Congratulations to the winners of the last contest. Maureen J. from Reno, NV won The Last Seance. A Spell for Trouble goes to Kristina A. from Dunedin, FL. The books are going out in the mail today.
Before we talk about our reading, how are you doing? Fires, snow, rain, jobs, family? Is everyone okay? Take care of yourselves! Let us know how you’re doing.
I’m on vacation starting this afternoon. I’m driving home to Ohio to see my Mom one last time before winter. I usually don’t go home when I can’t count on the roads being good. And, this year, with COVID, I’m not planning to see family again until spring at the earliest. For you, that means my blog might be a little off-track again as it was when I went home the last time.
Now, for that other question, what are you reading? I’m reading a Christmas romance. It’s Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze, the story of a young woman whose family Christmas trip doesn’t end happily. She sends a wish to the universe. “Can you show me what will make me happy?’, and in a Groundhog Day storyline, she’s back on the plane to Utah, six days before the end of her trip. One disaster after another sends her back to the plane, and she has to find out how to get out of this strange time loop. I read fifty pages on my lunch hour yesterday. This one is going to be quick.
What about you? I’m betting you’re not yet reading Christmas books. I already have several at home, and a few more coming from the library. I’m ready to forget about 2020, and move on. I hope I’m not going to live in a Groundhog Day loop.
What are you reading?
I have read three Christmas books already, all because you had them on a list. I am not ready for Christmas, but I am looking forward to 2021. See you soon!
Hi Lesa
I am fine, thank you, and I hope you have a great visit with your mother. Our chief health officer here in Scotland has said that we must all prepare for a virtual Christmas this year, and I understand that. I know, however, that many people will be furious, and I don't quite know how the authorities are going to go about enforcing it. I wish people would see that, hard as it is, the government is doing this for our protection, not just because they want to spoil our fun. We are thinking of driving around to Dundee and Aviemore on Christmas Day, just to wave at our daughter and then our son & his wife, from a safe distance. Unfortunately our elder daughter is in London, so that will have to be a phone call.
I have not started reading any Christmas books – NO, NO! We already seem to have a Christmas movie channel as well – almost everything they are showing is only one or two star rated. I suppose that 'for those who like that sort of thing, that is what they like' to channel Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 🙂
I somehow managed to drag myself to the end of the Dornford Yates 'thriller' I was reading. It was only 163 pages but felt more like 663. There was far, far too much details about the technicalities of sinking a tunnel to access treasure buried in a chamber in a well. There was no character development, back story or setting – it was supposed to be in Austria but quite honestly it could've been anywhere. I really need to remind myself that I simply do not get on with these 'Golden Age of Crime' stories (this one was published in 1927) – many people love them.
So I decided to have a complete change, and have started Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon Summer, 1956. I read several of his books many years ago, but I don't think I read this one. I also remember listening to him reading some of his work on the radio. He is so dry and funny. I've read the first chapter and have high hopes for this one.
A small local publisher was looking for reviews of their rather outdoorsy books, so I volunteered, but identified some from their website that I thought I could manage, and clearly said 'please don't send me anything too hearty'. In the post has come a guide book of walks in the Cairngorms. I am not sure how I could review this without driving all the way over there and doing the walks, but I will have to think of something! They had books about early women climbers, and about John Muir, and I specifically asked for something like that. Hey ho. I do want to support them.
On TV I am continuing to watch David Hare's new drama 'Roadkill', about a Tory government minister, played by Hugh Laurie, whose professional and personal life is falling apart. It's good – largely thanks to Laurie, and to Helen McCrory, who plays the Prime Minister, but I tend to agree with a critic who said it would be better on stage. Hare is primarily a writer for the theatre, and this dialogue comes across as a little too mannered for TV, though I'm still engaged by it. I felt the same, only more so, with Alan Bennett's The History Boys; it was first a stage play, and the film stayed true to the script so retained the sometimes (deliberately, I'm sure, as Bennett is a highly experienced and acclaimed writer) very formal, theatrical dialogue that didn't come across so well in this format.
That's probably enough waffle from me,
Have a great trip Lesa!
Rosemary
Noooo!! Next thing you know, it will be all Christmas movies all the time on Hallmark and all Christmas music on Lite-FM.
Enjoy your visit. No travel for us, as we had to cancel our 50th Anniversary trip, which would have been to London (where we went on our belated honeymoon) or possibly Vegas. (Yes, we don't fell it, but we're old.) Instead, we are hunkered down here, staying as safe as we can, and will just have a nice dinner. Jackie read yesterday that this could be with us (in lesser form, fingers crossed) for another two years. We'll see.
Books? The highlight of the week was The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, which has been mentioned before. I really hope he is working on a sequel, because it has been a while since I enjoyed a book as much. It was a lot of fun.
I've had a tough time settling into a book since I finished that. I'm still reading the Edward D. Hoch short story collection – and Simon Ark still leaves me cold as a character. Also reading a book I recently discovered I had missed when it came out earlier this year, Joe R. Lansdale's non series noirish More Better Deals. Our hero (of sorts) is a used car salesman in early 1960s Texas, and pretty good at it, when he gets involved with your classic femme fatale, and it sets up a real Postman Rings Twice feel. It's a quick read and we'll see if it goes to your typical end. Joe is always worth reading.
