I know, I know, I didn't realize she'd written another Richard Jury book either. Rushed to the library and there it was waiting for me. I gasped with delight. I've read every single Jury book so a new one is Big News. At some point I've always meant to re-read the entire canon since you know what my memory is like. I adore this arcane, hard to get into, occasionally hard to fathom series. If you, like me, enjoy finding moments of absolute brilliance here and there in the middle of a mystery series, this is the one.
Read about VERTIGO 42 and Martha Grimes' books here.
Thanks to long-time blog fan Kathy's generosity, I now own my very own copy of a book which sounds like an absolute delight. I am very fond of stories narrated in the first person by a 12 year old if they are well conceptualized and well written and this one looks like it fits the bill.
Read about THE EARTH HUMS IN B FLAT, here.
I've never forgotten (hard to believe, I know) a book I read many MANY years ago: THE LIGHT IN THE FOREST by Conrad Richter. All about a young white boy kidnapped in a raid by the Lenni Lenapi and then the eventual trials and tribulations when, as a grown man, he is reunited with his white family. It was made into a film starring James MacArther (Helen Hayes' son) by the Disney people and it was pretty good. Anyway, when I read the synopsis of FLIGHT OF THE SPARROW and found it was based on an actual kidnapping of a Puritan minister's wife back in the 1600's, I was rightly intrigued.
Read more about FLIGHT OF THE SPARROW by Amy Belding Brown, here .
And to read more about THE LIGHT IN THE FOREST by Conrad Richter, please go here.
The MacLean book I really want to read is THE GUNS OF NAVARONE (remember the movie with Gregory Peck and David Niven?), but my library is unfortunately very limited in this author's books and this is one they had. Definitely a 'must be in the mood' book though I read that it is one of the very best of the WWII sea faring sagas.
To read about H.M.S. ULYSSES (1955), please go here.
Yes I know Robert Galbraith is really J.K. Rowling but I enjoyed the Harry Potter books and I'm curious to see what Rowling does with the mystery/thriller genre. PLUS I've read good things about this even if the book is being described as noir. PLUS how can I resist a book in which the hero is named Cormoran Strike? Will report when I've finally gotten to it.
To learn more about THE CUCKOO'S CALLING, please go here.
And odd story about a slightly odd, woebegone (and rather cranky) widower who owns a bookstore in a place called Alice Island in which he is fortunate enough to be the only game in town - book-wise. When I read that a book is about 'redemption and reformation' I usually run the other way. Those two words mean 'book club book' to me and that's not my gig. But occasionally one will slip in under my guard.
So far (I'm currently reading this beside my Tolkien THE TWO TOWERS book - yeah, go figure) this is an engaging and even absorbing book about spiritual loneliness, the love of books, the workings of a bookstore and the often confounding unexpectedness of life. I'm having a lovely time.
To read about THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY, please go here.
I read the previous two in this gentle (well, gentle with a murder or two thrown in) self-effacing series set in the 1950's, about a British clergyman who gets involved in mystery solving and though, to me, this seems a highly improbable concept, I am enjoying the reading of it. Primarily because I like the canonical hero, Sidney Chambers and I love the English countryside setting. In this third book, Sidney is adjusting to married life and ready to solve whatever crimes might come his way. These books are really short story collections since Sidney gets involved in several unrelated crimes in each book, but it's handled so well I don't mind.
Just found out there's a television series in the works. To read more about this and see a clip and to read about author James Runcie and the Sidney Chambers books, please go here.
The last three titles on my list this time out are non-fiction books I'm eagerly looking forward to because I've read these authors before and know how good they can be at what they do.
I've never read a book about the Kennedy assassination (except for Stephen King's ll/22/63 which is high concept fiction highly recommended by me) and I'm not at all sure, even now, that I'm ready to read this non-fiction moment by moment account of a day people my age will never forget - probably one of the most harrowing events in my lifetime. After all these years it still hurts to read about and it still seems like it happened just yesterday - it was THAT earth-shattering.
Anyway, I'm going to give this book a go and see if I can take it. I read James Swanson's MANHUNT The 12 Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer and liked it very much. It's the sort of book that reads like fiction and is even more amazing for that fact that it's all true. Highly recommended.
To read more about author James Swanson and his books, please go here.
