What Fiction are you reading this week, February 13, 2022?

[hermetic]

Just finishing up the enjoyable Silent Voices by Ann Cleeves. It's fun to see Vera develop. Next up will be The Third Policeman, Flann O'Brien's brilliantly dark comic novel about the nature of time, death, and existence. Looking forward to this one.

I'm listening to The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Based on the true World War II actions of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story. It has so many things that I love: libraries, Paris, the French language, standing up against nazis. This is one of those books that jumps back and forth between 3 different periods of time but it is very well done and I don't find it at all annoying as I have some other books that do that.

Have a happy Valentine's Day; share your love of books.

[hippywife]

1. Started re-reading Lonesome Dove.

Have been thinking I want to read the entire series, but originally read Lonesome Dove when it came out in paperback eons ago. Thought I'd start over so I wouldn't be lost. Slipped right back into it so smoothly. Love his writing.

[hermetic]

2. A true classic

From the reviews: Richly authentic, beautifully written, always dramatic, Larry McMurtry's LONESOME DOVE is a book to make us laugh, weep, dream and remember.

[hippywife]

6. It was really surprising to me then

and is still surprising to me now, since I'm not at all interested in Westerns as a genre. That speaks to me of the quality of his writing.

[Bayard]

3. Just finished, "Billy Summers"

Last edited Sun Feb 13, 2022, 01:23 PM - Edit history (1)

Very enjoyable Stephen King.

And non-fictional history, "38 Nooses, Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of the Frontier's End," by Scott W. Berg. Its so horrifying, it almost seems like fiction.

[hermetic]

9. Yikes!

You left off the beginning of the title: 38 Nooses. A very ugly part of American history. I could see how that one could get banned from school libraries. "President Lincoln, embroiled in the most devastating period of the Civil War, personally intervened in order to spare the lives of 265 of the condemned men, but the toll on the Dakota nation was still staggering: a way of life destroyed, a tribe forcibly relocated to barren and unfamiliar territory, and 38 Dakota warriors hanged—the largest government-sanctioned execution in American history."

Edit to add: I wish it WAS fiction.

[Bayard]

11. Fixed

Thanks!

[MontanaMama]

4. Hello neighbor!

I’m just a couple of chapters into The Stone Sister by Caroline Patterson. I didn’t realize when I bought the book that the story would be set in Montana in the 50’s which is kind of fun…here’s an overview of the book:

Spanning the mid to late 20th century and set in the Elkhorn Valley of southwestern Montana, The Stone Sister is told from three points of view — a father’s, a nurse’s, and a sister’s. Together they tell the unforgettable story of a child’s birth, disappearance, and finally discovery in a home for “backward children.” Robert Carter, a newly married man just back from World War II, struggles with his and his wife’s decision to entrust the care of their disabled child to an institution and “move on” with family life. Louise Gustafson, a Midwestern nurse who starts over with a new life in the West, finds herself caring for a child everyone else has abandoned. And Elizabeth Carter, a young journalist, uncovers the family secret of her lost sister as she struggles with starting a family of her own.

I’m enjoying the book immensely…it’s tough to find time to read these days with a puppy in the house. I plan to take this little floof on a hike to tire her out so I can get a couple more chapters under my belt today.

[hermetic]

5. Hi Neighbor!

Always happy to see you.

That books sounds terrific. I was trying to figure out where the Elkhorn Valley is and I did find the Town. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 10. The community is considered a ghost town. That sounds like a really great place to visit.

Enjoy your hike and give the floof a scritch from me.

[hippywife]

8. Have you read Ivan Doig's books?

I'm guessing you probably have living in Montana.

[MontanaMama]

28. Yes! Requires reading as an English major

at the University of Montana. This House Of Sky was my favorite.

[hippywife]

29. He's one of my favorite authors.

I've read four or maybe five, including This House of Sky, and loved every one of them. Going to have to pick up where I left off and read more of them.

Definitely a lot worse required reading. I'll always be thankful to Diane Rehm for introducing me to his work.

[japple]

23. I'll be on the lookout for this book. I've been to Elkhorn when visiting in and around Helena.

As I recall, there are only two of the original buildings still standing. It's a beautiful area.

Ditto what hippywife said about Ivan Doig--a wonderful writer.

[Scrivener7]

7. Re-reading The Joy Luck Club for a book club. I read it long ago enough

that I'm totally enjoying it.

Also The Shadow on the Wall by Jonathan Aycliffe. Old-timey scary story. Fabulous!!

[hermetic]

10. Excellent

And I do loves me some old-timey scary books. "English novelist Jonathan Aycliffe has mastered the classic English ghost story, and A Shadow on the Wall, nominated in 2000 for the International Horror Guild Award, is sure to both mesmerize and haunt you." He has several like that. I will have to see if I can find them.

