First, how are you doing? That’s the most important question. Right now, What Are You Reading? isn’t quite as important, but, if you’re able to read, I’m always interested.
I just finished a June release for Library Journal, so you won’t see that review until mid-June. But, I think I’m now going to start Mariah Fredericks’ historical mystery, Death of an American Beauty. Lady’s maid Jane Prescott has a week’s vacation in the latest book set in Gilded Age New York. She has plans to attend the hottest and most scandalous show in town, an art exhibition showcasing the cubists. But, her employer is starring in a play celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation speech, and the women need help with their costumes. Jane’s torn between enjoying her holiday, and helping the women. But, neither of those become her priority when a woman is found murdered outside Jane’s childhood home, a refuge for women run by her uncle.
At least I plan to read that. You never know what I’ll actually pick up. What are you reading this week?
Lesa, I agree that the state of everyone's physical and mental health should be the priority at this time. That being said, reading brings comfort and good distractions to most of us.
I am feeling a lot better. Still fatigued and with a mild cough but I can see the COVID-19 finish line.
And for the first time in over 5 weeks, I finished reading an ARC. HIDDEN VICTIMS by LynDee Walker is the 8th Nichelle Clarke thriller, and her best one yet. I posted my review a few days after the book's release date (April 21). Sadly, LynDee has been stricken with a more severe case of COVID-19 and has been really sick for over a month, so she understood my tardiness.
Now I plan to read two more ARCs before the April 28 release date: PROOF OF MURDER by Lauren Elliott and SUGAR AND VICE by Eve Calder. Wish me luck!
I did have a bad 24 (well, 18) hours but I'm better today. We were out yesterday (brief visit to the doctor's office) and were able to get two loaves of Jackie's favorite bread at the store, which made us both feel better! (It is Whole Grain Health from Bread Alone Bakery. We usually get it at the Greenmarket, but two of our local supermarkets have started carrying their breads.)
Books? All Roads Leadeth was, in some ways, a typical York-based procedural from Peter Turnbull, featuring his series detectives, Ch. Insp. Hennessey and Sgt. Yellich. But on the other hand, it was not as straightforward and obvious as many of his tales are, and I enjoyed it. It was published in 2003, and I probably have another 10 more recent ones on the shelf yet to read.
I was not impressed with the first few stories I read in Art Taylor's collection, The Boy Detective & The Summer of '74, but as I read more, particularly the longer stories, I enjoyed it a lot more. A few have won awards, and the book is worth reading.
A friend recommended the stories of Willa Cather, who I am embarrassed to admit I have never read, but after trying her Collected Stories, I concluded it was just not for me. Sorry.
Like everyone else who watched the 4-part Netflix series, I was very impressed with Unorthodox, the fact-based story of a young bride who leaves her Williamsburg, Brooklyn Satmar Hasidic community and ends up in Berlin, where her long-estranged mother is living. I had to read the true story, Deborah Feldman's Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots. So far it is as interesting as I expected. Luckily, my library had an ebook edition available for Cloud Reader.
We’ve been doing Zumba online and our yoga instructor just started doing our weekly class online too. I’m feeling like at least there’s something more normal in my schedule this week.
I finished re-reading the last three books in Charlaine Harris’ Lily Bard series: SHAKESPEAR’S CHRISTMAS, SHAKESPEAR’S TROLLOP and SHAKESPEAR’S COUNSELOR. I enjoyed re-reading them.
I also read two short cozies.
COCOA CONVICTION by a Rosie A Point about a spy who’s hiding out from her ex-husband at her grandmother’s inn. Her grandmother is a retired spy.
CLAUS AND EFFECT by Gretchen Allen. A so so story about a Murder at a Christmas tree lot.
Catching up with old friends and zooming a couple of times a week with different folks. Am almost finished with D. M. Quincy's Murder at the Opera the third and I hope not final Atlas Catesby book. You had mentioned at one time she was having issues with her publisher. Next up is the newest Betty Webb zoo book Panda of Death. I love this series and am happy she is continuing it.
Hope you and the kitties are doing okay.
Grace, I'm sorry you and LynDee Walker are still fighting Covid-19. Take care of yourself, although I know you are. I'm glad you're finally able to get back into reading ARCs. Good luck!
Jeff, I'm glad you're able to read, despite that 24 hour whatever that caught you. Tell Jackie I said hi. And, there's just something comforting about finding a favorite in the stores right now, isn't there?
I think I'd like Turnbull's books if I ever get started with them. It's trite to say so many books…, but it's so true. And, I have a couple right beside me that I want to read before I dive back into Library Journal books.
Sandy, Work is what's keeping me sane. Because I do put in some time Monday through Friday, it gives me a schedule. In fact, I have a busy day ahead.
I liked the Lily Bard books. That was my favorite of Harris' series, although I did like Midnight, Texas.
Ah, Netteanne, I had to disturb cats in order to go on the computer this morning, and now Jinx has taken over my spot on the couch. Nikki growls at him when he gets too close, but they manage to both sleep on the couch.
