Classy and Trashy Readers' Salon: July 2020

[Moorhead Public Library]

Here's a spot to discuss for July - hope you're all enjoying some good summer reading!

[Moorhead Public Library]

I've finished a few books since my last post, although I think they've all been in series I've already posted about. I'm still working my way through the audiobooks of the River of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. I know I've said this before, but I really like the narrator of the books and how he captures the main character, Peter Grant. I finished book 5, 'Foxglove Summer,' and feel like we're maybe getting a little more character development for Peter, which is also nice. They wouldn't be my favorite urban fantasies (Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews), but they're definitely entertaining.

I've also listened through book 12, "Where Memories Lie" of Deborah Crombie's Kincaid/James series. Still enjoying the mysteries, although I think I may have a slight preference for the ones that take place outside of London.

I also have numerous books that I've started and haven't finished yet, but I will! ...or at least some of them. I've been trying to find a feel-good romance and getting annoyed by the ones I've tried. I'm just giving up on some of those. If anyone has any recs for feel-good romances (maybe with a little suspense), let me know.

I'm also partway through the 1st St. Cyr book per Karen's rec - liking that and will probably finish it next. Although I wouldn't describe it as a feel-good romance.

[Karen]

Glad you are enjoying St Cyr, but no - definitely not feel-good romance. I'd say historical mystery and relatively dark rather than cozy. I'm all caught up on those at the moment, which I have mixed feelings about.

My current read is The Far Pavilions by MM Kaye, which is nearly 1200 pages with tiny print so will be a long-term read. I'm really liking it so far, but at only page 263 there's lots more to go.

This morning, I finished listening to Miss Austen by Gill Hornby about Cassandra Austen, sister of Jane, and it included a lot of their true history that I've learned about through an online course and biographies recommended there. I recommend that if you're interested in JA. It's fiction, but well-researched and pulls some unknown things together in plausible ways.

Before that, I listened to The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and it was extremely informative, but also extremely disturbing. It made me angry and sad, but I do feel better informed now and that's a good thing.

[Moorhead Public Library]

I finished the 1st St Cyr book, "What Angels Fear." There definitely seemed to be a lot set up to explore in future books....especially interested if they pursue Kat's links to the French or if that gets dropped? Sadly, I don't think the audiobooks are available on overdrive. sigh.

I'm on the 14th book of the Kincaid/James series by Deborah Crombie. I think Crombie really excels at creating characters you're interested in, especially in many cases the murder victims. And she illuminates the void left by their deaths. There's a definite emotional element in some of her books: 'Necessary as Blood' was downright heart-wrenching and 'No Mark Upon Her' is definitely bringing out some anger.

Still looking for a feel-good romance; I actually went back and re-listened to some Tessa Dare as a diversion because I wasn't having much luck getting into a new one. I often feel like her books kind of fizzle out towards the end, but I don't even mind because the beginnings crack me up so much. - deb

[Moorhead Public Library]

Karen wrote: "Glad you are enjoying St Cyr, but no - definitely not feel-good romance. I'd say historical mystery and relatively dark rather than cozy. I'm all caught up on those at the moment, which I have mixe..."

Moorhead Public Library wrote: "I've finished a few books since my last post, although I think they've all been in series I've already posted about. I'm still working my way through the audiobooks of the River of London series by..."

didn't they make 'The Far Pavillions' into a mini-series or something? I think it might have been on Acorn at some point....also, did you see there's a fantasy re-telling of Pride and Prejudice involving dragons or something? I think it's called 'Heartstone.' - deb

[Karen]

I think Far Pavilions was probably filmed in some version, but not sure. I'm loving the book, but I'm still only between 1/3 and 1/2 way through (it's nearly 1200 pages of small font and I don't get a huge amount of reading time). I'm around page 450 or so, so it feels like I've read a decent amount.

I hadn't heard about P&P with dragons. Not quite sure what to think of that concept... Please let me know if you hear good things about it!