LUCY BURDETTE: it’s that time of the month again…no, not that! It’s what we’re reading!! I have been all over the place, from dark to light and back. Of course, I am waiting anxiously for Hank’s new book, and Jenn and Rhys after that. But meanwhile, I am reading The Upstairs Delicatessen by Dwight Garner, a memoir of food and reading that is right up my alley. Also, just finished Ali Rosen‘s Recipe for Second Chances – you will meet her on tomorrow’s blog. And then I went dark and read The Girl by the Bridge by Arnaldar Indridason. Dark Iceland at its chilling best. Finally now I’m reading Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok–a story about two sisters raised by a single father in Chinatown, and the struggle between cultures.. She’s an excellent storyteller! How about you Reds? What are you reading or looking forward to reading?
HALLIE EPHRON: I just finished “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which Jenn recommended ages ago. I love old Hollywood and she totally captures 50s Los Angeles and the movie business. And it has a scene that takes place in my favorite Hollywood haunt, CC Browns (hot fudge sundaes!) And I’ve got Chuck Hogan’s “Gangland” queued up next. I’ve been a huge fan of Hogan ever since he blew me away with “Prince of Thieves.” And, on my bedside table is Phillip Lopate’s brilliant book on essay writing, “To Show and To Tell.”
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: You need to know about Cara Hunter. Cara Hunter is a massive bestseller in the UK, and is just coming to the United states. Her first US release was the incredible almost interactive standalone MURDER IN THE FAMILY, a multimedia tour de force of a crime thriller – not to be missed. The structure alone is worthy of a standing ovation. I loved it so much I looked up her back list, and found that her mystery series set in Oxford and starring DI Adam Fawley is about to be released in the US. I snapped up the first one, called CLOSE TO HOME. I devoured it, and then started book two, IN THE DARK. It's an ensemble cast, with terrific characters and a riveting mystery and gorgeously written. I have not been reading series very much–but this one–I am SO hooked! (If you've ever watched Line of Duty, this has the same vibes. I’m already on book four!
And: Elizabeth Gonzalez James’ THE BULLET SWALLOWER knocked my socks off–it's a magical realism western. Yes, you heard right.
JENN McKINLAY: Hallie, I love that you enjoyed Seven Husbands! Old Hollywood is the best Hollywood, IMHO. January has been home improvement/decluttering month at my house (new flooring - Yay!) so I have been too exhausted to read but two books I recently finished are THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES by Sangu Mandanna and it was just delightful - a cozy fantasy/romcom match up. And the other book I loved was Sarah Stewart Taylor’s THE MOUNTAINS WILD – at the recommendation of several of the Reds – and I just devoured it. A two timeline mystery set in Ireland - perfection!
DEBORAH CROMBIE: I seem to be having a non-fiction moment–I think I have four books going at once! The first is Patrick Bringley’s ALL THE BEAUTY IN THE WORLD, which Hallie recommended a couple of weeks ago, a memoir from a young writer who left his snazzy publishing job after his 
older brother’s death from cancer, and went to work as a guard in the Metropolitan Museum for ten years. Beautifully written, fascinating, and so moving. I’m also rereading, in bits, THE BOYS IN THE BOAT, the Daniel James Brown book on which the film is based. (I had read it when it was first published.) Then one I won’t get through very fast–THE DINNER TABLE a compilation of food essays edited by Ella Risbridger and Kate Young. (Lucy, this one is for you!!) And, lastly, Bill Wyman’s CHELSEA. Yes, that Bill Wyman! It’s a wonderful and intimate look at his (and one of mine) favorite London neighborhood.
Not much fiction at the moment, because deadline, but I’ve just finished the ARC of Marcia Talley’s new Hannah Ives, CIRCLES OF DEATH, which is, as always, a treat, and I’m looking forward to starting the new Connie Berry (ARC again), A COLLECTION OF LIES. This new Kate Hamilton/DI Tom Mallory is set in Devon and I’m really looking forward to it! Also looking forward to the new Laurie King, THE LANTERN’S DANCE.
Oh, and Hank, I thought Cara Hunter’s CLOSE TO HOME sounded so good, so looked it up. Seems I already own it on Kindle…
RHYS BOWEN: I’ve been having a hard time reading recently. What with worry about John’s radiation, my own knee surgery and then a sinus infection that has lingered and lingered I’ve found concentration is hard. Oh, and having my own deadline for the next Georgie book within in the month will do it too.
