Looking forward to books
I like books, and I'm excited about a few this summer!
I’m reading books, and looking forward to more books! Of course, I’m always reading books, and always looking forward to books. But summertime is coming, and while I have amazing levels of over-work already planned (I seem to be incapable of not dramatically overworking; I don’t care) - I’m also looking forward to a big amount of reading good books!
I love to preorder books! Then I’m happy when I order, happy when I look at the list of preorders, and happy when the book actually arrives. So, I’m sharing some happiness with you here, and showing you some of the books on my preorder list. The links on the books go to Drury Lane bookstore in Grand Marais, MN - my favorite independent bookstore! Go buy things from them, if the spirit moves you that way.
The Beast of Littleton Woods (Lady Hardcastle Mystery #12), by T. E. Kinsey (May 6)
I love this series. LOVE! I don’t even know how I stumbled on the first one, but the series is a historical cozy British adventure, taking place in the early 1900s. But it is more interesting than the standard trope this suggests. The story of the two main characters, Lady Hardcastle and her maid Florence Armstrong, develops over the series. It was cool to learn that these are not just prim and proper British ladies - they were spies, desperados, and have had a LOT of adventures. Now they are settled down, trying to have a quiet life; but all these murders keep happening! (There is a cute explanation for this in the first books.)
It dropped today, May 6! But I’m currently rereading the whole series, so I’ll be able to fully enjoy it when I finally get to this one. (It’s the best way to savor a book, when the author only writes one a year!)
BONUS! The author also wrote (is writing? not sure) a companion series! It centers on a jazz band we meet in each book of the main series, and takes place in the 1920. Now the members have survived World War One, still playing, and they solve mysteries also.
Fever Beach, by Carl Hiaasen (May 13)
Hiaasen writes the zany, dark Florida comedy that was so very popular for a while. He’s such a master of it, so funny. I’ve read all of his books for years now - and even went to a book signing many years ago in Chicago! I love his relentless skewering of the rich and overly satisfied; my love of such things has only increased as these people increasingly ruin life for the rest of us. Thanks Carl!
Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I’ve talked about Reid before, but the gist is that I love her books. I started with Daisy Jones and the Six. I was sick of reading about it everywhere in the publicity machine (ugh), and was determined not to read it. But I finally broke down and listened to it -and was absolutely glued to it! Then I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - again not really wanting to read it. But again I was glued to it! Her books are just great, and I like the little thru line of people between books. But now she says she’s going in a new direction, with no characters coming from the other books. I’m excited to find out what happens next!
Knave of Diamonds: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, by Laurie R. King (June 10)
When I tell you that I love this series, I’m underplaying it. I LOOOOOVVEEE this series! Sure, I’m always up for a Sherlock Holmes revamped story - but this isn’t really that. These books are about his young wife: Mary Russell. And she is AWESOME! She’s smart, funny, quick to action, and just amazing. I’d like to be Mary Russell when I grew up, except I know I’ll never be cool enough. It’s okay - I can have the fun of reading about the adventures, while I’m safely at home.
Dogged Pursuit: An Andy Carpenter Mystery #31, by David Rosenfelt (July 1)
This is a fun series! I started binging these from the library a couple of summers ago, and they are exactly right to read for summertime fun. Andy is a lawyer who is always incredibly rich; and manages to win cases for his unjustly accused clients. He also has a dog rescue, and a wonderful dog named Tara. After I caught up to my library’s collection, I started buying them. I’m not sure this one is going to be for me - it’s a prequal, and I’m not usually in to that. But: we’ll see how it goes.
For Duck's Sake: A Meg Langslow Mystery #37, by Donna Andrews (August 5)
This is another fun cozy mystery series that I binged from the library, until I started buying them. I like that they all have a cute bird name in the title! Books that center on how very stoopid the main character is (an unfortunate quality in too many chick books) drive me bananapants. In this series though, Meg Lanslow is smart and talented. In every book she’s leading something for the town, or helping to organize a fair or something else fun for everyone. She is the one everyone else turns to, as they work to get good things done - and I love it! (I’ll also never be as cool as she is when I grow up; but again: I’m fine with just reading about her adventures.)
May is National Get Caught Reading Month! “Celebrated each May, this special month reminds us of the sheer pleasure of flipping through a good book’s pages. Whether it’s May 1st or any day in the month, the excitement for reading is in full swing.”
You don’t have to like the same books I like - but I wish a month filled with books for you! Read books in whatever format, or formats, make you happy: paper, audio, or ebooks. They are all good, all valid, and all can have a place in your reading fun.
Enjoy books! Visit your local library! Try a new book!
We are living in a time where absolute idiots are working to do all sorts of evil shit - including destroying education and libraries. Fight against this in all kinds of ways, including using your local library (libraries) often. Resist the efforts by Bozo The White House Resident to stop you from reading and learning: READ ALL THE BOOKS! Never let evil sacks of shit defeat you. As long as we have libraries, and we read books,*Rump and his gaggle of evil will not win.
Read a book today!