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Saturday, June 19, 2021

Last two books I read - The Survivors and Bitterroot Lake - and a couple of podcasts I like...

In my update post yesterday I mentioned that my 'reading life' has been a bit (or more than a bit) sparse.  It's also been very annoying to me that I've been unable to focus on my 'happy place'.  Honestly, if I'm unable to read, that crosses over into other aspects of my life and I feel very out of sorts all the way around.  Reading is my refuge, my escape, my joy, my hideaway.  My husband and daughter would both tell you that if Kay isn't reading, she's not herself.  At all.  It's improving - that part of my life - but it's still not 'normal'.  However, I'll share a little about the last two books I've read and then praise a couple of podcasts that I enjoy:


I really like Jane Harper's writing.  I've read all her books up to now and really liked them all, especially the ones featuring Aaron Falk.  No, I haven't seen the new TV movie adaptation of The Dry.  Have any of you seen it and was it good?  Her latest book is The Survivors and it's another stand-alone, set in Tasmania.  I liked it very much and enjoyed the beach setting, the description of the caves and shipwreck and all aspects of small town life in Evelyn Bay.  Kieran and his wife, Mia, have brought their baby girl home to help Kieran's parents pack up their life and make big changes.  Kieran's father has dementia and his mother needs assistance as things have gotten a bit too tough to deal with.  The story also includes some past trauma, missing girls, a murder, and secrets.  Lots of secrets.  This definitely held my interest.  I always look forward to what she'll write next.  


I also liked Bitterroot Lake by Alicia Beckman.  This is the first book by the author or first using this name.  She's also writes cozy mysteries under the name Leslie Budewitz.  Bitterroot Lake is set at a lakeshore lodge in Montana.  One weekend 25 years ago, Sarah, her sister Holly, and two other friends were at their family's lodge, along with three guys.  A tragedy occurs, someone is killed, and things were not ever quite the same.  Sarah comes back to Whitetail Lodge after her husband dies from cancer.  Sarah's mother has encouraged her to come and help the family figure out what to do with the property.  As it turns out, the four friends all return to the Lodge and they must dig through secrets, lies, and some curious family history about Whitetail Lodge.  Oh, and there is another death.  And some spooky dreams.  Another book that held my interest and I'm hoping that Leslie/Alicia continues writing some suspense novels.  I'd enjoy that very much!

I'll also mention a couple of podcasts - I really like Anne Bogel's What Should I Read Next? and am finally caught up on back episodes.  I also really enjoy some of the author discussions that the Poisoned Pen Bookstore share on their podcast.  I'm not interested in all of them, but many are with authors that I love or books that I'm curious about.  Links attached and I encourage you to check them out.  

Now I'm off to see what I can find to read next...

24 comments:

  1. Bitterroot Lake really appeals to me, I will go and look that up. I always appreciate that you introduce me to US authors I didn't previously know about. A rec from a couple of people led me to Paula Munier's Mercy Carr and Elvis the dog books, set in Vermont. I read the first one, A Borrowing of Bones earlier this month. Wonderful! Have you read any?

    Welcome back, Kay!

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    1. Hey Cath! No, I haven't read any of Paul Munier's books, but I have a couple of book group friends who love them. Glad you enjoyed the first one. I think you'd like Bitterroot Lake, especially the Montana setting.

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  2. Glad you enjoyed the trip to Montana, on the page!

    Leslie/Alicia

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    1. Hi there, Leslie (Alicia)! Thanks so much for stopping by and, yes, I did indeed enjoy my trip to Montana very much. We have never visited Montana, but it's on our list for the future.

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  3. Bitterroot Lake does sound like a good one. Am adding it to my list.

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  4. I have to catch up on Jane Harper's books - my sister is a huge fan and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one!

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    1. Angela, it was quite interesting and I've never read a book set in Tasmania.

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  5. I think your reading may just be taking a hit due to all the changes with the home situation but I have no doubt you'll be able to get back into the swing of it soon! Thank you for sharing about the podcasts. I've already added both to my podcast list. I don't listen to very many so I'm excited to discover these!

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    1. Hope you'll like both the podcasts, Iliana!

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  6. Glad you enjoyed both books! I didn't know that Leslie Budewitz & Alicia Beckman were the same author. I've seen mixed reviews for Bitterroot Lake, but it does sound very intriguing.

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    1. I did enjoy Bitterroot Lake. Hope she writes another suspense book.

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  7. I haven't read a Jane Harper book for a while. Love her writing and of course, Aaron Falk remains as my favourite character among her books. I'm looking forward to reading some more of her books soon, but then again my choice of books these days rely a lot on my moods. Bitterroot Lake sounds intriguing, so I'll have to check that out, too.

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    1. I'm wondering what the next Harper book will look like. Hope it comes out before long!

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  8. I can echo what you said about not feeling like yourself when you aren't reading. I had to take it easy this week and I made the decision to put all reading aside and man, was I even more off for doing it. I've read two of Harper's books I believe. Not the most recent one though. They are enjoyable.

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    1. Yes, I'm still not exactly myself in the reading thing, but I suspect this too shall pass. And I've put all reading aside at times too. Sometimes I start binge-watching a favorite TV show or something. Whatever works.

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  9. I tired the first Harper book on audio but, the accent was difficult for me so I returned it unread and never tried the print edition. Now I am way behind. The other one Bitteroot has me curious as well.

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    1. Diane, I encourage you to try Jane Harper's books. Yes, that Australian accent takes a little time to get used to, but the print books would work too.

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  10. I haven't read any of Harper's books yet but I will. I have the first one.

    I am not a fan of podcasts, but I can see how a podcast by Anne Bogel would be good. Maybe it depends on how long they are.

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    1. Tracy, I encourage you to try Jane Harper's works. Very good, in my opinion. As to podcasts, well, I'm more than a little picky about them. I do like Anne Bogel's, but she does talk about all kinds of books - not any particular genre. The ones from the Poisoned Pen are basically just the audio from their online virtual events (at least I think so). I enjoy hearing the authors talk about their works.

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  11. I watched The Dry and thought it was good, but I enjoyed the book more. I'm looking forward to reading The Survivors and the book prior to that one. Lost Man maybe?

    I used to listen to Anne Bogel's podcast and was making good headway with her backlist, but then I stopped and it's been many months since I've listened. I also stopped listening to He Read She Read, which is also very good. I think they were cutting into my audiobook time, so I stopped for a while. I may go back to them, but it's not like I need MORE recommendations for books! Especially right now since I'm not reading or listening while on our road trip. My "Month in Summary" post for June will be pretty short. ;)

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    1. Les, good to know that The Dry was good in movie form. I'll see if I can run across it in the future. Yes, The Lost Man is the one prior to The Survivors. It's good as well. As to the podcasts, with all my distractions the shorter format has worked better for me. And, yes, so many book recs! Ha!

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  12. I enjoy Harper as well, although I do hope she goes back to the Falk series sometimes soon. Those books have been my favorites of hers.

    I've never heard of Beckman, but BITTERROOT LAKE sounds like one I would like. I'll have to give it a go. Thanks for the heads-up! I can always count on you for good mystery/thriller recs :)

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    1. Thanks, Susan! I love to share recommendations with everyone. I certainly get a lot from all of you!

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