Taking comfort in some Current Reads

 As this week in the news alone has shown us, the times that we all are going through right now are troubling to say the least.

While keeping informed on all fronts(which sadly includes the unjust invasion of Ukraine), it’s also a good notion to keep your spirits up with a good book or two at hand. I’ve been doing that as much as possible lately, starting with the newest entry in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

Bake,Borrow and Steal is Ellie Alexander’s latest Bakeshop Mysteries title, set in the idyllic town of Ashland, Oregon where Juliet “Jules” Capshaw is happily expanding her family’s bakery into a budding edible enterprise.

When asked to prepare a Shakespeare themed meal for a special presentation of recently discovered papers from the Bard that include a never before seen play, Jules is thrilled to tackle this task despite feeling that she may be biting off more than she can chew.

However, it turns out that the food will be the least of her worries on the night of the Shakespeare event as the papers are stolen seemingly right before everyone’s eyes and the guard for the literary display dispatched in an untimely manner!

Can Juliet find the papers and the killer before both are permanently lost to time and misfortune? I do enjoy these books and their delightful cast of characters suitable for any form of Shakespearean entertainment.

It’s also fun to see the various Elizabethan treats being prepared here like lardy bread and imprime cakes. When it comes to a satisfying story recipe, Alexander definitely takes the cake:

For a change of pace, I decided to try a library loan from an author that I haven’t read before, Christina Baker Kline, best known for the novel Orphan Train.

 The Exiles is like that previous work, historical fiction that follows the lives of three young women forced into resettling to and in Australia during the 19th century .

Two of them,Evangeline and Hazel, are transported prisoners from England who like many others, were given unduly harsh sentences in order to expand the growing colonial population in that part of the world.

The third girl, Matthina, is taken from her people at the whim of the governor’s wife who wants to show off a “civilized “ local to visitors. 

When Hazel is granted a work release position at the governor’s house, she finds an unexpected ally in Matthina, who longs for freedom just as much as she does. Can they help each other out without making more sacrifices than they already have?

I have to say that this is quite a captivating book and I do plan to read more of Baker Kline’s work. Getting more empathetic  insight into this point in time for women is one of the reasons that I engage with this genre so much:

I was beginning to feel like a reading slump was about to arise, so to rev up my bookish engines, Stephen King’s Billy Summers was the right ride to catch.

Our leading man of the title is a professional hitman who keeps his literature loving intelligence under his hat. Looking for a good payday for one last job, Billy agrees to a deal that has him waiting in plain sight for his target which seems too good to be true.

His cover story for this setup has Billy posing as a writer working on his big debut book, an opportunity that he is taking on for real. The job does go wrong of course, yet it appears that this could provide one hell of an ending for his story in more ways than one.

So far, Billy Summers is a steady trip that lets you enjoy the sights along the way. I like the vibe of this book, sort of a “what if Stephen King wrote an episode of HBO’s Barry”(I don’t know if King has even watched that show but he does like a lot of pop culture TV). That makes this even more fun for me:

Well, it’s going to be a good long while before things get better out there but if we hold on and support each other as best we can, good times might come back sooner than we think.

In the meanwhile, I intend to spread the good word about reading and maybe do a little rereading as well. There seems to be a revival of interest in Julia Child as HBO is planning a new series based on her life and Food Network is about to air a new competition show called The Julia Child Challenge (she probably would have much to say about that, I’m sure!).

With My Life in France , plus Julie & Julia, on my shelf, I can finally go back to some nonfiction reading that I’ve put on hold for the most part these last two years. Julia Child lived life on her own terms and is certainly a solid source of inspiration to draw from indeed:

Taking a bookish tour with Jane and The Year Without a Summer

One of the highlights of this new year of reading was to discover that a new Jane Austen mystery by Stephanie Barron was set to arrive in February.

For those not familiar with this series, Barron has imagined the Regency literary legend as a detective who subtly yet surely uses her keen insight into human follies to solve those puzzles (and occasional murders) that come across her path in life.

For this latest entry, Jane and the Year Without a Summer, the year in question is 1816 when a volcanic eruption caused a worldwide change in the seasons. Nevertheless, Jane and her sister Cassandra decide to spend a couple of weeks in the spa town of Cheltenham for some much needed rest and restoration.

Since the works of Jane Austen are often blended into the narrative of each story, I thought that a good way to highlight the new Jane Austen mystery would be by pointing out some of those familiar story sights.

To start with, Jane and Cassandra do make a stop along the way to Cheltenham at their brother James’s home where his wife Mary is always fancying herself to be far sicker than anyone else. This sister-in-law reminds me greatly of Anne Eliot’s similarly named sister in Persuasion who shares that attention getting inclination as well:

When Jane and her sister do arrive in Cheltenham, they quickly learn that there is more to the place than just taking the waters.

Plenty of amusement is to be found among their new acquaintances at their local lodgings, rather like Charlotte Heywood discovers in Sanditon , that sadly unfinished story set in a seaside village looking to offer the promise of renewed health and perhaps a touch of romance to visitors there:

Intrigue abounds, however, as one of their new company turns out to be fleeing from her nobleman husband and possibly wicked stepmother.

The lady’s insistence that her family seeks to ruin her health for their own financial benefit does sound quite a bit like one of those Gothic novels that Catherine Morland from  Northanger Abbey would devour in one late night sitting. 

Regardless, things may not be what they seem as both Jane and her fictional heroine learn along the way…:

As a fan of historical mysteries and Jane Austen, I was very happy to be included on this blog tour which continues until February 20th.