I am reading Kate Morton’s Homecoming, slowly, bit by bit, savoring the Australian setting which I still miss after all these years. My mom died at this time of year and I was with her in Australia so that setting is particularly raw and poignant right now. But for lighter fare my next door neighbor recommended MISS CECILY’S RECIPES FOR EXCEPTIONAL LADIES. It’s lovely–a young woman whose own life is a mess volunteering at this home for elderly ladies and meeting feisty, crochety Miss Cecily who gives her menus for various occasions that are instructions how to live her life.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I've been craving an "And Then There Were None" mystery (Locked room mysteries? County house mysteries? We really need an accurate name.) I got loads of great suggestions from the gang at Reds & Readers. I got ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware and EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE by Benjamin Stevenson, and I'm ready to dive in!
I'm re-reading Mur Lafferty's SF mystery STATION ETERNITY before I start the sequel, CHAOS TERMINAL. You non-SF readers might find this a great series to dip your toe into the genre: the heroine is a young woman who has fled earth because murders keep happening around her and she inevitably winds up solving them. As you might imagine, the real-life consequences of being the main character in cozies is a LOT less fun than the way we write it!
Finally, my non-fiction read is CROSSING: HOW ROAD ECOLOGY IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUT PLANET by Ben Goldfarb. Don't be put off by the clunky title; this is a fascinating look at how our ubiquitious road-building has shattered the lives and migration patterns of hundreds of other species. It won practically every science-book award for 2023. Highly recommended.
LUCY: Rhys, I adored that Miss Cecily book! One of my favorites a couple of years ago. I bought it for everyone for Christmas.
Red readers, what are you reading?
Let’s see . . . Kimberly Mcreight’s “Like Mother, Like Daughter . . . Kerryn Mayne’s delightful “Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder . . . “Silence Until Death” and “I Am Death I Am Salvation,” both by Frank E. Holmes . . . Jamie Day’s “One Big Happy Family” . . . and Lisa Malice’s wonderfully captivating “Lest She Forget” . . . .
ReplyDeleteDiana here: so many good books to read. Some of your books are new to me.
DeleteAlso reading Chaos Terminal! Just signed up for WorldCon Glasgow this August so I’ll be switching to SFF for a bit so I can nominate some books for the Hugo Awards. Finally getting to the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells and The Red Scholar’s Wake by Aliete de Bodard.
ReplyDeleteAnd this posting is no fair - through my 2 libraries, I already have 45 books on hold and 200 more tagged to get in line. And here I am adding more …
DeleteOMG Lisa, you have so many books in your queu!
DeleteLisa, I read both mystery and SFF (no long travel, but Boskone next week) and I just discovered the Murderbot Diaries ... and that was a day that just disappeared.
DeleteLISA: I get it! I currently have 22 books borrowed from the Ottawa public library and 97 holds (maximum is 100 holds/user).
DeleteThe Long Beach library cut back the number of holds from 30 to 15. Boo! And some of my hold space is being taken up by Italian language lessons as I prep for a trip this spring.
DeleteMAREN: I feel this. I’d been aware of Murderbot for a while, and with SYSTEM COLLAPSE coming out I finally jumped in. The novella length lends itself to binge reading.
DeleteOh, Lisa, you are going to LOVE Murderbot. I've reread the entire series every time a new one comes out, and I'm not tired of them yet. Martha Wells also tempted me into fantasy - not normally my thing at all - with WITCH KING, (May '23). It was fabulous. My God, that woman can write.
DeleteYay! She’s part of a virtual event on Feb 4 that I signed up for to see T Kingfisher, who I love. Now it’s a double treat!
Deletehttps://crowdcast.io/c/comfortreads
GRACE: Can you keep books longer than 21 days? Or are reading at a book/day clip?
DeleteAnd I was able to sign up for my county library, so now I have 15 more holds, which I’ve filled with recs from today’s post.
I'm in the middle of early February releases. I've finished THE SECRETS WE KEEP by Liz Milliron, which I really enjoyed. This is the fifth in her Homefront Mysteries set in Buffalo during WWII.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently about 2/3 of the way through DM ME FOR MURDER, the third Trending Topics Mystery from Sarah E. Burr. The sleuth here is a social media influencer, and I'm enjoying it as always. Sarah's got some wonderful mysteries.
This weekend, I'll be diving into FATAL FIRST EDITION by Jenn McKinlay. I'm sure she's a new author to everyone on this blog. ;)
sounds like a good run for you!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed SECRETS, Mark!
DeleteMark, thanks for the reminder! I pre-ordered FATAL FIRST EDITION by Jenn McKinlay. Diana
DeleteJust the title of DM ME FOR MURDER makes me want to check it out!
