How are you? I hope you had at least one good day in the last week. Yesterday was terrific here – weather in the low 80’s. Just my temperatures. And, I voted. It wasn’t bad at all standing outside in that weather. Took about an hour and a half for early voting. Honestly? I wish more of that time had been outside instead of inside where the line wound around.
And, my other weekly question is, what are you reading? I’ve just started Miranda James’ Cat Me If You Can, the latest mystery featuring librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel. They’re off to Asheville, North Carolina for a weekend with their mystery book club. Of course, there will be a murder.
What about you? How are you? What have you been reading?
Good morning. We have mail in voting here in NJ so we returned our ballots to one of the county’s drop boxes yesterday on our way to the farm stand.
This week I read DEAD-END DETECTIVE by Amanda Flower. I liked having a mystery with a PI as the main character but with the feel of a cozy.
MURDER AT HOTEL 1911 by Audrey Keown. Another cozy with an unusual setting. I hope it’s not too long of a wait for book two.
WITCHING FOR JOY by Deanna Chase is a paranormal romance featuring witches. I think the first two books in this series were better.
MURDER, TAKE TWO by Carol J Perry. A cozy mystery set in Salem. I enjoy reading these but don’t find them very memorable.
Hi Lesa
I have just finished Mary Stewart's 'Wildfire at Midnight', which I read and reviewed for the #1956Club. I loved it – it's set in 1953, year of the coronation and of Hillary's ascent of Everest (the latter is relevant to the plot!) A young divorcee travels to a remote hotel on Skye for a rest-cure. On arrival she finds that there has been a grisly murder two weeks before; the corpse of a young girl has been burned on a fire on Blaven, the mountain beside the hotel – but only after all of her jewellery and her shoes have been removed and carefully stacked beside her, her throat cut and her body arranged in a sacrificial manner. Before she went out, she told her estranged boyfriend that she was meeting 'A gentleman from the hotel.' Need I tell you that almost none of the guests has an alibi?! More murders follow. It's a gripping story, and Stewart's evocation of Skye is wonderful (and I say that as someone who usually gets bored with description after more than one line…)
I'm not sure what to read next – though I've got plenty to choose from! I might go back to the Katie Fforde I had to put aside to get Mary Stewart done before the end of the #1956Club week.
Apart from that my week has been good so far. Great walk at Dunecht Estate with my friend yesterday. And today the sky is blue, though our temperature is not quite like yours – currently 53F at 1.30pm.
I'm so glad you got your voting done – do you usually have to queue like that or is that a result of the virus? I don't think I've ever had to queue here.
A few of our libraries have re-opened – hallelujah, though none is near me. However, our First Minister announced stricter controls again yesterday, so how long they remain open we shall see. And one of my good walks – in another private estate – has been closed owing to the inconsiderate behaviour of some walkers, which is such a shame and so infuriating.
Have a good day if you can,
Rosemary
Our early voting is not until the 24th (our anniversary), so we already voted by absentee ballot.
As mentioned yesterday, I am reading Stephen Graham Jones's The Only Good Indians, which has been characterized as a horror novel, but so far really isn't, unless it is "psychological horror" rather than the graphic, grisly kind. Ten years after he and three of his friends killed a young cow elk (who turned out to be pregnant), Lewis (a Blackfeet) starts seeing the dead elk in places it isn't. Read this for the sharp writing and social commentary.
I'm nearly 3/4 through the Complete Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and still enjoying most of them. I can't help but think of events in his life when reading some of these.
I enjoyed the newest Longmire book, Craig Johnson's Next to Last Stand, centering on a (real) picture of Custer. It is mostly Walt and Vic, with Henry along at times, so I'm very good with that.
Good morning, Sandy!
I agree with you. I liked Amanda Flower's book just for that reason, a PI in a cozy. And, why not? It was a nice change, wasn't it? I have a copy of Murder at Hotel 1911. I just need time. Good to know you're eager to read the next one.
Rosemary, What's your #1956Club? Sounds interesting.
