Do you have plans for the July 4th weekend? I know some of you in the Pacific Northwest just have plans to try to stay cool. I’m sorry. I hope you have air conditioning. I know you don’t all have it, just as my nephew and his wife in Massachusetts don’t. There are some places here that you usually don’t need it, unlike my years in Florida and Arizona, even in muggy Indiana. Take care of yourselves, wherever you are. And, if you have pets, take care of them this weekend when so many people will be setting off firecrackers. I had a cat who was scared to death of them. He’d disappear and I wouldn’t see him for several hours.
My plans are to read, although I’ll finish The Personal Librarian by Friday night at the latest. It’s a historical novel of J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene. She was the Black woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass for white. For forty-three years she was a librarian, and later director of the Morgan Library. I’ve been to the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, one reason I’m interested in the book. So, that’s my current book. What have you been reading this week? We’d all love to know if you have time to share.
Checking in before I go to bed. Hi everyone!
Plans for the 4th? I’m doing the Powerpoint in church Sunday morning, but other than that, my weekend is opened. Have a few things that might happen, but we will see what happens for sure.
Today, I’m working on THE PLOT IS MURDER by V. M. Burns. It’s unique with a mystery within a mystery (the main character is writing a mystery, and we see her book as the “real life” mystery unfolds.) I’m about a third of the way through, and I’m enjoying it so far. And yes, I know I am woefully behind since book 7 is already out.
Oh, that’s okay, Mark. I really like the V.M. Burns series, so I’m always happy to see it mentioned. I actually prefer the book the main character is writing. Just a fun series.
Good morning Lesa!
I am dashing out of the door to get my hair done, but I’m not sure if I’ll have time to post later, so this might be brief (for once…)
I finished Dana Stabenow’s Play with Fire, and enjoyed it. By coinicidence, it looks at the effects of an evangelical hard-line fundamentalist pastor coming to a small community in rural Alaska; the results, at least in this instance, are not good. I also learned that after a forest fire. mushrooms are the first things to grow – especially morels, which are highly prized, and apparently can’t be grown commercially.
So I’m now pressing on with A Book of Death and Fish by Ian Stephen, which is the longest of my 20 Books of Summer. I’m about a quarter of the way through. It’s easy to read really once you get your head round all the dialect, and it evokes life on ‘the island’ (Lewis) in the mid 20th century well. It’s written as a series of flashbacks, memories of an old man, so you sometimes get references to something (eg his father’s death) without any explanation, then two chapters later he tells you what happened. I feel it’s important to keep going, as the last time I tried to read this book I had to stop for some reason, then I had completely lost the thread. There’s also a lot about fishing – both angling and trawler – and I must say I have skimmed over some of the technical terms! And as the father was a weaver for the Harris Tweed company, there’s quite a bit about that too – how he worked away in his shed, even after he had retired, designing elaborate codes for new patterns to weave on his own loom.
Yesterday I went to visit my friend who has moved to the countryside north of the city. She bought several fields along with her house, and has big ideas about having livestock, making willdflower meadows, etc. It’s taking longer than she anticipated of course, which is hardly suprising – she’s a very organised person and wants it all to happen now! But they will get there I’m sure.
I collected some reserved books from our library yesterday, so I now have Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rona Hession, the new Barbara Pym biography by Paula Byrne, and two cook books (A Girl Called Jack by Jack Monroe, and Miguel Barclay’s Vegan One Pound Meals) to add to my TBR. (We’re not vegan, but my daughters change their minds about what they ‘are’ every time they visit, and anyway I thought it would be interesting to see if this book is worth buying – it has very good reviews.)
I’m going to have to shoot off now. It’s a beautful day here, my seed feeders are mobbed with little birds, and everything in the garden is blooming away, especially the geraniums, marigolds, sweet peas and pansies.
Have a good day and a great week everyone!
Rosemary
Rosemary, I enjoyed Leonard and Hungry Paul very much.
Rosemary, I’m afraid I probably would have bogged down over A Book of Death and Fish.
I thought that was funny that you say your daughters change their mind about what they “are” when it comes to food.
