What are you reading the week of June 1, 2019?

I've finished up the first of the Inspector Maigret mysteries, Pietr the Latvian. It was a good police procedural, but nothing special. I'll probably read a couple of more before I make any sort of decision about committing to the entire series. After all, it's the first book. I do admit that it kept me reading, and it was a very welcome change of pace.

Enjoying this library Playaway audiobook ~

Bluff by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

(NY high society/world of poker/Maud Warner shoots a billionaire financier at the Four Seasons/a whydunnit caper)

What I am reading now is Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki and loving every page of it. It inspires me to be financially prepared while I am still young. Along side with reading this empowering book I am doing some more productive activities like enrolling to short courses like studying how to make my own website. Here is a link https://virtualassistantservicesestrella.wordpress.com/. Maybe I will be doing some books reviews there someday.

I'm reading Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV) by Stephen King. It's great, but on Tuesday I"m flying to Maine for a week, so unless I can read about 500 more pages by then I'm going to have to pause and take something a little more portable. I'm thinking I'll stick with the Maine theme and take Gerald's Game, run into Stephen King, and have him sign it.

I finished Mr Standfast, the entertaining third entry in John Buchan's classic "Richard Hannay" espionage series, written during and just after World War One. Buchan wrote the first two books while the war was still ongoing, so, obviously, he didn't know how things were going to turn out. Mr Standfast was written after the war's conclusion. But the war is still going fiercely in the novel, and Hannay is pulled from his command in the trenches to go after a master German spy who has set up a network through which vital British war information is being passed through to Germany. Hannay goes on a difficult chase, indeed, across Scotland, France and Switzerland. The "daring do" of this story has much more to do with endurance than with violence. There is a lot of fine natural description, as well. So the book is fun, although a modern reader must work around Buchan's persistent antisemitism and racism.

Still reading The Source by Michener, and I find it although long, an easy and informative book. A surprise really. He's never been a favorite. Also rereading The Life of John Stuart Mill by Michael St. John Packe.

Still ignoring Shogun while still reading Velocity Weapon and Empire of Grass, both of which I'm enjoying immensely.

Finished the quick, light and enjoyable The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, just what I needed to get me out of a reading slump.

Aiming to finish the absorbing book Amongst Women by John McGahern.

Now reading 2 mysteries - watching you by Lisa Jewell

and listening to all shall be well by Deborah Crombie

After finishing Mr Standfast, I moved on to reading a round of my "between books," as follows:

* “The Postmodern Mind” from The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas That Have Shaped Our World View by Richard Tarnas

* “I Saw God and/or Tangerine Dream” from Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung by Lester Bangs

* Excerpt from Pentimento by Lillian Hellman from The Norton Book of Women's Lives edited by Phyllis Rose

* “The Secret History of Russian Policy” from The Secret History of the War, Volume 1 by Waverley Root

* “A Special Weekend” from Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks

* "With Jews a Jew" - Part Three, Chapter 10 of the novel The Apostle by Sholem Asch

* “The Golden Age/Time Past” by Ralph Ellison from Esquire Magazine - 40th Anniversary Celebration edited by Don Erickson

Thereafter, I read the first chapter, "Responsibility," from It's All In the Frijoles: 100 Famous Latinos Share Real-Life Stories, Time-Tested Dichos, Favorite Folktales, and Inspiring Words of Wisdom by Yolanda Nava. I decided that I will enjoy this book more reading a chapter from time to time rather than plowing through it all at once, so it joins a "between book" stack for more rewarding reading.

Odd One Out – Nic Stone
2**

A love triangle in high school, told in turn by each of the three principle characters.

Clearly, I am not the target demographic for this YA novel about kids who are conflicted about their sexuality. Oh, the teen angst over whom to love. I get that these kids are confused and experimenting and unsure and troubled. But I thought the basic premise was totally unrealistic and the dialogue lacked depth.

Decaffeinated Corpse – Cleo Coyle
Digital audio read by Rebecca Gibel.
3***

Book five in the Coffeehouse Mystery series, featuring Clare Cosi, the co-owner / manager of a Greenwich Village coffee shop, and an amateur sleuth. This time the plot focuses on a new discovery in the realm of decaffeinated coffee – a plant that is naturally decaffeinated.

Of course, try as she might to steer clear of trouble, Clare finds that she cannot help but investigate on her own. With the help of Madame (her mother-in-law), and Matteo (her ex-husband), along with the baristas at The Village Blend, Clare is bound to get to the bottom of the mystery. Of course, there is the added tension with her daughter Joy, and with local detective Mike to further complicate the plot.

I really like this series. I read this one out of order because it arrived before book 4 from the library; but I recommend reading the series in order to keep the relationships straight. I enjoy learning more about the coffee business, though Coyle can be a little too detailed at times. Still, it’s a fast, enjoyable read and satisfies my yearning for a comforting cozy mystery.

Rebecca Gibel does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has sufficient skill to give each character a unique voice.

Finished listening to the excellent debut mystery by Carol Potenza, Hearts of the Missing.

Next up for listening is Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.

I spent the weekend absorbed in reading thrillers and teaching my daughter to drive. I read The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani, which was good reading with a disappointing ending. I also completed The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, another enjoyable thriller with a real twist at the end.

Now that the week has begun I've picked up Miracle Creek by Angie Kim. I really should be doing housework'laundry/yard work but I seem to have no get up and go today.

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper Kindle Edition
by Hallie Rubenhold (Author)

Enjoying this iBook ~

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer

(book #1, Obama Biden Mystery series/spoof involving the ex-leaders/a break from the malarkey going on in DC these days!)