I probably read Mary Stewart's Wildfire at Midnight in the 1970s, although I can't say for sure. Those were my Gothic romance years – Phyllis A. Whitney (the best of the group, in my opinion), Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt.
No we don't usually have to queue like that, although I have stood in short lines before. And, it's not because of the virus. It's because of this particular presidential election. It's a hot issue, and people are determined to get out and vote. Actually, I hope the lines stay that long all the way through election day. The U.S. sadly has a poor percentage of people who turn out to vote. We're not near as good as other countries.
That's terrible that people's behavior forced an estate to close to the public. I'm sorry.
Oh, I'll have a good day. I love Thursdays at work. It's a busy day. Thank you! I hope you enjoy your day as well.
Jeff, I was good with that as well. I enjoyed this Longmire because it was a little lighter. And, I loved the wheelchaired veterans.
I love that you voted and that it was such a good experience! Yay!! Donald and I have happily cast our votes as well. This from The Hill: "With just less than four weeks until Election Day, the number of ballots mailed in and in-person votes cast early surpassed the 5.5 million mark Wednesday, according to the United States Elections Project, which compiles early voting data. That figure is more than 73 times the number of votes that were cast at this point in 2016." I'm so proud.
I have only read one book this week and I don't even remember the name – really memorable, huuh?
But I am reading V. E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie Larue and enjoying it quite a lot.
Happy Thursday! xxoo
I just hope that pace continues, Kaye. As I told Rosemary, Americans are notorious for not voting in high numbers.
I'm glad you're enjoying Addie Larue. I have a copy at home, and I'm looking forward to trying it.
We are voting absentee for the first time this year and will be dropping off our ballots at the Franklin County Board of Elections. I feel comfortable doing this especially because you can now track your ballot in Ohio. I got both a text and email when my request for a ballot was accepted.
In other red letter news my local library has opened its doors with limited hours. No more appointments to pick up my held reserved books.
Thank you for your book review, Rosemary. I don't think I've read any Mary Stewart. Kindle has that title for purchase for $2.99 so I will pick it up.
Three good books this week for me.
THE SWITCH by Beth O'Leary. A granddaughter and her grandmother switch residences for 2 months. It was great fun.
THE BRILLIANT LIFE OF EUDORA HONEYSETT by Annie Lyons. Similar to A MAN CALLED OVE. Eighty-five year old Eudora decides she has had enough of this life and I'd is ready to end it on her own terms. A new family moves in next door which makes her reconsider her intent. Each chapter ends with a glimpse of Eudora's past. It was a touching read.
Now I am reading A DECEPTION AT THORNECREST by Ashley Weaver. While Milo is in London, Amory receives a visitor claiming to be Mrs. Milo Ames. Another unexpected visitor arrives and one of Milo's stable hands is found murdered. I am halfway through and this might be my favorite of the series.
Happy Reading!
Thanks Lesa
The #1956Club is an invention of two bloggers I follow over here, Simon of simon@stuck_inabook is the one of the two that I know best. . Every six months everyone who wants to take part reads a book from the year of which we have been notified in advance – any book so long as it was published in that year – and reviews it, either on their own blog, or on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever they like – or they can just post their review in the comments section on Simon’s own blog post about the club. We have one week to post all our reviews and comments.
I haven’t been doing it all that long, I think I’ve maybe taken part 3 or 4 times since I started. The years they have chosen in the past include 1924, 1951, 1977 and plenty in between. It is very interesting to see what books turn up – sometimes there are multiple reviews of the same book of course, but that can be interesting in itself. Last time I did Nan Shepherd’s The Weatherhouse, which is firmly rooted in rural Aberdeenshire (and written mainly in Doric). 1956 was much easier to deal with, as far more books were published by then, and it was a particularly good year for the type of thing I like. Another choice could have been The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay (which I’ve read before and love) and Verily Anderson’s ‘Spam Tomorrow’, which I have bought anyway, though it won’t come in time for this week. It looks great.
