Friday Reads 4.19.24

It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!

It’s been a little lean on the reading side of things this week. I have a *very* good excuse…well, maybe not a very good excuse, but an excuse. We were finishing watching Ripley, which, I must say, gets a 98% thumbs up from me. I had one little quibble about the relationship between Dickie and Tom, (I wanted to see a little more chemistry on Dickie’s part, he was a touch too laconic) but as for the rest? It was worth sacrificing my night reading time to watch. Sumptuously shot in black and white, it is one of the most beautifully realized adaptations of Highmith’s seminal work I’ve ever experienced. And it is an experience.

Oh, and we had a snake in the kitchen. (You try reading after that.)

Oh, and I was reworking HLN from the ground up. (paywall)

Oh, and I got braces on Wednesday, and my head has been throbbing since. (You folks listening might hear my brand-new lisp. Joy.) I had the full Monty of braces, headgear, and rubber bands for years as a youngster—it was quite something to be thrust back into this world again. Teeth shift and move as you age, and mine were making it impossible to close my jaw completely. Wear your retainers, kids.

OK, no real excuses. Sorry. But I have plenty to talk with you about!!!

I finished at last THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW by I.S. Berry. I have FEELINGS, people. It’s a wonderfully written book with a lead who is quite the byronic hero. I don’t know that I liked him at the end—and I think that was exactly the point.

Friend of the blog Olivia Barry has a lovely new devotional called Mornings in 50 Words: Change Your Life One Word at a Time that you should check out! I might not want to tackle traditional morning pages and write three pages of stream of consciousness, but 50 words? That’s eminently doable.

Have y’all read Leif Enger yet? He’s a favorite of so I feel compelled to add him to my repertoire. His latest, I CHEERFULLY REFUSE, just released and looks wonderful. He is best known for PEACE LIKE A RIVER.

Alexandra Bracken is one of my favorites and when I found out she has a King Arthur themed book out I bought it right away. SILVER IN THE BONE is the title, and it is staring at me from the shelf just begging to be read. I will admit…I haven’t read a fantasy novel since IRON FLAME. Am I spoiled for fantasy forever??

Alyssa Cole’s ONE OF US KNOWS is in the running for my favorite cover of the year. I had to get it, just because it’s so beautiful. And I know the story will be stellar!

One of the nicest guys in the thriller world, Mark Edwards, has a new one out this week called THE DARKEST WATER. I’m happy to spend a few hundred pages in the Lake District, thank you very much.

I have a few books on my blurb pile, but as soon as they’re done, I am all in for the new Sandford. Reading his books reminds me of a time not so long ago (yes, it was forever) when I was just noodling the idea of writing a book and read MIND PREY and went, oh, OH! THIS IS IT! THIS is what I want to do!

And y’all asked, and I was happy to comply—this page lives on my website, but it wasn’t up to date. Here are the soundtracks for all of my primary books.

you were lucky number 17… You won the A VERY BAD THING galley - please email or DM me your address!

This is fun; let’s do it again. Leave a comment and I’ll pick another next week!

That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? I'd love to hear what you're reading this weekend. Any recommendations?

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