It’s so nice to hear your feeders are mobbed with little birds. Here in southwestern Indiana, people have been asked to take down feeders, even for hummingbirds, because there is some sort of bird disease. They don’t know yet what it is, but birds are dying.
Sending hugs & hope you have a great week!
Good morning. We have a chance of rain all weekend so we probably won’t do much. If it’s dry and not too hot on Monday morning we might go to watch our town’s parade. The next town over is having a free outdoor concert next week but it’s supposed to be back in the 90s and humid so we’ll have to see.
I didn’t read anything that was really good this week.
THUNDERHEAD by Mary O’Hara. The sequel to My Friend Flicka, it was written in the 1940s and read very old fashioned to me. Also, there was too much focus on the mother and her feelings rather than the horse.
MURDER AT THE LAKESIDE LIBRARY by Holly Danvers. The first in a new cozy series, I didn’t really care about any of the characters and the book dragged until about three quarters of the way through.
WITCH WORLD by Andre Norton. I read the whole series back in high school when I was really into fantasy and Sc-fi so I picked this up when I found it at a book sale. I definitely liked it a lot more back then.
I’m currently reading THE DEMON OF BARNABAS COLLINS by Marilyn Ross, one of the series of books very loosely based on the Dark Shadows TV show.
Headed to California for the weekend. Happy/sad final celebration of a fifty year family tradition gathering at my parent’s house for July 4th. My Dad claimed as his holiday, no gifts and everyone could stay outside! I have vague recollections of it being at his sister’s house previously, but once my parents got a house with a pool, it was set. The house goes on the market later in the month.
Finally got a chance to read Arsenic & Adobo. I was surprised it was listed as a series with the first book, but it has been popular. The book is really about the characters and the premise would make a nice weekly TV show.
Just started Robin Yocum’s A Brilliant Death. Coming of age mystery set in small town Ohio. Not new (2016), but it has a hold list at the library. Interesting and well written.
Hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend.
Sorry Sandy!
I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong that my entry shows as a reply to your post. Although I do empathize with your comment on not reading anything really good this week.
No problem
M.M., I’m sorry about the house. That’s sad that a family tradition may end. I know we haven’t had the family reunions on my father’s side of the family after my grandmother died. That matriarch/patriarch and the family makes a difference. I’ve thought about that lately. I love my hometown, but I go to visit because my mother is there. Once she’s gone, there really won’t be a reason to go there anymore.
I enjoyed Arsenic and Adobo. I have a couple of Robin Yocum’s books, but haven’t had a chance to read them yet.
Sandy, We had a torrential downpour yesterday, and getting home from work was hazardous, but our weekend is supposed to be nice, low 80s and sunny. Although, really, if I’m not driving in the weather, it really doesn’t affect me too much. On nice nights this time of year, though, I do go out and watch lightning bugs.
I’m sorry about your reading this week. Let’s hope for more enjoyable books in the next week.
I started and got interrupted and lost it. We’re in Boston until tomorrow. Yesterday it was at or near 100 for the first time in 10 years. We missed the worst of it as we were on Cape Cod and it was a little cooler. Today we’re going to Salem. Heavy thunderstorms last night cooled it off somewhat – mid-80s today and much cooler over the weekend. More rain is expected. We’re supposed to be home Friday night but might have to stay at ny cousin’s in Connecticut if the weather is too bad. Either way, we’ll be resting on the Fourth. Most places here have signs saying to wear masks unless you are fully vaccinated.
I want to post this so I don’t delete it again so will do the books on a separate post.
Jeff, I’m glad you took the time to repost and tell us about your trip and the weather. Near 100! And, because my nephew lives outside Boston, I know a lot of people there don’t have air conditioning. Stay safe, and safe travels!
Books. Jackie read Virginia Kantra’s Beth & Amy and is now reading a Lara Adrian book.