I haven't heard anything from D.M. Quincy about that series. I hope it continues, too. She's my guest author of Poisoned Pen's blog tomorrow! You might want to check it out.
Good morning, all. I'm staying healthy, and I know it will be a challenge as I get closer to closing escrow on both houses (the one I'm selling and the one I'm buying). It might happen by next week. Then the fun will start! Here's what I finished this week.
TJ Klune's THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA is my favorite read so far this year. Linus Baker's job as a caseworker for the Dept. in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) is to make sure such children are being well taken care of and safe. He's good at it after 17 years in the job, but the orphanage where six magical youth are housed is his biggest challenge. The children include a sprite, a female gnome, a wyvern and . . . the son of the devil, among others. They are looked after by Arthur Parnassus, a man with his own secrets, on an island where it's always sunny and beautiful, in contrast with Linus's usual gray, drizzly environment. Linus is charged with this assignment because he is thorough and meticulous, adhering closely to the rules and regulations supplied by upper management. But he finds himself growing beyond his usual worldview and restricted life during his month on the island, accustoming himself to what scared him at the outset, learning what is special about each of the children and what connects them, and building a family he never expected to have. This is a quirky, wonderful, heart-warming, uplifting story that is especially meaningful in these difficult times. I can't recommend it highly enough!
I read this SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid to find out what the hype was all about (Reese's book club, etc.). There are a number of interesting elements, including Emira's wonderful relationship with a precocious and weird toddler, Briar, for whom she is a part-time babysitter, and the interesting occupation of Briar's mother, Alix, at the beginning of the story. But none of it comes together satisfactorily, in my opinion. The book begins with the (African American) babysitter being detained by the police for kidnapping when she takes the toddler (at the child's parents' request) to a nearby store late at night. The child's wealthy father and Emira's employer comes to her rescue and it seems to blow over, but it becomes an issue again later in the story. Emira has a new boyfriend, and neither is aware at first that he has a long-ago, troubled connection with Alix, which explodes when it comes to light. There are too many stereotypical scenes, and the ending is especially unsatisfactory. But I admit it kept me reading (guiltily).
THISTLES AND THIEVES by Molly MacRae, the third in the Highland Bookshop Mystery series, felt a bit claustrophobic to me. Hardly any action, just a lot of dialogue among the main characters about trying to solve three murders–the town doctor, his brother, and a home-visiting nurse. The end was interesting, but I don't feel that it justified my time in reading the book. And I would have liked a glossary of Gaelic and local terms.
Margie, As much as I want to like this series by Molly MacRae – I mean a bookshop in Scotland! – I just can't. I have the same issues you have, and I gave up on it.
Good luck with both closings & good luck with your health in the midst of all of that. Sending hugs!
My plan for today was to finish up THE SECRETS OF BONES by Kylie Logan. But I got so involved in the story I finished it today.
So today will be THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM. I haven't read this Nancy Drew book before.
Tomorrow, I'll start WITH A VENGEANCE by Annette Doshofy.
Nancy Drew would be perfect reading for right now, Mark. I read so many of them when I was working to hear if I would get an interview for my dream job years ago. (Got the interview & the job.)
This week I finished THE CHELSEA GIRLS by Fiona Davis about an actress and a screenwriter in NY during the McCarthy blacklist time.
It was interesting enough but not all that special to me.
Now I am reading and enjoying THE ROAD TO LITTLE DRIBBLING by Bill Bryson. Thank you for the recommendation Jeff.
That will be the end of my library book stack that I checked which seems so many moons ago. It will be interesting to see what phase Gov. DeWine will open libraries.
Happy Reading!
I'm physically good, but had a downer day a few days back after going out to take care of necessary errands. I was the only person I saw wearing a mask, and it haunted me badly for several hours. We have been extremely lucky here with a very small number of confirmed cases of this virus, but that will change.
Reading. I've put down more books than I've stuck with recently. But I did enjoy Gigi Pandian's THE LOST GARGOYLE OF PARIS enough to pick up the first in the series, THE ACCIDENTAL ALCHEMIST and enjoyed it as well.
Now I'm just getting read to read an ARC that arrived in yesterday's mail – Jenn McKinlay's PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.
Another book I read that I enjoyed was Carol Goodnman's THE SEA OF LOST GIRLS. I've been a fan of Ms.Goodman's for years and years, but the last couple just didn't excite me much. This one seemed to have found its way back to her strengths.
sending a hug!
I'm doing okay. Luckily I get to go to work.
This week I read:
Journey of the Pharaohs by Clive Cussler; Fairly good entry in the Kurt Austin series. I think this might be his last book before Cussler's death, but there'll probably be continuation in at least some of his series.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke; Better than her last couple of books by far.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever; Soon to be a movie, a guy from NYC goes all the way to Vietnam to give beers to his friends from the neighborhood, right during the Tet offensive. I could see it could make a good movie. It did bother me that he apparently had a Vietnamese girlfriend he barely mentions (even though he apparently saw her for months, and then left her in Vietnam to die, as he thought the war was a losing effort.
