tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post6940876498024819687..comments2023-11-03T06:20:06.604-05:00Comments on Lesa's Book Critiques: What Are You Reading?Lesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-28432479555187990262020-09-28T11:35:52.942-05:002020-09-28T11:35:52.942-05:00Rosemary, thanks for the list of Amanda Cross book...Rosemary, thanks for the list of Amanda Cross books - it's simpler to tell you what I haven't read - the first four and Honest Doubt. Apparently they're available on Amazon (in US) at a reasonable price. I think I'll order Honest Doubt. The last one I read was The Edge of Doubt in Nov 2002. Thanks for the reminderSallyMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12479645664909594149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-73655427741779232852020-09-27T09:02:25.075-05:002020-09-27T09:02:25.075-05:00No, Rick. I don't think there's anything o...No, Rick. I don't think there's anything other than indoor time in 2020, unless you live in the wilderness, and, right now, that's not California or Oregon.<br /><br />Thank you! Yes, the talk's over, and it went well. Good slate of authors. <br /><br />And, thank you for commenting this time.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-57081308541963057812020-09-25T19:03:42.307-05:002020-09-25T19:03:42.307-05:00It’s always a pleasure to read your blog, though I...It’s always a pleasure to read your blog, though I rarely comment. By this time your talk has been a success, I’m sure.<br /><br />I’ve been reading many of the British Library Crime Classics books, most recently SETTLING SCORES, edited by Martin Edwards, as always. Quite enjoyable. Just got Julian Symons THE COLOR OF MURDER, which will go near the top of good old TBR stack.<br /><br />Otherwise, glad the smoke has cleared here in Portland, and we’re having rain. Ahh. Plenty of indoor time (is there any other kind?) to read, watch the kittens antics and try not to order pizza too often.Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-4433843735108079512020-09-25T14:33:09.228-05:002020-09-25T14:33:09.228-05:00This covid scares me something awful. I dread the ...This covid scares me something awful. I dread the winter months as I believe it will get worse. <br /><br />I read THE DARKEST EVENING but I just didn't like it a whole lot. I'm sure it was me as it seems many loved it.<br /><br />I'm finishing up PLAYING NICE by JP Delaney now. It's pretty good. A deep subject matter for sure. Set in London also.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing and if you would please follow me I sure would appreciate it so much. The link is: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/lsmoore49https://www.blogger.com/profile/11758924631180199045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-483111720019615932020-09-25T02:58:41.140-05:002020-09-25T02:58:41.140-05:00Sally, according to Fantastic Fiction there are 14...Sally, according to Fantastic Fiction there are 14:<br /><br />https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/amanda-cross/<br /><br />I think I’ve probably read the first 9 at some point over the years, but not the later ones. I think I’ll try to complete my collection if they’re not too expensive. I’ve re-read some of them recently & was glad to find that I still loved them - though oh my goodness, Vietnam war or no Vietnam war, life was so much simpler then. <br /><br />Carolyn Heilbrun was a wealthy, well educated, successful woman. I wonder if she based Kate on herself or on the person she would have liked to have been? <br /><br />Which books have you read? <br />Rosemarynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-80619916451050138102020-09-24T20:59:00.928-05:002020-09-24T20:59:00.928-05:00Sally, I find my biggest problem is Twitter. I don...Sally, I find my biggest problem is Twitter. I don't read "his". I use Twitter for both blogs, and then I end up getting caught reading news. (sigh) Too much of it.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-82840556255353705742020-09-24T17:20:35.522-05:002020-09-24T17:20:35.522-05:00Rosemary, I, too, loved the Kate Fansler books. Ac...Rosemary, I, too, loved the Kate Fansler books. According to my records I read nine of them. Were there more?<br /><br />Sandie, Jeff, Lesa, and others, put me in the worried, muting club. I'm reading more than ever. Some nights I just don't want to turn on the TV (except for Cubs baseball).SallyMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12479645664909594149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-82228356022083029892020-09-24T15:53:10.795-05:002020-09-24T15:53:10.795-05:00Margie, If you're reading this, would you emai...Margie, If you're reading this, would you email me your mailing address? I have a book I promised to send to you, and I don't have your address.