Much thanks to Laurel Ann Nattress at Austenprose for inviting me onboard and also to Stephanie Barron for giving us another creative opportunity to revisit Jane Austen’s world yet again.

I have read the book and it is an engaging look at Austen’s later years with a good dash of the humor and wit that most likely got her through some of the trying times that the real life Austen dealt with.

This story does hold a note of romantic regret as Jane does meet up with an old friend who could’ve been something more had not circumstances gotten in the way. 

With this book being the thirteenth installment in the series, I do hope for at least one more tale to round out Jane’s last days in this regard. However this set of Jane Austen Mysteries ends, they are tales worth retelling indeed:

My new season of Series-ous Reading shows that Murder is a Must

 Welcome to another season of Series-ous Reading, where books connected by one writer and genre are given their just due.

The theme this year is Sisters in Sleuthing, a look at women from different time periods use their innate skills to solve those pesky mysteries that practically fall in their lap.

Our starting point is Marty Wingate’s Murder is a Must,  the second entry in her First Edition Library series. Set in modern day Bath, Hayley Burke is the curator of a Golden Age mystery collection created by the late Lady Georgiana Fowling(who also wrote a few sleuthing stories herself!).

As Hayley is working on a way to expand the influence of the collection with a program of guest speakers, plus an exhibition of Lady Fowling’s life and times. 

To that end, she snags a key spot at the renowned Charlotte gallery and a manager she all too well, Oona Atherton.

While working with Oona is difficult at best(as Hayley remembers from their time together at the Jane Austen Center), she is very efficient and capably creative. Also, a possible unexpected bonus to the exhibit may be available if only it can be found! 

Thanks to a letter left by Lady Fowling, there may be a first edition of Dorothy L. Sayers’ Murder Must Advertise that is signed by the author and several iconic mystery writers of that time in the collection. With Oona dropping hints about the book before it has been located, interest in the upcoming exhibit abounds.

Unfortunately, that attention proves deadly as Oona dies from a fall down a spiral staircase, a demise scarily much like the one that the novel in question is looking into:

As Hayley manages to find a replacement for Oona(the rather over the top Zeno Berryfield) while still searching for the book, several more incidents occur that make her wonder why this project feels doomed to end before it truly begins. Yet, will that fatal feeling take another life?

I really enjoyed the debut title  in this series, The Bodies in the Library, and happy to say that it’s just as grand a time with this second outing. Hayley is a charming leading lady with an excellent supporting cast such as the rather unflappable secretary Mrs. Woolgar and current love interest Val, a college professor who has a young police detective Kenny Pye in his writing class.

I do love the fact that Hayley isn’t totally read up on most of the Golden Age mystery writers in the collection and winds up picking up the particularly themed work in question.

It makes her very relatable and already has me waiting for a copy of Murder Must Advertise to add to my TBR to boot!

Marty Wingate has a third book in this series that’s been recently released and despite the title, The Librarian Always Rings Twice, the plot is not a tribute to James M. Cain’s classic thriller. Instead, it is a tip of the hat to a Daphne Du Maurier novel called Frenchman’s Creek. So glad to have more First Edition Mysteries to look forward to:

As to my next selection, we head back to the England of the 1930s in Rhys Bowen’s Heirs and Graces.

 Her Royal Spyness, Lady Georgiana Rannoch is once again given a special assignment from the Queen. At first, it doesn’t seem too daunting as she asked to be the unofficial mentor to the reluctant heir of a grand estate.

When the current head of the household is found with a literal knife in his back, Georgiana adds to her plate of duties solving this murder before an innocent man is served up to the gallows.

So far, the book is a sheer delight with a nice bit of Downton Abbey drama for fun flavor that I am eager to devour. A bookish bon appetit to be sure!:

Engaging in some Gilded Age good reads

After long last, HBO gives us The Gilded Age, created by Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes, a series set in the New York world known best to the likes of Edith Wharton and Henry James.

While there is a blend of classic performers(Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, Audra McDonald) and newcomers (Louisa Jacobson, Denee Benton,Taissa Farmiga), so far all of them expertly compliment their roles in this story line that pits “Old New York” against the new money folks.

This show is pretty much the new Downton Abbey for many of us period drama fans and while it’s not directly based on a book, there are plenty of good novels out there that fit this historical fiction frame nicely:

THE MAGNOLIA PALACE:

Fiona Davis’ latest novel  cuts across two time periods as Veronica, a model in 1966, discovers a set of papers during a photo shoot at the Frick museum that May reveal the location of a rare diamond belonging to the Frick family.

The papers in question were handled by Lillian, who in 1919 inadvertently took on a position as secretary to Helen Clay Frick, the forthright daughter of wealthy industrialist Henry.

Lillian only intended to stay long enough to earn enough money for travel to Hollywood in search of a film career. However, as she got more involved with the Fricks and their secrets, it became harder to break away despite the life or death stakes thrust upon her.

Davis is quite the literary artist, using her words to create immersive storytelling murals against the canvas of iconic locales in New York and this book promises to be another elegant masterpiece of prose.

I picked it up as a Book of the Month club selection and plan to start it soon, to not only enjoy the vivid descriptions of the Frick house but it’s iconic residents as well:

THE SOCIAL GRACES:

In this story by Renee Rosen, the rivalry between Caroline Astor, the acclaimed diva of the Gilded age society, and Alva Vanderbilt, the wife of a new to money family, is showcased in more ways than one.

As Caroline struggles to maintain her status as the taste maker of her class, Alva is bound and determined to not be seen as second best in any sense of the term. Both women share equal amounts of joy and sorrow in their lives that make them more alike than they know yet the demands of their insular world keep them apart.

