Winter and spring are always very busy here in the desert, as we try to enjoy as many outdoor activities as we can before the nearly intolerable summer heat returns. I had borrowed a book from my boss in January, which I've been trying to read so I can return it to her, and that interrupted my planned reading schedule (and it's still not finished yet, much to my dismay). The two books I read for fun had an unsuspected link which gave a theme to the month: war and its affects on the families left behind.
The Belting Inheritance by Julian Symons Originally published in 1965, and recently reissued with a gorgeous new cover from Poisoned Pen Press. The story is told in the first person by Christopher, an eighteen-year-old at the time the events transpire but who is writing at some undisclosed time in his later adulthood and reflecting on how they affected him and his family and reflected societal changes in England brought about by the war. Christopher was orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric family dominated by a strong-willed matriarch. Everything is placid and boring until someone claiming to be one of Lady Wainwright's sons, missing and presumed killed in World War II, returns to the family fold. Part coming of age story, part mystery, the book is well written and deals with one overlooked part of history--the many thousands of mostly European soldiers who were transferred from German prisons to Russian prisons at the end of WWII, many of whom disappeared into the gulag system for years after the war end, and some of whom never made it out alive. Generally very enjoyable, with a strange and somewhat unsatisfying resolution in Paris (the resolution of the mystery was fine, but why did a significant number of the main characters wind up in Paris on what read as flimsy excuses? That was pushing credulity a little.) Recommedned for mystery fans and cosy mystery lovers in particular. NetGalley
Hitler and the Habsburgs by James M. Longo Extremely well written and researched discussion of Adolf Hitler's personal hatred of the ruling family of the Austrian empire. My own interest in history and my family's personal history of WWII mean this has always been a time period of great interest to me, although really well done treatises leave me emotionally spent and angry. Professor Longo's book left me spent and angry, and frightened. His research into both the background of Hitler and the Austrian emperors is exhaustive, but has been condensed into very readable chapters that illuminate the early twentieth century in middle Europe with ease and much detail that reads very engagingly. The author spent years interviewing many of the historical people who were children and adults in the Austrian royal family, and the intimacy established between them truly enlivens what could have been a dry recitation of historical fact with eyewitness recollections and loving family memories. The first few chapters detailing the rise of Hitler were especially chilling and frightening given the current resurgence of his nationalist agenda in the US and Europe. Hitler and the Habsburgs is both an excellent history and a bellweather warning of how insidious hatred can poison a thriving, multicultural society. Excellent and highly recommended reading for history buffs and political science readers. NetGalley
Beyond the Pale by Clare O'Donohue First book in a new series. Hollis was trained to be a spy, but left that life before it even began to marry Finn and settle into what has now, in her middle age, become a boring and mundane life with her professor husband. The first few chapters detail how unsatisfied with her life Hollis is, setting the stage for her to be easily swayed to help an old friend and current agent help Interpol track down a missing spy to save his life. I wanted to like Hollis more than I did, but found the discrepancies between her overcommunicated supposed expertise as a trainee spy ("you were the tops in our class." "You were the best one in our group.") wth her naive behavior once she gets to Ireland. This non-spy, never-wanted-to-be-a-spy reader knows that sitting in apub and discussing your mission aloud is a guaranteed way to bring danger to you and the spy you're trying to rescue and a really dumb move for the best spy trainee in class. I appreciated the allusions to and quotes from famous Irish writers (Finn and Hollis are professors, and its Finn's expertise that led David, Hollis' agent friend, to appeal for their help), and the description of Ireland, Dublin and other settings was well done. But the story itself, Hollis' alleged great aptitude for spying (although 20 years in the past and clearly her bungling efforts did not match her supposed reputation), and the relationship with Finn didn't convince me. But it's a pretty fast read, so suitable for upcoming summer vacation travel reading. NetGalley
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Middle Sister's February Reads
I had lots of airplane time in February, so plenty of time to dive head first into a book for uninterrupted reading time. I think that might be a bad thing, as I seem to have been a lot more critical than I usually am. This month: mysterious mayhem checked by a brief nature outing.
