Reading is the singing of angels, the heartspeak of the world, my most consuming passion (next to my grown ass kids).
I generally read between 12 to 14 books every two weeks, because I got it like that.
My bi-weekly trip to the library resulted in some less than satisfying picks so far.
Here's what I've started and rejected:
The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid. McDermid is and English crime novelist and generally has written very good mysteries. I usually enjoy her work a lot and she is literate and inventive in her themes. The Grave Tattoo is the story of a Wordsworth specialist who goes searching for a long lost manuscript of his and seems to keep turning up dead bodies. YAWN!!! I tried, I failed. Done.
Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge. The book got a lot of good reviews. I tried, it was not well written. Done.
I read:
T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton. I know, I know, she should have stopped with the letter G. Would someone please remind of that the next time I get one of her books? I read, I was mildly entertained. Done.
The 6th Target by James Patters and Maxine Paetro. Generally I avoid books with dual authors, cause it ain't like banjos folks, writing needs consistency not discordance, but it wasn't as bad as the last 4 or 5 of Patterson's books and after all it is the Women's Murder Club. Time to read 4 hours tops. Done.
Here are the next 2 up for consideration, I've held back a couple for the weekend:
A Pagan Place by Edna O'Brien. I've never read one of her books before, but the title is compelling, and she is described by Newsweek as "earthy and ..delicately poetic; she has the soul of Molly Bloom and the skills of Virginia Woolf". Just about good enough for me. The book is described as a true novel of Ireland, which she is from. The Ireland of country villages and barley fields, druids in the woods, unknown babies in the womb, mischievous girls and Tans with guns. YOWZA!
God Don't Play by Mary Monroe. (No she is not Marilyn's Sister). She's had several best sellers and this is about two women, their friendship, betrayal and a threat. Could be alright.
Which one should I try next?
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Comments: 38
I do have two new library books this week. Just got them yesterday and haven't decided which one to start. Why only two, you ask? I still have little slobby demanding kids, that's why.
My two books:
Grub by Elise Blackwell
Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson
Have you read either of them?
Haven't read either of them, but think I might take a look at Grub - compelling title.
"Wordsworth Specialist" imples someone to me who wants to die by boredom. I love Wordworth, but in small doses. I'd never had picked up the book if I read that part of the blurb...
Oh, and by the way -- thanks for sharing.
Did you see the bruhaha about McDermid and Ian Rankin? In an interview he said he thought lesbian crime fiction writers write more graphically violent scenes than male writers. Well, they had been good friends until that remark, both being from Fife, Scotland. She blasted him back with it wasn't true and he was a neanderthal clod. The best book I've read by her was A Place of Execution. It was a stand alone, not one of her series. Have you ever tried Denise Mina? Another Scot, and she is superb, no foolin'. You can probably get her at your library, ours has her and we're a wee tiny dot.
Thanks for the reviews.
Sorry about that Apryl I wish I had known.
Vicky have you read Minette Walters? I think you'd like her and yes I do read that many books but remember I'm single with no sex drive and I'm unable to work so - I do what I want when I can and when I'm healthy enough.
Joy - That could be like our little code phrase to each other.
Other than that non-fiction -- the sky's the limit, Sharon.
Have you read a somewhat mini-book "Panda Eats Leaves and Shoots"? I thought that one was. . .mmmm, okay.
I've never read her Priscilla I'll take a look.
Well then Nalita try Minette Walters or Denise Mina. Very good writers. I'll take a look at Panda Eats - thanks.
But only until 3/20...then I'm back reading what EYE want to read.
I've been storing some reads up, but I can't look to see what they are now. I have 2 journals to write--a powerpoint presentation to make--for tomorrow night, and If I look now, I'm a goner. Next week is the final...the week after that will be the come to Hayseuss Last Night. Come ON Easter! Get me out of this 'cluster!'
Sharon, I'm still trying to play catch up on the list we did 3 weeks ago, 5 books are in, but I didn't open the Amazon Fed Ex box. (I skeered!)
How'd you do with the upgrade? I seem to be plugging on.
Blessings on you and your crew,
Wilka
Motherhood and relationships absorbed me for so many years, now I just want to read all the books I didn't have time for.
Gabriel Marquez (can't remember the rest of his name) always seems like an intimidating read to me. One of these days I'll tackle him.
(Don't tell anyone, but I love the JD Robb books too! I'd do Roarke for sure, Eve really seems hot to me also).
But, you know, I am not complaining. Life is full and fun and I am open to all sorts of things. Oh yes, and I am getting married in April.! Sex drive is still fully functional. lol
I would chose 'A Pagan Place' next Sharon. Sounds interesting. Thanks for the reviews. namaste
Wanda - another noveist, there can never be enough and vote 3 for pagan place
(Pillars of the Earth - I have a reserve order in at my library but haven't heard from them yet, so I must be on a list.)
Kimberly - you're welcome for the reviews and decisions, decisions, decisions. Would that everyone's biggest problem is what to read next, it would be nice.
Delaune - I'm into it tonite. The description sounds scrumptious.
Your welcome Curt.
Or my novel, White Lies: A Tale of Babies, Vaccines, and Deception. An excerpt is posted under my content on Gather. Or try www.readwhitelies.com for more stories about me and more about the true story behind the novel.
Have you read The Darling by Russell Banks? It's not perfect but topic is fascinating and he tries to write from woman's point of view and I'd like your blunt take on it.
I can recommend some mystery/crime novels, but be aware that I dislike most mystery/crime novels like, for example, those by Sue Grafton, Sandra Brown, and other authors you put out so many it seems they just spit them out. So those I recommend have much better, well-thought-out writing.
I've read three by Joseph Kanon, _The Good German_, _Alibi_, and _The Prodigal Spy_. They are all excellent combination mystery-historical fiction. (If you saw the movie version of _The Good German_, a terribly boring and difficult-to-understand movie, I promise, it's not at all like the novel.)
I've read a few good crime/mystery novels by Dennis Lehane, including _Mystic River_, _Gone, Baby, Gone_, _Shutter Island_, and _Prayers for Rain. The first three are very good; the fourth is good. The novel version of _Mystic River_ is, of course, better than the movie. I thought _Gone Baby Gone_ was the best of the three. _Shutter Island_ might take longer for you to read because it's a novel that really forces you to think and figure.
I've read all of Harlan Coben's mystery/crime novels. He writes about one a year, and I enjoyed them all. (He has a new one coming out in April, and I won't wait for the paperback to buy it.) I enjoy his books because 1) he doesn't make you wait and wait for the book to get interesting, 2) I find his books not-putdownable, and 3) he's laugh-out-loud funny (especially in his Myron Bolitar series).
Elizabeth - I don't just read the easy ones hun - I've read most of Harlan Coben, I also like John Sandford, Lincoln Child, the guy that wrties the Easy Rawlins series - can't remember his name - have you read Kathy Reichs? She's pretty good. I've read Dennis LeHane - I love his stuff. JosephKanon is someone I'll try.
I see I'll have to come back here this weekend when I do my online holds on books.
Marie - books are my greatest joy next to my kids and friends.