I just read this and was going to add it to the list. I laughed so hard I cried. As a menopausal woman going on vaca next week to a cottage in New England with 2 adult kids I could relate! I can’t recommend it enough. Also Ann Patchett said it is joy in book form.
I just finished Still Life which I got on Audible after your rave review and loved it. Listened to all 13 hours over 4 days. It was worth a credit to get.
I love this book with my whole heart. I haven't listened to the audio yet, but I've got it waiting for me. I love that the author did the audiobook! —Mel
Just moved to a new city, new state. Library book club reads by theme; this month is historical medieval fiction. So Lauren Groff's the Matrix it is. Hoping to meet some new bookish friends.
Ooooh, I started Matrix when it came out and loved it. Then Strong Sense of Place required reading took over, and I didn't get to finish it. It's still on my TBR. —Mel
I'm listening to my very first Agatha Christie- And Then There Were None. I'm enjoying it so much, The audio is excellent- it did take a little bit of time to get acclimated to who all the characters were but slowing down my listening speed helped with this. There's currently 6 people out of 10 left on the island and I don't have a clue who the murderer is- in my past life I definitely wasn't a detective 🤣
That's such a fun book! And I'm so grateful that Dame Agatha wrote that because there's a direct line from her book to, say, Lucy Foley, who's works I love. —Mel
I just finished listening to your Italy episode and added The Invitation by Lucy to my tbr - also am currently listening to your Hotels episode and you describing A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny made me wonder if her work is Agatha inspired. I’ve read Still Life put couldn’t get into book 2 so based on your excellent review I’m just going to skip straight to book 4 and then continue on from there.
The Invitation was really fun. It's so interesting that Lucy Foley used to write historical fiction and is now firmly in thriller land. What an imagination she has! I think she's so great.
I jump around in the Louise Penny books because my (unpopular) opinion is that the books set outside of Three Pines are the best — or I guess I should say 'my favorites.' I think she does such a good job with setting when she goes outside Three Pines, so I love A Beautiful Mystery (monastery setting), A Rule Against Murder (hotel), and the recent one set in Paris.
I was traumatized by this book in 7th grade. I won't spoil why, but I was scared to stay alone for a couple of months after reading it for my "E/R" (English/Reading) class. I'm sure I would find it tame at this stage of life! After all, I read "The Stranger Beside Me" in 3 days this year.
I have read lots of Agatha Christie, and I try so hard to solve them before the killer is revealed, but have yet to guess correctly! I even took extensive notes when I read Death on the Nile (my favorite AG), and I only got parts of it. She was a master. Some of hers are better than others, but all are fun puzzles!!
I finished And then There Were None yesterday - I loved it and wow what a puzzle. I thought I had it figured out and I wasn't even close. It makes me happy to hear I can expect more fun puzzles as I keep reading her books. I saw the movie Death on the Nile and enjoyed it, also didn't have it figured out.
I just finished A Curious Beginning, the first Veronica Speedwell adventure! Thank you @Mel for turning me on to her!
My current reads are A for Alibi by Sue Grafton, and my audiobook is Free by Lea Ypi, which is a memoir from a kid in Albania, growing up right as communism collapses, and how she deals with everything she's been told being suddenly upended.
I adore the alphabet series by Sue Grafton! I first read them starting as a teen, and just revisited A is for Alibi this winter ♡ I loved it just as much now!
YAY! I'm glad you like A Curious Beginning. The books get better and better each time. If you liked that first one, you're going to love A Dangerous Collaboration (my favorite). Is this your first Sue Grafton? I read the hell out of them in the 90s. —Mel
I'm immersed in Joan by Katherine J. Chen, which I picked up after the SSoP France episode! From that episode, I also enjoyed the first of the Provençal Mystery Series from M.L. Longworth (such beautiful descriptions of place and food!!) and A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell. I guess I'm having a French Girl summer.
I'm reading for our upcoming Norway episode right now. So far, I've got a historical fiction, a contemporary literary novel, and a thriller — I'm an hour from the end of the thriller right now and it's VERY EXCITING. —Mel
I am reading suspense - finishing The Next Mrs. Parrish and then picking up the Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley! I love suspense especially in the summer. No idea why.
I know what you mean about a particular season calling for a kind of book. For me, I get suspense-y around Christmas. I tend to gravitate toward compelling/beautiful non-fiction in the summer (garden books, riveting history). Aren't we humans funny?