Drury Lane's Last Case by Ellery Queen I tend to enjoy stories that feature fictional works by famous artists, if well written and well researched and plausible. This mystery centers on the disappearance of a Shakespeare folio and the substitution of a more rare Shakespeare folio, with a mysterious, rainbow-bearded client and one thousand dollars cash. Drury Lane, former Shakespearean actor now retired because he's lost his hearing, becomes involved in the search for the folio and the unmasking of mysterious strangers. Originally published in the 1930s, the story does show its age a little. The beginning is very long and slow by comparison with the second half of the novel, but that half moves very quickly. Thumm and his daughter Patience are likable characters, but I didn't see the need to introduce some third rate gangsters. Parts were confusing but in the end, a satisfying and unique twist that I cannot imagine any modern writers being willing to use. Not the best Ellery Queen, but a good read nonetheless. (audiobook)
Unto Us A Son is Given by Donna Leon Guido Brunetti has recently become one of my favorite fictional characters, and Donna Leon one of my favorite mystery writers. Her love for Venice and its residents is clear, but she doesn't whitewash the failings of the Italian police or society. In this novel, Guido's father-in-law, the Count, asks him to use his connections to look into the background of someone about whom he has serious concerns. Despite his initial reluctance, Guido does, and this touches off a sequence of actions, including a natural death and a murder, that profoundly affect Guido in a way that other cases have not. I love Guido and Paola's relationship, and I love Leon's depiction of Venice. Another excellent entry in the series.
48 Peaks by Cheryl Suchors I love nature books, and books about hiking in nature, and books about how hiking in nature affect people's lives. Suchors details her quest to climb all 48 peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. I wanted to like it. The details of Suchor's training and her relationships with her hiking partners form the majority of the book, with less detail on the wonders of nature that she encountered on the various peaks. And that's one reason I didn't like it: the emphasis was on her obsessive training and her clashes with hiking partners whose hiking philosophies differed from her own. Suchors hiked to tick each mountain off her list, not to enjoy nature, to learn about the environment or the geology or plants, or to enjoy being in nature, and her frustration with people who did hike for enjoyment was dismissive and irritating. I would hate hiking with her. There are few deep introspections offered, but the clear emphasis on just climbing each mountain to climb it, not to enjoy it, detracts from the effort and the narrative in this hiking lover's opinion.
Upstaged by Murder by C. S. Chalinor Rex Graves and his new wife, Helen D'Arcy, are enjoying a night at the local community theater when the murder of the leading lady interrupts the show and delays their move to Edinburgh. I'd never read a book in the series before, and my experience was ambivalent. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it. The plot was rather mundane, the suspects not that interesting, and even though the author lived in the UK for several years, the dialogue didn't ring quite true. I didn't quite understand Rex's involvement beyond being interviewed as a witness. Why the inspector let him just interview suspects at will was not really explained well for first-time readers to the series, but I assumed the two were friends who'd worked on previous murder mysteries. Otherwise it seemed like a dereliction of duty. The resolution was no surprise. It's not a bad book, it's just not a good book.
Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae Another first in an established series for me, and this one features yarn shop owner Kath Rutledge and her live-in ghost, Geneva. A local bank is being transformed into a gallery for artists and small shop owners, and the murder of one of the shop owners draws Kath and her boyfriend Joe into solving the murder. I freely admit that I went in to the book with two chips on my reader's shoulder: I'm not fond of paranormal mysteries (and I didn't realize this was a paranormal until after I'd started it), and I really dislike it when the amateur detectives think they are smarter than the pros. In Chapter 9, Kath actually says "But I'd be willing to bet Coleridge [law enforcement] smelled a rat. And if he plans to hunt it down, then we'll see if we can't catch it first, even if we ruffle a few feathers." Murder isn't a game, and when it's treated as such I tend to get my reading hackles up. But I did like Joe; in fact, I'd really like to have seen more of him and less of Geneva. Like the previous title, it's not a bad book, it's just not a good book. The plot is a little weak, the ghost aspect not appealing to all readers (and she's a bit of an annoying ghost to boot), but some of the secondary characters interesting.
