DEBORAH CROMBIE: How did it get to be midsummer already??? But here we are full on in the season of beach reads, so I thought it was time for a "What We're Reading" check in.
I have not been the reading poster girl lately–although, come to think of it, maybe I have, because my two favorite recent reads have been the advanced copy of Rhys's THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN (out 8/4) and Jenn's A SUMMER SHARE (which is THE perfect beach read, trust me on this,) both of which I adored. Another recent favorite (in an absolutely wonderful audio edition) was YOU ARE HERE by David Nicholls, about two lonely people being thrown together in a coast-to-coast walk across England. Nicholls writes the best dialogue, and the narrators were Lee Ingleby and Lydia Leonard so this was perfect for listening.
I'm a huge fan of the English crime writer Peter Grainger and his D.C. Smith/King's Lake books set in Norfolk, and the new one, SOME SORT OF JUSTICE, was terrific. (This was audio, too. His narrator, Gildart Jackson, is one of the best.) There is also a new Jenny Colgan, MEET ME AT THE SEASIDE COTTAGES also in audio. I love these Colgan books set in the very far north of Scotland, but I'm not a big fan of the narrator, so maybe better in print.
I read the new Matt Haig, THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN after seeing him in person in Dallas. I know this book is a world-wide best seller, but I have to say I found this one a bit of a slog. I was disappointed that it wasn't as original as his last book, THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE, which was one of my tops reads this last year.
And one more, for those of you who love food writing and just wonderful writing, there's a new cookbook from Ella Risbridger, THE KITCHEN BOOK, which I ordered from the UK as it's not available here until next year. (Shipped free from Blackwell's!) This is a gorgeous book! Now, if I could just manage to actually try the recipes…
And this week I'm looking forward to Lucy's A DELICOUS DECEPTION arriving on my doorstep tomorrow!
How about it dear fellow REDs? What's on your nightstand this summer?
JENN McKINLAY: Thanks, Debs! I’m in the thick of a non-fiction bender. I have Lucy’s A DELICIOUS DECEPTION on pre-order (coming tomorrow) as well as Rhys’s THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN (Aug) and Hank’s MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER (Sept), but while I impatiently wait for those gems, I am listening to non-fiction, specifically THE WAR OF ART by Steven Pressfield and WELL ENDOWED by Vivian Tu (don’t get excited it’s about finances not boobs). LOL. I’m also reading cookbooks–why? No idea. But I’m enjoying the old/weird recipes in B. Dylan Hollis’s BAKING YESTERYEAR. Clearly, the AZ heat has gotten to me.
LUCY BURDETTE: We sound like a Greek chorus, but I too loved loved loved THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN and THE SUMMER SHARE! The bad thing about getting an advance copy is that you’ve already read it when the book comes out! I’m about two-thirds through MISSED CONNECTIONS by Aimee K. Runyan, a story about a woman chef who desperately wants to become a Michelin reviewer. She’s made some mistakes in her life, and for reasons unknown is able to time travel back to those moments, relive them, and figure out what she might have changed. It’s very very food-oriented, which I of course am enjoying a lot! I also read MORE THAN ENOUGH by Anna Quinlan and UNLIKELY ANIMALS by Annie Hartnett. Liked them both very much, though not my favorites of either author. Next I have waiting for me WHISTLER by Ann Patchett and PIGLET by Lottie Hazel. It’s been a good reading summer.
Ps Jenn, B. Dylan Hollis has a cameo in the Paris book I’m almost done writing. My French chef character is not impressed with his shenanigans…
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh my goodness, we are just smart readers who know what we love! Castle in the Glen and The Summer Share, those can carry anyone through any rainy weekend with much delight! And thank you for the kind words about MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER–so excited about it.
What I’m reading. I just interviewed the marvelous John Searles, who wrote SINGLE GIRLS, a fictionalized biography of Helen Gurley Brown and how she made Cosmopolitan what it was.. He worked at Cosmopolitan for many years, and completely knows the scoop, and knew her well. And loved her. And that comes through in the book.
(Such a pivotal moment in time, and it’s a fun frothy book with a deeply meaningful undercurrent. Helen Gurley Brown changed our lives in so many ways, and as controversial as she was, she was a brave and groundbreaking character.)
What else? Several of my local author friends may be new to you, and I am delighted to introduce you to Kimberly Hensel Lowrance, whose compelling and relatable new WHAT REMAINS OF YOU is an Amazon chart topper right now. It’s about a widow who finds a letter from her husband left behind wherein he confesses to a terrible crime. But doesn't say what it was. Will she go try to find out the truth? (Of course she will, or there wouldn’t be a book, right?)