Murder Mayhem and the PTA; Cozy where protagonist cusses way too much, trying to hard to be authentic.
Shortest Way Home: Mayor Pete's campaign biography. I felt it was more condescending than most.
Sharon, I hope you have books or access to online books from your library to tide you over until Ohio libraries reopen. It doesn't sound soon since Cuyahoga County Library just furloughed 300 staff members. Take care of yourself.
Oh, Kaye. Well, the heck with those other people. You take care of yourself, Donald and Annabelle. But, I understand where your heart is. It hurts to see so many people not taking care. I'm glad you enjoyed Gigi's books. And, I hope Jenn's lives up to expectations. Sending you lots of hugs.
Glen, I think it helps if you're able to go to work and actually see people you know. Other than seeing the library Admin team on Zoom, it's been 33 days since I've seen anyone I know in person. I don't the grocery store twice really counts.
I can see why The Greatest Beer Run Ever would make a movie, too. Brad Pitt is probably getting too old to play in it. Sounds like something he would have been in. You're right. It also sounds a little heartless. They'll probably change that in the movie.
I'm guessing you're right about continuations of some of Cussler's series. I'll be interested to see what you think in the future.
Lesa, The Columbus Metropolitan Library System also furloughed employees last week. Our local news outlet said Battelle is working with libraries to make them safe to open again. I finally jumped into the 21st century and purchased a Kindle (delivery in May) but we have bookshelves in nearly every room of our house so I will be okay.
I didn't know that about Columbus. I'm glad you have plenty of books in the meantime, Sharon.
Lesa, I agree about Molly MacRae's current series, It's sad because I enjoyed meeting her at an LCC and I really liked some of her earlier work (LAWN ORDER, in particular). I know her brother Andy from Sisters in Crime.
Lesa, now you and I both know that cats do not like to be disturbed. Since mine is an only one – he is totally convinced he is the KING of the house. I wish he would pay the bills.
If he is king, Netteanne, he should pay! I just tell mine that I have to get up to do something to keep them in cat food.
I liked her Haunted Yarn Shop series, Margie.
Reading wise I am following up on what I was doing last week and doing some review work. My energy and focus has been very up and down so things have been very erratic to say the least.
My son and I are doing okay. We missed the latest round of severe weather–very glad about that–and continue to get groceries delivered. While InstaCart through Kroger was an epic failure all three times we tried it and I will never do that again, Amazon Fresh has worked out really well.
Our only trip out comes every few days when we take some mail to a nearby shopping center and drop it down the postal box. When out, we usually drive through a couple of nearby parking lots for a grocery store we use as well as one of those giant big box home improvement stores. Only about half of the people we see are masked and gloved up. Our governor, who always claims to be pro life and to be in favor of local control, has made it very clear in recent days that he will override our Dallas County leadership will reopen everything in a phased deal that started today despite the ongoing testing issues and the case counts that indicate our peak is not for another week to ten days. At least we do not have beaches here to open.
They will do what they do. My plan is to not change behavior. I am also crossing my fingers that our doctor will let us reschedule the annual physicals that start next Friday with lab work.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Kevin. I was supposed to have an app't at our work clinic on Monday, just for refills, but we're doing it by phone.
I know. Some of those governors are too closely allied with the orange person.
I've read two books since I last wrote here – THE LOST CAROUSEL OF PROVENCE by Juliet Blackwell and THE DARK LAKE by Sarah Bailey. I enjoyed the Carousel book – I now know more about carousels than I ever wanted to know but it was spaced out so didn't overwhelm the story which covered several eras. The Lake book was too long and repetitive. Although maybe it's just me and my attention span, anyway it took a long time to get through. Now I'm reading GOODNIGHT FROM LONDON by Jennifer Robson. I've liked everything I've read by her so look forward to bedtime/reading time.
Today I went to the Farmers Market and picked up my order which was placed last Monday. They had a very neat system of contactless pickup. When you drive up you're assigned a parking slot, you get out and open your trunk (in my case – hatch), get back in your car, they place items inside, close the hatch and off you go,
Unlike Kevin I tried ordering from Kroger last week and although there was a snafu towards the end of the shopping (something on InstaCart) I was completely satisfied with my experience and will probably do it again in a couple of weeks. I was kept informed as the shopper went through the store about each item and whether or not it was available so there were no surprises when my order arrived. And the shopper called me about the delay.
On the other hand I had ordered some frozen fish from a company that was highly recommended. FedEx really screwed up. First it was coming Wed, then Thurs, then Fri, finally arrived today. In the meantime the company had completely refunded my money because they knew it wouldn't stay frozen that long and sad to say it all went in the trash can.
Ouch, Sally. Sorry about the fish, but I'm glad the company made it good. I like Juliet Blackwell's books, whether they're her series books or her Paris standalones.
Your Farmer's Market sounds as if they have it all together. Too bad all stores don't.
You take care of yourself.