I read this last year and it’s a riveting tale to be sure. Rosen highlights each of her leading ladies in full measure, making them as elegantly human as possible. Some of the real life characters here will most likely be featured in The Gilded Age series so this book is a picture perfect companion read there:

THE GILDED HOUR:

Sara Donati’s first entry in this trilogy introduces us to Anna and Sophie, cousins who both share a love of medicine and a home with their widowed aunt in Washington Square.

Pursuing their careers as doctors is difficult, especially when laws that restrict the rights of women’s health such as the Comstock Act directly affect their working class patients.

Things get even more complicated when Anna becomes involved with Rosa, an orphan trying her best to keep her younger brothers with her rather than a “charitable” institute. Sophie finds herself intervening with a new mother who may not be able to take care of her baby but the help required could jeopardize her medical license.

As these ladies work to provide the best they have to give to the people in their care, it grows clear that they also need to help themselves in other emotional matters of the heart.

Donati is no stranger to epic historical fiction, having some of the characters here be descendants from her Wilderness series. I have both this one and it’s follow up (Where the Light Enters) on one of my TBRs and hope to be fully up to speed by the time the third book is out and about.

Such a suitable saga for anyone interested in a very different look at this time period indeed:

Looking back at history can be beneficial as well as entertaining and with shows like The Gilded Age giving a bit of both to TV audiences and readers, we may be able to better appreciate the world we now live in.

Of course, if you just want a break from the daily grind, this series should provide that in abundance and certainly a smartly satisfying way to do so with popcorn at hand, along with a good book to enjoy:

An acre of ARCs ready for future reading

One small but sure sign that things may not be as bad as they seem these days in the bookish world is the availability of Advance Readers Copies(aka ARCs).

By this I mean actual physical copies, which have been hard to come by during the worst of the pandemic (digital ones are fine yet nothing beats having a good story in page turning hand).

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a nice stack of upcoming titles via a giveaway at Discord and while they are a mix of science fiction and fantasy, one emerged from the pack to peak my Regency reading interest considerably.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray takes place in the Jane Austen universe, where the former Emma Woodhouse and her loving husband Mr. Knightley are hosting a summer gathering with acquaintances old and new.

Unfortunately, the unexpected and unwelcome arrival of Mr. Wickham causes plenty of trouble yet propriety demands that he remain, despite the discomfort to more than one set of visitors.

When the title event occurs, it falls upon two of the younger guests, Juliet Tilney and the eldest Darcy son Jonathan, to sort the situation out before more foul play threatens all assembled.

For an Austen fan like me, this book seems like a wonderful surprise gift(that I will dive into as soon as I finish up the current Austen themed book I’m reading). Part of the official description for TMOMW calls it a blend of Austen and Agatha Christie, which is most certainly my cup of tea(May):

 One of the other notable books in this prize pack that caught my eye was Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility.

This is one of those storylines that travel through time, beginning in 1912 with Edwin, a young man exiled to Canada who makes a bizarre discovery.

That finding is recorded in 1994 and later found in 2020, becoming a part of a concert performed by the brother of the young woman who captured it on film.

This influence extends to the year 2203, where an acclaimed author named Olive uses it as the inspiration for her new book, written at a colony on the moon. Promoting her work on a trip back to Earth, Olive appears to have connected those last links on the mysterious chain but what will that ultimately reveal?

This does sound promising and like many others, I did enjoy Mandel’s Station Eleven(which has recently become a popular HBO series)very much. I plan to save this for the SciFi Summer readathon this June but fortunately, you don’t have to wait that long for Mandel’s latest literary journey to begin(April):

Before that set of upcoming books arrived, I did win a historical fiction set during the final years of the Romanov empire , The Last Grand Duchess.

Author Bryn Turnbull introduces us to Olga, the firstborn daughter of Czar Nicholas, haunted by a prophecy that she would not live to see the age of thirty.

As she does her best to deal with the slow yet steady decline of the royal family’s power, Olga tries to hold onto to hope for the better, with the chance of a possible romance awaiting in the wings.

As someone who doesn’t know much about the final years of the Romanovs beyond the basic history,this should be interesting in more ways than one (February):

Of course, it’s going to be a good long while before we get any sort of regular life back again. However, it does help to have some pop culture delights to look forward to there.

Getting new books in any form is a part of that and I’m very grateful to have these gorgeous storytelling gems Grace my shelves. Granted, I do have a spot of bother in finding space for these fresh reads but that is one problem that I am truly happy to have:

Getting revved up for romance during a Winter’s Respite

Readathon time is upon us and for me, the Winter’s Respite 
 coming up in February over at Seasons of Reading is a great way to start the new year.

Michelle Miller of SOR holds it for a month and reading fiction is mainly encouraged (nonfiction is fine as well). I’ve been keeping my TBR selections set to the rule of three , which seems to be working out for the better in my case.

The trio of books that I’ve chosen here all happen to be in the romcom category, given that a) Valentines Day is also next month , and b) the term respite invokes relaxing entertainment , a solid bet when it comes to this genre:

A HOLLY JOLLY DIWALI:

Author Sonya Lalli introduces us to Niki, who is tired of being the “good daughter “ that gave up her musical dreams for a steady computer career in Seattle.

Upon being downsized from her job, Niki decides to be bold for once and goes on a trip to attend a friend’s wedding in India.

While there, she meets Sam, a musician from London whose band is breaking up. It’s clear that these two are in tune with each other but is this a new beginning or a vacation fling destined to be a one hit wonderland for them both?

