Middle Sister's December Reads

December was a good month for reading, with a variety of material and subject matter. A god way to end the year. An unconscious theme--mysteries set in the past.

The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis Silly premise to me, a bookstore with a coloring group that meets regularly like the archetypal book group. It seems to me a blatant attempt to cash in on the current rage for adult coloring books. And the cosy genre has its fill of niche groups-book groups, knitting groups, cooking groups, traveling groups, so why not a group of coloring book aficionados? The mystery was okay, a little too easy for me to figure out too early in the novel, but the characters were likable (hooray for a sisterly relationship where the sisters love each other but can also annoy each other), both main characters and secondary characters. And hooray for a nice, adult, romantic relationship proceeding at a normal pace. The setting--Georgetown--is great: urban, old, yet full of history and quirky. The resolution was  bit too pat, but I enjoyed the book and it was a fast read. A pleasant diversion the reader doesn't have to invest too much in to enjoy. (Net Galley)

A Shot in the Dark by Lynne Truss Delightful, funny mystery set in 1950s England by a fine writer. I would have liked to have had a better sense of Brighton, but the pace of the novel was fast. Every character was clearly and deftly defined, in just a few brief words, so that even the unlikable ones were interesting and one felt a little sad at their comeuppance. The twists and turns of the book are rapid; it's been a long time since I was surprised in a mystery novel, but this one got me. Well written, with a surprising ending, funny characters, and funny situations. I will definitely keep my eye out for future mysteries by Ms. Truss. (Net Galley)

They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer The only period mystery actually written in the past, a reissue of a novel by the romance author originally published in 1937. An English country house murder after a gala birthday party, with suspects abounding, young love, an irrepressible boy who complicates the romance, complicates the mystery, and helps bring the murderer to justice, quirky characters, sympathetic characters, and an escape to the genteel past where murderers were polite if diabolical. I love reading the Heyer Hannasyde mysteries, and am happy to have all them in reissued versions, both paper and digital. Perfect escapism. (Net Galley)

The Lacemaker's Secret by Kathleen Ernst Set in the 1980s, before cell phones and Netflix and Greek yogurt, Ernst's series revolves around Chloe, an historian who works in the upper midwest, and travels to different museums and locations for research or to help set exhibits. I like the unusual setting of the series, and its time frame means that some aspects can be simpler (people did seem nicer and less harried in the 1980s, which I remember well), and the lack of modern technology means that suspense can be ratcheted up in little ways that cell phones and the Internet would not allow. The simultaneous story lines can be a bit much, and I found myself starting to dislike the constant flipping back and forth between the stories, but it is handled deftly overall. (Net Galley)

Delicate Crochet by Sharon Silverman Lacy crochet patterns, nicely illustrated, but no charts were included in the advanced reader's copy I reviewed, despite the inclusion of a section on how to read charts. I would have liked to see more daring patterns, rather than the standard crochet pattern types, but the inclusion of Tunisian crochet makes the book stand out. (Net Galley)

On Thomas Merton by Mary Gordon I remember selling Thomas Merton books regularly when I worked in the bookstore, so thought that int his holiday season, some religious reading might not be amiss. Merton is a fascinating man who has been the subject of much research. For newcomers to his faith and philosophy, like me, I cannot recommend this book. There are extensive quotations from  his journals that allow the reader to get a sense of his writing style and thoughts, but the author's interpretations were lacking and presumed the reader came with an introduction to Merton already to hand.

Middle Sister's November Reads

November seemed to fly by, so I didn't get as much read as I had wanted. I hope, with some time off over the holidays, to read to my heart's desire.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery My book group's read this month. I hadn't read this book in about 40 years, but I had read it several times as a child, and loved it, of course. We are all Anne--we feel like we don't belong, we day dream, we just want love and beauty and peace. I am happy to report that Anne of Green Gables is just as wonderful as an adult as it was as a child. Except that now I sympathized with Mrs. Lynde, which I never did as a child. Not all beloved children's books survive an adult rereading, but this one did. And I still want to be Anne when I grow up, and I'm still waiting for my Gilbert. Highly recommended (Library ebook)

Miss Seeton Flies High by Hamilton Crane Another old book being reissued as a ebook. I've always enjoyed Miss Seeton. She's another elderly, English spinster sleuth, but she's not as well known as Miss Marple or Miss Silver, which is a shame. Miss Seeton is unlike her compatriots in that she's a little less judgmental and she's also a working sleuth, on retainer with Scotland Yard. The Seeton hook is that she's a retired art teacher, and in her sketches are her subconscious observations or intuitions that lead Scotland Yard to solve the mystery. In Flies High, drug runners and a kidnapped heir are confounded by King Arthur and New Agers, but Miss Seeton gets to take a balloon ride and solve the case. Recommended (Net Galley)

Ghost by Jason Reynolds I heard Mr. Reynolds interviewed on television recently and was very impressed with his thinking, philosophy, and erudition, so determined to read Ghost. I am so glad I did. It was wonderful, and absolutely worthy of the National Book Award nomination. Adult or child, this is is a heartwarming and inspiring story. Highly recommended