What are you reading now?: July 18, 2026.

Wrapping up This Brutal Moon. The Deepest Map & Abandon Ship will follow.

I'm about halfway through Garrett Graff's excellent Watergate: a New History. I am really enjoying this one! I can hardly put it down - it reads a bit like a spy/ adventure story but it's all true. Whew! That Nixon and his crew are something else. I've put aside most of my other books and focusing on this one. It's excellent.

I recently started Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov. I'm not really into it yet because it's kind of confusing, but I'm hoping it's intentional and will start to come together soon.

I’m enjoying the quirky and amusing I’M NOT THE ONLY MURDERER IN MY RETIREMENT HOME.

Multiple translations of the Odyssey. I’m taking a class, “The Odyssey in Comparative Translation”. We’re primarily reading the Richmond Lattimore translation, along with Emily Wilson’s, but I decided to read the Daniel Mendelsohn and Robert Fagles as well.

I’m also reading Euripedes’ Cyclops.

To Catch a Thief – David Dodge
3***

I really enjoyed reading this classic crime novel, made famous by the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name, starring Cary Grant (John Robie) and Grace Kelly (Francie Stevens).

Robie is a “retired” jewel thief. Known as “the cat” for his daring rooftop escapades, he had spent some time in prison but was released to fight with the resistance against the Nazis during World War II. Now he lives in a secluded villa, enjoying a quiet life with friends in the nearby village. But a new series of daring jewel thefts have the police on his trail. The thief is using Robie’s own MO – climbing walls and escaping over rooftops. He must find the thief himself, he thinks, to escape the clutches of the police once again.

Robie is a great lead character. He’s intelligent, cunning, charming and resourceful. Francie (vacationing in Cannes with her Texas-oil-rich mother) is every bit his match: smart, beautiful, astutely observant. And when it comes to the push/pull attraction between them – well, it’s clear who will with that contest.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn. Danielle is the young woman who helps her boyfriend with the beach concessions and occasionally escorts Robie to the casinos to add to his disguise as an American businessman on holiday. Paul, the Comte du Pré de la Tour, is a friend and confidante, whose trust in Robie is taxed by the thefts. Commissaire Oriol has also been a friend to Robie in his villa life, but now suspects him. Mr Paige, an investigator for the British insurance company that has had to pay out so much to thief’s victims. And the marvelously over-the-top Texan widow, Mrs Stevens, who is a real hoot.

The pace is a bit slower than today’s mystery thrillers, but still kept me turning pages. I liked the romantic relationships (there is more than one), and appreciated that Dodge left much to the reader’s imagination.

There is a new musical in the works based on the book (not the movie, which deviated somewhat from the plot). I had the opportunity to see a minimally staged read-through (including songs) a few months ago, which is what made me seek out the original book.

And another Christmas in July ....


A December to Remember – Jenny Bayliss
3***

Three half sisters – Maggie, Simone and Star – are called together for the reading of their eccentric father’s will. They girls haven’t seen each other since their childhood summers spent at Augustus’s home, Rowan Thorp. Now Augustus has set out certain conditions and a requirement that the three work together to bring back a winter solstice festival to the town before they can inherit his estate. They certainly have their work cut out for them!

This was a lovely, entertaining story. The village is full of interesting characters and the girls’ memories of August (and of their three different mothers) add to the charm and intrigue. The sisters learn to trust and rely on one another and discover some talents they didn’t know they had. They also learn to ask for and receive help. A couple of romantic relationships that need work, and a lot of family drama complicate things. But it’s a generally happy ending and a totally satisfying read.

And, I would just love to visit Augustus’s shop!

The Wish
by Heather Morris
4/5 stars
Jessie is dying but before she goes, she wants to have a video experience of her life. In comes Alex who will try to make her wish come true. What a lovely book! Fiction

>6 BookConcierge: I have that one on the shelf - thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I’m reading The God of the Woods and after 100 pages, I think I’m finally hooked.