Reading...The Cuckoo's Calling

I don't read mysteries as much as I used to, but I do love a classic detective novel. Martha Grimes' Richard Jury books, for example. Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. Jaqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs. Although I've only read one or two by these authors, I've enjoyed Robert Parker's Spenser, Craig Johnson's walt Longmire, and Susan Wittig Allbert's China Bayles (although, I guess technically that's a cross between a cozy and detective...but I digress). So, when I say The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (a.k.a., J.K. Rowling), is a classic detective novel, for me, that's a good thing. And, being that it's J.K. Rowling, it's no surprise that it hits all the right notes:
1. Descriptive setting. London, oh how I love you. Sunny, rainy, hot, cold. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the main character's day-to-day world, and that of the glitzy world of supermodels and designers and celebreties that he was drawn into during the investigation.
2. Well-drawn characters. This was a great first-book-in-a-series because the story was complete and whole, but with characters you want to get to know more. At first glance, Cormoran Strike is almost a little cliched: he's got a past (ex-Army) a wound (amputated leg) a busted up, long-term relationship, and he's the bastard son of a famous rock star. But I thought Rowling infused him with enough life to take him just out of cliche'd private eye zone. He also has a pretty new secretary, but one who stands out for her determination, brains, and enthusiasm for learning the detective trade. Bonus for giving the victim as much life as any of the other characters, maybe more. At the beginning of the book, she's a nameless tabloid darling, but at the end, she's a real girl, with a story and a sad ending.
3. Excellent pacing. This isn't an adreniline rush, but it doesn't drag either. It's measured and methodical, every detail revealed at the right time.

Bottom line: a solid choice for fans of detective fiction

Reading...a little romance

I was perusing some review blogs the other day, and came across a review for a Harlequin romance on the fantastic Misadventures of Super Librarian (Wendy is a great source for romance reviews, because she reviews all kinds of romances...you can find something to fit your mood and taste). I periodically find myself in the mood for something quick and light and fun, and Promoted: to Wife and Mother by Jessica Hart sounded like it would fit the bill -- plus, it was super cheap for Kindle. (just an aside...if I had not read the recommendation of this book, the title alone would have kept me from reading it. Harlequin titles can be so cheesy! And it's a shame, because that cheesy title hides a pretty great story).

So, Promoted: to Wife and Mother tells the story of two individuals in their 40s who each have a lot of responsibility (her: an ailing mother, him: three teenage children) and a little bit of baggage (she had a heartbreaking experience loving a single father who constantly put her on the back burner, and he is a widower). They each fight their attraction, but ultimately can't resist (because this is a romance novel after all!). What I really enjoyed about this book is that it's a satisfyingly realistic romance -- these two have some obstacles to overcome in order to make a relationship work, and they fully acknowledge that, but eventually realize that it's worth it to be together. There's no sunshine-rainbows-kittens-daisy-filled-meadows happily ever after. But there's a this-will-be-hard-and-beautiful-at-the-same-time happily ever after. Which, in my opinion, is so much more satisfying.

Bottom line: if you want a quick yet satisfying love story, pick up this unfortunately titled gem!

(another note on the title: it kind of implies that the heroine is in a secretary kind of role, but she's actually a very professionally powerful woman, and a department head in the company. Yes, the hero is her boss, but it's more of a peer-to-peer kind of professional relationship, which is also super refreshing)

Reading...The Book Thief

Count this among the books that I'm reading a little later than a lot of people, but with the movie coming out, it inspired me to finally pick up this book that had been recommended to me by countless people.

And I have to say, this book is definitely worth reading.

The Book Thief is essentially Death's observations of an abandoned girl, her new family, and their small German town during World War II. It's a book about compassion, conviction, love in its many forms, and the transforming power of words. It's heartbreaking and hopeful.

Christmas break reading

 I had most of Christmas week off this year, and I took advantage of that time to do some shorter-book reading. Imaginary Girls is a book I've had sitting on my shelf for a while -- an ARC I got from work -- and finally picked up. It was an atmospheric, slightly creepy, slightly disturbing head-trip kind of book. I liked it, but didn't love it. I kept waiting for a little bit more...more resolution or explanation maybe. But I also fully realize that may be more me than the book, becuase it was definitely well-written, just not for me.