How to Knit a Murder by Sally Goldenbaum I haven't read all of the Sea Harbor mysteries, but I have enjoyed the ones I've read. This, however, is not my favorite of the titles I've read. I approve of how Ms. Goldenbaum shifts point of view between a handful of main characters, and she handles it deftly because all of these characters are well defined and sympathetic, interesting, and with enough to appeal that the reader can see themselves as Nell, or Ben, or Birdie, or Izzy, or Cass. The characters are all likable (except for the murder victim, of course), and Sea Harbor is the perfect small town where everyone knows and cares about each other and drops by with scones and wise advice. It's a little too perfect, and for some reason, that perfection seemed to be more egregious in this entry, perhaps because the novel dealt with the lifelong repercussions of childhood bullying. And none of the main characters and most of the secondary characters were astonished that such hateful behavior could have happened under their noses. There's very little of Izzy in this entry, a lot of Nell and Birdie, and a great deal of a newcomer to town, Rose, who is murder suspect number one. If Rose and Stella don't become a romantic couple in the future, someone needs to talk to Ms. Goldenbaum about portraying platonic female friendships more realistically, because the gushing and instant intimacy of Rose and Stella was too unrealistic if it's not clearly pointing to a romance. Sea Harbor doesn't appear to have any LBGTQ characters (or any people of color), so it's high time some moved there. The murder is slow to be solved, and the sudden appearance of the clue that solves everything was a little too trite and deus ex machina for me; I prefer a more clever approach where clues are sprinkled throughout the novel and I get to solve it along with the amateurs. But Sea Harbor is always a nice place to visit and wish was real, especially the restaurants.
Drury Lane's Last Case by Ellery Queen I tend to enjoy stories that feature fictional works by famous artists, if well written and well researched and plausible. This mystery centers on the disappearance of a Shakespeare folio and the substitution of a more rare Shakespeare folio, with a mysterious, rainbow-bearded client and one thousand dollars cash. Drury Lane, former Shakespearean actor now retired because he's lost his hearing, becomes involved in the search for the folio and the unmasking of mysterious strangers. Originally published in the 1930s, the story does show its age a little. The beginning is very long and slow by comparison with the second half of the novel, but that half moves very quickly. Thumm and his daughter Patience are likable characters, but I didn't see the need to introduce some third rate gangsters. Parts were confusing but in the end, a satisfying and unique twist that I cannot imagine any modern writers being willing to use. Not the best Ellery Queen, but a good read nonetheless. (audiobook)
Unto Us A Son is Given by Donna Leon Guido Brunetti has recently become one of my favorite fictional characters, and Donna Leon one of my favorite mystery writers. Her love for Venice and its residents is clear, but she doesn't whitewash the failings of the Italian police or society. In this novel, Guido's father-in-law, the Count, asks him to use his connections to look into the background of someone about whom he has serious concerns. Despite his initial reluctance, Guido does, and this touches off a sequence of actions, including a natural death and a murder, that profoundly affect Guido in a way that other cases have not. I love Guido and Paola's relationship, and I love Leon's depiction of Venice. Another excellent entry in the series.
48 Peaks by Cheryl Suchors I love nature books, and books about hiking in nature, and books about how hiking in nature affect people's lives. Suchors details her quest to climb all 48 peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. I wanted to like it. The details of Suchor's training and her relationships with her hiking partners form the majority of the book, with less detail on the wonders of nature that she encountered on the various peaks. And that's one reason I didn't like it: the emphasis was on her obsessive training and her clashes with hiking partners whose hiking philosophies differed from her own. Suchors hiked to tick each mountain off her list, not to enjoy nature, to learn about the environment or the geology or plants, or to enjoy being in nature, and her frustration with people who did hike for enjoyment was dismissive and irritating. I would hate hiking with her. There are few deep introspections offered, but the clear emphasis on just climbing each mountain to climb it, not to enjoy it, detracts from the effort and the narrative in this hiking lover's opinion.
Upstaged by Murder by C. S. Chalinor Rex Graves and his new wife, Helen D'Arcy, are enjoying a night at the local community theater when the murder of the leading lady interrupts the show and delays their move to Edinburgh. I'd never read a book in the series before, and my experience was ambivalent. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it. The plot was rather mundane, the suspects not that interesting, and even though the author lived in the UK for several years, the dialogue didn't ring quite true. I didn't quite understand Rex's involvement beyond being interviewed as a witness. Why the inspector let him just interview suspects at will was not really explained well for first-time readers to the series, but I assumed the two were friends who'd worked on previous murder mysteries. Otherwise it seemed like a dereliction of duty. The resolution was no surprise. It's not a bad book, it's just not a good book.
Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae Another first in an established series for me, and this one features yarn shop owner Kath Rutledge and her live-in ghost, Geneva. A local bank is being transformed into a gallery for artists and small shop owners, and the murder of one of the shop owners draws Kath and her boyfriend Joe into solving the murder. I freely admit that I went in to the book with two chips on my reader's shoulder: I'm not fond of paranormal mysteries (and I didn't realize this was a paranormal until after I'd started it), and I really dislike it when the amateur detectives think they are smarter than the pros. In Chapter 9, Kath actually says "But I'd be willing to bet Coleridge [law enforcement] smelled a rat. And if he plans to hunt it down, then we'll see if we can't catch it first, even if we ruffle a few feathers." Murder isn't a game, and when it's treated as such I tend to get my reading hackles up. But I did like Joe; in fact, I'd really like to have seen more of him and less of Geneva. Like the previous title, it's not a bad book, it's just not a good book. The plot is a little weak, the ghost aspect not appealing to all readers (and she's a bit of an annoying ghost to boot), but some of the secondary characters interesting.
How to Knit a Murder by Sally Goldenbaum I haven't read all of the Sea Harbor mysteries, but I have enjoyed the ones I've read. This, however, is not my favorite of the titles I've read. I approve of how Ms. Goldenbaum shifts point of view between a handful of main characters, and she handles it deftly because all of these characters are well defined and sympathetic, interesting, and with enough to appeal that the reader can see themselves as Nell, or Ben, or Birdie, or Izzy, or Cass. The characters are all likable (except for the murder victim, of course), and Sea Harbor is the perfect small town where everyone knows and cares about each other and drops by with scones and wise advice. It's a little too perfect, and for some reason, that perfection seemed to be more egregious in this entry, perhaps because the novel dealt with the lifelong repercussions of childhood bullying. And none of the main characters and most of the secondary characters were astonished that such hateful behavior could have happened under their noses. There's very little of Izzy in this entry, a lot of Nell and Birdie, and a great deal of a newcomer to town, Rose, who is murder suspect number one. If Rose and Stella don't become a romantic couple in the future, someone needs to talk to Ms. Goldenbaum about portraying platonic female friendships more realistically, because the gushing and instant intimacy of Rose and Stella was too unrealistic if it's not clearly pointing to a romance. Sea Harbor doesn't appear to have any LBGTQ characters (or any people of color), so it's high time some moved there. The murder is slow to be solved, and the sudden appearance of the clue that solves everything was a little too trite and deus ex machina for me; I prefer a more clever approach where clues are sprinkled throughout the novel and I get to solve it along with the amateurs. But Sea Harbor is always a nice place to visit and wish was real, especially the restaurants.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Middle Sister's January Reads
I may have only read two books in January, but both were long (that's okay) and very good (that's great).
Valley Forge by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin This recently published historical tome is an excellent look at one of the Revolutionary War's most famous episodes, the winter at Valley Forge. I was there as a child, and the images are still seared in my memory. That may be why I've always been intrigued by this particular historical subject. Drury and Clavin's masterpiece is a well researched and engagingly written look at the circumstances leading up to the winter at Valley Forge; the political, social, and economic landscapes and effects; and both the colonial and British experiences. Plenty of footnotes and maps detailing the military skirmishes furnish extra details that this reader loved. Highly recommended.
Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant My suggestion for my book group's January/February novel was a little slow moving, but well written. I could see antecedents of my favorite novelist, E.F. Benson, and the fictional world of Lucia in Lucinda Marjoribanks and Carlingford, albeit with a much gentler tone. The beginning was slow going, I will admit, but I am glad I hung there, as the last two-thirds of the book moved more quickly. There were two plots devices I didn't anticipate, and while my reactions to each were very different, upon retrospect, they enhanced the novel. Recommended.
Valley Forge by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin This recently published historical tome is an excellent look at one of the Revolutionary War's most famous episodes, the winter at Valley Forge. I was there as a child, and the images are still seared in my memory. That may be why I've always been intrigued by this particular historical subject. Drury and Clavin's masterpiece is a well researched and engagingly written look at the circumstances leading up to the winter at Valley Forge; the political, social, and economic landscapes and effects; and both the colonial and British experiences. Plenty of footnotes and maps detailing the military skirmishes furnish extra details that this reader loved. Highly recommended.
Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant My suggestion for my book group's January/February novel was a little slow moving, but well written. I could see antecedents of my favorite novelist, E.F. Benson, and the fictional world of Lucia in Lucinda Marjoribanks and Carlingford, albeit with a much gentler tone. The beginning was slow going, I will admit, but I am glad I hung there, as the last two-thirds of the book moved more quickly. There were two plots devices I didn't anticipate, and while my reactions to each were very different, upon retrospect, they enhanced the novel. Recommended.
Monday, December 31, 2018
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.
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.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
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
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
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Middle Sister's October Reads
Wow, did I get a lot read in October! Here are four more books I read this month, both fiction and nonfiction, including one of the best books I've read in years.
The Knitter's Dictionary by Kate Atherly Atherly is an editor of the online knitting magazine Knitty, which I love and was part of the reason I wanted to review this book. The book is exactly what the title says, an alphabetical dictionary of knitting which should be a welcome reference to many. The field is crowded as there are many such books out there, but this one does provide some benefits other, older books may not: the writing style is conversational, and references are made to things new knitters will probably already be aware of (e.g., the knitting and social media site Ravelry; popular designers such as Amy Herzog). The line drawings are large and clear. My one complaint? The usual knitter dismissiveness of acrylic yarn (which many charity organizations require their donated knit and crochet items be made from) was irritating. Acrylic yarn has its uses and is budget friendly, and it irks me when these self-styled encyclopedias of knitting dismiss it. Otherwise, this is a useful book for new knitters, and for those who want clear explanations of more advanced techniques such as kitchener stitch. Recommended (Net Galley)
Charlie Chan Carries On by Earl Derr Biggers The Charlie Chan series disappeared from publication for several decades, dismissed because of the racist depictions of Chinese people, including Chan himself. While he's portrayed as smart and honorable, a far superior detective to all around him, some found objectionable that his dialogue was not perfect English and he's been descried as subservient and a stereotype. This was my first exposure to printed Charlie, and my honest opinion, as the daughter of an immigrant, was that while he 'sounded' like a stereotype, lots of the people I grew up around spoke imperfect stilted English, very similarly to Charlie. We weren't told in this story how long Charlie has been in Hawaii, so I decided that like many of the people I knew, he grew up in China and learned English as an adult and thus his stilted style of speaking. The warm regard and very clear appreciation of Charlie's skill by Scotland Yard's Inspector Duff belied any internal racism. The story itself was well written and the pace was maintained. The round the world mystery was unique and interesting, and I enjoyed the book, and the ending, very much. Imperfect by today's standards re: characterization, the writing and plot stand up well. Recommended (audio book)
Murder at the Mill by M. B. Shaw Set in the wintry English countryside, this book opens with the murder, and then backtracks for a large part of the middle section to set up the murder. I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn't like the main character, Iris, even though I tried to be sympathetic to her personal crises, and I need to like my main characters. I loved how Lorcan was depicted and treated by his family and the book, and how the complicated family relationship was described. I loved the setting. But the mystery wasn't mysterious--I spied the murderer as soon as they appeared, and also nailed the issues behind several of the characters. Iris has changed a lot over the course of the novel, however, and has emerged a stronger person, so if this is a series, I might give the second one a chance. I'm going to recommend the book, although I'd probably give it a B/C borderline grade. (Net Galley)
Spying onWhales by Nick Pyenson It was a lark that I chose to read this book. I like to intersperse nonfiction after every few novels, and although I have no great affinity for whales or the ocean (in fact, I'm a horrible swimmer), I thought "Why not? I love nature and I love sitting by the ocean and I know nothing about whales." I am so glad I did. I loved this book! It was incredibly informative and very well written. Organized logically, it presented scientific and historical data in an easy, breezy manner. I read the entire book in 4 days. I learned so much, I recommended it when I was only halfway done, and I was sorry when it was over. It is the perfect example of how scientists can and should present science and data in easily digestible, understandable, and, importantly, entertaining ways to a public audience. Kudos, Dr. Pyenson. This isn't an easy accomplishment and he nailed it. Highly recommended. (Net Galley)
