Do you ever read a book and get to a chapter when you know something horrific is going to happen, and put it down, saying, I can’t read that right now? Sometimes, it happens when I’m reading the book at work, and think, I don’t think I should read that right now on my lunch hour. It’s OK. I’m actually reading five different books, and I’ll have a review tomorrow, but I wasn’t quite ready to review one today.
So, instead of my review, what are you reading? What book grabbed your attention for the start of the new year? I’m liking all the books I’m reading, but I’m not at that point in any of them where I can’t put it down. That’s when I race to the end.
Let’s talk about what you’re reading.
A short story collection (many set in Ancient Rome, though some would call the dialogue anachronistic), Marilyn Todd's SWORDS, SANDALS AND SIRENS. Since I'm not a purist about these things, I can enjoy the story despite the modern usage.
Lou Berney's intriguing mystery, THE LONG AND FARAWAY GONE. Two events in Oklahoma City in 1986 – the killing of six (and survival of one) at a movie theater robbery and the disappearance of a teenage girl at the fair – have repercussions in 2012. Very good so far.
I've also started LEVIATHAN WAKES. the first book in The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey (a joint pseudonym), which I put aside for the Berney library book. I was finding it much easier to follow than the SyFy series.
I've read Lou Berney's earlier books. I have a copy of that one, and, despite the fact that my friend, Jen Forbus, picked it as one of her favorites of 2015, I still haven't gotten around to it. Someday, Jeff!
I'm reading SHELL SCOTT'S SEVEN SLAUGHTERS for a Friday's Forgotten Books post on my blog.
I just started The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis. I'm enjoying it so far.
I'm trying to finish Barbara Vine's ASTA'S BOOK for my mystery group meeting tomorrow evening. I don't think I succeed. I'm liking the book (which I'm pretty sure I read years ago, but don't remember anything), but it is slow moving and I don't want to rush. We're doing a Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine month though, so everyone is reading something different. It won't matter if I don't finish.
I read the American version of ASTA'S BOOK, as ANNA'S BOOK, some 20 years ago. I remember liking it a lot, but then the diary format is right in my wheelhouse.
I thought I'd read that Shell Scott collection but apparently not.
Just finished Jodi Picoult's Leaving Time: didn't see the end coming at all.
~Tricia
I am reading Summertime: All The Cats Are Bored, and so far enjoying it a lot, even though the translation is a little clunky in places. it's good to read something set in a hot and sunny place (southern France, mainly Perpignan and Collioure) when we're in the depths of Edinburgh's wet, dark winter.
Today I went out, ostensibly to buy film tickets, but of course couldn't avoid calling in to a few charity shops – came back with 4 books, the most interesting of which looks to be 'Crossing The Gap: A Novelist's Essays' by CJ Koch. I'd never heard of him, but it seems he was born in Tasmania in 1932 and is the author of 4 books, including The Year of Living Dangerously (I think I did see the film). The essays cover everything from 1950s London and Stanford in 1960 to F Scott Fitzgerald.
I did remember to get those film tickets! So tomorrow daughter & I will be going to see Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict.
It's so wonderful to stop back at the blog during the day and catch up on what you're reading. And, I like that you stopped back, Jeff, to see what others had read. The only one I've read out of this whole group is Krista Davis' book. Thanks for the updates everyone!
Yesterday I finished "The Age of Reinvention" by Karine Tuil. I got the ARC at ALA Annual but I hadn't looked at it until it was recommended in the Christian Science Monitor book column. Quite a story — unpleasant characters but a plot that pulled me in. I'm nearly finished listening to "Pacific" by Simon Winchester, which is really great narrative nonfiction. I will read "The Arrangement" by Ashley Warlick when I fly to Boston for ALA Midwinter tomorrow. It is a novel about M. F. K. Fisher.
I asked for James O. Born's Scent of Murder for Christmas because neither of the libraries I use had it in their catalogues. Glad I did because I really enjoyed it. I also asked for both of D.E. Ireland's Eliza Doolittle mysteries (same reason), and I've just started the first, Wouldn't It Be Deadly.
