Weekly Reading Round-Up

I’ll admit it. I’m in a bit of a book slump.

I’ve resorted to reading less liked books by favorite authors: Angela Thirkell’s Before Lunch (1930s English village antics) and Elsie Lee’s The Curse of Carranca (1960s romantic suspense).

Laura Resnick’s Esther Diamond books and Ben Aaronvitch’s Rivers of London series got me through the spring, but I’m all caught up on both and hunting for something new.

Have you stumbled on anything recently that caught your imagination? All suggestions welcome!

21 Comments

  1. Christine on September 18, 2015 at 11:34 am

    I’ve never known quite what to make of Sarah Jio’s books – they’re enjoyable but they always leave me wanting more. But I recently read her “Goodnight, June,” which is about a woman who learns about her aunt’s friendship with the author of “Goodnight Moon,” which I know you’re familiar with. It was cute.

  2. Julie H on September 18, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    I’ve been reading some Georgette Heyers that I haven’t read before. Right now I’m on Fredericka and loving it. Before that was Devil’s Cub which was also great. And before that was Talisman Ring which I liked and The Quiet Gentleman which I didn’t.

    I’m also reading Meredith Duran’s Duke of Shadows. It’s really emotional and very good so far!

  3. Pat D on September 18, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    I just started reading the Rivers of London series too! What a delight. I’m ready for book 3.
    Just finished Mark Pryor’s stand alone, Hollow Man. Wasn’t sure how I would like a non-Hugo Marston book, but it sucked me right in. I do heartily recommend the Hugo Marston stories too.
    Currently I’m reading Thin Air, Ann Cleeves’ latest Shetland mystery with Jimmy Perez, one of the men I’m in love with. I seem to be reading contemporary stories at the moment, but usually I’m in the thick of historical mysteries, like Death of an Airman, reissued recently.

  4. Christina on September 18, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    This week’s reads:

    Winterwood Dorothy Eden – Old school gothic starts that starts off in Italy and moves to England. Very entertaining.

    Courtney Milan’s Brothers Sinister series – The Governess Affair, The Duchess War, A Kiss for Midwinter. These were all very good and I anticipate reading more of the series.

    The Caine Mutiny Herman Wouk – FANTASTIC!

    I’m also about a 1/3 of the way into Sapiens a brief history of humankind Yuval Harari – thus far it is thought provoking.

    • Gina on September 20, 2015 at 4:24 pm

      I loved Brothers Sinister!

  5. Miss Eliza on September 18, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    I have been busy working this week, so am only able to catch an hour or so at the end of the day, which happens to be just enough time to read on Sherlock Holmes story. Currently reading the “Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes” which I hope to finish today and start in on “The Hound of the Baskervilles” tomorrow…

  6. Courrtney on September 18, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    Lots of grad school stuff about librarianship…in a bit of a reading-for-fun slump, now that you mention it. Although I’ve been half-reading, half-skimming a book on the life of a 19th century librarian at the British Museum, Edward Edwards, for a presentation in class, and it’s pretty illuminating.

    • Gina on September 20, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      Oh hey, I’m starting a MLIS program soon. What’s the title you’re reading?

  7. Amy on September 19, 2015 at 1:52 am

    I loved Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes!

    I read Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan, which was very dark.

    I listened to I am America (and So Can You!) read by the author (Stephen Colbert).

  8. SuzanneH on September 19, 2015 at 5:27 am

    Lynne H recommended Rhys Bowen’s books to me. I have read the first Lady Georgiana and the first Molly Murphy books this week and I am loving them! They are very different but both unputdownable. I will certainly be continuing with both series. She has a third series, Constable Evans, but I haven’t tackled one of those yet.

  9. Karen H on September 19, 2015 at 7:53 am

    I just started reading the Flavia de Luce novels by Alan Bradley and I love the prose. The narrator is eleven so it’s not a romance novel, it’s mystery.

    • Diane on September 21, 2015 at 9:58 pm

      After I belatedly posted I noticed yours…isn’t Flavia a hoot? She is just cracking me up! What a great find!

  10. Sheila on September 19, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    Garth Nix’s Newt’s Emerald was quick and fun, a Regency/magic story.

    Really enjoyed Beatriz Williams” Secret Life of Violet Grant.

    And I have started in on Simon Brett’s Fethering series with The Body on the Beach and Death on the Downs…he is so witty.

  11. Lynne on September 20, 2015 at 12:24 am

    I’ve finished Moonflower (so sad to see our Pink series end) and also A Curious Beginning (not nearly as good as the Lady Julia series) and now am in the middle of 3 books. Pathetic, yes…

    I’m rereading Ross Poldark, Winston Graham’s first entry into the Poldark saga. I had forgotten what a great author he was, really capturing the flavor of the late 1700’s in Cornwall. The tv series is good but Graham’s writing is even better. I’m also reading the 3rd book in the Angela Marchmont series, an e-book mystery series by Clara Benson, a lady who was never published in her lifetime but is now available through Amazon. Clever and well-written. My 3rd ongoing book is an inspirational book by Christian writer Joyce Meyer, “Never Give Up”. I think I’m living by my favorite quote, “so many books, so little time”.

  12. Liz D. on September 20, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    I started “The Race for Paris” by Meg Waite Clayton and am really enjoying it so far! 2 women – one a photojournalist and one a writer – team up with Fletcher, a British photographer, to try and be the first to report on the Allied liberation of Paris in WWII. Already it’s very moving and descriptive, and I like I have no idea what’s going to happen with the slowly forming love triangle.

  13. Gina on September 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Not romance at all, but I just read The Martian and I loved every page.

  14. Betty S. on September 20, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    I finished Sebastian St. Cyr # 7 When Maidens Mourn and really love how this series is moving along.

    I’m now reading Mary Balogh’s Only A Promise, trying to catch up on her Survivors’ Club series. Next will be #6 – Only A Kiss, with only one more left to come out next year.

  15. Angie on September 20, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    You might enjoy Charlie Holmberg’s “Paper Magician” series. Each book (of a trilogy) is only a little over 200 pages. But very enjoyable.

  16. Diane on September 21, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Stumbled is the word…the Flavia De Luce series. I started with book seven “As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust” not realizing it was a series. The character of Flavia simply grabbed my heart and funny bone. Now I am listening to “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”–might as well go to the beginning!

  17. hilly on September 22, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Have you sampled any of Australian author Kerry Greenwood’s works? I’ve enjoyed reading her Corinna Chapman mysteries, and listening to her Phryne Fisher mysteries (audiobooks expertly performed by Stephanie Daniels). “Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries” is also a beautiful-to-watch Australian TV series; though thin on script and editing, it adds dimension to envisioning the stories on the audiobooks.

    P.S. – I thank you for the Han/Leia homage in Moonflower. I had recently viewed the Han/Greedo scene prior to beginning your novel, and when Jack put his boot on the table in the tavern, I flashed right to Star Wars. I also didn’t need to read your comments to prove to me that all the other references you’d made to Star Wars were deliberate. THANK YOU for giving me the giggles at being in on the joke! And for a great resolution to your characters and your series. It’s been so much fun! 🙂

  18. Pam on September 28, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Moll Flanders. Was reminded of it by a reference in another book. Love her determination.

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