I've read and recommend OPERATION MINCEMEAT and AGENT ZIGZAG, both by this author and so I'm looking forward to heading back to WWII to find out more about the ultra secret war behind the scenes and the eccentric bunch of agents who helped make the invasion of Normandy possible.
These stories are all the more implausible when one considers that they really and truly actually happened. I love this stuff especially when it's so well written.
To learn more about author Ben MacIntyre and his books, please go here.
A book I've been looking forward to for a while: A SPY AMONG FRIENDS Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal. I think the title says it all. What drives a person to betray his family, his friends and his country? I love MacIntyre's work (see above) and this is one I may have to drop everything else to read next or at least, sooner than soon.
To read more about Ben MacIntyre's books, please go here.
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I wish I could read multiple books all at the same time. I've always thought there must be a way but if so, it continues to elude me. Not an original idea but one that haunts people - like me - who can't read quite fast enough to suit them.
This is not technically a 'forgotten book' list since only one book qualifies, I suppose: H.M.S. ULYSSES by Alistair Maclean, but what the heck. It is what it is.
Todd Mason is doing hosting duties this week in place of Patti Abbott at whose blog we generally congregate for FFB, so don't forget to check in at Todd's blog, Sweet Freedom - to see what other forgotten or overlooked books other bloggers are talking about today. You won't be disappointed.
Dear Yvette,
ReplyDeleteI get a lot of my book recommendations via NPR, and found an interview with Ben MacIntyre about Kim Philby most interesting. Philby was apparently as smooth and charming as they come. The Kennedy book I want to read (though it is a daunting tome) is actually Robert Caro's book on Lyndon Johnson's assuming command — "The Passage of Power." Again, I heard an NPR interview with Caro as I was driving, and it was so interesting that I had to sit parked in my driveway until it was over.
Oh, THE PASSAGE OF POWER by Caro sounds like my next in line read if I get through END OF DAYS (or even if I don't) - I'm a fan of Lyndon Johnson for various reasons and I know that Caro had practically devoted his own life to writing Johnson's.
DeleteI think Philby was probably a sociopath, but that's just off the top of my head. They apparently have that 'smooth' factor down pat.
Meant to type 'has' in '...Caro has practically devoted his life to writing Johnson's.' Of course Caro is still, thankfully, very much with us.
DeleteA fascinating collection Yvette (and should keep you going for a bit!) - and it has been a really long time since I read an Alistair MacLean - that is setting me back in flashback mode - better not go there, I might not make it back it's so far!!
ReplyDeleteOh, take the plunge, Sergio. Jump right in. I'm surprised, actually, that I've found this many contemporary books I want to read at one go. Sometimes it happens that way. :)
DeleteYvette,
ReplyDeleteI also just discovered Grimes' Vertigo42, it's now on my reserve list at the library--I'm no. 22 in line with 20 copies available, so it will be a while before it's my turn. I think I've read all of the Jury books so far, even though she's getting a bit strange--that telepathic cat and dog was a bit weird.
I stumbled over the news by happenstance, Fred. I thought she was taking a break from writing but the truth is she does take a while to come up with new Richard Jury books. There are a couple I didn't like - the one that ended with the car crash was one. I don't like when Jury goes crazed over a woman. (Or maybe it's that it's a woman that's not me. HA!)
DeleteI don't mind the animal thing with Grimes - in fact - I look forward to it. I think she can get away with it. And when she does it well, as in THE OLD SILENT - remember the shepherd dog in the field at night? That was brilliant. My favorite of her books so far. Anyway, I've read every Jury book and will continue to do so.
Plus I love the world of Long Piddleton. HA!! Wait until you get your hand on VERTIGO 42 - I can say no more.
Yvette, I'd have no hesitation in picking up Alistair MacLean who is one of few authors who many books have been made into films including THE GUNS OF NAVARONE and WHERE EAGLES DARE. He is one of the most entertaining thriller/espionage writers I have read. He also wrote a rare western called BREAKHEART PASS, which was also made into a film.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm familiar with the films, for sure, Prashant. My only hesitation is that I've never read any of his books and I wanted to begin with GUNS OF NAVARONE. But my library let me down.
DeleteYvette, you can't go wrong with MacLean, one of the leading writers of popular fiction in the 70s and 80s. His novels are fast paced and he can tell a story much like Jack Higgins. I'd like to know what you think of his novel in your pile.
DeleteIf I like it, I'll write about it for sure, Prashant.
