So how are you this week? It’s important to ask. COVID cases are getting closer here in Indiana, people at work, and spouses of people in my department. Are you doing okay? I know different states are shutting down different aspects of society, again. Take care of yourselves, please!
And, the other important questions, are you finding time to read, and what are you reading? I’m reading Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread by Pulitizer Prize-winning literary critic Michiko Kakutani. Her summaries are much more readable than I expected, and they cover everything from classics, fiction and nonfiction to children’s books. I did notice her opinion about Donald Trump and his presidency is very evident when she discusses any of the political, and many of the historical books. I’ve added a few titles to my TBR list, but not a lot. There are a number of books that just don’t interest me. However, I’m happy to read “about” them, rather than reading them. I appreciate the opportunity to be a little more culturally aware, even if the book isn’t added to those I want to read.
What about you? Are you okay? And, what are you reading? Check in, please!
Good morning.
I’ve been spending the past two weeks doing things like getting my mom to any appointments she needs, restocking my pantry, and getting my car serviced in case they shut things down again in NJ so I didn’t read much this week.
I finished A COLLEGE OF MAGICS by Caroline Stevemer. I originally read this back when it first came out back in the early 90s. It’s as much about politics in two imaginary European countries as it is about magic. I enjoyed it but the author has one of those writing styles that you either like or hate.
I get it, Sandy. I spent part of yesterday getting all my passwords for work projects in order, just so I have them in case we end up shutting down again in Indiana. Take care of yourself and your mother!
Thanks for asking, Lesa! We are all fine at my house (sometimes “fine” as defined by Ruth of Three Pines) and healthy. I like your review of reading about all those books to be aware, not necessarily to read them all (Lordy). And I’m reading All the Devils are Here for my December treat. I’ve been saving it! So how are you, Lesa?
Melanie! I am F.I.N.E. I bought “Ruth” masks for myself and my sister, Linda. A couple people at work know what it means, and they laugh whenever I wear it there. Oh, All the Devils Are Here! What a December treat! I loved it, and it’s definitely on my top ten list. Enjoy it! I think it’s one of her best. (Maybe my favorite.)
I will wear it the next time I go to a bookstore and see if anyone notices or asks! I did not wear it to the doctor’s office because I opted for the more effective KN95 mask; I still think it would have been funny!
It would have been funny, Linda. Appropriate for the doctor’s office. But, I bet no one would have asked there.
Just finished The Nothing Man. Highly recommend. It’s her best book yet.
Catherine Ryan Howard’s The Nothing Man, Keenan? And, welcome! Thanks for telling us what you’re reading.
Sandy, I see (on the news every night) that New Jersey’s rate is about twice of New York’s, so be careful out there!
We’re OK. Same old, same old – grocery, restaurants to pick up food a few times a week, hair and nails for Jackie, the occasional library pickup. Otherwise, staying in with books and television, waiting for the vaccine.
Interesting that you are reading the Kakutani book, as it is on my hold list. Also, I have been in a non-fiction mood lately. After the David Sedaris The Best of Me, which I very much enjoyed, I am reading Nancy Pearl & Jeff Schwager’s The Writer’s Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives. This is my kind of book, generally speaking, but even so I am really enjoying this series of interviews about books, what they read growing up, if they came from a family of readers, if they had books in the home, their experiences of libraries, etc. Most of the writers are so enthusiastic you want to read their books, and the recommendations they give have had me adding to my lists. Some of the authors included are Jonathan Lethem, Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, Jennifer Egan, T. C. Boyle, Dave Eggers, and Louise Erdrich. Definitely recommended.
In addition, when doing the laundry yesterday, I found a beautiful copy in the basement laundry room cum library of the Elizabeth Diefendorf edited The New York Public Library’s Books of the Century(1996). In 1995, the library had its Centennial and had a popular Books of the Century exhibit, and this lists (and annotates) the 159 books chosen. They picked the most “significant” books and other best sellers, with no more than one per author.
I’m reading Michael Ashley’s edited collection of Perfect Crimes & Impossible Mysteries, a giant collection of locked rooms and other “impossible” crimes, with some familiar authors but not just the same stories as seen before. Some of the authors: Vincent Cornier, William Brittain, Edward D. Hoch (of course), Arthur Porges, Peter Godfrey & Bill Pronzini. Good so far.
I just have not been able to get into novels this week, so it’s good I have plenty of short stories and non fiction to read.