A woman in my book club said, "I don't read non-fiction in the summer" and, while I don't read a lot of non-fiction anyway, I totally got where she was coming from.
So interesting! I like to read suspense in the summer and cozy holiday stories (with a few Christmas crimes thrown in) in the winter. Brains are weird. —Mel
Just finished Raven Black by Ann Cleeves as I am visiting the Shetland Islands later this summer! Next up is The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Claire Marchant, a book club pick.
Thanks! Our itinerary includes places we have visited before including Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and Scotland as well as others we have not: Faroe Islands, Isle of Lewis and Greenland. I hope we see puffins but as an avid knitter, I’m more interested in the sheep! I’m open to book suggestions for any of these places.😊📚
I’m a knitter too. In Lerwick be sure to visit Jamieson & Smith and Jamieson’s (w different companies!). I also visited Donna Smith at her studio and bought some of her wonderful local wool too.
Thanks, Sandi! Did you visit Loose Ends in Lerwick? We’re on a 21-day cruise and only have one day in the Shetlands. We’ve already booked an excursion to take us out of the city but I’m hoping it will return in time for some shopping. Otherwise I’m sure to find several skeins in Iceland or Scotland since we have 4 days in each country. It has been my experience that Norway has the most reasonable prices for high quality, hand dyed wool.
Oh, Shetland! I love it so much! I really loved Thin Air, too https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/ann-cleeves/thin-air/9781529050233 — it's set on Unst, which is the northern-most island. It had fantastic atmosphere, and it was so cool to read it because we went to Unst when we were there. I hope you have a fantastic time in Shetland. Are you taking the ferry overnight? —Mel
Re-reading Belong to Me, by Marisa de Los Santos. I also loved her latest, Watch Us Shine. Wonderful stories about love between family, friends and others who need it
I just picked up Death in the Air by Ram Murali. I heard about it on The Weekly Reader podcast. It’s a locked-room, Agatha Christie-style format. Love that! I’m not far in, but I like what I’ve read so far.
Does it take place on a plane? I read a short story locked room mystery like that once. It was in a short story collection called Flight or Fright. All the scary stories were set on planes. Luckily, I love to fly!
Sandwich by Catherine Newman. As a middle aged American woman with children rapidly approaching adulthood it makes me feel so seen.
I want to read that so much! I've got it on my list for when we go on our summer holiday.
I would love to compare notes on this one with you! I'm reading it in the next few days
I'm so curious about this book,but it is waaaaaay down the TBR list
It's on my TBR!
I’m also reading Sandwich, loving it! I’m trying to keep a slow pace, otherwise I’d likely finish the book in one sitting.
I keep hearing good things!
I loved this book SO MUCH
I just read this and was going to add it to the list. I laughed so hard I cried. As a menopausal woman going on vaca next week to a cottage in New England with 2 adult kids I could relate! I can’t recommend it enough. Also Ann Patchett said it is joy in book form.
I'm anxiously waiting for this to come in from the library!
I'm starting Sandwish this week! I'm a middle aged woman with adult sons so I can't wait to feel seen:)
This is on my summer TBR!
I just finished Still Life which I got on Audible after your rave review and loved it. Listened to all 13 hours over 4 days. It was worth a credit to get.
I love this book with my whole heart. I haven't listened to the audio yet, but I've got it waiting for me. I love that the author did the audiobook! —Mel
Right now I am reading Lonesome Dove, which is amazing ! And All the Glimmering Stars. there are so many on my TBR list right now !
I love LD! Those characters! That writing! So, so good.
Just moved to a new city, new state. Library book club reads by theme; this month is historical medieval fiction. So Lauren Groff's the Matrix it is. Hoping to meet some new bookish friends.
Ooooh, I started Matrix when it came out and loved it. Then Strong Sense of Place required reading took over, and I didn't get to finish it. It's still on my TBR. —Mel
good luck in the new place. Books are a great way to connect! It worked for me when I moved last year.