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-15672702893686019062020-09-24T13:58:38.011-05:002020-09-24T13:58:38.011-05:00Right there with you on that mute, Jeff!Right there with you on that mute, Jeff!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-72981980532467317742020-09-24T13:46:29.401-05:002020-09-24T13:46:29.401-05:00Lesa, I totally agree! If I'm watching televi...Lesa, I totally agree! If I'm watching television and he comes on, I grab the remote and mute him as quickly as possible.<br /><br />Rosemary, Turnbull started out with a 10 book series of procedurals set in Glasgow, then switched to a series set in York (City) and environs, both areas we know fairly well, especially the latter. Every time he makes a reference to the Holgate area and says it is not an area of York the tourists know, I think, "Not this tourist!" We stayed in that area several times as it is just a short walk to the city walls. The Shaws I've read have been very good so far.Jeff Meyersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00093411926030586355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-5135831754516056192020-09-24T13:06:44.949-05:002020-09-24T13:06:44.949-05:00Sandie, I know. I just don't know how we ever ...Sandie, I know. I just don't know how we ever got to this position. And, I blame the media for quite a bit of it. They just let him go on and on. It is hard to watch, and I have to turn away at times, although I do read newspapers and catch it on social media. I just can't stand to watch him.<br /><br />Reading is ALWAYS a salvation!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-40979461834001258852020-09-24T13:05:05.599-05:002020-09-24T13:05:05.599-05:00I love your comment, Glen, about Cobblered to Deat...I love your comment, Glen, about Cobblered to Death. It would be shorter and better without the whining. I get it. It does sound, though, as if a couple of your e-books came through for you.<br /><br />Stay safe.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-16588576902367815612020-09-24T12:41:20.779-05:002020-09-24T12:41:20.779-05:00I'm deeply distressed about how Trump is almos...I'm deeply distressed about how Trump is almost promising to cause problems following the election. What will we do if he won't leave? The experts will need to handle this one, but it's hard to sit still and watch.<br /><br />I finished the last entry in Victoria Laurie's psychic series. It was a good police procedural yet couldn't be solved without some psychic intervention.<br /><br />I'm back to Kent Krueger's series on audio - this time Copper River which picks up where Mercy Falls left off in a tremendous cliff hanger. <br /><br />Reading is my salvation when the news gets to be too much, which is often. I'm trying to pay attention to what is going on yet not be overwhelmed, a tricky balance!Sandie Herronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08980770806087770583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-24032755991916721802020-09-24T12:30:53.044-05:002020-09-24T12:30:53.044-05:00The smoke's clearing up some, but we're st...The smoke's clearing up some, but we're still in the "purple" tier, but a lot of places are opening up in defiance of the governor. I still do what I do.<br /><br />Read:<br /><br />Conspiracy in the Street by John Wiener; Hopelessly biased history of the Chicago 7 trial.<br /><br />Biscuits and Slashed Browns by Maddie Day; The owner of a Breakfast place investigates the murder of a jerk. Too easy.<br /><br />Cobblered to Death by Rosemarie Ross; A TV chef whines about authenticity while investigated the death of a reporter. Without the whining it would be lot better... and a lot shorter.<br /><br />e-books<br /><br />Greybeard; An old hippie takes on the refugee crisis in Germany. Not for the woke.<br /><br />Actress Slash Criminal; Former child star becomes a violent criminal, and gets in over her head.<br /><br />Team One; A trio of Sci fi heroes go to various planets, then get involved in a cosmic battle. Quite a shift in the middle.<br /><br />Our First Locomotive; A new company buys and refurbishes a steam locomotive.<br /><br />Glen Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159866063741462707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-87192353174091056682020-09-24T12:22:59.950-05:002020-09-24T12:22:59.950-05:00I was waiting for you, Mark. I'm worried about...I was waiting for you, Mark. I'm worried about you. I hope you're getting some sleep, even if you can't read. I hope you don't crash and burn. <br /><br />I'm sorry.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-23736394815353039552020-09-24T12:19:26.537-05:002020-09-24T12:19:26.537-05:00Monday at 7PM, I got sucked into a work meeting th...Monday at 7PM, I got sucked into a work meeting that doesn't end. Literally. We are only breaking to sleep. I'm barely getting any reading done, and I'm stressed out completely.