This week, I went on a Later Books by Jennifer Crusie kick, reading Wild Ride
(which I would describe as a paranormal swashbuckler, for lack of a better genre tag) and re-reading Maybe This Time
, Crusie’s take on Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw
, haunted governess and all. The latter was absolutely perfect for this week’s weather in New York. There’s nothing quite like a ghost story on a rainy day.
Just as I was fretting about what to read next, the cavalry arrived in the form of a box bearing my long-awaited copy of Susanna Kearsley’s The Firebird
(a modern/historical hybrid, going back and forth between the present day and the tumultuous factional struggles of the early 18th century). So that’s what I’m reading now.
What have you been reading this week?
I started reading this dark-ish fantasy by A. M. Dellamonica, and the jury is out.. The story is great, but it’s also a little bit like watching a train wreck unfold. It makes me uncomfortable.
Also, I’m so excited about The Firebird! I hadn’t realized it was out now. Might need to order that.
I just finished an ARC of Colleen Gleason’s Roaring Midnight. It continues the Gardella Chronicles (vampire hunters) in 1920s Chicago. Gangsters, vampires, speakeasies, hunky reporters–what’s not to love? It will be released next week.
I have Firebird also….keeping it for vacation next month.
Maybe This Time is my favorite Crusie book along with the one about the detective agency. One of the characters collects Walking China which always makes me smile.
Reading the St.Just mysteries by G.M. Malliet. I like a good cozy mystery and these fit the bill nicely.
Finished A Hundred Summers-Beatriz Williams
And started The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett
The Love Dog by Elsa Watson–surprisingly great !
I read The Ashford Affair and then reread Spider Kiss by Harlan Ellison. Starting a reread of The Pyrates by George MacDonald Frasier now.
I love “The Pyrates”!! Especially that bit where Vanity classes men as “Not Safe in Sedan Chairs”…. So funny.
Oh, can’t wait for the new Gardella! I’ve been reading a really bad early novel of Anthony Berkley… almost done… almost…
I also read the steampunk art book, Walking Your Octopus: A Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod, which was wonderful. As was A.A. Milne’s Golden Age Mystery, The Red House Mystery… it’s like really funny Agatha Christie. Also, Lisa Lutz put out an e-book on Isabelle Spellman’s etiquette, quite quite funny, if you’ve read the series, and if you haven’t, read it now.
The sequel to Terry Pratchett’s The Long Earth is up next, happily Barnes and Noble put it out for sale early.
Thanks for info on Isabelle’s etiquette book! I am soooo looking forward to the new book.
I just finished Harper Fox’s first historical novel, Brothers of the Wild North Sea. It’s based on the story of the establishment of the monastery on Lindisfarne and the Viking raids. Beautifully written, gripping story, gorgeous characters, lovely setting lyrically described, and all this with subtle but superb consideration of complex issues (the ways in which God can be worshipped and the balance between work and prayer, whether it is wrong for a man to love another man, loving one’s enemy, etc.).
It sounds heavy, but it’s a very enjoyable read. I strongly recommend all her books; she’s an excellent writer.
Just finished Susanna Kearsley’s “The Firebird.” It was wonderful and a very close second for me in terms of favorite books of hers. (I still love “The Winter Sea” the most) Then finished “The Golden Hour” by Margare Wurtele. A coming of age story set in Italy during WWII. It had an interesting plot and real issues, though I felt the last half of the book was kind of choppy and rushed.
I just finished The Ashford Affair and the newest Maisie Dobbs book and right now I’m reading Faithful Place by Tana French. I have a pile of library books waiting so I need to read faster!