My confession is that I’m not reading much. I need to get into one of the books I’m reviewing for a journal, but after all of my travels, I just can’t settle into anything. The cats are needy. I’ve been talking to family and friends on the phone. I can’t get into a book.
But, several of you went to Bouchercon. What books did you bring back that excite you? And, for the rest of you, what are you reading? I hope you found something this last week that you’re excited to share. Let us know, please.
I'm reading "Magicians Impossible" by Brad Abraham and "Hero of the Emmpire" by Candice Millard
Oy, don't ask. Like you, I haven't been able to get into anything big, though I continue to read stories every day. I finished the collection of Ed Hoch's "fantastic" stories, THE FUTURE IS OURS, and liked it a lot. Now I'm reading F. Paul Wilson's collection of (dark) Repairman Jack stories, QUICK FIXES.
I've got a couple of library book downloads on the Kindle, Ann Hood's first book, SOMEWHERE OFF THE COAST OF MAINE, being one. Just read the first chapter. The other was the first in a series about a hitman who only kills other hitmen, Chris Holm's THE KILLING KIND. I saw him on a panel at Bouchercon as his latest book was nominated for an Anthony (but lost).
Believe it or not, I didn't come home with any new books. The free book distribution could have learned from last year's brilliant decision in New Orleans to give out tickets and let us pick our own books. Instead, the book bag was a too small one-armed backpack that barely held the 3-4 books we were given at random. (I gave all of mine to a friend.) There were some books I was interested in, but I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately so decided there was nothing I had to have, especially if it meant standing on a long, slow moving line at checkout.
I must clarify that this was one of the few disappointments at an otherwise very well run convention, with interesting panels. And we got to spend a lot of time with friends, the main reason we go. We probably will not be going next year – St. Petersburg in hurricane season! – but the next year is Dallas.
I didn't bring home a single book from Bouchercon, and I even left my book bag in Toronto. I'm reading TOUCHFEATHER by Jimmy Sangster, a Brash Books reprint of a Swingin' '60s spy novel.
I haven't been able to read much the past 2 weeks either. My husband took the week off for my birthday on the 13th so we were out and about in Amish country and at The Wilds as well as doing the fall cleanup in our yard. I am almost finished with To Be Where You are by Jan Karon. I enjoy the Mitford books.
Page, I'm glad you're able to read. Some of the rest of us aren't doing so well with those TBR piles.
Jeff! Don't ask? That's funny, coming from you. It's too bad they didn't learn how happy everyone was with last year's book room. I have a friend who is still raving about how great that was. Like you, I'm not planning to go to St. Petersburg. You're right, St. Pete during hurricane season. For me, it's also that I lived on the gulf coast, and am not excited about St. Pete itself. But, that's just me. Aren't you glad short stories are there?
Bill, I am sorry you left your book bag behind. I can understand not bringing books back, though.
Sharon, I like the Mitford books, too. I have that one at home, and am anxious to catch up with Dooley. Time! I need more time.
Hi everyone
Lesa, It is terrible to be where you are on reading. We have all been there one time are another. I am sure you will get back in your groove soon.
This is always a fun day to share with one another what we have read or reading. Learn about new authors and books that we might have missed.
I finished the following books:
Missing in Death by J D Robb
Cream Puff Murder
Tarte Tatin Murder
Madeleines Murder
These three books are written by Sandi Scott
I am reading:
Murder in the Art Gallery by Sandi Scott
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
Enjoy your reading time this week.
📕📙📗📘
Right now I'm reading Cay Rademacher's Murderous Mistral, which I find to be slow going but with lots of great description of the Provence area of France. The book I enjoyed most recently is House. Tree. Person. by Catriona McPherson. She excels at atmospheric, creepy thrillers, and although this one is slightly less creepy than usual, it's a winner. I wasn't sure about it when I started, but I ultimately had to finish it the same today to find out what happened!
I'm rereading Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express. It must have 40 years ago that I read it the first time! Good grief! The nice part about that time frame is that I don't remember a lot of the story so it's almost like reading it for the first time. I'm especially enjoying Hercule Poirot this time around. Great fun!
Charlotte, I'm not familiar with Sandi Scott's books, but they sound like cozy mysteries. You're right. I think the problem is, I'm not keen about the book I have to review so I'm bogged down. I'll get there.
Margie, As much as I adore Catriona, I just can't do creepy books. Not for me. You're right about Murderous Mistral. I liked it because of the atmosphere, but it was slow.
Karen – My favorite Agatha Christie book! I have a new edition of it sitting on a desk in the back room to read before I see the forthcoming movie. I've read the book several times, and I saw the movies several times as well.
I agree with Jeffrey and Bill that the Bouchercon book bag was pretty skimpy this time. The 3 books I got were not memorable. But I did get some nice books after the Bouchercon Opening Ceremonies and at other publisher-sponsored giveaways:
THE BAD BREAK by Jill Orr (loved her first book, THE GOOD BYLINE)
BENEATH THE DEPTHS by Bruce Robert Coffin (he is the nicest guy, and I liked his debut book, AMONG THE SHADOWS)
And I am current reading BURNING BRIGHT by Nick Petrie. He won the Barry Award for best first novel, THE DRIFTER, and was nominated for others at Bouchercon. If you like Lee Child, give him a try.
The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld and A Deadly Web by Kay Hooper and Seven Suspects by Renee James. This month has been slow reading for me too and I didn't go anywhere. Maybe it's all this very warm for October weather.
I am reading The Boat People by Sharon Bala which is about what some Sri Lanka refugees went through when they piled into a old creaky boat that was supposed to hold 300. There were 500 of them. They were spotted by the Canadians and are in detention going through so many interviews. It is hard to lay it down.
Also won a MP3 book of For Two Thousand Years by Mihail Sebastian,from LibraryThing. The LibraryThing meter says that I probably won't like it! It is supposed to be the diary of a Romanian Jewish student who is "caught between Zionism and Anti-Semitism". I picked it as a possible book because it was audio. Will see how it goes.
I just read a great new novel by William Shaw, The Birdwatcher. Great characters, wonderful setting and very interesting plot. If you like Peter May, I suspect you'll like this book. Shaw has also written a few books in a series set in the UK in the sixties, but The Birdwatcher is a standalone and has one of the best first paragraphs I've ever read.
I'm reading Trafficked by Peg Brantley. A horrifying story about human trafficking of girls and children with lots of quotes from real-life reports and cases. Highly recommended.
So much variety! Thank you for checking in. It's always great to see what you're reading, but also good to see that you're around. Thank you!