LUCY BURDETTE: Probably because I finished the draft of the short story I was working on as well as the murder mystery for the library, and because I was sick of course, I had more time to read this week. I feel so lucky (and I know you guys do too) to have talented writing friends from this blog and beyond whose books I savor. But once I’d torn through the three new ones from Jenn, Rhys and Julia, what could be next?
“I’ve got nothing to read,” I said to John. He just laughed.
Since our library book sale season is coming up, I took this as a sign to sort through my stacks to cull out ones that, to be honest, I will never read or reread, and try a few others that I’d set aside for some reason. One of those was Fly Girl by Ann Hood. She was a guest speaker for our Friends of the Key West Library series last spring, along with her husband Michael Ruhlman. They were so lovely! Fly Girl tells the story of Ann’s years training and working as a stewardess with Pan Am. It may sound like an odd topic, but it was really fascinating and she’s a wonderful writer so I highly recommend. Then I picked up The Family Chao, about a family of Chinese immigrants with three sons who have settled in a small town in Wisconsin and are running a Chinese restaurant. It was beautifully written, but I had to skim through parts of it because their lives were so grim. I’ll probably think about it for a long time. For something lighter, I moved on to Jenny Colgan’s Secret Christmas Library. It’s a perfect Christmas read, with people snowed into a castle in northern Scotland with hundreds of thousands of old books as they hunt for the one that might be worth enough to save this estate. Very much fun and on point for the season.
Next I turned to my dusty iPad to open my Kindle app because you know and I know I have hundreds of books waiting there. I’ve been wanting to read The Correspondent forever. But I was thwarted because I’d let the charge die, so I had to turn back to a paper book. I dug out Lizzie and Dante by Mary Bly. I wondered if this was one of the books that Debs recommended? I often follow her lead when it comes to women’s fiction. I’ll keep you posted on that--so far I love it.
What are you guys reading? Anything out of your usual lane?
***By the way, SUSAN is the winner of Ellen Byron's Crescent City Christmas Chaos! Please email me at raisleib at gmail dot com and we'll arrange the drop...
What am I reading now? I just finished "Storm Warning," James Byrne's latest Dez Limerick thriller and now I'm reading "Storm Tide," a Mike Bowditch mystery by Paul Doiron . . . .
ReplyDeleteToday I bought Laurie Gwen Shapiro’s
ReplyDelete“The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon” And I cannot wait to read it, but I have to wait till I finish my copy edits!
And after that, Hank, you might want to read A Case for the Ladies, featuring Amelia as an amateur sleuth in her earlier Boston years!
DeleteThat sounds fascinating! Earhart was a women’s councilor at Purdue - she must have been such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI just finished WINE AND WAR about France during WWII - so interesting. Next up, A BLOOMY HEAD by J Winifred Butterworth, a Regency cheese maker romance.
DeleteI "accidentally" started Patrick O'Brian's MASTER AND COMMANDER a few weeks ago. It was a book sale paperback that had been on my shelves for over a decade, waiting for me. I had fallen asleep during the movie and thought I had no interest. I'd only picked up the book because I knew it was the first in a famous history series. Eleven books later I'm deep in the world of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin and already mourning that there are only twenty. However, soon I will reach the (unfinished) end and will get back to my regularly scheduled program. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wild story Selden. My husband and his brother read all of those. On one trip, that's what they brought to listen to, with me in the back seat *dying*. Not my cup of tea!
DeleteLove the "accidentally"--I have been intending to read the series for years. Have the 1st few so encouraged to dig them out from the shelves and finally start. Marjorie
DeleteMarjorie, I'm a Revolutionary War researcher and have bought about a dozen Royal Navy captains' logs from the National Archives in Kew. One pays by the page so I just buy certain sections of most of them. I'm very interested in ships plying Long Island Sound during the war and their observations of rebel activity. To understand the logs, a friend suggested a wonderful book called THE WOODEN WORLD: An Anatomy of the Georgian Navy, by N.A.M. Rodgers. It's very readable and in fact was blurbed by Patrick O'Brian himself. Having read it, the O'Brian books are much more understandable. (Though my eye slides over most of the rigging and sailing details.) Good luck with the books!
