For me, the question this week should be, how many books are you reading as you try to find one you’ll finish? Actually, I finished one, but it’s for Library Journal, and it wasn’t quite up to the previous books, so I won’t mention it. I did tear through three historical romances this past weekend, all by Julia Quinn. But, at the moment, I’m not reading anything worth talking about.
I’ve decided to call this last month “The Great Hibernation”, because most of us are just hunkered down, zoned out and eating. I will say I’m enjoying what I’m doing for work because I continue to select online books for the library. That’s fun. I even enjoy the online meetings and webinars. I’ve been to the grocery store twice, every two weeks, and that’s it. I’ve been good about staying home because I don’t want to catch anything or, afterwards, spread anything.
Historical romances and Broadway music. That’s how I’m getting through. You might want to check out my blog at Poisoned Pen’s site. Beginning this week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, authors are posting their “Distractions”. Laurie R. King and Dana Stabenow went first. You can find the blog here. https://poisonedpen.com/category/fiction-review/
How was your week? Are you feeling overwhelmed? I’ll admit I only feel that way occasionally, but I had a busy day today, and books just aren’t appealing at the moment. So, I’m asking you the question. What are you reading?
The online book thing rang a bell, because in spite of the shelves and shelves of unread books here, we both have been reading mostly library downloads on the Kindle or Cloud. Jackie asked me to thank you for mentioning the latest Jayne Ann Krentz book (THE VANISHING), which she is getting a big kick out of, apparently. And I downloaded a SHaron Sala book for her yesterday.
The staying home thing also rang a bell. This is scary: a New York Times report today that two separate studies prove the coronavirus was already in New York by mid-February, probably earlier than that, and it came with people arriving – infected – from Europe, not China. That makes me happy we didn't get back from Florida until March 21. And a Daily News article about a civil court judge who died of the virus, showed his packed courtroom two weeks earlier, and said that others have been infected. I was supposed to report for Jury Duty in mid-March (even though I had informed them months earlier that I wasn't available as we'd be out of town), which would have been under equally crowded conditions! So, we dodged a bullet at least twice. Staying home is much safer.
Books? Oh yeah, books. I am still having trouble with reading in general, or more accurately, with concentrating. I can read short stories (I am now reading The Boy Detective & The Summer of '74 by Art Taylor), or short pieces like those in a book you recommended (ideal for browsing), Mobituaries by Mo Rocca, but had trouble concentrating on a novel. But when I hit one I like I can still get involved and race right through it. The latest is Tear it Down, the fourth Peter Ash book by Nick Petrie. This one has even more action than previous ones, as several strands come together around war veteran Ash when his girlfriend send him to help a photographer friend of hers in Memphis. The action is non-stop and I am heading towards what I know will be an explosion conclusion this morning.
I did buy a book this week, A Trawl Among the Shelves: Lawrence Block Bibliography, 1958-2020, by Terry Zobeck. I've been a fan of Block's mysteries for decades and it is good to have this all in one place.
Oops, almost forget. I think I mentioned Severance by Lin Ma last time. It seemed an odd choice for now, reading a book about a pandemic that wipes out most people, but it is really different than you'd expect. It is the story about narrator Candace Chen, and how she got from New York office drone to this group of survivors. Not exactly uplifting, perhaps, but it was a fast read and I can see why it has won awards. Overall, I liked it.
Maybe I’m getting used to staying at home most of the time because I actually got through several books this week. I’m finding that I am preferring shorter lighter books these days though.
WITCHING FOR GRACE by Deanna Chase is a paranormal romance featuring a real estate agent in her 40s who has to sell three haunted houses to get a job. It’s the first book that I’ve read in a while that I could really get into.
MURDER CREEK by Donna Ball is the latest in her Raine Stockton series. I enjoyed this one even though it took me longer than usual to get through.
An ARC of 18 Caliber by Larissa Reinhart. I felt that there were way too many characters to keep track of for a cozy mystery.
It seems as though books aren't quite the escape we all thought they were. They're a good escape from ordinary life, but when the world turns upside down, it's harder to concentrate on a book. Just sad.
You did have a couple narrow escapes, Jeff. That courtroom one is terrifying. All those people exposed, and then going home to families. I'm glad you're home enjoying what books you can.
