Classy and Trashy Readers' Salon: Spring 2022

[Moorhead Public Library]

Hello! Here's a new thread for anything we're reading this spring.

Last I posted I was just getting back into the Rivers of London Series. I totally got into it and then ended up kicking myself because I ran out of books in the series like a week before the release of a new one. I did not time it well.

So I've kind of waffled a bit in my reading, and ended up starting 3 books, which now I feel I have to finish before getting back to the new Peter Grant book. One of them is obviously The Devil and the Dark Water. I like Turton's writing style - I find it very engaging and easy to get into. But I have to admit the setting is not as appealing to me as the cozy-mystery setting of 7 and 1/2 deaths. I'm a little over 1/2 way through, so we'll see what I think at the end.

I also started Murder in an Irish Village - it's the first in a series and it definitely seems like that. I can't decide if I'll continue with the series or not when I finish it.

And I'm reading When in Rome, another Inspector Alleyn. I'm still enjoying that series and discovered you can watch it for free on tubi!

hope you're all doing well and can make it Tuesday night!
- deb

[Kathy]

Hi Ladies! Always so good to see what everyone is reading. I'm currently reading Nomadland by Jessica Bruder. I just finished Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. This one was quite convoluted for the first 40% of the book, then little by little subtle clues starting piecing the story together. By the time I was finished, I was loving it! Backman is quite the writer. Since most of you live in Minnesota, you should look at a Minnesota history book called Minnesota 1918: When Flu Fire and War Ravaged the State by Curt Brown. Unbelievable book about what happened in that time period and how resilient the people were!! Excited to help with your next book sale. See some of you there! Kathy

[Karen]

I'm planning to be there Tuesday night after the Listening Session.

I'm currently listening to The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller because I heard about a Zoom discussion with her coming up. It's not bad and is keeping my attention, but a lot of characters experience sexual abuse and it's depressing.

I've also been listening to more of the Amelia Peabody and Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency mysteries.

Non-fiction that I've liked recently include The Great Bridge by David McCullough about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge (which my father told me about before he died, so I've been meaning to read it for a while) and The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

I've also been listening to lots of book group choices (as always for me - LOL) and I've started reading Hamlet as the classic read for my online board.

ETA: Hi Kathy! I got the email notice of your comment as I was typing this, but then I got an error posting, so I tried to make sure mine would post before coming back to add this.

[Moorhead Public Library]

Hi Everyone! hope to see you tonight at Classy and Trashy. I liked I Capture the Castle and am looking forward to talking about it.

I've still been hopping around a bit in my reading - since I saw Karen reading some Anne McCaffrey books, I thought I'd give them a try and listened to Dragonflight; I liked it enough that I'll probably continue the series, but maybe not enough to pick up the next one right away.

I also finally read a Josephine Tey book, although not Daughter of Time which is the one I've always meant to read. Brat Farrar came up as a recommendation for me (I think because I was reading Capture the Castle), so I checked that out, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Like with I Capture the Castle, I think it's interesting to try and get a sense of the underlying class assumptions. We'll have to talk about that tonight.

I also read The Marlow Murder Club and recommend it for any cozy mystery fans. It's a bit like a less posh Thursday Murder Club. I'll definitely check the next book out when it's published. - deb
ps - I have big news to share tonight

[Kathy]

Hi All! My plan was to attend tonight but now I have a conflict and can't. Such is life. I love that you are trying older books. It's a good reminder that we don't always have to read the latest bestseller! Happy discussion. Kathy