Extremely slow reading week for me - I managed to finish and review Deadwater
by Sean Burke, a very dark novel of crime fiction from Wales. I also finished Agatha Christie's collection of Jane Marple short stories called The Thirteen Problems. That particular book has a story in it called "The Blue Geranium," which was the focus of Masterpiece Mystery yesterday evening. I will post a review of the book here shortly.
Currently I'm reading Douglas Brinkley's book The Great Deluge, about Hurricane Katrina. This August will mark the five-year anniversary of that unforgettable storm and its even more unforgettable aftermath. And speaking of Katrina, you can enter to win a copy of Dave Eggers' most excellent book Zeitoun here. The Great Deluge is the last of the planned reads for my little "watery titles" mini-challenge this month. This book will probably see me through until the end of the month, since it's huge.
Next week begins a month of random crime reads, something easy prior to the August and September "she reads the Booker longlist" months, which I do every year. The longlist will be announced at the end of July, so it's just easy reading up until August 1. On tap for next week: Peter Temple's Truth, Hakan Nesser's new book The Inspector and Silence, and one nonfiction, Murdering Stepmothers: The Execution of Martha Rendell, by Anna Haebich -- a book originally published in Australia. Of course, the verdict is still out as to whether or not I'll finish all of those, but if not, that's okay. I'm not in a hurry.
Time to go grab my coffee and read.
I had a very slow reading week as well. I hope it gets better this week. The Great Deluge looks like a book worthy of notice.
ReplyDeleteSo far, it's excellent, and quite unusually, my husband has decided he wants to read it. He's more of a Harlan Coben kind of guy, so that's a huge deal!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by.
Am slowly working my way through 2666 & I mean slowly
ReplyDeleteSomeday I'm actually going to finish it -- I lost it for a while after I'd started it (don't ask) and then was into something else, so it ended up in a stack next to the bed. We should trade reviews!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I wonder about 2666, I've seen it around but not read any reviews on it.
ReplyDeleteNancy, you're reading a lot of crime at the moment. I also like a good crime novel now and then. Happy reading.
http://leeswammes.wordpress.com
I love crime fiction, and I think it's because I grew up on Nancy Drew and then Agatha Christie. I always thought I'd make a good detective. LOL
ReplyDeleteHave a good reading week!
ReplyDeletehttp://bookreviews.me.uk/its-monday-3/
Thank you, Katie! I'll go say to you on your blog!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get any reading done this week, but I did write a review for 'I am the Messenger' by Markus Zusak. I started 'Hunted by the Others' by Jess Haines last night... So far so good!
ReplyDeleteI am the Messenger actually looks very good, and seems to be well liked. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeletehappy reading!
Hard to believe that Hurricane Katrina was already five years ago. The Great Deluge sounds like it would be an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Deluge is awesome. Long, but incredible. I can still remember sitting by the television (I lived in CA at the time) thinking that if reporters could get in, I just didn't understand how it could be that the government couldn't. And I told my husband last night that I just can't imagine anything on that scale hitting here (FL) because we'd be in huge trouble.
ReplyDeleteI'm also waiting for the Booker long list! This time, I'm hoping I can read through the books too, but I won't be starting till September, since I'll be busy with graduation and moving out in August. It will be exciting!
ReplyDeleteAths, that's so cool! I have yet to finish the entire list on time (my goal is always to do it before the winner's announced), but it's still the best two reading months of my year. Then it's October, and I read nothing but junk. LOL
ReplyDeleteand congrats on your graduation!
I like to do a lot of "easy reading" during the summer, too. Nothing forced or too serious. Probably the Katrina books would be a little too intense for me right now, although The Great Deluge does sound like a great read.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy all your reading this week!
Thank you, Joy. Yep...it's a good book, but definitely intense.
ReplyDeleteI need to read The Great Deluge. I have friends that go every year and help out still with repairs form that hurricane. It is amazing to think that it has been five years.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week Nancy :)
Sheila, I drove through awhile back and it was still quite a mess in parts. Tell your friends "thank you" from me -- they're special people.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great week too!
I keep meaning to pick up some Agatha Christie's, I haven't read any in years but I do love her work. I'll have to make room for them!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week :)
Crystal - I don't know if you're a watcher of PBS, but on July 11th, Mystery will be showing Christie's Murder on the Orient Express with my favorite Poirot, David Suchet. He IS Poirot!
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