“I like stories where women save themselves.” That’s a quote from Neil Gaiman, a quote about fairy tales. I do, too. That’s why Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is my favorite Disney character. She saves her father and saves the Beast. After I read that quote, yesterday I picked up an older title by Gaiman, The Sleeper and the Spindle.It’s the story of a young queen who is afraid she’s going to lose all choices when she marries. When three dwarfs tell her about a spell that put a princess to sleep, the queen postpones her wedding, dons her mail shirt, and sets out to rescue the princess. And, you don’t know the rest of Gaiman’s story, illustrated by Chris Riddell.
So, I’m reading fairy tales this week. I didn’t have much time to check in with you last week while I was on vacation. I’m looking forward to catching up with your reading this week. What are you reading or listening to?
I didn't realize that Roz Chast had a new book of cartoons last year until I read about it in Michiko Kakutani's piece in the NY Times. I quickly got and read it (from the library): GOING INTO TOWN – A LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK. Any New Yorker will recognize everything she talks about, and anyone coming here will learn something (and enjoy it as well).
I'm just finishing Anton Chekhov's collection A NIGHT IN THE CEMETERY: And Other Stories, and I'm reading BRIEF CASES by Jim Butcher, including three Bigfoot meets Harry Dresden stories. Also finished THUNDERHEAD, the second dystopian YA by Neal Shusterman in his Arc of the Scythe series. I wasn't expecting it to end like that. I've got one of his earlier books on the shelf.
Currently, besides the Butcher, I'm reading Lorrie Moore's collection, SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE: Essays, Criticism, and Commentary, covering nearly 30 years. And I'm about to start Linda Castillo's A GATHERING OF SECRETS, to be followed by Megan Abbott's new GIVE ME YOUR HAND.
I finished MRS. Bird by AJ Pearce this week. I thought it was wonderful.
I am a third of the way through THE LOST VINTAGE by Ann Mah. It is excellent.
I seem to be in the mood to re-read books that I haven’t read in years lately. I read THE MOUSE THAT ROARED, THE MOUSE ON THE MOON, and THE MOUSE ON WALL STREET by Leonard Wibberley. I have to see if I can get hold of the last two books in that series since I’ve never read those.
I also read two new books. RUNAWAY MURDER by Leigh Heaton. It was my least favorite of her Carson Stables series. I found that the amount of information about dressage that she included bogged down the story. And I read an ARC of HITTING THE BOOKS by Jenn McKinlay which I enjoyed.
Belle is my favorite as well. In the Disney version, who doesn't like the way she and books are necessary to each other?
I'm reading the latest DI Nikki Galena book by Joy Ellis. I love this series. Think is one is #9. I've got A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo upcoming and have already started Megan Abbott's Give Me Your Hand.
On audio, I am surprising myself by liking Elena Ferrante's Neopolitan Quartet. I listened to the first book, My Brilliant Friend, almost all the way through (after a late start) for a book group earlier this week. Did not at all expect to like it or finish it and certainly didn't expect to continue with the second book. However, I'm about 25% through the second book on audio. You just never know what's going to work for you, right?
Love hearing that other readers liked Dear Mrs. Bird, Sharon! I hope a lot of people will enjoy that one.
Jeff, I need to look for Going Into Town. Thank you. Like you, still reading the Jim Butcher. I skipped around & read all the Bigfoot mysteries. And, I'm late getting to Linda Castillo's. My LJ deadline is next Wednesday, and then I can read her book.
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I feel as if I'm late on everything! I haven't had time to read Mrs. Bird, but you're the second one who said it was excellent, Sharon.
It's been years since I read the Mouse books, Sandy. They must have held up well since you read three and are looking for the fourth.
Kay, I'm not at all familiar with Joy Ellis and DI Nikki Galena. I'll have to look for the first one. Thank you!
I finished reading:
Sons of Sparta by Jeffrey Siger
Desert Wives by Betty Webb
I am reading:
Devil of Delphi by Jeffrey Siger
Bitter Bones (book 3) by N C Lewis
Enjoy your reading time this week.