DeleteRoberta, I'm laughing, picturing you suffering in the back seat. I feel that way about most of the books my book group chooses. (Selden)
Thank you for the suggestion of The Wooden World. Ilike to read nonfiction related to the fiction I am reading. I had not started the O'Brian series because I worried about understanding them--I think I will easily understsnd them, it was just a matter of finding the time. Nevertheless, I will read the book you suggested. Marjorie
DeleteNot reading out of my usual lane as I am barely reading in it. Working on For Duck’s sake by Donna Andrews with her new Christmas one, Five Golden Wings, waiting in the wings. I still have the whole stack of books I acquired at The Friends and Fiction Official Book Club 5th anniversary event in Atlanta last August patiently waiting. I did pull out some favorite children’s holiday books that are must-reads, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons, Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, and Polar Express. There is a new Mr. Willowby’s book out published from a manuscript and sketches that were found. Mr. Willowby’s Head Over Heels Christmas. I need to get a copy!
ReplyDeleteI don't know Mr. Willowby--must hunt that one down.
DeleteI've just finished the third in a string of books by Maine authors featuring police officers - not a cozy among them! Bruce Coffin's Crimson Thaw, first in his Detective Justice series was a great read. I've already fan-girled about Julia's new book, and last night I finished Those Who Choose Evil, the latest Joe Burgess mystery by Kate Flora. I've loved that series with a Portland homicide detective for years, and the new book might be the best so far. So they're crime fiction, but all run darker than my usual reading without being terrifying thrillers.
ReplyDeleteEdith “not a cozy among them” made me smile. On some weird “recommended books” list Julia’s Clare and Russ mysteries were called “cozy”…Think this is why I resist “genre” classifying beyond Fiction and Non-Fiction! Elisabeth
DeleteElisabeth, the person who classified Julia's series as "cozy" has either 1) no understanding of the term "cozy" or 2) never read any of her books. I get irritated by such blatant "know-it-alls"!
DeleteI have been trying to dip my toe back into reading fantasy but so far I've managed to finish just one book. And while it was a decent enough story, it was longgggg. It has two more books in the series and I don't know if I'm going to be able to muster up enough enthusiasm to read them. I had taken out a couple books from the library and bought a few at a recent book sale, but I think my renewed interest in the fantasy genre is turning out to be a passing fancy.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I've got enough stuff in the mystery world to keep me busy as it is. I'm working on the Donna Andrews book THE TWELVE JAYS OF CHRISTMAS currently. But there's James R. Benn's A BITTER WIND, Michael Connelly's THE PROVING GROUND, Kate Dyer-Seeley's SLAYED ON THE SLOPES, Rachel Ekstrom Courage's MURDER BY CHEESECAKE, Bruce Robert Coffin's CRIMSON THAW.
And I still have to work in the already selected Mystery Book Club titles for January and February. January's book is Deborah Crombie's THE SOUND OF BROKEN GLASS and February's book is Leslie Meier's IRISH PARADE MURDER.
I don't know where I'll find the time but I do hope to get to all of these in due course.
Jay, The Sound of Broken Glass is one of Deb's most compelling mysteries. It was the first book of hers that I read and I immediately sought out and started reading the series from book #1 !
DeleteI’ve been enjoying the large number of novellas in the SFF genre. The shorter length is perfect sometimes.
DeleteHave you read THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett? I liked the blend of mystery and fantasy (but not a novella).
Hi Lisa. I was fascinated by The Tainted Cup--full of interesting characters and excellent world-building. I've read the second in the series (not quite as good as the first, in my opinion, but definitely worth reading), and I've just pre-ordered the third, due out mid-2026, as I remember.
DeleteThank you, Judy! And hope you enjoy, Jay!
DeleteI just finished Michael Crichton's THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, the only book of his I had not previously read. I really don't know why I put off reading this one. It's half a crime caper with a very i9nteresting protagonist and half a fascinating history of London life -- the highs and lows -- during the 1850s. A thoroughly enjoyable book. I've also started Terry Shames' Samuel Craddock mysteries. I've been reading them in order and just finished the fourth in the series, A DEADLY AFFAIR AT BOBTAIL RIDGE. An addictive series. Currently reading Gary Lovisi's collections of articles about crime, mystery, and noir paperbacks; his fanboy enthusiasm for the paperbacks of the 40s, 50s, and 60s is catching. Saving Jenn's WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGINS for my Christmas reading.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see someone else reading the Samuel Craddock series. I think it is a very underappreciated series. I have been reading the series since the beginning and always look forward to the newest one.
DeleteMarjorie
I, too, love the Samuel Craddock series. I think I have read them all. I started from the beginning, as I always prefer to do.
DeleteI also love the Samuel Craddock series but am only a few books in. There are lots of great stories out there and choosing my next book is sometimes a task for Solomon.
DeleteI just finished reading the third book in Amy Barry's McBride brothers series. If you love books that make you laugh, I cannot say enough about how much fun these stories are! They are romances and there is some spice, but it should be fine for most.
