What Are You Reading Today? -(v2.0)

[Erin]

I just started The Cuckoo's Calling from the library. It's trying a little too hard to sound erudite, but so far so good, anyway. I think I like the secretary better than the main character.

[Margaret]

I'm about a third into and enjoying the audio version of Night Rounds by Helen Tursten, a Swedish author.
It would be easier to register the names of the numerous supportive characters if I saw them in print. Suzanne Torren narrates well but has to struggle with some of the Swedish pronunciations, as would I.

[Margaret]

PS I guess it's a police procedural but also character driven.

[Erin]

Margaret wrote: "PS I guess it's a police procedural but also character driven."

The number of Swedish police procedurals that have been published lately is kind of funny given the apparently low crime rate in Sweden. Or so I've read, anyway; having never been there myself ;-)

[Lenore]

I'm listening to The Expats, a book we considered last year. The narrative jumps back and forth in time, which is a little confusing unless you pay close attention, but it's really pretty gripping from the get-go. Moreover, for those who have ever been an expat (or better, an expat "trailing spouse"), the author has really nailed it in terms of conveying the things you do and they way you feel, adjusting to a new country.

[Erin]

I've been in an urban fantasy mood and not a historical mystery mood lately, which is really terrible for following our discussions as I just can't get interested in the stories enough to read for very long. But then I have no problem whatever reading five Patricia Briggs books in a row.

I'm totally in love with her fantasy world of werewolves, vampires, fae and who knows what else. I had been avoiding her Alpha & Omega series because it's billed as "paranormal romance" and has some terrible romance type covers, but then I broke down because I wanted something fluff to read and they are actually totally awesome.

Three books in three days =P And now I've run out of them and am sad. Though! Dana Cameron's new one, Pack of Strays, just came out yesterday, so I think I'll have at least one more urban fantasy to keep me busy. =)

What's everyone else reading right now?

[Elisabeth]

I'm in the middle of Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture - the 20th anniversary edition. It's slow going, and I read the previous edition, but it's just so INTERESTING I don't want to set it aside. However it's due back to the library at the end of the month, no renewals. Fortunately I have Wild Seed, MaddAddam, and Marvel 1602 waiting in the wings. :)

[John]

I am reading The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, by Claire North, which I am finding rather clever. Also reading Havana Lost, Libby Hellman's latest historical novel. Good stuff!

[Elisabeth]

John wrote: "I am reading The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, by Claire North, which I am finding rather clever."

Oh that sounds delightful! It's on my list...

[Kathy]

I just finished two books, the first of which is The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. It was amazing. My review can be found on my page. The second is a book I was sent through the Jungle Red Writers blog, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart: A Novel, debut novel by Peter Swanson, and it is a blend of Gone Girl and the noir movie Body Heat. I'm now reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, and, since I've long been interested in the orphan trains, I think it's going to be a great historical fiction read.

[Robin]

Jonathan Swift: His Life and His World. Fascinating...

[Lenore]

A Burnable Book, by Bruce Holsinger, an English professor at the University of Virginia. Great mystery set in the time of Chaucer. The narrator is Chaucer's friend and fellow poet, John Gower. I'm really liking it.

[N.L.B.]

I am cruising the paperback proof of WHEN CAMELS FLY, pending its May 12th release. I am, however, looking forward to Ms. King's DREAMING SPIES early next year, and have books by favorite authors delivering once a month until hers arrives. Can't wait!

[John]

Just finished The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Yes, Kathy B., this is a book lovers book!

[Sandra]

I'm reading (listening to, I can't hold books very well) "Shadow Woman". Also, "The 13th Victim". Both good reads!

[Erin]

John wrote: "Just finished The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Yes, Kathy B., this is a book lovers book!"

She came to my local indie last week, but I had to work late, so I missed the event =P With such praises, I think I'll definitely have to check it out!

[KarenB]

So I bought the bundled ebook editions of the Russell books so as to have books on my phone at all times that I want to read and then found myself waiting somewhere needing something to read. What do I do? I start and I can't stop. I'm all the way up to Pirate King!

Meanwhile The Yard is sitting over on the TBR pile telling me every time I walk by, "you're supposed to be reading me!"

