Carol's Joyous June Reads

[Carol/Bonadie]

The Candy House by. Jennifer Egan. Read by cast. 4/5

This is not my usual genre, futuristic general fiction I guess, but the description in a “best of” list intrigued me. Not sure I can explain what it’s about -- a father of four invents technology that allows folks to store their memories and others to access it. The chapters alternate among various folks connected with the inventor in some way. I listened to this on audio which can add to the strangeness since one can’t go back and re-read. Jennifer Egan is an award-winning author and I’d read another of hers. The cast reading added to the enjoyment.

A Load of Hooey by Bob Odenkirk. Read by Various. 3/5

I’m a fan of Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and was surprised to learn he’d written a couple of books. In reading about this I learned that his background is comedy--he was a writer on SNL among other things. So not surprising that this one is a collection of humorous short stories. The first one completely turned me off (think bathroom humor) but I kept going and eventually fell into the groove of his offbeat humor. I have another of his waiting to listen to but I think I’ll wait a minute before getting to it. The various narrators, including Odenkirk, added to the entertainment value.

The Maid by Nita Prose. Read by Lauren Ambrose. 5/5

The reviews of this book did not prepare me for this story about a maid in a hotel who thinks simply and literally and has had to learn from her gran about human behavior. She stumbles upon a dead body and uses her innate skills to figure out how he got to be that way. Her world is populated with some good people and some not-so-good people, and watching her navigate them and finding her “peeps” was very enjoyable. Lauren Ambrose did a great job reading.

Robert B. Parker's Revenge Tour by Mike Lupica. Read by Kate Burton. 4/5

Sunny reunited with a very aggravating former client, a best-selling author who is getting death threats. The case was interesting enough, and the return of previous characters in her story, as well as a couple of cross-overs from other RBP series, made it an entertaining read. Kate Burton’s reading made the story flow smoothly.

The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie. Read by Hugh Fraser. 3/5

A potential client calls for Poirot because he thinks he is going to die, and of course he does before Poirot and his sidekick Hastings can arrive. Standard Hercule Poirot and enjoyable. Hugh Fraser does a bang-up job reading, as always.

Sparring Partners by John Grisham. Read by various. 4/5

Three legal-ish novellas from Grisham, one featuring Jake Brigance of A Time to Kill, which were various levels of enjoyable. Ably read by Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, and January LaVoy.

[Dan in AZ]

I saw Odenkirk on Bill Maher. He is a funny guy.

[Ann]

Nice list Carol, I read three of these recently too and enjoyed them. Ours reactions are similar on The Maid , Robert B. Parker's Revenge Tour
and Sparring Partners.
I almost picked up The Candy House (hardback) on the library new books shelf. It sounds like audio may be a better way to go.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Ann wrote: "I almost picked up The Candy House (hardback) on the library new books shelf. It sounds like audio may be a better way to go...."

Ann, I might go with the hardback. That way you can flip back if things get confusing, which they will.

[Ann]

Carol: Sounds good to know / the next time I am at the library I will see if The Candy House is still there. After I finish The Accomplice I hope. Lol

[Susie]

Lots of variety Carol! I just love reading your reviews.

[Dawn]

Great Month! I had hoped to read The Maid with you all, but didn't get to it...but definitely will at some point based on your review!

[Carol/Bonadie]

Susie wrote: "Lots of variety Carol! I just love reading your reviews."

Thanks Susie!

[Bonnie]

The Maid was a 5 star for me too :) I haven't been reading many mysteries lately.

[Dan in AZ]

Good reads, Carol