Reading the Detectives discussion

This is a new thread because the old one had become rather long, but it is still available to look at in archived threads.

A lot of us have other reading passions as well as mysteries. Have you been reading any other good books lately which you'd like to share with others? Please post about them in this thread.

I was blown away by The Overstory by Richard Powers when I read it a few weeks ago. It was agonizing but really the best novel I have ever read.

Abigail wrote: "I was blown away by The Overstory by Richard Powers when I read it a few weeks ago. It was agonizing but really the best novel I have ever read."

Oh dear! I passed up a chance to get that book. So it's back to the library's wait list if I decide to read it.

I had to read it slowly, over time, to handle the emotions it evoked and really let the content sink in. It would be challenging to have to read it in the couple of weeks you're allotted by a library! Make sure you're in a strong emotional place.

It's about trees, right?

Trees are central to the story but the subject is broader, I would say. It follows a collection of human characters, all of whom have an experience with trees that alters the course of their life. Some of the characters come to know one another, others not so much; but the themes transcend their individual lives. It's a complex enough narrative that it's hard to describe!

I live in the largest temperate rain forest in the world. It's a fabulous place. The book was recommended to me, but I think its message is not for me.

You're fortunate to live amid such abundance. The rest of us have lost so much! It sounds as if you think the book is political; I did not find it so, instead putting an emotional face on scientific reality, making the reader feel the cost of the human race's actions. To me it was a candidate for that mythic entity the Great American Novel--if you believe that the essence of the American character is insatiable greed.

Abigail wrote: "if you believe that the essence of the American character is insatiable greed."

And I don't. I believe the American character is the most generous one in the world.

Sandy wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I was blown away by The Overstory by Richard Powers when I read it a few weeks ago. It was agonizing but really the best novel I have ever read." ..."

Best novel you've ever read... wow, that certainly makes it sound enticing. I'm probably not up for agonising reads at the moment to be honest, but will add this to my TBR and hope to get to it when I feel a bit braver!

Although, having said that, I don't actually find it comforting to read non-stop comfort reads. I've just finally read On the Road, which came up in the Reading the Twentieth Century group, and parts of that were quite depressing, but the sheer energy of it carried me though.

Sandy, I've had one or two books from the library which I have failed to read in the time and had to go back on the wait list for. But, given the number you have had, it may be just as well you didn't get this one!

Judy wrote: "Sandy, I've had one or two books from the library which I have failed to read in the time and had to go back on the wait list for. But, given the number you have had, it may be just as well you did..."

I agree. The ones I have are all easy reads - two to three days, so I'm not panicking - yet.

Abigail wrote: "I was blown away by The Overstory by Richard Powers when I read it a few weeks ago. It was agonizing but really the best novel I have ever read."

Great review Abigail. I'll look out for it. I'm planning on reading Wilding, non fiction about a couple who set about re-wilding their farm and trying to undo some of the damage done by intensive farming. I just have wait for my Mum to finish it.
For now, I'm reading Table Two; written and set during the blitz in London.

I have just started The Son and Heir, which is my free Prime Reading for the month. So far it's very interesting, on pre-war German/Dutch/Baltic politics and society.

Thank you, Tania! I looked up the two you're working on and they both intrigued me--on the TBR they go! Sussex and the challenges of farming on clay especially caught my attention, as I've been working on a story that takes place in the southern reaches of Surrey "on the clay" in 1800. I love when something I want to read anyway gets classed as research!

Bonus! Mum highly rates Wilding, it will be the first book she's actually finished for ages.

I've just finished my first Shirley Jackson book Life Among the Savages. It was very witty. After having her horror books on my tbr list for ages, it's her domestic tales I finally got round to reading.

Have now started The Fortnight in September. In the absence of big holidays at the moment it's lovely to read about the build up and excitement of going on holiday!

I really liked The Fortnight in September, Tracey - I've been meaning to read more by R.C. Sherriff. There are some lovely titles published by Persephone.

Judy wrote: "I really liked The Fortnight in September, Tracey - I've been meaning to read more by R.C. Sherriff. There are some lovely titles published by Persephone."

There really are. Oh, for more reading time and shelf space!

I loved The Fortnight in September simple, but absolutely charming. I have read the other Persephone titles, The Hopkins Manuscript was my one of my all time favourites. I think Bello have one or two ebooks so I'm going to try The Wells of St Mary's next.Mary's
I'm planning on reading Life Among the Savages for another book group soon, looking forward to it.

I think The Fortnight in September is the only book by Sherriff I've read so far, but I've seen the film of his First World War play Journey's End which came out in 2017, and remember finding it powerful. I must read more by him soon.

I'd like to see that, I'd no idea it had been made into a film recently.

I finished An Imaginative Experience by Mary Wesley which I very much enjoyed, I plan to read more of her books soon.
I'm now reading The Sweet and the Twenties by Beverley Nichols, his gossipy memoir of his life in 1920's London as one of the Bright Young Things, we're about to meet the Sitwells.