ReplyDeleteI read Annette's latest Detective Honeywell,, The Devil Comes Calling. I loved it, great mystery, great characters!
I read Jenn's Witches and loved it. Once again she's created the most wonderful characters.
My current read is Rhys's From Cradle to Grave. I am a huge fan of this series.
Next up will be Julia's new book and then Sarah Stewart Taylor's latest which Irwin is reading first. I have the first book in Bruce Coffin's new series that I bought at Crime Bake. I hope to read all of them this month.
‘Tis the season: I am working my way through my box of Christmas Books. As the box gets near capacity next December I’ll have to cull or begin in November. So grateful for my reading life. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI just finished Richard Osman's latest and the start of a new series, "We Solve Murders." It's got a trio of sleuths that include a best-selling mystery author Rosie D'Antonio who is elderly, sexy, and hilarious. Right in my "lane" as it were... But I'm also reading a super dark as yet unpublished work that is giving me nightmares. In a good way. I'm rooting for this writer to score big and hoping I'll be able to talk about her debut novel soon.
ReplyDeleteWe Solve Murders is a lot of fun!
DeleteRecently read Edam and Weep by Linda Reilly, The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves, A Christmas Witness (novella) by Charles Todd, and A Rage of Souls by Chris Nickson, a very favorite author--have read all of his series
ReplyDelete. Also continuing to read the Inspector Banks series by Robinson. Marjorie
I never heard of Chris Nickson. I just looked him up and see that he has different series set at different points in history. I'll try one--maybe medieval to start with!
DeleteKim, I recommend starting with the Richard Nottingham series. I started with that series and it is still my favorite series. Marjorie
DeleteI started to read the classic East of Eden by Steinbeck. What a powerful writer. Loved his description of the Salinas Valley in California.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting a genre new to me - not sure what it is called though! The title is Guided: The Path to an Illuminated Life by Laura Lynne Jackson. She's a trained medium, it's not something I would normally read, but it has lots of interesting things to think through.
At my public library last month I discovered, new to me author Brianna Labuskes with a translated copy of The Boxcar Librarian. I loved the story and the writing of this author. I must admit that the titles including library or books are very attractive to me.
ReplyDeleteIt was the only book of Brianna in our library but they found me two others from the network of other’s. So I enjoyed The Lost Book of Bonn and The librarian of Burned Books.
And, between the Amazon First Reads of December month was Her Beautiful Life. I downloaded it but I have many others to read before this one.
I'll have to look for those librarian titles!
DeleteI haven’t heard of that author, but those books look fascinating. Making a note for my book club.
DeleteI've read Alexander McCall Smith's In The Time of Five Pumpkins, Martha Grimes' The Red Queen, Ellery Adams' The Tattered Cover, William Kent Krueger's Apostle's Cove, and last night finished Margaret Atwoods' Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts. The last I started a couple of weeks ago, then put it down to read the mysteries, picked it up again yesterday. On my library hold list, I'm finally in #1 position for Jenn's Witches of Dubious Origin and Terry Shames' The Curious Poisoning of Jewel Barnes. It'll have to be a coin toss if those books arrive at the same time. I'm #5 on the wait list for Connie Berry's A Grave Deception. And I've inched my way up to #13 for Julia's and #17 for Rhys' latest arrivals--some good reading awaits!
ReplyDeleteFlora, you reminded me to get Alexander McCall Smith's his newest Ladies Detective Agency (In the Time of Five Pumpkins). I love his characters.
DeleteI read a book years ago called Fly Girls, by Keith O'Brien, which was the history of 5 brave women pioneers in aviation. So good. Your Fly Girl reminded me.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually reading three books at the moment: Frances Brody's Death in the Stars (lovely to spend some time in Leeds of the 1920s with Kate Shackleton), A Beautiful Year by Diana Butler Bass (her new book, perfect for Advent, it's meditations about the church year) and How We Learn to Be Brave by Bishop Mariann Budde (for church book group).
Gillian, I bought Bishop Budde's book and really liked it. I like the premise that one must learn to be brave. (Selden)
DeleteI am too busy to read, and my mind is perpetually thinking and making another list or a ‘do not forget this’, so I am currently listening to random foolishness – does not require an active brain or participation… (can you believe that ‘someone’ did not check, and has just discovered that the dark fruit cake that I thought I had, I don’t? Arggghhh! Another thing to do.) and about that oven…
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, books on hold seem to suddenly drop in my in-box, where it is read now or wait another 6 months – so some I have to read. I am currently reading Kelly Rimmer’s The German Wife. I am having a hard time with it, mostly following the threads and the names, but I suspect it is my frame of mind. I am even having a hard time enjoying Jana DeLeon, and she is one of my favourites for light hearted foolishness. (If anyone has another good idea like this author, I would appreciate it.) Check out some of the new releases of Japanese authors now publishing in English. They seems to be an in-between genre, and I am enjoying them Try Syou Ishida’s Prescribe You a Cat series.
