I finally finished Eric Grode’s The Book of Broadway, but you already heard about it when I bought that book. And, I was reading Shakespeare’s Richard III last evening, since I’m going to see it today. I would never feel as if I could review Shakespeare. Maybe a play I went to see, not the play that I’m reading. I also have a pile of books I’m reading. And, let’s face it. It was just a gorgeous weekend here, in the 70s. So, between plays and weather, we’ll see what I finish by Monday.
So, what are you reading this weekend? Or, are you out enjoying the weather, too?
I'm reading three indie published books for review:
Alphas Heir: Bear Shifter Billionaire by A.J. Tipton
Quest for Babylon's Soul: The Epic Search for The Gold Statue of God Marduk by Sonador Snow
Murder and More: a Carson Reno Mystery by Gerald W. Darnell
and for fun Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
I'm also enjoying the weather as well, these are for after being outside.
I've just finished a not-very-good novel and now I am looking at my sagging shelves and finding it hard to decide what to start next – so many choices! I might carry on with Elizabeth Jane Howard, though I'll probably need to read the first Cazalet novel again as it's so long since I did so. But before that I have the joy of proof reading my daughter's 70 page long dissertation on some esoteric branch of 17th century music….I just hope it's only the grammar & punctuation that she wants checked.
Younger daughter & I have started watching the DVDs of Mad Men, having never caught up with it at the time. Really enjoying it so far, but both totally horrified to see how sexist life was then – of course to her it's like ancient history, but I was actually alive (just) in the 60s! Makes you see how far we have come, though there's still a very long way to go.
Sun has made an appearance in Edinburgh (we had sleet yesterday…) so I might take myself for a stroll down the Water of Leith before I get stuck into the Magnum Opus.
Hope you enjoyed the theatre Lesa. I haven't seen Richard III but I did see Richard II at Stratford-on-Avon as a teenager – and I still remember how brilliant it was. I love the history plays, maybe even more than the famous yragedies, though my favourite play is probably Winter's Tale or The Tempest.
My daughter has just been given a part in The Mikado, to be performed at the Minack Theatre in the summer. The Minack was carved out of the cliffs in Cornwall – I've not been there myself but it's supposed to be spectacular.
Have a good day (mine had to improve after coming downstairs this morning to find cat sick all over my handbag… and in going to the kitchen to get the paper towels, I managed to tread in the rest of it… Siamese joke, no doubt.
Rosemary
Yes, we're enjoying the weather. Also enjoying a Boz Scaggs concert last night at Queens College, and looking forward to Earth, Wind, & Fire and Chicago tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden.
As to reading…just finished SHADOW SHOW, a collection of new stories "in celebration of Ray Bradbury" by authors including Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, Alice Hoffman, and Jacqueline Mitchard, among others. Also read Ben Aaronivitch's first Peter Grant book, MIDNIGHT RIOT. Grant is a P.C. in London who discovers he can see ghosts and has potential as a magician, so apprentices to Insp. Nightingale. I liked this and will read the next one soon.
Currently reading (nearly done) Glen Erik Hamilton's first, PAST CRIMES, about Army Ranger Van Shaw, who returns to Seattle after 10 years only to find his grandfather shot in the head. This is nominated (deservedly) for an Edgar. The second is the series is out.
Then there is the Christianna Brand short story collection, BUFFET FOR UNWELCOME GUESTS, downloaded from the library (as was the Aaronovitch), including several Insp. Cockrill stories.
And I have another 8 library books waiting to read next.
Rosemary, Edinburgh is on my list (along with New Orleans, where we will be in September) of all-time favorite ciiies.
Just finished Charles Portis' NORWOOD for the third time and started Jeff Zentner's THE SERPENT KING.
I would love to see New Orleans Jeffrey. In fact I'd like to see many cities (Eg Vienna, Madrid, Prague…) but the thought of the air travel quite puts me off these days – and I do appreciate living here in Edinburgh, it is a beautiful place. Do you visit often?
I'm so glad I really didn't have anything to review today. I enjoyed everyone's comments. It's going to be another beautiful day here today. I'm going to lunch with friends before we all go see Richard III. The cats are all sleeping right now. I imagine they'll all be out in the living room in a couple hours when the sun comes in the sliding doors. I find puddles of cats all over the floor then. I'm glad you're enjoying the weather, Page.
At least you have an excuse to see The Minack, now, Rosemary. It sounds fascinating. Jeff loves Edinburgh. This year, Ireland is on my list. Maybe next year, Edinburgh, if your offer is still good? Thank you for sharing your reading and what you're doing at the moment! Hugs, Rosemary!
Loved Glen Erik Hamilton's books, Jeff. Past Crimes deserves that nomination for Best First. Terrific book, isn't it? I liked Ben Aaronivitch's first Peter Grant book, MIDNIGHT RIOT, too. I just never got back to the next one. Reading one book for your wife right now, and one that you might like. I'm reading Heather Graham's Flawless, and Neil Gaiman's forthcoming collection, The View from the Cheap Seats. I'm loving Gaiman's essays. Made me laugh when you said another 8 library books waiting.
So, you're a fan of NORWOOD, Bill? I have The Serpent King in a pile, one of the books I plan to get to.
I just started The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton.
We spent a beautiful day yesterday walking around San Francisco, building our stamina for our summer Paris trip. Had lunch at our favorite restairant and were comped for the entire meal because their credit card system wasn't working and they recognized us as regulars! Recently read Catriona McPherson's wonderful Quiet Neighbors and a Van Gogh-themed mystery, Death on a Starry Night by Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden. I just started reading Francesc Miralles' Love in Lower Case. Speaking of TV, I am halfway through the first season of Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I had never seen one episode, and I am greatly enjoying it. I think there are 6 or 7 seasons of 21 episodes each, so I don't know whether I'll get through them by the time the four new 90-minute episodes are released later this year.
I've been out enjoying the weather, but I've been reading, too. I'm currently working on Spaced Out, the second Moon Base Alpha book by Stuart Gibbs. It's a combination of Mystery and Sci Fi aimed at middle graders, but it's a lot of fun.
Lesa, Jackie has FLAWLESS on her radar of course. She's been catching up with J. R. Ward, J. D. Robb, Christine Feehan, Lorelei James, Chloe Neill, Diana Palmer, and Virginia Kantra since we got back from Florida.
Rosemary, we first visited Edinburgh in 1972 and have been there many times over the years, but not since 2002. It used to be a regular spot on our book buying tour of Britain, and later we added the Fringe.
How's Henderson's doing? It's my wife's favorite restaurant.
I finished The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson and loved it. I read Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay this weekend and only found it only okay. Now I am reading The Trouble with Scotland by Patience Griffin and liking it very much.
I am finishing I am Going to Ruin Their Live, Inside Putin;s War on Russia's Opposition. Next up is Around the Clock, Diary of a Street Clcok. Have a huge stack of books to read and review.
I just finished the new Doc Ford novel, Deep Blue by Randy Wayne White.
I love hearing what you're all reading! My next question is going to be about libraries.