Lastly, there is an entertaining memoir by poet and novelist Jay Parini, Borges and Me: An Encounter. While at graduate school (and avoiding Vietnam) in St. Andrews in Scotland in 1970, Parini is asked by his mentor, poet Alastair Reid, to escort blind, aged South American writer Jorge Luis Borges on a road trip to the Highlands and back. It was a life altering trip for Parini. I'm quite enjoying it so far. We've been to St. Andrews a few times on trips from Edinburgh to buy books. I hate golf, but it was a kick seeing the classic golf course.
Stay safe everyone.
Rosemary, I agree about Hare. We saw his SKYLIGHT on stage in London in 1995 (later revived on Broadway), and also several of his works on television. ROADKILL is starting here this weekend, I believe.
Enjoy your trip. I read one Christmas book this week since it came in from the library.
DEAD IN THAT BEACH HOUSE: a senior sleuth mystery by M Glenda Rosen. I didn’t care for the writing style or preachy tone
A CASE OF CAT AND MOUSE by Sofia Kelly. I always enjoy her magical cats books.
MOODY AND THE BEAST by Kristen Painter. A paranormal romance loosely based on Beauty and the Beast.
MRS MORRIS AND THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST by Traci Wilton. This didn’t live up to the first book in the series.
I agree, Christie. However, all these Christmas books came into the library! I think that's what I'm bringing home to read. See you either this weekend or Wednesday!
Safe travels to Ohio, Lesa. The rain is out of the forecast until late tomorrow where I live.
Rosemary, We are getting Roadkill on our local PBS starting next Sunday. I already have my DVR set. This week is the finale of Flesh and Blood. We enjoyed that one so much we went ahead and streamed all the episodes on our Passport.
This week I finished THE SECRETS OF LOVE STORY BRIDGE by Phaedra Patrick. I really enjoyed this sweet gentle story.
Next I finished IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren. I thought this was great fun but it still has not rivaled THE UNHONEYMOONERS as my favorite of their books.
Now I am reading THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman. I am enjoying this so far as well. So it's been a good reading week for me.
Happy Reading!
Rosemary! I love your posts here, and I'm going to message you back and talk about a guest post or two. Thank you! I like the depth you provide in just a paragraph – the reasoning behind the reviews for the small local publisher, the reasons why "Roadkill" might be better on stage.
And, I know. I think it's going to be a sad Christmas for many who listen to the authorities, and even sadder afterwards for those who don't.
Jeff, It sounds as if your anniversary trip will have to be as belated as you say your honeymoon was. I'm sorry.
I laughed at your lines about Hallmark and Lite-FM. Good one! I really wasn't ready for the Christmas books, but they're coming into the library, and I had to catch them while I can. Customers will be clamoring for them closer to Christmas.
I'm so glad you like The Thursday Murder Club! Yes, I think there's going to be a sequel. I hope it lives up to the first one. It was fun!
Darn, Sandy. I didn't think the second Mrs. Morris lived up to the first. Well, I'll read this one, and then maybe give up on them.
Sharon, As I said to Jeff, I'm glad you're enjoying The Thursday Murder Club. It was a nice departure from regular mysteries, wasn't it? I liked the way Osman handles the characters.
I can already tell In a Holidaze isn't going to live up to The Unhoneymooners, but I'm still going to read it.
I think you will enjoy In a Holidaze, Lesa. It is pretty standard Christina Lauren so you know what to expect.
I guess that was my first Christmas book so far. I have the new Donna Andrews Christmas one traveling to my library.
Christmas has arrived at my local Meijer already and Thanksgiving is already regulated to clearance status. It seems to arrive earlier every year.
I bought Vicki Delany's new Christmas book but haven't gotten to it yet. Right now I'm preparing for my grandchildren's first sleep-over–this Saturday night when their parents are having an adult Halloween party for just a few people. The only time I've supervised them overnight was back when Autumn was 5 months old and Henry was just starting potty training. Fortunately, the other Grandma and Papa were there. This time they will be 4 and 2, respectively, next month, so I'm sure it will be a lot easier! They are a delight.
Count me as one more who read THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB this week. Since I'm in good company and since you have already reviewed it, Lesa, I'll just say that I couldn't focus well enough to keep track of all the twists and turns (a sign of the times, I guess), but I did appreciate the personal interactions and emotions that populated the book and the skill of the storyteller.
In THE FRIENDSHIP LIST by Susan Mallery, Ellen had her son Cooper when she was 17 and hadn't had a date since then (over 15 years). Her best male friend is Keith, the football coach at the high school where Ellen works. Keith has a high school-age daughter, Lissa. Ellen's best female friend, Unity, has been grieving and not truly living since her husband was killed three years ago. Everyone is trying to fix her up with a man, but she's unwilling until she meets Thaddeus, a wealthy self-man man who has an "interesting" past. Ellen and Unity have challenged each other to create and act on a personal bucket list to improve their lives. I picked this up for a light, feel-good read because I really enjoyed Mallery's last book, but I found this one only mediocre, unfortunately.