I finished 100 Years of The Best American Short Stories, a 750 page collection that was a breeze to read on the Kindle. I read 76 stories in June (6 collections) for a total of 482 stories (30 collections) the first half of the year. I’m reading a terrific Nathan Englander collection, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, with the great title story. I started and gave up on several mysteries before I picked up William Shaw’s Deadland in his Sgt. Alexandra Cupidi series. I can’t understand why this very good writer lost his American contract. I had to buy the trade paperback of this and the next one online. Good book.
It does make you wonder sometimes, doesn’t it, Jeff, when you see a good series or a good author who loses their contract, or whose series is cancelled. I guess it’s all about sales.
We’re back in Boston. The Witch House in Salem was a big disappointment to us. The “guided tour” turned out to be Self-guided (for $13 a head!) and the place was small and just not that interesting. The hour allotted took no more than 20 minutes. The town was OK.
Had a nice time and a terrific lunch in Newburyport.
Weather cooler but extremely humid all day. Going to dinner in the North End tonight.
I’ve always wondered if Salem was pretty much a tourist trap, Jeff. I guess I won’t worry about ever going there. Enjoy dinner!
I can think of better places to spend your time, truthfully, although it was pleasant enough.
Tonight we had an excellent dinner at Limoncello in the Italian North End. Delicious. It did start raining, however, and the foolish people who defied the odds and chose outdoor dining ended up paying the price.
I read “Local Woman Missing” by Mary Kubica – totally enjoyed it – the kind of book you have to keep reading to find out what’s going on. I also read “Where the Crawdads Sing” – I know I’m a little late with that one but I usually back off ones that everyone says are great as they can be disappointing but this one did not disappoint – it really is a very good book. I’m taking vacation time next week and looking forward to reading and hopefully if not too hot going to the beach. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!
I’m glad you enjoyed both of your books, Donna. Enjoy that vacation. I hope you don’t get sidetracked from your reading. I’ll be eager to hear what you read on vacation. Enjoy!
It has been fireworks every evening for two weeks plus now. We have had several rounds of celebratory gunfire as well. Last year was a ton of stuff going off in my neighborhood and I think we are in for the same again this year. I wish folks would leave the fireworks to the pros.
Current read is Darkest Corners of Texas (An Al Quinn Novel Book 7) in eBook format. Love this series of mysteries and action based in the Lake Travis area (Austin) of Texas.
Up on my blog today is my review of THE DRUMMERS: A Josie Gray Mystery by Tricia Fields. This is such a great series set down in Southwest Texas and the Big Bend country. It had been quite a few years since the last book so I was thrilled to see this new one come out. I recommend reading them in order.
https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2021/07/review-drummers-josie-gray-mystery-by.html
Thank you, Kevin, for including the link to your review. I’ll be heading over there to read what you have to say about The Drummers.
I am reading The Break Up Book Club by Wendy Wax per your review and am loving it. Will finish it today. I must say I will miss everyone of the wonderful characters.
I know, Natalie! I wanted to know what happens with their lives beyond this book!
Good morning! This week’s reading has been a mixed bag. As I told Lesa earlier, over the weekend I opened a 1946 book by Helen McCloy with great anticipation, set in a school and in post-war times, two of my favorite characteristics. In no time at all I recognized the plot as taken from a 1933 short story by a well-known Golden Age author. Through a Glass, Darkly is said to be her best but it is a clinker as far as I am concerned. When I know the outcome, the rest is pointless. I finished Slow Burn Tuesday, the second or third Andy Hayes mystery from Andrew Welsh-Huggins. Lesa reviewed a later title in the series in June and it set me looking for the books. I liked it. Original plot, some freshness in the main character but the “seeking to outlive the past” thing is overdone IMHO. Good supporting characters. I found a series and author new to me at the library a few weeks ago: The Rose Gardner series by Denise Grover Swank. It looked a little cozy but the titles intrigued me — they all start with a half number. This one is Thirty-two and a Half Complications. It started promisingly with a bank robbery but I gave up by chapter 7 last night, too many cozy tropes to be interesting. I have another Andy Hayes to read and the second in the Abir Mukherjee historical series which I am ashamed to say I have not yet tackled. First I have to fix my review of the McCloy book, which is full of spoilers. Not everyone has read that short story and they deserve a chance to enjoy McCloy’s spin on it.