I fondly remember reading Lalli’s first novel, The Matchmaker’s List, and happy to find her lively way with words readily on hand again:

HOW TO MARRY KEANU REEVES IN 90 DAYS:

In K.M. Jackson’s latest novel, a pair of friends go off on the title quest despite one of them being head over heels for the other.

When Bethany Lu Carlisle learns from a tabloid report that her favorite leading man is about to get hitched, recruiting her high school best buddy True Erickson to ride along is an instant go-to for her. Who better to trust to help stop Keanu from making a big mistake than her True blue companion?

While he does reluctantly agree to accompany her, True’s real hope is to prevent Lu from making a major error of her own, plus maybe getting her to see that the love of her life might be sitting in the front seat right next to her.

I must admit that not immediately diving into this particular Book of the Month selection has been difficult at best. However, I have a strong feeling that my patience will be well rewarded here:

LOVE YOUR LIFE:

I have to say up front that this last pick is a reread but since I’m using a physical copy instead of an ebook version this time, that’s as good of a reason as any!

Plus I did enjoy Sophie Kinsella’s  quirky look at instant romance here. Ava, a copywriter in need of inspiration, goes to a writer’s retreat in Italy where she meets Dutch, a too good to be true guy who is inspired to be romantically involved with her.

While their time in Italy is great, going back home to London turns the page in more ways than one for them both. Getting to really know one another (including their real names-Dutch is actually Matt!) and their decidedly different takes on life is a real test of commitment that may be hard for either of them to pass.

Returning to a book you know is a good time to be had is always a good choice, in my opinion, and Kinsella has proven to be a sure bet when seeking some smartly sweet solace:

The Winter’s Respite readathon begins on February 1 and if you’re in search of a good way to spend the rest of the frosty days ahead of us, this is certainly a most excellent starting point.

There is plenty of time to sign up and give yourself a nice break from technical stimulus that threatens to overwhelm your sensibilities on a daily basis. Instead, indulge in a little literary oasis there:

Playing a bit of bookish catchup with my Current Reads

Given the state of things today, I am glad to have gotten a good number of new books for Christmas (eight in total!) and have also gotten my Goodreads challenge for the year off to a solid start by finishing two of them.

My first completed read for 2022 is Apples Never Fall, the latest  by Liane Moriarty. 

When reluctant tennis retiree Joy Delaney goes missing for several days, suspicions begin to form about her husband Stan, who still can’t get over losing a potential superstar tennis player back in his coaching days.

However, as the quartet of adult Delaney children discover, this vanishing act may have something to do with the mysterious stranger that stayed with their parents for awhile.

Savannah showed up at the Delaney’s door one night, claiming to be escaping from a brutal boyfriend, and wound up becoming a long term guest. Was she truly a damsel in distress or a promising young woman seeking a slow motion revenge?

To say more would spoil the devious delights of this book but if you’re familiar with Moriarty’s artful blend of mystery and family drama, then this is definitely your cup of storytelling tea. Tennis is a strong thread in this book, one that binds the plot points and emotional arcs of the characters as tightly as a professionally made racket:

Next up was Lana Harper’s Payback’s a Witch , where Emmy Harlow returns to her hometown of Thistle Grove, a haven for witchcraft practicing families.

Emmy left years ago, due to having her heart broken by Gareth Blackmore, the heir apparent of his family. Turns out Gareth has also been playing with the hearts of her best friend Linden Thorn and long time crush Natalia “Talia”Arvamov, who is interested in a little magical revenge.

The main reason that Emmy came home is to arbitrate the Gauntlet, a series of challenges meant to determine which family is in charge of Thistle Grove. The Blackmoores have been in power for several generations now and using their power play to slowly yet surely push the other witch families down.

Emmy is happy to help settle more than one score here but she is in danger of being distracted by a budding romance between herself and Talia, who is eager to encourage Emmy to staying in town for good.

Can Emmy gain her revenge and find true love all on her own terms or this there a price for both that she’s not willing to pay?

This is the first time that I’ve read Lana Harper and the good news that I want to read more . As luck would have it, this novel is meant to be the first in a Thistle Grove series (the follow up, From Bad to Cursed, is due out soon). Harper showcases a charming knack for crafty character development and staging, bringing this magical town to vivid life on the page.

The best part is watching Emmy and Talia click together as a couple, creating more than one kind of magic to enchant  audiences with:

At the moment , I’m in the middle of a wonderful Book of the Month club selection that I treated myself to as a New Year’s present.

Debut historical fiction  writer Kaia Alderson tells the story of the role African American women played in WWII in Sisters in Arms.  In 1942, New Yorkers Eliza Jones and Grace Steele separately found themselves at a crossroads regarding the course of their lives.  

Each woman decided to join the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps(WAAC) and meet up to form an on-again, off-again bond that got them through some tough times.

While Grace’s set of street smarts often clashed with Eliza’s upper class notions of the world, the two of them shared professional dreams that both sexism and racism combined to stand in their way.

Working together to not only set a strong example for change but to protect the country they love, Grace and Eliza do their best to get over what misunderstandings arise between them to pave the way for others to follow.

Alderson does more than give a history lesson here, she makes her leading ladies truly engaging and heartfelt. Grace’s love of music and Eliza’s determination to be more than just a “lady reporter” expand the backstory of their characters as well as the realities they live in.