I am a sucker for book challenges – this is one of the first I ever participated in; it’s still my favourite and I feel that many of the other people who do it have become online friends.
I hope your high voting numbers are an indication of a good result (for you and, by extension for me, that is)? The voting numbers here can be low too, people are very unmotivated sometimes, and now young people feel that whatever they do it will make no difference. The 23 year old I used to work with deliberately spoiled his ballot paper last time; I was not impressed. My daughters are fortunately highly politicised (by their mother!) but my son – the oldest of them – has a pretty lackadaisical attitude to elections – I find this so frustrating that I just can’t discuss it with him sometimes.
I’m glad you enjoy Thursdays! I like them too, though it took me years to exorcise the memory of triple Latin and the loathsome gym lesson all on the same day of the school week!
Rosemary
I've decided to vote in person. I doubt there will be much of a line due to small town living.
I'm reading The Book of Two Ways, Jodi Picoult. At the beginning of her career I heard Jodi speak at a book event. I've been a fan for years and am particularly excited by this book. It has all I would expect in plot from that first impression so long ago. I'm very pleased to see science and history wound into this outing.
Also reading The Sterling Affair-Nathan Dylan Goodwin. It's Book 8 of The Forensic Genealogist series. What I love about these mysteries is the actual genealogy research that Morton Farrier uses to solve his cases. In this one Morton comes face to face with the surprise reveal of his own DNA test. This one holds up well as a stand-alone but don't the others, particularly if are doing family research.
Fall back and read.
Sharon! All kinds of good news, voting and that your library has limited hours now. Excellent!
I wondered about Eudora Honeysett. It looks good. And, I really need to find time for The Switch.
Sharon, I hope you enjoy Mary Stewart! I think my favourite so far is maybe ‘Madam, Will You Talk?’, which was the second of her novels (Wildfire at Midnight was her first), but that may be because I recently heard such a good adaptation of it on the radio. And I do love Charity Selbourne, the heroine of the latter – though Gianetta the main character in Wildfire, is clearly an earlier version of Charity, so she’s pretty good too. Stewart always seems to have created feisty heroines who don’t sit around waiting for a hero to save them. I like that.
The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult not what I expected but very good so far.
Also, Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jena Bush Hager. This is a warm fuzzy book of family love. You don't have to like any of the Bushes to appreciate the love and support in the 3 generations in this book.
Listening to, The Boys Club by Erica Katz.
Rosemary, MADAM, WILL YOU TALK, was Stewart's first published novel, in 1955. WILDFIRE AT MIDNIGHT came next, in 1956. I love Stewart. I think my favorite is perhaps MY BROTHER MICHAEL, but I'm also very fond of AIRS ABOVE THE GROUND and THIS ROUGH MAGIC. Her evocation of place is wonderful. I've recently discovered British writer Trisha Ashley via a book called THE CHRISTMAS INVITATION. If you like gentle romantic comedy, then I would definitely recommend this book to you. A lovely read for the holiday season.
Rosemary, I'm hoping for good results, as you are, but I'm not holding my breath. I know some of my nieces and nephews, in their 20s and 30s, will be voting, but I don't know about others.
I like the sound of this particular book challenge. It sounds fun, and interesting to see what books others read.
Oh, you hated gym, too? Just hated it!
Carol, I've never heard of The Forensic Genealogist series. Now, I'm going to have to look them up. It sounds terrific. Thank you!
Caryn, It sounds as if I'm behind. The Book of Two Ways seems to be the current hot book. So many books…And, it's so nice to read a warm, fuzzy book right now.
Airs Above the Ground, Dean, was a favorite for this horse-crazy young teen. I just added Trisha Ashley to my "look for" list, along with Carol's Forensic Genealogist series.
Wow, Mary Stewart! I haven't thought about her for a long time, but I'm sure I read all her books years ago. I might have to visit them.
As for voting, I will finish my ballot tonight (have to read about the propositions) and take it to the drop box at the library tomorrow.