Good morning, Aubrey! I think I read the second in the Abir Mukherjee series, but not the first or subsequent ones. I liked it, but not enough to keep going. You’re right. Good supporting characters, at least in the Andy Hayes mystery I read.
Sorry about the Rose Gardner series.
Even more sorry about that Helen McCloy book.
Have a good weekend!
Good morning! I’ll be at Hurricane Harbor (water park) tomorrow with the family. Other than that, no special plans for the weekend. Here’s what I’ve been reading.
Crime with the Classics is a series of traditional mysteries by Katherine Bolger Hyde, each of which may remind you of a particular classic author. In the first in the series, fiftyish professor Emily inherits from her great-aunt a Victorian mansion, which she later turns into a writers’ retreat. In the most recent installment (#5), FATALITY WITH FORSTER, Emily embarks on a honeymoon in England with her new husband, Luke, with whom she had a romantic relationship as a teenager. As an Anglophile, she has dreamed of staying in a manor house in Oxfordshire and visiting many of the sites she had enjoyed in her reading, including Oxford University, home of several Harry Potter scenes. But it is immediately evident that there are troubled undertones to the family that owns the manor. The young wife is American, which is unacceptable to her husband’s grandmother. Elderly Lady Margaret also doesn’t like outsiders traipsing around the stables and even the house, as the young couple offers tours and classes to help support the cost of running the manor. When a tragic accident occurs, Emily and Luke, who is a detective in Oregon, are not satisfied with the finding of accidental death and soon find themselves embroiled (as they often are at home) in an unofficial investigation. These books can easily be read as standalones, but earlier books in the series are also worth reading for the community of characters the author has introduced and developed. It’s refreshing to read books focused on older characters, along with well-drawn settings and non-graphic mystery plots.
Nancy Thayer’s stories set on Nantucket are comfort food for me. There’s something about the way she describes the venue and the family dynamics, and develops characters that quickly soothe my heart and suck me into the story. The family matriarch in FAMILY REUNION is Eleanor, a widow who dearly loves her sprawling home in this beach community, although her daughter is pressuring her to sell. Eleanor lives alone, but this summer she is joined by granddaughter Ari, who just graduated from college and broke her engagement to a long-time boyfriend. Ari knows things are not great between her parents, Alicia and Phillip, and decides she would rather stay with her grandmother on Nantucket than in her Boston home. Her mother doesn’t approve of Ari’s desire to get a master’s in early child development rather than use her education toward a lucrative and prestigious career. Ari’s summer job at a day camp for families of low-income families is just right for her, and she meets an intriguing young man who is everything her ex was not. But some unexpected occurrences for Ari, Eleanor, Alicia and Phillip make the summer a challenging one for all. Although there is plenty of dramatic tension, I found the story ultimately charming and satisfying, which kept me relaxed throughout the book. A very pleasant reading experience!
Mary Kay Andrews’ latest book, THE NEWCOMER, is the perfect escapist summer read, with compelling characters, gripping suspense, and a happy ending. Letty’s sister Tanya told her that if she ended up dead, her ex, Evan, would be to blame, and made Letty promise she would spirit her 4-year-old daughter, Maya, far away from her father. So Letty goes on the run with Maya, ending up in a somewhat seedy motel in Florida. Evan has told everyone that Letty killed her sister, who had a past with drugs and alcohol and a brush with the law. Letty keeps a low profile but can’t help liking the motel owner, Ava, her high school senior daughter, Isabelle, and her detective son, Joe, who make her feel at home and protected. She takes on an employee role at the motel and comes to like (or at least tolerate) many of long-term inhabitants, most of whom are senior citizens. Things heat up when Evan will stop at nothing to reclaim his daughter, and when another criminal in Tanya’s past shows up to search for some missing valuables. You always know what you will get with this author’s books, and this is one of my favorites.