The second book I read over break was Lament by Maggie Stiefvater. I'm a big fan of Steifvater's books, but had never read her first-published series. Lament is a fairy book in the traditional fairies-are-beautiful-and-amoral-and-certainly-never-to-be-trusted way. Even though it's set in Virginia, it feels like a Celtic story, and I really dug that. In addition to the "homicidal fairies," this book is a love story, with an intense, love-at-first-sight kind of romance. Not my favorite kind of romance, but I enjoyed the story and characters enough to not mind so much. It's easy to see how Steifvater's craft has just gotten better over the years, but even if this book is a bit rougher than her most recent work, it's still got that great story-telling quality that I enjoy about her books.

Welcome, New Year!

2013 was a good year -- a year of lots of change, excitement, and a little sadness too, but a good year. It included deliberate, quality time spent with family and friends, savoring little moments and memories, a move across the country and the ensuing new jobs and other newness that comes with a move. It included life-changing news (yeah, that's code for "we're having a baby"), and regular, everyday moments.

I like patterns and life rythms, so naturally I like celebrating a new year (I also like to celebrate change any ol' time of year...oh, and school culture still makes me feel like fall is another "new year"). Usually, while I have some idea of what's ahead, I try to approach each new year knowing that there's no way to plan for or expect every part of what's coming up in life. But never is that more true than 2014 (you did see that code-for-having-baby comment, right?). All I can say for sure, is that I hope to approach 2014 with intention, and with my eyes wide open, ready to catch opportunities and savor moments.

Here's to a new year full of life, challenge, hope, and a lot of good stories along the way!

Reading...The Lies of Locke Lamora

I can't remember how long it's been since I put The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch on my Kindle...but it's been a while. My good friend Heather suggested I read it, but somehow it kept getting pushed to the back of my to-read list. But it popped back up on my radar when Hubby listened to the audio several weeks back and really enjoyed it (and the sequels).

The Lies of Locke Lamora is a deceptively layered book, and highly enjoyable. The author sets you down in the middle of a unique world, and immediately introduces you to thieves and con artists operating in an often brutal, gritty, blood-thirsty place, an island nation that has some pretty chilling pasttimes (the Roman Colloseum has nothing on the Revels of Camorra). I'll admit, it took me a while to get into the story and develop a picture of the place, but there was a spark to the story that kept me going. Then all of a sudden everything locked into place, and I found myself fully invested the characters and their story. The author employs a style of storytelling that has the not-quite-straightforward flavor of oral storytelling -- which I almost always enjoy. He starts out in the past, jumps to the present, then intersperses the present with more glimpses of the past. 

But, at the end of the day, you come for the story and the setting and stay for the Gentleman Bastards. They are witty and cocky and vulgar and a big pack of liars....but they are a family. The characterization of the Gentlemen and of their untraditional family is one of the richest things about the book in my opinion.

The book is sly and witty and has the feel of a good caper, but this is definitely not a "feel good" story. It's messy and bloody and gets pretty grim at the end. Brace yourself. But it's also rich and layered and worth your time. Bottom line: if you want some immersive fantasy and don't mind some grittiness with your wit  -- check it out.

Reading...Across a Star-Swept Sea

This summer, I finally read Diana Peterfreund's For Darkness Shows the Stars which I loved so much I almost turned to the first page and just read the whole thing again. (Instead, I picked up the inspirational material: Jane Austen's Persuasion). And earlier in the year (or maybe late last year...) I blew through the Secret Society Girls series. Needless to say, I was counting down the days for Peterfreund's latest book, set in the same world as For Darkness Shows the Stars, and a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernell.

Across a Star-Swept Sea had all the things I love about Peterfreund's books - a vivid world, interesting characters, a well-placed plot, friendship, family, and swoony romance. Because I loved this book's companion so much, I did have to remind myself at the beginning that this was a completely different book - where as FDStS was about love and duty and freedom, this book is about power, revolution, making your own choices, and recovering from mistakes. There's intrigue and espionage, and a healthy dose of secret keeping (which is always so frustrating! But...you know...sometimes in a good way when it comes to stories). It was interesting to see a new side of the same world -- both civilizations reacting to the same historical events, but in radically different ways. One of the other things that stood out to me in this book were the villians. The Scarlet Pimpernell is set during the French Revolution, an event in history that gives me chills when I read about it, a sobering example of good ideas gone horribly, horribly wrong. Peterfreund really captured that sense of overwhelming vengeance, hypocrisy, and lust for power in the villians of Across a Star-Swept Sea.

Bottom line: if you just love a good story, pick up this book.