I really only read the first two pages of this book. I’m reading mysteries again for next Wednesday’s deadline. But, I started Jonathan Santlofer’s memoir The Widower’s Notebook. It’s not going to be easy to read the story of his wife Joy’s sudden death, and his attempt to push through the grief. There are eleven quotes from other authors at the front of the book. Andrew Solomon’s comments were the ones that summed up the book I’m expecting to read. “The Widower’s Notebook is a searing rendition of the complex relationship between men and grief – an intense despair that is too often starved for words. This chronicle of devastation is itself devastating, a deeply powerful and unflinchingly honest report of how painfully and strangely life continues in the wake of a sudden, tragic death.”
I don’t mean to start your day on a somber note. But, that’s what I’m starting to read. What are you reading or listening to this week?
Lesa, my reading this week was a lot lighter than yours. I caught up on two of my favorite cozies; TILL DEATH DO US TART by Ellie Alexander and AUNT DIMITY & THE KING’S RANSOM. I also read an Amish mystery by Vannetta Chapman, FALLING TO PIECES. I enjoyed it but I don’t think an Amish man would really let his wife spend so much time off solving the murder of an English man.
I also read another one of John Grisham’s football books, BLEACHERS, which was only fair.
Men and grief? What about women?
Anyway, moving on. Just finished (speaking of somber), the first of Neal Shusterman's five book "dystology" (whatever that is), UNWIND. After the Second Civil War – over abortion – Amendments are passed making all human life sacred from conception. Then, between 13 and 18, parents (or the state in the case of parentless kids) can have their children "unwound" – they aren't killed, per se, but their body parts are all used in others who need them, This is the story of three runaway Unwinds – Connor, Risa, and Lev. I will be looking for book two.
Previous to that was WHISPERS OF THE DEAD by Spencer Kope, second Magnus "Steps" Craig book. Steps can see the "shine" – clear trace left behind by murderers and murdered, which helps him and his FBI partner track down serial killers. I'd start with the first book.
Nearly done with the next volume of O. Henry shorts. I just got in the final (fifth) volume of the late Edward D. Hoch's Dr. Sam Hawthorne collections of impossible crime stories, CHALLENGE THE IMPOSSIBLE. If you are at all interested in locked room mysteries or other impossible crimes, these are a must. And the 72 stories are set in the real world, chronologically from 1922 to 1944, in small town Connecticut. Great stuff.
I've been undecided about finishing Deon Meyer's post-apocalyptic thriller FEVER, set in South Africa after a virus killed 95% of humanity. It's been compared (by Stephen King himself) to THE STAND and THE PASSAGE, but for me there's a difference. In those books, and the best others like them, you read on not just to find out what happened to the world, but mostly to find out what happened to characters you care about, Stu and Franny, Nick and Larry (in THE STAND), Amy and Peter and Alicia in THE PASSAGE books. But frankly, I don't care about any of the characters in FEVER so far. The book is narrated by Nico, now 34 but 13 when the story he tells begins. And frankly, he's just dull, both as a character and, unforgivably, as a narrator. And I have better, more interesting books I want to get to, like Marcia Muller's latest Sharon McCone book, THE BREAKERS, and Julie Schumacher's sequel to her hilarious academic novel DEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE SHAKESPEARE REQUIREMENT. So we'll see.
Interesting choice for you this week Lesa.
I caught a summer cold and have spent more time napping than reading this week after my grandsons and daughter left trying to shake it.
I did finish THE ART OF INHERITING SECRETS by Barbara O'Neal. It was very good. I had a few quibbles toward the end. I didn't like the convenience of how Grant was dealt with and sometimes I got a little annoyed with the romance story thread as Olivia was 39 but it was a good story.
Only a few chapters into BELLEWETHER by Susanna Kearsley. So far it is holding my interest.
Happy Reading!
I started that book last night, and I'm hooked. It was hard to put down. And, Jeff? Men and grief. From only my observation and experience – and everyone's experience is different, I've seen women – my grandmothers, my mother, myself, pick up and move on with life. I've seen men fall apart, and not know how to move on with life. So, I'm reading this to see what Santlofer says about his own experience. As I said, everyone experiences death and grief differently, though, so this is really just one man's story.
Sandy, I think you're right about the Amish man.
