It’s Thursday! I’m excited about the book I’m going to share today. My best friend, Donna, pointed this one out to me. I bought it as a gift to myself. It’s a perfect gift for book lovers. It’s called Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount. She illustrated books, bookstore cats, beloved bookstores. There are all kinds of lists, quizzes, and gorgeous pictures. This is scary, though. The first line of her introduction says, “The goal of this book is to triple the size of your To Be Read pile.” Ha! I’d be in trouble. This is a browsing book. I even bought a box of notecards with piles of books. The notecards include classics, children’s picture books, mysteries. (Don’t tell Donna, but she’s getting the first notecard.)
What are you reading today? And, what’s your weather? As I’m writing this on Wednesday night, we’re expecting over three inches of snow through tomorrow. If any of you know me well, you know I hate snow, cold weather, and winter.
So, let’s talk about books so I don’t have to look out the window.
We’re supposed to get a couple of inches of snow and then it’s supposed to change to rain and be a high of 45 tomorrow. This week I read
YOU’VE GOT ALIENS by Fiona Rourke which is a paranormal romance set at a truck stop that’s actually a space ship way station. The aliens who run it have to keep humans from finding out about them.
A short Halloween story by Terri Reid, TALES AROUND THE JACK O’LANTERN
SMALL SPACES by Katherine Arden, a horror story about a sixth grade class trip which I enjoyed more than I thought I would.
I like the sound of You've Got Aliens, Sandy. Just sounds fun.
Just finished "Lies" by T. M. Logan – a debut mystery – reminded me of Gone Girl – I liked it – kept you guessing. We are getting bad weather coming in this afternoon so will leave the office early and go home and read and relax with my kitty! Best way to spend an afternoon! Stay warm and safe everyone.
We have had a lot of rain this week, wish I could send it to California.
I finished the following:
Classified as Murder (book 2) by Miranda James ~~ I am enjoying this series. I have holds on other books in this series.
Snow Blind by P J Tracy
Shoot to Tnrill by P J Tracy ~~ I have been thrilled with each of these books. The kind I can’t to put down.
Now reading
:
The Sixth Idea by P J Tracy ~~ Finding it so hard to put down, which is great, not complaining at all. Wish all books were like that. I am about to run out of this series. That will be sad. Got to find something as good to replace these books.
Destination Murder (book 2) by K J Emrick
Finding time to read a book is a good thing.
📚📚📚📚☕️☕️
I don't think I could handle my TBR pile tripling either! I have a few books I'm reading at the moment, including an ARC of Krista Davis's latest. The weather is cold by locals' standards, but it would be considered warm everywhere else. So grateful there's no snow here!
You're so right, Donna. Best way to spend the afternoon. Now, I'm jealous.
Charlotte! I'm so happy you're enjoying Miranda James & P.J. Tracy. Different, but have you tried Linda Castillo? There are ten in that series right now. Sworn to Silence is the first one. They take place in Ohio's Amish country, and feature a female sheriff. Over the course of the series, you see her tight-knit team. That's all I'm going to say, but you might want to give them a try when you finish P.J. Tracy. Hugs, and happy reading!
Marla, Somehow, I missed Krista Davis' last Diva mystery. I put it on hold here at the library, and should pick it up today. Thank you for not making me jealous by telling me the temperature there.
Hi, Lesa and all. We're still in New Orleans – this rain is gone at least- but it is still unusually cold.we arrived on Saturday and on Sunday- the only warm day- I rented a massive SUV and drove 7 of us to a friend in Slidell, who made a great barbecue feast with pulled pork and brisket and chicken and fish (drum) with homemade baked beans and cole slaw. We brought desserts from New York, including raspberry swirl cheesecake. The rest of our friends left yesterday for Buffalo, San Diego and Minneapolis. We're leaving tomorrow.
Needless to say, I haven't had a lot of time to read. I did finish the Brendan DuBois collection THE HIDDEN, and I'm reading the next O. Henry collection. Also read the Michael Connelly book, DARK SACRED NIGHT, and Jodi Taylor's WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG, the next Chronicles of St. Mary's book.
First of all, Charlotte, so happy you are loving the PJ Tracy books. I second Lesa's suggestion of Linda Castillo's series and I'll add Christ Grabenstein's Jersey Shore series.
Secondly, weather – sheesh! We had our first freeze this week and it's about 2-3 weeks early for us in Central Texas. There were even snow flurries. And that's just wrong, people, wrong! Ha! Warmer today and even warmer tomorrow, but winter has arrived, sweeping down the plains. It was the wind that was tough.
I'm listening to Herman Wouk's Winds of War (a book I read many years ago) on audio and will also listen to War and Remembrance. Loved both those and a book group that I attend is having 'Herman Wouk' month in January. I volunteered to moderate. Do you know that man is 103? Amazing!
And tripling my TBR. Laughing hysterically!