DeleteI just finished an ARC of HOUNDS OF THE HOLLYWOOD BASKERVILLES by Elizabeth Crowens and now I'm reading an ARC of TROUBLE IN QUEENSTOWN by Delia Pitts.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Delia's book!
DeleteI signed up for one of those Goodreads giveaways for Delia's book but if I don't win, it goes on my list to purchase. It sounds so good!
DeleteSome recent reads:
ReplyDeleteFlat White Fatality by Emmeline Duncan
Home at Night by Paula Munier
The Upstairs Delicatessen
Murder Checks Out by Gilbert
Cinnamon Twisted by Ginger Bolton
A True Account by Katharine Howe
Another Man's Ground by Claire Booth
The Cat Who Caught a Killer by Shearer
The Good Cop by Peter Steiner
Marjorie
The only one on your list I've read is Paula Munier's book, Anon, and I really enjoyed it. I've been following her Mercy Carr series since the beginning, and she keeps getting stronger every book.
DeleteI'm currently reading An Evil Heart by Kate Burkholder. I enjoy this series and the characters. I also sometimes has to visits to towns where I have family and that is so cool and I can even pronounce them correctly instead of making up how I think it should be pronounced. I just find it hard to believe there are that many murders in this one small town where there are a lot of Amish and most of the victims are Amish. But Ms. Castillo makes it work and leaves me looking forward to the next book. I am PA Dutch on my father's side and still have family that live out there in Punxsutawney, PA and my youngest brother's birthday is tomorrow. We used to/maybe still do ask him if he saw his shadow. LOL
ReplyDeleteI read the first three books in Linda Castillo's series but lost track after that. My sister was the one who introduced me to that series. I really need to get back into reading it at some point.
DeleteHallie and Jenn, I'm also a fan of THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, and I just read Cara Hunter's first Adam Fawley book, CLOSE TO HOME, which was gripping. Because I'm a scifi fan and liked Martha Well's Murderbot series, I recently listened to her fantasy WITCH KING, which I thought did an excellent job of world-building and had a very appealing hero. Now I'm listening to THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE, the second in Richard Osman's Thursday Mystery Club series. Only one-fourth into it, but so far, very good. As for reading as opposed to listening, I confess I'm rereading THE NINE TAYLORS, by Dorothy L Sayers, before bedtime. Oh yes, I meant to say to Rhys: I'm glad you're enjoying Morton's HOMECOMING; I thought it was excellent.
ReplyDeleteI rarely have the time to reread, but I also am rereading the Nine Taylor's by Sayers and plan to reread the rest of the series. Marjorie
DeleteI’m loving Murderbot! Waiting for the 4th book to be available from the library.
DeletePlanning to read THE NINE TAILORS sometime in February. I read quite a number of the books in that series. The books are quite long! Currently reading MURDER MUST ADVERTISE. Leaving some space for two Black History non fiction books, several romances in honor of Valentine's Day and maybe a Reese's Book Club pick.
DeleteDiana
Such great recommendations! I finished an ARC of DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE, Laura Jensen Walker's new series about the nursing orderlies women who flew on planes from Britain to WWII battlefields and back bringing wounded soldiers home. A wonderful story you can all look forward to. Right now I'm loving an ARC of Leslie Karst's MOLTEN DEATH, her new series set in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteI have a stack of newly released books waiting, including Edwin Hill's WHO TO BELIEVE, PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1 by Mindy Quigley, and the EASTER BASKET MURDER collection (I always read Barb Ross's contribution first).
I am writing this comment with Ida Rose asleep in a snuggly on my chest so both her parents can sleep, which makes me want to quit my job entirely, except I have proofs due...
I'm looking forward to Leslie Karst's new series, and reading Easter Basket Murder now
DeleteEdith...awwww about the Ida Rose part of your reply. I'm looking forward to reading PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1 as well.
DeleteI took a bit of a break from the mystery world when I read For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library Vol. 7 over the last week or so. It's the comic strip I love the best and these library volumes are just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteBut I've also been reading mysteries as well.
I recently finished an ARC of LEAVE NO TRACE by A.J. Landau that I'll be reviewing for Mystery Scene. Oh and I finished Maddie Day's DEEP FRIED DEATH that I still have to write up a review for Goodreads.
As for other books in the pipeline, let's see: There's DREAM TOWN by Lee Goldberg, THE BLACK ECHO by Michael Connelly (for my mystery book club), LEST SHE FORGET by Lisa Malice and an ARC for THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST by Terry Hayes (I'm going to a book signing for him on Sunday!)