I’ve enjoyed all of Viola Shipman’s previous novels, but not THE CLOVER GIRLS. Four girls meet at Camp Birchwood in 1985 and bond over the summer. They think they will always be BFFs, but over the next few years they fail to treat each other as friends should, leaving a couple of them with scars that they will carry over into their adult lives. Two went on to be celebrities–one a world-famous model and the other a political dynamo–while the other two lived quieter lives. When they are approaching middle age, one of them brings the other three together after her own death with a request for them to scatter her ashes at the camp that brought them together, hoping they will bond again and find their true selves. This was too contrived for me, and I didn’t find most of the characters likable. They spent too much time blaming their unhappy lives on someone else. And the ending wasn’t convincing. I also found the rotating chapters difficult to follow, as the women all seemed to have the same voice. Disappointing.
I hoped that Madeline Martin’s THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON would be more about books and bookshops than WWII, but a lot of it is devoted to the devastating bombing of London. That made it the wrong book at the wrong time for me. But I do agree with Lesa’s excellent review that it is a beautiful if heart-rending story, redeemed a bit for me toward the end.
Enjoy your family time, Margie. I’m so glad you moved to be close to them, especially that you did it before COVID hit.
I’m sorry The Last Bookshop in London was the wrong book at the wrong time. I still love it, and I’m mentioning it on Sunday on my blog. I’m also sorry about Viola Shipman’s book. I don’t read her, but my best friend, her mother, and my mother all do, and usually like them. You’re right. I’m not sure about this one.
I’m not familiar with that series by Katherine Bolger Hyde, but it sounds interesting.
Happy reading in the next week!
Margie, I feel the very same way about Nancy Thayer and an d never disappointed with her work. AND, I feel exactly the same way you do about Viola Shipman and The Club get Girls!!
EEK! AutoCorrect! BAh! The Clover Girls!
Kaye, it’s so nice to know we think alike about those books. Don’t you hate Autocorrect? I try to proof everything I type before I send, but I don’t always catch everything, especially when I’m typing on my phone or iPad.
Good morning. I had a wonderful vacation and got some reading done. I read The Northern Spy by Flynn Berry. I expected it to be a mystery but I did not feel it was. However, I did enjoy it. Being of Irish heritage, I was interested in what life was/is like in Northern Ireland between the Catholics (pro an independent Ireland) and the Protestants (pro British rule) and this book gave me a sense of that.
I also read Six Years by Harlan Coben. Typical Harlan Coben trope…someone goes missing and their love one looks for them. It was a perfect beach read, light and quick read.
I am now listening to The Last Thing He Told me by Laura Dave and I am enjoying this very much.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Good morning, Kathleen! It sounds as if you had a good reading week. I have a copy of The Northern Spy, but just haven’t had a chance to read it yet.
Have a great weekend, and a wonderful reading week!
Lesa, once you get a chance to read The Northern Spy, I would be interested in your thoughts of it.
Whenever I get around to it, Kathleen, I’ll comment here.
Happy 4th everyone! We are thankful for cooler temps here in the NC mountains and plan on staying home this holiday weekend, just chillin’, reading, and eating. ( without air conditioning). Tourists will be hitting town so we usually just leave them to it.
What I’ve read this week:
Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson (ARC) –
“When Nora landed an editorial assistant position at Parsons Press, it was her first step towards The Dream Job. Because, honestly, is there anything dreamier than making books for a living? But after five years of lunch orders, finicky authors, and per my last emails, Nora has come to one grand conclusion: Dream Jobs do not exist.”
The Sixth Wedding by Elin Hilderbrand – Fun to catch up with the characters from 28 Summers.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Can’t wait to hear what you think, Lesa.
I’m only a third of the way through The Personal Librarian, Kaye, but I’m liking it more than I thought I would. I’ve given up on several of Marie Benedict’s books in the past, so maybe the additional author is making a difference. Of course, it’s a subject that fascinates me, and I’ve been to the Morgan Library, so that helps.
I don’t blame you one bit for staying home and missing the tourists. Very wise! Happy 4th, and sending lots of hugs!
Kaye, did you like Must Love Books? I think it is available to anyone on NetGalley, so I wondered if it’s worth reading. The good news is that I’ve now had two of my NetGalley requests approved (and two rejected). A few just sit there pending.
