What We're Reading

 

 

Pat here, rounding up the word wenches list of what we've been reading lately. I've been reading an Advanced Reading Copy of Katharine Kimbriel's Night Calls, a newly edited version of her highly acclaimed Alfreda books that will be out on 9/17 at Book View Cafe. The protagonist in this volume is a precocious but likable 11 year old, just discovering both the natural and supernatural worlds in an alternate America where George Washington is king and werewolves are diseased. I don't generally read YA but like Harry Potter, this book has enough to keep an adult interested. I can't wait for the next volume!

From Mary Jo:

 

I’m madly hammering away as I race to finish my current book, which means that to the extent I’m reading, it’s mostly rereading old favorites since my brain doesn’t have a lot of space available for anything challenging.  But I did stumble over a fun new author: Lian Dolan , a writer/speaker/broadcaster and all around communicator who has written two women’s fiction novels set in her hometown of Pasadena, California.

I read the second book, Elizabeth the First Wife, first and the official blurb sums it up well: 

Elizabeth Lancaster, an English professor at Pasadena City College, finds her perfectly dull but perfectly orchestrated life upended one summer by three men: her movie-star ex-husband, a charming political operative, and William Shakespeare. Until now, she’d been content living in the shadow of her high-profile and highly accomplished family. Then her college boyfriend and one-time husband of seventeen months, A-list action star FX Fahey, shows up with a job offer that she can’t resist, and Elizabeth’s life suddenly gets a whole lot more interesting. She’s off to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for the summer to make sure FX doesn’t humiliate himself in an avant-garde production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

There’s lots of smart humor and riffs on Shakespeare as Elizabeth deals with her loving but rather overpowering family, and finds a new life and love.  I enjoyed it so much that I immediately bought Dolan’s first book, Helen of Pasadena, which is somewhat more traditional women’s fiction—comfortable suburban housewife loses everything and has to build a new life for herself and her son fast—but it was still a lot of fun as Helen discovers her old archeological passions and a new life.  If you like smart, fresh, funny women’s fiction, Lian Dolan is an author to try—and I hope she writes more novels!

 

From Nicola:

At the Romantic Novelists' Association conference last month I picked up a couple of books that looked intriguing. One of them was The Untied Kingdom by Kate Johnson, an author who describes herself as "living behind a keyboard in Essex and belonging to a small pride of cats." In the Untied Kingdon Eve Carpenter, a former pop star, is taking part in a reality TV show when she has an accident and lands in the River Thames. She emerges into a very different London from the one she is used to, a world where there are no televisions and very few computers, England is involved in a civil war and everyone thinks Eve is a spy. She's sent to Yorkshire in the company of Major Harker to capture a computer, which Harker imagines is something running wild in the countryside. Eve is a great character, sharp and funny, but it is Harker who totally steals the show. He is a seriously sexy hero, a modern day Richard Sharpe. The book was shortlisted for the RNA's Best Contemporary Novel of the Year award and it's a funny and fabulous read.

from Sherrie: I just finished Anne Gracie’s The Autumn Bride, and thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page to the last. The plot was delightfully fresh, with a would-be cat burglar for a heroine. In the prologue, a youthful hero inherits not only a title, but a staggering debt. He sets sail to make his fortune, returning a wealthy man years later, only to find his beloved aunt being cared for by said cat burglar, her younger sister, a friend, a mouthy cockney maid . . . and a litter of kittens. You just know these secondary characters are destined for their own books in this series, and I can’t wait! 
P.S. And thanks once again to dear Anne, who sent me the audiobook!  <g>
P.P.S. Any typos are Sparky Tabasco’s fault. She keeps attacking the keyboard and the curser on the monitor

from Cara/Andrea:
I’m currently reading Crocodile on the Sandbank in homage to Elizabeth Peters, one of my very favorite authors, who passed away recently. Though I’ve read it a zillion times (and have memorized some the classic lines) I still laugh aloud at Amelia and Emerson, and the beginning of the delightfully intertwined family and friends that give such pleasure as they develop and multiply throughout the series. It’s such fun to see her develop the personalities and quirks of everyone. I shall miss having more adventures of the clan, but all of the Amelia books are go-to comfort reads for me whenever I need a pick-me up.