There's a ton more stuff I need to get to but that's a list far too long to type out here.
LEAVE NO TRACE is in my pile of February/March ARCs to plow through.
DeleteJay, how do I get a copy of MYSTERY SCENE? I thought they stopped publishing? Diana
DeleteGrace, it's quite good to be honest. The authors behind A.J. Landau are doing a tandem signing the day of release in South Kingstown, Rhode Island that I'm hoping to get to. It's more than an hour away and there's an emergency bridge repair going on the main road from Massachusetts into Rhode Island that slows the traffic down to a crawl that will make the trip even longer so whether I get to do it or not is still up in the air.
DeleteDiana, Mystery Scene doesn't publish a physical copy anymore but their website is still posting reviews and articles.
JAY: I hope you make it to their tandem signing. I am also envious that you are going to Terry Hayes' book signing! I really enjoyed reading his previous book, I AM PILGRIM.
DeleteJay, thank you. Diana
DeleteDiana here: thank you for the update on Mystery Scene and I just signed up for the enewsletter, Jay.
DeleteGrace, when I AM PILGRIM came out in 2014, it became the first book I ever wrote a review of other than school book reports. At the time, it was the singular best book I'd read in the previous 25 years.
DeleteDiana, I'm glad you signed up for the e-newsletter!
Edith, love the image of you snuggling with your baby grandie in a quiet house. The best time to hold a sweetly sleeping baby.
ReplyDeleteStill struggling with reading, for another four weeks, so just poking along with it these days. I just finished Amanda Flowers' organic farm series, which takes place in a part of the country I know well--the 30 or so miles around and between my daughter's two Northwest Michigan homes.
I recently finished listening to two M.C. Beaton Hamish Macbeth series, Death of a Cad and Death of a Gossip. Before that I listened to The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips, a very strange book that flings itself across the UK, the US, Egypt, and Australia before it gets to the point. It was a book club choice, luckily, because I desperately needed another perspective on what happened. Now listening to Donna Leon's Dressed for Death, in between running downstairs to answer endless questions.
Last night I started Roberta/Lucy's Ingredients of Happiness. I can already tell I'm going to enjoy it. It starts with chocolate!
My backlog of physical books piled everywhere is shocking. I don't want to think about it. La, la, la.
thanks for giving Ingredients a try Karen!
DeleteKaren in Ohio, you are in for a treat with Lucy's Ingredients of Happiness novel.
DeleteAnd I watched the Hamish mysteries on streaming video. One of these days I will read the novels.
Diana
Diana, I've not read the entire series, but also saw the TV show several years ago. It was fun, but too brief! The actor playing Hamish nothing like his description in the books, though.
DeleteSorry I am so late with comments. Karen, Ingredients of Happiness will make you think! It's very good.
DeleteOn the mystery side, I’ve been up half the night reading SHUTTER by Ramona Emerson. It’s been on my list since I saw her panel at Bcon and it is engrossing. I can feel the high desert heat.
ReplyDeleteGreat book!
DeleteLisa in Long Beach,
DeleteThank you for sharing your book recommendation. I will look up this book, which I somehow missed at the Bouchercon.
Diana
THE MILLIONAIRE by Keenan Powell (Maureen Gould #2). Her first book, IMPLIED CONSENT, was my top non-cozy fiction read of 2023.
ReplyDeleteEVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT by Benjamin Stevenson. This one has Murder on the Orient Express vibes. The setting is a crime-writing festival aboard the luxury Ghan train travelling across the Australian desert. Our protagonist is travelling with 5 other mystery writers & someone is murdered. His first book, EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY KILLED SOMEONE was one of my top reads of 2023.
As mentioned above, I also have 22 books borrowed from the Ottawa Public Library. The current book from this pile I am reading is:
THE YEAR OF MIRACLES: RECIPES ABOUT LOVE + GRIEF AND GROWING THINGS by Ella Risbridger. Many thanks to DEBS for this recommendation.
The Millionaire is in my queue, too, Grace! I think that series is going to be great.
DeleteEVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN sounds right up my alley (or track); tagging for future me.
DeleteGRACE: Wonderful book recommendations. Some I have heard of and others are new to me.
DeleteDiana
So glad you're enjoying The Year of Miracles, Grace. I subscribe to her Substack newsletter, too--I love her writing so much.
DeleteI just blew through the 4 police procedural mysteries by Cara Hunter. She is a terrific writer. I just ordered the 5th book from the UK. It will not be available in the states for a while.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even heard of her before today, but with all the praise she's getting I absolutely need to giver her a try!