Hi Lesa
I finished my Hazel Holt 'A Time to Die', which I very much enjoyed, then I moved on to 'Trouble in the Village' – another Rebecca Shaw story set in the fictional Turnham Malpas. I don't enjoy Shaw as much as Holt, but I still seem to find myself coming back to her – I just wish some of her characters would lighten up a bit – especially the Rector and his saintly wife, the thin as a reed (OF COURSE! thinness still very much = poshness in the UK, except perhaps in the case of drug addicts…), long-suffering, always nice to everyone, Dr Caroline! But this last book had more about the 'locals' and there was some criminal activity thrown in, so I still enjoyed it. And at this time there is something comforting about revisiting characters and locations, isn't there?
So last night I started the book I have chosen for my online friend Simon's #1920Club week, which starts on Monday. 'The Princess of the School' is a prime Angela Brazil story, featuring girls with names like Lilias, Dulcie, Bertha and Prissie. They are four of only 20 pupils at the luxurious – but of course 'down to earth' – in a very upper class way – boarding school, where they sleep in 'The Blue Bedroom' or 'The Gold Bedroom', have endless meals (including daily afternoon tea [before 'prep' of course] featuring home-made scones and cake), and say things like 'Ripping!' and 'Jolly good' and 'You're an absolute blighter, Laurette!'
Lilias and Dulcie live with their siblings and Grandfather on the latter's vast estate, their parents having been conveniently dispatched in a shipwreck (but so long ago that no-one needs to feel upset). Grandfather (very wealthy OF COURSE) is known only as 'Grandfather' at all times – or, to the lowly, cap-doffing, we-know-our-place, villagers, as 'The Squire.'
When the Christmas Hols are imminent, the girls all discuss how they are getting home – by train or car (as in 'Daddy is sending the touring Daimler for me') – cue a priceless bit of one-upmanship from Lilias and Dulcie, who announce 'We're riding home! – Grandfather thinks Rajah and Peri need exercise, so he's sending two of his grooms over with them.'
And so it continues, with a plot (of sorts) involving a disappearance and a mysterious Sicilian heiress, and lots of school shenanigans, from Greek plays to a secret society, formed to usurp the frightful Laurette.
This book was written before even my mother was born, and it depicts a world that very few would have experienced – it's hard to believe it was published just two years after the end of the Great War, which is barely mentioned, and which appears to have affected the lives of the rich not one bit (which is interesting in itself, as the widely held understanding is that the great estates started to fall into ruin because so many men went to the Front and never returned).
Nevertheless, it is great fun – Angela Brazil was the first major writer of school stories, and apparently some headmistresses banned her books and had them burned as subversive, just because the girls show small sparks of independence and go off on little adventures of their own. Brazil inspired many later writers of school stories, from Elinor Brent-Dyer to Enid Blyton. I'm looking forward to writing about this book for the #1920Club.
(I'm going to have to post this in 2 parts as the website is not happy…)
Shorter, light books. I get it, Sandy. As I said, for me, it's historical romances, but they seem to have almost nothing to do with regular life. I can sail through one of them a day, or one and a half on a weekend when I'm not also working. I wonder if that third book would have had too many characters in regular time.
Here's the rest – I clearly talk too much!
'So apart from that I've been recording the birds in the garden, working my way through the BBC adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (one episode to go – then I think I'll be back to Monarch of the Glen), taking a walk each evening (which we are so far allowed to do) and making occasional quick trips to the local village shop for groceries. At first we were all urged to do all our shopping online, but it has quickly become clear that our supermarkets simply are not up to coping with this, and they themselves are now sending out emails saying 'most people will have to shop in store' – only the vulnerable and isolated elderly are getting delivery slots, and even they are finding it hard to get them. I am so glad our two little shops are well stocked and relatively quiet – I can go without my favourite brand of butter or detergent if it means I can stay local (though whether or not Gracie can go without her preferred brand of cat food is quite another debate, and one that became so heated this morning that I had to shut my study door for the sake of my sanity…)
So I hope everyone is keeping safe – Jeff, it sounds like you had a similar narrow escape to my husband's – he was due to leave Scotland and return to Paris for a long work stint when his company decided to ban all international travel, well ahead of the government's own announcements. Two days later and he would have been stuck in France for the duration. And as for jury duty – what a thought – I'm glad you missed that one.