[Kathy]

John, I'm so happy that you enjoyed The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, too. Oh, Erin, I would have loved to see her. She's on my list of authors I want to meet. If you enjoy Zevin's latest, you might want to check out Elsewhere It's a young adult book, and it's on my top five list of favorite YA books.

I just started Palisades Park by Alan Brennert, and it looks like it's going to be another great novel by this author. His two books set in Hawaii, Moloka'i and Honolulu are two of my favorites.

[Meredith]

Upon reflection, the books that I've felt most ambivalence about has been the Anna Travis mystery series (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...) by Lynda LaPlante (Prime Suspect Creator). I wanted to share my review of her 8th book in this series here.
As I think this book group would find this series to have a lot of sharp edges to talk about!

Best, Meredith

This is the next installment in the Anna Travis mystery series, where Anna comes one step closer to becoming one of those hard-boiled, cynical detectives with no personal aspirations or personal life. Lynda LaPlante seems hellbent--once again-- on punishing competent women for being the best at what they do!! Or perhaps reminding us that reality is not so nice, and often women who sacrifice so much for a career can end up with nothing in the end! (My two cents).

This book could be read as a stand-alone if you didn't want to witness all the unrelenting tragedy that Lynda has put poor Travis through to date! However, having said that, Laplante's writing has great pacing, the murders are gruesome as ever, and it is a compelling read! Laplante demonstrates her master story-telling abilities, and crisp prose. I coundn't put the book down once I started it. Although I very much wanted to because I only like books with happy endings.

[Lenore]

I'm listening to Chris Pavone's second novel The Accident. While not quite as good as the first, The Expats -- a little less believable -- it's still an exciting read and has terrific descriptive passages that make the reader feel THERE. Also, there's a lot of interesting insight into how the book publishing world works -- Pavone's career was in publishing before he left his job to be a "trailing spouse" in Europe and write his first novel.

[Kathy]

Finally reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Almost 300 pages into the 771 total. Enjoying it. Good practice, too, for the new Diana Gabaldon coming out in June.

Lenore, I'm really looking forward to reading A Burnable Book, too. I met Bruce Holsinger in March at the Virginia Festival of the Book, and he was such a nice guy.

[Erin]

I just finished Reconstructing Amelia and thought it was awesome, so I wanted to share. A mystery from the POV of the mother of the victim trying to figure out what happened to her daughter after the fact, interspersed with flashback POV of the duaghter as events are unfurling. Knowing that the daughter dies just left this sense of dread overlaying everything that happens throughout the book. One of those books that really grab you and make you think and feel, but are in no way heart-warming. But an amazing read.

I'm actually really purplexed by some of the most popular reviews here on GR. Apparently EW or somewhere made an off-hand comparison between this book and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and the reviews are just all up in arms about how this doesn't hold a candle to Gone Girl. I think they're both good books, but this one actually had characters I could identify with. Plus, I think EW was probably making more of a comment about this also being a big hit for a new author than an actual comparison of the two books. And maybe that both books are quite divergent from the usual mystery tropes.

[Erin]

Okay, so I'm not reading it yet because it hasn't been released, but I'm super excited about Taylor Stevens' new release The Catch coming out in July. And to wet the palate, she's got a novella coming out June 10th (The Vessel) that's the in-between of the new one and the previous one. She just made the announcement about the novella and I'm super excited and wanted to share with those here who enjoyed our February selection =D

[John]

Erin wrote: "Okay, so I'm not reading it yet because it hasn't been released, but I'm super excited about Taylor Stevens' new release The Catch coming out in July. And to wet the palate, she's ..."

Ordered it yesterday! :-)

[Kathy]

Erin wrote: "I just finished Reconstructing Amelia and thought it was awesome, so I wanted to share. A mystery from the POV of the mother of the victim trying to figure out what happened to her..."

Erin, I preferred Reconstructing Amelia over Gone Girl. Agree with you about the characters, and having taught and worked with teens before, the issue of fitting in and bullying is of great interest to me.

[Lenore]

I'm listening to P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley, and I have to say, as a long-time admirer of James' books, that I'm quite disappointed. It's tediously over-detailed and repetitive in places. Moreover, I don't know what English legal procedure was like in the 18th century, but to modern ears it's shockingly improper for a lawyer (an indisputably good-guy character) to agree that supposedly innocent bystander witnesses should make sure their stories are all consistent before being interviewed by the authorities.