📕📗📘📙☕️
The Lido by Libby Page is a charming story about a young newspaper journalist and a 86-year-old woman, both residents of Brixton (South London), who work together to save Brixton's venerable outdoor community pool when it is danger of closing. The journalist is struggling to overcome feelings of isolation and to find meaning in her life, while the senior citizen is driven to preserve a place that holds precious memories of her beloved husband. Simply told but relatable and heart-warming.
I caught the first two episodes of a new show on Lifetime, "Seatbelt Psychic," where psychic Thomas John drives a ride-sharing car and does unexpected readings for riders–wow, it veers from humorous to deeply emotional and back! I highly recommend it, so I looked up John's 2015 book, Never Argue with a Dead Person, where he goes into much more detail regarding 15 of his readings (he is an established medium and psychic with both celebrity and non-celebrity clients). Books by and about psychics are never as striking as actually seeing them work, in my opinion, but it was still fascinating.
My "find" of the week was The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland. Bookshop worker Loveday Cardew became a foster child after a family tragedy and has built a life that allows her to keep everyone at arm's length while spending most of her time with her beloved books. She even has tattoos of the first lines of books that are meaningful to her. Her self-imposed isolation is challenged by three very different men and by some books from her past life that start mysteriously appearing at the shop. Her personal evolution is sensitively portrayed, and this prickly young woman will tear at your heartstrings by the end of the book. Highly recommended.
Regrets Only by Erin Duffy is enjoyable chick lit about Claire, mother of an 8-month-old, who finds out her husband is having an affair with their realtor (his ex). The story follows her progress from taking revenge to finding new friends to helping to renovate a failing business, with a new boyfriend thrown into the mix. I wish there had been more about the business and much less about the revenge–too much of it was silly and over the top.
I liked her first book, Bond Girl, better.
Hugs, Charlotte. I love to see that you're going through Jeffrey Siger's series.
Margie, The Lido and The Lost for Words Bookshop – both on my Hope to Read List. I even know where my copy of The Lost for Words Bookshop is! I just haven't had time. It's good to know you enjoyed both of them!
Kay, I thought the character of Mrs. Bird was a hoot and loved that she was used sparingly. I had a hard time putting this down. I'd love to see this adapted to Masterpiece on PBS some time in the future.
A Sensitive Kind of Murder by Jacqueline Girdner; a cozy set in Marin County. This book shows why so many Californians want to split the state up.
Retribution by Blair Howard; Somebody kills PI Harry Starke's younger brother…Big mistake.
The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir; Crippled up PI Ray Quinn is hired to find some information on a thumb drive, and finds murder, too.
Ignite by Angle Payne; Lois and Clark, the day after.
Marque and reprisal by Elizabeth Moon; Military sci fi.
Dragon by Clive Cussler; Back when everybody thought Japan, Inc was going to take over the world.
The Time Keeper Conspiracy by Simon Hawke; a fairly lame time travel novel.
I just read The Sleeper and the Spindle too! Loved it. Gaiman always manages to upend expectations.
Lesa, authors I like, I like to read their books in order. When I finish Devil of Delphi I will read the next one which I already checked it out from the library. Then the new one will be next when the library will let me place a hold on it. Remember my library makes you wait six months before you can place a hold on the new books.
Hugs to you also.
Quite a variety there this week, Glen.
BPL Ref – Actually, I only started it. I had to read a mystery last night. Good to know you loved it!
I like to read their books in order, too, Charlotte.
Your vacation looked like fun! Enjoyed all the pics!
I am reading The High Tide Club, a summer-y/mystery/beachy read by Mary Kay Andrews.
Lesa I love your Hope to Read idea as my t-b-r is ginormous. I'm going to adopt that phrase o.k.? I love seeing what everyone is reading and have put two more books from today on that list at the library. Thanks all.
Thanks, Holdenj! Had a wonderful vacation. I'll be interested to see what you think of The High Tide Club.
Gram – Feel free to adopt HTR – Hope to Read. I just made it up. I'm with you. I love to see what everyone is reading.
Wow! I can't believe that I missed posting again! Will try for next week. Way too busy for my own good!