What are you reading the week of January 20, 2024?

I have to admit that after finishing Our Enemies Will Vanish, by Yaroslav Trofimov, I really didn't read much of anything this week. I mainly binged three seasons of a French detective series this week.

Currently working on Chaos Terminal and The Other Great Game (which I expect to be working on until the end of the month). I'll probably pick up The Great Kantō Earthquake and the Chimera of National Reconstruction in Japan before the end of the week.

In as much as my computer had to go in for repairs, I have more reading time than expected! I thus started A Minor Apocalypse.

Starting The Hidden Legion.

I'm about 3/4 through Louise Erdrich's wonderful novel, The Sentence. Lovely story, terrific characters.

I'm still reading The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. I didn't finish in time for book club, but read enough essays to be able to discuss it. I think to finish it I'll read one a day for more reflection.

>3 rocketjk: I loved The Sentence too. It's one of my favorites!

I'm reading Elberg Collection by Anthony Oliver. It's a fun, interesting little mystery.

I just started The Late Mattia Pascal by Luigi Pirandello.

I'm reading Charles Todd's The Red Door. It's pretty good!

Last night I finished The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. I've got a short review of this terrific novel up on my 50-Book Challenge thread for anyone interested.

Next I'll be reading The Island at the Center of the World, a history of Dutch Manhattan. Several people have recommended this book to me. My wife read it and loved it and, in fact, my copy is a Hannukah present from her.

The Lifeboat – Charlotte Rogan
Book on CD narrated by Rebecca Gibbel
3.5***

In the summer of 1914, newly married Grace Winter and her husband Henry, set sail from London back to America. But after an explosion aboard ship, Grace is hurried aboard a lifeboat that is over capacity. As days go by with no sign of rescue it becomes clear that not all (if any) will survive. It comes down to a battle for leadership between the only able seaman aboard and a strong-willed matron skilled at persuasion.

Grace is not a completely reliable narrator. The majority of the story is told in flashback, as Grace is on trial for murder. At the suggestion of her attorneys, she recalls her experiences in the lifeboat, but she also reflects on how she met and married Henry.

Her observations about her fellow passengers are limited to a handful, mostly those of her class, save for the seaman, Mr Hardie. As their situation grows more dire, the survivors in the lifeboat are faced with decisions they never imagined having to make. There are times when I felt Grace was a weak woman content to let the wind blow her where it will. And other times when I felt she was manipulative and scheming. But then again, we have only Grace’s word for what happened. One thing is certain, though, Grace is a survivor.

Rebecca Gibbel does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and distinguishes the characters sufficiently to avoid confusion about who is speaking.

Say When – Elizabeth Berg
Book on CD narrated by David Colacci
3***

“I think our marriage is like a house we stopped using.”

Griffin is happy; he has a satisfying job, a beautiful wife, Ellen, a delightful daughter, Zoe, and a nice home in a Chicago suburb. But one morning he awakens, and Ellen tells him she has decided they should divorce.

I love how Berg writes about relationships. There are a lot of ups and downs here as the characters navigate the aftermath of Ellen’s stated wishes. Griffin is the narrator, so we get less of Ellen’s thinking than of his, but we still learn something of what led to her decision.

I admit to going back and forth in my loyalties to these two characters. I was sometimes in Griffin’s camp, and sometimes in Ellen’s. (And always in Zoe’s.) As in real life, no one is completely at fault, and no one is completely blameless. They have both gone along with the status quo without really seeing one another or exploring what they really want from the relationship and from life.

There are some heartbreaking scenes, and some very humorous ones (Griffin deciding to get a part-time job as a mall Santa leads to many of these).

The audiobook is narrated by David Colacci, who does a fine job of it.

Reading Benjamin Labatut's wonderful/baffling "When We Cease to Understand the World" -- which he describes as a "work of fiction based on real events." About halfway through this slim book, this is a series of essays about science - how we discover it, how it affects us, how we misunderstand its impact - and about scientific/mathematical obsession. I'm not comfortable with this fiction/real events format: would it really have been a weaker book without the fictive element? As it is, you have to race to Google every ten minutes to read up what's "true" and what's fiction. But I vowed to read more nonfiction this year, and this is a great start, a highly readable yet challenging -- and certainly very original -- "novel."