[bif]

12. "My Year Abroad" by Chang-Rae Lee

A big, sprawling well-written novel. I'm enjoying the heck ut of it!

[hermetic]

14. You picked a winner there...

Tinged at once with humor and darkness, electric with its accumulating surprises and suspense, My Year Abroad is a novel that only Chang-rae Lee could have written, and one that will be read and discussed for years to come.

[The King of Prussia]

13. Had a very literary weekend

Went to Bay Tales - a crime literary festival in Whitley Bay in the North East of England. We stayed at Marsden Grotto - a hotel which we saw on one of the most recent TV episoders of "Vera". It's spectacular - set right on the beach at the foot of a cliff. Part of the hotel is a cave that was blasted out of the rock by smugglers.

The festival itself was excellent. Lots of writers talking and mingling - notably Ann Cleeves herself. So I'm currently reading "The Perplexing Case of the Jewel in the Crown" by Vaseem Khan - who was one of the speakers. It's a tremendous book set in present day Mumbai. The protagonist is a retired Indian police officer whose sidekick is a baby elephant. I'm loving it.

Have a good week - I'm going to be busy reading.

[hermetic]

16. No doubt you will be

How lovely for you. I just looked up photos from that hotel and it looks incredible. Plus, great new books! Most excellent!!

[yellowdogintexas]

19. Baby Ganesh!!! I have read the first book in that series

and loved it. i've picked up a couple more on kindle but have not read them yet.

[Paper Roses]

15. After reading the rave reviews of the Reacher video on Amazon Prime Video,

I dug out Killing Floor, Lee Childs' first book in the Reacher series. I forgot how good it was. I kept up the Reacher habit until I read all 25. Was a great series to collect. I've lots of books so I'll squeeze some other author in between.

[hermetic]

17. I read that one, too

Long time ago. That's out on video now? Cool.

[yellowdogintexas]

21. Yes! It is a new Amazon Original series. it looks like it is going to be good

I gave myself a little preview yesterday.

[yellowdogintexas]

20. I am behind on my Reacher reading! Killing Floor was very good - as are all the Reacher books nt

[Polly Hennessey]

18. Well, I must admit the books all of you are reading

seem to have substance and important subject matter. I am beginning another bedtime cozy, Murder, She Goat by Lucy Jackson. Seems Fancy Bohannon, a chef, is helping out her Aunt Peggy prepare for her daughter’s wedding. Aunt Peggy owns a goat ranch. Need I say more. All of this takes place in the Hill Country of rural Central Texas.

[hermetic]

22. Well, goats are important

And chefs. And nothing beats having something to read that you enjoy. So, carry on!

[japple]

27. Having family members in Texas (very near the Hill Country) I am always interested

in books about that area. I also like reading non fiction histories of the early settlements in TX.

[japple]

24. Thank you for the weekly thread, hermetic. Hearts to you for bringing

us all together.

I am now reading Jane Smiley's Some Luck and find it the perfect book to curl up with during a long winter's night. I will probably continue on in this series. I am looking forward to reading her new release in the Spring: Horse. Many years ago, when I was working at a state university, everyone was reading Moo and I thoroughly enjoyed that one.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL THE DUER READERS!!!

[hermetic]

25. Moo?

Never heard of it, but... In this wonderfully written and masterfully plotted novel, Jane Smiley offers us a wickedly funny comedy that is also a darkly poignant slice of life.

I see she has written several books about horses, too. As a teen I used to love horse stories. I'll bet I still do. Will def have to look into these.

Thank you for all your great recommendations here. You're the tops!

[japple]

26. Richard Russo also had a book around the same time period that everyone

in my department read. Straight Man was a great story about midlife angst and the politics within the academic community. We had many great discussions around those two books. Both are excellent books. Personally, I found Moo more compelling, although I loved both.

I will look up those horse books as well, since I loved Misty of Chicoteague, Black Beauty, and all of the books I read as a fifth grader.

Edit to add: I think all girls love horses at a certain age. I don't know/understand the connection, but am so happy that there are books being written now by the wonderful writers such as Jane Smiley and Paulette Jiles who love and understand horses and their connection to humans and other species.

[hippywife]

30. She's another author I'm planning on exploring more.

Glad you're enjoying Some Luck.

Regarding your Texas comment above, have you read Michener's Texas? It doesn't rank in my top three favorites of his but it was a very good read, nonetheless.

[japple]

31. Yes, I've read a number of Michener's books including Texas. I also love McMurtry and have

read the Lonesome Dove series twice. I think you would like Paulette Jiles' book, The Color of Lightning.

[hippywife]

33. Thanks, I'll check it out. nt

[KPN]

32. Happy Valentine's Day Hermetic!

Five Little Indians by Michele Good.