And while I’m not yet reading it, I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of Footsteps by Richard Holmes, author of The Age of Wonder, which I love. A good friend raved over it and it sounds like just the sort of history book I will love—here is part of the publisher’s blurb: “In 1985, Richard Holmes published a small book of essays called 'Footsteps' and the writing of biography was changed forever. A daring mix of travel, biographical sleuthing and personal memoir, it broke all the conventions of the genre and remains one of the most intoxicating, magical works of modern literary exploration ever published. Sleeping rough, he retraces Robert Louis Stevenson's famous journey through the Cevennes. Caught up in the Parisian riots of the 1960s, he dives back in time to the terrors of Wordsworth and of Mary Wollstonecraft marooned in Revolutionary Paris. Wandering through Italy, he stalks Shelley and his band of Romantic idealists to Casa Magni on the Gulf of Spezia . . .” Can’t wait!

From Jo Beverley:
August 2013. Do you ever have a reading month like this? Went north to visit three sets of friends. Took Kindle, but didn't have much reading time. Did Finish Lee Child's Without Fail, a Jack Reacher novel, but it had taken a while as it's not the best. Reacher is coming up with ways to kill the US vice-president so his bodyguard can be one step ahead. It's clever, but I didn't find the usual emotional involvement and tension.

I had downloaded for Kindle a bunch of historical romance samples from new-to-me but successful authors, hoping to hit gold. Alas, not to be. Perhaps it's just me, or perhaps my random picks, but while one was slow and stately in a way that didn't work for me, the others seemed to be trying too hard to be zany from page one. I have nothing against zany.... Well, perhaps I have. I like humor, but I like it a little more subtle and with a bit more build up. What about you?

I did enjoy reading magazines in our friends' houses, and even the Radio Times (which over here covers TV as well.) I don't get anything like that and was amazed at the range of TV programmes I'd never even heard of. I do watch TV, but not much, and mostly I have enough recorded, so I don't suppose I'll subscribe. Tempting, though. Do you read any sort of TV guide? Does that count as reading?

This past week we had friends staying here. They bought the Sunday Times, so I read that, which took me a couple of days. (We don't get a newspaper.) All kinds of interesting stuff.

In between, I mostly finished a read through of the e-page proofs for Dangerous Joy, the last of the Company of Rogues backlist I'll be publishing, and dealt with all the stuff to do with the release of Seduction in Silk on August 6th.

Oh, and a minor matter -- I worked on A Shocking Delight under a looming deadline. So that was the month that was!

from Joanna Bourne:

Rushed off my feet and have no time for reading, unfortunately.  When I have the odd moment to sit down and open a book, I'm working my way through Nita Abrams The Spy's Bride.  I'm not sure whether this is straight Historical Fiction or Historical Romance, but it's well done and I'm enjoying it. 

From Susan:

 Over a few super busy weeks, I've managed to continue some reading, including Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talkingby Susan Cain, which closely examines the truths, myths and advantages of the introverted personality. As a dyed-in-the-wool introvert, I'm loving this enlightening, supportive and reassuring study of the way I know I've always been. How good to know there are so very many of us in this extrovert-dominant world.

Also topping my stack this week is The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling -- I'm really enjoying this story. Excellent writing, classic mystery elements, strong, fascinating characters and a brisk pace that keeps me turning pages (tapping screens - this one's on my Kindle) -- it's definitely a solid read.

My favorite current read is The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. This Newbery Award winner is written from the POV of Ivan, a sideshow gorilla. It's whimsical, poignant, funny, thought-provoking and fascinating. A little heartbreaking, too - I've teared up more than once. Ivan is a wise soul, a perceptive, objective and innocent observer of life on his side of the cage bars as well as of our human side. He's a true philosopher, accepting of his reality and yet still quick to hope. I'm quoting Ivan around the house these days. "Chimps. There's no excuse for them."

from Anne:

On the recommendation of a friend, I bought A Gentle Rain, a contemporary romance set in northern Florida, by Deborah Smith and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I've ordered some more of her books.

Next, having read and loved Jennifer Ashley's historical series about the McKenzie brothers -- if you haven't read them, start with The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie -- I decided to try her paranormal (shapeshifter) series, starting with the first in the series, Primal Bonds. I'm now up to the fourth in the series, and loving them, too. I think if you enjoy an author's voice in one subgenre, it carries over into others.

