Here’s the exciting news. I took a leap of faith yesterday. I was already registered for Left Coast Crime 2022 in Albuquerque because it was moved from 2021 way last year, and I just let my registration ride. But, yesterday, I made my hotel reservations. If we’re not ready to travel by April 2022, ready to fly and attend conferences, then the world of travel is just over. So, I took a chance and made my reservation.
I hope I get to attend. I love Left Coast Crime. It’s a wonderful conference. I’ve attended in Santa Fe, Monterey, and Phoenix. I’m ready to meet up with friends and authors, sit in the bar, and, hopefully, hug people.
If travel isn’t going to work by next year, about all I have left is books. In the middle of all my mysteries, I’m also reading Reunion Beach: Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank. The author died in September 2019. I hosted her at the library in 2018 when By Invitation Only came out. That was a tough book for promotion. So many people thought the event was “By Invitation Only”, and we didn’t have the attendance I thought we should have had. As to this book, it’s an anthology in which a group of authors, friends of Dorothea Benton Frank, pay tribute to her through stories, poems and essays. I’ve only read Patti Callahan’s opening story, “Bridesmaids”, which is a perfect tribute with its Georgia setting and reunion of old friends. Elin Hilderbrand, Adriana Trigiani, and Mary Alice Monroe are the cover authors, although others are included. In addition, Frank’s readers will appreciate the recipes, the speech made by her husband at her celebration of life, and her daughter’s essay. This book is an appropriate tribute. Release date is Tuesday, April 27.
How about you? What are you planning in the next year? What have you been reading in the last week? I’d love to know!
I’m planning on getting my life back.
This week I read:
Wreck The Halls by Sarah Graves; A rather bleak cozy, especially one set at Christmas time.
Pulp Adventure #23; An anthology of pulp reprints, and neo-pulp material. Even includes a small piece by Dickens about Christmas. Christmas for Easter, I guess.
A double novel of The Shadow featuring tales set in China Town. Probably couldn’t even be written today.
Tales of Regventus; A fantasy where everybody is in some sort of romance, from the Chosen One, who is going to be king, to the pretender king, to everyone in between. How can a world with so much love be in such great danger? Maybe a little TOO realistic in that regard.
I think Sarah Graves’ first series was bleak, Glen.
Oh, and I hope we can all get our lives back. Mine is missing, too.
I am reading The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen. I should finish it today. As expected, it is a good book and I am enjoying it.
Oh, good! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Christie. Sending hugs!
I am very happy for you about your New Mexico trip-YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Still reading Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I will be sad to see it end. I am enjoying the decoding. I figured out a few by myself which gave me a boost.
Will be starting Do Something For Nothing by Joshua Coombes. True story about a hairdresser who decided to give homeless people free haircuts and his conversations with them.
In about an hour, I will be leaving for a rhizotomy where they burn the nerves in my lower back to help with the pain. This will be the left side, next week, my right side will be down. If it is
successful, it will help a lot with my lower back pain for maybe 9 to 12 months, then it is time to go back for more tests and do it over again.
Hoping after those two are down and one more procedure that I can do some fun things, instead of medical things!
I hope these procedures help with your back pain, Carol. I’m sorry. I hope you can eventually do some fun things, as you said.
Do Something for Nothing sounds very interesting.
Thank you. Lesa I hope so, much that the procedure helps, using ice pack and then took an aspirin. Glad that I have nothing planned for the rest of the day!
I’d love to go away for a few days but not making any plans right now. Last weekend we went to our first outdoor car show in over a year and then ate lunch out at one of our favorite restaurants. We did an early lunch so there weren’t any other customers until we were getting ready to leave.
This week I read
MAGICAL MIDLIFE LOVE by K.F. Breene. I needed a funny paranormal book.
An ARC of LETTERS IN TIME by Susan Reiss. When Emma inherits her uncles cabin she discovers an antique plantation desk in an outbuilding and after having the desk moved into the house she receives a letter from the ghost who’s attached to it.
An ARC of Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber. I enjoy her cookbook nook mysteries while I’m reading them but I never find the stories memorable.
Sandy, If we’re not ready to go someplace by next year, I just think we won’t be. I haven’t eaten at any restaurants here, and from what I heard yesterday morning, I’m certainly not ready. One of our managers mentioned a restaurant where they just put all the tables back, and no one on the staff wore masks. Nope. Not ready for that.
Letters in Time sounds interesting.
Hi Lesa and everyone
That’s very exciting news Lesa, and I do hope it works out for you. My husband has already booked some music events for this summer. I am not convinced, but it made him happy.
The numbers of hospital admissions here have dropped like a stone, but that is because we have been in lockdown for absolutely ages. Now England has partially opened up, and Scotland will do so on Monday. The experts are already predicting a third wave. If this happens every time they relax restrictions, our lives are going to be changed forever, but it seems to me to rest almost entirely on the efficacy and take up of the vaccines. The programme is moving fast and efficiently here, but of course there are still people who don’t want it, and almost no-one under 45 has yet been done unlss they are high risk. I think the theory must be that if young people are ill, they are (generally) much less ill, so the economy has to move to the forefront. I really don’t know if that’s right or wrong. I am not happy about all the pubs reopening on Monday, I feel that they are a major source of problems – but the ‘licensed victuallers assocation’ and many of the owners of huge pub chains (chief among them the awful guy who owns Weatherspoons) are big donors to the Tory party. Make of that what you will.
