Monday, April 4, 2022

What We're Reading


Some read, some in the wings

LUCY BURDETTE
: Dearest Reds, I hope you won’t think me dull for suggesting WHAT WE’RE READING for another Monday post! Even if you do, let’s go with it, because it’s my favorite day:). I’ve read some good ones lately… HONOR by Thrity Umrigar is a devastating novel set in modern day India, featuring an Indian-American woman sent to cover an assignment for her: a grisly crime in a village named Birwad on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border. Meena, a Hindu woman, and Abdul, a Muslim man, fell in love and married in defiance of the social proscription against interfaith marriage. Infuriated by the perceived dishonor she has caused to the family, Meena's brothers set them on fire in their home. There’s nothing light about this book, but it’s fascinating and well-written and shows sides of India that you might otherwise never see.


ALMOST FRENCH by Sarah Turnbull is the memoir of an Australian woman who falls for a Parisian man and moves to Paris to live with, and eventually, marry him. She describes the culture clash she experienced and her outsider's view of what makes French people French. Fed my Paris/France obsession until I can get back!


Alka Yoshi’s THE SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR, following her big hit THE HENNA ARTIST. This book is set on the gorgeous palette of India as well. Although Yoshi doesn’t shy away from conflicts of caste, family, and power, her books are less emotionally fraught than Umrigar’s.


I also finished Sarah Stewart Taylor’s second Maggie D’Arcy novel, A DISTANT GRAVE. Even better than the first one I think, and now I can’t wait for another trip to Ireland in the third in the series, coming in June. At this moment, I’m reading THESE PRECIOUS DAYS by Ann Patchett. Essays aren’t usually my reading of choice, but Patchett’s writing is beautiful and her insights deep.


Looking over that list, I think I’m yearning to get back to traveling. What are you reading Reds?



JENN McKINLAY: My favorite book this year (so far) is David Goggins’s CAN’T HURT ME. Hooligan 2 loved it, so now I’m listening to it and what an amazing memoir. It’s impacted me so much that H2 and I are planning to run a 5K together!


As for fiction, I enjoyed Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer a delightful romcom, featuring a king crab fisherman. I also adored an upcoming cozy mystery by Zac Bissonnette entitled A Killing in Costumes - Palm Springs and Hollywood collectibles - so fun!


And I’m reading Suze Orman’s Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+ - not fun, but informative! As a person who has always seat of the pantsed her life, it seemed like time to prepare for when the hooligans graduate school and Hubs and I are “free”!


DEBORAH CROMBIE: My absolute delight the last few weeks has been discovering S.J. Bennett's Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series. I admit I was a bit skeptical–the queen as a detective? But a page into the first novel, THE WINDSOR KNOT, and I was absolutely hooked. Then I had to read book #2, ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN, and now will be eagerly awaiting the next adventure featuring Her Majesty the Queen and her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, and the rest of the wonderful cast.


Also, I think I was the only person not to have read Richard Osman's THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, but have now remedied that, and have also read THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE. These are absolutely delightful.


Now I'm counting the days until the new Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London novel, AMONGST OUR WEAPONS, releases in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to see what's in store for Peter Grant and Thomas Nightingale in this one!


RHYS BOWEN: Lucy, I loved Almost French! So insightful as to how the French behave differently. I loved the scene when she goes to a dinner party and takes an hors d’oevre and gets looks of horror because you don’t start eating until everyone is present!

My latest book is Cara Black’s MURDER AT THE PORTE DE VERSAILLES. It’s #20 in the series, really good and suspenseful.


I’ve also read several non fiction biographies on WWII British women who became spies as I’ve sent my new heroine into horrible danger that I don’t really want to write about but have to!


HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: It’s so wonderful to be doing the live Crime Time interviews for A Mighty Blaze not only to talk to the authors, but because I get to read so many books early. I cannot begin to tell you how I felt when I read THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb. It’s truly life changing. 

 Lisa Scottoline’s WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS is pure Lisa; a fascinating story and an insightful look at justice and ethics. She is so great. Lisa Jewell’s THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED is amazing, a master class, so brilliant. And a book called MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS has just arrived, by Louise Hare. It looks amazing. 