It’s also interesting to see real life figures placed within the story such as Mary McLeod Bethune(a prominent Black military adviser who worked with Eleanor Roosevelt) and Charity Adams ( the first African American female officer of the WAAC),adding a greater sense of history making to this story of women moving towards a better tomorrow for all:

While I don’t have a major reading goal this year, apart from any upcoming readathons and blog related books, I do intend to dive into more historical fiction as the winter season rolls on.

Winter is a good time to take a few looks at the past, I think , with shows such as the new season of All Creatures Great and Small( with two more seasons to come!) and the upcoming HBO series, The Gilded Age, soon to arrive.

Hopefully, such fictional stories can teach us something about those long ago days that might steer our present day thoughts away from making similar mistakes and possibly improve our current course of actions. Not a sure thing but using some solid storytelling for solutions is not the worst idea out there:

Summing up my Christmas Spirit and setting up a new year of Series-ous Reading

 First off, I hope everyone had a good holiday season and a very Happy New Year (despite the ongoing health crisis).

A good part of keeping my spirits bright was the Christmas Spirit readathon, hosted by Michelle Miller at Seasons of Reading. My TBR for this challenge was small but wonderfully sweet.

The first book that I completed here was Christina Lauren’s In A Holidaze  , which I heard quite a bit about and it was all good indeed.

Our leading lady is Maelyn, who finds herself stuck in a time loop that has her reliving Christmas week with her family and their longtime friends, especially a pair of brothers, one of them she’s had a secret crush for years.

With only one person in the group that she can safely confide in(Benny, a sweet natured stoner), Maelyn has to figure out how to appease the powers that be to get back to her regular life without any dire consequences.

Yes, part of Maelyn’s dilemma involves the potential love triangle between brother Andrew and Theo but it’s also about making changes to her life for the better in other ways while improving the status quo for the rest of this gang of friends and family who gather together for a beloved shared experience annually.

This is the first time that I’ve read a Christina Lauren novel and given the storytelling charms that floated off the pages, it won’t be my last.  This had a Christmas movie vibe in the best sense of the term:

I also enjoyed A Candlelight Christmas  by Susan Wiggs and planned to dive into a cozy mystery collection but wound making a switch for a brand new release which also has a Christmas movie vibe to it as well.

The Holiday Swap is a debut novel by Maggie Knox that combines twin sisters, romance and baking show behind the scenes drama.  Charlie Goodwin is the co-host of a popular baking show called Sweet and Salty with her obnoxious TV partner Austin truly living up to his half of the title.

While filming their holiday special ( and hoping to get her own solo series), Charlie has a minor accident that impairs her sense of smell and taste. Knowing full well how Austin would take advantage of this situation, she calls her identical twin sister Cass to change places with her until filming ends.

This isn’t an easy decision for Cass, who is running the family bakery in their hometown alone for the first time and is in the middle of a breakup with her longtime boyfriend Brett, who is being denser than a fruitcake about this.

While Charlie agrees to handle Brett and Cass has at least one person on the Sweet and Salty set in the know to help her out, both sisters find that the life their sibling is leading is harder than it looks. 

Not to mention that each of them find unexpected romance that could be perfect but for the fact that neither man knows which sister is which.

This was a nicely done story that rang all the right holiday bells and I look forward to their next seasonal book(Maggie Knox is a pair of writers working together, much like Christina Lauren, interestingly enough!). 

Publishing plans  are already set for next fall with All I Want for Christmas being a reality show romcom plot. Sounds like a great holiday read to tune into:

Meanwhile, I finished up the last of my Culinary Cozy Feast selections for the Series-ous Reading challenge . 

Joanne Fluke’s Wedding Cake Murder finally has small town baker and part time detective Hannah Swenson get married yet not to either one of her long running boyfriends Mike or Norman. Instead she weds Ross Barton, an old college flame who became a film director ( he first appeared in Cherry Cheesecake Murder).

Not only is she getting married , Hannah is set to appear on Food Channel’s Dessert Chef Competition (her younger sister Michelle sent in an application for her secretly!) and by winning the first challenge, the rest of the show is now going to be filmed in her hometown!

That leaves Hannah’s eager to be in charge mother Delores in place to make all of the wedding plans,a dubious benefit at best. What truly is an advantage is an old family friend who grew up with the head judge of the dessert competition, picky Alain Duquesne, and knows his favorite flavors.

Hannah is happy to have that extra bit of help and even resorts to wearing her wedding clothes to serve up a specially themed wedding cake to the judging panel. That cake turns out to be a solid win but proves to be Alain Duquesne’s last sweet sensation in this life:

When Alain is found dead in the freezer by Hannah’s sister, she naturally feels honor bound to find the killer but can she do so while trying to win the competition and not be late for her own wedding in more ways than one?

While I would vastly have preferred Norman to be the groom here(the man is practically tailor made for her!), I guess Ross will do for now. This is a murder mystery series so, hey, we’ll see how long this relationship lasts-not jinxing anything here, I swear!

Otherwise, it was nice to see Hannah have a happy ending in the romance department. While her love life is not always stable, you can count on Hannah to have a good cookie on hand and a mystery to solve in front of her:

So, having finished up my reading challenges for 2021, I feel ready for this new year of 2022 bookish delights.

My thanks to Michelle Miller for keeping these readathons going and I’m already planning my TBR for February’s Winter’s Respite.

As for Series-ous Reading , the theme this year is Sisters in Sleuthing with a range of female detectives from young to young at heart, with modern day and historical settings as well.

My first choice in this category is Murder is a Must  by Marty Wingate, the second entry in her First Edition Library series.

