I just finished Every Last One by Anna Quindlen very early this morning. I had only been reading typical simple summer fiction for the past few months and when I finished the last one, I noticed this in my very large “to read” pile. I love her writing and couldn’t put it down once I started it, finishing in less than 36 hours. I won’t say much about the plot because it’s the type of book that in doing so, too much is given away. Her prose is beautiful, as always, and I felt, as always, that I’d love to be quoting it to someone as I read. Like most of her books, it’s a story about a family and the dynamics, evident and not, in their everyday lives.
I am reading Ursula Hegi’s Children and Fire, which is excellent. I had managed to avoid reading Stones in the River or any of her other books, so it’s a real treat to “discover” her.
This is a short, poetic novel about a twenty-something teacher in a small-town Catholic boys’ school in Germany, on the first anniversary of the Reichstag fire (and Hitler’s assumption of emergency dictatorial powers). She is an interesting, multi-faceted character: intelligent, a critical thinker, liberal, unprejudiced, egotistical and a little spoiled, a skilled natural teacher but also very thoughtful and intentional about what she does, and nevertheless actively collaborating with the Nazi regime without ever acknowledging the depths of her moral compromises or the effect of her doubts about her own racial purity. The novel is serious and sad without being heavy-handed at all. Not the least a chore to read, lovely and engaging like its protagonist despite the grim end that hangs over everything.
Thank you to those who recommended The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. Both H and I enjoyed it.
I discovered Michael Connelly recently, and I’ve now read all of his Mickey Haller books (Lincoln Lawyer, Brass Verdict, Reversal, Fifth Witness). They are great for summer reading - gripping plots, and much better writing than Grisham’s. (I’ve read a couple of Grisham books and haven’t liked them.) Glad to find fellow fans here.
I also read Echo Park, one of his Harry Bosch books. It was good, but not as good as the Haller books. I think he has over a dozen HB books.
Does anyone here like mysteries?
I read mysteries - right now I am reading Aaron Elkins.
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I haven’t heard of him, Emeraldkity. One more author to put on my list (I’ve put quite a few from this thread on my library waiting list - I’m #1 for Water for Elephants.)
NYmomof2, I went through a long mystery period. It is great to find a writer you like who has endless books and more to come. My favorite is Patricia Cornwall’s(sp) series with the coroner. As with most of these authors who write endless books, they tend to lose their quality. Another favorite is the female detective who lives in Chicago. There are also the alphabet murders, the one with the Minnesota detective (that author died and a pseudo is still writing books under his name). I like both the Kellermans’ series. The HB’s also.
I could never get into any of the British authors, of which there are many. If Agatha Christie is British, I do like her. What about the James Clavell books about the east, Shogun, etc.?
I loved the early Patricia Cornwall books, not the later ones. I also love Sarah Paretsky (Chicago female detective) and Sue Grafton (alphabet). Who is the Minnesota detective?
I’ve read all of Jonathan Kellerman’s books, don’t like Faye Kellerman’s as much.
I like Elizabeth George, although a few of her books are bad, and Martha Grimes. One of my favorites is Emma Lathen (no longer writing; wonderful financial mysteries, witty and clever).
P. D. James - great British mystery writer. I’ve read most of hers, going back decades. I recently read Andrew Taylor’s very creepy Roth Trilogy (The Four Last Things, Judgment of Strangers, Office of the Dead). I didn’t think the last one was quite as good as the others but the series was a unique portrayal of the making of a sociopathic personality.
Among American writers, I really like Laura Lippman’s stand-alone mysteries (What the Dead Know, Every Secret Thing, etc.)- not her detective series (Tess Monaghan) as much.
Aaron Elkins is a local guy- his main protagonist is a forensic anthropologist who " just happens" to be in Italy, or the UK or the Amazon… so there is a lot of soaking up another culture.
He also has written a few books where the main character is a Seattle Art Museum curator specializing in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
I like his books along with Dorothy Sayers and a few others because they have very limited violence which I don’t have a strong stomach for.
Agatha Christie was British as many other mystery writers that I like. Besides Sayers, Minette Walters, Josephine Tey, Sarah Caudwell, Reginald Hill are all very good.
“Hamlet, Revenge!” is a super British mystery by Michael Innes that was written in 1937.
Prey series, John Sanford
Mystery fan here. Have read all of Michael Connelly–I like both Bosch and Mickey Haller. Recently watched the Lincoln Lawyer movie–didn’t think it did justice to the book.
Currently reading the most recent of Donna Leon’s Brunetti series. They’re great. Learned about them here on CC.
I’ll read fluff (mysteries) and alternate with more serious fiction or non-fiction. After I finish Leon, I’m going to read Room for one of my book groups. Also read The Peabody Sisters by Megan Marshall. Biography of Sophia, Elizabeth, and Mary Peabody for my second book group. Sophia was married to Nathaniel Hawthorne and Mary was the wife of Horace Mann. Elizabeth, who was the most famous, was a writer, advocate for early childhood education, an essayist, and translator. (Miss Birdseye in James’ The Bostonians is based on Elizabeth.) The author focuses on the tension that all three faced as strong, educated woman living at a time when the domestic life was what prescribed for woman. It’s long, but if you’re interested in New England during the time of the Transcendentalists you’d enjoy this book.
parent1986, if it’s John Sandford you’re referring to as one who has died, that’s not true. John Roswell Camp who has always written under the pen name of John Sandford is very much alive.
As for mysteries, Kathy Reich’s books are usually pretty entertaining.
I loved Patricia Cornwell’s early Kay Scarpetta books but her recent ones have been very disappointing.
I couldn’t agree more. The early Scarpetta books were great. At this point, it’s as if she can’t stop the series and has to come up with new plot that’s even more bizarre than the previous ones. I also hate, hate, hate how the characters have evolved–Luci, Benton, and Marino. They’re almost as whacko as the bad guys.
I stopped reading her a while back when the characters got too wacky. I stopped liking Kay, and as far as the rests of them, well, yikes! I like Kathy Reich, but never watched Bones because I already had a clear idea of the characters in my mind and didn’t want them to be TV-ified.
I took a break with Elizabeth George when you-know-who died, but I thought the last one was pretty good, though I do wish she would stop torturing Barbara. couldn’t something good happen to her some time???
I liked Grafton till about, R or S, then they finally petered off for me.
I like Kathy Reich, but never watched Bones because I already had a clear idea of the characters in my mind and didn’t want them to be TV-ified.
I haven’t read her books, but Bones is a great show.
alwaysamom#1354:
“I heard that John Sandford died recently. Is this true?
No. The rumor (probably) started when Lawrence Sanders died in 1997. Sanders wrote in a the same subset of thriller fiction as John Sandford, and the names were close enough that it caused some confusion.
Later, in 2005, Christian minister and author John A. Sanford died, and the rumors started again.
As of this writing (September of 2010), John Sandford is 66 years old and in good health.” somewhere online
Can’t remember where I heard of his death. Thanks to everyone who recommended more mystery reads.
Just finished Swamplandia, based on someone’s rec here. For the first 3rd or so, I wasn’t that into it, and almost put it down as being too “out there.” Then I really got into the characters and their separate adventures. I liked it a lot.
Mommusic-think that was me–glad you liked it!