Yes, we’re going to talk about what we’re all reading today. It’s Thursday, after all. But, first, Margie Bunting is going to share her favorite books of 2018. It’s never too late for a list of good books. I’m always eager to see what Margie’s reading. Her summaries are always appealing. Thank you, Margie.
*****
I didn’t read quite as many books in 2018 as I did the
previous year (“only” 171), but there were too many winners to mention. So I
tried to whittle my favorites list down as much as possible.
previous year (“only” 171), but there were too many winners to mention. So I
tried to whittle my favorites list down as much as possible.
I read a lot of mysteries so let’s start with those. My
favorite new series is by Steven Cooper (Desert
Remains and Dig Your Grave). Alex Cooper, aPhoenix
technician and somewhat reluctant psychic, are an unlikely team that often work
together on murder investigations. Not only are their cases usual and
compelling, the protagonists are human and unpredictable, with often messy but
fascinating personal and family lives. A perfect blend for an engrossing story.
favorite new series is by Steven Cooper (Desert
Remains and Dig Your Grave). Alex Cooper, a
technician and somewhat reluctant psychic, are an unlikely team that often work
together on murder investigations. Not only are their cases usual and
compelling, the protagonists are human and unpredictable, with often messy but
fascinating personal and family lives. A perfect blend for an engrossing story.
In the area of psychological suspense, the latest in Michael
Robotham’s series about Joe O’Loughlin, a widowed psychologist with two girls
and a continuing fight with Parkinson’s disease, is The Other Wife. This story is even more personal than usual, as Joe
finds out when his father is attacked and lying in a coma that the elder
O’Loughlin has had a secret wife and family away from his wife inWales
for 20 years. And that’s not the only secret Joe discovers as he investigates
the situation. I appreciate Robotham for his unconventional protagonist, his
masterful writing style, and his flashes of insight.
Robotham’s series about Joe O’Loughlin, a widowed psychologist with two girls
and a continuing fight with Parkinson’s disease, is The Other Wife. This story is even more personal than usual, as Joe
finds out when his father is attacked and lying in a coma that the elder
O’Loughlin has had a secret wife and family away from his wife in
for 20 years. And that’s not the only secret Joe discovers as he investigates
the situation. I appreciate Robotham for his unconventional protagonist, his
masterful writing style, and his flashes of insight.
For legal thrillers, it’s hard to match the excitement of Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh. Eddie
Flynn, a formerNew York
con-man-turned-defense attorney, is up against a serial killer who has audaciously
maneuvered himself onto a jury, determined to manipulate his fellow jurors (and
others) into the verdict he desires. Electrifying courtroom scenes and exciting
action abound. There are others in the series, and I’ll be looking for all of
them.
Flynn, a former
con-man-turned-defense attorney, is up against a serial killer who has audaciously
maneuvered himself onto a jury, determined to manipulate his fellow jurors (and
others) into the verdict he desires. Electrifying courtroom scenes and exciting
action abound. There are others in the series, and I’ll be looking for all of
them.
Close behind in the mystery area: Kristen Lepionka’s The Last Place You Look and What You Want to See (flawed PI Roxane
Weary); Jane Willen’s The Hour of Death
and The Shadow of Death (Welsh
nuns!); Brian Freeman’s Goodbye to the
Dead, Alter Ego, etc. (Duluth detective Jonathan Stride); and The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz.
Weary); Jane Willen’s The Hour of Death
and The Shadow of Death (Welsh
nuns!); Brian Freeman’s Goodbye to the
Dead, Alter Ego, etc. (Duluth detective Jonathan Stride); and The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz.
Filed under “local color” (if you live in Valley
of Silicon Valley by Anna Yen. This is a roman a clef, with thinly disguised versions of Steve Jobs, Elon
Musk, Apple, Pixar, and Tesla, but it is also the story of determined, young
Sophia, who brushes off health and personal issues to carve a place for herself
in
all odds. The author’s credentials as an insider make it all seem authentic,
and it’s a cracking good story as well.
