Today is our last “What Are You Reading?” before Christmas. If you celebrate, I wish you books or
gift cards or enjoyable reading over the holiday weekend. Even if you don’t celebrate, I hope you have reading time! I’m looking forward to watching some movies, going to see “The Greatest Showman”, and reading time. And, of course, time with the cats.
This week, I finished Seven Dead by J. Jefferson Farjeon. It’s an unconventional mystery with an odd twist. The story was first published in 1939. It’s one of the British Library Crime Classics with a forward by Martin Edwards. It doesn’t come out until February. I also have quite a pile next to me with that Connie Willis’ collection, A Lot Like Christmas, Anne Fadiman’s memoir of life with her father, The Wine Lover’s Daughter, and Laurie Kilmartin’s February release, Dead People Suck.
Did you have reading time this week? What are you reading?
Merry Christmas to you and your household! And, hugs from me and the cats.
I read three short books this week, all of which were around 100 pages.
A very predictable paranormal romance, THE WEREWOLF’S BRIDE by Michele Bardsley.
A modern retelling of Robin Hood, JACK IN THE GREEN by Charles de Lint.
And my favorite of the three, ROLLING IN THE DEEP by Mira Grant. It’s a horror story about a cable tv station that sends an expedition out to film a story about finding mermaids. Unfortunately they do find them. Right now I’m reading the sequel INTO THE DROWNING DEEP which is over 400 pages.
I also read one cozy mystery, NOT A CREATURE WAS PURRING by Krista Davis which I enjoyed.
Merry Christmas Lesa.
I read BLACKBERRY BURIAL by Sharon Farrow which is set in a small fictitious tourist town in Michigan. It was a fun read.
And I am part-way through reading HUNGER MOON by Alexandra Sokoloff. It is an enthralling thriller with a female serial killer/FBI agent.
And I have a bunch of Christmas-themed stories to choose from after this.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Discovered author S. J. Bolton and have been reading all of her books. Reading Now you See Me -they all take place in London and have read 3 of her others and liked them all. I recommend her. Looking forward to a "staycation" next week and reading and watching movies. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!
It's so nice to catch up with all of you, and have the chance to wish everyone a Happy Holiday/Merry Christmas. Hugs to all of you!
Speaking of Christmas, I read the Soho Crime collection, THE USUAL SANTAS, which was pretty good overall. I also read story #800 for the year, the first time I've reached that number.
After BLUE NIGHTS by Joan Didion, I read UNHOLY CITY by Carrie Smith, third in her Claire Codella series. This one seemed almost like an old-fashioned closed circle Golden Age mystery, with a murder at a church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and a small group of suspects, most of whom lie to the police. It was a fast 300 pages.
Also read A RISING MAN, a first novel by Abir Mukherjee, set in 1919 Calcutta – and partly using actual events – with newly arrived Captain Sam Wyndham investigating. I would definitely read a sequel.
Currently on the second published (though maybe #4 or 5) Ari Thor book by Ragnar Jonasson, set in northern Iceland in winter, NIGHTBLIND.
We were planning on staying out of Midtown during the holiday insanity, but instead we have matinee tickets for Christmas Eve on Sunday. (The show is THE CHILDREN. Your can look it up.
Happy Holidays to all!
Lesa, the picture of the beautiful cat above, is it one of your family of fur babies? If yes I must have missed seeing it.
Jeff, hi please help me understand what you wrote above. #800 was that how many books you have read or short stories? Thank you.
I am reading The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson. I have only five days left to get this finished. Wish they would give more than 14 days on there loans. Thank goodness we have this service so 14 days is better than no days. 😃👍🏻
If 📚 we're on your Christmas list, hope you get them all.
I trust this will be the very best Christmas everyone has this year.
Merry Christmas to each one of you and your family members, including your pets. 🎄🎁
Enjoy anytime you have to read a few pages in your books.📚📚
I don't have time to read, but I'm doing it anyway!
I read The Spy's Daughter by Adam Brookes
Pisces, a Merman romance by Melissa Broder
The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor, one of the best psychological thrillers of the year.
The Drop Dead Blonde by Bill Craig, a shallow, yet entertaining PI story.
https://www.facebook.com/bill.crider/posts/10156091361447048
Hope this will open for you.
This is from Facebook. It is about our friend Bill Crider. It good and with a picture of him and two of his cats. Made me happy.
So many time thieves this week that I've only read Mayhem & Murder by Olivia Matthews. It wasn't special but I enjoyed it.
Happy Holidays to all!
800 short stories, Charlotte. I did read over 300 books in a year a couple of times, but that was in college over 40 years ago. This year I'm barely over 100.
Jeff, I am impressed 800 short stories. That is a lot.
If you are over 100 books so far this year that beats me. I really just started keeping up with how many books I have read in the past couple of years. I am on book 79 at this time. That is more than last year. I am good with that.
I had finished all of my library books so I read a copy Mike had bought of Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly, which featured both Harry Bosch and his stepbrother, (Lincoln Lawyer) Mickey Haller. I loved it but would have liked a bit more courtroom drama. I chuckled at the reference to Matthew McConaughey having played Mickey in the movie. Now I'm reading what I think is the very first outer space cozy mystery, brought to us by the inimitable Diane Vallere. I'm about 75% through it, and I think it's really cute and different. It takes place on a cruise ship to Ganymede and focuses on the ship's second lieutenant in charge of uniforms (sounds like Diane) who stumbles over a body on her first day in the job . . . of course!
Happy holidays to Lesa and fellow book lovers!
Jeff, I never read the first Mukherjee mystery, but I just read the second one. You're right. I really liked it. Now, I'm going to have to check out The Children. Happy Holidays!
Charlotte, That cat is my Nikki. She's now the oldest since Dickens is gone. She's fourteen. She was my husband's and she loved only him. Within the last year, she's come around. She's a beautiful girl, isn't she? My only female.
Enjoy the Craig Johnson.
Hugs, and I'll be thinking of you this holiday season.
The Chalk Man looks terrific, Glen. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Lots of time thieves this time of year. I agree, Sharon. Happy Holidays!
Margie, You definitely needed something to read, so I'm glad Mike had some books there. Sending you hugs. How old is that grand baby? Probably not old enough yet to appreciate Christmas. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Less, Nikki looks like my Maine coon cat I had until two years ago this coming January. She didn’t have any white on her. She had the mitten paws. She had a liver problem and lived much longer than I thought she would. Finally it was too much for her. I had to give her up. Didn’t won’t her in any pain. You know what I mean.
Nikki is so beautiful glad she has changed her mind about her relationship with you.
Merry Christmas again and enjoy your time off.
I really enjoyed that series by Carrie Smith. I am enjoying The Silent Corner by Dean R. Koontz…The Driver by Hart Hanson…The Usual Santas – short stories ED. Peter Lovesey…The Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Matian Babson and last but surely not least No Time to Spare – thinking about what matters by Ursula Le Guin – if you are older than dirt as I am, and she is even older, you will enjoy this one too.
Merry Christmas, love and hugs to you and the kitties!
Hugs, Charlotte. Those losses are hard, too, aren't they?
I'll have to look for No Time to Spain by Le Guin. Thank you.
And, Beth? Love and hugs to you and your household. Merry Christmas!