Rosemary'
Not much reading for sure this past week. I do get out and get my early morning walk every day to check out all the spring flowers in my neighborhood.
I did the grocery store during the senior hours for a couple of weeks. Still shocked at how many empty shelves there are at my local Meijer and Kroger. Now that Gov. DeWine has put limits on the number of people in stores at a time, I bit the bullet and started online pickup. I am so used to being able to just jump in the car to pick up ingredients for dinner that planning this far ahead is a big adjustment. I have to wait over a week for a pickup slot.
As far as reading goes, I finished THE WOMEN IN BLACK by Madeleine St. John. Takes place in the 1950's at a department store in Australia over the Christmas holidays. Definitely light but enjoyable. Now I am reading GUESTS OF AUGUST by Gloria Goldreich.
We watched World on Fire on PBS this past Sunday and are hooked. Rosemary, Monarch of the Glen was one of our favorite shows to stream.
Happy Reading and Stay Healthy!
Hi, everyone. Another Toastmasters meeting today on Zoom and a book club meeting (just to check in, not to talk about books) on Saturday. I somehow scored a grocery pickup at Walmart tonight-hurray! My home sale is still distracting me–escrow isn't going to close today as planned, so it's got me stressed out because I am trying to buy another house and that will be delayed as well.
As for reading, I can do it, but I am pretty selective and sometimes a harsh critic (see below). Just got a notice from the library that my ebook loans for Eight Perfect Strangers and The House in the Cerulean Sea are ready to check out. Great timing–just finished a book.
The setting in MOLTEN MUD MURDER by Sara E. Johnson is undoubtedly the biggest character in the story. Alexa is a forensics expert specializing in odontology (analysis of teeth), recently finishing up her visiting professorship at Auckland University. She travels to Rotorua to attend the funeral of a friend who had perished in an auto accident and hears about a body just found in a molten mud pot in a geothermal tourist attraction. She offers her services to the police and learns more about the Maori culture and mythology, along with an island sacred to the Maori, than she ever expected. It's an intriguing mystery, with a strong setting and unique characters. Lesa reviewed in September 2019.
ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth is not the first book about a high school secret society whose initiates are asked to do dangerous things to prove their worth–not necessarily physically dangerous but flouting school rules with dire consequences if caught, and sometimes vengeful against others. But it is a fast,suspenseful read with interesting (though largely unlikeable) characters. Charlotte ("Charlie") is a legacy at this tony New England boarding school. Her family has big bucks but her childhood was fraught–Mom disappeared when Charlie was seven and she doesn't trust her father. A host of other character seem unreliable, secretive, and untrustworthy. Did members of this society have anything to do with her mother's disappearance or other mysterious past events?
After reading the second in Margaret Dumas's series, I had to find the first, MURDER AT THE PALACE. Nora moves to San Francisco in the wake of the scandalous behavior of her movie star husband and takes on the role of manager of a classic movie theater. She is an expert on classic films but not in running a theater, and making things worse is the dead body found in the theater's ice machine. Nora's predecessor was recently found dead as well under suspicious circumstances, and the two deaths may be related. I love Nora's fellow employees, a nonagenarian, a belligerent projectionist, and a few high schoolers, to mention a few. And let's not forget the ghost of an usherette killed in a fall from the balcony 80 years ago. This is a charming series.
I gave Monica Wood's The One-in-a-Million Boy one of my highest ratings ever in 2016, so I had high hopes for her memoir, WHEN WE WERE THE KENNEDYS, about growing up in the 1960s in a town in Maine where the paper mill reigned supreme. I'm sorry to say it fell a bit flat for me, but maybe it just wasn't distracting enough for me. I have to admit that her language and voice are exquisite, but there wasn't enough story for me.
CAROUSEL BEACH by Orly Konig is about artist Maya Brice, who is restoring an old carousel while still beating herself up because she feels responsible for the deaths of her beloved grandmother and her unborn baby a year ago. Her relationship with her husband is suffering as a consequence. I wanted to yell at her to get a clue and get back on track, and I didn't find the ending as satisfying as I had hoped.
