk about what we’re reading.
I’m reading a book that my friend, Kaye Wilkinson Barley, raves about. In fact, she’s already read the galley of James Anderson’s second book. But, I’m almost halfway through his first one, The Never-Open Desert Diner. You know me. I seldom talk about the language. Characters and plot are most important to me, in that order. But, this book about a trucker who drives the same stretch of a Utah highway is beautifully written. That’s all I’m going to say about it until I finish and review it. Kaye can say more if she happens to stop by.
But, I’m most interested in what you’re reading. What did I miss? What have you read in the last two weeks? Let’s chat.
I missed it last week too! I had to finally give up on a couple of science fiction books (one at 50% read) because I just wasn't getting the enjoyment out of them I wanted, and there are too many other things waiting. I found one.
But first:
Caitlin R. Kiernan, Agents of Dreamland, a combination Lovecraftian time travel novella that is hard to describe but a fast read
Walter Tevis, Far From Home, science fiction short stories by the author of The Hustler and The Man Who Fell to Earth, published 1981
Lee Child, No Middle Name: The Complete Collected Jack Reacher Stories, 400+ pages of goodness (a couple when Reacher was a teenager)
Pamela Paul, My Life With Bob. You know this one, which really grew on me the deeper I got into it (though I strongly disagree with her views on the Flashman series of George MacDonald Fraser).
Patrick Millikin, ed., The Highway Kind: Tales of Fast Cars, Desperate Drivers, and Dark Roads. Some very good stories among the average to good others, including Joe R. Lansdale and Kelly Braffet.
Spencer Kope, Collecting the Dead, a first novel I raced through in a day, about Magnus "Steps" Craig, a young FBI agent (of sorts) who hunts serial killers by following the "Shine" they leave behind. You don't have to believe it to enjoy this terrific book.
Current reading: Book 7 (I think) in Brett Battles' Jonathan Quinn (The Cleaner was the first) series, which picks up immediately after the previous one (The Collected), and yes, you need to read them in order. Quinn's former boss (SPOILER ALERT) is dead, his true love is grievously injured, and he needs to find out who caused it. (END SPOILER)
Also, I'm back to the Complete Saki stories, now past the 75% mark. I believe I've read over 100 stories so far.
John Scalzi's The Collapsing Empire is up next.
Last week I finished The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck. I liked it a lot. This week I am reading The Simplicity of the Cider by Amy E. Reichert. I am enjoying it much more than her second book Love Luck and Lemon Pie but not as much as the Coincidence of the Coconut Cake.
I'm reading THE RED SPHINX, a "forgotten" novel by Dumas. It's a direct sequel to THE THREE MUSKETEERS, although they don't appear in it. It's very long.
I know, Jeff. I really enjoy seeing what everyone is reading. I thought of all of you on Thursday last week. I need to read that Jack Reacher collection.
Sharon, That's interesting that you're reading The Simplicity of the Cider. I ordered it, and it just arrived on Tuesday. I don't know when I'm going to get around to it, but I will eventually.
Bill, I love your comment. It's very long. Oh, well. The VBKs will be happy if you don't have to get out of the chair.
I am reading two books. GRIM DEATH AND THE ELECTROCUTED CRIMINAL written by Michael Mignola and Thomas E. Sniegoski and QUIET NEIGHBORS written by Cationa McPherson. Very different books, but both are very, very good!
Those titles sound very different, Karen! I'm glad you're reading two books that are good.
I read Clash of Eagles by Alan Smale, an allo-historical novel about a world war between the Roman empire and the Mongols in North America. This was a long, dense read.
Antiques Bizarre by Barbara Allan, another good mystery by the Collins's
Hong Kong Black by Alex Ryan: Second book in a "techno-thriller" set in China.
Gastrophysics by Charles Spence, about the science of food and tasting.
Currently reading Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards.
Whew! You've been busy, Glen. And, some of those books sound like tough subjects. You probably needed Antiques Bizarre by the time you got to it.
Lesa, I am glad you are enjoying THE NEVER-OPEN DESERT DINER. I read it last year and happy to see there is another book by James Anderson that Kaye mentioned.
And I did miss learning what others are reading.
Jeffrey: I like the Jonathan Quinn series but I may be behind. The last one I read is THE BURIED. What is the title of book 7?
I am reading several ARCs: RESURRECTION MALL by Dana King, DAY OF SECRETS by Daryl Wood Gerber and THE TRICKSTER's LULLABY by (Ottawa author) Barbara Fradkin.
7 is The Enraged
8 is The Discarded
I believe there are 11 now.
Thanks, Jeffrey. Looks like I have some catching up to do in the Jonathan Quinn series!
Grace:
9 The Buried
10 The Unleashed
11 The Aggrieved
Thanks, Jeffrey!
Ugh, this means I read book #9 (the Buried) without reading #7 and 8!
I think it's so great that everyone helps each other when it comes to books.
I just finished Aunt Dimity & The Widow's Curse. It was a nice light read. Before that I read The Vampire's Accidental Wife by Kristen Painter.
Sometimes, it's just time for a nice light read, Sandy.
I'm trying to catch up with Louise Penny, now reading The Nature of the Beast. Just starting The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke – because a reviewer made it sound so interesting, and also reading Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz.
I am still reading The Revenge of The Radioactive Lady by Elizabeth Stuckey-White and getting hooked on it. Also started Beach House by Joanne DeMaio, a review requested by author. Have read all of her books so far.
Just started Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield.
I'm reading the second book in an Australian series, "Murder by the Book," written by Jennifer Rowe. I would describe it as a traditional mystery or an intelligent cozy. Wish I had discovered this series earlier, but glad I had collected all the five titles in the series. The first, "Grim Pickings" was also very good!
I cannot wait to read your review on The Never-Open Desert Diner!!!!!!!!