At 900+ pages, Robert Galbraith's (aka JK Rowling) fifth Cormoran Strike book, TROUBLED BLOOD, is way too long, which I found annoying (previous books averaged about 650 pages). But I enjoy this series and the characters, so I was glad I stuck with it. I love police or (in this case) PI procedurals, and this one took the reader through every nook and cranny of the investigation handled by partners Cormoran and Robin involving a 30+-year-old cold case featuring the disappearance of a female doctor–not to mention four other cases on their docket. Most think a serial killer–still alive in prison–was responsible, but there are a plethora of other persons of interest, some long dead and some still alive. At the same time, Cormoran has to deal with the terminal disease of the aunt who raised him, his long-estranged rock star father who suddenly takes an interest in his son, and an ex-girlfriend of 16 years who has mental issues. Robin is going through a messy divorce and is pursued by a coworker who has taken a fancy to her. And, of course, Cormoran and Robin have a relationship that hasn't yet blossomed but . . .
Next I read THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Fiona Davis. In 1913, Laura's husband is superintendent of the New York Public Library, and they live with their son and daughter in an apartment within the library. Laura is studying to become a journalist and starts spending some time at the Heterodoxy Club, where women feel free to speak their minds about how their gender deserves more respect. But her life changes when a number of priceless books start disappearing from the library, and her husband's honesty is called into question. Eighty years later, Sadie, who has family ties to Laura–now remembered as a famous feminist essayist–is curating a valuable collection at the library and preparing it for an upcoming exhibition when something similar takes place. Again, priceless books are being stolen. Sadie has to delve into her past to find out whether the two situations are connected and to save her job at the library. I found the book engrossing and entertaining.
In Matt Haig's THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY, Nora is 35 and feels her life has amounted to nothing. The last straw, feeling her irresponsibility led to her cat's death, makes her want to end it all. At various times in her life, Nora has been a young swimmer aiming for the Olympics, an aspiring rock musician or glaciologist, an almost-wife, someone who plans to move to Australia with her best friend–but she hasn't followed through on any of it. She works in a music store and gives piano lessons to a neighborhood boy. Close to giving up entirely, Nora suddenly finds herself in a mysterious library. The librarian from her school who had been kind to her when her father died suddenly tells her all the books in the library are different lives that she could have lived, and she has the opportunity to try any or all of them out. If she is unhappy with any of these lives, she will find herself back at the library, and she can never experience that particular life again. Interesting premise–the story is all about whether Nora can embrace life again, if she can find a life that inspires her and makes her happy. Although I enjoyed it and it is GMA's October book club selection, it isn't my favorite of Haig's books. That honor goes to The Humans, which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago.
I'm surviving. Management's unrealistic expectations are driving me up a wall, however. I'm not sure how much more I can take, but I don't want to try looking for a new job for a couple of personal reasons (like finally having vacation time for the first time in years and needing to have it for a family vacation). I don't know what to do.
On the reading front, last night I finished MURDER GOES TO MARKET by Daisy Bateman. It took me a bit to get into it, but I enjoyed it. Part of the appeal to me was that it was set in the area of California where I grew up.
Now I'm starting HOT ENOUGH TO KILL by Paula Boyd. I have double bought this one – in paperback (somewhere in the condo) and on Kindle (I suspect it was free when I got the Kindle version). We'll see what I think, although it looks like it is very very long. Hopefully, that's not a bad thing.
On the good news front, the fire has moved away from my family, so they are doing well with that. And the firefighters are getting the fire under control.
Margie,
I'm sorry the Galbraith book was so long! Looking forward to The Lions of Fifth Avenue, though. And, now The Midnight Library might move a little lower on my TBR pile. Thank you.
Oh, Mark. I feel for you. Reading and even life are uncomfortable when work is not going well. I understand that. It doesn't help you to say I'm sorry, but I am.
I am happy to know your family is safe, and the firefighters are getting the fire under control.
I hope one of the books gives you a mental escape.
Today is forecast to be the last warm, sunny day here in NW Montana, followed by a week of chill and rain; we might get more pretty days, but those will be bonus days!