I'm planning to finish up SECOND TO NUN by Alice Loweecey today. I'm enjoying it. Light and perfect to distract me from what is going on.
I'm working from home, so my life really isn't that different than it normally would be. My commute to work isn't that far. About the only difference is not having my coworkers right there is I have questions.
Oh, Rosemary. You lighten my heart every time I read one of your posts. I'm afraid that 1920s book would drive me nuts. I'm not a big fan of school stories, and the poshness! A little too much for me. But, it sounds as if you're having fun with it. Good for you.
And, I like the little glimpses into your life to see how it differs from our here in the States. I'm very glad your husband is there with you rather than in Paris! A narrow escape!
But, poor Gracie! I'm sure she won't forgive easily.
I mentioned getting the ebook of Eight Perfect Strangers from the libarary–it's actually titled EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS!
I recently finished reading an advance copy of "The Lions of Fifth Avenue" by Fiona Davis. I am a HUGE fan of Ms. Davis and this one was every bit as terrific as I had hoped. For starters, it's about the family of the superintendent of the NYC Public Library who lived in an apartment in the library when it first opened. Historical fiction based on facts. Loved it, loved it loved it!
Good to hear about World on Fire, Sharon. I taped it, but haven't watched it yet.
Comfort reads. I think that's what a lot of us are looking for right now.
I went to the grocery store on Tuesday during the seniors over 60 hour. It is amazing, as you said, to see empty shelves.
You take care of yourself.
Oh, Margie. I hope things work out for your house, as well as the one you want to buy. Fingers crossed for you.
Good to know that the second in Dumas' series was good enough you went back to read the first. Makes me feel good. I liked the characters, too.
I've been dissatisfied by a number of books lately. I have an online library board meeting today, but other than that, I think I'm going to try to read a book.
Mark, That's actually the part of my job that I miss, my coworkers. Glad you found a book to distract you, though.
Oh, Kaye. That's one I definitely want to read, The Lions of Fifth Avenue. How can I go wrong with that one?
I have been reading mostly at night, helps me sleep. Really enjoyed Long Bright River by Liz Moore. It was an ebook from library. Also recommend Iced in Paradise especially if you like Hawaii and who doesn’t. Looking forward to more, really liked the heroine. Nice easy read which we all need at this time. Hopefully, it will stop raining in L.A. soon.
I have been doing mostly reread or as I call them – comfort reads. Both on Overdrive and the ones I have at home.
Hey Lesa,
I am still working at my public library. We are doing curbside pickups for holds, answering phones and cleaning books on the shelves. I am currently listening to Revenge by James Patterson on audio. My print reading is "The Program: inside the mind of Keith Raniere and the rise and fall of NXIVM" and The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman. Picked up several new ones I'm excited to dive into this long weekend.
I read a lot this week:
Bloody Point by Linda J. White; Back to the Inspirationals. An FBI agent loses her faith and quits her job after her husband is killed. Her husband's best friend gets a traumatic head injury and finds his faith as they go after a killer.
The Sheriff's Surrender by Susan Page Davis; A feminist Inspirational about a woman who forms a Ladies' Shooting Club after the sheriff is killed, and her paramour takes over the job.
Death Valley by Sandy Dengler; A Park Ranger/investigator looks into a murder during a biker rally at Death Valley, along with a citified lady accountant. This guy is such a jerk, I find it hard to believe he could convert anybody. Done with this sub-genre for a while.
A Fatal Glass of Beer by Stuart Kaminski; Toby Peters takes WC Fields on a trip across America to recover Field's money salted away in banks across America. Like many funny people, Fields is a sad man.
A Brilliant Death by Robin Yocum; A Baby Boomer Coming of age tale as two teens from Brilliant, OH look into the disappearance of one of their mothers.
Curse of the Sky Folk by Jaime Rowe; Rebellion against the Cloud People. I can't tell if the Cloud People are supposed to elves or alien Tall Whites.
Grappler by Len Denton; Autobiography of a moderately successful professional wrestler with some pretty stories.
Shadow Agent by Daniel Judson; An espionage tale that lets the plot get in the way of the story.
Jocki MacTavish; Historical about a kid who searches for a missing boy and a treasure, and cherchez le femme along the way.
RobotWorld; Updated version of Westworld. Very much misses Yul Brynner.