Yesterday I finally got a haircut. I actually felt a little bit nervous going into town – not really because of the virus,but more just the idea of going out in the city. I didn’t even know what to wear! But I had a great time – I have a new haridresser, as I can’t really be travelling down to Edinburgh every time I need a cut, so I tried one my friend recommended – and he was great, about my son’s age, and so funny. The cut was fine too! I felt invigorated when I came home. The city was very quiet, but I could see employees inside all the shops, getting them ready for re-opening. Of all the people I know, old and young, the only places they really want to go to are Primark (cheap clothes, and always quite cutting edge), bookshops and charity shops (largely for books!) Even my daughter in London says she has no real desire to go to pubs (though I think she has been when her friends invited her.)
Carolee, the very best of luck with your treatments, what a nightmare. I do hope you get really positive results.
Back to books!
Lesa, Dorothea Benton Frank sounds wonderful. I will look her up (how much do you bet her books aren’t in our libraries and cost a fortune on Amazon UK? But I live in hope 🙂 )
I am reading the first in a series of crime novels by the late Janie Bolitho. They are all set in Cornwall, her home county, and all feature a widowed artist and photographer, Rose, who gets herself caught up in murders. They are fairly cosy books with very little blood and gore. I have read a couple that come later in the series, because I bought them in charity shops and didn’t have the first ones – but I think this first one is actually better than the others so far.
It is called Snapped in Cornwall. A wealthy woman from London buys a large country house, has it done up, and asks Rose to take photos of it for her Christmas cards. She then holds a party for locals and a few friends from London. The attendees include the woman’s husband (a businessman who is still living in their London flat), their son, his fiancee, the husband’s mistress (did she gatecrash or was she invited, and if so, why?) and Rose and her friend Barry. Various locals are also employed to help with the catering. By the end of the evening the hostess is dead. The police investgate, and Rose – who (surprise!) can’t resist trying to work it out herself – crosses swords with the inspector in charge. It’s not a work of genius but I like it, and I know a blogger in Cornwall who says she really enjoyed the locations, and that they are very accurately described. I will read the remaining books in the series, though probably not all at once.
I am also reading Penelope Mortimer’s short story collection Saturday Lunch with the Browniings, which is brilliant in its observation of the English chattering classes in the 1950s. Some of the stories are very funny, others more serious. She was a great writer and it’s sad that she died young. I’ve yet to read any of her novels – The Pumpkin Eaters in particular seems very popular.
And I’m still reading A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf – my online book group friends and I are taking a chapter at a time each week. Although VW’s style (which so many people love) drives me round the bend with impatience, I do think she makes some excellent points.
On Sunday we are driving over the hills to Aviemore to visit our son and daughter-in-law for the first time in 9 months, so this morning I have been baking Mediterranean scones for them, and I also plan to make a cake. Their exciting news is (no, not a baby….) that on Saturday they are collecting their new Cocker spaniel puppy, called Billy. So we too will get to meet him – though only outside as our restrictions still completely forbid any meetings inside people’s homes unless you are a medical person, a carer, or a tradesperson carrying out essential work. So let’s just hope this fine weather lasts, as we will be sitting in their garden come rain or shine!
Have a good week everyone!
Good luck with your procedure today Carolee.
And good for you Lesa taking a leap of faith with the conference. With so many sporting events increasing attendance and concerts being booked, I would be surprised if your event does not happen.
Our snow from yesterday is gone but is a cold Central Ohio morning.
This week I gave up on MAYBE ONE DAY by Debbie Johnson.
But because I enjoyed MAGPIE MURDERS so much I plunged right into MOONSTONE MURDER by Anthony Horowitz. So far it is just as good as its predecessor. Susan Ryeland is back leaving Andreas and idyllic Crete to investigate a missing Suffolk woman. Her parents seem to think there is a connection between Cecily’s disappearance and an Atticus Pund book written by the late Alan Conway who Susan was an editor for. Once again there are many layers and hidden layers. I am almost done and finding it excellent .
Happy Reading!
Ugh. My brain said MOONFLOWER MURDER by Anthony Horowitz but my fingers typed MOONSTONE by mistake. Sorry.
Sharon, I knew what you meant with the Horowitz title. (sigh) Deadlines, deadlines. I need to read those books. They sound so good.
I hope the weather improves soon!
Rosemary, I feel the exact same way you do about COVID. If it rebounds every time one country or city reopens, life as we know it is going to change forever. Here in Indiana, anyone who wants the vaccine can pretty much get it. I think most people I know at work have had it. But, my question is, how long will it last? If it lasts a year, are we all going to get another vaccine next March or April, or are people not going to bother unless everyone starts getting sick again? In my department, we’re all still wearing masks, but not everybody in the library is. (sigh) And, the governor’s plan expires May 1, so we may be opening up the entire state. We’ll see
I do think you’ve done much better that the U.S. in locking down, but is that going to help when everything opens, including the pubs?
