Ask A Word Wench: What We're Reading

by Mary Jo

These is an older blog topic request, but timeless.  From Mary K. Kennedy: 

"Could the Wenches do a periodic joint blog about recent books that they really enjoyed?  The blog comments have given me some great recommendations for books I would've otherwise panned."

So—just in time to cheer us up at tax season, here are some recent reads by Word Wenches:

From Nicola Cornick: 

I'm currently reading A Royal Affair, which sounds like a racy novel but is actually a non-fiction book by Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats, about King George III and the complex and sometimes dark relationships he had with his siblings. It's fascinating stuff and thanks to a fast pace and Stella Tillyard's beautiful writing it grabbed me right from the first. The murky world of Mid-Georgian London is beautifully drawn and the family relationships are engrossing.
 

From Anne Gracie:

In the last few months I've glommed a couple of new-to-me authors, collecting as much of their backlist as has been available. Thanks to wench Nicola who put me onto Susanna Kearsley, I've devoured her books. They're basically contemporary romances with an element of mystery and a strong historical connection; there's often a kind of time-slip or reincarnation theme going. Lovely.

My other big glom author is Trisha Ashley, and I started with Twelve Days of Christmas (also called Twelfth Night in some places) which is still my fave and a keeper I've already reread. Trisha Ashley's books are contemporary romances,  a little in the Katie Fforde vein, but laced with gorgeous pithy humor that often surprises a chuckle out of me.

Finally, because Susan Wiggs is coming to the RWAustralia conference in August, I started a "Wiggsathon" with some friends, where we've been reading  a pile of her books -- in my case, her Lakeshore Chronicles series, which I'd never read any of. Thoroughly enjoyed them, too. Before that I think I'd only read her historicals, of which The Lightkeeper was my standout favorite.

From Pat Rice:

As usual, I’m reading several books at a time and the chance of my finishing any soon may rest on how much reading time I have.  But I did just finish Susan Elizabeth Phillip’s Call Me Irresistible and loved it. I can’t think of another author who can create a conflict out of one character being perfect and the other totally imperfect. The clash is just too funny.

I’m also reading Pati Nagle’s The Immortal, an ebook contemporary fantasy available at bookviewcafe.com and elsewhere. Think Legolas visits your local library and persuades the librarian to help him fight one of his own who is vampirically diseased and threatening humans. Great New Mexico scenery thrown in.

 

 

 

From Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose:
 

I've been reading historical mystery lately, and just discovered a very interesting new-to-me series by a writer named Imogen Robertson set in Georgian England. Instruments of Darkness features an intriguing cast of characters (a naval captain's wife who is managing a small estate, along with her two young children and teenage sister, and  a reclusive anatomist who turn into a sleuthing team) several puzzling murders, and a dark mystery involving the local lord of the manor, a wounded veteran of the British raid on Concord. The writing style is beautiful-very descriptive, with great characterization. I'm definitely going to be looking for the second book.

I've also belatedly started the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. I don't why it took me so long. I love the era-WWI England for the first book (with flashback to Edwardian times) and 1920s for the next ones. Maisie is a very unusual heroine, and her sleuthing deals with complex issues, creating the texture and nuances which appeal to me. 

From Susan King:

 
Lately I've been reading lots of nonfiction and a few mysteries, and the book that currently tops the basket beside my reading chair (which is spilling over with research books and wanna-reads) is Alan Bradley's A Red Herring Without Mustard. This is the third in a series that begins with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Ever since discovering the detective expertise of Flavia De Luce, an 11-year-old amateur chemist and a determined and brilliant little sleuth, I have been hooked. The delightful Flavia - a mix between Marie Curie, Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking - along with the charming setting (the English countryside in 1950), and some very clever mystery goings-on are keeping me well occupied and more than a little addicted.

 
From Jo Beverley:

I recently read Naomi Novik's Victory of Eagles. This is the fourth book in the series about a dragon air force in the Napoleonic Wars, starring Temeraire, a mighty dragon. I did enjoy it, especially Temeraire, who is brilliantly portrayed, but I find the long suffering stoicism of  Lawrence, Temeraire's human partner, a bit of a downer.

 

I've also been revisiting Dr Johnson's London: Everyday Life in London in the Mid 18th Century, which is full of interesting details that might come in useful in A Scandalous Countess, my MIP.

  From Mary Jo Putney:

This gives me a chance to talk about several books!  Dorothy Sayers created the marvelous sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, and since her death three more books have written by Jill Paton Walsh.  I’ve read and enjoyed all the Lord Peter mysteries, but romance writer to the core, I particularly like the ones about his courtship and marriage to Harriet Vane, the accused murderess he lost his heart to. 