<br /><br />It sounds like we are going to be going until Monday, but I don't think I'm going to last that long.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-67559416407174489772020-09-24T12:16:01.349-05:002020-09-24T12:16:01.349-05:00At least you know, Rosemary, that it's not the...At least you know, Rosemary, that it's not the UK writers who get fixated on a topic. American authors do as well. For several years, it was the unreliable narrator who was a "girl". Aarrrgghhh! There's my opinion. I'm not a fan of the unreliable narrator. I guess it's because I prefer a straightforward mystery, and I want to find out whodunnit or why. I'm not a fan of those suspenseful woman in danger novels, or the ones that hinge on the narrator's personality, or lack thereof. Usually a lack, in my opinion. There. I gave you my opinion more than you really wanted to know!<br /><br />I enjoy it when people check in as well. I'm learning a little bit about your Scotland, the fires and issues out west in the U.S., the work situation for some of us.<br /><br />I really just want to provide everyone with a blanket and a good book, and wish we could all settle in to read.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-20892957262514436802020-09-24T12:15:07.184-05:002020-09-24T12:15:07.184-05:00Kaye, I envy you for being able to get highly anti...Kaye, I envy you for being able to get highly anticipated books so early! I already had Ink and Shadows on my TBR list, but I just added The Book of Lost Words--sounds wonderful!<br />Margie Buntinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10120666616254809025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-16452548148178953372020-09-24T11:54:10.918-05:002020-09-24T11:54:10.918-05:00Hi Lesa and everyone,
I have been at the dentist ...Hi Lesa and everyone,<br /><br />I have been at the dentist today for the first time since February - it was actually a lot easier than I thought, my dentist is lovely and although they have had to take more precautions it still felt quite relaxed and not at all rushed. The good news is that for some reason any treatment covered by the NHS is at the moment totally free! Even the dentist doesn’t know why, as usually everyone has to pay part of the NHS charge for dentistry (whereas we don’t have to pay anything for the doctor) unless they are on benefits. So I came out quite cheerful! <br /><br />It’s a lot cooler here, which I prefer - the current temperature is around 45F (at 5.30pm). <br /><br />I am reading an old Virago crime novel - Virago (feminist publishers) had a spate of putting these out in the 1980s and early 90s (I suppose that is when they started publishing my beloved Amanda Cross/Carolyn Heilbrun Kate Fansler books in the UK). This is one I’d never heard of - “Georgia Disappeared’ by Ellen Godfrey. It is set in the world of computer software development in Toronto. The female head of a computer team is about to compete the development of a brilliant new programme when she disappears at a party. Her friend Jane investigates her disappearance - is is something to do with industrial espionage, marital problems, or what? I’m quite enjoying it, the characters are good - apart from, unfortunately, the main character, Jane herself, who is very dull, whinges on endlessly about her personal problems, and says “I just don’t understand you’ or ‘I just don’t understand what you are saying’ every 5 minutes. But I’m keen to see who did commit the crime, so I’ll carry on. <br /><br />As I’m spending this week down in Edinburgh, I’ve been visiting all the charity shops that I haven’t had a chance to trawl for months. I think I’ve bought at least 15 books already - including a PD James (The Private Patient), an Ian Rankin (The Black Book), an Ann Cleeves (Blue Lightning) and an old Joan Smith novel - she also wrote feminist mysteries in the 80s - Don’t Leave Me This Way. I also bought a Lilian Beckwith book ‘An Island Apart’ - Beckwith wrote about her experience of life on the islands of Skye and then Soay, which she moved to in the 1940s, but this one is a novel set on a remote Hebridean island. I think her most famous book is The Hills is Lonely. <br /><br />Jeff, I like the sound of both the William Shaw and the Peter Turnbull books - I’ve not read any of them. More for the list! And Margie, those Key West Food mysteries sound great, I will look for them. <br /><br />And Lesa, I’m sure we all second Mo’s appreciation of your posts - I always see something I’d like to read in them, but more than that, I enjoy checking in with you and everyone else here, you bring us all together and - at least for me - it’s a lovely supportive time of my day. And I like it that you do give us your opinions sometimes, whether