So, talking books. It’s always interesting to read your comments about mysteries and other books that I’ve never heard of. The U.S. and the U.K. really need to work more closely in the publishing world. (snicker – like that will ever happen. And, since you’re reading an older series, it’s too late anyways.)
I hope your good weather does last, and you get to see family and Billy in good weather, not in the rain! Sending hugs, Rosemary!
Rosemary, here in Michigan the Restaurant Association has opposed any attempt to reduce capacity or close down again despite state having the highest rate of infection. The association says there is no evidence that dining in contributes to spread and that the governor is being unduly harsh…….
And, in the states around Michigan, the buzz is all about the high rates of COVID there.
Only plans made so far are for additions in the yard. So far just transplanting “volunteers”. A funeral in the future, or not, depending on how long it takes international travel to open without weeks of quarantine.
My library did have the ebook for one of your recent giveaways that sounded interesting, WRONG ALIBI by Christina Dodds. Described as a romantic thriller, interesting read as long as one suspends all belief about it actually being set in Alaska.
Read one other book by an author mentioned in this blog, S.J. Rozan’s latest in the Bill Smith/Lydia Chin series #13. The action in THE ART OF VIOLENCE takes place in the New York art world with a crazy artist or two or three.
Somehow new release SERPENTINE was in my queue this week. I don’t recall the recommendation, but a strange choice as it is #36 in Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series and I haven’t read any of the others. But it does well as a stand alone novel, a psychologist that aids a police detective in solving a cold case. Primarily set in Los Angeles, but had one of the characters located in the town (city now) where I went to high school, so a bit of personal interest.
Currently reading SMOKE by Joe Ide. Fifth in the Isaiah Quintana (IQ) series and a bit of a disappointment. It focuses on the minor characters from the previous books and wouldn’t be as coherent without that background. But for an author that describes his writing as influenced by Sherlock Holmes and creates “a character that faces the world and vanquishes his enemies with just his intelligence”, I’m willing to take a chance.
Happy reading and safe travels to all.
M.M., Those are plans, work in the garden, a funeral if able to travel. And, books. At least we always have books.
It sounds as if you’ve read Joe Ide’s other books. I haven’t tried IQ yet.
Happy reading to you as well!
I have read the other books in the IQ series. Probably too inner city and violent for many readers, but a good writer.
My mother-in-law loves Tim Weaver’s David Raker series (UK). I thought it too violent, but it mellows somewhat after the first few books.
Interesting, M.M., that you and your mother have different levels of tolerance of violence in your reading, and that she seems to tolerate more!
Good news. We’ve always wanted to see New Mexico. Thanks for all the non-book comments, everyone. Good luck today, carolee! Sounds like a nerve wracking but worthwhile procedure.
Ah, travel. I am still very uncomfortable about it, like indoor dining. Jackie, on the other hand, is more gung ho as usual. So far, we have plans for five concerts this summer that were postponed from last summer. These are outdoors at Jones Beach for the most part, but frankly I am still not sure how this will work. If the current 25 or 33% is raised to 50% by then, then what? You have thousands of tickets sold, mostly in the lower part of the stadium. How are you going to space people six feet apart? And if you don’t, well, then I’m not going. And if you do, are you going to make us change seats? Because we have certain specific seats we always buy and we are not willing to give those up and move elsewhere. It’s a problem. My guess is, more postponements.
Before that is our annual July 4th trip with my cousins in Connecticut. This year is Boston (postponed from last year). We have the hotel reservations, but are the restaurants going to be open in two months? If you can’t eat breakfast in the hotel, why go? And we’re assuming Boston restaurants will have outdoor dining available, because none of us are ready to eat indoors. Stay tuned.
Beyond that, the next thing is our 50th Anniversary, already postponed from last October. Jackie is thinking New Orleans (partly because long flights are still out; if it were up to me, ALL flights would be out), but again, we’ll have to see the hotel and restaurant issues by then. We’re not going to Bouchercon in New Orleans in August partly for that reason, plus the crowds (800 registered so far). So things are still up in the air. Health has to come before travel.
Will post this and do the books separately.
I agree, Jeff. Health does have to come before travel. I’m eager, like Jackie, but, if you notice, my flight is a year away. I haven’t been to restaurants.
I am planning to drive home to my Mom’s in June. It will be her 85th birthday. My sisters and I are getting together. We’ve all been vaccinated. We really haven’t made any plans. Mom has eaten in restaurants more than the rest of us, but even she tends to bring the food home. There really isn’t outdoor dining in northcentral Ohio in April. Especially since it snowed earlier this week. We’ll see what June brings.
Yes, take care of yourselves!
