Thursday, November 21, 2024

Reading Roundup - Autumn


Since I've been participating in Nonfiction November and I really cannot seem to do more than one post per week, and even that is a challenge, I have a slew of wonderful books read that demand a comment or two.

Persuasion, by Jane Austen - This time I read the annotated version, with an introduction by David Morrison, and really enjoyed both the novel and the notes. I have said that I don't like annotated versions, but this one worked for me. A perfect Autumn read, and I think it just might be my favorite Austen novel.


We Solve Murders, by Richard Osman - first novel in what promises to be a new series by the author of the immensely popular Thursday Murder Club mysteries. It was bit slow going for the first third, but then the pace picked up and it turned out to be terrific. Basic idea is that a young woman (Amy) and her father-in-law (Steve) are best buds and team up to solve a series of murders and end up deciding to open a detective agency. He is a retired cop, and she is a professional bodyguard. They are funded by a best-selling author who craves excitement, and there is a motley assembly of secondary characters who are all good company. Osman's sense of humor is spot on for me, and the scenarios he creates, while pretty far-fetched and complicated, are also interesting, entertaining, and logical to a point.


The Lover of No Fixed Abode, by Carlo Fruttero and Franco Lucentini (Gregory Dowling, translator) - set in Venice, a rich, restless Roman princess falls in love with a mysterious tour guide, and while you might be thinking this is a sappy, feel-good romance (ala Roman Holiday), it is so much more. Not until at least two-thirds, maybe even three-quarters, into the book do you get the idea that Mr. Silvera is not simply a tour guide. I don't believe I am giving away too much of the twist of the novel to say that this is the most intriguing time travel book that I have ever read. And it's not really time travel but more about the elasticity of the time/space continuum. There is Jewish folklore and Christian mythology tied up along with an intimate voyage into the heart and magic of Venice. Booking my trip for 2025 now!


The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon - I absolutely loved Lawhon's Code Name Helene, from a few years ago, and this latest novel by the author was another 5-star read for me. Based on the diary of Martha Ballard, a Maine midwife in the late 18th century, the story has a murder mystery at its heart, but I loved it for the depiction of the life of a family and a community. In so many ways, Martha and her story reminded me of Claire in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. While Martha is not a time-traveler, the fictional Martha created by Lawhon shares her outspokenness, her insistence on truth and justice, her fierce love and protection of her extended family, her dedication to her profession and her desire to heal, both physically and emotionally. I love visiting Maine, and it was such a treat to read about its early days when the USA was brand new.


The Comfort of Ghosts, by Jacqueline Winspear - the final book in the absolutely wonderful Maisie Dobbs series. It was a beautiful rounding of the story, tying up loose ends, and connecting threads from the earliest novels together in a meaningful and satisfactory ending. I am sorry that there will be no more adventures with Maisie, but I do love to reread so I will happily visit with her from time to time.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogging friends. Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy that second slice of pie!




10 comments:

  1. Persuasion is one of my favs, too. And I'm glad to know you enjoyed The Frozen River so much. I keep seeing the cover everywhere, and it's gotten me curious. I hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving next week! :D

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    1. Loved The Frozen River--the cover is very enticing!

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  2. Hi Jane,

    The Lover of No Fixed Abode I want to read. It sounds mysterious and I like time travel books and if the time travel is the middle ages that would fit my challenge
    Hope you have a great Thanksgiving and stay warm!

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    1. I have a funny story about actually getting the book--not available through my library, even ILL. So I went onto the website of the Boulder Bookstore, and it said they had it in stock. I went to buy it, and searched all the fiction stacks...nothing. I asked for help, and 30 minutes later the clerk found it misplaced in the overstock section (it was their only copy). Thank goodness he was diligent!

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  3. I always wondered what your favorite Austen novel is... and now I know. I consider you our community's Austen expert. :-) And I'm very glad for your review of The Frozen River because I've had that on my list nearly all year and I still haven't gotten to it. Your favorable review gives me more impetus to get to it. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    1. I usually say that my favorite Austen is the one I am currently reading or just finished, but Persuasion really is special. My JASNA bookclub is reading Emma next year, so be prepared for me to say Emma is my favorite! The Frozen River is a perfect winter book--very atmospheric.

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  4. Oh. I missed that the final Maisie Dobbs novel was published. I'm all caught up in the series, so I definitely want to read the last one. It will be sad to have no more new stories. There are moments when a Maisie Dobbs novel is exactly what I want and nothing else will quite do it for me.

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    1. I agree--Maisie is just so comfortable to be around.

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  5. I'm finally trying to catch up with some blog reading. The annotated edition of Persuasion really worked for me, too, when I read it over the summer. I remember reading the annotations at the end of each chapter so it didn't take me out of the story so much. I've decided to try another annotated Austen in 2025.

    I bought Code Name Helene during a kindle daily deal after reading your rave review. Still haven't gotten to it yet - 2025, for sure! I'll hold off on The Frozen River until I do, but my mother and sisters all loved that one, too.

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    1. Ariel Lawhon is fast becoming a favorite author! I just ordered another of her earlier books from my local book store, Flight of Dreams, about the Hindenburg. Hope you enjoy both Code Name Helene and Frozen River.

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