For “comfort food” reading, my go-to is still the prolific
and never disappointing Jenny Colgan. In 2018 I read her The Endless Beach and Christmas
on the Island, two sequels in the Café by the Sea trilogy, set on a small
Scottish island. There is a plethora of wonderful characters, including Flora,
a young café owner who is new to the island, her reluctant paramour, a
billionaire entrepreneur who is the life partner of Flora’s brother, Syrian
refugee doctor Saif, and more. Colgan frequently reduces me to tears—both happy
and sad—and soothes my soul at the same time. More, please.
and never disappointing Jenny Colgan. In 2018 I read her The Endless Beach and Christmas
on the Island, two sequels in the Café by the Sea trilogy, set on a small
Scottish island. There is a plethora of wonderful characters, including Flora,
a young café owner who is new to the island, her reluctant paramour, a
billionaire entrepreneur who is the life partner of Flora’s brother, Syrian
refugee doctor Saif, and more. Colgan frequently reduces me to tears—both happy
and sad—and soothes my soul at the same time. More, please.
Other favorites in the comfort-food genre are Marisa de los Santos
(The Lost Recipe for Happiness and The Art of Inheriting Secrets); and
Elizabeth Berg (Night of Miracles).
(The Lost Recipe for Happiness and The Art of Inheriting Secrets); and
Elizabeth Berg (Night of Miracles).
It would be too limiting to call Amy Poeppel’s novels
“women’s fiction,” so let’s just say she is an expert at writing about family
dynamics and careers. She snagged my interest with Small Admissions previously and continued to hold it with Limelight, an exceedingly fun read
about a family that moves fromDallas to NYC for
the husband’s job. The wife somehow finds herself the personal assistant of a
Justin Bieber-like bad-boy superstar, while everyone else in the family is
trying to decide whether to succumb to the frenetic NYC culture or move to the
suburbs. Characters are sharply drawn and evolve as the story progresses.
“women’s fiction,” so let’s just say she is an expert at writing about family
dynamics and careers. She snagged my interest with Small Admissions previously and continued to hold it with Limelight, an exceedingly fun read
about a family that moves from
the husband’s job. The wife somehow finds herself the personal assistant of a
Justin Bieber-like bad-boy superstar, while everyone else in the family is
trying to decide whether to succumb to the frenetic NYC culture or move to the
suburbs. Characters are sharply drawn and evolve as the story progresses.
Another elevated feel-good book which also features families
suffering culture shock is Dorothea Benton Frank’s By Invitation Only. Two women who couldn’t be more different are
suddenly thrown together as their children become betrothed. Frank’s beautiful
writing and loving attention to detail make this a must-read about family joys
and challenges and ever-evolving characters, with a satisfying conclusion. A
runner-up in this “family” category is Julie Lawson Timmer’s Mrs. Saint and the Defectives.
suffering culture shock is Dorothea Benton Frank’s By Invitation Only. Two women who couldn’t be more different are
suddenly thrown together as their children become betrothed. Frank’s beautiful
writing and loving attention to detail make this a must-read about family joys
and challenges and ever-evolving characters, with a satisfying conclusion. A
runner-up in this “family” category is Julie Lawson Timmer’s Mrs. Saint and the Defectives.
I’m not sure how to characterize Matt Haig’s How to Stop Time–science fiction on
the surface, but really a quietly told meditation on the vagaries of time and
what we do with it. Tom Hazard is more than 500 years old with a life
expectancy of 900 but appears to be in his forties, thanks to a rare medical
condition. Throughout his life to date he hax met celebrated authors,
explorers, and the like. But he also has to contend with the unsavory Albatross
Society, apparently devoted to “protecting” Tom and others with the same
condition by moving them around regularly. I found it to be quite original and couldn’t put it down.
the surface, but really a quietly told meditation on the vagaries of time and
what we do with it. Tom Hazard is more than 500 years old with a life
expectancy of 900 but appears to be in his forties, thanks to a rare medical
condition. Throughout his life to date he hax met celebrated authors,
explorers, and the like. But he also has to contend with the unsavory Albatross
Society, apparently devoted to “protecting” Tom and others with the same
condition by moving them around regularly. I found it to be quite original and couldn’t put it down.
In the non-fiction world, my favorite (hands-down) was The Class: A Life-Changing Teacher, His
World-Changing Kids, and the Most Inventive Classroom inAmerica
by Heather Won Tesoriero. The title really says it all—it covers teacher
extraordinaire Andy Bramante and his students during the 2016-17 school year in
an innovative science research program in aConnecticut
high school. Students work on research projects of their own devising with the
goal of winning scholarship money at ultra-demanding science fairs. The book
gets “up close and personal” with a few of these students. Read it to be
inspired and entertained. Another
non-fiction favorite: Becoming by
Michelle Obama. And I almost forgot to mention Anne Bogel’s delightful I’d Rather Be Reading.
