Weekly Reading Round-Up
It’s a gloomy, rainy day today– perfect for books and tea! Here’s my reading round-up for this week:
— Alexander McCall Smith, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
Years ago, my best friend told me I had to read this. Considering that this is the woman who gave me The Blue Castle, I Capture the Castle, and The Curse of Chalion, you would think I would have listened, wouldn’t you? But, no. More fool me. I’m not quite sure how to describe these. They’re not really mysteries, although there are mysteries in them. They’re a little slice of life, but that doesn’t quite cut it either. Let’s just settle on: they’re good.
— Alexander McCall Smith, Tears of the Giraffe.
Good and addictive!
— Alexander McCall Smith, Morality for Beautiful Girls.
I wonder if this is what they call a “glom”?
— Jen Lancaster, My Fair Lazy.
Another fun memoir. I meant to hold out for the paperback. I failed.
What have you been reading?
Just started My Life in France by Julia Child–how Julia Child became Julia Child. (Cowritten w/ her great nephew I think). Absolutely her voice–the enthusiasm for all things French, esp the food & wine. It’s making me hungry & nostalgic for France.
I adore his books too. You might want to try his other series — Sunday Philosophy Club, and Portuguese Irregular Verbs — they are very different but captivating too. And don’t forget to check out the HBO series based on it. Jill Scott IS Mma Ramotswe.
I am re-reading The Three Musketeers. As I get older I gain appreciation for Dumas.
I am reading Alan Bradley’s The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag. The main character is Flavia de Luce, an 11 year old who has to be the most precocious, insightful, and funny little girl. She loves poisons, is always trying to get back at her older sisters, and believes she can solve mysteries better than anyone else. I absolutely love these books!
Currently I am reading The Hollows Series by Kim Harrison!
They are just fantastic! Vampires, witches, warlocks, demons, pixies, fairies, elves! Set in modern time with the main character Rachel who is a kick ass bounty hunter(or runner, whatever it is called). I know I’m horrible at explaining, but you should check them out 🙂
Will Thomas has a Victorian mystery series that I really enjoyed. Although he hasn’t released a new one in a few years… grrrr. Although, I suppose authors do have “lives”…
1. Some Danger Involved
2. To Kingdom Come
3. The Limehouse Text
4. The Hellfire Conspiracy
5. The Black Hand
Also… did you read Elizabeth Peter’s December 2010 letter?!
She wrote, “I’ve been working on a new Amelia, but don’t hold your breaths; I don’t expect to get much farther until after the holidays.”
I think we can forgive her for her holiday laziness… at the hopes of knowing she still has more of Amelia up her sleeves!
I finished A Rather Lovely Inheritance, by C A Belmond, thanks to a reccommendation from this board. Thoroughly enjoyable. I am now reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave, which is beautifully written, but majorly intense, not something to rush.
Wait another Elizabeth Peters!?! I thought that last was “THE LAST” that is good new indeed. Also, LOVE Flavia de Luce!
Just finished my Fforde kick and started reading Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, really great so far.
I’ve been craving historical fiction lately. Last week I read The Orchid Affair and Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn (both fantastic). This week, I’m reading Susanna Kearsley’s The Winter Sea, which I am thoroughly enjoying so far. Can’t believe I waited so long to try Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey books!
I’ve been reading The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury – it’s so fantastic. The images and the creativity – I love all of it. I’m also currently reading (and somewhat disliking) Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner.
Reading and enjoying two fantastic novels…..The Orchid Affair (Lauren Willig) and The Countess and the King (Susan Holloway Scott), and just beginning The Arrow Chest (Robert Parry) that is an amazing Victorian gothic mystery involving the Tudors.
I’d really recommend Alexander McCall Smith’s Isabelle Dalhousie series. Similar style but centered around a philosopher in Edinburgh! light and pleasant.
I have been reading VORACIOUSLY. In the past week due to weekends and snow days I have read A LOT, mostly fiction by Nora Roberts but one “real” book. I’ve finished Robert Massie’s The Romanovs The Final Chapter, I have also read Deborah Morgan’s The marriage Casket, and Nora Roberts’ Reflections, Dreams, Vision in White,Best Laid Plans, Loving Jack, and all Five of the Calhouns stories. I’ve been doing more reading than anything else lately and have also started reading Wilkie Collins the Moonstone.
oops forgot a couple, also read the latest Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody A River in the Sky and Johanna Lindsey’s latest Malory novel, That Perfect Someone
What a week.
Just started reading The Wanderer by Fanny Burney. I loved her other books and have been wanting to read this for some time now.
@ Debra & Lauren Willig
Have you read The Born In Trilogy by Nora Roberts?
It’s a steadfast companion set on my nightstand.
Sara – My husband and I enjoy Kim Harrison’s series, they are a great ride of a read. Have you tried Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld?
Cassandra – I have the first two Will Thomas books in my TBR pile, glad to hear they are so good!
I have to check out these Flavia de Luce books that Ashley and Elizabeth mentioned.
Debra – WOW! What is that like a dozen+ books and yes, I am jealous. 😉
This weeks reads. I finished Barbara Hamilton’s (AKA Barbara Hambly) The Ninth Daughter. Set in 1773 Colonial Boston, it features Abigail Adams solving a mystery where her husband is a prime suspect and the Sons of Liberty are at risk. I really enjoyed the way the author gives a sense of the building tension between the Patriots and British, while giving an even hand as well as understanding for both sides.
I just started Marked: A House of Night Novel by mother and daughter team PC and Kristin Cast.