 Newly appointed curator Hayley Burke is still catching up on the Golden Age mystery women writers that make up the bulk of  Lady Fowling’s collection in her care when she discovers that a rare Dorothy Sayers first edition may be on the library’s shelves.

Unfortunately, the search for that particular title leads to the untimely demise of her new assistant Oona and that makes Hayley have no choice but to learn a few literary lessons to find out who done it.

 I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Bodies in the Library, and with a third book due out soon entitled The Librarian Always Rings Twice, this seems like a perfect pick. Also, it might inspire to tackle some Dorothy Sayers at last, so a win-win all around indeed:

The LRG Best Books of 2021

Well, another year of reading is coming to an end and I am definitely looking forward to the start of a brand new one filled with wonderful reads.

This year has been a “best of times, worst of times” deal to be sure. However, I think that a good book at hand can make both situations better.

Whether it offers relief from the real world or helps you understand that reality a bit more clearly than before, books are powerful gifts to shared indeed. My top five picks for 2021 are personal preferences to be sure but maybe one or two of them might resonate with you for future reading:

AUSTEN INSPIRED 

THE HEIRESS:

Molly Greeley’s second Jane Austen themed novel focuses on a well known character from Pride & Prejudice, a young woman who is seldom heard from next to her indomitable mother.

Anne de Burgh, the only child of the infamous Lady Catherine, has been considered ill for the majority of her life. That sickly nature turns out to be due to an over abundance of laudanum, prescribed by doctors eager to please Lady Catherine’s wishes for a more pliable offspring.

After Anne chooses her to leave her mother’s house and detox, she finally begins to live a real life, one that gives her some unexpected options on where to find true happiness. Even with her inheritance intact, can Anne be the person that she truly longs to be?

I really enjoyed Greeley’ earlier work about P&P’ Charlotte Lucas Collins, The Clergyman’s Wife, but this one is even better with the depth and emotional journey taken by Anne, whose growing knowledge of herself causes much needed ripples in this classic story pond for those around her. I can’t wait to see what Greeley does next!

HANA KHAN CARRIES ON:

 

This modern take on the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks romcom You’ve Got Mail is a national follow up for Uzma Jaluddin as her first book, Ayesha at Last, was her take on Pride & Prejudice.

Instead of bookstores, it’s rival restaurants as Hana’s family cafe is being threatened by the arrival of  a huge commercial eatery right next door.

While she hopes for a career in radio, with a small podcast of her own, Hana is determined to protect the family business from Aydin Shah, the very handsome and charming owner of the rival restaurant.

Despite  her heartfelt attempts to save the cafe, she finds herself digging a little social media dirt against their competition  but quickly regrets it, especially when the biggest fan of her podcast is not happy with that tactic. She also is trying hard to not like Aydin, who may not be the instant villain of this situation. 

All in all, Hana wants to save the day but can she protect her own dreams as well as her heart? Jalaluddin is such a lovely writer who weaves humor and pathos together in a perfect design that Jane Austen herself would admire.

 This tip of the hat to Nora Ephron’s triple tribute to Shop Around the Corner, New York and Pride & Prejudice is a beautiful compliment to all of the above and then some:

FRIGHT OR FIGHT 

HOUR OF THE WITCH:

In Chris Bohjalian’s historical fiction, the reality of a woman’s place in Puritan society during the early days of America is keenly felt.

Mary Deerfield does her best to find some joy in her marriage to Thomas, an older man who unleashes the worst of his violent temper towards her in private. When his acts of abuse become harder to hide, she flees to her parents’ house in order to get a divorce.

Unfortunately, despite the wealth and status of her own family, Mary has little influence in the matter. Worse of all, she is in danger of being charged with witchcraft, a claim that endangers her life.

Is she being set up by her husband and his indentured servant girl(who would love to be the next Mrs. Deerfield) or are there some supernatural elements at play here? Either way, Mary must make some hard decisions to preserve her freedom and life.

Bohjalian’s tale is a steady slow burn that mixes court room drama, historical settings and feminism in a hearty stew that simmers to a thoughtful and ultimately satisfying conclusion. A page turning dish suitable for all seasons.

THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP:

Grady Hendrix has been on quite the roll with his style of pop culture themed stories featuring strong women at the helm. His latest one, a splattered yet sincere salute to the heroines of horror is definitely a cut above the rest.

Our leading lady here is Lynette, who has grown weary of the title meetings and is willing to stick with her self imposed strictly solo lifestyle, keeping company with a plant named Plant.

That option becomes not viable as the members of her unique group are being hunted down by unknown enemies. Having no choice but to rely on each other as the body count grows higher, Lynette and company have to battle a new set of personal demons as brutally as they can.

With the various slasher movie references mixed with dark humor and heartfelt twists and turns, this book could a rough ride for some. Yet, for those who do take a seat on this fabulous frenzy of a novel, it’s well worth the price of admission:

A TRUE SISTER CLASS ACT

 YOU ‘LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO LACEY:

Writer and comedian Amber Ruffin teams up with her sister Lacey Lamar to share some insight and humor into the way too many to count racial incidents in their lives.

From being followed in stores to work place encounters  and best mistaken for  Black celebrities that they do not resemble at all, Ruffin and Lamar showcase the sad reality of racism with a strong sense of self and a few laughs to make these situations better to cope with.

As a fan of Ruffin’s work on Late Night with Seth Meyers and her own streaming series on Peacock, The Amber Ruffin Show, this book is a heartfelt reflection of the tough times  that she and her sister (who is equally as eloquent as her famous sibling in her storytelling sections) have dealt with on a sadly regular basis.