World-Changing Kids, and the Most Inventive Classroom in
by Heather Won Tesoriero. The title really says it all—it covers teacher
extraordinaire Andy Bramante and his students during the 2016-17 school year in
an innovative science research program in a
high school. Students work on research projects of their own devising with the
goal of winning scholarship money at ultra-demanding science fairs. The book
gets “up close and personal” with a few of these students. Read it to be
inspired and entertained. Another
non-fiction favorite: Becoming by
Michelle Obama. And I almost forgot to mention Anne Bogel’s delightful I’d Rather Be Reading.
My overall favorite of the year was one of the first books Iread in 2018—The Music Shop by
Rachel Joyce. It is a beautiful story about Frank, a quirky young man who runs
a music store exclusively devoted to vinyl in a dead-end street in the
recommend to shop patrons—what they need to hear. When a mysterious young
German woman faints in front of the building, Frank instantly falls in love but
can express his feelings only through giving her weekly music lessons. I can’t
sufficiently articulate how deeply this book affected me, or why. I just know
the author write wonderful prose with many quotable lines, so I wanted to slow
down my reading to savor them all. And the ending is unexpected and ultimately
satisfying.
Honorable mentions for books that defied categorizing and
delighted me: The Last Equation of Isaac
Severy by Nova Jacobs; The Fortune
Teller by Gwendolyn Womack; and The
Reluctant Fortune Teller by Keziah Frost.
delighted me: The Last Equation of Isaac
Severy by Nova Jacobs; The Fortune
Teller by Gwendolyn Womack; and The
Reluctant Fortune Teller by Keziah Frost.
Thanks to Lesa and to all of you for sharing the books
you’ve read and giving me some great recommendations for more additions to my
TBR list!
you’ve read and giving me some great recommendations for more additions to my
TBR list!
*****
Thank you, Margie, for sharing all these books with us. Now, it’s our turn. I’m reading a book recommended by a friend. It’s actually a reread. I’d read Alice Steinbach’s Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman years ago. But, it makes a difference reading it after I’ve been to Paris and Giverny. That’s as far as I am in this book. Steinbach was a reporter for the Baltimore Sun who took a leave of absence to travel and have time for herself. So far, I want to pack and go back to Paris.
What are you reading this week? Please share.
I started Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews last night! I adore her Meg Langslow series.
I finished THE SHORTEST WAY HOME by Miriam Parker. I liked her writing style but the more I thought about the story the less happy I was with it. A Berkeley graduate student visits a small family winery in Sonoma and gives up a job with Goldman's in NY to stay for the summer and become its marketing director. Hannah was self absorbed (she kept saying #Ichooseme) and everything came too easy for her. It was diverting if I didn't think about it too much.
Now I am reading THE GOWN by Jennifer Robson and A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY by Donna Cameron. Both are good so far.
I enjoyed your list Margie. We do have similar tastes in reading.
Happy Reading!
Nice list, Margie. I've only read one (the Matt Haig), but a couple of the others are going on my list.
I'm reading Susie Steiner's second Sgt. Manon Bradshaw book, PERSONS UNKNOWN. Things have changed since the first book, as Manon is five months pregnant and pushed to the side (cold cases) in her unit. But she has a connection to the new murder (even though she is not allowed a part in the investigation) when the victim turns out to be her sister's ex. As in the first, chapters are narrated by a half dozen different characters, each clearly marked. Good so far.
Another first British police mystery read was Caz Frear's SWEET LITTLE LIES, mentioned last time. I liked it and will definitely read the next Cat Kinsella book.
Of course, I am reading several short story collections, mainly William Brittain's THE MAN WHO READ MYSTERIES. The first half consists of "The Man Who" stories, making clever use of motifs in the mysteries of Christie, Carr, Chesterton, Poe, and other classic writers. Some are better than others but all are good. The second half (which I will finish shortly) has seven of the 32 stories Brittain wrote (1967-1983) about high school science teacher Mr. Strang, who has a clever way of solving mysteries. Recommended.
I'm also reading:
Raoul Whitfield – WEST OF GUAM his complete Jo Gar stories
Ethan Canin – EMPEROR OF THE AIR first published in his 20s
Barry Hannah – AIRSHIPS
The only one of Margie’s list I read was HOW TO STOP TIME but it wasn’t one of my favorites.