Like a lot of you, I lost my reading mojo for a few months earlier in the year and am way off my usual pace. It's picked up a bit, but I'm still not able to focus as well as I'd like. For that reason, if a book doesn't grab me, I put it down, not even following the 50 page rule. Some, I'll try again. I've been reaching into my TBR pile for authors I know I can trust. Right now, I'm reading Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron, the first in her Cajun Country series. I know I bought it at her launch party for the sequel at Bouchercon NOLA in 2016; why I hadn't read it, I have no idea. It's great fun — well written, fast paced, and great characters in a terrific setting. (My third book this year set in Louisiana — go figure!)
I hope all of you find some relaxation, diversion, and pleasure — and maybe a little armchair travel — on the page!
I'm mostly through MURDER ON A GIRLS' NIGHT OUT by Anne George. I've wanted to read her southern sisters series for a long time, and I found it on audio. It started slow but is picking up but still a very leisurely pace. It's one you might enjoy for the sisterly banter Lesa.
We also voted this week – absentee ballots we dropped at the election office where it was hopping with other voters doing the same thing. I can't wait for the election to be over so changes can begin.
Well, that's interesting, Leslie, that it's the third book you've read set in Louisiana. For me, that usually happens to places I really want to go – Ireland, Paris. Those books led to my travels. Sounds as if a trip back to New Orleans might be in your future. Distant future, maybe, though, the way things are. I like Ellen Byron's Cajun Country series. I really liked the latest book.
I don't envy you your weather. I am not a cold weather person at all.
Sandie, I'm old enough to have read all those Anne George books when they first came out. I still remember the description of the statue that overlooks Birmingham. You'll get to it.
I have the feeling that if the election goes the way I want, there may be some drastic actions I don't like between November and January. But, I'd like the news NOT to be all White House all the time.
Lesa, funny you say that about the weather. I have never been as cold in Montana as I was the three winters in Indiana! Nor as hot, either. But that was in South Bend, when I was in law school at Notre Dame, so quite a bit north of you.
I loved NOLA on my one trip there and am eager to take Mr. Right there. Not for a while, as you say, though I didn't consciously choose my Louisiana reading as a substitute. The others: The Orion Mask by Greg Herron, his homage to Mary Stewart, and The Murderess of Bayou Rosa by Ramona DeFelice Long, likely the winner of "best title of the year" among my reading!
Lesa and Sandie, I read all the Anne George books and loved them. I was so curious about the statue that we actually stopped in Birmingham on our way home from Charleston to see it.
Now, I'm curious Leslie, about an homage to Mary Stewart.
I don't know if I've ever been as cold as one day in Cleveland, so I agree about the Midwest. And, I was in college in the winter of '78 when snow was up to our second floor apartment windows. Miserable! And, I lived in Florida for 18 years and Arizona for 8. I went to grad school in D.C. The humidity in Florida and D.C. destroys me. Evansville is a pretty moderate climate.
And, Sharon? Did the statue live up to the description in the book?
Yes it did 🙂 It actually is on a hill on the grounds of a nice little park and there is a little museum on the inside that was interesting.
Thanks, Sharon!
The smoke is clearing up, at least for now, Weather's getting a little cooler, might even get some rain this weekend.
I'm usually an election official, but this year it's all mail-in.
I read:
The House of the Vestals by Steven Saylor; a collection of Gordianus shorts set in Rome. Some of the puzzles are way too easy.
The Pusher by Ed McBain; Early 87 Precinct, where Carella was supposed to die, but was saved by editorial fiat.
Deadly Distractions by William Manchee; A law firm gets in a lot of trouble on what look like piddling cases.
Who's in Charge Here? 1992; Some guy captioned photos of VIP's of the time. I didn't recognize Leona Helmsley. A real time capsule.
Oh, good, Glen. I'm glad the smoke is clearing up. I hope the rain helps.
I love your comment about the Ed McBain book – Carella was saved by editorial fiat. Very good!