I second the motion on The Long and Faraway Gone–I put it on my ballot for Left Coast Crime. And I'm still under the thrall of Fredrick Backman's My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, although I've mentioned it here before. Definitely one of the most original I've read, and so touching. I would recommend it to one and all.
A month ago I finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Totally unlike anything I had read. Charming in the best sense and well written. "Socially challenged man's quest for the perfect wife." Light without being at all insipid. Heavy, deep books on serious, sad topics hold little interest for me anymore as real life presses in.
An arc arrived in the mail from librarything.com. James Anderson's debut novel – "The Never-Open Desert Diner." I opened it a little earlier today and am sitting here totally and completely hooked. Described on the back cover as a unique blend of literary mystery and noir fiction that powerfully evokes an unforgettable setting and introduces readers to a cast of characters who will linger long after the last page. Yep. I'd say that's about right.
Nann, Let me know what you think about The Arrangement. I didn't finish it, and a few of us had similar reactions when we discussed it on GalleyChat today. I'll be interested to see what you think.
I was finishing my book tonight, and only now got back to see what everyone is reading. Thanks for sharing I know I find your books and reading interesting. Margie, I'm so glad you read Scent of Murder. I liked it, too. And, Kaye? Your book sounds interesting, but you'll have to tell me if it's one I'd like or not.
Just finished The Lake House. It was on my TBR stack for a while but I keep reading shorter, faster books and read some Christmas books during the holiday. Now I wonder why I waited so long. It was so complicated, but no confusing, and at the end I found myself slowing down because I didn't want to finish it and not have any more of it to read.
Funny you should ask! I have left Harriet behind on a cruise to Alaska and have hunkered down in Absaroka County! How I managed to 'save' Dry Bones this long, I'll never know, but it's a great treat for the first book of the new year.
Ruth Rendell is another author I want to finally try this year!
I am reading The Hundred Gifts by Jennifer Scott. I probably should have given up on it but am soldiering on to see why it got so many 5 star reviews on Goodreads. For a Christmas book it is rather a downer and the hundred gifts don't make an appearance until halfway through.
I love seeing what everyone is reading right now! I am also a big fan of mysteries so I love your blog 🙂 I just finished “Uncontrolled Spin” by Jerry Summers {http://www.jerrysummersauthor.com/} The book is about a multimillionaire marketing expert, Sean Green, and his most recent client who is looking to put her apparel company on the map. During their “business” and “romantic” relationship Sean’s best friend is murdered and the twists and turns in the book don’t stop right up until the very end. This is the first book of the series and I am so excited to have found a book that not only keeps me hooked but offers more than just your typical murder mystery. I think Jerry Summers does a really good job at making it feel like a real romance and interlaces suspense and mystery in a really believable way. Hope you and your readers will check it out
I reading and loving "A Cancer in the Family" by Theodora Ross, M.d., Ph.D. It is great non-fiction about the complicated subject of cancer mutations and cancers that run in families. This doctor explains it so well and details what genetic counseling it like. The book is very proactive and she uses her own family history to illustrate the problems and concept. A great book
I'm hooked on Nelson DeMille's John Corey character so I'm reading my way through the series. Just finishing up "The Lion's Game."
I am hooked on paranormal cozies… "Witches and ghosts and skeletons… Oh, my!" But recently two books came my way that I am very interested to start. First, Perish by Pedicure by Nancy J. Cohen. My niece and I have regular pedicure adventures, and this book arrived just before our Christmas pedicure date. I think it was fortuitous, so I am starting 2016 with it. Second, my first giveaway win for 2016 was from the Fat Cat Mystery series by Janet Cantrell. I won Book 2 Fat Cat Spreads Out, and by Janet's generosity I will be able to start my reading adventure with Book 1 Fat Cat at Large. This, too, has meaning because with my nickname "Kat" I've joking referred to myself as "Fat Kat." Happy New Year! I'm set with three books to start 2016!!
I'm about half way through Jane Shemilt's The Daughter and am enjoying it. I saw where someone else liked the Rosie Project. I really enjoyed that, too, but thought the sequel, The Rosie Effect, was too drawn out and not nearly as good.