Margie, I liked it. I didn’t love it, but the fact that I finished it attests to the fact that I did like it well enough to stick with it. That’s not always the case.
Thanks, Kaye. I have a lot of books to read right now, so I think I’ll give it a pass.
I didn’t get the latest Tricia Fields Josie Gray novel from the library in time, so I’m reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz. It’s certainly intense.
My friend, Donna, summarized that book for me, Patricia. It sounds intense.
I had a wonderful vacation and was able to get some reading done. I read The Northern Spy by Flynn Berry. I was expecting it to be a mystery but I did not feel that it was. However, I did enjoy it. Being of Irish heritage, I enjoyed getting a sense of what life was/is like in Northern Ireland between the Catholics (pro-independent Ireland) and the Protestants (pro-British rule).
I also read Six Years by Harlan Coben. It was a typical Harlan Coben trope… someone disappears and their love one goes looking for them and secrets surface. It was an enjoyable beach read. Quick and light.
I am currently listening to The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I am really enjoying this one. I can’t wait to get back to it to find out where it is going.
Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
I am not sure why I am posted twice. I did have a problem with my first attempt to post and rewrote my comments to repost and now I appear twice. Oh well.
Oh, well. No problem, Kathleen. Maybe someone will see one, and have missed the other post.
Trying to get this comment in before I go to the dentist this morning. I will come back and read other comments later.
This week I finished reading SHE CAME BACK by Patricia Wentworth. Loved the war time setting.
Also finished ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells, a very popular science fiction novella narrated by a security robot with artificial intelligence who has some human parts. I haven’t decided if that is good description of the protagonist of that book or not, but have to figure that out before I write a review. I loved the book.
And lastly, I finished BOOKED FOR A HANGING by Bill Crider, #6 in the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. I always enjoy books in that series.
Now reading FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov. I must have read it when I was younger but I remember nothing about it.
Oh, you’re reading Murderbot, Tracy. A friend told me I’d at least like the first in the series.
I miss Bill Crider.
Yes, Lesa, the Murderbot series. I will be reading more of them, I hope I like them as well as the first one.
I miss Bill Crider too. He was such a wonderful person, and I keep hearing that, even now. I have a question related to his books. I have the 7th book in the series, published in 1994. Then after that I have only 4 or 5 books published between 2012 and 2019 (the last book). Should I continue reading in order, or can I jump around in the series?
Yes, we miss Bill a lot. I knew him for over 40 years. He was a great person.
Well, there is a certain amount that changes from book to book, Tracy, characters added, etc. So if you have the option of reading them in order, I’d record it.
Jeff’s right, Tracy, but if you can’t read them in order, I’d just make sure to read his last book last.
And, Jeff really knew him. I met him, and I owed him for including my blog in his column, but he was one of the kindest people I met in the mystery field.
I forgot to say, Bill always commented here on Thursdays, telling us what he was reading. I was just so in awe that he took the time to comment here.
Bill was a really nice guy. He helped me find several books, even though we never met in real life.
Thanks, Jeff, Lesa, and Glen. I will keep aiming to read the books in order.
Sorry to hear about the thing going around with the Indiana birds. We used to have a lot of bird feeders when we were In Southern California, but the news got around, and before we knew we were feeding a huge amount of birds and had little grocery money. I really miss watching them outside the living room window. We don’t have much variety where we are, but have had a hawk rest on the balcony rail here.
I have been entering for the Personal Librarian, no luck yet but really want to hear your review.
Kaye Bradley, what are your most favorite Elin Hildenbrand book’s?
Well, I bought an MP3 player and it broke. Now pushing through Claws for Alarm by T.C. LoTempio on my old computer. It plays a ten-minute section, and then I have to start up the next one. I have I like that series because Nick is a tuxedo cat and my favorite of all time, Happy Day was too. They are both incredibly smart. I miss Happy Day a lot,
Also, I have started Three Girls From Bonneville by Dawn Turner. I am enjoying it a lot. Bonneville is the area that a lot of blacks settled in Chicago during the Great Migration. The author did a lot of historical research and interviews of women who lived there.