DeleteDefinitely starting this series ASAP!
DeleteI'm finishing Terry Shames' Guilt Strikes at Granger's Store. I love her Samuel Craddock mysteries. Next up is an August release, Snowden Wright's The Queen City Detective Agency - a jaded female PI in 1980s Mississippi. Love Cara Hunter's DI Fawley series. - Lesa
ReplyDeleteI just finished A KILLER IN KING'S COVE by Iona Whishaw. This series was recommended to me by the same friend who told me to read Maisie Dobbs and I thoroughly enjoyed this first in the series. It was also the first time I checked out an e-book from the library. It wasn't my favorite format, but it definitely expands my options.
ReplyDeleteOther recent reads: THE PLOT AND THE PENDULUM by Jenn McKinlay (won in a giveaway on the FB page, thank you, thank you)--delightful for this daughter of two librarians.
SPOOK STREET by Mick Herron
THE LADY FROM BURMA by Allison Montclair
THE WEIGHT OF INK by Rachel Kadish (I loved, loved, loved this novel set in present day and 1600's London)
SAY NO MORE by Hank Phillippi Ryan . (Loved it--I definitely need to read the rest of this series!)
I should add, I am still reading LEONORA by Elena Poniatowska--a biography of Leonora Carrington, in Spanish for my Spanish class. Leonora was quite the amazing woman. We read a chapter a week, so I will be working on this one for awhile.
DeleteKudos for reading in another language, Gillian - that really gives your brain a workout! And Leonora Carrington is such a fascinating person - I remember learning a bit about her in a Feminist Art History class.
DeleteGillian, I am a devoted reader of Iona Whishaw's Lane Winslow series. Hank and Hannah hosted her second or third book on First Chapter Fun, and I couldn't believe what a good fit her story was for me. I LOVE that series.
DeleteThings I finished in January:
ReplyDeleteDRACULA, Bram Stoker (would you believe I've never read this)
THE GODDESS OF SHIPWRECKED SAILORS, Skye Alexander
HORSE, Geraldine Brooks
IN THE DARK I SEE YOU, Mallika Narayanan (excellent twist)
Now starting WHO TO BELIEVE from Edwin Hill.
Liz, I have never read Dracula, but then again, I have missed a lot of classic literature. I have Horse on my Kindle, but I keep forgetting about it because it falls farther away from the front of the line. Did you enjoy it? — Pat S
DeleteIN THE LIFE EVER AFTER- Alice K Boatwright. The third book in a mystery series set in a small English village. American married to a widowed English vicar.
ReplyDeleteLEAVE NO TRACE- A.J.Landau. An ARC featuring a Nat'l Park Service investigator. Moves fast!
SISTERS OF FORTUNE- Anna Lee Huber. Fictional account of real sisters on the Titanic.
WHEN GRUMPY MET SUNSHINE- Charlotte Stein. An ARC featuring a footballer from Manchester known for speaking in grunts trying to write an autobiography with a sunny young woman ghostwriter. This cracked me up and Grumpy has some amazing hidden talents.
Pat, how is SISTERS OF FORTUNE? The premise looked intriguing. I admit, I'm a sucker for Titanic fiction. I think I watched the movie at an impressionable age!
DeleteIt’s good! Only one of the main characters is fictitious. I worried about everyone!
DeleteDeep in my own fictional world, so reading outside my sub-genre:
ReplyDeleteMURDER IN THE FAMILY, Cara Hunter
NO WAY OUT, Cara Hunter
THE SPY COAST, Tess Gerritsen
THE LOST VAN GOGH, Jonathan Santlofer
and because I'm enjoying "Monsieur Spade" on TV, I dug out my yellowed copy of THE MALTESE FALCON
I am reading MISS WONDERFUL, by Loretta Chase. Jenn recommended it months ago during an interview at Poisoned Pen. Ou-la-la! It is terrific. In January I read:
ReplyDeleteOWLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL by Donna Andrews, a rollicking who-done-it with all the usual cast of characters and some barn animals, too.
THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING by Usma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley, a small town romance that hits all the usual tropes and more.
SCOT ON THE ROCKS by Catriona McPherson. I'm going to catch up in that series!
KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE by Annette Dashofy. I LOVE this series, the characters, the setting. Only two books now, so if you haven't begun it yet, grab them up!
A BORROWING OF BONES by Paula Munier. The first book in her series that has been on my radar for a couple years already. After meeting her at Crimebake, I couldn't put it off any further.
