.

.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Early morning skies and more new reading...

Good morning book friends!  I've got two early morning sky pictures to share with you today.  I'm really enjoying my early walks and trying to find beautiful things to capture on my phone.  These shots are what I have for this week.  I will say that I am still adjusting to Blogger's new way of composing posts.  It seems every time I work on one, something new has changed.  This week it was the placement of the pictures.  I know several of you have been frustrated with that.  Oh well.  I'll try to not let it bug me too much.  All is well at our house.  We got a little rain, which was much needed.  However, it is summer and we're moving into a drier period I'm afraid.  

My reading has been good and I managed a couple of books this week.  As I think I've shared, my audiobook listening has been books that I've already read in print.  I'm enjoying them, but am not feeling inclined to talk about them here.  The first book I finished this last week was Kate White's Have You Seen Me? - a standalone thriller.  I've read other books by Kate White and liked them.  This one was another that I liked, but didn't love.  I'm not sure what it is about her stories.  I do like them, but I probably wouldn't put them on any of my 'favorites' lists.  In this book, Ally Linden finds herself dripping wet at the door of her office and the company where she works - or so she thinks.  It turns out that Ally has not worked there for five years and she can't remember anything about the last couple of days.  Ally's quest to discover what's going on in her life now and what happened to cause her memory loss is the main focus.  Dissociative disorder plays a part, which I found very interesting.  There were lots of twists and turns, but it was a book that I finished and thought - well, that's done, what's next?

I also finished Jane Casey's newest Maeve Kerrigan book and I loved this one.  Well, I think I've loved all the books in this series.  The Cutting Place is the 9th book and we are again solving crimes with DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent, plus other assorted characters that we've come to love or loathe.
Maeve finds herself investigating a gentlemen's club after a body is found in the river and the story is very timely in many ways.  Women and choices, men and choices, immigrants and choices, domestic violence and choices, friendship, family, ruthless behavior, kindness and love.  All these appear.  Did I say that I loved this book and I love this series?  If you've not ever tried Jane Casey's books, the first one is The Burning.  A highly recommended series.

Our mystery group had our August virtual meeting last night and we talked about David Baldacci's Long Road To Mercy.  Everyone seemed to like the book and several had gone ahead and read the second book in the series.  The third book will come out in November and I'll be watching for it.  We also shared news of upcoming books by authors that we've loved and shared favorite mystery authors with a couple of newer members that requested that.  Each of us was happy to 'help' them out and add to their TBR list.  Ha!   

I'm currently reading Sycamore Row by John Grisham for my afternoon book club's August meeting in a couple of weeks.  It's has been years and years since I read anything by Grisham.  Not sure why he fell off my 'must read' list, but he did.  This book is the second featuring Jake Brigance, the lawyer that's a main character in A Time To Kill.  I'm liking it so far.  And I'll be curious what others in this afternoon group think of the book.  They mostly like to read more issue-focused, literary, sort of 'depressing-all-the-time' types of books.  I don't say that to be negative, but what is a good match for a lot of the members isn't necessarily a good match for me.  We'll see how it goes.  

Take care everyone and have a good week!  Wear your masks!  Be sensible!  I'll see you soon!    

32 comments:

  1. Pretty skies, it’s winter here so most mornings are dull and overcast.
    I’ve had Jane Casey’s series on my TBR for a while, just not enough to time!

    Wishing you a great reading week

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shelly! Yes, I always forget that you guys have winter in our summer. The overcast is more pronounced here in the winter as well. If you get a chance to try Jane Casey's series, take it!

      Delete
  2. I have the Kate White one. I do most of my audio listening in bed so it can't be too intense. I'm not walking like before as my knee isn't happy when I do sadly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane, I am sorry about your knee. Hope it recovers better over time and you can go back to a walking plan. Good luck with White book. I'll be curious to see what you think.

      Delete
  3. Beautiful early morning photos, Kay!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely photos! I haven't switched over to the new Blogger yet, but I'm not looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck with the new Blogger. Maybe you'll be more tech-savvy than I am.

      Delete
  5. Beautiful shots of the morning sky, Kay! As far as the new Blogger, I've decided I better start using it before they take the old interface away at the end of the month. I had hoped they'd let us continue with the old, if we wanted to. :( We finally got some rain early this morning after a dry spell. Now the sun is shining and we got above 60 for a change. :) I loved A Time to Kill, so maybe I'll pick up Sycamore Row. Have a great weekend and stay safe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Les, I'm liking Sycamore Row quite a bit. I'm considering going back and rereading A Time to Kill because I don't really remember it very clearly. As to Blogger, I told my hubby about the 'try it' thing from the Blogger people and he said, anytime software people encourage you to try something new, be aware that changes are coming. Then he laughed. LOL

      Delete
  6. I was just looking over my book lists and I've only read two of the Jane Casey books. Good grief, I need to catch up. That is a wonderful series. So glad you are enjoying your early morning walks - look at those skies! You know I never could get into John Grisham. I wonder if I would like him now. Have a great weekend and let's hope Texas turns things around with those Covid numbers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read Grisham way back. I remember I read The Firm and just couldn't put it down. Had never read anything like it. I read each one that came out for several years, but somehow just got out of the habit. That's happened with lots of authors that I used to read. It's not that I stopped liking their books, I just found new authors and never went back.