And Joseph Moldover has a new book called TO THE END OF RECKONING where a son comes home to take care of his brilliant but recently brain -injured father, and together they are a touching and wonderful Holmes and Watson as they solve a murder that happened nearby. Such good writing!
I am delighted to introduce you to them. Absolutely standing ovations, both.
And lucky me :-) I have advanced copies of Lisa Gardner‘s new YOU’LL BE SORRY, Tess Gerritsen‘s new THE SHADOW FRIENDS, Lisa Scottoline’s THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, and Robyn Gigl’s ALL WE HIDE.
Oh, and did I ever tell you about Nicole Blades’ WOULD I LIE TO YOU? Imagine a wife and mom in the suburbs–who, in her secret parallel life, would give Jason Bourne a run for his money. So fun.
It strikes me, in these what are we reading posts that my reading lists are much different from many of yours. So interesting.
DEBS: That's what makes it fun, Hank!
RHYS BOWEN: I’ve been on vacation in Canada and brought my Kindle to do lots of reading. However the day I arrived so did the page proofs for my next Royal Spyness. I worked through them, then the page proofs for the next Molly came. Grrr. Now I’m starting to read my summer beach read choices. I’ll be on a beach in San Diego and hope to read them in peace.
I realize I can’t take anything too tense, dark or dramatic at the moment so I’m going with whimsy. I have the MUSEUM OF SECOND CHANCES by Jo Leevers…about a woman who has a museum of found objects on a beach. And Kate Quinn’s THE ASTRAL LIBRARY, and then CALL OF THE CAMINO, as I’d always wanted to do that walk.
HALLIE EPHRON: I’ve been rereading some old favorites. A wonderful collection of short stories by Tobias Wolff (OUR STORY BEGINS). “A Bullet in the Brain” is one of my favorites, about a dyspeptic fellow who gets antsy waiting on line at the bank. It’s a tour de force of viewpoint.
And just cracked open Caitlin Mullen’s PLEASE SEE US. Her new book, HEATHER, just got a rave review from Sarah Weinman in the New York Times, so I wanted to see what the fuss is about. So far I’m impressed… a poetic page turner.
And waiting in the wings, I picked up a copy of Richard Osman’s WE SOLVE MYSTERIES. Comic relief. I’ve enjoyed all of his novels (THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, etc.) that I’ve read so far.
DEBS: I've heard so much about HEATHER, Hallie. Can't wait to see what you think when you've finished it.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Add me to the chorus enjoying Rhys and Jenn’s upcoming books - and a reminder to readers that pre-orders make a huge difference to authors!
One of my pre-orders is Carol Goodman’s OUR MARRIAGE IS MURDER, coming out on July 21. I adore Carol’s writing, and this looks like another fun “murders and mystery writers” tale, after last year’s WRITERS AND LIARS.
After reading many glowing reviews, I got THE PARADISE PROBLEM by Christina Lauren. Years old marriage of convenience that has to pass for the real thing in order for the hero to inherit millions? Sign me up.
My SF read right now is THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY by Mahmud El Sayed, about the dawning rebellion of the crew of a century ship as they question why they’re in service to their cryosleeping masters. SF fans, don’t confuse it with Arkady Martine’s excellent A MEMORY CALLED EMPRIRE (which I did, to my embarrassment, when asking about it in a bookstore!)
DEBS: Readers, we can't wait to hear your suggestion, so we can make even longer to-read lists! I've already added half a dozen books to mine!
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ReplyDeleteHank's wonderful "Mother Daughter Sister Stranger" . . . "Paris Reckoning" by John Pearce . . . "The Country Road Murders" by James Patterson and Mike Lupica . . . "Those Who Are Gone" by Laurie R. King . . . . Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to Lucy’s “A Delicious Deception,” Jenn's "The Summer Share" and Rhys's "A Castle in the Glen" . .
ReplyDeleteI just finished Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews. Now I am starting the latest in Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Series, Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line. Jenn’s Summer Share is on my list. And I have The Tutor and The Hostess by Courtney Psak which I won from The Killer Author Club.
ReplyDeleteWe have our own road trip coming up in August so I hope to get more reading done then.