Jeff, I’m with you re indoor dining, and even more so about flights. My husband is more in Jackie’s camp – last night he was asking me (again..) if I wanted to drive up the west coast of the US from San Francisco to Seattle. He has a gazillion air miles to use up. The short answer from me is – not if it involves flying there (and I am most definitely not getting on a cruise ship!) but I am trying to be reasonable….so maybe in 5 years time!
I too would like to see New Mexico, but not enough to make me travel there just now. Having said all of this, I should emphasise that I am not a good traveller at the best of times – some of this is as much about my innate reluctance to leave Scotland as it is about the virus.
Bring on the books!
I agree with both you and Jeff, Rosemary. Although I do love to travel and fly, but I haven’t done either since months before COVID hit.
And, New Mexico is beautiful!
What am I reading? Since I read mostly genre (mysteries still #1) novels, I try to read more straight fiction in my daily short story reading. This week I finished IN THE LAND OF MEN, the fourth collection by Antonya Nelson I’ve read this year, but the one I enjoyed the least, sad to say. Currently reading a new to me author recommended by a friend (and it appeals as his stories are mostly quite short), Robert Walser’s BERLIN STORIES. Walser moved to Berlin to stay with his older brother, a very successful stage set designer who worked with Max Reinhardt among others. The other book is one I’d have thought I’d read before (and maybe I have! and forgot!), Michael Chabon’s first collection, A MODEL WORLD. Both collections were written by young men in their twenties. I now have a third Crippen & Landru collection (in the Lost Classics series) waiting to be read: Q. Patrick’s HUNT IN THE DARK. “Patrick” (Richard Webb & Hugh Wheeler) also wrote as Patrick Quentin and Jonathan Stagge. And I have the second St. Mary’s collection of stories by Jodi Taylor.
This week, after the somewhat disappointing Andrea Camilleri book mentioned last week, I read Evan Hunter’s (originally published as by Richard Marsten) early (1953 – his fourth published book of 119!) DANGER: DINOSAURS! This was published in the Winston Science Fiction series of 37 “juvenile” books published between 1952 and 1960, aimed at the teen boy audience. These would definitely be classifed as YA today. 18 year old Chuck Spencer gets to go on a time travel trip 100 million years in the past since his brother Owen is the tour leader, but as you can guess, things go wrong. This fast moving book was well worth the $2.99 Kindle price to me. Fun.
THE HIDING PLACE is the third in Paula Munier’s excellent K-9 series set in Vermont, with Deputy Mercy Carr and her dog Elvis, Game Warden Troy Warner, and the myriad other characters introduced in the first two books (which you should read in order). I won’t give you the machinations of the complicated plot, just say that if you haven’t read these, why not?
Not sure what I will read next, I have the second Owen Laukkenen book but it is a little similar (injured vet, rescue dog, etc.) to the Munier (only superficially, but still), so may read something else first, like the second Martin Walker book about Bruno, Chief of Police.
Everything seems to be pointing you toward that Bruno book, Jeff. I’m glad you liked The Hiding Place!
I own so many of Jody Taylor’s books, and just haven’t gotten back to them. I’ll have to look for them in the piles in my second bedroom.
And I saw what you meant. It definitely had a tearjerker end! It’s quite interesting to me, reading the Munier and Margaret Mizushima series, how there are certain superficial similarities but quite a difference in tone and character. I mean, the romantic issues with the guy’s ex-wife, and the reaction of the women. But both women and both men are really quite different in personality, etc.
You’re right, Jeff. Those books are quite different despite the similarities. And, it was a tearjerker ending, but I just couldn’t say more!
Hope you get to Albuquerque. It was one of my favorite spots. Reading Walk In My Combat Boots. Interesting. On to two EGGs cozies
Carol, I hope I get to Albuquerque, too. I’ve only been in the airport, not the city itself. And, I want to see their museum. You’re the third person to tell me they loved Albuquerque.
I finished The Sunflower Sisters. Despite the fact that it was a difficult read in some parts (and should be), I really enjoyed it. I loved reading the history of the civil war time period. I highly recommend it, especially if you like to learn about life during the civil war.
I just started reading the Final Rivival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton. I am not too far along but so far so good.
On audio I am listening to The Prisoner in the Castle by Susan Elia MacNeal. I enjoy this series. This book has an And Then There Were None vibe. It is good. I am enjoying the second half better than the first. However, it is not my favorite of the series.
Happpy reading!
Happy Reading, Kathleen! I’m happy to know you enjoyed The Sunflower Sisters. I haven’t yet asked my Mom if she read it, but I know she has four books to pick up today at the library. She read the authors’ earlier ones.
I don’t remember the summary I read of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. I’m going to have to look it up.
Off to Albuquerque next April for LCC for me as well, and I can’t wait. It will give me something to look forward to for a year! I was so sad to miss LCC and Bouchercon (in-person) this past year, especially since the latter was to be in Sacramento, which is in driving distance. I’m also hoping the nearby Harris Center opens, as I was looking forward to attending some shows there. I’ve really missed going to plays and musicals.