The Knitter's Dictionary by Kate Atherly Atherly is an editor of the online knitting magazine Knitty, which I love and was part of the reason I wanted to review this book. The book is exactly what the title says, an alphabetical dictionary of knitting which should be a welcome reference to many. The field is crowded as there are many such books out there, but this one does provide some benefits other, older books may not: the writing style is conversational, and references are made to things new knitters will probably already be aware of (e.g., the knitting and social media site Ravelry; popular designers such as Amy Herzog). The line drawings are large and clear. My one complaint? The usual knitter dismissiveness of acrylic yarn (which many charity organizations require their donated knit and crochet items be made from) was irritating. Acrylic yarn has its uses and is budget friendly, and it irks me when these self-styled encyclopedias of knitting dismiss it. Otherwise, this is a useful book for new knitters, and for those who want clear explanations of more advanced techniques such as kitchener stitch. Recommended (Net Galley)
Charlie Chan Carries On by Earl Derr Biggers The Charlie Chan series disappeared from publication for several decades, dismissed because of the racist depictions of Chinese people, including Chan himself. While he's portrayed as smart and honorable, a far superior detective to all around him, some found objectionable that his dialogue was not perfect English and he's been descried as subservient and a stereotype. This was my first exposure to printed Charlie, and my honest opinion, as the daughter of an immigrant, was that while he 'sounded' like a stereotype, lots of the people I grew up around spoke imperfect stilted English, very similarly to Charlie. We weren't told in this story how long Charlie has been in Hawaii, so I decided that like many of the people I knew, he grew up in China and learned English as an adult and thus his stilted style of speaking. The warm regard and very clear appreciation of Charlie's skill by Scotland Yard's Inspector Duff belied any internal racism. The story itself was well written and the pace was maintained. The round the world mystery was unique and interesting, and I enjoyed the book, and the ending, very much. Imperfect by today's standards re: characterization, the writing and plot stand up well. Recommended (audio book)
Murder at the Mill by M. B. Shaw Set in the wintry English countryside, this book opens with the murder, and then backtracks for a large part of the middle section to set up the murder. I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn't like the main character, Iris, even though I tried to be sympathetic to her personal crises, and I need to like my main characters. I loved how Lorcan was depicted and treated by his family and the book, and how the complicated family relationship was described. I loved the setting. But the mystery wasn't mysterious--I spied the murderer as soon as they appeared, and also nailed the issues behind several of the characters. Iris has changed a lot over the course of the novel, however, and has emerged a stronger person, so if this is a series, I might give the second one a chance. I'm going to recommend the book, although I'd probably give it a B/C borderline grade. (Net Galley)
Spying onWhales by Nick Pyenson It was a lark that I chose to read this book. I like to intersperse nonfiction after every few novels, and although I have no great affinity for whales or the ocean (in fact, I'm a horrible swimmer), I thought "Why not? I love nature and I love sitting by the ocean and I know nothing about whales." I am so glad I did. I loved this book! It was incredibly informative and very well written. Organized logically, it presented scientific and historical data in an easy, breezy manner. I read the entire book in 4 days. I learned so much, I recommended it when I was only halfway done, and I was sorry when it was over. It is the perfect example of how scientists can and should present science and data in easily digestible, understandable, and, importantly, entertaining ways to a public audience. Kudos, Dr. Pyenson. This isn't an easy accomplishment and he nailed it. Highly recommended. (Net Galley)
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Middle Sister's Mid-Month Review
Deadly Camargue by Cay Rademacher A German-born author who lives in France, Rademacher's many books are just now starting to be translated into English. In this novel, the main character is Roger Blanc, a policeman who has left his urban job for one in a small town in Provence. Great, I thought--Provence! I've read Peter Mayle and enjoyed his books, I know what Provence is like and a mystery there sounds great. But Rademacher's Provence is just as hot and dusty as where I live, and reminds me of southern Spain, complete with bullfighting. I enjoyed the novel. The setting was well described and atmospheric, from the dry, flat plain to the storm that rages through the denouement. But as much as I liked the setting, I didn't really like the characters, including Roger (although I did like Fabienne, the lesbian computer genius). I'm not a big fan of melancholy and self-pity, and Roger's mourning the end of his marriage and his disaffected relationship with his children, his puppy-like devotion to and affair with Aveline, simultaneous with his half-regretful musings at losing Genevieve, were boring. The mid-life crises are just not interesting to me. Rather than conflicted, he came across as self-absorbed and at the same time, passive and inactive--unable to divorce his wife, unable to leave Aveline who will not leave her husband, unable to pursue a relationship with his neighbor--this kind of paralysis came across poorly and is not what I look for in main character. I like a character I can identify with in a least some small way, and I couldn't discover anything that I identified with in Roger. I found his situation more annoying that sympathetic. The conclusion was not satisfying in the traditional way many readers prefer, and it was my favorite part of the book. Some like to see our murderers get their comeuppance, but I thought the ending was realistic and believable. Rademacher's writing style appears, via translation, smooth, and the pace was adequate. Despite this, I doubt I'll read another because I don't really like Roger. But I'm glad that European authors are being translated for American readers, and many will delight in finding a new author with dozens of novels for them to read. (Net Galley)