Reviving Jim Morrison; Tells about the Doors singer's last days, but completely omits any reference to the various conspiracies and occult theories of his death.
End Turn: A gamer is hired to prove another gamer is cheating at a tournament. Better than it has any right to be.
last but certainly not least
Levon's Home by Chuck Dixon; Somebody's abducted the son of one of LeVon's cousins. Bad mistake. Levon is probably the best Jack Reacher type series going.
I finished DEATH IN BRITTANY (Bannalec), read BALANCING ACT (Joanna Trollope), and am about halfway through DEATH AT WHITEWATER CHURCH (Andrea Carter). I really enjoyed the Bannalec, the Trollope not so much. I think I’ve read just about everything she’s written but this one just didn’t have much story to it. Are you finding that you’re finding fault with the behavior of characters in “real-life” books? On TV, too, I keep wanting to say “you shouldn’t be doing that.” “Where’s your mask?” “You’re not staying 6 ft away from others.” I dreamed the other night that my son who’s in his early 50s was a little boy & I was concerned that he didn’t have a mask. This pandemic has taken over our conscious and subconscious lives. But back to books: I’m enjoying the Carter book. It’s her first and is set in one of my favorite places – County Donegal, Ireland. Ben O’Keefe is a solicitor in a small town on the Inishowen peninsula. A skeleton has been found in a crypt under a deconsecrated church. Ben, female, has secrets of her own. Last night we had a power outage from about 11:15 until 12:45 during a very loud thunderstorm and tornado watch. No way I could sleep so I reverted to my younger self and read in bed with the aid of a flashlight. So you know it’s good.
DJ, that's great that books are helping you sleep. It's sometimes hard to turn off our brains right now. I hope your weather gets better.
I see a lot of people saying comfort reads, Gram. I get that. I guess I just hadn't found the right one. But, today I picked up one of Cora Harrison's Reverend Mother mysteries set in Cork, Ireland. Historical seems to work for me right now, whether historical mystery or historical romance.
Good for you, katstev! We've been closed for a month now, and our director expects at least another month. Frankly, I may miss working with other staff, but I'm grateful that I'm not working away from home, coming in contact with other people. You take care of yourself. Good luck!
Wow, Glen! Your list of books made up for the last two weeks or so. I'll have to look for Chuck Dixon's books for the library patrons if you like them so much. Thank you for the suggestion.
Sally, Yes, Covid-19 has taken over our lives. I watched a video today of a bunch of protestors at the Ohio State House, protesting the closure of non-essential businesses and the social distancing policy. BUT, and that's in capital letters on purpose, they were wearing masks and staying 6 feet away. Sort of thought it defeated the purpose of their protest. And, someone had a picture of mobs of people around, but when you saw the actual video looked like a couple dozen. Hmmm.
I read the Carter book. I'll at least try almost anything set in Ireland. I'm reading a Cora Harrison book right now set in County Cork.
I am very late again! Now have a very sleep pattern. I need to figure how to change. I go to sleep around 11:00 p.m and wake up at 4:00 am. Read and then start doing surveys for pin money and monitor and post on three FB groups and write reviews of books read and other items.
I finally finished the two books that seemed from another world and have started two more.
schooled by Stephanie Jankowski, It is an autobiographical telling of her teaching life so far. I come from many generations of teachers on my mother's side. But I was a rebel and when asked the question at the annual family reunion by many aunts and uncles. I always "I don't know". I reading the book to find out what I missed.
I knew my Aunt Garnet's whole top drawer of her tall dresser was filled to the top with brooches from her students. She told where they came from after seeing my mouth drop open. I knew that my cousin Helen's (who was twenty years older than me) back ached from the weight of test papers to grade. I was a good speller so she gave me a red crayon and I graded the spellings tests. I was proud of myself for helping her.
This has the usual tips but I was not expecting the real life things that happened while she taught that had me laughing so hard I had to hold my sides. Almost done.
I have started a promising mystery Clean Hands by Patrick Hoffman.
This social isolating has messed everyone up, Carol. I'm sorry.
I'm glad you're finally enjoying the stories from your family's background in education. It's nice to have that connection right now.
Stay safe & healthy. I know you have health issues, so take care of yourself.