And pleeeese do not miss THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY by Sulari Gentill. Completely meta and brilliant. I keep using the same words–amazing, brilliant. Well, they are what they are.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I've been on a British literary kick, courtesy of a friend who passed a whole bagful of books on to me. I haven't tackled the Booker Prize winner (those always seem more like homework than reading, to me) but I've been enjoying the very funny MAN AT THE HELM by Nina Stibble, the adventures of two prepubescent daughters who decide their divorced mother needs a new husband to be accepted in the small village to which they've relocated after Daddy ran off with Phil from the factory.


 IN A GOOD LIGHT by Clare Chambers is a lovely slice-of-life character study about two siblings living together that moves back and forth to explore their relationship with each other and their circle of friends. Siblings must be my unofficial theme, because the next on my TBR list is UNSETTLED GROUND, which promises to be akin to what might have happened if the sisters from We Have Always Lived in the Castle actually had to relocate and face real life (without, presumably the mass murder and fire.)


HALLIE EPHRON: I've been bogged down with trying to downsize our ridiculously massive collection of books, and took time off to read Flann O'Brien's (Brian O'Nolan) THE THIRD POLICEMAN. He also wrote AT SWIM-TWO-BIRDS.) It was written in 1939 but not published until after the author died in the late sixties.

It's unlike anything I've read. Glorious language. Tongue planted in cheek. I'm taking it slowly in small doses.


HANK: I love how our reading is so different….!

LUCY: I love that too, Hank! And now Reds, we can't wait to hear what you're reading!

117 comments:

  1. What have I read lately?
    Amy McCulloch’s “Breathless;” J.E. Rowney’s “Other People’s Lives;” J.D. Robb’s “Abandoned in Death;” Jeffrey B. Burton’s “The Lost,” the third in his Mace Reed K-9 series; Erica Ferencik’s “Girl in Ice;” Rick Mofina’s “Her Last Goodbye;” Karen Cleveland’s “The New Neighbor” . . . .

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    1. Oh, I thought Girl in Ice was so brilliant--she made up that language, can you believe it?

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    2. It was an amazing, couldn't-put-it-down book. Just incredible . . . .

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    3. These posts are so bad for my budget! I just ordered Girl in Ice--it sounds fabulous!

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    4. I've been meaning to read GIRL IN ICE as well - what a concept, and I love books set in cold weather. Now I'm cross we don't all live close enough together to swap books!

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  2. Lucy, I'm glad you enjoyed A DISTANT GRAVE as well. I really do need to get the ARC for the third from Netgalley.

    Jenn, best of luck with the 5K. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

    Last week, I got to read ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME by James Riley. For some reason, my pre-order was sent me to two weeks before this Tuesday's official release date. Not that I complained, mind you. It's a middle grade fantasy set in the world of mashed up fairytales, and it's lots of fun.

    No, I'm working on #FollowMe for Murder by Sarah E. Burr, which I'm enjoying as well.

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  3. I'm struggling again with reading, but yesterday I started BAYOU BOOK THIEF by Ellen Byron, the first book in her new Vintage Cookbook series, coming in June 2022.

    Jenn, good luck with the 5k.

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    1. DRU: Sorry you are still struggling, I am also having problems reading. I also have an ARC of BAYOU BOOK THIEF to read later this month.

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    2. I hate to hear you two voracious readers are struggling! Glad you reminded me about Ellen's new series...

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    3. Add me to the list of those struggling. I think it's a symptom of something larger -- I have had the feeling that as we come out of pandemic restrictions, every single part of life just feels a little harder. But at least I am still reading -- just less than usual.

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    4. For me it's been TV, I just can't watch! Books, I am either reading or listening.

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    5. Focusing is still very hard. I'm trying to retrain my brain. I've been having good results with audio books; I recommend them to everyone who can't seem to sit down and get lost in a physical book.

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    6. Dru, I’m struggling, too. I’m alternating between rereading old favorites, and reading new books. I’m also watching a lot of Netflix, BritBox, and Acorn TV. I decided this weekend to hold off on reading more serious books for a little while.