DeleteMore power to you in getting these knocked off your TBR pile. I was given an ultimatum and had to dismantle my numerous TBR piles (yes, I had more than one!) and clean up our living room. After returning many books to my bookshelves and boxing up some recent purchases and stowing them away I discovered we did indeed have an area rug in front of our couch and -- to my utter shock -- uncovered a chair next to the end table. It looks so much more civilized now. And a visitor can actually sit down now! So far I'm managing to prevent any more book clutter. We shall see how long it lasts.
ReplyDeleteI bought a copy of THE CUCKOO'S CALLING at a library sale. At over 500 pages I'm not sure when I'll get to it. Even reading a contemporary 335 page novel is daunting to me. I'm so used to the vintage books so much shorter and compact which I knock off in a day or two.
Oh I do know exactly how your rooms must have looked because mine look the same way. Ha. I've got so many books on my living room sofa that no one can sit on it. My kitchen is the hub of activity even though there I have two bookcases and a chair piled high with books. I've been meaning to sort a bunch of stuff but keep putting it off.
DeleteI like 'fast' books too, John. Usually when I'm in a vintage mood that's all I'll read for awhile. But lately I've taken a turn. At least for now. Though I suppose LORD OF THE RINGS The Two Towers qualifies as vintage. :)
I'll see what happens with THE CUCKOO'S CALLING (Don't like the title, that's one thing going in.)
I hope you enjoy The Earth Hums in B-Flat, a delightful, but thoughtful book.
ReplyDeleteThe only other book I read on the fiction list (forget non-fiction; getting through the daily NY Times and online news blogs is enough of reality for me) is The Cuckoo's Calling. Describing it as noir is not the right word, but it may be an advertiser and publisher's sales promotion.
It's a straight-forward mystery. There is a murder of a famous supermodel, and there are many suspects. The author plods through the investigation, throwing out enough red herrings for a dinner party of 20. Lots of details are given, many too many; not all are essential to the case. But it's a riveting read, not fast-paced, but more leisurely with attention to everything and everyone related to the victim.
I plan to read the next book with Cormoran Strike and his assistant, Robin, which is set in the cut-throat publishing world. Sounds like my genre. I can't wait but it's a commitment of time to read this series.
Happy reading!
It's interesting, Kathy, that both main characters have bird names and the the title includes a bird name.
DeleteYou've interested me even more in the book since now I know it's not noir which I do not have a taste for anyway. Thanks for that. :)
I hope I like THE EARTH HUMS IN B-FLAT - I think I will.
Wow, lots of books there and you will probably get through them in two weeks. I am about halfway through the Richard Jury series, got to get back to them. I recently bought The Cuckoo's Calling, based on good reviews, and hope to read it soonish.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a Ben MacIntyre fan and we have two of his books to read, and looking forward to the newest one.
Both Ben MacIntyre and James Swanson are terrific non-fiction writers. I hope I can get through this pile sooner rather than later. There are so many temptations, reading-wise. I have to be careful not to get side-tracked. :)
DeletePublishers and advertisers are playing fast and loose with the word "noir." It has a particular meaning, and it does not refer to a traditional mystery. Those do contain dead bodies, but are not the same as noir, which I see as violent books that go straight downhill in mood. That isn't Cuckoo, which is a mystery. Sherlock Holmes could have solved the crime in that book, using his method of scientific detection, which Cormoran Strike does.
ReplyDeleteThe Kim Philby book sounds interesting and Nancy at Crime Segments wrote a good review of it.
Well I'm glad to hear that it's NOT noir. Makes me want to read it even more. :)
DeleteIs Wiggins (and his "Fisherman's Friend" cough drops) still in the books? I haven't read one in decades, perhaps since THE ANODYNE NECKLACE.
ReplyDeleteOh Wiggins is front and center in this one, Richard. SIde by side with Jury, that is. The whole gang is here. Except Mungo who gets left at home for whatever reason. I do love these books.
DeleteSounds like an interesting list, Yvette. I have sixteen books to read in the rest of this year in order to complete Bev Hankins's Vintage Mystery Golden Bingo card, so my dance card is pretty full, but some of your choices sound intriguing, to say the least!
ReplyDeleteI've read two so far, Les, and loved them both. I want to read thirty more books this year to make an even hundred. That's my yearly goal but sometimes it's just not do-able. I don't like pressure so that's why I don't join challenges. But yes, I know you're a vintage-maven. :)
ReplyDelete