NO NEST FOR THE WICKET, another Donna Andrews. This has been a tough month for me, I need to laugh.
My listening list includes audiobooks of:
THE DEVIL MADE ME BREW IT by Sarah Piper, delightful witchy romantic mystery.
STUD IN THE STACKS by Pippa Grant, sexy librarian romance.
THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING by Rhys Bowen, (yes, I did just read it too, but listening to favorite series is my guilty pleasure)
THE LONG GAME by Elena Armas, an excellent romantic trope realized
NOT MY KIND OF HERO by Pippa Grant, yep, another romance
A MOMENTARY MARRIAGE by Candace Camp a historical romantic mystery
LEAVE THE GRAVE GREEN by Deborah Crombie, I am re-listening to all Debs' books. They are all so good! It's fun to watch the characters grow from the beginning of the series.
THE UNHONEYMOONERS by Christina Lauren, romance on Maui
THE HONEYMOON CRASHERS by Christina Lauren, the follow-up book, again on Maui
FOR LOVE OF MAGIC by Simon Green, a fantasy
THE BRIDE'S RUNAWAY BILLIONAIRE, the third book in a hilarious rom-com series by Pippa Grant
MOURN NOT YOUR DEAD, book #4 in Debs' series. These books are why I always start a series at the beginning and read through them all.
THE BREAK-UP ALBUM by Lauren Blakely, a romance
I am currently listening to two books that I'll write about next month.
Judy, what a list! I hope you're taking a few breaks from reading to eat and sleep. :-D
DeleteJudy, I agree with Julia. Wow! I hope February is a better month for you. — Pat S
DeleteWow, Judy, you are amazing--the reader we all aspire to be!! And so glad you're enjoying the re-listen of the audio books!!
DeleteSomeday soon, I hope some of you might be reading ONE WRONG WORD which comes out February 6!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAnd guess who wrote that post above?
Hank, I will. I just forgot to put it on my list. Sorry.
DeleteMy favorite books read in January were THE PHOENIX BALLROOM by Ruth Hogan (all of her books are wonderful) and THE FAIRYTALE LIFE OF DOROTHY GALE by Virginia Kantra--yes, there are links to The Wizard of Oz, but it's not overdone. Others I savored include MIND GAMES by Nora Roberts, TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett, DREAM TOWN by Lee Goldberg, A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE by DARYL WOOD GERBER, OFF THE AIR by Christina Estes, and new books by three of my Sisters in Crime friends: PERILOUS WATERS by Terry Shames, MOLTEN DEATH by Leslie Karst, and MURDER AND THE MISSING DOG by Susan C. Shea. I just started the enticing-sounding THE FELLOWSHIP OF PUZZLE MAKERS by Samuel Burr, and next will be HOMECOMING by Kate Morton. All but two of these were NetGalley ARCs.
ReplyDeleteMargo, where are you reviewing? Goodreads?
DeleteWe are doing TOM LAKE for book club in February, glad to hear you enjoyed it.
DeleteI spent quite a bit of time reading books that were published the year I was born for a January reading challenge prompt…The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (which I read on an actual very snowy day), The Tooth Fairy by Anita Feagles, Henry and the Clubhouse by Beverly Cleary, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and Cover Her Face by PD James. I kinda got caught up in the nostalgia of it.
ReplyDeleteI also read The Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn, Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly, and The River We Remember by Wm. Kent Krueger. My hold on Jenny Colgan’s Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop just came in so now I am reading that.
What a cool idea!
DeleteIn January I read:
ReplyDelete1. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
2. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
3. Traitors Gate by Jeffrey Archer #6 William Warwick
4. The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman (not impressed with deceivers and reclaimers)
5. The Judge’s List by John Grisham
6. Trust Me by Hank Phillippi Ryan
7. The End of Her by Shari Lapina
8. The Twelve Books of Christmas by Kate Carlisle
I’m now reading The Proof of the Pudding by Rhys Bowen and loving it ❤️
Sounds like some very good cold weather reading there, Dorothy!
DeleteDid you like The Lincoln Highway? I didn't get very far on that one.
DeleteThese new to me novels recommended by Jungle Reds sound delightful to me. I did read the Secret society of Irregular Witches during the Halloween Season.
ReplyDeleteCurrent read: MURDER MUST ADVERTISE by Dorothy L. Sayers
In January, I have been reading Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. I read two physical copies that I already own, several ebooks that I own and borrowed the rest of the ebooks from the Library.