First up this week was AN UNEXPECTED PERIL by Deanna Raybourn. I’m not usually a fan of style over substance in a mystery, but I make an exception for The Veronica Speedwell Mysteries. For me, the mystery is not the most important thing in this series. It is the fascinating characters of Veronica and her lover and associate, Stoker, the stylish and often humorous writing, and the evocation of late 19th century England. Veronica is a noted lepidopterist and secret daughter of the Duke of Wales and, with natural historian Stoker, has had several dangerous adventures. Now they are preparing an exhibition at the Curiosity Club in tribute to the late mountain climber Alice Baker-Greene, whose demise looks more like a murder than an accident when the pair finds a clearly-cut rope that had belonged to her. They notify Princess Gisela of Alpenwald, where the fall took place, and later the princess disappears. Veronica, who resembles her, is called upon to impersonate the princess to maintain her political relationships. It isn’t a particularly twisty plot, but I nevertheless enjoyed it. And although Stoker has less to do than usual in this one, he has to be one of the most appealing (hottest) literary heroes since Mr. Darcy.
In ARE WE THERE YET? by Kathleen West, Alice is trying to keep her interior design career going with a husband who travels too much for his job and an athletic middle school son, Teddy, who is suddenly accused of bullying and worse. At the same time, her 7-year-old daughter is having trouble with her reading skills. Alice’s friend Meredith has a daughter in middle school who is friends with Teddy, has a crush on another boy (who raised the bullying accusation against Teddy), and has to deal with her maturing body and the stresses of school, social life, and her synchronized skating team. Alice’s mother also reveals that she gave up a daughter for adoption before she was married, has just found her long-lost daughter, and wants both parts of her family to come together. There is lots of realistically drawn drama, and it makes for an interesting story. I preferred West’s first book, Minor Dramas and the Catastrophes, which was one of my “uplifting fiction” favorites of 2020.
Pamela Terry is an author to watch–I can’t wait for her next book. Her debut novel, THE SWEET TASTE OF MUSCADINES, s features a brother and sister who return to their childhood home in Georgia when their younger sister tells them their mother has died suddenly. Does this sound like a familiar plot these days? Sure, but it’s the writing that makes this one special–evocative, lyrical, and easily accessible. Lila and Henry couldn’t get away from Georgia, and their mother, quickly enough, while golden girl Abigail stayed close to home. After a short-lived marriage, she and her mother considered themselves best friends. So why didn’t Abigail know her mother was terminally ill and hiding secrets about her father, and why does she give herself an instant–and shocking–makeover even before the funeral? I absolutely loved the gorgeous descriptions of the South and of a remote Scottish island, where the story takes us toward the satisfying end of the book. And it is definitely not a bleak book! This is one of my favorite books of the year so far. I believe Kaye recommended it–thank you, Kaye!
In Josh Stallings’ TRICKY, LAPD homicide detective Niels Madsen happens to witness a standoff at a bus stop between another cop and a man holding a gun, with another man lying dead. He intervenes to keep the cop from shooting the suspect because he senses there is more to the situation than meets the eye. For one thing, the victim has Down’s syndrome. For another, the alleged shooter also may be mentally challenged. I picked this one up because of Lesa’s strong recommendation, and I wasn’t disappointed. Madsen is an interesting protagonist (I hope this is the first in a series)–fearless, unorthodox, somewhat of a loose cannon. But he has a good heart, even when he (often) finds it difficult to follow his heart while faced with stiff opposition from others, including the police. The character of the “shooter” is also one in a million–no spoilers here. I loved it.
I couldn’t finish WIN by Harlen Coben. I understand Win is a supporting character in Coben’s Myron Bolitar series, but I don’t think he can successfully carry a book by himself. I found him a very annoying and unrealistic character–uber-rich, looks for a fight, is super-egotistical, has his own way of “resolving” issues–and I couldn’t stomach it. I gave it a good 100 pages, them decided I’m out.
Margie, I miss the stage, too. I hope we get to see shows again someday, and travel. My two loves.
You’re right. Stoker is hot. I’ve put off reading the book because, for some reason, the plot just doesn’t excite me. But, I want to return to Veronica’s relationship with Stoker, so I need to get to it.
You don’t know how happy I am that you liked Tricky! Great characters, aren’t they? And, the “shooter” is unusual.
Sending hugs, and hope to see you next year in Albuquerque!
Interesting comment about WIN. I like the Myron Bolitar series, and Win is a somewhat amusing character, but he is best only in very small doses, so I am not really surprised. I haven’t read this one yet and don’t know if I will.
Hi Lesa! So far, I’m just hoping to see more of our kids. We have one visiting now for the first time since 2019. As for the reading. I just started The Territory by Tricia Fields.
Oh, I like Tricia Fields, Patricia. I hope you enjoy The Territory.
I can understand wanting to see more of your kids. My mother would say the same thing.
Morning….. I am not making any plans to go anywhere nor am I changing how I have been living. I have been vaccinated. But, with so many refusing to be vaccinated as well as the news here of the new Brazos County variant that seems to not only be a different type of Covid infection with a longer infection period and other changes as well as totally resistant to the vaccines, I suspect all this reopening is going to generate a new massive nationwide wave this summer. I truly hope I am wrong.