Over the past few years, it’s been hard for me to engage with nonfiction books due to the dire nature of the news headlines making that whole “truth stranger than fiction “ saying way too real.

However, this was the one nonfiction title that I was determined to read and I hope that others do as well for the excellent insights and savvy humor that Amber and her sister Lacey have graciously given us all:

These books and many others were wonderful to read this year and I plan to enjoy many more in 2022. 

So this is my last post of 2021 and I thank you all for stopping by to check my small corner of the pop culture world out. I also thank all of the authors on this list as well as the many others out there who have persisted in giving readers like me well needed respites during these difficult days.

While unity seems pretty much impossible right now on far too many fronts, a good story can be a great start to coming together and hopefully, that distance can grow smaller and smaller as time goes by.

Happy Holidays to everyone and see you in the new year:

Booking a good time at the movies

 While we’re still at a crossroads between getting back to “normal “ and staying safe during the sadly still ongoing health crisis in the world, there are some sources of much needed entertainment relief out there such as the movies.

Whether you can find a theater that feels right for your level of comfort or prefer to stick with streaming services, there are some buzz worthy films around that have the added bonus of being book adaptations to boot.

A major one is House of Gucci, with an all star cast that includes Adam Driver, Al Pacino and Lady Gaga in a true crime story based on Sara Gay Forden’s 2001 nonfiction book.

The lynchpin of the real life and cinematic tale is Patrizia Reggiani(Lady Gaga) who marries into the Gucci family and has plenty of ideas about how to run the acclaimed fashion empire. 

Pushed out by family politics , she is bound and determined to gain control of the company, especially since the current heirs to the corporate throne are either incompetent or uninterested in maintaining the high standards of their legacy(including her husband!).

That drive does lead to scandal and murder, which should make for a hell of a movie at the very least. While the reviews have been mixed, most would agree that Gaga’s performance is well worth the price of admission:

Due out at a multiplex near you as well as Netflix, The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, a surly rancher who feuds with his new sister in law Rose(Kirsten Dunst).

Phil’s vicious behavior doesn’t fully extend to Rose’s son Peter(Kodi Smit-McPhee) who he once mocked but reluctantly befriends over time. A number of secrets and lies become revealed which explains Phil’s aggressive nature and possibly seals his ultimate fate.

I don’t know how close to the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage this film is but director/screenplay writer Jane Campion is receiving some of the highest praise in her career here for it. Seems like a future Oscar contender for sure:

Now for something completely different indeed in Nightmare Alley, which has Bradley Cooper playing a 1940s era hustler named Stanton Carlisle.

Stanton has been learning a few extra tricks of the trade, thanks to carnival performers such as fortune teller Zeena(Toni Collette) and former top mentalist Pete(David Strathairn).

 Now, he’s aiming for bigger targets in high society, partnering with the innocent looking Molly(Rooney Mara) and savvy shrink Lilith Ritter(Cate Blanchett).

As his scheme starts to unfold, Stanton grows suspicious of Ritter’s intentions and begins to wonder if her endgame is far more ruthless than his.

Although this story was made into a Tyrone Powell film , director and co-screenwriter Guillermo del Toro insists that the original 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham was the direct inspiration for this current adaptation. That sounds right, given del Toro’s style, and seeing him take on a full on noir piece like this ought to be quite the game changer there:

I hope that by this time next year, the decision to see a movie at home or in theaters is less of a health based concern. At least, our options in this regard are getting better and more convenient for many people who want a taste of movie magic in their lives.

Meanwhile, having a good book to screen adaptation in any format is fun to talk about with friends and fans alike(not to mention a good excuse to get together for much needed rewatching!). While the book is usually better, a good movie version is not to be overlooked at all:

My Series-ous Reading gets a little cheesy in order to Inherit The Word

 

As this year of Series-ous Reading is coming to a close, I have to say that diving into this Cozy Comfort Food of mysteries has been fun. 

While I have made last minute changes to this bookish menu, the main fictional feast has been a very tasty and relaxing time indeed.

For this next to last page turning meal, Daryl Wood Gerber’s  Inherit The Word (the second entree of her Cookbook Nook series) had plenty on the plate to chew over. Jenna Hart, the widowed co-owner of the culinary themed bookstore set in the beachside town of Crystal Cove, is busy enough with playing host to the annual Grill Fest competition without a small mystery of a personal nature to deal with.

Her playful kitten Tigger happens to knock over a Lucky Cat statue given to Jenna by her late husband David (whose unusual death once had her suspected of doing him in), breaking it to reveal several gold coins and a key.

While she has no idea about where the coins came from or what this key unlocks, Jenna is given the perfect excuse to take her time finding out. During the first round of Grill Fest, whose theme this year is grilled cheese, one of the most contentious contenders, Natalie Mumford, is found dead right behind the shop!

Due to Natalie’s less than friendly nature, plenty of suspects abound but when the focus is on Lola, the mother of Jenna’ longtime friend, Bailey, Jenna finds herself looking into the case.

Granted, there were a good number of folks on hand that day who knew how to handle a panini press, which was the weapon of choice here. However, the grilled cheese contest may not have been the motive for murder:

As Jenna looks more into the case, Natalie’s family is appearing to be less than innocent. From melancholy daughter Ellen and her spendthrift lout of a husband Willie to Norah, the newly arrived older sister, money might truly be the cause of Natalie’s demise.

Meanwhile, Jenna has to ultimately face the mystery that David left behind and the solution to that puzzle spells out a shocking secret that changes her memories of him for good.