Since February is Black History Month, I have several books to read:
Non -fiction books written by Viola Davis and Cicely Tyson, which are memoirs.
And I pre-ordered several books on my Apple Books and I am sure one or two will arrive in February.
Are any of the Jungle Reds' books launching in February? Please remind me. Thank you.
Diana
Diana, Hank's new book SAY NO MORE comes out on February 6th. She's doing a launch event in Plainville, MA on the day of release.
DeleteOops It is Hank’s One Wrong Word that is coming out Feb. 6.
DeleteThank you! Adding Hank's book to my list. And I just remembered that I still have unread books from my 24in24 challenge on social media. I would like to try reading at least two from my backlist.
DeleteDiana
Sir Peter and Harriet are always a delight to revisit!
DeleteThese are such a treat!
DeleteDouble OOPS! about using the wrong title in discussing Hank's new book.
DeleteI reread Winter's End by Paige Shelton before reading Lost Hours. I just finished Where the Guilty Hide and now am reading Keep Your Family Close by Annette Dashofy. What comes next is usually what I see first on the shelf or in my Kindle. Maybe Murder Uncorked, it has been patiently sitting on the shelf waiting for me to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteDeana, Paige Shelton's Alaska Wild series is so darn good!
DeleteDeana, you mentioned two of my favorite authors or series. I love Paige Shelton's Alaska Wild series, and I really need to try and read more by her. I love everything Annette Dashofy writes. I've been a big fan of her Zoe Chambers series for quite a while, and I think I'm going to feel the same way about her Detective Honeywell series. I've read the first one and hope to read the second one soon. And, of course there's her stand-alone Death by Equine, which in 2022 won a major award in books involving horses, fiction or non-fiction. Geraldine Brooks won last year for Horse: A Novel.
DeleteI haven't read Death by Equine yet, Kathy. I am enjoying the second Detective Honeywell book and I hope there is a third one SOON.
DeleteCurrently reading Terror in Topaz, by A.M. Stuart, the 4th and apparently last of the Harriet Gordon books. Waiting in the wings, The Unkept Woman and The Lady from Burma, both by Allison Montclair. (Flora)
ReplyDeleteJust (as in last night) finished Tangled Secrets by Virginia Kelly. A wonderful who dun it that will have you guessing to the end set in the Florida Panhandle. Started Red Christmas by Reginald Hill. Wasn't sure I would make it past the first few pages, but I am so glad I stuck it out. Intriguing premise, and Julia, I think it's going to be a locked room mystery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Kait!
DeleteI loved THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES, and am anxiously awaiting the sequel! I just finished CHARLOTTE ILLES IS NOT A DETECTIVE, and am anxiously awaiting that sequel also.
ReplyDeleteIn January I read The Man Who Died Twice (#2 in The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman); The Escape Artist and The Lightning Rod (#1 and 2 in The Escape Artist series by Brad Meltzer); 12 Months to Live (Jane Smith #1 by James Patterson and Mike Lupica); The Cracked Spine (Scottish Bookshop Mystery #1 by Paige Shelton - love her books!); and our very own Maddie Day/Edith Maxwell’s Murder Uncorked, which I loved. I’m currently reading a non-mystery book called North Woods by Daniel Mason. It’s Michener-esque in that it takes the same setting (a cabin in the woods in New England) and follows it from early settlement years through the American Revolution and beyond, telling about each time frame’s inhabitants. It’s different but very interesting. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteI haven’t read anything yet except the title for today, but today has been a strange one so far. So before I put the groceries away, (and if I sit down I will collapse!) I want to say thank you to whoever in one of these last chats suggested Paige Shelton’s Alaska Series. I am finished book 2 and quite enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteThe best book that I have read lately is The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. It is the story (fiction story based on truth) about the Bethnal Green Library that was bombed in the early days of WW2. What could be saved was moved to a temporary library in the not-yet-finished Bethnal Green tube line. I admit that I have read a lot of war novels, and was foggily aware of hearing about this, but never had read a story including it. Many real details are in the book including characters named after and based on people who this happened to. Google it, and you will see pictures of the place. Characters are good, and as far as I can see it is mostly based on truth.
Now for the interesting part. Nearing the end of the novel, the librarian wants to write to Canada to see if they will donate some books as the children’s books are deteriorating due to so much use, and many had already been destroyed when the roof fell in in the bombing. So she wrote to the Toronto Public Library and they sent 1500 books. This I was sure that I knew about. However there was no googling it, and yet I know that the book drive went nationwide, and came from BC to PEI. Scouts and Guides did drives to collect books from their friends and books were boxed up and sent to Britain. PEI sent a large selection of Lucy Maud Montgomery books of Anne of Green Gables.