I am reading Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. I have already used three memorable quotes from this book in my communications.

Currently I am Reading Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri. Its amazing and she is one of my favourite Indian writers. Previously before starting this I completed The Lowlands by her.
https://english.shabd.in/whereabouts-jhumpa-lahiri/book/10086942

>13 Annie_09: I've read The Lowlands. I thought it was excellent.

The Perfume Thief – Timothy Schaffert
Digital audiobook performed by Gabrielle De Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki.
4****

From the book jacket: A Gentleman in Moscow meets Moulin Rouge in this stylish, sexy page-turner about Clementine, a queer American ex-pat and notorious thief who is drawn out of retirement and into one last scam when the Nazis invade Paris on the eve of World War II.

My reactions
This was a marvelous heist caper thriller, featuring interesting characters, several twists and turns and the atmosphere of Paris on the verge of world war. I found it fascinating and exciting and when it was over, I wanted to start it again to catch what I’m sure I must have missed.

Before she lands in Paris in 1930, Clem begins her career in belle-epoch era Manhattan, and travels to Costa Rica and Marrakech in search of ingredients and potions.

Schaffert shines a light on a subset of Parisien society that few tourists experience. Clementine and her friend Zoe St Angel are in a perfect position to encounter some of the famous residents of Paris in this era. They move seamlessly between the artists, crooks, ladies of the evening, and invading Germans. But they have their secrets and their plans to thwart the Nazis. Not only can Clem concoct an intoxicating scent, but she can use her knowledge of chemistry to provide invisible ink or poison, making her a valuable asset to the resistance.

The audiobook is masterfully performed by two talented voice artists: Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki. They have a lot of characters to handle and I am sure I lost track of the plot a few times. Not to take anything away from their performances, but next time, I’ll read this in text format.

I just finished The Book Club on Waverly Lane. I am now reading The Guise of Another by Allen Eskens. I really enjoyed his other two books The Life We Bury and The Shadows We Hide.

Old Bones – Douglas Preston & Lincoln Childs
Book on CD narrated by Cynthia Farrell.
3***

First book of the Nora Kelly series. (Note: She has made previous appearances in the Pendergast series.)

Nora is a curator at the Santa Fe Archeological Institute and is approached by historian Clive Benton with an opportunity to lead an expedition to find the Donner Party “Lost Camp.” The hook is the rumor of millions of dollars in gold coins buried at the camp site.

Meanwhile, novice FBI agent Corinne Swanson has been assigned the odd case of a grave robbery cum murder. Researching further she finds several other grave robberies, as well as a missing (and presumed murdered) young woman which all have the same connection: the victims were all descendants of one of the Donner Party members.

The body count goes up as a major spring storm is about to completely cut them off. Is the killer one of the archeological team? Someone from the wilderness outfitter’s team? Has someone been following them? And what about the ghost(s)?

Preston and Childs are great thriller writers. They keep the reader turning pages with short sentences and chapters. They increase the tension and suspense by moving back and forth between the two story lines, until they inevitably intersect.

I really liked Nora as a central character, and hope that she continues to work with Special Agent Swanson, too. And now I really need to start reading the Pendergast series!

Ander & Santi Were Here – Jonny Garza Villa
Digital audiobook performed by Avi Roque
3***

This is a YA gay romance featuring two very likeable young men facing serious life decisions. Ander is an artist and planning to go to college to further his studies in art. He has a chance at a prestigious scholarship, but feels he should take a gap year first. Santiago is an undocumented immigrant without family who takes a job in the restaurant Ander’s family runs. When they meet, sparks fly.

Oh, the intensity of young love. The passion and fierceness of the feelings. I really liked these two young men. Ander is very “out there” … he’s expressive and expansive in his art and in his feelings. He never holds back. Santi is more reserved, partly because of his natural personality, but also partly because he HAS to live under the radar to avoid being deported.

These two face some very tough decisions. Should Ander give up his dream college program because Santi cannot travel with him? Should Santi go back to Mexico to deal with a tragedy in his own family? Can the love they feel for one another survive such a separation? What choices do they have?

