Weekly Reading Round-Up
When I’m working on the end of a book, I need books like a diver needs his oxygen tank. And not just any books. Series work best. Series entirely unrelated to what I’m currently writing work best of all. I got through the end of That Summer with Laurie King’s Kate Martinelli mysteries, The Other Daughter with Elsie Lee’s vintage spy novels, and The Lure of the Moonflower with the help of Laura Resnick’s Esther Diamond books
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As I power towards the end of the current work in progress, I’ve been on a Rivers of London marathon, paced so they should last me just to the end of my book. For anyone who hasn’t read these yet, they’re British police procedurals with a paranormal twist– think Scotland Yard meets Hogwarts.
Once both my books and these books are done…. We’ll see. I have Sonali Dev’s The Bollywood Bride waiting to be read, and also a large pile of ARCs I’m eager to jump into. And, of course, a pile of research books for the next stand alone novel!
What have you been reading this week?
It’s been a slow reading week for me with kids graduating etc. The last two books I finished are All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage (loved the story but didn’t love the lack of quotation marks for dialogue or the approximately 10 character POVs) and Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger. Gail never disappoints in the cracking good fun category. I’m hoping to make a dent in my library stack this weekend.
I love the Rivers of London series. I managed to hook both husband and grown son on them by reading snippets out loud. I am eagerly awaiting the latest. I just finished Rock-a-Bye Bones by Carolyn Haines. I enjoy the Sara Booth Delaney books so much. Good stories and wonderful characters. I recently read The Strangler Vine by M J Carter. It is set in 1830’s India and pairs two unlikely men in a job for the East India Company. One is a veteran who has gone native, the other is a newbie who believes all the British propaganda. It is a great story; I got the sequel to read as a result. I also read A Killer Read by Erika Chase; Blood Orange by Susan Wittig Albert; Anything for You by kristen higgins. IF you like paranormal stories I just finished a trilogy (so far) by Jaime Lee Moyer that is engrossing. It is set in San Francisco about ten years after the earthquake. The heroine sees ghosts and is compelled to help in certain situations. The first book is Delia’s Shadow and is well worth reading.
I really liked The Strangler Vine when I read it last year. I have the sequel out from the library but haven’t gotten to it yet.
After having the stomach flu for two weeks and being unable to read (seriously, that was the WORST part of it!) I have finally gotten back into reading stride. For my book club I read Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey, think every sci-fi novel/tv series ever smashed together in an epic space opera. Solid story, needed SOME editing, but I’m not on to the second book. I’m also reading an ARC of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s third Cavendon novel, The Cavendon Luck, which takes place during WWII. I’m expecting it to be a calm, not too taxing read, much like the rest of the series.
I finally got around to reading the second book in the Delia Martin series by Jaime Lee Moyer, A Barricade in Hell. Overall I enjoyed it. But I didn’t think the characters progressed as much as I would have liked- especially considering the book jumped forward a few years following the first book. But over all, a good read. Also finished “A Useful Woman” by Darcie Wilde. Another in the “lady detective” genre, which I love (thanks again for bringing back If You Like). The book was great and I eagerly anticipate the next installment!
I am reading Fiercombe Manor by Kate Riordan. It reminds me a lot of Kate Morton’s novels. I also finished In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware. Very creepy!