I’m glad you and Jackie are still safe, Jeff. Smart not doing much else. Unfortunately, I guess it will be a while until we get the vaccine, but I’d get it. Sometimes, nonfiction is the only thing that I can get through. And, I’m enjoying Ex Libris more than I did The Writer’s Library. I gave up on it. In my field, I am now committing heresy by saying I’m not always a fan of Nancy Pearl’s work. It’s a little too literary for me. (sigh
I know what you mean about Pearl. A lot of her stuff does not appeal to me, but I like hearing about what authors read (and what they read as a kid) and recommend. Also, I am always impressed with how much more than me she seems to have read.
😉
Tons more than me! I’m impressed with her ability to read that much, and absorb it, Jeff.
Arthur Porges and William Brittain..I can’t wait to read this one as I haven’t seen anything by either of them in years. Thank you for this one!
We’re hanging in there. Being older, we feel it’s important to follow all the rules to the best of our ability so we can stick around on this earth a little longer. As for reading, I just finished 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand (a same time next year story) and am now savoring Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, nonfiction about the original connection of the indigenous tribes to the land and how that knowledge of earth can change our lives. Susan Spann’s Climb is next on my list.
Darn. I need to get to 28 Summers, Patricia. A friend of mine is reading Climb, and he’s really liking it. I’m glad you’re following rules. Continue to take care. I’m trying, too.
Everything is much the same here, except that they are closing down hair and nail salons again, as well as outdoor dining. I have a January 4 appointment with my hairdresser in San Jose, which will surely be shut down, but I’m hoping she will still be able to operate at her home salon in Monterey County, although it’s a 3-hour ride one-way. I’m trying to stay away from news as much as possible, as it just depresses me, and watch upbeat TV shows. Here’s what I’ve read this week:
I read THE LONG CALL, first in a new series by Ann Cleeves, for a book club. DI Matthew Venn broke with the Brethren, a fundamentalist religious group, while he was in college and has been estranged from his parents ever since. His first big case after returning home to North Devon from his previous police job in big-city Bristol features a man with an albatross neck tattoo found murdered on a remote beach. The investigation leads Venn and his team to the Woodyard, a community center managed by Venn’s husband, Jonathan, and to several Down’s Syndrome women who frequent an onsite care center there. Murder suspects include two women sharing an apartment with the victim, members of the Brethren and their families, and other townspeople. Cleeves is known for her evocative descriptions of place, and this book is no exception. I enjoyed Matthew Venn and look forward to future adventures.
In FIFTY WORDS FOR RAIN by Asha Lemmie, Nori is the product of an illicit relationship between a married woman of a prominent Japanese family and an African-American GI in the 1940s. When her mother abandons her, she is taken in and made a virtual prisoner by her Japanese grandparents, who want to hide her from the world to protect the family’s sterling reputation. Only when her older half-brother, whom she didn’t know existed, comes to live in the same house do things ease up a bit for Nori, and she is allowed to roam freely in the home, go outside and play, and learn the violin. What ensues is Nori’s journey throughout childhood and early womanhood, with and without her brother. Although this is a highly-rated book, I found it way too bleak for my taste, and I absolutely hated the ending.
I love a good legal procedural, and few can touch Michael Connelly in this arena, especially with his Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller) and Harry Bosch characters. In THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Mickey himself is accused of murder when a dead body is found in the trunk of his car after a “routine” traffic stop. Clearly it’s a frame-up, and Mickey insists on serving as his own lawyer, but his efforts are hampered by his incarceration. It’s time for his whole team to go into action, and his family members–including his ex-wife Maggie and his law school student daughter Hayley–are also involved. It’s a twisty plot, and Connelly describes every motion, subpoena, interview, and word uttered in the courtroom, but I was never bored.
The Food Network, Margie, and PBS. Those are my two escapes, even though I seldom cook anything. Like you, I loved The Long Call, and thought it was an excellent kick-off to the new series. I wondered about Fifty Words for Rain. It’s not my type of book, and, after reading your review, it definitely isn’t my type of book!
Stay safe, my friend. Hugs!
Happy Thursday! I completely forgot to check in last week. It was the last day of close for fiscal year end at work, and I was swamped as it was. (Yes, we have an off fiscal year.)
I just finished UNLOCKED by Shannon Messenger last night. It’s the latest entry in her Keeper of the Lost Cities middle grade fantasy series. It’s a bit different in that it is 2/3 a guide to the world she’s created and 1/3 the next part of the story. Of course, that 1/3 is 250 pages, so we still got plenty of story.
Today, I’ll be diving into GONE BUT KNOT FORGOTTEN, the third in Mary Marks’ quilting mysteries.
