On June 1st I picked up from Crandall Library the first book on my Twenty Books of Summer List, and as of late this afternoon, am over halfway through this fascinating novel by Mieko Kawakami.
I don't know why I started with this news, because the issue most pressing on my brain is that Blogger is not letting me reply to comments. No biggie, but I've got to be able to reply! So, while I try to figure out the issue, I'll reply to each blogger who left comments at the end of this post.
In fact, why don't I do this right now? Just to let you know, I have missed all of you so much.
Tracy, I have not read any of the books in The Alexandria Quartet by Durrell. I must check your blog posts about them to see what you thought. And jury duty, no less! I hope your summer will give you more time for reading, without interruption, except for your garden and summer fun, that is.
Cath, I'm fascinated that you have read The Serpent Pool by Martin Edwards. Did you enjoy Martin Edwards's The Lake District mysteries? I have simply marveled over the first three. I love the fact that one of the main "sleuths" is an historian and I really like his character, and love his detective counterpoint as well. A great match. Great stories! And an incomparable setting! Gosh--have got to look up your list of 20!
Diane, Yes, indeedy, I envision that more than one or two books will have to be substituted. Very tricky! Ragnar Jonasson's book was scheduled to be released in April, now pushed forward to June 28th. In any case, I've been following your reading and we seem to always be intrigued by many of the same authors and titles. I will look forward to your summer reading adventure. Too bad there's not a Joyce Maynard book on the roster this summer. She's on the cusp just like us!! (Celebrating mine tomorrow with a trip to the only bookstore within 60 miles of me--Barnes and Noble in Saratoga Springs.)
Cleo, I've been meaning to read The God of Small Things for at least 3 years now--time to get on with it, and will be a great counterpoint to the others I'm reading. I must check out your list now. Have a great reading adventure this summer!
Happy Birthday Judith, I hope it's a special day!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
DeleteFinally! Comment Replies are working! Yes, I had a great day. Barnes & Noble magazine and book browsing, shopping for favorite foods, and a beautiful weather day. Saved time at the end of the day for reading!
OH, sorry I meant to add. I cannot leave comments on Blogger using my iPad or iPhone or Safari on my MAC. I have to use Google - annoying but, doable.
ReplyDeleteJudith, I am sorry you are having problems with commenting and blogger. I know how frustrating that must be. I hope you get it worked out.
ReplyDeleteMy experience with the books in the Alexandria Quartet has been good but they are challenging reads. I may have difficulty reviewing them. I will be starting the fourth book soon.
Tracy, Comments is now working, finally. I didn't do anything. See my reply to you below.
DeleteHi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what I did, but I'm able to post a reply to you right now. I can understand worrying about reviewing a series of books, but I'd be interested to know what you liked or admired, or maybe what was different for you in reading these books, and if you would recommend them.
Thanks for sympathizing with my Comments problem.
I had wondered how I would approach a review of sorts and you have given me some ideas. I will be summarizing what I think about the first three in my post on books read in May, and then I will probably do a post for all four when I have read the fourth one.
DeleteI'll look forward to hearing more about this series.
DeleteYes, I did like Martin Edwards' Lake District series, very much, but he seems to have stopped writing those now, sadly. Busy with all sorts of other writing projects... editing the BLCC anthologies, his Rachel Savernake series and non-fiction about e Golden Age of Crime authors. Actually I've just checked and there is a new Lake District instalment now. Sorry for misleading you! LOL
ReplyDeleteYes, Martin Edwards has been much more than busy lately. I, too, spotted that surprisingly enough, yet another book in the series has recently been published. I'm glad. I hate to see the curtains go down on a beloved series, don't you?
DeleteYes, I do. Several years ago I asked him about the series on his blog and he did say he wasn't 'quite' finished with it but it was on the backburner so to speak. I like to think that my asking him about him spurred him on to either get started on the new one or finish it. (Probably not. ;-)) I did read the first of his Rachel Savernake books and thought it was quite good, but I like the Lake District ones better.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your question about the future of the series made an impact, and I imagine you were not alone in expressing this to him. So glad you spoke up! Voice(s) do count!
ReplyDeleteI have a set of the Quartet books on my shelves and read one or two year ago. I'd like to start over and read them all in order. Have a fun summer.
ReplyDelete