Hello book friends! I'm sitting here with thunder in the background and watching some much-needed moisture come down. Love it. I've mentioned several times that we can use the rain so much. Don't want hail or wind or tornados, but the rain, yes, I'll take it. And this is pretty normal for our area in May.
Thought I would do a reading update. I had planned to share this earlier, but we've been busy with several things so I'm finally getting to it. I read 10 books in April and was very pleased with that number. And I really, really enjoyed most of them. A couple were OK enough, but maybe not the best I had read by the particular author. It happens, right? I'm not going to share too much about each as my list is long, but I'll share a little more about some of them. Here we go:
I've read several of Carol Goodman's books and enjoy their settings and flavor for the most part. A bit gothic, an old house or school or spooky forest. This one was good enough, but won't be my favorite. I did notice that this author has a new one out in the summer and I'll likely share about it on one of my 'Waiting on...' posts.
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My next book was a reread of Anne Bogel's book, Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy To Your Life. I read this one for the first time in 2021 and liked Anne's way of sharing her own struggles with overthinking. I needed this refresh.
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I next turned to Always The Last To Know by Kristan Higgins. Another author that I've read several books and she has a talent with 'women's fiction'. A family in crisis and how to fix it. I liked it well enough, but I've had others of hers that I liked more. Not bad, just not a favorite.
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The title caught my eye here. Yes, it is a book that takes place in the winter season. My first book by Sarah Morgan and I liked it a lot. Set at The Maple Sugar Inn and featuring three friends who come for a book club holiday, what's not to like? The innkeeper meets these women and then becomes the fourth in their group. They help each other a lot. Will watch for other books by this author.
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This book is the one our Mystery Book Group is discussing for May and we will meet this evening to talk about it. I really liked this one and will look forward to hearing what others thought about it. A standalone story by Krueger (who has written a long-running mystery series as well), it's set Minnesota in the 1950's. It features people who have had their lives changed by war and society's attitudes, but there is also a crime to solve. This one is definitely recommended.
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I also got to read the newest book in Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent mystery series. The Secret Room was one I talked about in March on a 'Waiting on...' post here. This is the 12th book in a fast-paced crime series and the storyline was absorbing for sure. However, there are some real surprises too in the relationship of the protagonists. Not going to say more. I had shared that the main characters were complicated as was their dealings with each other. Yeah, well, wow!
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Lastly, I've started making my through another mystery series and am enjoying that so much. This one is by Julia Spencer-Fleming and the main characters are Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne and Reverend Clare Fergusson. Set in Miller's Kill, New York, this series is pretty unique. Reverend Fergusson is an Episcopal priest, but she was formerly an Army helicopter pilot. Chief Van Alstyne is back home in Miller's Kill after also serving as an MP in the Army for many years. The setting is very vivid and the crimes are interesting. The author is also part of the Jungle Red Writers Blog. I had read the first 3 books several years ago and I've reread those and also read #4. Working on #5 right now. The 10th book, At Midnight Comes The Cry, will be published in late fall. I plan to be caught up by then. This is a series that I recommend for sure.
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I know this has been a long post. Let me know if you've read any of these books. Also, I've been thinking about maybe doing a 'reading update' post every other week and also the same for the 'Waiting on Wednesday' posts. We'll see if I can keep up - ha! Hope everyone has a good rest of the week. And I'll say an early 'Happy Mother's Day' to all the mothers out there. We'll be having family over for snacks and 'Mother's Day' fun on Sunday.
Great post, Kay. I didn't know Spencer-Fleming was still writing this particular series. I read 2 or 3 of the first books and need to get back to it (story of my life). I agree with your thoughts on the Higgins. It was ok for me but I've liked other books much more.
ReplyDeleteMary
Mary, there have been a number of years between Julia Spencer-Fleming's most recent books. Think the one prior to the one coming out this year was in 2020 and maybe the one prior to that one was 2013. She writes slowly. Ha! Glad to know what you thought about the Higgins book. ;-)
DeleteYou did read a lot of fun books last month. I love the variety! :D
ReplyDeleteYes, I kind of read lots of different genres. I tell people that I don't only read mysteries - ha!
DeleteI loved The River We Remember! I'm not going to try any more of his Cork O'Connor books, though. Just not my cuppa.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a lovely Mother's Day! Enjoy your time with your family.
Les, I understand about the Cork O'Connor books not working as well for you. We had a good discussion last night at our mystery group and some really liked The River We Remember and some had trouble with so many characters. And some had read every book he's written. Thanks for the Mother's Day wishes! Right back at you!
DeleteI have been enjoying the much needed rain where I live too. :-) I am glad you had such a good reading month in April, Kay! I've enjoyed everything by Sarah Morgan I have read so far, but I haven't gotten to The Book Club Hotel yet. I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a Happy Mother's Day, Kay, and a good week!
ReplyDeleteWendy, it was a good reading month. You had one too. Good to know that you've enjoyed other books by Sarah Morgan. I think I'll keep her in mind when I need a 'happy' book. Take care!
