reading corner

I have not been near my computer much lately, therefore no blog posts!  My life is very strange right now.


Quick update-heading in for more scans this week and I am meeting with a surgeon the first Friday in July to figure out what to do about my unhealthy back.

Part of my new mostly sedentary lifestyle is lots of reading time. In the past, when I have been crazy busy getting ready for shows, or I am inundated with work, I day dream about spending hours with my nose in a book.  Well, I seem to have received my wish!

Here are some of the books I have made it through in the last few weeks...

First up, "The Gilly Salt Sisters" by Tiffany Baker.  You may recall my post about her first book, "The Little Giant of Aberdeen County" (and if I could find it in my archive I would give you the link, but sadly I cannot).  I purchased this, in hardcover, something I NEVER do.  I usually add books to my request list at the library, or wait until I can find them at Half Price Books in the bargain basement for $2 or $3.  But having read her first book, I knew it would be worth it, and I could pass it on to friends.  And I had a coupon....

Oh, I loved it.  She carefully draws her characters so intimately, and her atmospheric descriptions of scenes and events completely take you to the time and place.  Like Alice Hoffman (one of my very favorite authors) she sprinkles in a little magic along the way.

I have currently been reading three or four books at a time, as I have a range of things I like to read.  On my Kindle, I have discovered a new to me Scandinavian mystery author, Karin Fossum.  I quickly made it through "Don't Look Back", and I am in the middle of "He Who Fears the Wolf".


 I really love a good mystery, especially if the setting transports me to another country.  I have long been a big fan of British mysteries, and I am excited to have a new author, and new favorite Investigator (Inspector Sejer) to add to my pile.  They are very much "atmospheric thrillers", and definitely keep you guessing.


Historical fiction is another area I enjoy reading, and no one does it better (or more prolifically!) then Phillipa Gregory.  Having read "The Lady of the River" earlier this year (Thanks Beth!  I have to get it back to you!) I looked through my book shelves to see what other titles I had, and dear friend Tracy has shared her titles as well.  I am nearly finished with "The Boleyn Inheritance", having recently finished watching every episode of "The Tudors" this is the perfect one to read to get even more detail about the era of Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard.  Waiting in the wings, to be enjoyed on a quiet summer evening are "The Queen's Fool" and "The Virgin Lover".  I can't seem to get enough!




If you enjoyed "The Help", I have a new one for you, that I read in just two days, "The Dry Grass of August".  (Thanks for the idea Heather!)  It takes place in the south during the fifites, and is told through the eyes of 13 year old Jubie.  Heart wrenching (I have always wanted to use that description) yet thoughtful, it is from first time author Anna Jean Mayhew.  She has worked on this book for years, and I think she has a winner.  I am still haunted by it, and how different America was back then.   I was initially drawn to it by the gorgeous cover-in this case you really can judge a book by it's cover!

Lastly, another mystery series that I am hooked on is by Julia Spenceer-Fleming.  I picked up the first book in the series for a special deal on my Kindle "In the Bleak Midwinter".  The story is of a former Army helicopter pilot, Clare Fergusson, who becomes an Episcopal priest (what a job change!) and ends up in a small town in New York State.  The other main character is Russ Val Alstyne, the town sheriff, and the two end up working together solving crimes.  And other things...  I have been requesting the rest of them from the library, and I am nearly done with all that she has written, so I will need to find a new mystery series, set somewhere in America to balance all of my European mysteries,  to replace it.  Any thoughts?  I have already read all of Dana Stabenow's books (set in Alaska) and I am also caught up on all of Susan Wittig Albert's books (set in Texas).  I would love your suggestions!

What are YOU reading this summer?