      DebRo

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  4. Wow all of these reads sound so good. I have been having a good year and have read many good books there have been few that I have sent out to friends to see if they like. I enjoy reading and then reviewing the book as I relive the plot all over again which is quite nice as sometimes you get a book and you never want it to end. peggy clayton

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    1. It's so true Peggy. You know it's a good book when you feel sad to leave that world at the end...

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  5. Current reads are focusing on authors going to LCC2022. I finished reading Mick Herron's SLOW HORSES on my flight to Denver. Herron is international GOH at ABQ LCC. I am enjoying Mia Manansala's ARSENIC AND ADOBO. I have a LCC author-reader meetup with her (& Raquel Reyes) on Thursday morning. And I am looking forward to reading Glen Erik Hamilton's newest Van Shaw mystery, ISLAND OF THIEVES.

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    1. I enjoyed Mia's book Grace. Have a fabulous time at LCC!

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    2. Do you know if the book Slow Horses has anything to do with the TV series, Grace?

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    3. Oh, Grace, you will have to be our intrepid reporter from LCC! We cannot wait to hear all about it!

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    4. Karen, yes, the TV series is based on the book!

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    5. Karen, yes Slow Horses on Apple+ TV is based on the book. There are 12 episodes according to imdb. Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott Thomas are in the series.

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    6. Lucy & Hank: Thanks! I will report on LCC happenings.

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    7. I absolutely loved Slow Horses and all its sequels! I was thrilled to learn they were making a series, then so disappointed to learn it was on Apple+, a service to which we don't subscribe. But I figure eventually, all TV becomes available at a price.

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    8. On a fun note, the narrator of my books, Gerard Doyle, also reads the Mick Herron Slow Horses series.

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    9. Oh, and I loved Island of Thieves.

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    10. Have so much fun in Albuquerque, Grace!

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    11. DEBS: I listened to the Slow Horses audiobook, and liked Gerard Doyle as narrator.
      DEAUN: Looking forward to LCC ABQ, which starts on Thursday.

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  6. So many titles, so little time! I'm reading Ann Parker's latest, THE SECRET IN THE WALL. Next up is LIKE A SISTER by Kellye Garrett, Edwin Hill's new THE SECRETS WE SHARE, and the delightful-sounding CHEDDAR OFF DEAD, a debut novel by New Englander Korina Mos. (Some of the Wicked Authors and I met Korina at a library talk maybe eight years ago and she said she had written a cozy mystery. She put in the hard work to revise it and learn, and finally landed both an agent and a book contract!)

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    1. EDITH: I loved reading Kellye's and Edwin's books...you're in for a treat!

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    2. I read Korina's book and loved it.

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    3. I forgot Sherry Harris's THREE SHOTS TO THE WIND - also top on my stack!

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    4. Oh no, now I need to add all of those to my stack...

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  7. I recently finished Sherry Harris's THREE SHOTS TO THE WIN and Emilya Naymark's HIDE IN PLACE and BEHIND THE LIE.

    I have four books to read for reviews for Mystery Scene. I finished the ARC for Jack Carr's IN THE BLOOD and submitted a review. I'm working on John Sandford's THE INVESTIGATOR and then it will be Leonard Goldberg's THE BLUE DIAMOND and Christopher Reich's ONCE A THIEF.

    Plus I've got to read Dennis Palumbo's PANIC ATTACK and I won a copy of Joyce St. Anthony's FRONT PAGE NEWS that I want to read soon too.

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  8. Ellen Crosby's two Sophie Medina mystery/thrillers, MULTIPLE EXPOSURE and GHOST IMAGE, and Liane Moriarty's APPLES NEVER FALL.

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    1. Ellen's a good friend of the Reds--I have her books on my stack too!

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  9. I really enjoy seeing what everyone is reading, Lucy, so I'm always up for a What We're Reading post!