As to books…… started and dumped a number of reads the last few days. Do not know if it was them or me. So, I have nothing to report.
Kevin, I have the same fear you do. I suspect we’ll have a massive outbreak this summer. I hope we’re wrong, but I don’t know.
Did you return those books you dumped? Your library is waiting! (snicker)
Yes, I did. My son got a rather nasty reply from them on Twitter when he asked a follow up public question to what they were saying in public as opposed to what the local staff at the branch we use was telling us. So, we both have been dumping a lot of books back this week so we will be in compliance with the arbitrary pre pandemic policies.
In his case, he is writing up a holds list for in the future where he will again request these same books he did not get to now to come back around to him. That will take time and resources to duplicate what had already been here. Seems to me they need a “heavy user” category or something like that where some of the arbitrary restrictions are lifted for folks who read a lot.
Or, what Columbus PL does. They just automatically renew books for you unless someone is waiting. I agree with Scott about putting them back on a list. And, I agree about the “heavy user” category.
I like that policy–wish we had it here. But because the local library system doesn’t have as big a catalog as I am used to, I find I get a lot of books through the LINK system, and they generally can’t be renewed because they tend to be new books.
That’s why you’re forced to read quickly, Margie.
Our library has the same renewal policy…I like it!
Good morning! Lesa, I am glad you are making plans for the future. It really helps to have something to look forward to.
Our oldest son is getting married in about a month. They will be getting married outside under a canopy of pine trees. It is a gorgeous setting with reception facilities under a pavilion. The wedding will be small. We are just hoping for nice weather. May can be iffy in Wisconsin.
This week I finished up Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico – unfortunately it fell flat for me. It felt a little too over the top and I just didn’t connect with the characters.
Now I am reading The Solids Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano – After a series of bad decisions, rock climber Bryan Shaw buys a coffee farm in Columbia. The farm is part of a co-op that helps farmers get out of growing coca and into growing coffee. He comes back to the US to learn to roast coffee beans and falls in love… I am enjoying it so far.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Gretchen, Your son’s wedding sounds beautiful. I wish all of you a beautiful day. You’re right. Wisconsin weather can be iffy, I’m sure.
I’m sorry about Here Comes the Body. Sounds as if your next book is much more enjoyable for you.
You’re right. Plans mean there IS a future.
Good morning everyone! Would love to travel as well, but am still in hunker down mode here in Michigan. The good news here is that on May 9th, my youngest and his partner will be as immune as they can be. We have booked that date for going to their apartment and getting our first hugs since March of 2020! We get together from time to time, outdoors, which has been especially challenging in the winter…lots of coats and blankets used as we eat outside on his porch. Really looking forward to those hugs!
I read MURDER IN SAINT-GERMAIN by Cara Black. Aimee, as usual, has multiple mysteries to resolve and the solutions are are a bit of a stretch, but I do enjoy the series a lot and this was one of the stronger books in the series. And I read A DANGEROUS RELATION by Deanna Raybourn. I really loved it, good characters, lots of humor and a touch of Jack the Ripper. Am just starting OCCAMS’S RAZOR by Archer Mayor, which I am sure I will enjoy.
And it just started snowing…..
Boo hiss on the snow, Jennifer, but then, I guess it is Michigan. I’m glad you’re hunkered down and just meeting up with family. Stay safe!
I’m glad you loved A Dangerous Relation. One of the better endings to her books, too, don’t you agree?
Yes, Lesa, I did enjoy the ending!
I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s comments today. Nice to catch up with how you’re all doing, how we’re all faring and feeling as well as what we’re reading
I’ll be giving Bouchercon a pass this year. As much as I love it, and as much as I love New Orleans, it’s (for me) just too soon. But, oh my, didn’t we enjoy the last New Orleans B’con, Lesa?
There ‘s still so much we don’t know about this virus, and I agree, Lesa, if we are unable to travel in a year we’ll have to face the fact that life as we’ve known it is finished.
I’m so glad you’re making plans for LCC! I am hoping Don and I can travel next May. I’m trying to be hopeful, Don remains doubtful. Neither of us want to get on a plane, but we both are itching for an adventure. We’ll see.
Jeff, like you and Jackie, we have tickets for an outdoor concert that was postponed from last year. Like you, we’re in a wait and see mode for all the reasons you stated.
Margie, I’m so glad you enjoyed the Pamela Terry book! It was in my favorite book list last year because I read an ARC. I hope she’s working on book #2 also. She could easily become one of my Top 5 writers.
SandyG, I just love that Breene series! I think there’s new one coming soon. Just plain fun and they make me wish I too had a staying to ride.
I can’t wait to read Reunion Beach. I loved Dorothea Benton Frank, especially her very early work. We met her in Charleston many, many years ago – what a personality! And I love the contributors to Reunion Beach so this is definitely on my list.