I've also been pulling some of my old favorites from the shelves and can't think why I didn't include Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick in our June comfort reads post. I've been rereading JAK's Trust Me, and also AQ's Scandal.

Anne and I have similar tastes in reading, but I've just added a few more new books to my TBR list! So, now tell us what you've been reading!

Comments

[Jorie]

Hallo, Hallo dear Wenches!!

Oy vie, August is nearly closing on us! I have been stealing peeks into what you've been writing about but I never had the proper chance to drop a reply until today! Speaking of books we're reading, I have endeavoured to re-read Pride and Prejudice as a way to step back into Austen's world, as much as to encourage myself to read more of her works over the score of the next year! I spied a post about her earlier in the month that I want to dig into properly now as well!

The most recent book I finished reading was The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate, as I read it early in order to participate in a book tour; I must say, it touched me dearly in many profound ways, but what I appreciated were the lyrical weavings of narrative that gave the book a lot of soul! I love writers who etch poetic whisperments into their stories!

Haunted by Heather Graham nearly had me blindsided by a fear of malicious ghosts, but thankfully, had a heap of romance thrown in for good measure! Laughs.

Its the others I am only partially engaged into right now that I am hopeful to finish, as each of them provide such a curious window into their unique characters: Lark Rise to Candleford, Bluebird or the Invention of Happiness, The Secret Papers of Madame Olivetti, The Forest Lover, Death by Darjeeling, Murder on Monday, & Thyme of Death! One of which is actually a biographical fiction piece [The Forest Lover] which has me drawn into the emmense allure of the Pacific Northwest!

Of the ones listed here, you have tipped my curiosity about: Elizabeth the First Wife (the premise held my attention too!), The United Kingdom (as I do love the suspense of time slips!),The Spy's Bride (I love espionage!), The One and Only Ivan (I adore sentimentally philosophical tales!),... paranormal shapeshifters? Hmm,... I appreciate the nod knowing there is a new Richard Holmes! The Age of Wonder has been a book I've wanted to read for ages!!

Whoa! Sparky is now, Sparky Tabasco?? I clearly am behind the eight ball! I best dash off to uncover what I've missed!

Ms. King, I have The Cuckoo's Calling on hold at my library,...I think I started at #35 and I am down to #11!! Reading your insights makes me evermore curious!!

In closing, Ms. Beverley, my August was a tumultuouss experiement of tackling far more than I had hours to justify attempting everything I had hoped to do! I fell a bit short overall, but like you, I enjoyed the moments I could spare wrapped up in a book!!

[Liz]

Working my way through James Benn's Billy Boyle WWII series.

[Louisa Cornell]

Oh no! I hear my TBR stack groaning as it is! I currently have Mary Jo's Sometimes a Rogue beckoning to me from the stop of the stack! I just finished Preston and Childs TWO GRAVES - the latest in their Pendergast series. If you haven't tried this series it is a great read! Pendergast, FBI agent, Southern gentleman, Renaissance man and the last of a family of eccentrics who make the Borgias look like the Brady Bunch is one of the most intriguing heroes I've ever read. Both of the authors have worked in the fields of archaeology, natural history, museum curation and I always learn some obscure and fascinating thing from their books.

[Shannon]

I spent August as I prefer, by a pool either reading or swimming. I was delighted to read Seduction in Silk and Sometimes a Rogue. Laura Willig released in early August her latest installment in her Carnation series with its Regency spies, The Purple Plumeria. It has an "older" hero and heroine but what a wonderful pair they are. Plumeria serves up three separate stories, each with its own distinct voice.

Because of another blog, I've turned away from historical fiction to science fiction/fantasy, for Zoe Archer's series the Ether Chronicles; currently reading the second book (Skies of Steel) after reading the first and third books. I foolishly thought the third book was the second in the series. The world building with aerial ships and Mans O'War is a combination of speculative science and alternate history.

High on my TBR list are Why Dukes Say I Do by Mandy Collins, and the White Queen by Phillipa Gregory. Maybe I'll finish one before the pool closes for the summer.

