It’s the day after #BookLoversDay, but it’s still #BookLoversMonth. It’s always that day and month in my world.
This week, I’m reading John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: In Search of America. I’ve never read it. On Tuesday, I was reading an article about Norman Rockwell, and the article mentioned that John Steinbeck went to New Orleans, and saw Ruby Bridges when the country was trying to integrate the school system. The article quoted Steinbeck from Travels with Charley. So, I picked up a copy of the book at the library, and fell in love with Steinbeck’s words in the introduction. Now, I’m traveling with Steinbeck and Charley.
What are you reading or listening to this week? I have a morning meeting, but I’ll catch up on your comments during the day.
I read the Steinbeck a few years ago, for the first time too. Since I love travel books, I don't know why I didn't read it sooner.
This week? Well, I read Marcus Sakey's short story collection, SCAR TISSUE. That was about the point when I realized that I'd read the first two books in his BRILLIANCE trilogy back to back in 2014, but had never read book three! (It came out last year and by then it had dropped off my radar.) I got it from the library, and raced through it (WRITTEN IN FIRE) in a day or so. It seems that since 1980, 1% of people born have some extraordinary talent. Naturally, non-"abnorms" see this as a threat to them. This is the basic premise of the series, and I'd recommend it highly.
What prompted the Sakey thing was a review of his new book, AFTERLIFE which really caught my attention. I am halfway through it and will definitely finish it today. Someone compared it to GHOST crossed with THE MATRIX, and the inevitable movie is in the works, There is a serial killer shooting random people in Chicago. He's up to #17. Claire McCoy heads the FBI task force, and the star agent is Will Brody (also, recently, her lover). But then (I'd give a SPOILER ALERT but the blurb tells you all this) Brody gets blown up himself (#18), only to find himself seemingly alive in the afterlife, the same Chicago only with all the "real" people gone and only people like him (and some are very bad hombres) around. It gets better from there. You need to read this one, if it sounds at all interesting to you.
I'll be picking up my friend Bill Crider's latest book at the library today, and I got in Martin Edwards's THE STORY OF CLASSIC CRIME IN 100 BOOKS, covering the first 50 years of the last century from THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES to THE 31ST OF FEBRUARY by Julian Symons. Another must read.
Also read: Terence Faherty's TALES OF THE STAR REPUBLIC, mentioned last week. I'm currently reading the followup, FILES OF THE STAR REPUBLIC.
I'm reading THE OVERNEATH a collection of Peter S. Beagle's recent short stories. I'm very fond of Beagle's work.
I read DEAD AND BREAKFAST by Kate Kingsbury. A nice start to a new series. DEAD TO BEGIN WITH by Bill Crider, NOTHING STAYS BURIED by P.J. Tracy, THE QUEEN OF SWORDS by R.S. Belcher and MAGPIE MURDERS by Anthony Horowitz all arrived at my library this week. I'm driving to Dallas today with my daughter and should have reading time. So I've got to decide which of these lovely books are going with me. Probably all of them. 🙂
Thanks, Karen. Somehow I missed that there was a new Monkeewrench book, and only a year after the last one. I reserved it.
I just finished the first in Lucinda Riley's projected 7-book series, The Seven Sisters. It's about six young women who were adopted by a fabulously wealthy man at birth from different parts of the world and subsequently had a fantasy childhood in Geneva.The man dies suddenly, leaving each of them cryptic clues and coordinates to lead them to the place where they were born. This first book follows oldest daughter Maia as she seeks her origins in Rio. Once she begins to discover where she came from, the narrative shifts to her grandmother's story and her involvement with the planning of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. The two stories then alternate. I absolutely couldn't put it down, and the second and third books are waiting on the library shelves. I can definitely see myself reading all seven, and I am intrigued by the promised last book in the series, as we were told that the father never adopted a seventh daughter . . . hmmmmm.
I finally finished these three books:
How Sweet the Sound by Deborah Heal
Oregon Hill by Howard Owen
I Need a Lifeguard Everywhere But the Pool
Just started a ebook from the library with only 14 days to keep it. Naked inDeath by J D Robb. First time I have read anything by this author.
One Coffee With by Margaret Moron. First time I have read anything by this author.
I believe Kaye recommended this book.one Thursday.
Hope everyone has plenty of time to read this week.
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I am reading The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi. Book 2 in the Sweetlake Series. They take place in Ohio where I live.
