Everyone back from the Independence Day holiday? Are you ready to talk about what you’re reading?
I’m a fourth of a way into Jenny Colgan’s latest novel, The Bookshop on the Shore. It’s set in the Scottish Highlands where Colgan took us for The Bookshop on the Corner. Single mother Zoe O’Connell is desperate to escape London where her rent is going up. She has a four-year-old who has never spoken. She accepts two jobs on the shores of Loch Ness. She’s going to help Nina with her book van during the day, and she’s an au pair at night. She and her son, Hari, have a place to stay, where she’s going to take care of three young monsters whose mother disappeared. She’s nanny #7.
I hope you’ve enjoyed a book or two this week. What are you reading, or what did you read this week?
I did read a 500 page book (Mark Greaney's second Gray Man book, ON TARGET; good but the first one was better) and I am now 160 pages into an 800 page book – Chuck Wendig's WANDERERS. How could I resist a book being compared over and over to a favorite of mine, THE STAND? I couldn't, obviously. Suddenly, there is an outbreak of what seems to be sleepwalking, with people of all ages (well, 15 to 60 is the limit) dropping whatever they were doing and just joining the group walking (so far, from Pennsylvania to Indiana). They cannot be woken, and if you try and stop them, there are deadly consequences. The CDC is on the case but has no clue, and loved ones are following them to protect them.
Also reading short stories by Peter Orner (LAST CAR OVER THE SAGAMORE BRIDGE) and O. Henry. I put aside Paula Fox's DESPERATE CHARACTERS to read the Wendig. I was almost halfway through that.
This week I finished READ BOTTOM UP by Neel Shah and Skye Chatham. A cute fun novel about dating told through text messages and emails. I liked the ending but am grateful I am not young and dating in the digital age. It was recommended from Bermudaonion's blog.
I also finished THE GARDEN OF SMALL BEGINNINGS by Abbi Waxman. A young widow with 2 small children explores life without her husband. Her sister and a group of eclectic people she meets through a gardening class help that happen. Each chapter starts with hints in growing vegetables. I liked it but was a little put off by some of the crassness and at times Lillian's over precocious daughters.
Now I thoroughly enjoying A LADY'S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman. So far it is just as delightful as her first book.
Happy Reading!
The Guest Book, by Sarah Blake (5/2019)
Sudden Storm: the Great Hurricane of 1938, by R. A. Scotti (2003 — wonder how this account would have differed had it been written after Hurricane Katrina)
Now: A Craftsman's Legacy: Why Working With Our Hands Still Matters, by Eric Gorges.
I have a copy of The Wanderers, Jeff. I'll wait to hear what you think before I decide if it goes on that pile that Gram refers to as "someday".
Sharon, So happy to hear that about A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder. I really liked the first one, and I'm looking forward to this one, even more after your comment.
Nann, What did you think, or are you thinking about The Guest Book?
I'm taking a break from adult novels and rereading THE SECRET OF SHADOW RANCH by Carolyn Keene. I don't remember if I read this particular Nancy Drew book as a kid, but I'm enjoying it now, and it really doesn't seem familiar.
Over the 4th weekend I read the newest Victoria Houston – Dead Big Dog and it did not disappoint. I love the characters and the location of these books. Have not read them all and have not read them in order.
Also read Jenn McKinlay's Better Late Than Never – one of the books in her Library Lover's Series. Fun characters – hard to believe that a head librarian would be so involved in always figuring out the solution and find the murderer.
Just started The Dry by Jane Harper – not far in but can see why it won so many awards.
So far, so good with THE WANDERERS, Lesa. It keeps pulling me back to find out "what happens next," which is always a good sign.
Mark, There was a time in my life when I was waiting to hear about a job I really wanted, and all I read in that period was Nancy Drew books.
Netteanna, I like that series by Victoria Houston. I like her writing style and the characters.
Definitely a good sign, Jeff!
I’m sitting here waiting for a tech to fix my computer—I can’t access anything! If my computer is fixed today, I’ll post. I am terrible at typing on the iPad, which would take too much time.If it’s not fixed today,I’ll have to do an extra-long post next Thursday (I know, my posts are always long). In the meantime, happy reading to everyone!
This week I read:
An ARC of THE SUBJECT OF MALICE by Cynthia Kuhn. Murder at a literary conference. I like that this series is set in academia so it’s different from most of the cozies I read.
CRIME AND PUNCTUATION by Kaitlyn Dunnett. This was just so so.
HER SILHOUETTE, DRAWN IN WATER by Vylar Kaftan is a very strange book whose main character is a telepath.
STRANGLED EGGS AND HAM by Maddie Day. I really enjoyed this one. I like the characters and the author’s stories always hold my attention
OCTAVIA GONE by Jack McDevitt. Three people try to solve the mystery of a space station and it’s crew that disappeared without a trace twelve years earlier.
Good luck, Margie. Don't you hate it when something goes awry with your computer? I hope you get it fixed today.
I need to catch up with that Maddie Day series, Sandy.
I read two Manga about Tenchi. I used to watch the show on Cartoon Network.
The Innocents by Ace Atkins; Ole Quinn goes back to sheriffing. A decent book marred by the lack of a strong villain.
DeKok and the Somber Nude; Quaint Dutch pulp type stuff.
The Oracle by Clive Cussler; Sam and Remi Fargo tear around Nigeria looking for treasure. Another book without a strong villain.
Oh, I read one or two of the DeKok mysteries, Glen. Okay, but I didn't get excited about them.
Home a lot except for medical appointments, so reading is going quickly now. But it seems like I am doing another review every time I turn around.
Begain "Before We Were Yours": by Lisa Wingate. There are two story lines and I am not sure how they fit together yet.
Also received a book from GoodReads that may be too violent for me This Side of Night by J. Todd of Night. Its is a Mexican cartel working in the Big Bend area. The problem is that I am attracted to books with orange covers! I don't know why, I just am!
I just finished a good thriller with a very interesting plot involving a poison I'd never considered. Red Tide by Peg Brantley kept me turning the pages. Now I'm reading Mercy River by Glen Erik Hamilton. It's off to a great start.
Carol, I find that funny that you're attracted to books with orange covers. I hope this one comes through for you!
BIG fan of Glen Erik Hamilton's books, Patricia, although I never had a chance to read that one. I do own it, though!
I am still in the midst of moving but when it's ghastly hot (113 degrees on Thursday) I snuck in finishing Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal and have now started The River by Peter Heller. What a great way to spend hot afternoons in Arizona!