Also, accidentally found some great YouTube video about creative writing. Great discussions on what happens when you write about a group of people that you do not belong to, stereotypes etc. . I was so excited that I took off the day and just enjoyed what they said.
Carole, I’m not really sure I can pick a face. But maybe 28 Summers. How ’bout you?
A *fave*
Carole, My favorite Elin Hildebrand book is THE BLUE BISTRO
I liked The Island and Silver Girl the best so far. She has written 53!
Oh, Carolee. Sorry about your problems listening to your books. I’m liking The Personal Librarian, so I hope you win a copy eventually.
I did not enjoy AFTER HAPPILY EVERY AFTER by Leslie A. Rasmussen despite all the 5 star ratings on Goodreads. Maggie left her publishing job 17 years ago to raise her daughter who is now getting ready to go off to college. She also is bemoaning her unhappiness in her 20 year marriage due to her therapist husband-they don’t communicate nor have sex. She has a difficult relationship with her mother, is estranged from her brother, She is already lamenting her upcoming empty nest AND her father is suffering from dementia. So of course, our heroine decides to find some validation by flirting with the hot guy she works out next to at her local gym. Drama, tragedy ensue for 267 pages! Then it rather abruptly ends without giving the reader the satisfaction of an epilogue. Oi! This one was a miss for me.
Next I finished ALL TOGETHER NOW by Matthew Norman. Not my favorite of his books. Four high school friends reunite on Fenwick Island in Delaware because one of them is dying. Robbie also is a multi-billionaire and wants to fix his friends’ lives before he dies. Reviewers compared it to the movie, The Big Chill. I guess I could see that. It was pleasant enough but not memorable.
So looking forward to starting the new Sparks and Bainbridge mystery by Allison Montclair today.
No plans for the holiday weekend. Perhaps bbq if the weather is nice. Other than that it will be our usual weekend-Indians games on TV, games of Rummikub and Quiddler, working on a jigsaw puzzle and reading.
Sharon, Aren’t you unhappy when a book doesn’t live up to expectations? I usually end up quitting it before I get to the end.
I hope you enjoy the new Sparks and Bainbridge. And, go Indians!
It’s gloomy and cool here in Portland this morning, and that’s good. The marine layer has come in as the winds shifted, and we dropped 40 degrees yesterday from Tuesday! Ahhh.
After seeing it here, I tried Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink, set in the fictitious town of Upper Sprocket, OR. It’s the first in the Shake Shop series, but I didn’t finish it and won’t be trying more. The protagonist was over the top emotional in response to everything and formed opinions and made assumptions on the flimsiest of what she thought of as facts. Too cozy for me, I’m afraid.
I read several more stories in When the Death-Bat Flies: the Detective Stories of Novel Page edited by Matt Moring, you can see my post on it here: https://tipthewink.net/2021/06/30/when-the-death-bat-flies-the-detective-stories-of-norvell-page/ I know the book isn’t the usual thing most readers here read, but someone may find it of interest.
From the library came A Study In Crimson by Robert J. Harris, a SHERLOCK Holmes pastiche set in 1942. Holmes and Watson are asked by Inspector Lestrade to help solve the murder of a woman, then a second, and third, all “signed” by Crimson Jack, apparently a new version of Jack the Ripper. The war background plays an important role. I’ve read many Holmes pastiches over the years and would give this a B.
I’m continuing to read A Siege of Bitterns by Steve Burrows, which I’m enjoying but keep interrupting for things from the library. It’s the first of the author’s birding mysteries set on the Norfolk coast of England, and the protagonist is DCI Dominick Jejune. A bit slow, and we’ll if densely written, I’ll continue on with it.
Just arrived from the library, but not yet started is The Killing Hills by Chris Offutt, which I learned about here, Lesa.
We’ll be back in the 90s soon, but I’m enjoying this cool day. No plans for the 4th, we’ll do as always: close up and hope the illegal fireworks don’t scare the cats too much. Fireworks are banned in this County and in Portland, but fools will ignore the rules for their own brief pleasure. I hope you, and all who comment here have a safe holiday weekend.