Ooh, I don't know that Nichols book, Tania, I only have the garden ones. You do find the best books!

He's better known for his garden books, but he was very prolific so there are memoirs, travel writing, essay's and novels, I believe even at least one mystery. I've only read the 'Merry Hall' trilogy so far, but do enjoy his writing.

Oh dear, another whole world of reading opening up to me again! :)

I know, but a nice *problem* to have : ). The mystery book is The Moonflower Murder.

Beginning my 1st Falco 😊

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis

Icewineanne wrote: "Beginning my 1st Falco 😊

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis"

I hope I don't spoiler it for you, but it is a mystery.

Jill wrote: "I hope I don't spoiler it for you, but it is a mystery."

I was hoping she just accidentally got the wrong thread.

Jill wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Beginning my 1st Falco 😊

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis"

I hope I don't spoiler it for you, but it is a mystery."

Oops.....apologies......Elizabeth is right. I did add this to the wrong thread!

Oh good I didn't spoil it

And it's no problem posting in this thread.

Jill wrote: "Oh good I didn't spoil it"

Not at all Jill. Thanks for letting me know!
📚 😊

Threads aside, you have reminded me that Falco is one of the many series I've been meaning to try for ages, Icewineanne!

Currently reading Superpower Showdown . This is the latest entry into the list of books that are taking a hard look at the steady, planned, calculated rise to international dominance of the Chinese Communist Party.

Reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Triggers galore.

Judy wrote: "Threads aside, you have reminded me that Falco is one of the many series I've been meaning to try for ages, Icewineanne!"

It’s been on my list for years too Judy. What prompted me to finally start this series is that someone chose it as our Aug book for our local book club.
There’s a fairly lengthy list of characters + maps at the beginning, and their names & places are from Rome in 70 a.d. which was rather daunting. But I shouldn’t have worried. It’s such an amusing, witty, easy read that I haven’t needed to refer back to the character list or maps in order to follow the story.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you get around to it 😉

Icewineanne wrote: "Judy wrote: "Threads aside, you have reminded me that Falco is one of the many series I've been meaning to try for ages, Icewineanne!"

It’s been on my list for years too Judy. What prompted me to ..."

The characters' descriptions in the list gives you an excellent preview of the tone of the series. One of my favorites and I'm close to the end (sniff).

Icewineanne wrote: "Judy wrote: "Threads aside, you have reminded me that Falco is one of the many series I've been meaning to try for ages, Icewineanne!"

It’s been on my list for years too Judy. What prompted me to ..."

This series is in my tbr list too. My son's middle name is Falco, nothing to do with these books. It was only after he was born was I made aware of this series. I'm hoping the character is nice!

Tracey wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Judy wrote: "Threads aside, you have reminded me that Falco is one of the many series I've been meaning to try for ages, Icewineanne!"

It’s been on my list for years too Judy. ..."

He has a fine man to emulate Tracey: tough and tender, good family man, but with a tendency to drink too much sometimes.

Well, if it helps, I have read the first one and quite liked it so will definitely read on in the series

Sandy wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Judy wrote: "Threads aside, you have reminded me that Falco is one of the many series I've been meaning to try for ages, Icewineanne!"

It’s been on my list for y..."

Thank you! That's good to know.

I started Vittoria Cottage by D.E. Stevenson for an August read with the Retro Reads group.

One step ahead of me as usual, Susan! My copy arrives tomorrow and in the meantime I'm knocking out an August group read for another group.

Abigail wrote: "One step ahead of me as usual, Susan! My copy arrives tomorrow and in the meantime I'm knocking out an August group read for another group."

Lol! I’m just trying to distract myself from reading news...;)

A worthy aim. I'm hopelessly addicted even though I know how bad it is for me!

Susan in NC wrote: "I started Vittoria Cottage by D.E. Stevenson for an August read with the Retro Reads group."

I really enjoyed this one, I keep meaning to read the sequels now that they are back in print.
I finished The Sweet and the Twenties which I really liked. Interesting looking back on the twenties, full of hope, from the vantage point of the fifties - having gone through another war.
I'm now reading Once a Week by A. A. Milne, a series of sketches that he wrote for Punch Magazine.

Tania wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I started Vittoria Cottage by D.E. Stevenson for an August read with the Retro Reads group."

I really enjoyed this one, I keep meaning to read ..."

Thanks, Tania, I’m only a few chapters in but enjoying it so far - delightfully pleasant and normal! As intro points out, no major dramas or psychoses as was the habit of many novels of the period, just relaxing entertainment. Just what I need about now!

Just finished Anne Morrow Lindbergh: A Gift for Life by Dorothy Herrmann. I thought it was well done. Gave it 4 stars but haven't reviewed it yet.