[Lenore]

About two years ago, on this thread, some of us were discussing Manchester's trilogy biography of Winston Churchill, The Last Lion. The third volume, Defender of the Realm, completed after Manchester's death by a journalist, Paul Reid, was just about to come out. I am now listening to the audio version, and for those who have not yet read it, I have to tell you that it is marvelous. Reid did a great job, and the book is just as compelling (and just as detailed) as the predecessor volumes. (And the reader is really good, too.)

[Erin]

I've just discovered Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. Totally kick-ass fantasy with mystery/PI overtones. I almost skipped it because the cover design was just so so bad. I know I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but sometimes it's really hard not to.

And it occurred to me that so many of these urban fantasy series are more like mystery series a lot of the time. Because by being "urban" they've basically cut all ties to the traditional fantasy tropes. But I think that's why I like them so much.

Anyone have recommendations for good urban fantasy mystery series?

[KarenB]

Erin - Seanan McGuire's October Daye series.

[[deleted user]]

Girl of Fire and Thorns series...loved it!

[Bardbooks]

Erin wrote: "Doing some housekeeping to keep our threads managable and less dauntingly huge for new readers, so I've moved the old What Are You Reading? thread to archive and started this new one.

So... What ..." This post provided a much-needed chuckle this morning, as I'm mostly reading young adult novels so I may converse about them with my teenage daughter. I did, however, recently finish Kevin Hearne's "Shattered" and felt quite the adult. Cheers, everyone!

[Erin]

Barbara wrote: "I'm mostly reading young adult novels so I may converse about them with my teenage daughter."

That's quite the tease, Barbara! Now I must know which YA you (and your daughter) are reading!

[Bardbooks]

Erin wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm mostly reading young adult novels so I may converse about them with my teenage daughter."

That's quite the tease, Barbara! Now I must know which YA you (and your daughter) are..."

Let's see ... several series: Mortal Instruments, The Magisterium, Lunar Chronicles, Infernal Devices, White Rabbit Chronicles (unique!), Creepy Hollow. She's also reading Jane Eyre for the first time, which is a nice trip down memory lane for me.

[Sabrina]

Erin wrote: "I've just discovered Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. Totally kick-ass fantasy with mystery/PI overtones. I almost skipped it because the cover design was just so so bad. I kno..."

I see what you mean about the covers, Erin! I wouldn't have looked twice at those either. That's neat it's written jointly by husband and wife.

I just finished To Kill a MockingBird. I'm glad that I didn't read this book as a teenager or early 20s. I don't think it would have been as profound to me.

I also read a fantasy book called Scriber. Was very pleasantly surprised. Very well written. Nice to see a gangly Historian with a band of women warriors. Kind of reminded me of the movie 13th Warriors in some ways.

And now I'm reading Curse of Chalion. So far so good.

[Lenore]

My husband and I recently attended a lecture on "To Kill a Mockingbird" and then re-watched the movie, which we hadn't seen in years. It's a powerful movie that holds up VERY well.

[Bardbooks]

Sabrina wrote: "Erin wrote: "I've just discovered Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. Totally kick-ass fantasy with mystery/PI overtones. I almost skipped it because the cover design was just so s..."

Love your recommendation for this series. It sounds perfect for me!

[Sabrina]

Lenore wrote: "My husband and I recently attended a lecture on "To Kill a Mockingbird" and then re-watched the movie, which we hadn't seen in years. It's a powerful movie that holds up VERY well."

I just watched the movie for the first time today, Lenore. At least that I remember. You are right, it is a very powerful movie... worthy of the book. I enjoyed the interview with the actress who played Scout when she talked about how much the role meant to Gregory Peck and how like his role of Atticus he was in real life. Very moving.

[Suzy]

I recently reread "To Kill A Mockingbird" after having read "The Mockingbird Next Door," a book by Marja Mills, a journalist who may or may not have been close to Harper Lee (Lee denies having had a friendship with the author). I hadn't read TKAM since I was a teen (about 50 years ago!). I had also seen the movie in the past, but watched it again after I had read the book. Both really are masterpieces! The DVD I rented also included a film that followed Gregory Peck on a lecture tour and gave quite a bit of insight into his life and personality. He was a genuinely kind man with a gentle sense of humor, very much like Atticus Finch.