Actually just finished it about a week ago, but I wanted to share it here. Best book I've read in a long time!

Basically a story of 5 separate but intertwined aboriginal Canadians and their lives after leaving a mandatory boarding school for aboriginal children that existed in Canada some decades ago. Sad, but also inspiring and revealing. Michele Good is a great writer.

[hermetic]

38. Wow, that does sound great.

I will seek that one out. Thanks.

[yellowdogintexas]

34. Where are They Now? a serial killer story (this is a very good book!)

He hides in their house for days, watching their every move. He’s patient. Calm. Calculated. A shadow over their bed. Their screams are music to his ears.

Hello again…this is just the start, there will be more.

When a serial killer leaves a message for private detective Siya Rajput at the brutal crime scene of a woman’s murder, she unravels a bone-chilling connection to the mystery that has tormented her since her childhood—the vanishing of her mother, who has been presumed dead for sixteen years.

Feisty and headstrong, but still reeling from the horrors of a devastating mistake she had made, Siya has dark secrets of her own.

Is Siya’s mother still alive?

Finding the truth could make Siya question everything about her life.

God help me I hava found a new series.

This is a good book.

[hermetic]

37. Oooh, that sounds really good

And creepy. Author U.D. Yasha? Ebooks only, looks like.

[yellowdogintexas]

39. It is lendable if you're interested nt

[yellowdogintexas]

35. well folks I have run out of Sisterhood and Men of the Sisterhood books

After several weeks immersed in their world, I find myself lost without my friends. I feel kind of like you do when you move to a new town and do not know anyone. So I went to India in "Where Are THey Now"

Anyway:

I finished Bitter Pill: For the Sisterhood, there’s a special satisfaction that comes with helping a friend in need, especially when it’s someone as dear as Charlotte Hansen. Myra Rutledge’s childhood friend has spent tens of thousands of dollars on remedies to boost longevity. But far from improving her health, the medications seem to be destroying it.

Myra becomes suspicious of the trio of doctors in charge of the program, especially once the Sisterhood’s investigations reveal that one patient has died, and another lapsed into a coma. While those in their care suffer, the three doctors—located in London, Aspen, and New York—all enjoy indulgent lifestyles and extravagant toys. But justice is always the best medicine—and no one dispenses it better than the Sisterhood . . .

This one was really good and a very fun read. The justice delivered to the bad persons is an utter delight.
Again, I have trouble deciding which is more fun: the build up and planning of the justice, or the justice itself.



Which brings me to Truth or Dare Men of the Sisterhood #4.

When the call comes, the Men of the Sisterhood drop everything to help their friends. This time it’s Cyrus, their four-legged hound dog and unofficial mascot. While member Joe Espinosa is driving along an isolated country road with Cyrus in tow, he catches a glimpse of movement in the woods bordering the road and notes Cyrus pawing desperately at the car window. As soon as he pulls over to investigate, Cyrus bolts out the door and leads Joe to three children clustered together—bedraggled, silent, and scared out of their wits. As soon as he has brought the children to safety, Espinosa arranges an urgent meeting.

Charles, Abner, Jack, Dennis, Harry and the rest of the crew gather at BOLO headquarters to hear a shocking story that confirms their worst suspicions. Many more children are still in danger. But in order to protect and avenge the victims, the team must use more cunning than ever before. With so many vulnerable young lives at stake, one mistake would be too many . . .

Just a warning, the justice these guys deal out to the child and sex traffickers is a bit different and shocking than the prior books.

The righteous anger demonstrated by these men is awesome to behold and their vengance is swift and sure.
Cyrus the Wonder Dog once again is allowed to shine, and he gets to do what he loves best: bite someone on the ass.

This is my favorite of the "Men of" series.

[hermetic]

36. Oh noes!

I feel your pain.

BUT, a whole bunch of new books on the horizon. Not the Sisterhood, but...

Due out in April: Fear Thy Neighbor. From one of the most gifted and beloved storytellers of her time
(Fern) comes a riveting new novel of suspense where one woman’s picture-perfect island sanctuary reveals itself to be filled with dangers…

And a bunch more after that. So, you'll just be making new friends in your new town. I look forward to hearing all about them.

[yellowdogintexas]

40. Fern has so many books I will never get them all read.

I want to read her Kentucky series.

The Godmothers series popped up in the prime member list so I have it. I will report on it when I finish.

Right now I am in a new (to me) book in a series I have been reading as the books come up in the cheap slot. These center around the exploration of NOrth America pre Columbus and feature actual historical items here in the Americas. First one is "Cabal of the Wexford Knight" It is a very interesting series and I like the characters a lot.

There are only 11 of these....l...