What I’ve read:
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen. When the Paris apartment that had been locked up for 70 years was discovered a few years back it captured a lot of people’s imagination. Mine included. Several writers took the opportunity to write their own fictional account. All so very different! I think I’ve read them all, and loved them all. This is the latest, and yes, I loved it. Loosely based on two women in the Paris resistance, along with a current storyline.
The Other Couple by Cathryn Grant (ARC). Weird. Not sure why I finished it, truth be told.
An American in Paris by Siobhan Curham and Her Family Secret by Melissa Wiesner (ARC) are books that will be on this year’s Most Favorite list.
Darned auto correct! Make that “wishing I too had a DRAGON to ride! “
Kaye, The next book in K.F. Breene’s series comes out on April 27
Pre-ordered with Kindle Unlimited.
Kaye, How could I neglect a favorite roommate and travel companion. Actually, I thought I answered about all those Paris apartment books, but maybe that was in a personal email. I’m not really surprised at the creativity that apartment inspired in authors.
I thought of you when Reunion Beach arrived. Yes, it’s southern and includes some of your favorite authors. You’ll enjoy it.
Love you, Kaye. I’d never neglect you!
Love you, Lesa! To the moon and back! 💕
Kaye, I’m registered for this year’s Bouchercon in New Orleans, but I am probably going to give it a pass. I will miss Daisy Duke’s and having coffee with you there and posing in front of chicken paintings. Of course, since you won’t be there, I won’t have to lament you there and me not. Like you and Don, I am not ready to get on an airplane. I am hoping I will be next April for LCC because I am registered and have a hotel room with someone. I shudder to think what it will mean if travel is still not safe a year afrom now.
That’s exactly how I feel about a year from now, Kathy.
Oh, Kathy. You made me laugh. What a fun trip that was!!!! Miss seeing you.
I am so glad to be rejoining the conversation! I am not ready to fly on a plane this summer but will drive to visit fully-vaccinated family once my second dose kicks in. In terms of reading I loved The Hiding Place by Paula Munier. The characters and location are so well-done. I am reading The Territory, a rec from here, but having a hard time with it. I think it is because I am so not a desert person and because I know how horrible life in Central America and Mexico is with the gangs. I just get overwhelmed by empathy and sadness. I like the characters, though.
Welcome back, Trisha! We’re always happy to have friends here to talk about books, and sometimes just life. I’m glad you loved The Hiding Place!
I’m so tempted with LCC. Just not sure about the timing in the month and what else I might need vacation time for next year to sign up right now.
Yesterday, I finished ARSENIC and ADOBO by Mia P. Manasala, which I enjoyed. Today, I’ll be diving into FOR BATTER OR WORSE, the newest Cupcake Bakery Mystery from Jenn McKinlay.
I thought Arsenic and Adobo was fun, Mark. I liked that one.
I just let my registration for LCC 2021 roll over since it was still in Albuquerque. And, unless the world prevents us from traveling in the future, I hope to be there!
My son had his first shot last Friday, which was such a relief I can’t describe it. Once he is fully vaccinated, we probably will try eating at a restaurant, outside. Our favorite restaurant, for breakfast. (That restaurant has had outdoor dining for at least 6 weeks now. The weather has been mild in Santa Barbara.) And we could start visiting our independent bookstore more often. We went there a couple of times last year, but stopped after the surge in December. Our comfort level in doing things out of the house other than grocery shopping is pretty low. When my husband is retired in June we will be able to do more on weekdays when fewer people are out. I have not had my hair cut since January 2020, but fortunately my husband and I like it long.
So, about reading. I finished the second Aubrey / Maturin book by Patrick O’Brian, POST CAPTAIN. Those work well for me for reading a chapter now and then between other books, so I took my time with it. Until the last few chapters, which were more exciting. I remember in the early 1990’s a coworker and I were reading the Josephine Tey books a second time, and she stopped doing that and moved to the O’Brian series. I was shocked at the time, but now I understand.
I also finished HALLOWE’EN PARTY by Agatha Christie. Next I will read CURTAIN and then I will be done with the Hercule Poirot series, at least for now. I decided to skip The Big Four and Elephants Can Remember but may come back to them someday.
I am still reading SUNSET OVER SOHO by Gladys Mitchell, only one more section of 6 chapters to read and I will be done with the read along. I write up notes for each section so it is a different reading experience than usual. That approach to reading has its good points and bad points. It is a confusing book so I am glad I am reading it along with a group.
I have three more essays to read in EX LIBRIS by Anne Fadiman. Such a good book, I will have to look for another of her books soon.
I just never cared for Curtain, Tracy. I know you understand.
Lesa, I am all set for LCC next April. It will be my first one. I am just hoping I will feel okay about getting on a plane by then. Husband and I went out to eat with our daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter this past Tuesday in Mt. Vernon. For others, the Mt. Vernon in Indiana, close to Lesa. We actually ate inside Tequila’s over there, and it was fine. I felt okay about eating inside a restaurant for the first time in over a year.