After discovering TV writer-turned-mystery writer Matt Goldman last year, I devoured the first three in his Nils Shapiro series and have just finished the fourth, DEAD WEST. Nils is a Minneapolis P.I. who is now engaged to the love of his life and has partial custody of his baby daughter (not his fiancee's–it's a long story). A client sends him to LA to gather info on her wealthy grandson, but the case soon turns into something much more deadly, involving the death of the grandson's fiancee. It all revolves around a couple of yet-unmade movies, both to star a popular female star (she only makes a brief appearance in the story). I love Goldman's writing style, the personalities of Nils and his oft-sidekick, a 6-foot 7-inch black (male) former nurse, who has issues of his own. And I found the end of this book to be touching and ultimately satisfying.
Sharon, My sister, Christie, has the new Donna Andrews traveling to Ohio tomorrow. She knows it's coming.
Actually, although I have a stack of Christmas books, I would have been happy to keep them until December and read after Thanksgiving. I actually like Thanksgiving and fall, and I'm sorry to see it pushed out of the way.
Margie! I hope that sleepover is fun for the grandchildren and for you. Enjoy! I have Dead West, and I just haven't read it yet. I liked Matt Goldman's last book very much, and introduced others to his books. I'm sorry you couldn't settle into Osman's book. That happens, especially this year.
I'm still breathing. I'm struggling with work and everything else going on in the world. I think I need about a week with nothing going on. As it is, I'm not sure I'm even going to be able to take tomorrow off.
On the reading front, I should be finishing JANE DARROWFIELD AND THE MAD WOMAN NEXT DOOR by Barbara Ross today, which I am completely enjoying.
Safe travels, Lesa – and I sending hugs to you all. Have fun!
We're doing okay here. Some days I think we've adapted to our "new normal" and other days I want us to go buy a small RV and head across the country. Today is one of those RV days. If it were up to Donald, we would have done that already.
My reading has slowed conosiderably. Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin is the only book I've read this week. It started out very slow, but I'm so happy I stayed with it. It's a very poignant story with people missing cues, misunderstandings and miscommunication. The characters are all extremely well drawn, believable and sympathetic. I liked it lots.
Next up – the new Tara French.
Take care, everyone!
I rarely comment. Usually just enjoy reading the posts and comments, but thought I would say that I am about to begin reading a Mary Stewart omnibus which includes the titles: This Rough Magic, The Ivy Tree and Wildfire at Midnight. There had been some recommendations of this author's books in the comments of a previous What Are You Reading post. I was volunteering for a local Friends of the Library tailgate sale and found the book when I had a chance to browse and shop. It has been a challenging year and I am so grateful to hear about titles and authors to pose a healthy diversion. Many thanks!
I think of you often, Mark, and hope you're doing okay. I think the only break you get right now is a good book. Take care of yourself.
Kaye, I'll never be happy with this new normal – never. I want live theater with full audiences & live music with the ability to meet the performers. I'm so happy Linda made me stagedoor to meet Ramin Karimloo. "They" say no more stagedooring. You've seen the pictures with Byrne and Kelly. I don't know if we'll be able to do that kind of picture again.
I think you're mountain home is the perfect refuge from the "real world". That RVing might be a little dangerous right now, but I think the three of you would love it.
Sending hugs, Kaye.
Lil, I think Rosemary might have brought up Mary Stewart and then the rest of us talked about her as well. Some of those authors from the past are the perfect escape right now.
Things are okay, but we're still in fire season, so anything could happen.
Some Haunted Houses are opening, and I'm planning on hitting at least one, for some Halloween normalcy.
I read Killing Town, the lost first Mike Hammer mystery. It's pretty good, but lacks the power of I, The Jury or My Gun is Quick.
You're right, Glen. There's so little normalcy right now. That's why I'm going home to see my mother one more time in 2020. It feels normal at her house.
Christmas. Does. Not. Exist. In 2020, that is. We have decided to ignore (as much as humanly possible), the whole shebang. No tree, lights, or any decorations. No Christmas CDs, movies or any of it. I suspect the Wife May waffle on this, but I shall stand firm. We’ll see.
Reading MAIGRET HESITATES, which is slow going. I need something, anything, to happen!
Hope your visit goes well.
I totally get the Christmas does not exist this year concept, Rick. However, I'm going to be home more this year than most times, so I may do the tree, which I haven't done the last couple years.
I know what you mean about the Maigret book. I just read a Charles Todd Ian Rutledge one, and felt the same. Really slow-moving, although there was action.
Page 107 before a crime committed. Yawn.
Yawn is right.
I am finally going to start All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny. I have been waiting for some time so I could enjoy it….can't wait!
Yes, Tracey! I hope you comment on a Thursday after you finish the book. Love to know what you think.