I worried about you, Mark, but I also knew it was the end of your fiscal year. I’m glad you stopped in! Thank you for that, and for sharing what you’re reading.
We’re good here. But, honestly? Filled with rage at the people in the State of North Carolina who are continuing to ignore the mask mandates. Because we have a post office box we have to go to our local post office to pick up our mail. I feel as though I’m risking my life every single time. There’s a note on the door telling people to wear a mask in order to enter but none of the employees are wearing one. I could go on and on about some of this. Instead I’ll just say this:
People arre stupid.
Now. Books I’ve read.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley which I did not love. I lilked it “okay” but I don’t understand it being on so many “Best of Lists.”
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. This is one I started and then stopped reading because the protag was such a depressed and depressing person I couldn’t stand her. Picked it back up and then finished reading it. It was an interesting premise, and the protag has some adventures I appreciated, and the ending redeemed the book, I guess, but again, I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley. This is a perfect book for this Christmas season. Shoot – It’s a perfect book for any season and I loved it. It’s one of my favorites for the year.
The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb. Not a perfect book, but if you’re a fan of Gothics, and I am, it’s one to enjoy. I always enjoy Wendy Webb’s books and was not disappointed in this one.
For me it’s always about the characters. Everything else is secondary for me while reading. And that seems to be especially true right now. 2020 has shown me a side of people that worries me and frightens me, if my reality is that people can be this mean, this ignorant, in real life, the least I can have is people I respect and enjoy in my fiction.
Sorry to be such a downer today.
That’s okay, Kaye. I agree with you. I’ll email with my personal comment about people who just don’t care what happens to others. As to Perestroika in Paris, after your earlier comment, I put my name on the waiting list at the library. It will be a little while. I think I’m eleventh on the list.
I finished reading The Skeleton’s Knee by Archer Mayor and then went to the next in the series, Fruits of the Poisonous Tree which I enjoyed even more. I am on the wait list at the library for the next book in the series. I also finished Susan Boyer’s Lowcountry Book Club. I really enjoy the setting of Charleston and the barrier islands. A fun mystery series. Am currently reading The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch. This is about an attempt to kidnap/kill General George Washington during the early Revolutionary War period. Am enjoying it so far.
Have the Christmas tree up, but think we will forego decorating it as it seems unlikely we will be with our adult children. It smells really nice though and helps me remember to smile. Take care, everyone!
Jennifer, I’m glad your recent books have all been good ones. I’m sorry about Christmas, but I’m glad you still found something to make you smile. Take care of yourself!
Hi Lesa,
I finished The Christmas Train, which I enjoyed up to the last chapter, but I then found the ending just too contrived. I appreciate that the whole plot is somewhat fantastical, but the ending was a step too far for me.
After that I read Eloise at Christmastime, which I like to take out every year. In a way it’s a sad story really, as this immensely rich child is left to live with Nanny in a top floor apartment at the Plaza Hotel – but she is so jolly about it, and Nanny is so lovely, that I suppose she has a happer life there than she would with her socialite mother’ on the Riviera’. And of course it is a children’s book! It does make me think a little of A Gentleman in Moscow – two people (in very different circumstances of course) finding friends and making a life for themselves inside a great hotel.
I was going to move on to a weightier tome, but have been in such a bad mood the last 24 hours that I found myself gravitating to a Debbie Macomber, and i must say she is comforting when your concentration is poor! So I am immersed in the lives of the people of Cedar Cove.
Nothing bad has happened to me, I’m very grateful to say – but like many of you I have just had enough of inconsiderate, stupid, people.
Today and yesterday I ended up having to do shopping trips – only groceriesand suchlike, but what a nightmare. Today was especially bad, as the nearest shopping centre – which is not big, more like what you would, I think, call a ‘strip mall’ – was built at a time when fewer people had cars, and the cars they did have were smaller – so the car park is not fit for purpose at the best of times, and today certainly did not qualify as one of those! Dark and rainy all day, and despite it being lunchtime on a weekday, the place was absolutely mobbed. So many people seem to become entirely oblivious to everyone else when they are behind the wheel – people reverse straight at you, never indicate, park so close you can hardly open your door, etc etc. The stores themselves were not too bad, but in the main supermarket (which is the most modern of the shops there) the woman supervising the automatic checkouts snapped my head off when I raised a query about a price, then she forgot to remove the security tag from the whisky I had bought (not for me!) so when I finally left the alarms went off.
