What are you reading now?: June 21, 2025

Still working on World's Edge and Warships of the Soviet Fleets, 1939-1945, Volume II: Escorts and Smaller Fighting Ships.

About half-way through The Habsburg Empire.

I've been able to sit and read for the first time in weeks. I'm currently reading Putin's Russia: Life in a Failed Democracy by Anna Politkovskaya. Eventually, we will come out the other side of this dark time, but I will never again trust my fellow Americans.

I am about 2/3 through Charlie's Good Tonight, an authorized biography of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts by English journalist Paul Sexton. An interesting portrait of Watts, but lacking in terms of placing Watts in context of his times, I think. Anyway, it's an easy and enjoyable reading experience.

I'm reading Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck. It's been 10 years since my last Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath). Hopefully I've built up enough emotional strength to withstand another.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye
John Scalzi
3/5 stars
A science fiction tale about the moon which has turned into cheese! The citizens of Earth view it many different ways, from profiting from it, to spiritual redemption. Interesting! Science Fiction

I'm reading Black Teacher by Beryl Gilroy. It's not really holding my attention, but I'm pushing through.

My current audiobook is the delightful The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton. It's a good story and the voice actors are excellent.

Mile High– Liz Tomforde
Digital audiobook read by Winston James and Mari
2.5** (rounded up)

This is the first in the Windy City series.

Zanders is a pro hockey player who enjoys his reputation as a bad boy. He spends significant time in the penalty box, but always leaves the arena with a stunning woman on his arm; a different woman each time. Stevie is an experienced flight attendant who has just landed a job on the hockey team’s private plane. She’s also sworn off athletes after getting her heart broken. Zanders decides to push her buttons, literally using the call button multiple times per flight to irritate her. But is that all that’s going on?

Tomforde is known for her steamy, sexy, romances, and this one delivers on that promise. These two are in lust almost from the beginning. Who cares if they like each other, they are definitely HOT for one another. And they act on that attraction – often. Of course, they do eventually realize that there is more than just sexual chemistry between them.

The novel also deals with body image, social medial bullying/shaming, and celebrity culture.

Listening to this audio via hoopla ~

Bridal Shower Murder (Lucy Stone Mystery series, #31)
by Leslie Meier

I finished Charlie's Good Tonight, about biography of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts by British music journalist Paul Sexton. My review is on the book's work page and on my 50-Book Challenge thread. Short review: I found the book to be good but lacking in some information about the music, and about Watts' musicianship, that I wanted to know.

Next up for me (and for my book group) will be Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar.

starting this audio via Libby ~

How to Kill Your Family: A Novel
by Bella Mackie
(dark humor/upcoming Netflix series)

From the library: House of Fiction: From Pemberley to Brideshead, Great Houses in English Literature by Phyllis Richardson (US paperback edition 2021)

Where the Heart Is
Billie Letts
4/5 stars
This book revolves around Novalee, a seventeen-year-old who was about to leave her family to be with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he dumps her in Oklahoma, and she ends up living in a Wal-Mart. Luckily, she meets someone who can her out. I enjoyed this book! 1995

Robert McCammon Swan Song

I am reading the Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer for a book club.

The new thread is up over here.