Book Lovers Club

Voracious, where did you grow up? I grew up in the west 80's. Your NYC book looks interesting!

VR, if it reads like an Erik Larsen, I will HAVE to check it out!!!

Right now, I am racing through a very quick, easy, engaging summer read. Lake House by Kate Morton. A mystery that goes back & forth in time.

also read, The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold by Joyce Lee Malcolm......I recently read a juvenile book about him while working with my literacy student. It really raised my curiosity bar about him. So when I saw The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold on the library’s adult book shelf, I had to read it.

https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Benedict-Arnold-American-Life/dp/1681777371

Reading the book, I was reminded about a Drunk History episode of Hamilton and Burr....having seen the show Hamilton, I thought I knew enough about him and Burr, but the Drunk History episode about them, really nudged my feelings about both men. My thoughts about Burr have really changed...which brings me to Arnold. Today it is easy to associate the word traitor with his name. But when you read the book and understand his perspective somehow the word tragedy comes to mind....he was a traitor. He bet wrong. And lost. But why? This book will try to answer that question. And his wife? I always thought she was a traitor too. But was she?

Arnold and Burr....i think their reputations have been simplified. If you want a more nuanced understanding of these men, read The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold and also watch Drunk History’s take on Burr.....

VR - My library system doesn't have The man with the sawed off leg , not in ebook or regular book. - and it's not a prime book yet either. Drat! I'm not willing to spend the hardcover price, so I will wait until it comes out in paperback or our library system picks it up.

Ruth, I read the Lake House - I loved the story, but found the author a little wordy. But like you say, a great summer read.

Stopped by my indie bookstore to pick up a copy of "Houston's Lost Restaurants". The review was great fun since I remember many of them. If the book is as good as the review, it will be my Christmas gift for several friends & family members.

Of course I couldn't just pick up the book at the counter. Oh no.... I've been wanting to read Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology" so I added that. Then a book just jumped out and bit me - called "Stay With Me" by Ayobami Adebayo. (sorry, can't do the accents on the vowels) It was shortlisted for the Bailey's Women's Price for Fiction & a NY Times Notable Book. No one there had read it yet, but I bought it anyway. Margaret Atwood says, "Scorching, gripping, ultimately lovely." Has anyone here read it? It probably grabbed me because I recently read "Americanah".

I will try that Voracious.

Finished Quiet Neighbors, nice story. Not sure what to read next, have 6 days left on my Artemis loan, so that might be it. Also have Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale, a friend recommended it. Going camping Sunday for a few days, so need to load up my Kindle.

I finished Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. A Jackson Brodie "mystery." Begins with three different unrelated crimes. Years later a family member from each case history contacts Jackson Brodie to find someone involved. I enjoyed reading the book, which is as much "novel" as "mystery." Pieces of the plot puzzle do fit together at the end.

Now I'm reading another Bosch crime mystery, City of Bones by Michael Connelly. It's about the murder of a child whose bones are discovered many years after the crime. I think I may have seen an episode of Bosch centered around this story.

I LOVED Lincoln in the Bardo so was really shocked when a number of my reading friends did not!

For those of us jonesing for the next Jane Hawk, try The Chemist (2016) by Stephanie Meyer. It's the story of an ex-agent on the run from her former employers, who are killing everyone that worked on a secret biological weapons project.

Reading The Patrick Melrose novels by Edward St. Aubyn. Great language and style.

I will be interested in your opinion of Room of White Fire.

JKL, I reacted the same way. I was actually sorry I bought the book.

I'm reading Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker. It's set in France and has a lot of French words. The only reason I'm reading it is that John, an older Texan man here in the resort, has 8 books featuring Bruno and John loves these stories. I feel obligated to read at least the first one. The opening is slow, but I will soldier on.

John also lent me a nonfiction book by a woman from this area in MN. I have managed to read about a third of it. I'm not really big on reminiscence and philosophizing but John wants me to read this book. He thinks I will appreciate it because I am a published writer. But I wrote romance novels for Silhouette Books!

I love all of her books Sandi!