They are lucky in that Ander’s family is incredibly supportive of them both. While they are understandably upset that Ander would even consider abandoning his college dreams for Santi, they love him and respect his decisions. And when ICE arrives, they support and fight for Santi equally.

I do have a complaint, however. I’ve seen comparisons to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and the feelings and tenderness of first love certainly hold up to that comparison, but to ME, the language here (significant use of the ‘F’ bomb) and the sexual content seem more adult than YA. It’s a beautifully told love story, but Villa could have done it with much less swearing and graphic sex.

>8 rocketjk: Glad to hear it. I've got The Sentence on my very long short list to read.

I finished Todd's The Red Door and enjoyed it. Now I'm reading The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier.

My Own Two Feet: A Memoir
Beverly Cleary
4/5 stars
This is the second memoir from Beverly Cleary, writer. The book starts with her college years during the depression including WWII, working at a library and ends with the publication of her first book. I really enjoyed this book too! I am surprised this is a Juvenile book but it is definitely a book adults will enjoy!

The Good Thief’s Guide to Paris – Charles Ewan
3***

Book two in the Good Thief’s Guide mystery series, has author and thief Charlie Howard in the City of Lights. He agrees to a reading at a bookstore and following the event joins a few people for drinks. Under the influence he agrees to show one of the patrons how to break into a building. Of course, they are breaking into the man’s own apartment. The next day, Charlie is contacted by his usual fence with a new “commission” to steal a painting … at the same apartment. And then things get complicated.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one fell flat for me. Oh, I still like Charlie and I like the way he thinks. He’s fiercely independent but possibly not so good at truly hiding his identity as he has always thought. I enjoyed the introduction of Victoria, his agent; she really added a lot to this episode.

But this plot went all over the place. I never did really figure out the role of a few of the players. One thing I expect of mysteries is that the conclusion answers all my questions, and this one did not. Though he did set up the next in the series rather nicely, so I’ll probably read more.

Whispers
Dean Koontz
4/5 stars
This is a very suspenseful novel about a woman and filmmaker, Hilary Thomas who is being stalked by a mad man named Bruno Fyre. When he has been found dead, she is relieved, but he is still haunting her from the grave or is someone else terrorizing her. I enjoyed this book. 1980

I always have multiple books in play. This week, they include Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, This Great Unknowing, War for the Oaks, The Rediscovery of America, and A City on Mars: Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?.

The Viscount Who Loved Me – Julia Quinn
Digital audiobook performed by Rosalyn Landor
3***

Book two in the Bridgerton series focuses on Anthony. He knows he is destined to die young, because his father died suddenly of a bee sting. And he is determined to marry well, but NOT to love his wife. The perfect candidate is the “Incomparable” Edwina Sheffield. But Edwina’s older half-sister, Kate, while not the beauty that Edwina is, captures Anthony’s attention with her intelligence and wit. And when he happens upon her just as a bee has stung her he insists on sucking out the venom, leading to the couple being discovered in a very compromising position. Nothing to be done but to marry Kate. Oh, well, what difference can it make. He won’t love his wife in any case. Or will he?

This is a typical Regency romance. It’s so hot between the pages that the current August heat wave feels positively cool. Devilishly handsome, and very rich, gentleman meets and seduces a chaste and vulnerable young woman. Sparks fly. Multiple orgasms are had. True love results. What’s not to like? A quick read that sets my pulse racing. Perfect escape.

The audiobook is capably narrated by Rosalyn Landor. She sets a good pace and has clear diction.

I just finished Elevation by Stephen King. Quirky!

The new thread is up over here.

>25 PaperbackPirate: Loved this novela!

>27 BookConcierge: King writes a feel-good story?!

>8 rocketjk: I immensely enjoyed your reviews/reading descriptions on your 50 challenge thread. Please keep it up! - starred!

>29 PocheFamily: Thanks! I enjoy writing those, so it's nice to know they're appreciated. All the best!

>28 PaperbackPirate: Stephen King writes a lot of things. NOT all his books are horror or even thrillers.