All is well here, but allergies have been rampant around our house. My husband's progressed into some sinus issues and then a cough that he is still struggling to get rid of. Mine have just involved sinus headaches and nosebleeds. I've certainly had the sinus issues, but I've rarely had the nosebleed problems. That's more the realm of my husband and daughter. Anyway, we're about back to normal and are grateful that we've escaped the flu or other illness.
I finished three more books and they are:
Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea - I liked this one quite a lot and see that there will be a second book with the same characters, Rory Moore and Lane Phillips, coming out the in summer. Rory is an interesting character who reconstructs cold cases with a lot of skill. Her partner used to work for the FBI and he is a psychologist. Pretty dark, but I was satisfied with it.
One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus - This is the sequel to the YA mystery, One of Us is Lying, which I read and talked about here. We're back at Bayview High School and there is another game in play. I had fun reading this one too.
In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen - Our mystery group is having 'Rhys Bowen' month for February and I enjoyed a read/listen of this book set in WWII. It reminded me very much of several Foyle's War episodes that I loved. Totally got into this one and liked it very much.
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Right now I'm doing read/listens of the Truly Devious books by Maureen Johnson. The first one is Truly Devious (which I just finished - a reread for me that I talked about here), the second is The Vanishing Stair (reading now), and the third just came out - The Hand on the Wall. I'm so excited to have the full trilogy to get through. Quite an absorbing YA mystery set.
I'm also slowly reading the new Oprah pick - American Dirt. I'll have more to say about that one and how the afternoon book group that I attend got selected to participate in Oprah's book stuff. Well, I say I'll share more - we'll see how it all plays out. The Austin Public Library was selected to be part of the Oprah thing and our book group got picked to be the 'face of' the APL 'Oprah Book Group'. More to come here because we're not sure what it entails except reading it and discussing as usual. Lots of controversy about the book now and so who knows what will happen. My understanding is the author's book tour has been affected. In any case, I think our discussion will be interesting. Jury's still out on what I think about the book.
I have a couple of Rhys Bowen books on my Kindle, The Victory Garden and The Tuscan Child. Hoping to get to them soon.
ReplyDeleteSam at Book Chase has been involved in a long running saga about American Dirt. I'd not heard of it before that so will be interested to hear what you think.
Sorry to hear you and your husband have been so unwell, Kay. I can sympathise with sinus problems, nasty. Pleased to hear things are improving anyway.
Thanks for your kind words, Cath. There are certain pollen and mold issues in our area that always make this time of year a challenge. And it's been a banner year in the pollen category - records set, etc. I think you would like In Farleigh Field. American Dirt - well, we'll see how it all plays out.
DeleteI hope y'all are back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteI've read American Dirt and it's certainly compelling. I've been following all the controversy and am still mulling things around in my mind.
Thanks for the well wishes, Kathy. Yes, I've read a bit of the stuff about American Dirt and opinions. I will say that the story is compelling. We'll see how it all shakes out in the future. I guess in some ways any publicity is good publicity (or so they say).
DeleteCool that your group was selected for Oprah's thing (whatever that may be, but it's Oprah so it must be good). I still need to read One of Us is Lying, Hope you get the allergies taken care of and continue to stay healthy otherwise. There have been lots of schools that closed up here on Friday because so many kids had called off sick!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. The schools here have been overrun with ill people and we've had an extraordinary year with cedar pollen levels. Many people who move to this area don't realize that they might be sensitive to it or don't become so for a year or two. Then they have no idea what's going on. Ah well. I've dealt with it all my life. I just love it when spring comes and the cedar pollen disappears again.
DeleteI think you'd like One of Us is Lying. It was good on audio.
Glen and I have been having allergy problems lately, but none as severe as yours or your husbands. I sympathize.
ReplyDeleteI do have a copy of In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen and I just need to get around to reading it this year.
Tracy, I think you'd like In Farleigh Field. I'm hoping that some others chose that one to read. I'll certainly be recommending it. Thanks for the well wishes.
DeleteI loved that Rhys Bowen! I like her mysteries but I've really enjoyed her historical fiction lately. I'm sorry to hear about the allergies - especially the nosebleeds. I've never really gotten them either but they seem awful. Enjoy your reading and so curious to hear more about the Oprah selection.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you liked In Farleigh Field as well. Yes, she's really done well with her standalone historical books. I'll try to update about the Oprah thing if there's any news to share. I can at least tell about how the book discussion went. We'll be having it the 3rd week of this month.
DeleteAllergies and the flu are miserable to have to deal with. Hope both of you are all better soon. January was a strange month for me but, I did enjoy some good books along the way. Here's to a better and healthier February for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Diane. I deal with this allergy thing each year and have all my life. However, this year has seen very high levels of pollen. Some years are like that. Plus the flu stuff, but my allergies are nowhere near as bad as flu. Glad we've avoided that.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your allergy problems and nosebleeds. I can't remember the last time I had one. It had to have been when I was a child. My daughter used to get them ALL the time when she was younger and I'm sure it was due to seasonal allergies. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI nominated American Dirt for a book club selection this year and I'm pretty sure it won, so we'll be reading it sometime in 2020. I nominated it before all the controversy made the news, but I probably would have kept with the nomination. I'm sure it will make for a lively discussion!
