Wednesday Reading Meme

[osprey_archer]

What I’ve Just Finished Reading

There’s been very little reading this week because I’ve been writing merrily away (I’ve hit 40,000 words in Honeytrap - more if you count the stuff that I’ve scooted over to the cut file), but I did read Stephanie Burgis’s “The Wrong Foot,” a short sweet Cinderella retelling.

Oh, and I also finished E. M. Delafield’s Gay Life, although I was so close to the end last Wednesday that this almost feels like it shouldn’t count. Denis has duly ruined his chances of future happiness, in such a way that suggests that life may keep handing him chances of future happiness which he will duly ruin as well, because he hasn’t learned or changed at all. Oh Denis! I believed in you.

What I’m Reading Now

Still working on Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. No quotes this week - I’m reading the book at work and this week we’ve been busy, so there hasn't been much forward progress.

What I Plan to Read Next

Thwarted (for the moment) in my quest to read Hilary Tamar, I’ve lined up another mystery book to try: Mario Giordano’s Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions. So far, there are only two books in the series, but if I like it that will be a series to follow going forward.

On the longer series front, I’m contemplating Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, on the grounds that it has a solidly satisfying number of books (assuming I start reading again sooner rather than later) and I’ve heard good things about the TV series, so it would give me a new mystery series to watch, too.

Comments

[the_rck]

I enjoy The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books quite a bit, but you should be aware, going in, that they are more slice of life than mystery. They're in that odd borderline state of not being anything else but of being apt to disappoint someone reading them for unraveling puzzles. Most of cases the agency takes on aren't criminal.

The books have a very clear sense of place (never having been to Botswana, I can't say whether or not that place is clearly Botswana), and time passes for all of the characters as the books go on.

Because of the setting, both the time and the place, HIV is pretty constantly in the background mostly without being named. It's been a long time, but I'm pretty sure one of the main characters has a brother who dies of it. Her needing to care for him is a plot point.

I really like the series and always look forward to new volumes. You may like it, too.

[isis]

+1 to all this. It's more like tales from Lake Wobegon (in Botswana) than mysteries; the idea is that Mma. Ramotswe untangles the cases through the 'obvious-to-women' method of actually listening to the people involved, and drawing conclusions borne of social understanding, and the cases themselves are usually not central to the books. Very character-driven, and the characters are wonderful and varied and real. There is a lot of humor, and as the_rck says, Botswana is very vividly brought to life. I would listen to the excellent audiobook readings by Lisette Lecat (highly, HIGHLY recommended) while running on our plowed river path in the snow, and I would be transported to the hot Botswana plains, seeing cows grazing under acacia trees instead of snowbanks to either side.

The show is sadly only a single season, but I enjoyed it a lot. The casting was absolutely perfect.

[osprey_archer]

So a slice of life story with an element of mystery to add a little bit of extra pep?

I do love books that have a vivid sense of place. I'll have to give the series a try.

[osprey_archer]

I'm fond of the Aunt Dimity books, where the super low-key mysteries are basically an excuse for the main character to chat with some interesting people, maybe infodump some fun facts about England's history, and eat some tasty treats, so this all sounds pretty much my speed.

I love books with a strong sense of place, too. You wouldn't think it would be so hard to find, and yet!

[asakiyume]

I think I watched a couple of episodes of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, and I recall liking them (not sure why I didn't continue; I suspect it was because they were only available by DVD? Or something?) I haven't read the books, though.

Glad you've made such great progress on Honeytrap!

[osprey_archer]

Alas, I have now reached the part of Honeytrap where This Is The Worst Book I Have Ever Written. Every book has this stage so I know that it is not literally true, but nonetheless it FEELS true every single book.

[asakiyume]

STRENGTH. I'm glad you know this stage will pass.