I'm listening to my very first Agatha Christie- And Then There Were None. I'm enjoying it so much, The audio is excellent- it did take a little bit of time to get acclimated to who all the characters were but slowing down my listening speed helped with this. There's currently 6 people out of 10 left on the island and I don't have a clue who the murderer is- in my past life I definitely wasn't a detective 🤣
That's such a fun book! And I'm so grateful that Dame Agatha wrote that because there's a direct line from her book to, say, Lucy Foley, who's works I love. —Mel
I just finished listening to your Italy episode and added The Invitation by Lucy to my tbr - also am currently listening to your Hotels episode and you describing A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny made me wonder if her work is Agatha inspired. I’ve read Still Life put couldn’t get into book 2 so based on your excellent review I’m just going to skip straight to book 4 and then continue on from there.
The Invitation was really fun. It's so interesting that Lucy Foley used to write historical fiction and is now firmly in thriller land. What an imagination she has! I think she's so great.
I jump around in the Louise Penny books because my (unpopular) opinion is that the books set outside of Three Pines are the best — or I guess I should say 'my favorites.' I think she does such a good job with setting when she goes outside Three Pines, so I love A Beautiful Mystery (monastery setting), A Rule Against Murder (hotel), and the recent one set in Paris.
I love that you're a rebel jumping around the books, I don't mind doing that in a series but I know most people would be appalled haha
Some series really want/need to be read in order, and I think the Gamache books work *better* if you read in order, but I don't think it's required.
I was traumatized by this book in 7th grade. I won't spoil why, but I was scared to stay alone for a couple of months after reading it for my "E/R" (English/Reading) class. I'm sure I would find it tame at this stage of life! After all, I read "The Stranger Beside Me" in 3 days this year.
I can see why the Christie book would be memorable for you! I've heard The Stranger Beside Me is so good!!
I have read lots of Agatha Christie, and I try so hard to solve them before the killer is revealed, but have yet to guess correctly! I even took extensive notes when I read Death on the Nile (my favorite AG), and I only got parts of it. She was a master. Some of hers are better than others, but all are fun puzzles!!
I finished And then There Were None yesterday - I loved it and wow what a puzzle. I thought I had it figured out and I wasn't even close. It makes me happy to hear I can expect more fun puzzles as I keep reading her books. I saw the movie Death on the Nile and enjoyed it, also didn't have it figured out.
Is it weird that I never try to figure them out? I just love to go along for the ride. —Mel
Welcome to the Christie Club!
I just finished A Curious Beginning, the first Veronica Speedwell adventure! Thank you @Mel for turning me on to her!
My current reads are A for Alibi by Sue Grafton, and my audiobook is Free by Lea Ypi, which is a memoir from a kid in Albania, growing up right as communism collapses, and how she deals with everything she's been told being suddenly upended.
... they're two very different books!
Kinsey Milhone has my heart! I have read the series twice and listened once. I love mysteries pre-technology. I hope you enjoy Ais for Alibi!
I LOVE the Veronica Speedwell series (also got the recommendation from Mel)
#TeamStoker4Ever —Mel
!!! Veronica Speedwell !!!
YES!!! —Mel
I adore the alphabet series by Sue Grafton! I first read them starting as a teen, and just revisited A is for Alibi this winter ♡ I loved it just as much now!
I haven't read one of those in ages, but I LOVED them so much when they came out. Maybe time to revisit. —Mel
Oh yes, for sure! This is the exact vibe I compare all other PI or amateur sleuth books too ♡ My highest compliment is "Kinsey Milhone-esque"
I love the Veronica Speedwell books too! I just finished the latest one: A Grave Robbery.
I haven't read that one yet. I'm happy I have it to look forward to. —Mel
YAY! I'm glad you like A Curious Beginning. The books get better and better each time. If you liked that first one, you're going to love A Dangerous Collaboration (my favorite). Is this your first Sue Grafton? I read the hell out of them in the 90s. —Mel
I'm immersed in Joan by Katherine J. Chen, which I picked up after the SSoP France episode! From that episode, I also enjoyed the first of the Provençal Mystery Series from M.L. Longworth (such beautiful descriptions of place and food!!) and A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell. I guess I'm having a French Girl summer.
Oooh la la! :-) —Mel
Little Women @ 69 I thought I should read some classics!
I just did a re-read of this childhood favorite this winter!
Just started Real Americans by Rachel Khong. I haven’t heard of Sandwich but just looked it up. I’m living that right now, it’s going on my TBR!
I'm reading RA, too. Interesting voice. Not sure what the story is gonna shape up to be yet.
I loved Real Americans!