    I have Ann Patchett's book of essays on my bedside shelf and am enjoying it immensely. On Saturday, I roared through How to Save a Life, an oral history of the enduring TV show Grey's Anatomy. I loved it. I also power-read my way through Shonda Rhimes' memoir of Year of Yes, an interesting glimpse into how she stepped into her own light and power and felt like a new woman for doing it. (Rhimes is the creator of Grey's Anatomy and, among other hit series, Bridgerton.) I rounded out my weekend reading with the story of the Hadhad family, Syrian refugees to Nova Scotia who founded the immensely successful Peace by Chocolate business; heartwarming story of ordinary people helping newcomers build a new life in Canada. [Today I have to catch up on the laundry having ignored all domestic chores over the weekend in favour of reading!]

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    1. thanks for the vote of confidence, Amanda. I finished the Ann Patchett last night--so excellent. I can't recommend it enough.

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    2. I hadn't heard of YEAR OF YES, Amanda, but I'm putting it on my list right now. I can use all the inspiration I can get!

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    3. Amanda, I just read the first essay in the Ann Patchett book, "Three Fathers," and I thought it was wonderful. Of course, I'm a long-time Ann Patchett fan. However, I haven't, except for the first essay, read These Precious Days. I will rectify that. Thanks for reminding me.

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  10. Debs, I loved THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE.

    My last mystery was CLAWS OF THE CAT, the first Shinobi mystery from Susan Spann. I'd read several later books in the series, but somehow missed the first.

    Right now I'm reading WINTER'S HEART, book 9 in the WHEEL OF TIME series. Only five more to go after this one.

    Next up will be either LIKE A SISTER from Kellye Garrett or MURDER KNOCKS TWICE from Susanna Calkins, depending on my mood.

    All of this while bingeing GAME OF THRONES at night with The Hubby. I think we're the last two people on the planet to watch it.

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    1. Oh no Liz, because I haven't seen G of T either. And don't think I will!

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    2. This, I have to say I absolutely loved Game of Thrones. Love love. Except for a couple of scenes which I wish I had not seen. Gah. But I thought it was so brilliant.

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    3. You are not the last, Liz, and like Lucy, I don't plan to watch it.

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    4. Nope, you're nor the last. Never seen GOT.

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    5. I read the Game of Thrones series years ago, and saw maybe two episodes of the first season when it first came out and wasn't really interested in watching the rest. I guess I prefer the sex and violence to be words on the page. I wonder if Martin will ever finish the final volume?

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    6. Huge Game of Thrones TV show fan here. The last season had a couple of good episodes but otherwise, they failed to nail the ending.

      And Gillian B, George R.R. Martin has TWO books to finish the book series and it's been more than five years since the last book came out. He's NEVER going to finish it.

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    7. I can't really blame the man. He's 73, he's sitting on millions - I'd slack off and enjoy retirement too, if I were him. What GRRM should do is find another fantasy writer in his vein, hand him or her his plot notes and idea, and let someone else wrap up the story lines in a better way than that disappointing last season.

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    8. I think Martin was asked in an interview if he'd ever finish the books and his answer was a categorical "No." From what I've heard, he described how he intended to end it to the showrunners/writers and they finished it.

      Jay and Julia, I've heard that from multiple people. We are at the beginning of season 8, so it'll be interesting if we feel the same.

      There is a lot of sex and gore. But if you can ignore that, the writing is really quite compelling. I never intended to watch it, but The Boy kept badgering The Hubby. I still didn't intend on watching, but then I got sucked in.

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    9. Liz, the show got ahead of the books after Season 5 so George R.R. Martin has no one to blame but himself.

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    10. Loved GOT until the final season… :(

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  11. As of tomorrow I'll be reading The Thursday Murder Club for book club this week. I've had it for awhile because of all your recommendations, just hadn't gotten around to it.

    The last book club book is still clattering around in my mind, Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. So much to unpack from it--we had the best book club discussion ever about that read.

    Because of someone's recommendation I listened to West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge, and it's as wonderful as advertised. Incredible story, based on true events, and well told. I also recommend Rules for Visiting by Jessica Frances Kane.

    Lately I've been bingeing a new-to-me series by CJ Archer about magicians in Victorian England. The first is The Watchmaker's Daughter. Interesting characters, and the author does a good job with the time period.