Karen, I enjoyed reading Magpie Murders, hope you do also. Enjoy your trip to Dallas with your daughter We lost our 56 year old on December 1, 2016. It is something you trust will never happen to others but you know it will. She was a great daughter and was my best friend.
I'm reading Charlie Lovett's The Lost Book of the Grail and Jess Lourey's Salem's Cipher.
Jeff, Some of your reading sounds very familiar. I'm glad to know, though, that I'm not the only one who hadn't read Travels with Charley. And, Afterlife. I have to get to that book, along with a few others on your list.
Bill, I have two collections of short stories I need to get to. (sigh) They're perfect to pick up and put down, but I just need more time.
Karen, I have that new Monkeewrench mystery, too. I'm excited about that one.
That series sounds fascinating, Margie. Keep us posted!
Sharon, Isn't it nice to read a series when the setting is familiar?
I like the Sigrid Herald series, Charlotte. I hope you enjoy it!
Page, A friend really liked The Lost book of the Grail. It's on one of my TBR piles. Let us know what you think when you finish it.
My daughter and I both really enjoyed The Lost Book of the Holy Grail.
I finished AFTERLIFE. Anyone – like my wife – who likes paranormal romance is going to need to read this one, along with those of us who don't (necessarily), but appreciate good writing and a great storyteller.
I read Perish From The Earth, the newest Lincoln and Speed mystery by Jonathan F. Putnam. Set on the Illinois Frontier, Lincoln has to defend his client from the charge of murder of a young planter.
Zero Sum by Barry Eisler. The John Rain series is making a comeback from its nadir of 2006. This isn't quite as good as the first three or four books, but still pretty entertaining.
Winnell Road, by Kate Foster, a juvenile Scifi
Paradox Bound, a time travel novel by Peter Clines.
Currently reading The Crack in the Lens by Steve Hockensmith. His cowboy detective series should be much more well known.
I'm catching up with Stephen Booth and just finished ALREADY DEAD, which I absolutely loved, not because of what happens in it, but how he developed a wonderful plot and continues to expand his characters Ben Cooper and Diane Fry.
I've also discovered Peter May's Enzo series (loved his trilogy) and I'm on the second of that series.
And then I discovered a book by Reginald Hill, THE WOODCUTTER, that i'd somehow missed. Hill is among the best.
:I'm loving reading again. (Sometimes I can't find the right books and go off reading for a while, but now I'm back.)
Glen, I always enjoy seeing the variety of titles you're reading. A little bit of everything.
Jeff, I have that book on a pile, as I said. It sounds as if I should meet it up.
Andi! I'm so glad you found some titles that brought you back to reading. I'm sure this group of people can keep you supplied with titles or series for a while.
I finally finished the non-fiction book The Radium Girls…I wasn't sure if I could as the first part is a tear-jerker.
I'm reading a book by Sharon Salzberg Real Love – The Art of Mindful Connection. I saw a video of Salzberg and Maria Shriver and the book intrigued me.
The Dress in the Window by Sofia Grant about a family left devastated by WW2 and how they manage.
The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Poor girl rises through Hollywood to stardom and tells all.
Thanks I just put Afterlife on my hold list at the library.
I'm reading Margaret Mizushima's 3rd book in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series, Hunting Hour. It's high tension and a real page turner.
Loved Travels with Charley. Last night finished listening to the Great Hurricane of 1938. Last story because people nevered dreaned it would happen in that area, 700 people lost their lives. Will start listening the The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand and I am well into Miss Kopp's Midnight confession Amy Stewart. This last book seems to be the best.
I read a Dead Man's Bridge because I saw it on your blog. I really enjoyed it.
In honor of the approaching solar eclipse, I am reading Jane Langton's Dark Nantucket Noon, where a murder is committed on Nantucket Island during the partial eclipse in 1970. I have a mystery novel for every occasion. ��
I read Travels With Charley man, many years ago hen it s first published. It has always been one of my favorite books. I am so glad you are experiencing the excitement I felt when I first read it.
Thanks, everyone! I finished Travels with Charley, and loved Steinbeck's writing and wit throughout the book.
I love that comment, Jacqueline, "a mystery novel for every occasion".
Sandy! I'm glad you liked Dead Man's Bridge.
It's so good to come back here even a few days later and find other book suggestions and comments. Thank you!
I'm currently reading "The Storied LIfe of AJ Fikry" which I am pleasantly surprised by! It's about a bookshop owner and I'm trying not to obsessively look up each book recommendation as I read!
It's hard not to look up each book, isn't it, Nicole? Terrific book.