I finished a couple of mysteries, WREATH BETWEEN THE LINES. by Daryl Wood Gerber, and DO NO HARM BY DAWN EASTMAN
A police procedural by Barbara Ross, THE DEATHOF AN AMBITIOUS WOMAN. I think this was supposed to be the first in a series but she doesn’t seem to have written anymore
WEREWOLF COP by Andrew Klavan.This is about a cop who gets turned into a werewolf while pursuing a lead in a case. Reading this once was one time to many.
I’m currently reading GIVE-A-DAMN JONES by Bill Prozini. It’s a fairly short western story where the chapters are all told by different characters. It’s a quick read but not something I’d read again.
As I said before, Deb, you're in good company. My sister enjoys them as well.
Sharon, I'll be interested to see your reaction to The Gown. Lots of buzz for that one. I haven't read it, so please let us know.
Jeff, I have to look up that Susie Steiner series. It just might fit the needs of a co-worker who asked me about a book yesterday. Thank you!
Margie, thank you for sharing with us this morning.
Finished:
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. ~~ I really couldn’t stand this book. Very disappointing. I only finished it because it was a Mother’s Day gift from my son. He was reading it and I mentioned I wouldn’t to read it.
Lesa, remember I said I would finish it in this life time and I did.
The Guilty Dead (book 9) by PJ Tracy ~~ I won this book from this blog just at the right time. Now waiting for the next book to come out. I have enjoyed all the books in this series. So glad Lesa shared reviews here with us so I found out about these wonderful authors. Sorry the mother is no longer here.
Bread, Dead and Wed ( book 9) by Sherri Bryan ~~ now waiting for book 10 to come out.
The Salty Taste of Muder (book 1) by Christine Zane
Now reading:
A Choice Cocktail of Death (book 2) by Christine Zane
Getting ready to start a new series by Patricia Smiley called the Tucker Sinclair books.
I loved reading about Margie's favorites. Several have already been on my list, especially the Michael Robotham book, and others are added. Sigh. I'll never actually get finished will I? But what fun we all have. Great job, Margie!
Right now, I'm reading Julia Keller's latest, BONE ON BONE. It's the Bell Elkins series and I love this series. I'm hoping this one isn't the last, but one never knows. I'm listening to Tana French's standalone, THE WITCH ELM. I've loved all of French's books up to now. This one is definitely different and though I'm liking it well enough, I'm not loving it as much as her Dublin cop books.
Thanks to all of you who have commented on my favorites list so far. It was fun to write, and easier this year because I actually made a few notes about each of the books I read immediately after finishing them.
This week I read THE BUTTERFLY CONSPIRACY. Vivian Conroy's debut mystery is set in Victorian London, where orphaned Merula Merriweather hatches super-sized exotic butterflies in her uncle's conservatory. She must give her uncle public credit for her work because women were not allowed to engage in such pursuits. When a prominent society doyenne dies at a lecture immediately after one of Merula's butterflies lands on her arm, Merula must find evidence to set her uncle free, with the help of Lord Raven Royston, a dashing young man best known for his failed investments in disastrous get-rich-quick schemes. It's a fun read, an interesting heroine, and a promising start (hopefully) for a new series.
As Lesa and others of you have already written, I'D RATHER BE READING by Anne Bogel is a delightful small book of essays about books and reading from the writer of "The Modern Mrs. Darcy" blog. I found that the essays were best enjoyed by reading them one by one over a period of time so they could be savored. I saw myself reflected in "Bookworm Problems" and related to Bogel's belief that reading the same book more than once (though I do it rarely) is a different experience each time, as you are a different person each time. Any book lover will probably love this book.
Although I had read a previous autobiography by martial arts superstar Jackie Chan years ago, I still enjoyed NEVER GROW UP, his easy-to-read, warts-and-all book about his 10-year residence at a strict performing arts school, his early years as a spoiled actor/kung fu wizard, and his amazing career as an actor, fight director, and movie director, where he did all of his own death-defying stunts, along with his private and family life.
Lesa, if possible your co-worker should start with the first book in the Steiner series, MISSING, PRESUMED.
I have just started Manuscript for Murder, the newest Murder She Write novel.
Just finished PRESUMPTION OF GUILT by Archer Mayor, an excellent series. Then onto Maddie Day and GRILLED FOR MURDER, I love her writing whether it is Maddie Day or Edith Maxwell. Grilled was a fun cozy read. Then onto a new author for me – Stephanie Blackmoore and ENGAGED IN DEATH – which was a fun read as well. Currently reading Patrica Smiley's first novel featuring Tucker Sinclair, FALSE PROFIT. Takes place in LA and it is fun to watch her go around the city.