Maybe I should read Dr Suess for a while…
Margo, if you are looking for a delightfully lighthearted series, Amy Barry, an Australian author, has the McBride series. It's about brothers who live on a Montana mountainside in the late 1800's, whose little sister gets tired of doing all the cooking and cleaning for these demanding, bossy mountain men and starts ordering brides. The term knee-slapping would be appropriate.
DeleteOh no on the oven Margo!
DeleteAnother lighthearted series is Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency (skip the first one though!)
DeleteThanks Judy - I found 1 book Marrying off Morgan MacBride. On hold now. Anonymous - thanks for the Alexander McCall Smith note. I tried before and didn't like them, but will try again since you suggested to skip the first one!
DeleteCool, Margo. Let me know what you think after you start reading it.
DeleteMargo, I agree about the Japanese books being something different. I think of them as comfort books that quietly teach a lesson without beating you up to get there. You might like The Restaurant of Lost Recipes by Hishashi Kashiwai or What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. -- Victoria
DeleteCurrently reading False Witness by Phillip Margolin. Just finished Snared by Jennifer Estep and Come Through Your Door by Carlene O'Connor. Joe Hill's latest - King Sorrow - sits taunting me with its 800+ pages. A couple of others are awaiting pick up at the library including Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree, In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace and The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst. I fear Joe Hill may wither as I defer to all of these new goodies waiting to be devoured! Yep, I'm a reading wimp sometimes. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I've been loving the Travis Baldree books. I haven't read the new one yet.
DeleteI really enjoyed BRIGANDS AND BREADKNIVES.
DeleteBased on a recommendation from our Jenn, I’m reading A PRINCESS FOR CHRISTMAS.
ReplyDeleteLife keeps getting in the way, which is why it took me weeks to finish John Irving's Until I Find You. Well, that, and it's an 800-page doorstop! Since Covid I had stopped reading most physical books, which have started (ha!) piling up all over the place, unread, so I am trying to whittle down the pile. This was not my favorite Irving, I must say, with themes of (male) child sexual abuse, and mental illness. It was actually pretty icky, and why I finished it is a mystery. Hope springs eternal.
ReplyDeleteNow, as I mentioned yesterday, I am listening to Martyr by Kaveh Akbar because it is our book club pick for this week. So far I am also not enjoying it. However, I am also reading a physical copy of my friend Teresa Michael's Murder With a Terrace View, her first in a new series. Teresa is our big success story from Rhys's first Tuscan writing workshop in 2016; I think this is her sixth of seven books she has published since then!
I recently finished Elizabeth George's A SLOWLY DYING CAUSE and Martha Grimes' THE RED QUEEN, which I read because it's probably her last. It just reminded me how much I liked her previous books. Last week I enjoyed CLOWN TOWN by Mick Herron. On my shelf is PARIAH by Dan Fesperman, THE WIDOW by John Grisham, T. Jefferson Parker's WILD INSTINCT and THE LIBRARIANS by Sherry Thomas. Annette
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I didn't realize Elizabeth George had written a new book! Though I have been ambivalent about her recent books, I know I shall have to look for it. Thanks. (Selden)
DeleteThe latest Elizabeth George book is very good. It is better than the previous two or three.
DeleteTook an old Amanda Cross Kate Fansler mystery to reread while out and about yesterday, because so few new books fit in my purse. Really not a fan of the trend to trade paperbacks Today I'm starting the new Ellery Adam's The Tattered Cover and then it's Anne Cleeves' The Killing Stones.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I think you'll love The Tattered Cover. I sure did! -- Victoria
DeleteYes! The weekly housework is going a bit slowly as I keep stopping for another chapter.
DeleteSo many books so little time. Sigh
ReplyDeleteSome of my most recent reads include:
1. HOW THE ONE ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSE by Cherie Jones. Excellent
2. QUEEN ESTHER by John Irving. Pure greatness
3. SCOT & SODA by Catriona McPherson. So much fun. And the backstory is perfect too. When I got the lung cancer diagnosis and had to look up to see bottom, Catriona started to send me three chapters a night after she’d edited them that day. This lifted so many clouds for me. What a wonderfully kind and loving friend who has my back.