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    1. Thanks for CJ Archer recommendation, Karen. So many books by an author I've never heard of before!

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    2. Karen, I hope you enjoy The Thursday Murder Club. I'm loving that series. I would have liked to sit in on your book club's discussion of The Midnight Library. As you say, there's so much to unpack about it. I still have West with Giraffes on my TBR list and hope to get to it soon. Like Debs, I'll have to check out the CJ Archer books, as magicians in Victorian England sounds like something I'd want to read.

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  12. So honored to see my book here, Lucy! Thank you for including it. I'm reading the new Donna Leon right now and enjoying being back in Venice. I am also having so much fun rereading Julia's books since (!) lucky me, I get to do her Guest of Honor interview at Malice Domestic. Millers Kill isn't exactly like Venice, but I am loving traveling back there just as much. Thanks for all of these terrific recs, Jungle Reds!

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    1. , That is so exciting! Cannot wait to see you… And what it an interview that will be —hooray!

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    2. I cannot wait for the next book in your series. I loved the first two!!

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    3. I, too, have absolutely loved the first two and eagerly await the third!

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    4. Also looking forward to reading Sarsh's next book. Love this series.

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    5. I feel like reading Donna Leon's books is as comfortable as putting on a beloved pair of slippers. Paola's always there with insights and affection, but Brunetti is continually faced with unsatisfactory conclusions to his cases. It has to take a lot of family love, Italian homecooking and excellent colleagues to keep Brunetti going. That said, I loved Do Unto Others. I also just finished Martin Walker's latest Bruno book--a compilation of short stories. Usually I am not a big fan of short stories, but I vastly enjoyed this volume.

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    6. Sarah, I can't wait for your new book!!

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  13. Lucy, I love "what we're reading day." I have been listening as much as reading. Many of the books I choose from Audible, are books I've read before but would love to read again. It's a pleasure to listen while doing stuff around the house or even errands around town. I've been making my way through Debs's series and just listened to Necessary as Blood and No Mark Upon Her. I also listened to the first two Lane Winslow books by Iona Whishaw and am just listening to the first Deanna Raybourn Veronica Speedwell. Delightful. (I also listen to sexy romances, and I will not include them in my list. I have to turn them off if Irwin walks in the kitchen...they are explicitly sexy.)

    I read Rogue Asset, Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson's continuation of the W. E. B. Griffin series and it was so much fun. (Not a cozy!!) I read Maddie Day's (Edith's) Grilled for Murder (love this series) and am making my way through that series and the Cape Cod Book Club series, too. Love and Saffron by Kim Fay, which I highly recommend. I then devoured the first two romances by Sarah Morgenthaler (The Tourist Attraction and Mistletoe and Mr. Right) set in Moose Springs, Alaska and have the third one waiting on my Kindle. Just terrific storytelling, laugh out loud situations and fabulous, unique, over-the-top characters. I cannot recommend this enough. If you are feeling a bit low, these books are the cure. NOT COZIES.

    I read Death at the Finish Line by Alexis Morgan, the 5th Abby McCree and have enjoyed this series which I caught up on very quickly. Also, since everyone was talking about Diane Mott Davidson, I read the second book in her series, Dying for Chocolate. Last Friday, I finished Beach Read by Emily Henry, which I read because I loved The People You Meet on Vacation. Her characters do a great deal of introspection and lots of "figuring it out," so women's fiction? Not romance? The stories are very good. Last but not least, I am in the middle of Rhys and Clare's Wild Irish Rose, a seamless continuation of Molly Murphy mysteries.

    Next up, I have a pile of books that were gifts, and I must read them this month.

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    1. Thank you so much, Judy! I also loved Wild Irish Rose.

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    2. JUDY: Happy you are enjoying Diane Mott Davidson's books.

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    3. Grace, you are on my mind every minute! I hope you are having a great time! If you haven't read the Sarah Morgenthaler Moose Springs romances, DO! LOL

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    4. Yes I am having fun exploring Canyon Road galleries and a gourmet chocolate shop this morning, and had yummy fish tacos with NM green chile for lunch. Planning to meet up with BOLO's Kristopher Z for HH and dinner 2nite.