What I am really liking about this series so far is the setting of this small yet viable town that offers both lively activity and a peaceful retreat all at once.

Crystal Cove may be in California but it has Stars Hollow energy, with these Gilmore Girls worthy characters such as the eternally cranky Pepper Pritchett, Jenna’s Aunt Vera ,who  always is ready with a healing crystal and fortune telling based advice and Katie, the quirky chef at the Cookbook Nook’s cafe.

One of the nicest subplots in this story is a budding romance between Katie and Keller, an ice cream maker who sells by bike. I hope that this spark of love grows into something more with each book in this series:

Jenna has a potential love interest of her own, Rhett, who was unjustly accused of setting a restaurant fire years ago. 

While he’s mostly a supporting player of the emotional kind this time around, chances are that Rhett will become more of a leading man as time goes on.

I do plan to read the third Cookbook Nook mystery, Stirring the Plot, next year and despite the Halloween theme, probably won’t wait until October to do so.

This combo of mystery, cooking and books is the best recipe for cozy reading in my opinion. Plus, there are loads of cookbook recommendations sprinkled throughout the story and yes, recipes that include new versions of classic favorites like the grilled cheese sandwiches served up with a smile here:

For our final course in this Cozy Comfort Feast, dessert is definitely called for. 

With that in mind, I’m ready to have a slice of Joanne Fluke’s Weddings Cake Murder just as soon as I finish up  Double Fudge Brownie Murder first!

Hannah Swenson is about to get married but not to either one of her regular beaus, Mike and Norman. Instead, she’s walking down the aisle with Ross, a former college sweetheart and filmmaker who we met a few books back. I’m still Team Norman, regardless of that!

Anyway, Hannah is too busy to plan her big day as she’s competing in a Food Channel contest being held in New York. While her culinary skills are earning her big wins, those sleuthing talents of hers also make an appearance when one of the judges takes their last bite out of life.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the groom, seeing Hannah get married should be a sweet treat to end this round of Series-ous Reading right:

Thankful for a Library Haul

 

With the holidays fast approaching, it feels like there’s not enough time to prepare for them as well as enjoy the delights of the season to boot.

However, getting something good to read is as important as finding the ideal vegetables for your Thanksgiving side dishes(my mom is a rutabaga fan)so a library trip combined with a little grocery shopping was fruitful on both counts.

The first book on my to-be-borrowed pile was Lucy Foley’s  The Guest List, which I had tried to read in ebook form last year but it was too popular a library loan to have for long.

The story is set on an island, where celebrity couple Will Slater and Julia Keegan are having their big wedding. The occasion is fraught with tension already from jealous members of the wedding party, not to mention a mysterious note given to the bride warning her about the groom , before a murder is announced during the reception.

The fact the Irish island where this wedding is taking place was formerly best known as the site of a gruesome massacre doesn’t inspire much confidence among the still living attendees. Can those who remain survive long enough to discover the killer in their midst?

This book happens to be a Reese Witherspoon book club selection and I tend to like many of those page turning picks of hers. Also, TGL has been favorably compared to the Agatha Christie classic, And There Were None, which adds some extra sinister spice to the party mix indeed:

The next novel that caught my eye was That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron. 

The title lady is Jennie Jerome Churchill, the mother of historic British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Well before he was born, Jennie was making a name for herself in more ways than one.

Jennie was an American heiress(one of those Edith Wharton style “buccaneers “)  who married Lord Randolph Churchill and became a very well received society wife, eager to advance her husband’s political career.

As time went on, it was clear to her that she was in a marriage of connivance and in order to find true affection, Jennie had to look elsewhere. That pursuit of passion did not affect her determination to advance the goals that her husband and then later on, her son had in mind to make the world a better place.

I’ve read several of Barron’s Jane Austen Mystery books and really liked them, so that alone makes this worth a try. Plus, this story sounds like a good way to learn a bit more about Jennie Churchill, a woman who seemed to know how to make the best of things while staying true to herself:

To round this library stack off, I went with A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle, one of the books in her Fixer-Upper Mystery series.

Shannon Hammer is well known for her home renovation skills along with her knack for solving murders but her sister Chloe is more of a household name due to her popular show on the Home Builders Network.

When Chloe and her film crew come to their hometown of Lighthouse Cove for some special episodes, Shannon is happy to see her sister again after being ten years apart from each other.

 Yet, despite Chloe’s seemingly successful life, there are some hidden tensions and secrets that threaten to be revealed when her executive producer Bree is found as dead as a door nail.

Can Shannon use both sides of her toolbox to help her sister out of this sticky situation or is Chloe painted into a deadly corner with no way out?

Over this past year, I have become a fan of Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mysteries titles(reading one as we speak at the moment) and thought that checking out her other cozy mystery series would be fun. 

Also, some of these books have been turned into Hallmark Channel movies and this gives me good reason to watch a couple of them before the new year begins:

While I must confess to not having finished all of the books from my last library haul(the Stephen King book was read quickly) but I do have higher hopes for this TBR pile.

Mostly, I’m thankful to be able to visit my local library on a regular basis and that we still have the right to read freely, a right that is being challenged more and more these days. Things are bad enough as it is without simple minded folk attempting to force their particular brand  of narrow thinking upon all of society.

Hopefully, a celebration such as Thanksgiving can unite us in focusing on what positive energy we can bring to the collective dinner table as well as set up more chairs for others to join in and contribute to the mutual bounty. 

So, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and/or Friendsgiving to relax, have a great meal and spend a little time with your loved ones, perhaps watching a classic or sharing a fine read: