Reading the Detectives discussion
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What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022)
Abigail wrote: "Sounds very interesting!"It really is, the writing blows me away, I see why he has won awards, definitely a writer (and scientist) I’ll follow with interest. Science seemed dreary in high school, now I realize it was sadly, probably the teaching. Now, as an armchair science nerd who loves PBS documentaries on animals, nature and science, I realize there are a lot of brilliant stories to be told, just takes a talented scientist translator to illustrate the wonder to us amateurs!
I hope the Stevenson improves for you - that’s such a treat, the older books that slowly, quietly deliver up their pleasures. That’s what I felt with Apricot Sky, and with Stevenson’s books I have read!
I now have Apricot Sky and am saving it for a treat!Finished Five Windows, which was just so-so for me in the end, and am now reading The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs. Seduced by the title, of course—put “bookshop” or “witch” in a book title and I am there!
Abigail wrote: "I now have Apricot Sky and am saving it for a treat!Finished Five Windows, which was just so-so for me in the end, and am now reading The Lost and Found Bookshop b..."
Lol, you’re not alone there! I hope you enjoy Apricot Sky. I just finished Otherlands: A Journey Through Earth's Extinct Worlds, need to get back to The Moving Toyshop. Just tested positive for Covid today, though, so I’ll be taking it easy, reading and resting for a few days. Husband has it too, thank goodness we’re both boosted, not too bad, feels like a bad cold so far!
Oh, I’m so sorry about the diagnosis! But since you’re vaxxed and boosted you should have no long-term consequences. In an odd way it might be one less worry that you both have it! No fear of one infecting the other, no isolation within the house. Still, it’s no fun I’m sure. I’ll be thinking of you both.I’m on the fence about The Moving Toyshop. I do love it, but it seems only a couple of years since I read it last. I was surprised when it came around again!
Mod
Abigail, it's actually 6 years since we read The Moving Toyshop here last, in April 2016 - time flies!
Oh dear, I am getting old! Time does indeed fly.
Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I now have Apricot Sky and am saving it for a treat!Finished Five Windows, which was just so-so for me in the end, and am now reading [book:The Lost and Found Book..."
Hope you don't feel too bad and are feeling better soon.
Susan, can you get access to an antiviral like Paxlovid? They say it’s very effective if taken early enough, and in most areas there’s sufficient supply that it isn’t being rationed so much.
Abigail wrote: "Oh, I’m so sorry about the diagnosis! But since you’re vaxxed and boosted you should have no long-term consequences. In an odd way it might be one less worry that you both have it! No fear of one i..."Thanks, yes, it is kind of a relief to definitely know we have had it - we’ve both had colds over the last couple years, but tests weren’t readily available.
I’m reading “Toyshop” now, my first time, and finding it entertaining.
Judy wrote: "Oh no, sorry to hear that, Susan - hope you are both feeling better soon. Abigail, it's actually 6 years since we read The Moving Toyshop here last, in April 2016 - time flies!"
Thanks, Judy!
Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I now have Apricot Sky and am saving it for a treat!Finished Five Windows, which was just so-so for me in the end, and am now reading [book:The Lost and Found Book..."
Sorry to hear you are unwell. Hope you and your husband soon feel better.
Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I now have Apricot Sky and am saving it for a treat!Finished Five Windows, which was just so-so for me in the end, and am now reading [book:The..."
Thanks, Jan!
Abigail wrote: "Susan, can you get access to an antiviral like Paxlovid? They say it’s very effective if taken early enough, and in most areas there’s sufficient supply that it isn’t being rationed so much."I don’t know, we haven’t bothered with our doctor, just did home tests today. My husband started feeling ill Friday, so doctor wouldn’t have been available over holiday weekend. He’s already on the mend, and I’m feeling pretty good with ibuprofen and rest!
Mod
Susan in NC, I hope you feel better soon, please take care. I hope the Stevenson improves for you - that’s such a treat, the older books that slowly, quietly deliver up their pleasures. That’s what I felt with Apricot Sky, and with Stevenson’s books I have read!
I want to find Apricot Sky!
Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC, I hope you feel better soon, please take care. I hope the Stevenson improves for you - that’s such a treat, the older books that slowly, quietly deliver up their pleasures. That’s wh..."
Oh, Jackie, I hope you do, I think you’ll find it charming, relaxing and cozy (not in a smarmy way!)
Feeling better this morning, woke up without a sore throat, so yeah! Thanks for your good wishes, just finished a Bertie and Jeeves short story collection last night, Very Good, Jeeves
Wodehouse has healing powers, I believe! ;) purchased several of these Wodehouse paperback editions a few years back, been hoarding for just such occasions, when his special gifts of sunshine and fantastically funny word play are called for. His golden world is one I love slipping into from time to time, one of the ultimate “comfort reads” for me!
Sandy wrote: "Wishing you both well - rest and read"Thanks, Sandy, we’re both on the mend, I feel one more day of couch potatoing with my latest knitting project and listening to Falco, and I’ll be well on the road to recovery!😉
I'm glad you are feeling better & agree with you about Wodehouse.
Thank you, ladies! If anyone gets Covid (I sincerely hope not, and if you do I hope you’re vaccinated and boosted so it won’t be too horrible), I recommend take a Wodehouse, lots of liquids, and rest!
😂 Excellent prescription! Currently reading (sorry, I’m on iPad so no access to links or formatting) The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin. Billed as young adult but I’d class it as new adult—I wouldn’t want a teenager reading this, but maybe I’m old-fashioned.
Buzzed through an entertaining light present-day Austenesque mystery, What Happened on Box Hill by Elizabeth Gilliland, and am now reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, with The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer for when I feel too tired to focus.
I managed to snag a large print edition of Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy
by Nathaniel Philbrick, and used an Audible credit for the audiobook to accompany my read. Have a long, dreary road trip coming up, hoping this will lighten the journey.
Susan in NC wrote: "Thank you, ladies! If anyone gets Covid (I sincerely hope not, and if you do I hope you’re vaccinated and boosted so it won’t be too horrible), I recommend take a Wodehouse, lots of liquids, and rest!"Sounds just the ticket. I'm thinking I should book a couple of days off a month for reading time, then I can read guilt free when I'm feeling well, I have got more holidays than I know what to do with anyway, having got out of the habit of travelling. 😆
I'm currently reading Orchard: A Year in England’s Eden, which is all about an organic orchard that is managed with both wildlife habitat and apple and pear production in mind. It is glorious. I have also started The Winged Horse by Pamela Frankau.
I'm listening to The Long Ships which is an adventure on grand scale set in the 1000's. A Norse man is taken captive by a raiding party of Danish Vikings and then adventure starts. Loving it so far. I also just finished The Alpine Path: The Story of My Career which as a quick read, but gave quite a bit of insight into L.M. Montgomery's life and writing.
Tania wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Thank you, ladies! If anyone gets Covid (I sincerely hope not, and if you do I hope you’re vaccinated and boosted so it won’t be too horrible), I recommend take a Wodehouse, lot..."Orchard sounds like a glorious read! And I heartily endorse taking reading time for yourself…
I'm (re)reading and loving The Card for a buddy read on Reading The 20th Century. I'd forgotten Bennett's lovely, witty style and the way he moves the tale along. One of those books which falls well outside Mark Twain's definition of a classic: "something everyone wants to have read and nobody wants to read", because I keep wanting to read a bit more of it!
Mod
I see this is #7 in a series. Is it better to start at the beginning?
I just started a biography, Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film. The weather has been beautiful here (although we could use rain - forest fire threat) and I was trying to decide if I would give up finally on The Age of Innocence when all of a sudden I found it more interesting. So it has a brief reprieve. At least as long as I can go outside and read.
Sandy wrote: "Sid wrote: "I'm (re)reading and loving The Card for a buddy read on Reading The 20th Century. I'd forgotten Bennett's lovely, witty style and the way he moves the tale along. I see this is #7 in a series. Is it better to start at the beginning?"
Is it? Possibly the 7th book he wrote set in the Five Towns (The Potteries in Staffordshire) but it's definitely a stand-alone with no reference to any other books. Hope you enjoy it, Sandy.
Mod
Thank you. Hope I get to it, eventually. There are free versions of many of the "series" on Amazon in the US.
Jan C wrote: "Tara wrote: "Inspired by a series of cooking videos by a YouTube channel I follow, Tasting History with Max Miller, I decided to finally pick up [book:The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drin..."He also has experience in musical theater, so he has great stage presence. You can really feel his love of history.
I've made a few recipes too--the parmesan ice cream is so interesting and complex.
Carolien wrote: "I'm listening to The Long Ships which is an adventure on grand scale set in the 1000's. A Norse man is taken captive by a raiding party of Danish Vikings and then adventure starts. Lo..."How are you liking The Long Ships Carolien? Having just seen The Northman and really enjoying it, I'm on a bit of Viking kick, so this seems like something I might enjoy.
Borrowed Secrets of the Great Ocean Liners by John G. Sayers from my library, and its a real treat. The book is largely photos of ocean liner ephemera from the Bodleian Library, with a brief history, from booking your trip, to dining, to shore excursions, as if you yourself were traveling. Tons of great art deco design to enjoy!
Mod
How are you liking The Long Ships Carolien? Having just seen The Northman and really enjoying it, I'm on a bit of Viking kick, so this seems like something I might enjoy.It's great fun! It's a proper adventure story and great characters. Definitely give it a try, Tara.
Mod
Psimth was my favorite Wodehouse character when I was a young thing! I think Susan has invented a new form of therapy for us all.
Sandy wrote: "I have had a cold the last couple of days (not Covid thankfully) and have been semi-isolating as no one wants to be near a sneezing, coughing person these days. I took Susan in NC's advice and list..."I love that book! It was my intro into Wodehouse and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I don't think I've read Psmith...not 100 % sure. apparently, I should!
Sandy wrote: "I have had a cold the last couple of days (not Covid thankfully) and have been semi-isolating as no one wants to be near a sneezing, coughing person these days. I took Susan in NC's advice and list..."Yay! Wodehouse has healing properties, I believe…feel better soon, Sandy.
Abigail wrote: "Psimth was my favorite Wodehouse character when I was a young thing! I think Susan has invented a new form of therapy for us all."😉
Abigail wrote: "Psimth was my favorite Wodehouse character when I was a young thing! I think Susan has invented a new form of therapy for us all."I would recommend a regular prophylactic dose, too. 😊
Abigail wrote: "Psimth was my favorite Wodehouse character when I was a young thing! I think Susan has invented a new form of therapy for us all."Mine too, love Psmith, though any of the books with Lord Ickenham are firm favourites too; I'm not sure I could choose between them.
I don't remember Lord Ickenham, which books are those? Besides the Bertie and Jeeves books, I have only read the ones about Blandings Castle but I think those are Lord Emsworth.
Lord Ickenham is otherwise known as Uncle Fred. He appears in a couple of Blandings stores and one or two of his own, I think - but I've not read them.
Reading the Detectives
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
John Julius Norwich (other topics)Vera Brittain (other topics)
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I have just finished Apricot Sky by Ruby Ferguson which I really liked. I took ages to read this one, but it was nice to spend a bit of time with this family in the Scottish Highlands. It did make me want to go there.