I just finished The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett and loved it. It was such a wonderful read. I especially was drawn to the dialogue exchanges between the Queen and Prince Philip, in view of his recent passing. From what I’ve read about him, those exchanges were spot on. I’m now reading Cara Black’s Three Hours in Paris, which has started out with much excitement. So, so much reading to catch up on.
I ate inside one restaurant in Ohio when I went home to see Mom last year, Kathy, and I was uneasy the entire time. I’m still not crazy about the idea.
SJ Bennett has some photos of the Queen just laughing at Prince Phillip. You can just see the love. I think those exchanges were perfect from what we’ve seen and read.
No restaurants for me just yet.
Sorry me again – two things!
First a query, which I hope one of you might be able to help with. My blogger friend Simon has decided to replace his rather worn out copies of Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead books with nicer American copies. He found a site through which to buy them – then he noticed that each one was clarted with a sticker announcing that the books were Oprah’s Book Club choices.
He doesn’t want this stuck on his books (though he has nothing (fiction) audiobook on BBC Sounds, Meet Me At The Museum by Anne Youngson. In 1964 the curator of the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark dedicates his book ‘The Bog People’ to a group of schoolgirls who had written to him about his discoveries. Fifty years later, one of those girls, Tina – now a farmer’s wife – writes to him about the plan she and her best friend Bella had to visit Denmark and see the Tollund Man. The visit never happened. The curator is long dead, but the new curator, Anders Larsen, replies to her letter. A correspondence ensues, in which Tina explains why the trip was never made, and they both gradually open up about their lives. As the webpage says:
‘Their unexpected correspondence becomes a shared meditation on love, loss, life choices made and the opportunity to make new and different ones.’
The wonderful Tamsin Greig plays Tina, and the equally wonderful, and sadly recently deceased, Paul Ritter, plays Anders. It is beautifully done, so understated and gentle. I think I will get the book too.
A month ago, Rosemary, he would have been okay, but once Oprah picks a book, it’s a big deal in the U.S., so the publishers slap stickers on them. I don’t know if he could even buy a new copy right now without those stickers. I don’t blame him for not wanting them.
Kaye and several other people here really loved Meet Me at the Museum. I brought it home, talked about it here, and never got around to reading it. People were waiting so I brought it back, and never picked it up again.
I use a product called Goo-Gone to remove stickers from books. It even works on the fiendishly difficult ones libraries use, when I get an ex-lib used book.
I haven’t started it yet, Rick, with several other collections ahead of it, but it looks good.
Amazon shows a June 8 pub. date. Interesting.
You can call me The Stay-At-Home Man if you like, but this just in: the Covid pandemic is NOT over, by any measure, and deniers, anti-vaccers aren’t helping. Mostly I stay home, and mask up otherwise.
I went to an LCC in Albuquerque many years back, it was fun. But I no longer fly, so I won’t see you there. My last one was in Portland (a mere 9 miles from home).
READING: Many of the books reported read this week are in long hold lines at my local. Meanwhile, this morning I finished the 1960 science fiction anthology THE FANTASTIC UNIVERSE OMNIBUS edited by Hans Stefan Santesson. Typical of its time, the 19 stories, all published in the magazine in the mid to late 1950s are good but not great.
This afternoon I’ll start THE THREE LOCKS by Bonnie Macbird, the 4th of her very good Holmes pastiches, which has just come in from the library.
I see Jeff has gotten the 2nd Jodi Taylor St. Mary’s short story collection. I’m still awaiting my copy. Soon, I hope!
HAPPY EARTH DAY, EVERYONE!
Richard, I agree with you. It’s not over, and all these restaurants opening up, people not wearing masks, and anti-vaxxers aren’t helping. You’re totally right.
Oh, I read a terrific review of The Three Locks yesterday. The reviewer who blogs about all things Doyle, says Bonnie Macbird writes some of the best Holmes pastiches.
Happy Earth Day, Richard!
Richard – I am with you too! Home feeling healthy feels like the right thing to do; I’m fine with that. No restaurants for us.
Lesa – so sorry, I was writing that quickly before dinner, and I see that when I went back to insert something, a few sentences appear to have been deleted – I should have read it over, I was in a rush.
What I wanted to say was, ‘(though he has nothing against Oprah) Simon can’t see from the images of those books whether the stickers are indeed stickers and can be peeled off, or are – as seems to be more and more the case nowadays – actually printed onto the book. Do you happen to know?’
And of course there is also some text missing at the start of my mention of Meet Me At The Museum – there should be a paragraph break between the stuff about Oprah and the new section about BBC Sounds! I think it should have begun something like ‘I have been listening to a wonderful (fiction) audiobook on…’
Honestly, what a muddle – that’ll teach me to type in a hurry.
Best wishes,
Rosemary
Hard to type with a husband waiting for dinner, Rosemary. I’m not sure about the stickers. I’ll check to see if our added copies arrived at the library yet.
Thanks Lesa.
I’m reading Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert. Want to finish so i can start book 4 in the series.
I have the same problem, Katherine. I need to catch up on several series before reading the latest book.