Next up will be Burrowing of Bones by Paula Munier.
Sandy, You've been reading Glen's reviews. You have the same short pithy style today. I enjoy the comments.
Charlotte, I'm afraid I'm not a Paula Hawkins fan. Oh, yes! I remember you saying you would finish it "in this lifetime". Well, that's over.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Monkeewrench books! I'm sorry the mother is gone as well, but I think the daughter did a terrific job with this latest book.
Kay, I heard that about The Witch Elm. And, I just worked on a readers' advisory question for someone who loved one of the books in the Dublin Squad series. I have some great answers for her.
Thank you, Margie, again, for taking the time to write your favorites.
And, The Butterfly Conspiracy! I have it someplace in a pile. I have to look for it. It sounded quite a bit like Deanna Raybourn, so I'm happy to hear you liked it. I'll have to dig it up.
Jeff, I just suggested the first in that series for her. Thank you!
Lesa, I agree with you whole heartedly that PJ Tracy did a outstanding job writing this book.
Once again I had tears in one chapter. Can’t wait till the new one is available. Only problem is we will have to wait again for a new book.
Mark, I just gave that one away. I liked the premise, although I didn't read it.
Netteanne, I hope you enjoy the Paula Munier book. It was just nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
I know, Charlotte. Was it the last chapter? I think that's the one that brought tears to my eyes.
Not a lot of reading for me this week:
Tarzan Trilogy by Thomas Zachek; This author is an English teacher from Wisconsin, and it shows, not in a good way.
On The Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith; the second book in the Holmes on the Range series. The Almingmeyer brothers are working on the railroad, and stumble into a murderous conspiracy. An underrated series.
I love this list for the ones I've read and for the ones that are at the top of my TBR list I'm planning to read soon. The Last Place You Look was a favorite of mine, too, and I think Kristen Lepionka is a brilliant new author. I've been a fan of Marissa de los Santos for a long time, and I remember loving Love Walked In and Belong to Me. I haven't yet read Blue Sky, something I need to correct. Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan is a book I picked up before Christmas when I was looking for a Christmas read. As I love stories set in Scotland, I chose it and was so happy I did. I hadn't read the previous two books in this series, but I was fine with that. I just bought Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh and will dive into it sometime in the next month. I heard Jane Willen on a panel at Bouchercon last year, and I gifted myself for Christmas with her two books mentioned here. The nun angle caught my attention, too. Michael Robothom's The Other Wife is waiting for me. Matt Haig's How to Stop Time has me fascinated, and Nova Jacobs' The Last Equation of Isaac Sevry is a must read, too.
I am currently finishing up Fractured Truth by Susan Furlong, and I plan on going back and reading the first book, Splintered Silence, in this Bone Gap Travellers series, too. I've long been interested in the Gypsy or Travellers culture, both here and in the UK, so I am happy to find this series. I'll probably sneak in the latest Flavia de Luce novel this weekend before reading my ARC of Rhys Bowen's next stand-alone, Victory Garden, due out Feb. 12th.
I read one of the Hockensmith novels, Glen. Just not for me, but I have a friend who would totally agree with you.
Yes, Kathy. I think you and Margie should know each other. I met her at Left Coast Crime the first time, and we spent quite a bit of time together at the one in Phoenix as well. I think the two of you do read similar books.
I'm reading Every Crooked Nanny by Kathy Hogan Trocheck.
Mindy Mattox, I read this whole series years ago. I loved this whole series. Wish she had written more. I wrote her one time asking her if she ever planned to write anymore. At that time is was writing the beach books. I never have gotten into those books.
Wow, Kathy, we definitely seem to have similar reading tastes. Thank you for friending me on Facebook. I'm going to bookmark The Reading Room for your reviews.
Thank you for accepting my friend request and for bookmarking my blog, Margie!
Charlotte & Mindy, I liked that series, too, and I preferred it over the beach books.
I have started the last in my pile of books with tiny print! Hole in the Middle by Kendora Fortmeyer. Also with comfortable print size, The Tragic Age. by Stephen Metcalfe. Haven't decided what I think of either book ye. Then I have only seven more books and that pile is finished. (42 at the beginning) Then plan on reading some of my own books and back to audio. YAy!