Hence, I’m really enjoying the continuation books because they take place after Lord Peter marries Harriet.  A Presumption of Death takes up their lives in 1940 while Lord Peter is missing and possibly dead on a secret mission in Nazi Europe while Harriet is home keeping things together with their two children as well as the three children of Peter’s sister.  Naturally, a murder occurs and Harriet is drawn into solving it.  I liked this so much that I’ve bought the earlier continuation, Thrones, Dominations (that one was started by Sayers and completed by Paton Walsh). and I want to read the third, The Attenbury Emeralds, entirely written by Jill Paton Walsh, as well.  Wonderful characters, writing, and stories. 

I also just finished Michael Caine’s second memoir, The Elephant to Hollywood.  As he says cheerfully, he thought his career was about over when he wrote his first memoir 18 years ago, but that didn’t prove to be the case.  He’s great company—warm and good natured, with terrific self-deprecating stories, including how he found his adored wife, Shakira, in a Maxwell House coffee commercial.  There’s also the subtext of how a poor East End boy who had rickets as a child made the amazing journey to international stardom.

Last but hardly least is Homer’s Odyssey by Gwen Cooper.  Homer is the blind kitten Gwen adopted when no one else wanted him.  Instead of growing up to be a fearful invalid, he turned into an intrepid blind wonder cat, capable of leaping five feet straight into the air to catch flies, and gathering legions of adoring fans.  He also became a role model for Gwen making changes in her own life.  Excellent writing, and a wonderful tale for cat lovers and others.

That’s it for now!  I hope you all saw books you’d like to try. 
Mary Kennedy, you’re the winner of The Bargain, my April book.  (Or another if you have that one.)

We Wenches are considering following Mary's suggestion of occasionally posting other "What We've Been Reading" blogs.  What do you think?  Would you like to see more such posts?

And what have

Mary Jo

 

Comments

[wendy p]

I love to see what people are reading, even if it isn't romance. I am constantly looking for books to read at the library.

[LouisaCornell]

Mary Jo, isn't Homer's Odyssey just the best book? I loved it so much I bought a copy for my Mom and she loved it as well. And she bought copies for several of her cat loving friends!

Cara, I am a huge fan of historical mysteries! Definitely putting Instruments of Darkness on my wish list. I am reading two medieval set mystery series these days - one by Mel Starr (The Hugh de Singleton series) and one by Jeri Westerson - the Crispin Guest series. Really great reads!

I just finished rereading Mary Jo's The Bargain. Sigh! And Katharine Ashe's Captured by a Rogue Lord is on the top of my TBR stack at the moment.

I am always reading a research book in addition to everything else I read, I tend to read solely research when I am writing as I am now. Currently, I am reading Design and the Decorative Arts - Georgian Britain 1714-1837.

[Helen]

I too love seeing what people are reading and also love picking up recomemdations
I have just finished Marie Force's Fatal Justice a great romantic suspense and am now reading Rachel Bailey's At The Bilionaires Beck and Call and really enjoying it.

Have Fun
Helen

[Mia Marlowe]

When a friend recommends a book to me, I take notice. What an author I respect is reading has the same effect. Thanks for sharing what's on your bedside tables.

I just started The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, a meaty door-stop of a historical.

[Susan/DC]

I don't know whether to say thank you for introducing me to new books/authors or to say curses, more books to be added to the To Be Read pile (it's actually more of a mountain, which pretty soon will qualify as an entire range and will be visible from space). Please continue, however, says I, as I head to the bookstore to buy Imogen Robertson's series.

P.S. I discovered Maisie Dobbs several years ago and have now heard Jacqueline Winspear twice at Politics & Prose. She's charming and intelligent and if you ever get a chance to hear her, do so.

[Dee Feagin]

Yes, please continue this idea. I have already noticed several authors that I may not have come across on my own. Thanks.

[Mary Jo Putney]

It looks as if our reading blog is striking chords. This isn't surprising--book people are always interested in more books. *g*

Louisa, with all that reading, I'm not sure how you find time to write! I adored HOMER'S ODYSSEY--I don't know any cat lover who didn't. It's the sort of book we feliniophiles feel compelled to press on other cats lovers. And they love it, too.

Susan/DC, feel free to curse--we're all safely out of range. *g* Several years ago I met Jaqueline Winspear at a conference in Vancouver, and as you sy, she's very charming and bright.

I've already bought one of the books mentioned by another Wench, and I have other in the check-further file. *g*

[Jo Beverley]

Interesting. I've been hearing about Maisie Dobbs for ages, but obviously not paying much attention because it made me think of a book my mother had on the bookshelves when I was a child. We didn't have many books, though we brought home stacks from the library, so a permanent dweller was significant, but I don't think I ever read it. It was a rather old and fusty brown volume.

I've been bemused in passing that such an old book creating such enthusiasm. Now I'm trying to remember what that book was. I thought, Maisie's Secret, but that hasn't turned up anything.

Anyway, I must certainly look up Maisie Dobbs!