Masks are now almost universally worn around here – it is actually illegal not to wear one in a shop without a good reason, but of course those ‘good reasons’ have not been defined, and the shop staff do not challenge anyone – not that I blame them, as the worst offenders are the most aggressive, whereas people with a valid medical reason are perfectly happy to explain. The infection rate for this area over the past week was something like 78 cases per 100,000 people – I don’t know how that compares with the US. It’s certainly much lower than some other parts of the UK, but I still feel threatened by people who don’t seem to know the meaning of social distancing.
Got home thoroughly stressed – then (after I’d lugged in several huge bags, of course…) my husband appeared from his home office and said ‘I know I didn’t ask you to, but did you get any cheese?’ I will leave you to guess my response….
I also started listening to Wuthering Heights read on BBC Sounds, but to be honest I am finding it a struggle. I’ve never managed to get past the first chapter of the book, but whereas listening to Henry James and Edith Wharton seemed to make them much more accessible, with this I’m just getting irritated by all the impenetrable Yorkshire accents.
I think I just need to have a peaceful day at home tomorrow to calm myself down. The weather is so grim (wet) that even my walks are a bit of a chore, but I will still fit one on at some point tomorrow. I need the contact with nature, even if it is rather soggy at the moment.
The good news here, and I don’t want to underplay how good it is, is that the first vaccines were administered yesterday. It was really lovely to hear the comments of the people who received them – mostly those over 80 years of age. The very first lady to get it was about to have her 91st birthday, and she talked about how it was the best present ever and how thrilled she was to be the first person. And a man who is 96 said he was especially excited to get it as he has two great-grandchildren due next year and he intends to be around to see them. So I think we can perhaps begin to see that little light at the end of the long tunnel.
I hope everyone has as good as day as they can. Take care.
Oh, Rosemary. When you mentioned Eloise at Christmastime, I could only think of Kaye. She loves the Eloise books, and when I went to the Plaza, I specifically went to look at the portrait of Eloise.
I can guess what your response to your husband was! This is not the year, nor the time of year, to think someone wants to go out to the stores again. Ha!
I think Great Britain is handling the vaccine situation so much better than we are here (sigh). Good for those seniors who stepped up to be first to get the vaccine. I hope it works out for both of them!
I know how much you depend on your outside walks. I hope nature is kinder to you than people have been. Sending lots of hugs!
This week I finished THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig. I am of the same opinion as Kaye about it. I think I enjoyed it more than she did but I certainly do not understand how it was Goodreads best fiction book of the year. I’ve read other books with the alternate timeline plot device I thought were better.
Then I finished CHRISTMAS ISLAND by Natalie Normann. This book was just what I needed after THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY. I think it is only available on Kindle. She is a Norwegian author. Holly travels to a small Norwegian island to visit her brother over Christmas while waiting for news about her job in England. She befriends the local hermit who is also escaping to the island from Oslo after a relationship turned sour. Naturally a behind closed door romance ensues. I found this charming and delightful and a perfect escapist Christmas read. My only quibble is there are quite a few typos.
Now I am reading THE TRANSATLANTIC BOOK CLUB by Felicity Hayes-McCoy.
My husband is still working from home and we are staying as careful as we can be. Masks, social distancing, grocery shopping at 8 am, no eating in restaurants……..the numbers in Ohio have become a little frightening and the news more than a little distressing.
Stay safe and Happy Reading!
Sharon, I haven’t even read The Midnight Library. I started it, and took it back, but I agree with you. I don’t understand why it was Goodreads Best Fiction book. I usually don’t agree with their pick.
Indiana is in the same kind of situation as Ohio. Take care. Sending hugs!
After Governor Newsom gerrymandered the virus, we’ve been locked down since Monday, but there is a lot more resistance this time. Of course, Newsom’s winery remains open. Apparently, it’s the only place in the state where it is impossible to catch Corona. My life stays the same. I work and I read.
I read:
Knockdown by the Johnstones; I read the first book in this Rig Warrior series when I was about thirteen, this is the fourth, published last year. The protagonist is over 70, but still tough, while his nephew is taking over the family business of killing terrorists and deep staters from the front seat of a semi.
The Crown Box Set; From the publishers of the old Edge and Steele westerns. An Aussie Dirty Harry in 1970’s Hong Kong fights crime and drinks too much, amidst exploitation.
With English Subtitles; Nerd Detective John Becmane gets another case, this time finding out who wants to kill a much maligned voice actor for anime. Then his old sort of girlfriend appears, and things get weird. Apparently, there is a geek terrorist group out here with a scheme to do…something.
I can’t believe his winery remains open, Glen. No wonder people are rebelling. That’s not the kind of thing you can hide. Geez.