I contacted Grace, and she was not aware of this, so as they say “onwards and upwards” and I kept searching.
To date the best clue that I have found is from the Bethnal Green Archives: “In 1947 the children's department of Bethnal Green Public Libraries received a gift of 1,500 books from Canada as the result if an appeal published by the Tornto Globe and Mail”. https://twitter.com/lbtharchives/status/1499430303353421830
Unfortunately, there is so far no access to the Globes archives unless I go to the local University to see if it is available through their collection.
My next step is to contact the author, and see if she will tell me the source of her information. In the book, she sets the book gift as 1944, and this clip suggests that it was 1947, but no matter who I ask about it, nobody except me remembers this detail. I spoke with my aunt - she is in her late 80’s and has lived her life in PEI – and says she never heard of it before, but was really interested and not surprised. I wonder if it was my father who told me about it as he was in scouts, but the pertinent source memory that I have is the Montgomery books. So all in all, the mystery continues.
Read the book yourselves. It is good for history, librarians, and just a good, and maybe a bit mushy story.
Sorry for being so long, but it is absorbing me. Now to put away the vegetables…
What a fascinating story about the donation, Margo! And of course I'm interested in the novel, so looking that up now.
DeleteI just read yet another book by Lisa Jewell, "I Found You." She is just amazing! I bought a book on Amazon that said "unputdownable psychological thriller." Well, I've put it down lots of times! It's frankly kind of boring. Nothing happened until a bit past halfway through the book. But Lisa is almost impossible to put down!
ReplyDeleteAfter eight months of being unable to read fiction after Kevin's passing, I am reading my first fiction book. It is Catriona McPherson's Hop Scot, her 6th book in one of my favorite series, The Last Ditch (Motel) series. This book had to be the first, as I treasure it so. Catriona dedicated the book to Kevin and our family, each by name. I was gobsmacked in the most wonderful way. The kindness, the thoughtfulness, the generosity, the care, the love. I plan to give away some copies, but I haven't decided how yet or where. And, I'm s l o w l y still reading Eight Bears by Gloria Dickie, a global look at the eight remaining species of bears on our planet and the dangers they face. I am always dumbfounded when people are surprised that bears wander into residential areas or towns. It was their habitat you built your house on. I imagine a conversation between a bear, one in the U.S., and a Native American. The bear is talking about his feeding habit is getting smaller and smaller. The Indiana in his hard-earned wisdom says, "You know they don't really want us here, except for the occasional sighting so that they can say they've seen one of us. Those who own these lands now never did and never will have respect for the land which was ours before. Oh, look there comes our friend the bison. He's looking rather sad today, too."
ReplyDeleteOK, I have lots of books just from the Reds to catch up on from last year. I did get to read Debs' latest, A Killing of Innocents before our tragedy. Now, I will get to Rhys' The Proof is in the Pudding, Lucy's A Clue in the Crumbs, Jenn's Sugar Plum Poisoned, and Hank's One Wrong Word here any day. I have Terry Shames' latest Samuel Craddock, Annette's latest Detective Honeywell book, Laurie King's The Lantern's Dance coming soon.
Of course, I'm also getting cataract surgery in both eyes, one of Feb. 13th and the other two weeks later, so that may interfere a bit with my return, or what I hope is my return to reading.
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid are two of my favorites. Right now, I am reading "Recipe for a Charmed Life" by Rachel Linden which was recommended by Marie Bostwick in one of her recent newletters. I am balancing that with reading sections of "American Ramble" by Neil King with my husband, the historian. Since I am fascinated by all things Key West, I just ordered Lucy Burdette's "The Ingredients of Happiness" and "A Clue in the Crumbs. That should brighten up these cold, blah days! Can't wait to see Hank on Tuesday for her book release!
ReplyDeleteI just finished Enders Game by Orson Scott Card for my book club (we are meeting later today to discuss it). It’s Science-Fi, which is not my genre but I love that some of our younger book club members are challenging us to read this genre every once in awhile. The first half of the book was a less fun type and more violent Harry Potter story about genius kids who are sent to military school to train to save the planet from a group of insect-like aliens called Buggers who have come to inhabit earth. The second half has some reveals in it that make the book get more interesting and I did like the ending a lot. I’m looking forward to the discussion later today. I’ll also get back to my other two books more up my ally later today, Wintering, by Katherine May, and A Single Thread, by Tracy Chevalier.
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