Weekly Reading Round-Up

So many thanks to Alison for recommending Frederica! This is, indeed, an excellent Heyer, with all the best Heyer features: a lofty hero rendered human by an unlikely heroine, comic side characters, and an enforced stay in an inn (Heyer does excellent comic relief with enforced stays at inns: see also Sprig Muslin and The Talisman Ring).

From Regency England, I moved ahead to present day, with Veronica Henry’s How to Find Love in a Bookshop. Okay, okay, so I picked it up for the title– but I stayed for the gentle satire and lovely portraits of people finding themselves in a picturesque English town. It reminded me a great deal of Trisha Ashley’s Sticklepond books. So, of course, I ordered another one set in the same village right away.

Right now, I’m re-reading Hilary Beckles’s Natural Rebels: A Social History of Enslaved Women in Barbados, preparatory to getting my somewhat fuzzy head back into the current Work-in-Progress, aka the Barbados Book, while debating whether to indulge in a Trisha Ashley or Robert Galbraith’s The Cuckoo’s Calling next. Or maybe the first Tana French Dublin Squad mystery, In the Woods. Decisions, decisions….

What have you been reading this week?

24 Comments

  1. Céline on September 8, 2017 at 11:32 am

    I finally got the chance to read The Alice Network, by Kate Quinn, and it was absolutely fabulous!! The story goes back and fort between a Geman-occupied Lille in 1915, with a spy ring made of brave and bold women, and 1947, when a pregnant 19-year-old is in search of her cousin, who dispeared after WWII.
    I love every word!! ♥♥
    I also read Beast Charming, by Jenniffer Wardell, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but absolutely hilarious and utterly romantic!
    I am now reading a Jennifer Probst romance novel, but not being too impressed by it…

    • Diane Stiles on September 8, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      I just was notified that my “hold” copy of the Alice Network is finally ready to be picked up at the library. Glad to hear someone enjoyed it as much as I anticipate I will!

    • Christine on September 9, 2017 at 11:05 am

      This sounds awesome! Just put it on my library hold list.

  2. Susan Willis on September 8, 2017 at 11:52 am

    The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman, Journey to Enchantment by Patricia Veryan, and just discovered Sherry Thomas, so I naturally I’ve been binge reading her. Also re-reading A Most Extraordinary Pursuit by Juliana Gray in anticipation of her new book in the series coming out this month.

    • Sheila on September 9, 2017 at 11:35 am

      I love Patricia Veryan

    • Eirene Ritznore on September 10, 2017 at 11:54 am

      I just discovered Sherry Thomas, too. I love her Sherlock/Charlotte service. And I loved Journey of Enchantment by Patricia Veryan. It reminds me of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

  3. Betty Strohecker on September 8, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    Absolutely loved Julie Klassen’s Lady Maybe – Regency England, a deadly carriage accident, mistaken identity, secrets, lies, betrayal. I didn’t know how this one would end until the very end.

    Now reading Susanna Kearsley’s A Desperate Fortune.

  4. Diane Stiles on September 8, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Finishing the audio of Susan Elea McNeal’s Rhe Paris Spy. Love that Maggie Hope but this was a nail-biter. Also reading The Horse Dancer by JoJo Moyes and looking forward to starting The Alice Network.

    • DJL on September 8, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      How was The Horse Dancer? I loved Moyes’ One Plus One, but wasn’t a fan of her Me Before You (the ending, mainly).

  5. DJL on September 8, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Read Shirley by C Bronte and enjoyed it (though my top Bronte fav, Villette, remains firmly in place). A Bronte book is a nice way to start the autumn 🙂

  6. Eirene Ritznore on September 8, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    I’m start in the middle of Juliana Gray’s A Most Extraordinary Pursuit and loving every minute of it. I’m prepping for her newest addition to the series out later this month. 🙂

  7. Laura on September 8, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    Just finished When Dimple met Rishi and it was just delightful. A very happy book. I’m struggling to finish the 2nd book of Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles. I mostly liked the first one (with a few reservations) but this 2nd one is just not doing it for me (the problems that I had with the 1st one just seem amplified with this 2nd one)

  8. Heather H. on September 8, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    I am currently finishing up “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay. It’s an eye-opening read, had no idea of the Vel’ d’Hiv incident. I should finish it up today, then I’m onto another re-read. This time, “IT” by Stephen King has the honor. I’m excited for the movie, my fellow King fans say it’s one of the best adaptations of his work.

  9. Cecile on September 8, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    I finished GLASS HOUSES by Louise Penny. One expects a great story from her and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m waiting for my next book in the mail today.

  10. Carla on September 8, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    Veronica Henry’s book sounds great!
    Im reading Lilac Girls and listening to Black rabbit hall (and i just oredered Wildening Sisters) … wonderful books!

  11. Miss Eliza on September 8, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    Haven’t had much free time so I’m still working my way through The Handmaid’s Tale… it’s relevant but am I the only one who finds Offred kind of annoying?

  12. Doreen on September 8, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    Thanks to your telling me about the Georgette Heuer birthday digital edition sale, I re-read The Talisman Ring, and then moved on to Black Sheep and Lady of Quality. I also read Andrea Penrose’s Lady Arianna novella The Stolen Letters.

    • DJL on September 10, 2017 at 12:00 am

      Oooh, Lady of Quality is a good one!!

  13. Tara on September 9, 2017 at 7:07 am

    For the classes I teach, I’m reading The Giver and The Lightning Thief. The Giver has so many layers, and I really enjoy re-reading it. But, for pleasure, I’m going to start reading Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas.

    • DJL on September 10, 2017 at 12:01 am

      Yay for Tower of Dawn!

      • Tara on September 10, 2017 at 8:30 am

        I’m almost done with the prequel The Assassin’s Blade, and then I am reading Tower of Dawn. I discovered Sarah J. Maas last year, and through the summer I read the Throne of Glass series.

  14. Christine on September 9, 2017 at 11:06 am

    I just finished “In a Dark, Dark Wood” by Ruth Ware, who also wrote “The Woman in Cabin 10.” It was pretty good. The ending just sort of… happened… and was really quick, but I loved the pace of the rest of the book.

  15. Jean on September 10, 2017 at 10:06 am

    Finished Cocoa Beach and started The Identicals.

    I’m a huge fan of Tana French! Her books can be all consuming.

    Reading through the comments, adding to my list. I so look forward to your Friday round-ups.

  16. Alice on September 11, 2017 at 8:09 pm

    Read the latest in the Amory Ames series “The Essence of Malice” by Ashley Weaver. I love this series! Then the second in Sherry Thomas’ Charlotte/Sherlock Holmes series, “A Conspiracy in Belgravia.” So so good! The plot is so complicated but she keeps it together. Sad to wait a whole year to figure out what happens next!

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