Jenn's, Lucy's, and Rhys's new are either on my kindle or preordered at Jabberwocky - can't wait! I just finished Edwin Hill's latest, What Happened Next. On the stack is Bitter Fall by Bruce Coffin, and a book my son picked up for me, Smoke and Silk by Fiona Keating, set in 1888 London. Local author Laura Garden's debut novel Queenslander also awaits, and I'm way behind on reading new books by Karen Odden, Paige Shelton, and my pal Molly MacRae's newest Shell Shop mystery.
ReplyDeleteI can also highly recommend Last Summer at Maine Chance by my former blogmate Jessie Crockett, writing as Jessica Everett. Such a great story of class and love and frienship, set in 1954.
DeleteAND I forgot I also have an ARC of The Postmistress of Puddlington, Laure Jensen Walker's new novel.
DeleteI love Jenny Colgan’s books and just finished Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages.
ReplyDeleteLike Rhys, I have Jo Leevers: The Museum of Second Chances on my Kindle. Didn’t begin it because I began reading Emma Jameson’s Ice Blue. It’s the first of eight Lord and Lady Hetheridge Cozy Mysteries. Couldn’t put it down and continued with the series.
Danielle, there is no better recommendation than, "I couldn't put it down." I'll look for that series! Thank you!
DeleteI absolutely devoured the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mysteries series last year. It was unusual and so well written!!! I keep hoping the ninth book will turn up soon.
DeleteGoing to look up the Lord and Lady Hetheridge books. Thanks, Danielle!
DeleteSifting Through Secrets by Catherine Bruns, The Water Diamond by CB Wilson and e-ARCS - The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch by Laura Jensen Walker, To Have & To Hold by Liz Milliron, Take Hart by Jamie Parker Stickle, and All Aboard For Murder by Ellen Byron
ReplyDeleteLots of fun suggestions, Dru!
DeleteI'll pick up Lucy's latest tomorrow night in Madison and hope to have it read and reviewed before Rhys's book arrives. I read The Summer Share and it is the perfect beach read!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading up a storm here and listening, too. Thanks, Debs, I love suggestions of good narrators and we almost always agree on them. In fact, some of my favorite narrators received big awards from Audible this spring. I also frequently listen to books I have already read in print, and do that with many of the Reds' series. I just got Audible copies of 2 of Jenn's most recent books including The Summer Share.
I read Deanna Raybourn's A Ghastly Catastrophe. I love her Veronica Speedwell series. I just finished A Death on Corfu by Emily Sullivan, an author I met last winter at Kensington cozy con. The book is excellent and I highly recommend it to the cozy lovers amongst us. I also just finished an Ali Rosen book about a chef whose famous NY restaurant burns down, so she goes to Italy to perfect pasta making with her best friend's grandmother. I loved it! Now I have several period romances lined up from the library. I have also read and listened to several modern romances by Louise Bay, Pippa Grant and Lauren Blakely. They all write feisty herroines and spicy love scenes and are good storytellers.
I'll come back later and list a few more books that I enjoyed.
Thank you, Judy! I had not realized that a new Veronica Speedwell book had been released, and will definitely get myself on the wait list for it now. Deanna Raybourn is one of my favorites.
DeleteWhat's the title of the Ali Rosen, Judy? Sounds like something I'd like.
DeleteLet's see...
ReplyDeleteWell first I re-read Joanna Schaffhausen's THE VANISHING SEASON because the mystery book club I co-run selected as our book for the month of July. Even better, when our meeting is held on July 21st beginning at 6pm at the Wareham Free Library (59 Marion Road in Wareham), Joanna herself will be in attendance to talk about the book and her writing career. I can't wait!
I recently became a Mitch Rapp Ambassador again this year so that means I'll be awaiting the arrival of DOUBLE TAP, the new Mitch Rapp novel by Don Bentley.
I'm currently reading Mindy Quiqley's award-winning AT DEATH'S DOUGH and Bruce Robert Coffin's BITTER FALL.
In the comic book world, I read the first issue of THE LAST STARFIGHTER. This is a new series that starts a week after the end of the movie and while I had an issue with some of the art choices in the book, I loved the story. As the movie is one of my all-time favorites, to have any kind of a continuation (the rights to the movie are in legal hell) is a dream come true.
I also picked up the first issue of a crime drama / mystery thriller called WITNESS POINT. The story sounded pretty good but it is co-created and co-written by Firefly and Serenity's Nathan Fillion which made it a must buy.
As for other prose novels I'm hoping to work my way through before too long: Alafair Burke's FIND E (which is the August pick for the mystery book club), Denzil Meyrick's WHISKY FROM SMALL GLASSES, Lee Goldberg's MURDER BY DESIGN, John Flanagan's RANGER'S APPRENTICE: THE BURNING BRIDGE, Michael Connelly's IRONWOOD and THE PROVING GROUND and finally, Jack Carr's THE FOURTH OPTION.
