I am reading The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto. I am halfway through and would recommend it...unless you have other things you should be accomplishing. I am spending a fair amount of time with my nose in a book and am neglecting my summer "get it done before school starts" list!
I'm reading Fatal Pursuit by Martin Walker. It's the latest Bruno mystery, a wonderful series about a policeman in rural France. I think I read these books more for the characters, culture, and atmosphere than for the mystery.
I'm listening to Earthly Remains by Donna Leon. This series, recommended by cassyree, is about a detective in Italy. More mystery, culture, and food.
I am listening to George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade. It's about the Culper Spy Ring that operated on Long Island and in NYC during the American Revolution. The narrator is very good. If you are a fan on AMC's Turn, you will like it.
I am also listening to Thomas Merton's Path to the Palace of Nowhere, by James Finley. It is about the practice of Christian contemplative prayer, using the teachings of Thomas Merton, monk and author of the Seven Story Mountain. If you are interested in the practice of Christian meditation, this book is very helpful.
On the lighter side, I just reread The Gift of Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok. This is one of those books I have read multiple times because I love the characters. I also listened to Devil's Bridge by Linda Fairstein. I like her Alex Cooper mysteries. They are very easy reading/listening.
The Language of Flowers. A poignant story about how characters communicate through the Victorian meanings assigned to different flowers. Warning- so far it is not a happy story!
I'm still reading the same three books I've reading for months, plus I started this book, Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach. It's really interesting but the author puts her opinion into it so often it's become preachy. I agree with her viewpoints, but I'd like to make my own based on the facts, thank you very much.
I've been reading all Pearl Cleage's books in order! She is one of my favorite authors I'm halfway through the last one, then I'll read the selection I made from this thread last month
Just finished Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. In fact, I stayed up until 2 AM to finish it. It's about a really odd woman, and the people she bumps into who sort of help to save her. If you liked The Rosie Project or A Man Called Ove, you'll probably like this, too. But it is a little darker and twistier.
Last week I also read Saints For All Occasions. Holy cow, it's *really* good. Two sisters come over from Ireland in the 50s and the choices they make that impact their families for generations. It was amazing.
Right now I'm listening to Unforgettable, by Scott Simon. He's the NPR host of Weekend Edition Saturday. It's about his time with his mother while she's in the hospital at the end of her life, and they look back on their life together. It's pretty phenomenal, and he's a good narrator.
I'm currently heading to the Blue Ridge Mts of Virginia. I'm taking three Piper Donavan mysteries by Mary Jane Clark along with me.
Super excited to go to The Book Fair on Sat. in Harrisonburg. One of my friends goes every year. Hoping to find some cheap good reads & coloring books. Has anyone been to this place?
I'm currently reading Rules of Civility by Amos Towles. I realized about a quarter through that I'd read it before. the writing is so great that I'm happy to read it again. He also wrote The Gentleman in Moscow (excellent book!)
Recently read: The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson (lovely!) The Fortunate Ones by Ellen Umansky (WW2 novel about art) Into the Firestorm by Kat Martin (not very good junky chick lit) Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray (Art, France and food, all things I like to read about but sadly, it's so predictable that I finished the last quarter in about 20 minutes)
I just finished reading The Nine of Us by Jeanne Kennedy. I enjoyed it because I am fascinated with the Kennedy's. I'm not sure if part of the reason why is because I am also from Massachusetts. The entire family did a lot to help people.
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts. Very interesting murder mystery that takes place on a dude ranch in Montana.
Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgon. Takes place in Scotland. Nina loses her job as a librarian and buys a van and becomes a traveling book seller in a section of Scotland. Enjoyable.
Goodnight From London by Jennifer Robson. Ruby goes to London in 1940 to write about war conditions. She stays through the war. Fun, light read.
House of Spies by Daniel Silva. Israel, France, England and USA involved in finding terrorist. Many characters from his earlier books. Great read.