Jo

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jo, the name Maisie sounds old fashioned to me. Maybe that book of your mother's is what inspired Jaqueline Winspear to name her character Maisie. Having met her, I know she's not old enough to have written a book that was old and fusty when you were a tyke. *g*

I've heard many good things about the Maisie Dobbs series, but must admit that I find the character name really off-putting. Must overcome that....

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks Mary Jo. I always enjoy finding out what other people are reading, because despite the teetering to-be-read piles at home, I'm always on the look out for great new books or new-to-me authors. And the wenches have steered me to some wonderful authors in the past and I'll be following up these suggestions, too.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne--in the brave world of vanishing bricks and mortar bookstores, this kind of book discussion and referral is going to be one of our best ways of finding new authors. I'm looking forward to getting my Trisha Ashley book.

[Annrei]

A Royal Affair sounds fascinating. And Mia, The Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorite books.

I just finished two books by Christine Trent: The Queen's Dollmaker and A Royal Likeness. They're both historical fiction having to do with the French Revolution and Trafalgar and they feature some kick-ass heroines.

[Ranurgis]

I certainly enjoy having people discuss the books they're reading. I have several of the books mentioned here: The Pillars of the Earth (too long for me at the moment); and several of the Lord Peter and Harriet Vane mysteries (in storage, but have read the first 3 or 4 of them) and yes, these are the only Sayer books I've collected, because of the romance, of course.
I'm looking forward to finishing The Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters who Ruled Europe by Nancy Gladstone. I mentioned it somewhere, but I'm not sure if it was here. I had to return it to the library before I could finish it. Now I hope to do so soon. I've learned quite a lot more about 13th European history while reading it. In fact, that's what kept me from finishing the book the first time: I kept looking up the people and places mentioned in the book.
I think I'll also be looking into those other mysteries mentioned here, as well as Homer's Odyssey. Like others here, I don't really need any more books or authors that I want to read. Oh, well.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for the recommendations, Louisa! I'm always looking for new historical mysteries.

Mary Jo, I enjoyed Jill Walsh's fonishing of the Sayers book, but then sort of dropped the series. Now, will definitely go back. (Love Peter and Harriet.) So true that today, with fewer bookstores to browse (sniff, sniff) we need good word of mouth. I found so many great reads just by walking among the shelves reading blurbs.

Jo, I think I put off the Maisie Dobbs series for so long because the name made it sound . . . boring. Discovered I was very wrong. Am so glad a friend urged me to give it a try. And SusanDC, thanks for letting me know Jacqueline Winspear is a great speaker.I'll be on the lookout for her.

Ranurgis, I have The Four Queens on my TBR list—it sounds fascinating.

[Louis]

I just finished Pat's "Evil Genius". Excellent, excellent book.

I'm waiting for the sequel....need more of Ana's adventures with her family.

[Patricia Rice]

Bless you, Louis, you are a saint and one of the reasons I dared to e-publish a non-niche book! I know readers are smart enough to enjoy a book for what it is and not what marketing wants it to be.

I'm so impressed with what the other wenches and our readers are reading that I'm starting to feel like a real lightweight! I spend so much time researching while writing that my reading material tends to be more fantasy than truth.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Annrei, Nicola and her interests raise the whole tone of the blog. *g* I like the sound of the kick ass French revolutionary era heroines, too.

Louis, isn't it great that good authors like Pat can now color outside the lines with their books? I'm hoping for more of Ana and her sibs, too.

[Janice]

I see there are some Jacqueline Winspear fans here :)

Jacqueline Winspear is genius, and Maisie Dobbs is a fascinating, complicated woman, one with a foot in two worlds - the old structured servant society and the modern educated, independent working woman's world. Winspear does a terrific job of presenting the mindset of post WW1 life - my own mother was of that generation and was familiar with much of what Maisie encounters. The mystery in each turns on some event related to the war, but it's not the puzzle that really matters -- it's the characters, who are unforgettable. I can't recommend this series highly enough, and I would urge everybody to catch up on it; it'll be well worth your while.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Janice, I am convinced. I will have to start the Maisie Dobbs series. *g* It's characters that keep me interested every time. Thanks--

[Jennifer Kloester]

I loved this particular blog as I have just finished reading a couple of the books on my must-read pile (the Hunger Games series which I really enjoyed and a very entertaining non-fiction book called The Lost Art of Sleep) and I was umming and aahing over what to read next. I have now ordered the Alan Bradley and the first Maisie Dobbs from the library and Anne, your recommendation of the Twelve Days of Christmas sent me straight to the Book Depository! I do hope you will do this blog again - it's a winner!

[Mary Jo Putney]

We live to please, Jennifer! Anne's first mention of the 12 Days of Christmas sent me to The Book Depository, too. I'm halfway through, and it's delightful.

Lots of good fodder in this blog. I'm pretty sure we'll be doing it again.