Blue Murder by Colin Watson Originally published in England in 1979, Blue Murder is another in a series of mysteries set in the fictional town of Flaxborough. Inspector Purbright is quickly becoming one of my favorite series characters. He has a dry sense of humor, and while he takes his job very seriously, he recognizes that sometimes the life swirling around him deserves nothing more than an eye roll. The townspeople are quirky, as all fictional English small town residents are, and despite the high murder rate, yea, I'd enjoy living there. In this particular entry, Flaxborough is invaded by a news crew trying to ferret out which locals performed in a pornographic film found overseas, and the threat of the scandal results in murder. I loved the book--the mystery within the mystery; the two murders solved, albeit decades apart in time; the eccentric characters like Barrington Hoole; everything. I am so glad that these are being reissued. Recommended for those who love mysteries reminiscent of the Golden Age and set in England and all cosy lovers everywhere. (Net Galley)
Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott Okay, a mystery set in a mystery bookstore--should be my perfect read, right? Wrong. There were too many unrealistic aspects large and small. Do you know how many books can be ruined by clients sitting and reading in comfy chairs and spilling the free coffee; and why would they buy the book when they can read it in the comfy chair for free? And the unrealistic time line--3 months to inherit a massive fortune, a huge house, and open a bookstore? C'mon. Every small unrealistic statement derails the flow of a story--even hardwired smoke detectors have back-up batteries, so the fire in Addie's kitchen is unrealistic, but when you need a plot device, who cares about accuracy? Now these may seem like small things that an be overlooked, but when every relationship in the book accelerates at lightning speed, the constant lack of realism becomes very noticeable and annoying: instant best friends with the store owner next door; instant intimacy with said store owner's police chief brother, all the while Addie simultaneously denies being attracted to him and flirts outrageously with him. These relationships read as if written by a high schooler with no experience of a real romance. Although the bare bones of the story were good, the execution was middling. (Net Galley)
Blue Murder by Colin Watson Originally published in England in 1979, Blue Murder is another in a series of mysteries set in the fictional town of Flaxborough. Inspector Purbright is quickly becoming one of my favorite series characters. He has a dry sense of humor, and while he takes his job very seriously, he recognizes that sometimes the life swirling around him deserves nothing more than an eye roll. The townspeople are quirky, as all fictional English small town residents are, and despite the high murder rate, yea, I'd enjoy living there. In this particular entry, Flaxborough is invaded by a news crew trying to ferret out which locals performed in a pornographic film found overseas, and the threat of the scandal results in murder. I loved the book--the mystery within the mystery; the two murders solved, albeit decades apart in time; the eccentric characters like Barrington Hoole; everything. I am so glad that these are being reissued. Recommended for those who love mysteries reminiscent of the Golden Age and set in England and all cosy lovers everywhere. (Net Galley)
Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott Okay, a mystery set in a mystery bookstore--should be my perfect read, right? Wrong. There were too many unrealistic aspects large and small. Do you know how many books can be ruined by clients sitting and reading in comfy chairs and spilling the free coffee; and why would they buy the book when they can read it in the comfy chair for free? And the unrealistic time line--3 months to inherit a massive fortune, a huge house, and open a bookstore? C'mon. Every small unrealistic statement derails the flow of a story--even hardwired smoke detectors have back-up batteries, so the fire in Addie's kitchen is unrealistic, but when you need a plot device, who cares about accuracy? Now these may seem like small things that an be overlooked, but when every relationship in the book accelerates at lightning speed, the constant lack of realism becomes very noticeable and annoying: instant best friends with the store owner next door; instant intimacy with said store owner's police chief brother, all the while Addie simultaneously denies being attracted to him and flirts outrageously with him. These relationships read as if written by a high schooler with no experience of a real romance. Although the bare bones of the story were good, the execution was middling. (Net Galley)
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