Happy June everyone! The month may just be starting but we are in the home stretch—literally. This is the last month we have in our rental house and then we’re moving into our remodeled home whether it’s ready or not. If you want a little break from books and to see all the bits and pieces that have gone into our journey, you can take a look at my other blog Inside Out.
Now back to the important things. What are you reading? I’m going to mix it up a bit with a blend of comfort reading—books from authors I’ve read over and over and can always count on to deliver—and striking out with two new authors I’ve never read before.
Nelson DeMille writes big chunky thrillers, all of which I find satisfying reading when I want high powered plots and entertainment. The fact that a number of his books feature the kind of man I would probably not like in real life but appreciate on the page makes things even more fun. John Corey is a former NYC homicide cop with a wisenheimer attitude, no patience for bureaucracy, but the self-awareness to know just what an ass he’s being. His saving grace? Knowing that his wife, an FBI agent is smarter than he is. I met him 18 years ago in DeMille’s book Plum Island and he’s made me think and laugh every time I’ve seen him since then. Last time was in The Panther which was an intelligent and scary look at Middle East politics.
The Household Spirit and The Sunken Cathedral are on my list for the most superficial of reasons—I like the covers and the titles. Don’t you ever do that? All right, I’ve heard good things about them as well but while I may be more dialed into potentially great reads I don’t have a crystal ball when I choose my reading. Case in point, last week.
Reading Update
All the Birds, Singing: I read this for a discussion coming up later this month at The Socratic Salon and it is a very unusual book with a lot of twists and an unreliable narrator so it was reading that kept me engaged and questioning.
The Unfortunates. Little did I know that this title was prophetic and referred to anyone trying to read the book. It is a choppy, meandering story of an uber-rich woman and her pseudo-adult forty-year-old son who does all right in life as long as he is sheltered by mommy’s money. Bottom line on this one? I did not finish it. Which says a lot.
I was so very excited for Judy Blume’s new novel, In the Unlikely Event but it simply did not pay off. I just finished it yesterday so need to give my thoughts a chance to coalesce. I’ll have a review soon.
Enough about me! What are you reading this week?!
Good for you for not finishing The Unfortunates. I did, unfortunately. You saw that coming, didn’t you?
If I’d been smart I would have listened to you and never started it. Nothing about the writing or characters grabbed me at all.
Hahaha, Catherine…I love you so much – your comments on The Unfortunates are amazing. Can’t wait to see what you think abut The Household Spirit and Sunken Cathedral, since I’ve been eyeing those, too (mostly for their covers!).
I love Nelson DeMille too! And, read Radiant Angel and unfortunately it wasn’t one of my favorites of his. Did like the look into the re-emerging Russian threat, though.
And – so disappointing about the Judy Blume book! I’m reading that soon…I’ll probably sample it first.
So funny you should say that- it seems a little formulaic so far and the writing isn’t as tight. A little sloppy almost. Maybe I’m getting too fussy. 🙁
Oh no! re: Judy Blume! I have such high hopes for this one!
I’m on the edge of calling it a It’s Not You It’s Me book but the writing just felt stale- if that makes sense.
I just read All the Birds, Singing in April, and I’m excited for the discussion! I’m looking forward to hearing more about The Household Spirit; I’ve had my eye on it (also partly for the title and cover) for a while.