The Johnstones remain really popular at our Central Library. I order quite a few of their paperbacks for that library. But, quite a span of years to wait for the next in a series!
Yeah..If Newsom’s winery is somehow magically Corona proof, shouldn’t we be sending vulnerable people there to keep them safe?
The Rig Warrior is something of a cult series, I guess, so it stays on the backburner mostly.
Thank you for asking Lesa.As I am reading all the comments I am reminded yet again to be thankful for all that I have and to not to fret about the things I cannot do at this moment or for the foreseeable future. My wish is for you all to be healthy and financially stable.
I recently finished Arctic Fury – Greer Macallister
The title evoked thoughts of cold, ice and nature’s fury. The brief descriptions also promised a different kind of fury, one of a band of thirteen resilient women led by a fierce leader charged to find a lost expedition and husband of a wealthy Bostonian woman, Lady Jane Franklin.
Historical Fiction based on some fact this story featuring strong women characters is told in a dual timeline, 1853 and just one year later, 1854. A lot can happen in a year. The book opens in 1854 as Virginia Reeve, the leader of the expedition is on trial for the murder of one of those in her group. As five others are seated in the front row of the courtroom, and Virginia sits at her table, we are taken back that one year to the expedition itself. Though only five remain to support Miss Reeve at trial, the story is brought to life for the reader through each of the thirteen women’s voices. It is these voices that captures both their strengths and frailties; these that determine their balance on the cusp of life or death. What did it take for survival? And what of Virginia Reeve and her trial?
Another wonderful book that I borrowed from my local public library on the recommendation of book rep for Penquin Random House, Ann Kingman, is David Sibley’s What It Is Like To Be A Bird – It is a beautifully illustrated book that after actually seeing, is one I know I need to own. Not a book that needs or maybe even should be read from beginning to end, you can open to any page, or any bird that interests you, find out lots of neat information and be directed to other pages where more can be discovered about our birding friends. For any nature lover, yourself or as a gift.
What a kind wish for everyone, Carol. You’re right. Health and financial stability are beautiful wishes.
I wondered about Arctic Fury. I saw Greer Macallister talk about it at LJ Day of Dialog, and it sounded like a fascinating book. Probably not for me, but I was interested to hear someone’s opinion when they read it. Thank you.
What It Is Like to Be a Bird sounds as if it’s a beautiful gift book.
Thank you for letting us know what you’re reading. I’m off for the next 3 Thursdays, which is nice. It gives me more of an opportunity to drop back and see all the comments.
I am so happy to see that others did not finish The Midnight Library..I just could not do it..and at 81 I do not want to waste time on book that I cannot get into…I have been reading cookbooks for fun and sometimes find recipes that I like the looks of. I have started reading some by Beverly Barton again, I am reading The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donaghue It is interesting to see what the protocol for nurses was back then. Also The Christmas Train on Overdrive. We, like many other Seniors are staying home as much as possible and wearing masks and social distancing,etc when we must go out. We didn’t have our 25/30 relatives/friends for Thanksgivng as usual – just us and that will continue through the holidays! and also for Super Bowl – no party for a few friends this year… I was glad to see everyone here is being careful.
This week I have been reading Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill. It involves a detective with the San Antonio PD who discovers a fresh clue in a case that has been closed for three years. It is definitely a page turner and hard to put down!
We have had unseasonably warm weather the last few days which have made our walks so nice. The further into December we can get with no snow, the better!
We are fine (in Santa Barbara, Calif). We are high risk due to age, so we just go out only if necessary.
Reading: I am reading a Hercule Poirot novel (Five Little Pigs). We have been watching the Poirot TV series and I am trying to read as many as I can before we watch them. Before that I read Little Women and The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen, two very different books. Variety is good.
It was good to hear about Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread. I will have to find a copy. My husband recently read Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman … and enjoyed it.
All the comments here are interesting and suggest more books for me to look into.
Tracy, Tell your husband I met Anne Fadiman’s father, Clifton Fadiman. I was so much in awe of the man’s knowledge and reading!
I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never read Patricia Highsmith’s STRANGERS ON A TRAIN. About three-quarters of the way through it and it’s something else indeed!
Art, Don’t you feel sometimes as if you have read a book when you know so much about it? There are just some classics that I almost feel as if I don’t need to read.
I actually read all the comments last night, but I was on my IPad, and was having a hard time replying to everyone. (sigh) Password issues on the IPad, between my account for my blog and and my login for Poisoned Pen’s blog. Sorry about that! But, I did want to see what everyone is reading. As Tracy said, I enjoy all the comments and find so many books I haven’t read, and many I haven’t heard of. Fun!