I am one of "Kate's Raters" so I received my copy of Kate Carlisle's A WRENCH IN THE WORKS, latest in her Fixer-Upper series, in return for a review. Shannon is not the only contractor in the family. Her younger sister Chloe, who left home as a teenager, makes a triumphant return as co-star of a popular home repair TV show and fledgling author. The plan is for Shannon to join her for several episodes in the rehab of a local Victorian home. When the show's producer, who regularly fires and rehires the talent
(including her own husband, Chloe's co-host) is found dead, no one is surprised, and another murder follows. Shannon has been involved in a number of previous murders, so she and her thriller-writer boyfriend, Mac, are again part of the unofficial investigation team. Then there's the reason Chloe stayed away from home for 5 years, as well as a feisty couple whose Victorian home was not chosen for rehab. A quick read, this is another satisfying entry in the series.
David Rosenfelt has found the perfect formula for his quick-reading, highly enjoyable legal mysteries. Independently wealthy defense attorney Andy Carpenter only takes the occasional case so he has time to enjoy his golden retriever rescue foundation, as well as his wife and adopted son. But in DECK THE HOUNDS, the day after he gives a homeless man some money and a Petsmart gift card for his dog, he sees him on TV, accused of a 2-year-old murder. It's the Christmas season (Andy's wife celebrates from Thanksgiving through the end of January!) so he can't resist taking the case. The court seasons are fantastic, and I'm addicted to Andy's quick wit and snarky banter.
Ellen Byron's latest, MARDI GRAS MURDER is another enjoyable cozy set in a small town near New Orleans. The setting is a character in itself, this time featuring several Mardi Gras-related activities, including an unorthodox teen pageant. One of the judges is murdered, and Maggie Crozat, a docent at the Pelican historical museum, investigates along with her detective boyfriend. She also finds a second painting underneath one she is restoring, which may contain clues to the murder.
Jeff, My friend, David, was in New Orleans this last week as well. Despite the weather, I hope you enjoyed it as much as always. The barbecue sounded wonderful!
Kay! That Chris Grabenstein's Ceepak series was a wonderful suggestion. I hope Charlotte gets a chance to read them.
I have to admit I didn't even know Herman Wouk was still alive.
Yes, way to early for this winter weather. Winter doesn't even officially start for a month. Bah, humbug.
I know! Tripling the TBR pile. All I have to do is read reviews in Booklist and Kirkus, and I add to my TBR pile.
Margie! Good to hear that about the Ellen Byron book. It's on a TBR pile for me as well. I've never started either of the other series you mentioned, although I love the covers of David Rosenfelt's books.
Yes, Wouk is still alive. I also like the Chris Grabenstein series, and I'm up to date with the Tracy and Castillo books.
I'm currently reading the latest issue of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine, which as always greatly expands my want list, this time with new authors who sound good – Susie Steiner, A.A. Chand, perhaps Dervla McTiernan, Caz Frear.
Darn that autocorrect.
A. A. Dhand.
I know, Jeff. Autocorrect can be so wrong sometimes!
Lesa and Kay, thank you for your suggestions about Linda Castillo and Chris Grabenstein. I have downloaded a sample of their first books that you mentioned. Thank you both.
You're welcome, Charlotte!
Mother Nature doesn't know what she wants to do today. It's around 35 degrees but it's swinging between rain, sleet, snow and/or combination of all three. Prayers are raised for those who have to work and drive in it. I had my day made by receipt of Carola Dunn's book, "Corpse at the Crystal Palace." It was a real gift to receive from you Lesa and your blog.
Oh, good, Robin. A book arriving, whatever the weather is, always makes for a better day. You're welcome!
Reading The Prisoner in the Castle by Susan Elia MacNeal. I love this series but now the author has written this addition in the style of Agatha Christie. I hate it when authors imitate other authors and I would have skipped this book if I had known. I have read every single Agatha Christie book, Anyway, I hope that the author returns to her own style next time or I shall stop reading her books.
Also, enjoying I'm OK by Patti Kim which I love. It is very sad, very funny and I want to hug the main character even though I do think he would love that.
Now I have a dilemma, 6 books arrive this week! I have to figure out a way of balancing my time, not getting eye strain, ya da ya da ya da.
I'm with you, Carol, not happy when authors imitate others and change their style.
Good luck with that TBR pile!
A personal note for the regulars here – I hope Glen is on vacation or enjoying himself somewhere & doing okay. I worry about some of you when you're not here on Thursday.
Having reread all of Charlotte MacLeod's Peter Shandy series, I am now reading through her Kelling series and am now on The Convivial Codfish. Al so reading those of Jonathan Kellerman's that I missed. I also started Ellen Byron's latest.
I'm fine, but the fires and the smoke interferes with my usual goings on.
I read In Danger's Path by WEB Griffin; another soaper, this time about WWII.
Savage Run by CJ Box; I know what he was going for with this novel, but whenever someone says times have changed, I have my doubts.
Where There's Smoke by Mel McKinney; about hiesting JFK's Cuban cigars. He only got 1000 f them, which makes me think maybe the embargo was never meant to last 50 odd years.
I'm reading Dark Sacred Night by MichaelConnelly
I was baking cookies today for Thanksgiving so I finished up the audio of Look Alive Twenty-five by Janet Evanovich. In print, I am reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Library Book by Susan Orlean. It's in the 60s today in NC. It was cooler yesterday and rained most of the week .