Oh, I’m glad you’re finally getting a break in the weather, Richard, even if it’s only for a short time. Stay cool.
I’ll be interested to see what you think of The Killing Hills since Pint of No Return was a little too cozy. Offutt’s book won’t be, but I’m curious as to whether you like it or not.
I’m not really doing anything this weekend, either, other than staying in with the cats and reading. For me, it’s a long weekend from work, which is always nice.
Had an excellent week of reading. I read the newest Jeffrey Siger book – A Deadly Twist set on the island of Naxos. The entire groups of characters participated in this book – I think it best to start at the beginning or the series – and went to Naxos to look for a missing journalist. The required number of dangerous things happened and it was a very good addition to the series.
Then I just finished Tower of Babel by Michael Sears. He had a series earlier in the decade that I totally enjoyed so was anxious to read this. Very good – set almost entirely in Queens NY – a financial and murder book featuring some very interesting characters. Not sure if it is a first in a series but I would recommend reading it. Michael Sears is part of the Michael Stanley books set in Africa and I have always wanted to read them and maybe now I will do so.
Everyone have a safe and happy 4th of July.
I love your description of A Deadly Twist, Jeannette. “The required number of dangerous things happened.” Love it. I liked the final scene and the accompanying note about the helicopter, but that was just me. Karma.
Stay safe!
I guess we will never know what actually happened to the helicopter.
Siger’s books are great, aren’t they? Barbara just finished the one you read and said it was very good. I’m a couple of books behind in that series.
Yes, I always feel I’m learning a little more about Greece while being entertained. I’m glad Barbara liked the latest book!
I’ll be reading The Break Up Book Club as well. Sounds like fun. I’ve been engrossed with setting up my new laptop. My goodness, it’s a lot of work to really, truly get things straightened out including bookmarks and passwords and so on. I downloaded all my Kindle books yesterday. Now to download all my Audible audiobooks. That’ll take some time!
Keeps you out of trouble, Sandie. I hope you enjoy The Break Up Book Club. I found it a treat.
Hugs to you and Bill!
It’s sunny, but not as hot as it has been. Wild fires have put some smoke in the air, though.
I filled some gaps in my collection.
AFK by Hew J. La France; has fledgling nerd detective trying to find out who is taking over a multi player video game. Tries a little too hard for the nerdiness here.
Take Off by Joseph Reid; An air marshal gets a cushy gig accompanying a teenage pop star to her next destination, but then people with guns start coming out of the woodwork. Fast moving, but really unbelievable.
Double Down by Max Allan Collins collects two more of the Nolan series. Both very exciting 1970’s time capsules.
And for something a little different, I read Where the Footprints End by Joshua Cutchin; An allegedly scientific examination of Bigfoot. I wonder how Bigfoot is doing in the Pacific Northwest heat?
I would imagine Bigfoot is just “dying” there, Glen. At least it’s not as hot. I’m surprised you all don’t have lung diseases with all the smoke from wild fires over the years.
I’m checking in late today. We had a busy day. My husband had the day off and we took a drive. Along the way we stopped at a few garage sales and thrift stores and then had a picnic lunch. It was lovely.
As far as the 4th, we will have my brother-in-law visiting. We plan to have a cook out on Sunday with him and my son and his wife.
This week I read:
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin – Rural Kentucky 1926 – A young woman goes to help out a library and ends up riding a packhorse route. Loved it!
I’m in the middle of one of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries. I always enjoy these and will tell you about it next week.
Have a good weekend everyone!
Of course I”m happy you enjoyed a book about one of the packhorse librarians, Gretchen.
Enjoy your family time. It’s so special.
I haven’t heard of Wonderland Creek. But I will now request it from the library.
My current audiobook is The Personal Librarian. I am enjoying it so far. My print book is The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar. Great theme I have going.
That is a great theme, Katherine. Don’t read my review of The Personal Librarian, set to run on Saturday. There are no spoilers, but I still think you should pass until you finish listening.