I'm sure there's a bunch more books I will want to read as well. I know Daniel Silva has a new thriller coming out so that's on the list too once it gets released. And I'm a little envious that Hank has an ARC for Robyn Gigl's ALL WE HIDE.
Jay, I didn't know there was a comic based on THE LAST STARFIGHTER! I loved that movie!
DeleteI just finished History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook. It was great—seeing an exclusive college from the eyes of a young professor of color who goes looking for the truth after a popular male professor was murdered. From Mignonne in Arkansas
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mignonne!
DeleteMaria Semple's GO GENTLE (she wrote one of my favs of all time, WHERE'D YOU GO BERNADETTE), and Nevessa Allen's LIGHTS OUT (spicy romance).
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy Go Gentle?
DeleteSo many new books that sound wonderful! Thank you all for the recommendations. I just finished Whistler by Ann Patchett and loved it. I think it is the best book I've read this year!
ReplyDeleteI started it last night Judi and couldn't stop reading even if I was desperately tired. Now I understand what reviewers mean by a "quiet" book--no huge drama, but some amazingly well-drawn characters. Recommended!
DeleteI'm looking forward to the Patchett, too.
DeleteI had been tempted by the Patchett--now it will defininitely go on my list!
DeleteI am still trying to get the garden planted (it will be winter too soon, and I will be taking it out!), so all of my books are audio books. After a glut of read but at the end wondered why I wasted my time or DNF, I read Jesse Q Sutanto’s Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block – older Asian woman goes to London to take cooking lessons to get back at her husband who left with their cook – light and fluffy. Then I found Tim Sullivan’s series beginning with The Dentist. Cop is on the spectrum, but book was well written. Will read the next. Audrey Blake was up next with All in Her Hands – a part of her series involving medicine in the 1800’s, and then her book ‘The Woman with No Name’ based on the true story of a woman working with the Resistance in France. I was late coming to Ken Follett’s Circle of Days, his version on the creation of Stonehenge. It was more the life and characters than the moving of the stones, but it was 17 hours not badly spent. It would not be my first recommendation from him, but it still is Ken Follett. The Book Club is reading Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer. The book will be discussed in September. We chose it in memory of one of the members who loved Archer’s books. It should involve a lot of memories from all of us.
ReplyDeletethat's a sweet way to choose a book Margo!
DeleteMargo, I just got Mrs Mebel from the library. I like light and fluffy.
DeleteMargo, I'll check out Mrs. Mebel. I love anything where a character goes to London, especially if it has food!
Delete"What We're Reading" is always one of my favorite days of the Jungle Reds blog. I get so many good ideas from you all. I have already added about six books to my list.
ReplyDeleteI've been having a good run of reading, with a quiet stay-at-home June making it possible. Among interesting, good books I've read are: Stuart Turton's THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD, which turned out to be more sci-fi, less metaphysical than his 7 1/2 DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE; THE REST OF OUR LIVES by Benjamin Markovits, where we follow a man on a somewhat spontaneous roadtrip where he tries to figure out his life; and the powerful ATMOSPHERE by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I've also made progress on several longrunning series that I'm catching up on, and I am not quite finished with SO FAR GONE by Jess Walter which I can say is wonderful, but I think I need to finish and digest it before I can try to articulate what makes it so wonderful.
Kate Quinn's THE ASTRAL LIBRARY is queued up to be one of my next reads, along with the several REDS new releases already mentioned. But several of your (collective) recommendations are likely to become shortlisted as well.
Susan, so glad you liked ATMOSPHERE. It was one of my favorite reads last year.
DeleteThanks for all the great recommendations! This a bad thing to admit here, but I'm trying to use the library rather than buying books. It will probably be awhile before I get to the new JRW books (sob!) Meanwhile, I've been reading the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths., and I picked up South African writer Deon Meyer's The Last Hunt (the library doesn't have all of that series--too bad!), I enjoyed The Drowning Game.by Barbara Nickless and Tana French's The Hunter was just terrific! I'm almost finished with The Heron's Call by Ann Cleeves and will be sad to be done. We are also continuing through La Casa de Los Espiritus by Isabel Allende for Spanish class. It's been decades since I read it and I am enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, my son is on his way to Cambridge in the UK to present a paper at an academic conference. I can just see his grandpa smiling down proudly.