4. HOUSE OF GOD by Samuel Shem. What a series! I’m now working my way thru all he’s published
5. SACRAMENT by Susan Straight. Loved loved loved this
6. SILENT BONES by Val McDermid. Yay Karen Pirie!
Lots more by folks like Lou Berney, Gabriel Valjan, Elizabeth George, Dane Judi Dench, Sandi Toksvig, Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, and most of the Booker short list.
Aww, Catriona!
DeleteAgree, Lisa! — Pat S
DeleteAnn, I did not know. You have been a great friend to many writers. I read Catriona's books because you told us about her. It's just lovely that she shared her chapters with you! Sending you lots of healthy, loving vibes!
DeleteShe’s a definite force of nature isn’t she
DeleteI'm currently reading Samuel Craddock #12, The Curious Poisoning of Jewel Barnes, by Terry Shames. It's one of my favorite series. I really like Samuel, and this one starts out with his friend Loretta bringing him baked goods for breakfast, which I always enjoying reading about. Up next is Julia's book, Rhys' Georgie, Lucy's Hayley, and Jenn's Zoe. Then, I hoping to catch up on Edith's Cozy Capers Book Group series. I also have some catching up on another favorite series, Anne Cleeland's Doyle and Acton, and Emma Jameson's Lord and Lady Hetheridge book #8, London Blue. I even have Laurie King and Louise Penny books to catch up on. Then, Richard Osman, Allen Eskens, and Lou Berney.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, books will come at you even if you have enough for several years already waiting. I came across a historical fiction book about Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, who was responsible for introducing and getting Vincent's paintings out in the world. It's entitled The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar.
I’m currently reading Margaret Mizushima’s 8th in her Timber Creek K-9 series, Standing Dead and Stephen Rowley’s The Guncle. Next up is James, by Percival Everett when my husband finishes it. Having just read Julia’s At Midnight Comes the Cry in actual physical book form (as opposed to a digital version), I am motivated to start reading from my own library. I walk in and suddenly am torn between Rachel Howzell Hall’s What Never Happened, Saving Myles by Carl Vonderau and The Case of the Missing Maid by Rob Osler. Guess I will have to see what I’m in the mood for after I finish James. A good problem to have! — Pat S
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember a time of impatiently waiting for authors to finish books so I would have something to read, but now I follow so many authors, I can’t keep up. As you say, a good problem to have.
DeleteI love finding out what everyone is reading and collecting tips. I just finished reading Julia's WONDERFUL new book, which I loved, and started the new Clare Mackintosh, third in her series with cops Ffion and Leo. Listened to the second book in a fantasy series by Martha Wells that I like. Lots of reviews panned this book, Queen Demon, for having an over-complicated and confusing plot and too many strangely named and easily confused characters. Well, that's all true. But I am a great fan of the main character in both books, a heroic demon named Kai, so I mastered my confusion and enjoyed spending time with Kai. Now listening to Val McDermid's newest Karen Pirie book, Silent Bones, and enjoying it very much so far.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love seeing what everyone is reading! I was up all night (literally) finishing At Midnight Comes the Cry, because I simply could not put it down. So very good. I am just beginning the Anthony Bourdain bio that I was lucky enough to win here recently, and I see that I’m going to enjoy it. I’m also always reading some part of a historical fiction series by Octavia Randolph that I love, beginning with The Circle of Ceridwen, a saga set in 10th century England during the Viking era. If you like that genre, I highly recommend it. Rhys’ new book is next!
ReplyDeleteI'm finishing my reread of The Night Woods and then will start The Snow Lies Deep by Paula Munier. I've finished both Julia's and Jenn's books. I need to read We Three Queens before I can even think about From Cradle to Grave. And I'm waiting for Annette's next book, No Stone Left Unturned to land. If you haven't found this series, look for it.
ReplyDeleteT E Kinsey Lady Hardcastle series. Mystery adventures of Lady Hardcastle and her maid. Takes place in the early part of the 20th century. A lot of humorous banter between the two.
ReplyDeleteKaren Menuhin The Heathcliff Lennox series Also a lot of dry British humor
I adore the Lady Hardcastle series. Their humor brightens my day. -- Victoria
DeleteSorry to be checking in so late, as I was out all day. Just wanted to add that I listened to the new Jenny Colgan, The Secret Christmas Library, and while I'm not crazy about the narrator, I loved the story. It is a romance but there were lots of twists and turns I didn't expect!
ReplyDelete