Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 12:42 PM Apr 2021

What Fiction are you reading this week, Apr. 18, 2021?



Pull up a seat and a book.

Still reading The Grammarians. It's pretty good; just a tale about American life. But I'm missing my mysteries so I just picked up Crooked River by Preston & Child, #19 in the Agent Pendergast series. "Racing to uncover the mystery of several severed feet found floating in the Gulf of Mexico, Agent Pendergast is faced with the most inexplicable challenge of his career." Sounds great and can't wait to get started on it tomorrow.

It's getting to be really difficult to find anything from my list available in free audible books. But, I did find Unclean Spirits by Chuck Wendig, an original urban fantasy novel, the first in a series. Horror, dark, grim and bloody. Not for the faint of heart. Suitable for while I work in the kitchen. I only just started it yesterday and I suspect it will be quite interesting, and unusual.

So, what's interesting on your reading list this week?
24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What Fiction are you reading this week, Apr. 18, 2021? (Original Post) hermetic Apr 2021 OP
Mark Greaney Timewas Apr 2021 #1
I have read a couple of those. Good stuff. dameatball Apr 2021 #3
Mmmm, political thrillers hermetic Apr 2021 #5
I'm simultaneously reading various time travel anthologies. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2021 #2
Time... hermetic Apr 2021 #6
"The Honjin Murders" by Seishi Yokomizo. dameatball Apr 2021 #4
Many characters hermetic Apr 2021 #7
They do that in the front of the book, so that is helpful. dameatball Apr 2021 #12
Reread Cat Shout for Joy, likely my fav all time book, a Joe Grey SheltieLover Apr 2021 #8
Your favorite, eh? hermetic Apr 2021 #14
You know, I love the entire Joe Grey series, but the last 3 are stand outs! SheltieLover Apr 2021 #16
Plunging into the Golden Age The King of Prussia Apr 2021 #9
Wow, from 1941 hermetic Apr 2021 #11
Out and about The King of Prussia Apr 2021 #17
I started The Conclave by Robert Harris. Polly Hennessey Apr 2021 #10
Interesting hermetic Apr 2021 #13
Conclave, it is. Polly Hennessey Apr 2021 #15
Finished reading Michael Christie's book, Greenwood, which I thoroughly enjoyed japple Apr 2021 #18
I got Greenwood hermetic Apr 2021 #19
Sounds like a great read! SheltieLover Apr 2021 #23
Finished "The Scorpion's Tail" by Preston & Child Number9Dream Apr 2021 #20
Oooh, good hermetic Apr 2021 #21
Oh, hey, I have a story for you hermetic Apr 2021 #22
Two for now lounge_jam Apr 2021 #24

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
5. Mmmm, political thrillers
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:05 PM
Apr 2021

He gets lots of 5 star reviews, and awards. He also co-wrote the last Jack Ryan thrillers with Tom Clancy, then continued the Jack Ryan character and the Tom Clancy universe following Clancy's death.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,895 posts)
2. I'm simultaneously reading various time travel anthologies.
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 12:52 PM
Apr 2021

Some are on my Kindle, others are physical books.

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
6. Time...
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:10 PM
Apr 2021

“Time is the substance I am made of. Time is a river which sweeps me along, but I am the river." Jorge Luis Borges

Sure wish I could travel out of this time, since there is no way I can travel out of the country.

dameatball

(7,399 posts)
4. "The Honjin Murders" by Seishi Yokomizo.
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:05 PM
Apr 2021

Still just getting started. I am having some trouble following the cast of characters at the moment.

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
7. Many characters
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:15 PM
Apr 2021

When I start one like that, I find it helps to start writing their names down in a notebook in groupings like a family, or friends, or coworkers. Then I can quickly check on them later to remind myself who they are in the grand scheme. But, having written them down actually helps me to remember them more easily, too.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
8. Reread Cat Shout for Joy, likely my fav all time book, a Joe Grey
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:31 PM
Apr 2021

Now reading Cat Striking Back inthe series.

A few of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune series coming up, too.

Also, "Hope Jever Dies," another reread. Someone had posted about this two book series featuring Barack & Joe.

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
14. Your favorite, eh?
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 02:20 PM
Apr 2021

I will pick that one up next time.

They don't have any of the Miss Fortune's here. I'll probably have to buy those.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
16. You know, I love the entire Joe Grey series, but the last 3 are stand outs!
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 02:29 PM
Apr 2021

They really trigger the imagation.

Sadly, my library only has Cat Shining Bright & Cat Chase the Moon in hard copy. Not nearly as convenient.

This is a series I'm considering purchasing as there are a few I've not been able to read in ecopy, and because I just love it.