DeleteI've been very curious about a couple of these books---The Book Club Hotel and the new William Kent Krueger book. Thanks for sharing both of these with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are getting a little rain, Kay! Enjoy!
Deb, I think you might like The River We Remember. It was a well told deep story. It did have mysteries, but lots of life lessons and thoughtful parts. The Book Club Hotel was just a happy (well, eventually happy) book. I'm glad I tried this new-to-me author.
DeleteThank you, Kay!
DeleteYeah, I felt the same way about RETURN TO WYLDCLIFFE HEIGHTS. It kept me entertained, but it's far from my favorite book by Goodman. I have high hopes for her new one, so we'll see...I'm jealous that you've read THE SECRET ROOM! Your teaser is tempting me to just buy the book on Kindle instead of waiting for it to come to my library. Now, I HAVE to know what happens to Maeve and Derwent. I have some Kindle reward points and Mother's Day is coming right up...
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm glad to hear what you thought about the Goodman book. It wasn't bad, but I've enjoyed others more. Yes, hoping the one this summer will be good. As to The Secret Room, I think you ought to use your points....just saying....ha!
DeleteYou convinced me. I bought THE SECRET ROOM and loved it, but, boy, did the author play with my heart and mind in this book! Wow. The ending was perfect :)
DeleteI agree and I'm so glad you decided to get it. Wonder what will happen next????
DeleteWhat a great reading month! I love all the variety! Happy May and happy early Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice reading month and, yes, a bit of variety. We'll see how I fare in May.
DeleteI've read several of the Julia Spencer-Fleming books and enjoyed them. I think I've also read something by Sarah Morgan... just checked... yes, it was called Once Upon a Christmas and I liked it a lot so I will look into The Book Club Hotel. And I really, really must get around to The River We Remember as I keep hearing about in all kinds of places. Always look forward to your posts, Kay, so whatever you do is fine by me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice words, Cath! Seems to me that Sarah Morgan tends to write either Christmas season books or summer books. Yes, I do recommend The River We Remember. It was a good one. I look forward to your posts too, Cath. :-)
DeleteThanks for sharing your April reads. I've only read one novel by Carol Goodman, and find your description of her is spot on. You've reminded me that I'd like to read more of her work. Perfect to add to my summer reading list. I also read The Book Club Hotel and found it enjoyable. Like you, I'll be watching for more of Sarah Morgan's books. And William Kent Krueger--I've long been meaning to pick up one of his novels--and even have a few--you've put him back on my radar.
ReplyDeleteI think that Carol Goodman is very talented and I likely enjoy her books more in fall with a more spooky season. Ha! I do recommend William Kent Krueger. As I shared, he writes that long-running series and also does those standalone books that are longer, historical, and really have a little deeper storylines. Hope you get to try him.
DeleteI love that Sarah Morgan and have really enjoyed Kristin Higgins women's fiction. I have several books by Carol Goodman on my TBR but don't think I've heard much about her. I'm glad to see you enjoy her books. It's been so long since I read anything by Julia Spencer-Fleming but I remember really enjoying her mysteries. I will have to pick up one of her mysteries soon. Happy May!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Carol Goodman is quite as well known. She writes standalone books and they are usually quite spooky. I have also enjoyed many of Higgins' books - this one just wasn't her best IMHO. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteLooks like some good books. I do like the Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne and Reverend Clare Fergusson books that I read. And The Book Club Motel sounds fun. Thanks for keeping us up with new reads.
ReplyDeleteThere were a bunch of good ones here. I'm progressing with the Spencer-Fleming books and will likely get those done by mid-summer. Then I'll have to look around for another series to catch up on. We'll see. Yes, I'll also look for more from Sarah Morgan. Happy to know that the Carol Goodman book that I didn't love as much will qualify as an 'award nominated' book for our June meeting - yay!
DeleteTEN books in April?! I think I have been crushing too many candies instead of reading…🤭
ReplyDeleteOur book club read The River We Remember, and while I enjoyed other books by Krueger, this one was not a favorite. He did keep the suspense, though, as I never did correctly guess the conclusion.
You have ambitious plans for blogging, but I have confidence in you!
Thanks for your nice words, Meredith! Also thanks for telling your experience with the Krueger book. Each of us has our own reaction. Yours goes along with a couple of our book group members. As to the ambitious plans, we'll see - ha!
DeleteI think a reading update post, like this one, from you would be great. I enjoy hearing about your reading and 10 is a great number! If you get more rain, send it up north to Alberta. We could really use some. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying nice things, Susan. I will say that I kind of have to be in the mood to do one of those 'catch-up' posts. They do tend to be longer, etc. I'd love to send you guys some rain, but we still need more. It's going to be hot next week - summer is coming....
DeleteThe River We Remember has been on my TBR forever.. guess it's time to finally read it.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to try it soon!
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