Vacay Reading

Well, this is embarrassing. Here I boasted about all of the books I was planning on reading during my vacation, and guess what, I only read one of the listed books. I’m offering no excuses except I was distracted by that beautiful lake and the aggravation of the roar of the generators from nearby campers (why don’t people just stay home if they feel the need to sit inside and watch movies on a beautiful day?).

For months I put off reading Chris Bohjalian’s Flight Attendant but after hearing a few friends whose opinions I respect say it was soooo good, I started it and couldn’t put it down. It definitely has more of a slow-burn pace, almost literary in its style, but it had a heck of an ending.

Last year I loved Matt Goldman’s entry into his Nils “Shap” Shapiro series set in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Gone to Dust, and anxiously awaited his next book, Broken Ice and it didn’t disappoint. My only minor quibble was that the ending had a few too many loose ends that were tied a little too quickly, but I adore the character of Shap and the author’s at times wry writing. Those who like Sue Grafton’s style, take note.

Tahoe Hijack by Todd Borg was the only book I read from my touted list and as usual, it was fun returning to the world of Owen McKenna and his “largeness,” Spot the Harlequin Great Dane. My only issue was when the author inserted a dead body into my favorite Tahoe location, Tallac Historical Site.

However, next up on my list is the new Linwood Barclay, A Noise Downstairs, so stay tuned.

LibraryReads 

Just before I left, the July LibraryReads list was posted, so here is a link to the list. All are worth checking out, especially the new Ann Tyler, The Clock Dance; A. J. Pearce’s Dear Mrs. Bird (friends say this is a wonderful and “feel-good” read); and the deliciously creepy Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. If you like a compelling fairy tale retelling, try Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik and her earlier book, Uprooted.

Latest Library Stack

Happy summer reading!