Friday, July 31, 2020

What Are You Reading?


These hot days have sucked the will power right out of me. I manage to get down to the garden every other day to pick stuff but that's about it for me.  But it's never too hot to read.  A Blink of the Screen is a delightful compilation of Pratchett's shorter fiction (the story in which Granny Weatherwax wreaks havoc by being 'nice' is wonderful) and it whetted my appetite for more. I may at last work my way through the entire DiscWorld series so I'm starting with a re-read of The Color Of Magic


My reading (mostly re-reading) has been all over the place-- the Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell books, whatever Harlan Coben we have in the house, September by Rosamund Pilcher (so predictable; so enjoyable.)

Predictable may be the key. In these most unpredictable times (demon sperm? Federal troops vs. a Wall of Moms? postpone the election?) the comfort of predictability is not to be denied.

What about you? What are you reading? Or watching? 





9 comments:

Thérèse said...

Time to write a note to say that I am not forgotten you... My blog is going dormant and I post on the Addendum one only once in a while.
Glad to have a few titles because there is not much left on my shelves to read. The two last ones to highly recommend are "A gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. It's addictive, full of humor, so well written, with an historical background, original. And "The Nix" by Nathan Hill.
Chapters seem sometimes a little long but overall it's a marvelous book which makes me feel younger ;-). Relations between people can't be better described. The words are perfectly chosen, references to historical facts (May'68 in Chicago), video games on line...
Have a safe summer Vicki.

Vicki Lane said...

Oh, Therese--how good to hear from you! I loved Gentleman in Moscow ad shall have a loo at The Nix--sound good! You stay safe too--at least you're in a country that is acting with some sanity.

Barbara Rogers said...

I just finished an Ian Ranking and am starting a re-read of an audio version of a Michael Connoly. I own most of the Pratchett books, and they are definitely calling me. Nothing like going to another ironic word when ours is so completley in turmoil.The thing about fiction I love, is that the end is somehow always satisfying. I need that. Either a happy ending, or one where the crisis comes to some sense of completion. I fear life isn't quite that way these days. So I also have become addicted to the NCIS re-runs on TV.

Barbara Rogers said...

OOps, Rankin, not Ranking.

Carol said...

Love Terry Pratchett - his weird humor is just the thing for reading right now. I also enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow, and Ian Rankin as well. I just picked up The Editor by Steven Rowley. Very much a wish fulfillment book for writers, but it does have some interesting things to say about the editing process. I'm about halfway through. And my go-to for hard times is rereading Dorothy Sayers.

Vicki Lane said...

Oh, yes--Sayers. My first paperbacks of hers gor read to tatters. Bow I have Sayers in hardback AND on Kindle. Very much comfort reading.

Pennelainer said...


-In mysteries, I just discovered Aline Templeton's MARJORY FLEMING mysteries. I read all nine within a few weeks. Loved the characters.


-I've really enjoyed these titles lately which concern places and/or peoples I am not that familiar with:

1. Sigh, Gone: A Misfit's Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In
Tran, Phuc * .... a funny and very intelligent and sensitive memoir.

2. The Distant Land of My Father.
Bo Caldwell.
A good deal about Old Shanghai, very informative and just fascinating and also a coming-of-age story set in Shanghai and in Southern California. I was really surprised in the most positive way by how much I loved this book.

3. For Rouenna.
Núñez, Sigrid
Primarily about the experiences of a Vietnam nurse during and after the war. I've read most of this author's books. She is a marvelous writer. The first of hers I read was "The Friend," WINNER OF THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION. It touched me deeply.


-Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
Taylor, Elizabeth
I was unaware of this prolific and many say, underrated, English writer from the post WWII period through the early seventies.
This book talked to my heart.


-The American Black Experience:

God Help the Child
Morrison, Toni
I am just catching up on Morrison's later books and this one did not disappoint.

Vanishing Half
Bennett, Brit
Very engrossing. She deserves her hype.

Heavy: An American Memoir
by Kiese Laymon
Very powerful and boldly honest memoir about growing up and being a Black male in contemporary America. I was blown away!

Vicki Lane said...

Oh, my==more temptation!

NCmountainwoman said...

I'm reading and listening to books that i know and love. I CALL it reading in the time of cancer.