I love Laurie King's Mary Russell series. A new one recently came out and I found it on the rental shelf at the library. The Language of Bees. It wasn't her best, but I loved it nonetheless and was sad when it came to an end. It always seems too long til the next one is slated to publish. (and this one had a decidedly "unfinished" feel to it, a to-be-continued vibe). At the end of the novel, I was missing the characters enough that I had to go back and re-read the first novel in the series: The Beekeeper's Appentice. Loved it all over again.
Also read three Martha Grimes mysteries. Pretty much disliked them all ... vehemently (surprising for me, as I usually enjoy MG's books).
Against my better judgment, I read a couple Sophie Kinsella books: Shopaholic & Baby and Remember Me?. Hated them both.
And somehow I ended up reading a bunch of random books that all revolved around war-torn WWII Europe:
I am David by Anne Holm and L. W. Kingsland - excellent.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - also excellent.
Pictures at an Exhibition by Sara Houghteling - so-so literature, but fascinating story of the looting of Europe's art treasures by Adolph & his gang of thugs...
I've got The Book Thief on my dresser. Glad you liked it. It's next on my list.
ReplyDeleteI've loved every single one of your recommendations-- so glad I now have a few more to add to my list!
ReplyDeleteI thought that "The Book Thief" was great. Katie is on this holocaust kick. She read that. And read "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas."
ReplyDeleteNow, I will admit an affinity to Sophie Kinsella. I liked the Shopaholic book. The first one. And then they all went downhill. I could not even finish "Shopaholic and Baby." But I did like "Remember Me?"
I am reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" right now...and it is excellent...
I'm with you on the Sophie Kinsella books...they are just a little bit too cheesy I think!
ReplyDeleteYou're the only person I know who reads with a camera and a fish-eye lens in her hand. What must that do to the words? I need old lady glasses as it is!
ReplyDelete;-)
thanks for your note...
ReplyDeleteyour so so sweet...
love your summer reading list.
love even more the way the clouds look...
need to plan a day.. SOON!
In case you were wondering...I just finished the Guernsey book. And I think I will add it to my top ten list. It was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteDeidra - I think you'll enjoy Book Thief!
ReplyDeleteHeather - glad to be of service (you know, I get half my great book recommendations from Heidi!)
Kat - I'll have to check out The Boy in Striped Pajamas ... I already read and liked Guernsey/Potato Society.
Tracy - hehe. I'm not suggesting I can actually *read* the book thru the fisheye lens (in fact, I have to pull books almost up to my nose to see the words ... so embarrassing and inconvenient). I just really really had to show the sky I was enjoying while reading by the window... ;-)
Oh, I just love a good book. Sometimes I get Sophie Kinsella just because it is so light and fluffy and ridiculous. Right now I am reading Jodi Piccoult. They always make me feel so sad. I don't know why I keep trying them. I don't want to feel sad! : (
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