      Delete
  7. I am having trouble with photo placement on new blogger also. Sometimes I dread doing a post. But you are right, I cannot let it bother me too much. We all have enough stress in our lives.

    I have planned to read that second Jake Brigance book but haven't gotten to it. I have heard so many bloggers lately saying how much they like the Jane Casey books and I have only read one. Some day I will look for more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I was playing with the pictures I decided that if they didn't do what I wanted I could either delete them or just leave them the way they were. Then I figured out what to do. I was leaning toward just leaving them where they were. As you say, silly to get stressed over that, right?

      I love those Jane Casey books. Maybe you'll get to them one day. I am enjoying Sycamore Row and considering going back and rereading A Time to Kill.

      Delete
  8. Love your pics! So pretty!
    I've been hearing lots of good things about Jane Casey's books so they must be good! I think I've the first book in my pile. Looks like I've a lot of catching up to do, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melody, Jane Casey's book are indeed good. However, they are a series so if that's tough for you to keep up with or read, don't stress about it. LOL

      Delete
  9. Glad you mentioned the new blogger. I thought it was something I did, when I looked at some older posts. It was good to go over people's favorites. It reminded me of some authors I really liked but fell out of my focus. Stay cool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, it's a new version of Blogger and I think it will be mandatory before long. Ah well. As I said, will not stress over that. Yes, I was glad to hear what others in the group suggested. Good reminders and I think she got some very good suggestions.

      Delete
  10. I'm still using Blogger's legacy interface because I don't like the new one. But I guess I'll have to figure it out at some point.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think you will have to switch or rather I think they will make you switch. Sorry about that. LOL

      Delete
  11. I'm with Lark. I can't handle Blogger's new format, so I'm sticking with the Legacy option. It's what I'm used to and I'm not big on change!

    I'm the same with Grisham. I liked his earlier books, with A TIME TO KILL being one of my favorites. He's fallen off my radar as well, although I read a book by him this year that was a huge snoozefest. So, I think I'm done with him, maybe for good. I could be enticed to read another Jack Brigance novel, though ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Um, I'm thinking you won't have a choice eventually Susan. We'll see. Updated software stuff is just the way it goes.

      I'm liking Sycamore Row quite a bit actually. It's not moving really fast, but that's OK. I'm enjoying the more sedate ride. And thinking about rereading A Time to Kill. I loved that book.

      Delete
  12. I'm sticking with Legacy as well. For as long as I can. I liked Sycamore Row! And of course, I liked The Cutting Place. :) Adding Kate White to my TBR list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they will make people go to the new interface at some point. Good luck with it if you decide to try it before that time. And good luck with Kate White, if you decide to try one of her books. She does a series, which I've not read, and then has done a bunch of standalone books. I'm liking Sycamore Row, but it's pretty long with lots of 'lawyer' talk. LOL

      Delete
  13. I love Jane Casey! I ordered this one from Book Depository so my sister would have it for her birthday - it took months to come but arrived the night before so there was no time for me to read it before hand delivering to her. Then she lent it to our other sister! By the time I get it back, it will have come out in the US!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, too bad that you didn't get a chance to read it. I thought it was a good entry into the series - well, I've liked all the books, but one usually likes some better than others. Nice to see another Casey fan!

      Delete
  14. I noticed today the change in the placement of pictures with Blogger, no longer autmatically centering. The photos are lovely, Kay. I am often up at sunrise as that is when my work day officially starts. It sounds like you have been reading some good books! I hope you have a great week, Kay. Stay safe and well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the picture placement is a bit tricky, but I will say that I eventually figured out how to adjust the 'left', 'center', 'right' deal. Hope you have a good week too, Wendy.

      Delete
  15. The sky is very pretty there. I had to laugh at your description of : 'depressing-all-the-time' types of books ... gosh I wonder if I'm guilty of reading these. Literary fiction is often like that, eh? I could use a happy novel ... but is anything really upbeat & happy these days? hmm. I haven't read Grisham in years either but I'm glad you're enjoying the new one. Perhaps great for summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, for me, what's considered more 'literary' novels are often a bit too serious. The members of this group are very nice and I like them all. That being said, some are a bit dismissive of books that fit within genres or are too 'popular'. I kind of pick and choose which ones to read with them, but I do enjoy attending and hearing their discussions regardless. I often learn something.

      Delete
  16. My book club is still meeting virtually too. I miss the snacks, to be honest! I still drink the wine though.

    My reading has been good. I started Bill Clegg's new one, The End of the Day and it's turning out to be lovely. His writing just sits so well with me. I am in the mood for twisty though so I've not been picking it up as eagerly as I have other books of late but it was a review copy and... I do adore his writing.

    Our sky yesterday was pretty but from a horrible fire called the Lake Fire.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, our book groups are library programs so no wine is involved - ha! We do have snacks at times, but who knows when that will be a thing again - maybe never. LOL

      Sad to have a pretty sky from a fire. There was a big fire in our area, near some of the lakes, overnight. Scary.

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!