JUNE READS

[rapa]

Thoroughly enjoyed Khaled Hosseni's AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED. 

Tried reading Nora Robert's WHISKEY BEACH next.  It didn't hold my attention and didn't care for any of the characters except, maybe, Grandmother Hester. I like being able to relate to either a person, place or situation at least in some small way.

Now reading Jo Nesbo's THE REDEEMER.  WOW!  The Salvation Army plays a major role in the story. This book is a Harry Hole thriller.  So hold on to your seat belts!!!

What's everyone else reading or are you taking a reading vacation? 

[Carolyn Tewell]

Rapa - I was going to nag you about starting the June Reads...thought about starting the topic myself - but everyone knows you better.  I did finally get a copy of A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchey - enjoyed it for sure and perfect companion for weekend camping - each visitor to the Hotel like a short story so could pick up/put down easily especially the Large Print edition (finding my reading glasses while camping in the Deep Woods is frustrating) How can I misplace so much stuff in a 250 square foot RV is beyond my understanding?

Made a listing/log of all the Harry Bosch mysteries - starting back in mid-90's.  Many I missed somehow along the way.  Almost done with The Concrete Blond. Writer is Michael Connelly.

Worked the Book Sale at local library last Wednesday - bought a bunch of AudioBooks and some non-fiction Optimal Aging and political stuff.  Enough to keep me going for a month.

Lean In - another non-fiction - can see that semi-retirement has removed the WOW FACTOR for business books.  But younger women in the business world could learn some important lessons for sure.

Nora Roberts - not a fan, Rapa.  I have several books on hold but our Library seems very bizzy - so have to be patient - they will probably all arrive at the same time.  We have a large population of Amish - they depend greatly on the Library since TV and other electronic diversions are not allowed.

Gloomy and rainy here in NE OHIO - a good day to curl up on the couch with a book.~mlogal

[Carci]

rapa, I too was waiting for this post and considered starting it myself.  Glad to have it back since it seems to be very quiet in Bookoholics lately and the monthly reading usually spurs some discussion.

I ended May with 2 novels of Maine game warden Mike Bowditch by author Paul Doiron.  They remind me of the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box but Mike is younger and single... so there is a bit of spice thrown in as well.

Then in early June I turned to the Tahoe series by Todd Borg and enjoyed the first 2 books except for the convoluted ending on each of them.  He is an excellent writer with a lot of wit and a big dog (a 170 lb. harlequin Great Dane named Spot) in these novels so that is an added attraction for me but I wish he'd come up with more reasonable endings... but I guess that's why it's called "fiction"...  lol.

After 4 outdoor mysteries I decided I needed a break and read a fluffly romance on my Kindle with one of the worst endings ever... YUK! I won't even mention the title or author.

Now I am half way through Trespasser, another in the  Mike Bowditch series and while Mike can't seem to keep out of trouble, I suspect he will solve the mystery eventually.

I guess these are good summer reads... ;)

[Flowergram]

Not as much time to read in the summer - too much going on but since reruns run the TV I can get a lot in the evening.  I read the first Paul Doiron and will finish his list - good writer and love the outdoor descriptions of Maine. Also in May read more Louise Penney books and someone here gave me Michael Koryta -have read 2 of his so far and liked them enough to give to a friend and she loves both authors.  Have 2 Michael Landay books waiting at the library - my cup is running full and over.  Thanks to all for suggestions.  Keep up the good work.

[Carci]

flower... tried to find Michael Landay on fantastic fiction and at the library... no such author... (spelling?)

[Flowergram]

Sorry Carcy is not Michael is William Landay ( he wrote Defending Jacob)  took me a while to get back to his first books. Defending Jacob was a deeply depressing book - guessed where it all was leading and darned if it didn't.  Will see if I like his previous books better - he is a good writer.

[Mandy Muffin]

This month has seen me borrowing my first E-book from my local library.   I am finishing up "An Uncommon Appeal of Clouds" by Alexander McCall Smith in which the mystery of a stolen painting is investigated amid other life issues that confront philosopher turned detective, Elizabeth Dalhousie.  I hope to be using this source of free E-books for a very long time.  You are allowed to borrow up to 10 books at a time. 

I just finished another novel that I got from my free Amazon Prime library.  "War Brides" by Helen Bryant tells of the living conditions in Britain during WWII and traces 5 women who found themselves consumed with espionage plots, twists and turns in their romantic relationships and a struggle to make it from day to day in midst of bombings and potential invasion.  One of the group actually goes in behind enemy lines as a spy. 

Also this month I read "The Light Between Oceans" by Stedman and wallowed in the Australian culture (I spent a month there once) and the mysterious life of the Lighthouse Keeper and his wife.  There is no question in my mind that this a must read recommendation as it is among the best novels I have read in quite some time.  I got through the story in about a day and a half.  The angst is almost unbearable. 

I also read "The Hound of the Baskervilles" as the local library was running a promotion that included a 1000 piece picture puzzle.  The puzzle is still on the coffee table. 

[officerripley]

I like the Todd Borg "Tahoe" mysteries also; looking forward to the newest one, Tahoe Chase.  I just finished up the latest Longmire mystery, A Serpent's Tooth, by Craig Johnson; excellent as usual.  (Does anyone here watch the Longmire tv series on the A&E channel?  I wasn't sure if it'd do the books justice or not but it's pretty good; I like the books better, of course being the bookworm I am, lol.)

[Flowergram]

I love the Longmire series and of course, the books are always better.  The characters are portrayed pretty well on tv except for Lou Diamond Phillips does not fit the books description but he does a great job of acting the part. 

[tnbopeep]

Lots of good sounding books listed - I'm retired - why don't I have more reading time? That's how it was supposed to work!

For some reason I decided to re-read the "In Death" series. I should have known better, I kind of let everything go to pot when I get immersed in those things. I'm also reading a historical piece (I hear you screaming Barb) that I got free from Nook. It's Sacred Treason by James Forrester. It takes place in England in the 1500's & deals with the conflict between Catholic & Church of England. Much violence as was sort of the case back then. This is the first in a series - that's why Nook gives me these free books - so I'll get hooked & then BUY the rest of the series. Clever.......

 

[Mandy Muffin]

Just started "The Round House" by Louise Erdrich.  First few pages got me hooked on this story of life among Native Americans.  Next is "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis, as it starts off in Philadelphia, a city where I made my home many years ago.  It was a free library E-Book borrowing.  After that I have "Don't Say a Word" by Barbara Freethy lined up.  The book was recently in the top ten of the USA Today listing. 

[Lip Service]

I have just finished "Don't say a Word" and liked it. It is a quick light read.

Would be interested to hear your take on it

[Ioruach]

I just finished The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner and before that, Good People by Ewart Hutton. I enjoyed both.  Gardner, of course, has been around awhile and has written several crime novels, most featuring Detective Sergeant D.D. Warren.  Hutton is new and Good People is his first novel, which was also, I must say, a very "good" book.  I'm looking forward to his new novel titled Dead People.