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    5. Judy, I will tell Brian instantly! He will be SO thrilled!

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  14. All my books from the library seemed to come through at the same time. I just finished Flights by Olga Tokarczuk for book group. It's beautiful and deep and I may need to read it again. I am in the middle of Sharon Kay Penman's A King's Ransom (which I was able to renew) and just started Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (which I won't be able to renew). I also recently finished (and loved!) Fiona Hill's There is Nothing for You Here..the actual quote from her dad was, "There is nothing for you here, pet," which took my right back to my north-of-England dad. Her book is an amazing and insightful look at opportunity and who has it and who doesn't in the UK, the US, and Russia.

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  15. Lucy, "what we're reading day" is always one of my very favorites!

    The only one I will highlight today is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslein Charles. It is a wonderful book with a primary storyline set in Paris before and during WWII, with a strong secondary story set in Montana in the 1980's. It was one of those books where I thought about the story when I was away from it and continued to wonder what happened to the characters even after I had finished it.

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    1. thanks Susan! I have that book on my pile and I've been saving it for a time I can really concentrate on it. A good friend said she envies me so much having it to look forward to!

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    2. My daughter just read that and loved it.

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  16. Oh, this is wonderful. Thursday Murder Club is next up on my TBR. I'm desperately trying to work my way through my Kindle backlog. I just finished Kathi Daley's latest Finding Motive. The Rescue Alaska series is one of my favorites and this one does not disappoint.

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    1. Me too on the Thursday Murder Club! But I've about given up on my ebook reading backlog, because I keep adding and never read on my nice mini ipad:(.

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  17. This winter I’ve had trouble concentrating on reading again, so my reading is going slowly. The war in Ukraine has hit me really hard. There’s not an ounce of Ukrainian blood in me; however, I went to a Ukrainian Catholic high school in the sixties, where students and teachers had family ties to Ukraine. Some were born there. And I’m finally starting to process my brother’s unexpected death last fall. This weekend I made the decision to postpone reading anything serious, and pull out my old favorites. The book I recently finished reading is Jacqueline Winspear’s memoir, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR WE’LL BE LAUGHING, and I highly recommend it. It’s definitely NOT light reading, but it was so hard to put down. I marvel at all that she has overcome in her life.

    DebRo

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    1. DebRo, your brother was a big loss. And Ukraine is a loss for all of us--I can see why it's hit you hard. My best friend in college is descended from Ukrainian immigrants so this war is unthinkable.

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  18. I love 'What We're Reading Day"--always get a cramp from writing down all the great suggestions for new books. I've binged on Cathy Ace's WISE Women series--lots of fun! Also Ellery Adams' Secret, Book, & Scone Society series. Rhys and Clare's first Molly collaboration, Alexander McCall Smith's latest in the 44 Scotland Street series, Love in the Time of Bertie; Charlie Mackesy's The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Trying to read All Creatures Great and Small. All of Ursula K. LeGuin's delightful Catwings books (they're also available in a Spanish translation); Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari; also nonfiction IMMUNE by Philipp Dettmer.

    Waiting for a bunch of new titles, including the next in Iona Winshaw's series and Anne Hillerman's The Sacred Bridge.

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  19. I wholeheartedly agree with Deb about SJ Bennett's mysteries involving Queen Elizabeth 2--I'm reading and marveling over the second in the series right now. Other recent terrific reads (mostly ARCs, as NetGalley is being nice to me lately): Flying Solo by Linda Holmes (couldn't wait for her second novel after Evvie Drake Starts Over), Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen (first one from the author in seven years and well worth waiting for!), Nora Goes OFf Script by Annabel Monaghan, Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst, The Hidden One by Linda Castillo, The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams.

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    1. I'm dying to read that Linda Holmes, as I too loved Evie Drake. I will wait for the real book though.

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    2. Thank you, Margie! I didn't know that Linda Holmes or Sarah Addison Allen had new books out. Now I'm looking forward to both of them.

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  20. Reading is my solace and escape in these sad days.
    Dialogues of Death by Reginald Hill. Superb
    Gwendy’s Final Task by Stephen King. Great as always
    The Dickens Boy by Thomas Keneally. *****
    On earth we were briefly gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. Pure poetry
    Like a Sister by Kelley Garrett. Oh my!
    A Change of Circumstance by Susan Hill. Currently reading another Simon Serrailler. Great as ever. Love this series.
    And last but not least, The Temple House. Superb plotting, writing, and a zinger of a denouement. Now if I could only remember the author. Don’t go away. I’ll be back write the name.

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    1. The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donahue. I suggest you read this followed by Reginald Hill’s Dialogues of Death. Similar but different approaches. Saying more would involve spoilers.

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    2. thanks for all the great suggestions Ann! It's so interesting that sad days cause some of us to read more, and some can't read at all...

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    3. Reginald Hill always bears reading and rereading!

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    4. Maybe there's some kind of "conservation of pages" going on - Ann you're reading more, me less. Hugs.

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    5. Okay, Ann--always trust the nurse! The Temple House Vanishing, followed by Dialogues of the Dead now waiting on my Kindle.

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    6. Reginald Hill is always worth rereading! Thanks for the prompt, Ann. And if you need cheering, do check out the SJ Bennett books. My only complaint is that there are only two!

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    7. Windsor Knot ordered.
      Stay tuned.
      Film at eleven

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    8. Hallie, I’m reading more because I’m spending more time in bed. Bit of “walking pneumonia”, which doesn’t allow for much of anything, much less walking. Much love to you

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  21. So many great books mentioned! Lucy I loved HONOR also, though as you said it is not a light read. Also: Sarah Stewart Taylor's books and Richard Osman's - can't wait for the next ones. I am reading The Sentence by Louise Erdrich.
    I always love when you do a "What are You Reading?" Blog because I always get such good suggestions!

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  22. So many wonderful suggestions! My list grows longer and longer. Last week I read French Braid by Anne Tyler. The story meandered over 70 years, mostly with characters from the same family. It's the sort of book that I keep thinking about; little memories pop into my head and the story continues.

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    1. For sure that's the mark of a great book... Love Anne Tyler's work. Still remember reading The Accidental Tourist and being blown away. The guy who takes showers wearing his clothes so then he doesn't have to wash them? Classic.

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    2. That one remains my favorite of all of hers!

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  23. I just finished A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear. Earlier I enjoyed Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer; The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee; Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle; A Vineyard Wedding by Jean Stone; The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery; Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner.

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  24. It's interesting to see how our reading lists overlap and diverge!! I've also read the new Ellen Crosby, BITTER ROOTS, which is so good. (And she'll be visiting the blog next week.) And I reread her two Sophie Medina books, MULTIPLE EXPOSURE and GHOST IMAGE, which have been rereleased, and they are just as terrific as I remembered. And I'm now reading Catriona McPherson's THE MIRROR DANCE, to catch up on the Dandy Gilver's so that I can read the latest!

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    1. Deborah,

      Me too! I am reading Catriona McPherson's THE MIRROR DANCE too. Thank you for reminding me. I am currently reading multiple books.

      Diana

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  25. Wow! I am so late coming here! I have been busy writing mini book reviews of so many books for NetGalley.

    There are MANY wonderful book recommendations from Jungle Reds and commentors! I am adding these books to my already long list of books to read.

    Loved THE HENNA ARTIST by Alka Joshi and I have been meaning to read the SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR (sp?)

    Someone mentioned VIOLIN CONSPIRACY. I read an advanced copy of the novel. Coming from a family of musicians, I loved the book.

    April is also Deaf Awareness? History ? month.

    Here is a partial list of books that I have been reading:

    - THE SIGN FOR HOME (coming of age story, not a cozy mystery) ARC
    - THE VANISHING TYPE by Ellery Adams (advanced reading copy)
    - RULES FOR ENGAGING AN EARL - ARC (historical romance)

    - A SUNLIT WEAPON (Maisie Dobbs #17) by Jacqueline Winspear

    - LOST COAST LITERARY (stand alone novel) by Ellie Alexander

    Diana

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  27. Oh, I love the posts where everyone shares what they're reading. I see several I've read and loved in the Reds' comments and the commenters' lists. Debs, I got the UK edition of the second S.J. Bennett book. It's entitle A Three Dog Problem, a title I get a kick out of, and I like the UK cover better, too.

    My reading has been filled with great stories lately. Two of those recent reads were "fit-ins," books that weren't on my list, but ones that I came across by luck. The first is Widowland by C.J. Carey (otherwise known as British author Jane Thynee) and is a alternative history thriller. The UK, focusing on England here, did not go to war with Germany for a WWII clash but instead signed on to become part of The Alliance, a German ruled organization of countries that included France and Austria. It is as nightmarish as you can imagine, with the Germans implementing a caste system for women and banning or altering literature, art, and music. There is so much fact behind the fiction here, such as Himmler's Bride Schools and certain atrocities. Here's my review, because I want to say so much more about this book to you all. https://www.readingroom-readmore.com/2022/03/widowland-by-cj-carey-reading-room.html

    The book I just finished is by a German author, and I'm trying to think if I've read any other German authors. I came across it through a friend of mine who has it up for her book club discussion. It's Dear Child by Romy Hausmann, and it is an intense journey through one woman's abduction by a man, imprisonment in a cabin, and escape from that cabin. And, that's just the beginning of the story. A huge twist that you cannot see coming. I'm working on the review now.

    Also on the list of recent great reads are The Water's Dead by Catherine Lea, Locked Room by Elly Griffiths, The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf, and Murder in Immunity by Anne Cleeland. My reviews are up for these, except for Anne's, on The Reading Room blog. I'm finishing up Murder in Immunity review today.

    Now, what I've started and will be reading in the next few weeks. First of all, I apologize to Rhys and Lucy for not having read their two latest. They are on for April, so I'll start with those. I'll be reading the latest Molly Murphy by Rhys and her daughter Clare, Wild Irish Rose. I'll also be reading Unsafe Haven by Lucy (Lucy, I swear I don't know how this book fell through the cracks on me.) I will also be reading Bricks and Bones by J.D. Allen, The Corpse with the Turquoise Toes by Cathy Ace, The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James, A Three Dog Problem (All the Queen's Men) by S.J. Bennett, Under Lock and Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian, Booth by Karen Joy Fowler, and A Harmless Lie by Sara Blaedel.

    I have to mention one more book. I just started a non-fiction book, which I can usually read while I'm reading a fiction book. I can't read two fiction books at a time. Anyway, this non-fiction book is entitled Bone Deep: Untangling the Twisted True Story of the Tragic Betsy Faria Murder Case. It's written by the defense attorney for Betsy's husband, Joel Schwartz and co-author Charles Bosworth, Jr. I am watching the NBC TV show about this case, "The Thing About Pam," starring Renee Zellweger, and it is fascinating. Renee Z. is fabulous in her role as Pam Hupp, the actual murderer who tells outrageous lies and gets the police to focus on Betsy's husband. Tomorrow night is a new episode on NBC, but you can also stream it the day after the new episode on Hulu, or you can catch up on all the previous episodes that way.

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    1. Oh, so eager to watch The Thing About Pam. I keep forgetting.

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  28. Count me in on those who love the 'what we're reading' days--so many new suggestions. Off to get The Temple House Vanishing for the Kindle. Right now, I'm reading Murder By Matchlight by E. C. R. Lorac and The Book of Forgotten Authors by Christopher Fowler. Some are mystery authors, some less forgotten than others (Margery Allingham) and some who could likely stay forgotten (V. C. Andrews--Flowers in the Attic, ring any bells?)But it's fun to dip into and I've been a long time Fowler fan, even if some of the last few Bryant and May novels had me crying at the end. Also, I finally finished Lauren Groff's Matrix. Not a mystery, by really good. In audio, I'm listening to Peter Lovesey's The Circle and Barbara Ross' Jane and the Madwoman Next Door. And so many more things to look forward to!
    Happy reading, all!
    -Melanie

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