After reading your post, I downloaded a copy from the library. I don't expect it to be great literature, but I do expect it to be fun, especially in these ridiculous-not-fun times.Thanks!

>18 TooBusyReading:

I decided I didn't want to wait for the OverDrive eBook version to become available. Amazon and iTunes have their eBook versions selling for $1.99.

Just starting American spy by Lauren Wilkinson.

Finished the review copy of Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe I received from the publisher. I really enjoyed it. It was just the right kind of space opera to get me out of my reading funk. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

I read through another round of my "between books" over the past few days:

*“Sergeant Hargrove Sees the Chinese Honor a Dead American Flier” from A Treasury of Great Reporting: "Literature Under Pressure" from the Sixteenth Century to Our Own Time edited by Louis L. Snyder
* “What Do You Know?” by Jerome Weidman from New Stories for Men edited by Charles Grayson
* “Mantle and Maz” from Joe Falls: 50 Years of Sports Writing (And I Still Can't Tell the Difference Between a Slider and a Curve) by Joe Falls
* “Do You Own the Home You’ve Bought?” from Magazine Digest - August 1949 edited by Murray Simmons
* “The Washington Senators” from 1963 Official Baseball Almanac by Bill Wise
* "Babylon" - Part Three, Chapter 11, from the novel The Apostle by Sholem Asch
* “Latins are Lousy Lovers” by Helen Lawrenson from Esquire Magazine - 40th Anniversary Celebration edited by Don Erickson

Next up for me is For the Sake of Shadows a fictionalized memoir by Depression-era journalist Max Miller about his time as a script writer in Hollywood.

I’m reading Dick Francis’ Reflex for a group read and Helen Ellis’ new book of essays, Southern Lady Code. Both are entertaining.

The Keepers of the House
Shirley Ann Grau
5/5 stars
This 1965 Pulitzer Prize winning novel revolves around the slave owning Howlands, who have lived in the South for generations. When events that happened in the past have come to a head in the future, Abigail, the latest Howland has to deal with the repercussions. This is one of the best books I have read this year.

I've added My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite to my reading rotation.

Enjoying this iTunes audiobook ~

Hard Truth by Mariah Stewart

(Truth series/missing children mystery/suspense, lite romance)

Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey
Betty DeGeneres
4/5 stars
This book covers the life of Betty DeGeneres up to 1999 when it was first published. Betty and her kids had a tumultuous life. Betty was divorced, remarried and divorced again. She talks about her marriages and life after marriage, her children and their lives and struggles and especially the events surrounding her daughter Ellen and her coming out. Well written and very interesting.

I recently finished For the Sake of Shadows by Max Miller. Miller was a well-known San Diego journalist during the Depression, best known for his reportage on the San Diego docks, I Cover the Waterfront. Published in 1936, For the Sake of Shadows is Miller's probably somewhat fictionalized account of his very short and unsatisfying stint as a Hollywood scriptwriter. The book is basically a long complaint without enough detail to even make it satisfying to lovers of screeds. Kind of fun, though, at this late date, for its historical interest. Anyone interested in my more in-depth (or at least lengthier) comments will find them on my 50-Book Challenge thread.

Hi, I'm Bridget and new to the group and just coming back to library thing after...well, I don't even know how long. I am usually on Goodreads but wanted to give LT one more try.

Just wanted to introduce myself a bit before I jumped in. :o)

What I've finished so far for June Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff. Loved If You Give a Mouse a Cookie of Course and really liked Perfect Chemistry.

What I am currently reading is: Once and For All by Sarah Dessen..I'm enjoying it so far but I am just barely over 100 pages in.

I am doing some reading challenges & readathons so that's where the children's book comes in but the other two books fit in as well.

Finished My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. Light but enjoyable read.

Next into my reading rotation is A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay.

>29 RamblingBookNerd: Welcome Bridget!

I finished Reflex for a group read and liked it a lot. Now I’ve picked up Two Kinds Of Truth.

I finished The Fellowship. The Fellowship refers to the Royal Society (English science group) from the first ideas about scientific investigation to the society's healthy position some 100 years later. The professional biographies and where possible personal biographies of the key players are presented in an accessible and interesting manner.

Just finished the lace dowry by Andrea Cheng, J historical fiction set in Hungary, 1933. :)

About to start every breath by Ellie Marney.

D Is For Deadbeat – Sue Grafton
Digital audio read by Mary Peiffer.
3.5***

Book four in the series. PI Kinsey Millhone gets a new client whose story seems a bit fishy. He wants her to deliver a certified check to a teen-aged boy. Her suspicions are aroused, especially when he refuses to explain why he can’t (or won’t) deliver it himself. But it’s the end of the month, rent is due, and she accepts his retainer. Then his check bounces and she quickly discovers that he isn’t who he claimed to be. When he turns up dead the police call it accidental drowning, but Kinsey thinks he was murdered. They question is why and by whom?

I really like this series. I had started it years ago and probably got to about book 8 or 9 before I stopped reading. Now I’ve started over from the beginning and am enjoying the retro feel. There are no cell phones or computers; Kinsey has to rely on her intellect, her network of connections and good old-fashioned leg work. She’s smart, determined, self-sufficient and never has to rely on a man to get her out of a tight spot.

Mary Peiffer does a fine job reading the audio version. She sets a good pace and I really like how she interprets Kinsey’s personality.

Almost finished The Dark by John McGahern it is very dark indeed and hard to put down.

Finished listening to Gingerbread and was disappointed.

Next up for listening is The Ask by Sam Lipsyte.

The new thread is up over here.

>29 RamblingBookNerd: Welcome RamblingBookNerd!