Someday, Jeff, I'm going to have to look for the Hoch collections. I love locked room mysteries. I enjoyed John Dickson Carr's books for that reason. And, your final book? If I don't like the characters, I can't go on.
Sharon, I'm sorry about that summer cold. I hope you're feeling better! I want to read Bellewether. Time, time, time.
I know what you mean. We always assumed my mother would outlive my father but she didn't. But it didn't surprise me that, unlike so many other men, he just went on stoically as he was. Even though he was married for 65 years (I'm approaching 48!), we both have a certain "loner" quality that let him go on without falling apart.
This week I finished Linda Castillo's A Gathering of Secrets and found it just as engrossing as the others in her series about a formerly Amish female chief of police in an Amish community. Lesa already reviewed it.
In Sarah Haywood's debut, The Cactus, Susan is a loner and likes it that way. She's had a friends-with-benefits arrangement with Richard for years but is stunned when it results in her pregnancy at age 45. She also has to contend with losing her mother and battling with her annoying brother over her inheritance. As the story develops, Susan becomes more likeable, and there is a satisfying conclusion, but it took me a bit too long to become engaged in this book, and it is nowhere near as good as the book it's being compared to–Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Linwood Barclay's latest thriller, A Noise Downstairs, might make a decent TV movie, but I found it disappointing as a book. The situation sounded juicy: a man is recovering from a head wound inflicted by someone he thought was a friend, and 8 months later he is still suffering memory lapses. Suddenly he begins to hear typing noises when no one is around and receiving typed messages that appear to be from the two women killed by his "friend." However, the plot is too predictable and the characters not interesting enough–except, for me, the man's psychologist and her aging father. Too bad, since I really enjoyed Barclay's Trust Your Eyes (2012).
While waiting for Barbara O'Neal's newest book (glad you liked it, Sharon), I read The Lost Recipe for Happiness (2008). Elena Alvarez finally has the opportunity to make her mark on a reimagined restaurant in Aspen as a first-time Executive Chef, and she rises to the occasion. But she also has to deal with the memory of a tragic accident that only she survives, the physical injuries that still cause her pain, an attractive boss with many failed marriages behind him, and the boss-s teenaged daughters' coming of age. Beautifully drawn characters, an engrossing story, and heavenly descriptions of food (not to mention an irresistible dog) elevate this book and make it a memorable O'Neal classic.
Just finished:
Desert Run by Betty Webb
Now reading:
Desert Cut by Betty Webb
Bitter Bones by N C Lewis
May all your book reading bring fulfillment this week.
📚📚📚📚☕️
My father-in-law moved in with us, Jeff, about a year after my mother-in-law died. The first couple years were hard on him physically, but once he was past that, he said he never thought he'd have such a wonderful retirement. He had gone from an isolated lifestyle to a busy one with lots of friends and neighbors. As we both know, everyone is different.
Oh, Margie. I loved The Lost Recipe for Happiness. One of my favorites of her books. And, the Linda Castillo was excellent, wasn't it?
Desert Run stayed with me, Charlotte. I hope you enjoyed it.
I'm reading The Day of the Dead by Nicci French – apparently the last of their Frieda Klein books. I'm always glad to spend time with Frieda and her people, though I'm sad that there won't be more. Wonder what that husband/wife team will write next?
I'm listening to Jessica Strawser's Not That I Could Tell from my library. I think I've mentioned that I've figured out Overdrive (Libby) and Hoopla for audio and my phone. I'm listening to a lot of books that were published in the last year or so. They are available because they've been out a while and no longer have the long hold lists.
Charlotte, I love Betty Webb's 'Desert' series too. I'm a bit behind on it, but you are reminding me to check where I left off. Margie, I've heard good things about Barclay's new book, but I know not every book is for every person. I liked his Trust Your Eyes too.
And, Jeffrey, my husband and I will be listening to the new 'Steps' book as we travel in the next few days. We really liked the first book by Kope.
Lesa, hope you have a good week. I'll be out for a couple of weeks, but will be back after Labor Day.
You will like the second one, if you liked the first, Kay.
Lesa, on the other hand, when my father in law died, my mother in law just fell apart within the next few months. We think he had been not only taking care of her but hiding her deterioration. As you say, everyone is different.
