Weekly Reading-Round Up
Despite being in crazy deadline mode with the Kenya book (just six more chapters to go!), I’ve managed to cram in a fair amount of pleasure reading this week. Sometimes, it’s nice to listen to the voices from someone else’s head.
Here’s what I’ve been reading:
— Kristan Higgins, The Next Best Thing
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Kristan Higgins fan. I ration out re-reads for myself, saving them for times of need– like deadline crunch time. For those who haven’t read her yet, she writes clever, heart-warming, all around fun contemporary romances. My favorites are Fools Rush In
–Barbara Freethy, Suddenly One Summer
When I’m in deadline crunch, I tend to gravitate towards small town contemporary romances. This one is the first in a series about a town in the Pacific Northwest called Angels’ Bay.
— Sarah Rose, For All the Tea in China
Nonfiction also does the trick when I’m in lockdown. You can’t go wrong with a book that combines two of my favorite things: tea and history. Note: this also makes a great gift book! I gave it to my father as a present last year. Then I, um, borrowed it. Yes, borrowed.
— Jennifer Crusie, Trust Me On This
It’s snarky and it’s sparky and altogether fun. Usually I dislike plots based on major misunderstandings– and plots with major side relationships– but this one works on every level, largely because of the amazing banter and chemistry between the two principal characters. And you can trust me on that.
— Anne Stuart, Lord of Danger
This is hands down my favorite Anne Stuart. In the England of the boy king Henry III, a scarred court magician falls for his liege lord’s plain sister– a description that does nothing to capture the dark magic of the story. Although the plot is linked to both Henry III and the doomed Fourth Crusade, the book has a fairy tale feeling to it (in a good way).
What have you been reading?
Sadly, with finals approaching, I’ve only had time to read a chapter or two of George R R Martin… but I did pick up some Tintin comics to read. Though last weekend, I finished an ARC of Robin LaFever’s Grave Mercy, the first in her new “His Fair Assassin” Series, soooo good. A young girl who works for Death as his justice during the fight to keep Brittany independant from France. So a little historical, a little fantastical, a lot awesome!
Lordy. I thought that Sarah Rose book sounded interesting so I clicked the link. . . only to see that I’d already bought it in March. My TBR pile is obviously too big.
Such a crazy week that I can barely remember what I’ve read. I’m currently reading Dewey Lambdin’s Alan Lewrie books, with breaks in between for other things.
I somehow, totally inadvertently, read two books w/ the same “secret” this week–Connie Brockway’s The Other Guy’s Bride and Judith Ivory’s The Proposition. Also read Faith Hunter’s Cat Tales, a compilation of Jane Yellowrock shorts, in anticipation of Book 4 coming out in January.
Is that all? Seems as if I’ve missed a few. . .
I just finished The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley, I was a bit sceptical when you said it was the best yet Lauren, but you were right. It was just what I needed after reading both a Storm of Swords and Catching Fire, the final in the Hunger Games trilogy, which while both great books were rather emotionally draining.
I finally read 2L (loved it) and I’m almost done with Jane Austen Made Me Do It. Waiting to be read I have The Cocoa Conspiracy and Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose, and today I got the ARC of Tracy Grant’s Imperial Scandal that I won on her website! Not sure which one I’m going to read next.
Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James. It is excellent so far. Just finished Physical Education by Maggie Barbier which was good also.
Last week, I read Vienna Waltz and absolutely enjoyed it! And this week, I’m reading Pretty Persuasion, the book you recommended a few weeks ago. Loving it too!
I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and was left with mixed complex feelings about a mixed complex book. Without trying to give too much away I prefer mysteries where the detectives work more with the police, who aren’t all complete idiots.
This all ties into the second book I read Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen 4th in the Lady Georgianna Rannoch mystery series. I find the beginning of each book a little tedious although I think this was best yet at mixing up the introduction. That being said theres point in each of the last two book where I started to really enjoy them, I think its a round the point where she leaves London and then goes somewhere else. I prefer seeing Georgie a little more competent. Watching her try to survive in London is the weakest part of the series for me and she always hits a new low. I love Darcy and I really appreciate him taking care of Georgie even if she doesn’t.
I am excited for the next one in the series.
I just finished the American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin it was a perfect fix while waiting for the next season of downton to start
Just can’t seem to finish the last few pages of “Howard’s End”. May read Henry James’ “The Europeans” or Wharton’s “House of Mirth” next. So many on the pile and hoping for one or two under the tree…
I finally read A Rather Remarkable Homecoming by CA Belmond. I have really enjoyed that series.
I also read the children’s book my sister-in-law wrote, called The Picadilly Children’s Ballet. I read it to my son’s kindergarten class, and will read it to my daughter’s second grade class on Monday!
The Fat Man: A Tale of North Pole Noir by Ken Harmon.
It perfectly captures the feel of a pulp detective novel and succeeds in weaving in an impressive amount of Christmas lore and pop culture without it coming across as forced or cheesy.
Really enjoying it and would highly recommend it if pulp detective novels are your thing!