Congrats to your son, Gillian!! And don't apologise about the library! Libraries so need support. And THEY buy our books, too.
DeleteI’m frantically reading so I can vote for the Hugos. I finished THE INCANDESCENT by Emily Tesh on the flight over and am reading DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor now. We visited the book village of Montolieu last week and I got THE WIDOW CLICQUOT from a bookstore with a large English selection. Will likely do a comfort reread of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES on my way to PEI next month.
ReplyDeleteLisa, we can't keep up with you!! I'd love to read THE WIDOW CLIQUOT! Let us know if you enjoy it.
DeleteTHE WIDOW CLIQUOT is such an interesting bio of a woman who took over her late hubs champagne/wine business in the1800's. There was also a movie about her story.
DeleteTHE CHAMPAGNE LETTERS by Kate Macintosh contains a very nice fictionalized account of this remarkable woman (Barbe-Nicole Cliquot) too.
DeleteJust finished Jenn's THE SUMMER SHARE - lovely as always. And, two older mysteries: Sheila Radley's BLOOD ON THE HAPPY HIGHWAY 1984 and Elizabeth Ferrars' THE CUP AND THE LIP 1975. Got them both at thrift stores and what I loved most about them was that they both so easily fit in my purse when I was out and about. These new trade paperbacks are so annoyingly huge!
ReplyDeleteI also recently enjoyed THE MUDER AT WORLD'S END by Ross Montgomery, I really hope he gives these characters a series. THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett, a murder mystery in a strange alternate universe, recommended by Jodi Taylor was finished in day it was so good. My local library finally got all the re-released Ann Cleeves' George and Molly Palmer-Jones books, interesting to see hints of future ideas. And I just pre-ordered Jodi Taylor's A FAMILY AFFAIR.
"Finished in a day" is always the best kind of recommendation! I'll look this one up!
DeleteHere are a few more authors whose works I've read recently. BTW, the Ali Rosen book I mentioned is Slow Burn. It's lovely.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Summers writes contemporary rom coms. I love her sense of humor. She has a new book out which is more women's fiction that I might not get to for several months. Amy Daws also writes rom coms and most are very funny. Claire Kingsley is one of my favorites. Some of her series are suspenseful romances with brave heroes and heroines who tackle the bad guys.
This month I'll be reading James R. Benn's The Ninth Circle, his 20th? Billy Boyle WWII Mystery. I also want to catch up in Lee Goldberg's Eve Ronin series. I have two of those books in my TBR pile along with Iona Whishaw's most recent Lane Winslow mystery. That should keep me busy.
I also have a couple library books sitting here including Mrs. Mebel Goes to the Chopping Block. And because I loved Emily Sullivan's cozy, I am getting the next one in her series and just bought one of her earlier romances, Duchess Material.
Julia, I read The Paradise Problem and it is a hoot! I love Christina Lauren's stories!
I am behind on James Benn and Iona Wishaw. Thanks for the reminder, Judy.
DeleteI forgot to mention that I'm reading HOW TO BREAK UP WITH FAST FASHION by Lauren Bravo. This is non fiction, fascinating and horrifying. I highly recommend for a look at what the manufacture and disposal of cheap clothing is doing to our environment. And while I wouldn't call myself a fast fashion devotee, I'm about to do a big closet clear out and I'll certainly be looking at my clothes differently.
ReplyDeleteI've also ordered Bravo's novel, Preloved.
RHYS, we are off to Victoria BC - any suggestions you might have? I'd give you suggestions for San Diego but know you know SD well! Coronado is always a lovely little community especially if you like bike riding.
ReplyDeleteI loved David Nicholls book that Debs recommended, and Hank's recom of SINGLE GIRLS. It was such a fun read and the plot was well crafted.
Oh I need to add I've pre-ordered Lucy's book and it comes out tomorrow. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteThis summer has seen me in and out of the hospital (one more trip ahead of me) which tends to leave me with "hospital" brain. I've resorted to old favorites like Written in Red by Anne Bishop, Nancy Coco's Candy-Coated Mysteries and anything by Allison Brennan. I'm hoping my brain will be able to cope with the unfamiliar again by August since you folks have filled up my TBR list to overflowing! -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your health all the best, Victoria!
DeleteThank you for all the reading suggestions. I love this post!
ReplyDeleteI am listening to Rockets' Dead Glare by Lynn Cahoon and waiting on The Summer Share by Jenn. Also looking forward to
The Castle in the Glen plus just borrowed You Are Here...