First off, if you want a lot of daylight hours to read come to freaking Norway! It's crazy to see the light at 12 AM!
And I'm reading a scifi book, Permafrost by Alistair Reynolds.
I'm reading for our upcoming Norway episode right now. So far, I've got a historical fiction, a contemporary literary novel, and a thriller — I'm an hour from the end of the thriller right now and it's VERY EXCITING. —Mel
Just back from Sweden & Norway, the hours of daylight were amazing (and exhausting)!
I live in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and love the midnight sun!
I am reading suspense - finishing The Next Mrs. Parrish and then picking up the Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley! I love suspense especially in the summer. No idea why.
I know what you mean about a particular season calling for a kind of book. For me, I get suspense-y around Christmas. I tend to gravitate toward compelling/beautiful non-fiction in the summer (garden books, riveting history). Aren't we humans funny?
A woman in my book club said, "I don't read non-fiction in the summer" and, while I don't read a lot of non-fiction anyway, I totally got where she was coming from.
SAMESIES! —Mel
interesting. When I think about it, I don't either. hmm
So interesting! I like to read suspense in the summer and cozy holiday stories (with a few Christmas crimes thrown in) in the winter. Brains are weird. —Mel
I feel the same, I love thrillers in the summer
I LOVED The Midnight Feast. I hope you do, too! It's classic Lucy Foley with a fantastic ending.—Mel
Just finished Raven Black by Ann Cleeves as I am visiting the Shetland Islands later this summer! Next up is The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Claire Marchant, a book club pick.
OOh lucky you. We went to Shetland last summer and going back agai. Next year. It is amazing. Hope you get to see the puffins❤️
Thanks! Our itinerary includes places we have visited before including Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and Scotland as well as others we have not: Faroe Islands, Isle of Lewis and Greenland. I hope we see puffins but as an avid knitter, I’m more interested in the sheep! I’m open to book suggestions for any of these places.😊📚
SSoP has done episodes on both Iceland and Scotland. Some good recs in there!
My own recs: I really loved The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Netherlands) and Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Scotland)
Have a great trip!!
I’m a knitter too. In Lerwick be sure to visit Jamieson & Smith and Jamieson’s (w different companies!). I also visited Donna Smith at her studio and bought some of her wonderful local wool too.
Thanks, Sandi! Did you visit Loose Ends in Lerwick? We’re on a 21-day cruise and only have one day in the Shetlands. We’ve already booked an excursion to take us out of the city but I’m hoping it will return in time for some shopping. Otherwise I’m sure to find several skeins in Iceland or Scotland since we have 4 days in each country. It has been my experience that Norway has the most reasonable prices for high quality, hand dyed wool.
I didn’t go there but will next time. Jamieson’s is easy to get to as its right on Commercial Street. Sounds like a great itinerary -is it HAL?
I want to go back so much! What a place! —Mel
Omg. We are Shetland freaks now after our visit last year. Laurie had a new guidebook that I have inexplicably pre-ordered.
Laurie is the best. 100%. —Mel
Oh, Shetland! I love it so much! I really loved Thin Air, too https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/ann-cleeves/thin-air/9781529050233 — it's set on Unst, which is the northern-most island. It had fantastic atmosphere, and it was so cool to read it because we went to Unst when we were there. I hope you have a fantastic time in Shetland. Are you taking the ferry overnight? —Mel
Re-reading Belong to Me, by Marisa de Los Santos. I also loved her latest, Watch Us Shine. Wonderful stories about love between family, friends and others who need it
The Editor by Sara B. Franklin, loving it!
Winter reading here in Australia-finally reading “All the Light we cannot see” and OMG 😆 🤯🤯 Loving It ALot!!!!
Such a good winter read! —Mel
This is in my TBR pile.
I just picked up Death in the Air by Ram Murali. I heard about it on The Weekly Reader podcast. It’s a locked-room, Agatha Christie-style format. Love that! I’m not far in, but I like what I’ve read so far.
Does it take place on a plane? I read a short story locked room mystery like that once. It was in a short story collection called Flight or Fright. All the scary stories were set on planes. Luckily, I love to fly!
It is not! The main action takes place at a spa in India. I’d say the writing is…ok.
I've been wanting to read Flight or Fright! When we do an episode about planes, that's on my list! —Mel
I found it a mixed bag of stories....some were good, some were not.
Good to know!