Finished the Romanov Princess by C.W. Gortner. Excellent read. History came alive. Narrated by Tsarina Maria, mother to Nicholas II, I felt like I was there in the court experiencing their life. Very well written.
I'm almost a third of the way into Against the Claw by Sheri Randall.
I'd like to add that I gave up on the Bookshop of Yesterdays this morning. After about 80 pages, I realized that it was not for me. And Kay, you're absolutely right. Sometimes I love books that others hate and vice-versa.
We'll miss you, Kay. But, we're looking for a long list of books read while you were gone!
D.J., The Romanov Princess sounds good. I've read a couple of Gortner's books, and really enjoyed them. He does bring history to life.
That sounds familiar, Mark, but it may just be Randall's name.
If I'm not mistaken, Margie, one of my other friends gave up on that book, too.
I read Sacred Clowns by Tony Hillerman; I'm not as big a fan of these as people think I should be, so people give them to me in trades and such. Therefore, I don't read them in order. In this one, Leaphorn and Chee form a sort of Archie Goodwin/Nero Wolfe type relationship, and take a step forward in their relationships with their women.
Spymaster by Brad Thor; Scott Harvath segues from being out in the field, to being behind a desk. Not as much shooting as usual, but still pretty exciting.
Kilt Dead by Kaitlynn Dunnet; A Scottish dancer suffers a career ending injury, and makes her way back to small town Maine, where she investigates a murder.
Tantalizing Maria by Helen hardt; an old fashioned romance.
Real Murders by Charlaine Harris; Someone is killing the members of a club that meets to discuss true crime, and a Southern librarian investigates.
I am currently reading Renegades by Marissa Meyer. I am about 90% through with the book and I'm sad to depart from it. I love Meyer's other works. Can't wait to read more.
Elle Inked @ Keep on Reading
Just finished two very different books. Scot Free by Catriona Mcpherson a very light and funny story about a Scottish psychologist working as a "life coach" waiting to get her license to practice in California. It involves her octogenarian clients and fireworks. This appears to be the first in a new series and I will look for the next.
When I saw The Last Hours by Minette Walters on the New Books Shelf in my library I had to pick it up. It is an historical novel written about a small village in Dorset during the 1348 epidemic of the black plague. This is so far from her usual psychological crime type novels that I wanted to read it. Geraldine Brooks' The Year of Wonders is one of my favorite book so it had a lot to live up to and I wasn't disappointed.
I too enjoyed Spencer Kope's first two books and am eagerly awaiting Dark Wolf Rising in 2019. I am reading the 4th Anne Hillerman book Cave of Bones, a C.J. Box book of short stories, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – WW2 in France. The Lost Pilots – I'm giving up on this true story. The Perfect Ghost by Linda Barnes – about a ghost writer.
Ha, Glen. Your comments always make me smile. People give you Tony Hillerman books because you're not as big a fan as they think you should be. I'm another who read them sort of scattershot. Some I liked. Others I didn't. You had an eclectic list this week!
Elle, I see Marissa Meyer's name over and over, and have never read one of her books. I need to at least look at them to see what I'm missing.
Kathleen, I found that Catriona McPherson book to be funny. I'm not usually into dark and haunted stories. Minette Walters' book sounds interesting to me, just because it's different.
Gram, Kope's series is another one I need to try. I loved The Nightingale. I'm glad you're not afraid to give up on books. Too many good ones out there.
Halfway through "They Take Our Jobs!": And 20 Other Myths about Immigration by Aviva Chomsky. It is in small print and not the book that I thought I was getting! I thought it would be how to reply to people who say bad things about immigrants. It is more a history of immigration by fact after fact. Anyway, a lot of it I am already familiar with.
Also reading in miniature print but loving the story of "Front Desk" by Kelly Yang. It is pretty much the story of her childhood and helping her parents with their motel job.
Well, it looks daunting but Kim Stanley Robinson's New York 2140 is actually a fast read even though it's packed with his usual deep knowledge. It's the story of a much changed – but is it? – New York City after two 'pulses' of rising seas have drowned lower Manhattan's streets and people are adjusting. Kind of fun for New Yorkers, and so far it seems to show that our species just keeps on adapting. Although who knows what happens next?
I read Texas Ranger by James Patterson over the weekend. I am now reading Hope Never Dies by Andrew Schaffer and Turbulence by Sandra Brown. In the car, I am listening to An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena