My reading this week, or since my last update:
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year - Margaret Renkl NF
I found this one on the Top Five of 2024 list on LT. Quaint, ecology, nature, southern, and a woman of my age, I enjoyed these weekly essays. I very much identified with the essays on her eyes/vision, and having young adult children who come and go. Easy listening, read by the author with her southern drawl adding flavour. It reminded me a bit of Bailey White's Mama Makes Up Her Mind.
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout 4.5 stars
After reading Tell Me Everything, I wanted to go back and reread Elizabeth Strout. I loved Olive Kitteridge when I first read her, and also Olive, Again. Olive was a great part of Tell Me Everything, as she visits her friend Isabelle. It's Isabelle from Amy and Isabelle! We get to see how their friendship develops in Olive, Again which given how cranky Olive can be, is a little surprising. The Burgess brothers also show up in this book. I am so enjoying the Strout metaverse. Next up will probably be Amy and Isabelle, and then a reread of the Burgess Boys.
Dark Storm Rising (15.5) - Linda Castillo
I never thought I'd read an Amish book, but once I found this police mystery series recommended by lauralkeet rather than an Amish romance, I was hooked. I found the short stories that fill in between the main books which are a quick fix. I am up to date now on Kate Burkholder, and waiting for book #17.
Memory Man by David Baldacci
My dad (83) always read a lot and he has figured out how to borrow ebooks from Libby and to read them on his Ipad. He recommended this Amos Decker series so I am trying this first book. It's fast moving, lots of twists, mass market pb mystery. He's got synesthesia from a football hit, his family has been killed, and he gets pulled back into a case in his hometown. Some interesting production decisions in the audio - some weird background music to finish a few dramatic chapters, and a female to read only the parts of his cop partner. Slightly distracting, but I'd probably read another in the series.