it’s about Blogger or American politics! I also agree that many UK writers do get fixated on certain fashionable topics - drives me round the bend. Every year the Edinburgh International Book Festival is full of whatever is the latest fad - refugees, mental health, gender issues, etc. Of course they are all important things, I would never disagree with that, but I read a novel to escape, not to listen to even more Politically Correct misery. I like quirky books that just do their own thing, and I especially enjoy good social comedy - the observation of all of our funny little habits and ideas, which are, after all, what make up our day-to-day lives. <br /><br />Very best of luck with your panel! You’ll be a star, OF COURSE! Rosemarynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-90309776852395671712020-09-24T11:46:12.359-05:002020-09-24T11:46:12.359-05:00Kaye, I always like to see that your selections ar...Kaye, I always like to see that your selections are excellent, and know you're enjoying them. I think a box is waiting for you the next time you and Donald stray into town.<br /><br />I'll let you know! At least it's early, so I'll get through it early.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-53791347998720769872020-09-24T11:44:53.139-05:002020-09-24T11:44:53.139-05:00Sally, I own a copy of The Daughters of Erietown, ...Sally, I own a copy of The Daughters of Erietown, but I've heard mixed reviews about it. My sister keeps asking if I've read it, but it's formidable, and those reviews...<br /><br />I'm so glad you're enjoying All the Devils Are Here! Definitely on my top ten list this year.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-23599290863787530342020-09-24T11:39:13.440-05:002020-09-24T11:39:13.440-05:00You will knock it outta the park on your panel, Le...You will knock it outta the park on your panel, Lesa! I can't wait to hear all about it.<br /><br />What I've read this week:<br /><br />nk and Shadows by Ellery Adams (ARC)<br />The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (ARC)<br />Watch Her by Edwin Hill (ARC)<br /><br />All excellent - all recommended.<br /><br />xxoo<br />K.<br />Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-43710950962895773802020-09-24T11:31:54.631-05:002020-09-24T11:31:54.631-05:00I've been freezing in Kentucky this week - my ...I've been freezing in Kentucky this week - my house just doesn't warm up when the weather changes. I was stubborn but finally turned on the heat yesterday for a couple of hours. It's better now and supposed to get warmer then way colder. I, like some of you, am not looking forward to winter. <br /><br />I've recently finished THE GEOMETRY OF HOLDING HANDS (Alexander McCall Smith). Just as good as all his books always are. I don't understand how he can write so well so fast. Also, read THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIETOWN (Connie Schultz) which takes 3 generations of women through their lives - mostly concentrates on the middle one and how women's lives changed in the latter part of the 20th century. I liked it very much. Next was WHAT TO WISH FOR (Katherine Center). Celebrate whenever possible and always choose joy make this a good read for our current situation.<br /><br />But - Ta Da! - I'm finally reading ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE (Louise Penny) and those of you who've already awarded it your "best book of the year" prize are definitely right. I miss Three Pines but am enjoying Paris (one of my favorite cities). I feel that she writes the best mysteries - make that best books - I read in any year. <br />SallyMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12479645664909594149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-55991003336057982802020-09-24T09:47:26.183-05:002020-09-24T09:47:26.183-05:00Margie, You're right about Alex Trebek's b...Margie, You're right about Alex Trebek's book. Superficial, but those of us who are faithful readers still wanted to read it. My Mom and I both enjoyed the book.<br /><br />Viola Shipman is a favorite of friends and family. My best friend, and my mother, have read all the books.<br /><br />Isn't it wonderful to find someone you lost? My college roommate found the "girl" who lived next door from us for two years. It's been so good to be back in touch with Andi.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-50909961725223457072020-09-24T09:44:10.333-05:002020-09-24T09:44:10.333-05:00Mo, You couldn't have given me a nicer complim...Mo, You couldn't have given me a nicer compliment than saying there seems to be something you want to read on a weekly basis. Thank you.<br /><br />Fifty degree swings in temperature! Wow! <br /><br />Those fires and the smoke are terrible. Take care of yourself.<br /><br />And, thank you.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.com