[Jo Banks]

August seems to have flown past.I was in Scotland for two weeks primarily to see the Edinburgh Tattoo and to find the square foot of the scottish highlands my mad son and his other half gave me for Christmas.It took some finding but I succeeded in the end ! I took a pile of books with me but only managed to read,Seduction in Silk and - very approprately for where I was Nicola's The Lady and the Laird.
Now with a new puppy due to be collected in two weeks I am avidly reading The Pet Gundog Puppy by Lez Graham as it is over twelve years since there was a pup in the house and this one will be trained - she says hopefully !

[Janice]

I just finished reading Under the Dome by Stephen King. I read the occasional King because he is so good at characterization; in a few sentences he can tell you exactly who someone is, and they always sound like themselves when they speak. It was a real page turner, and I stayed up late a couple of nights to finish it. I would imagine it was *cosiderably* softened for the tv series, and when I look at the cast of characters on IMDb, some of the best ones, including the real hero, are missing. The language and attitudes of most of the people in it are atrocious, so it's not for everybody, I would think. As in most King books, you can tell who the ultimate good people are by how they behave with women. It has a science fiction rationale and an ending that makes sense to me. I would recommend it, but language/vileness advisory.

Right now I am going back and forth between Beautiful Chaos by Gary Russell, UFOs and the National Security State (Vol. 1) by Richard Dolan, and Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke (I am a sucker for Great House stories). After that I have a Jacqueline Winspear I haven't read as yet.

It's a really hot summer day in LA today, so a perfect afternoon for a tall iced coffee and a good book!

[Phoebe Conn]

I just finished Cheryl Strayed's WALK which is a wonderful memoir of her hike along the Pacific Coast Trail. I also just finished Elizabeth Peters CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK. Amelia and Emerson are such a delightful pair, I'll read more of the series.

[Karin]

I'm glad someone else is reading "The Spy's Bride", it really deserves to be more popular. "The Untied Kingdom" sounds original and fascinating, I'll probably have to buy it! I'm currently reading Elizabeth Essex, "Almost a Scandal" which is romance combined with a Patrick O'Brian style naval adventure, really well written. I've also been doing some Mary Balogh comfort re-reading, including The Notorious Rake and More Than A Mistress. Sometimes A Rogue, Seduction in Silk and The Lady and the Laird are all on my TBR pile.

[Patricia Rice]

As Janice says, it's really hot in SoCal today and we have no a/c, so I've spent the day elsewhere than at my computer. Now I come home to see all these delightful suggestions! Just what my groaning TBR pile needs.

Thank you! Come winter, when I snuggle inside, I'll thank you.

[Jorie]

Ms. Rice,

Have you heard about the TBR Jar project!? Where you take a glass jar OR a small chest, or any object that has a lid really, and place inside all the lovely book titles/authors you want to read!? I'm about to undertake this myself, as I have loads of books I simply never seem to get myself acquainted with, and I thought it was a clever end-result driven project! As each book you draw, you must opt to give yourself the time to read it!

That being said, the titles I always find such inspiring 'next reads' through the Wenches as well as Ms. Willig's journal are going straight into the Jar as well! Now, I wonder how many titles I can stuff into a large canning jar!? Laughs with mirth.

Your quite welcome, I look forward to seeing which books you select come Winter!

[Carolyn Christman]

My latest read was Mary Balogh's " The Arrangement" - part of her Survivor's Club series. The hero is blind which adds some interesting elements to the story. I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Also on my stack to read is Mary Jo's "Sometimes A Rogue". I read many of the Elizabeth Peters books years ago. Now might be a good time to reread some favorites. Thanks for the suggestion. Happy reading!

[Patricia Rice]

cool idea, Jorie! I may have to use a coffee can. I left all my canning jars behind when I moved. A coffee can full of book titles...ohhh, I love the thought. Although I may never get another book written again. Can I cheat and pull a bunch of titles when I leave on vacaction?

Carolyn, I loved The Arrangement! Balogh truly knows how to get to the crux of an emotional situation. And definitely re-read Peters. She's worth it.

[Debbie]

I'm juggling Michael Pollan's Cooked, The One and Only Ivan, and Laura Florand's story in the Kiss the Bride anthology.

[Jorie]

Ms. Rice,

Your a reader after my own heart! :) Of course you can use a coffee can - in fact, I just might have to use one myself for 'overflow' purposes!! Laughs. I have a few unloved cans hanging around here myself,... wow. I so missed the obvious! Love it!!

Why not!? Reading + Holidays = Heavenly Bliss!!