[KarenB]

Sabrina - Paladin of Souls, the follow-up to Curse of Chalion is fabulous. One of my very favorite of fantasy novels.

[Sabrina]

Suzy wrote: "I recently reread "To Kill A Mockingbird" after having read "The Mockingbird Next Door," a book by Marja Mills, a journalist who may or may not have been close to Harper Lee (Lee denies having had ..."

I don't think mine had the lecture tour, Suzy. Will have to see if it's posted somewhere on Youtube. It always makes such a difference to me when I'm watching a movie and I find out that a role meant so much to an actor, or in this case, that Gregory Peck was very much like Atticus Finch. Whenever I find out a cast was fighting the whole time or something... it always ruins a movie for me.

[Sabrina]

KarenB wrote: "Sabrina - Paladin of Souls, the follow-up to Curse of Chalion is fabulous. One of my very favorite of fantasy novels."

I am really enjoying Curse of Chalion, Karen, and definitely plan to read the next. Cazaril is such an interesting character, and the writing style is certainly different. I'm liking the whole fantasy Spain type setting.

[John]

Sabrina wrote: "KarenB wrote: "Sabrina - Paladin of Souls, the follow-up to Curse of Chalion is fabulous. One of my very favorite of fantasy novels."

I am really enjoying Curse of Chalion, Karen, and definitely p..."

Lois McMaster Bujold is a long-time fave of mine, and this trilogy is quite good.

[Barbara]

I'm finishing the entirity of Amelia Peabody in honor of Barbara Mertz. What a treasure her books are. Barbara M.

[Bardbooks]

Barbara wrote: "I'm finishing the entirity of Amelia Peabody in honor of Barbara Mertz. What a treasure her books are. Barbara M."

The Amelia Peabody series reposes in a place of honor on my bookshelves and I keep "Amelia Peabody's Egypt: A Compendium" on my coffee table. Through the years, I eagerly snapped up each new adventure/mystery and enjoyed armchair archaeology in a region of the planet I dream of exploring someday. It's still hard to accept that there will not be any new adventures from Elizabeth Peters. (I also have most of her Kirby and Bliss novels)

[Sabrina]

I love the Amelia Peabody mysteries! And I know what you mean Barbara. I was so sad to hear about Elizabeth Peters. Her books have given me so much joy over the years.

[C.P.]

Love, love, love all of Elizabeth Peters' books (not only Amelia Peabody, although she is great). So sad that she died last year, I agree.

[C.P.]

Erin wrote: "I just started The Cuckoo's Calling from the library. It's trying a little too hard to sound erudite, but so far so good, anyway. I think I like the secretary better than the main..."

I didn't like either this book or the sequel, despite being a mad Harry Potter fan. Sure, they picked up after 100 pages or so, but really, who waits that long under normal circumstances?

[Carole]

I haven't read any of JKR's post HP books. IMO her talent is greatly overrated.

[Erin]

I've heard that response from a number of people, C.P., but I don't really get why you'd think you'd like her noir mystery because you liked her YA fantasy? The styles are so completely different. There are a few other famous authors who've crossed the YA line, but I haven't heard nearly the same commentary. Like James Patterson, for example; writing thrillers and then switching to YA adventure. Maybe because they went the other direction?

Personally, noir has never grabbed me much. It's too morose most of the time. But I thought Rowling did a pretty good job fitting the genre with Strike. Granted, I can't really speak to the whole book, though, because my library loan ran out halfway. =P

[Elisabeth]

I liked both Cuckoo's Calling and the sequel; they are both very well written, though the first does take a while to get going. However I would not recommend them for Harry Potter fans; I would recommend them for noir/mystery fans who like really interesting, well-developed characters and don't mind thoughtful pacing.

I just finished Ancillary Sword, having read its award-winning predecessor earlier this year. Great hard sci-fi/space opera with fascinating characters and really effective world-building. Leckie is a fantastic writer and I can't believe I have to wait a whole year for the next one.