I agree that the discussion is likely to be lively. I think this book will suit the afternoon group. They are very fond of 'issue' books, whatever that might mean. More about all this after our meeting.
DeleteAmerican Dirt was high on my TBR list but with all the controversy my interest has waned a bit. Still I think I would like to read it and that way decide what I think about. Sorry to hear about all the allergies/sinus issues. What a pain! Can't wait to hear how everything goes with your book group!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so tired of the allergies. It's like this every year for me. Think that's part of why spring is my favorite season. As to the book group - more to come after our meeting.
DeleteI feel super bad for the American Dirt author - I understand why people are upset and I'm no fan of how the book came to be either but to target the author feels like a low-blow. In any case, I don't know if I'd be eager to attend a discussion or not. After reading some very insensitive comments lately, I'm never sure what to expect when someone shares their opinion. It feels like the 2016 election all over again. That said, I am very eager to read what you thought of the book and how the discussion turns out to be.
ReplyDeleteAlso, glad you all are back to normal and didn't get the flu. I wonder if more people are sick this year or if it's just my imagination.
DeleteI'm not sure if more people are sick this year or if we're just always finding out about 'newsworthy' things - and everything seems to be newsworthy these days. Kind of exhausting in a way. Of course, that doesn't include the illness that has come out of China.
DeleteI'll say that I've also felt bad for the author of American Dirt. However, publicity seems to sell things - is it still a saying that there is no bad publicity. I did hear for sure that her book tour had been cancelled because of threats to her physical well-being. I'll say one more thing - had a friend say recently that she is rather weary of being told to be 'outraged' over everything under the sun. One thing and then another. Not that the things are not valid or that we shouldn't be aware, but she says she gets a headache over being told to be upset every moment of her life. This is an older friend and I do sympathize and agree to some extent. Me, I just want to escape into books - books that I want to spend time in. ;-)
I'm glad you've avoided the flu, but sorry to hear about allergy and sinus issues. We've been pretty healthy so far this winter... almost hate to say anything and jinx it!
ReplyDeleteI'll be very interested to hear what your book club thinks about American Dirt and how the discussion goes. Everyone seemed to love the book pre-release before the controversy erupted. I caught part of an interview on NPR yesterday that had a segment with Latinx critics and another with the author. The author was very subdued and admitted that she made some bad decisions about what was included in the authors note, spoke about the "insensitive" floral arrangements, etc. The critics felt some things in the book proved she was unfamiliar with basic aspects of the culture. I'm not even sure which program I was listening to, but will try to find it today and listen to the whole thing. I'll probably still read the book, though maybe not until all the controversy dies down. There's just too much of that with everything else happening in this country...
Yes, I agree with what you say here. I'm reading it, but honestly not enjoying like I might have. It's a thought-provoking book or the topic certainly is. That being said, it's heavy-emotional and I'm glad to be aware of things, but it's a little tough to go down the thought trails of what could actually occur. We'll see what the group thinks as a whole regarding the actual writing and the way this story plays out.
DeleteThe tour has been cancelled. Did you read the Book Chase blog posts about this book?
ReplyDeleteI have not, but I'll make a point of doing that. I will say that these days there always seems to be controversy of some kind with authors and what they write or how they write or what they don't write or who gets nominated for awards or who doesn't or....you see what I mean.
DeleteDuring the show my daughter was in everyone was sick. I pumped her fill of Elderberry syrup, the new, hip immunity thing and it worked. But right afterward I stopped giving it to her because it's pricey and she got hit with cold. Just a cold though. I'm glad you guys are feeling better because nastiness is all around.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Dirt. I was so anxious to read it. Now, not so much but I still will if my library hold ever comes in.
Glad your daughter's illness wasn't worse. Yes, lots of sickness all over. As to American Dirt, well, I'm about halfway now. As I said, jury still out...
DeleteYou enjoyed Some Choose Darkness!!! Awesome - I did as well. I didn't realize that there was going to be another book featuring these characters. I'm super excited to hear that! We've been battling all kinds of illness it feels like lately. I love winter but I'm ready for fresh air and less germs :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I did enjoy Some Choose Darkness and was excited to see he's using those characters again. I don't think he's done that in the past. Anyway, I'll watch for the new one later this year. I'm ready for spring - so very ready...
DeleteHow cool that your book group is the chosen one! I'll be interested to hear not just what everyone thinks about AMERICAN DIRT, but about what being Oprah's face means :)
ReplyDeleteOur discussion is on the 18th, so it will be a bit before I can report in.
DeleteHow interesting about the Oprah book club and your group being the face of...
ReplyDeleteAlthough now with all the controversy, who knows how it will all settle out. Ha!
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