I wouldn't personally purchase the Miss Fortune series. They're ok - but not outstanding, imho.

9. Plunging into the Golden Age
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:47 PM
Apr 2021

"Death & the dancing footman" by Ngaio Marsh. It's the epitome of the country house mystery - a motley house party, and murder, and snow, in the air. I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Earlier I read "Lockdown" by Peter May - a thriller set during a pandemic. Not up to his usual high standard.

Visited 2 bookshops this week - first time since August 😃

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
11. Wow, from 1941
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 02:04 PM
Apr 2021

My library actually has this. Better yet, it has this title along with Surfeit of Lampreys and Colour Scheme all in one book. I will definitely have to pick that one up.

Look at you, all out and about. We're not allowed yet.

17. Out and about
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 03:07 PM
Apr 2021

Well sort of. Pubs and cafés are open - but only if you sit outside. And it's been a very cold spring.

There is a road map to normality, and, fingers crossed we're on course to be free by the end of June.

It's come closer, my wife's niece has covid (getting better though). She's been in close contact with her parents, but they've tested negative.

Polly Hennessey

(6,804 posts)
10. I started The Conclave by Robert Harris.
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:58 PM
Apr 2021

I am finding myself fascinated. Would never have thought a novel about the selection of a pope would be interesting. Who knew Catholic cardinals could be so lively and intriguing .

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
13. Interesting
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 02:18 PM
Apr 2021

Looking up The Conclave in the Fiction DataBase I found 6 books but none by Harris. I thought maybe it was NF, since it actually happened, but then I found it at GoodReads, without the 'The'. An ambitious, page-turning thriller.
That does sound intriguing.

Polly Hennessey

(6,804 posts)
15. Conclave, it is.
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 02:26 PM
Apr 2021

He also wrote Enigma. I’m glad I stumbled on it and decided to give it try. Totally enjoying and learning lots about Vatican City and the cardinals. 😇

japple

(9,839 posts)
18. Finished reading Michael Christie's book, Greenwood, which I thoroughly enjoyed
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 03:08 PM
Apr 2021

and highly recommend.

I got a free download on Julia Claiborne Johnson's Be Frank With Me. and am enchanted with this author and her unique characters. It would make a wonderful movie.

From amazon.com:

A sparkling talent makes her fiction debut with this infectious novel that combines the charming pluck of Eloise, the poignant psychological quirks of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the page-turning spirit of Where’d You Go, Bernadette.

Reclusive literary legend M. M. “Mimi” Banning has been holed up in her Bel Air mansion for years. But after falling prey to a Bernie Madoff-style ponzi scheme, she’s flat broke. Now Mimi must write a new book for the first time in decades, and to ensure the timely delivery of her manuscript, her New York publisher sends an assistant to monitor her progress. The prickly Mimi reluctantly complies—with a few stipulations: No Ivy-Leaguers or English majors. Must drive, cook, tidy. Computer whiz. Good with kids. Quiet, discreet, sane.

When Alice Whitley arrives at the Banning mansion, she’s put to work right away—as a full-time companion to Frank, the writer’s eccentric nine-year-old, a boy with the wit of Noel Coward, the wardrobe of a 1930s movie star, and very little in common with his fellow fourth-graders.


As she slowly gets to know Frank, Alice becomes consumed with finding out who Frank’s father is, how his gorgeous “piano teacher and itinerant male role model” Xander fits into the Banning family equation—and whether Mimi will ever finish that book.

Full of heart and countless “only-in-Hollywood” moments, Be Frank with Me is a captivating and unconventional story of an unusual mother and son, and the intrepid young woman who finds herself irresistibly pulled into their unforgettable world.


Many thanks for the weekly thread.

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
19. I got Greenwood
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 03:45 PM
Apr 2021

on my last library visit. (We still do curbside pickup there) So I'll be reading that one soon enough. Frank sounds like fun.

Number9Dream

(1,562 posts)
20. Finished "The Scorpion's Tail" by Preston & Child
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 04:18 PM
Apr 2021

"The Scorpion's Tail" was a Nora Kelly / Corrie Swanson entry by Preston & Child. It was good, but not as creepy as "Old Bones". I'd recommend it for P & C fans.

Hermetic - I think you'll find "Crooked River" hard to put down (I did).

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
22. Oh, hey, I have a story for you
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 04:52 PM
Apr 2021

You might recall that I absolutely loved The Last Odyssey by James Rollins. He then had a book of his short stories published called Unrestricted Access and I decided I really wanted to get that one. I like to have books of short stories around to read when I have to wait for something, like appointments. So, I was searching the used book places and thought I had found it. For a couple of bucks. Only when it came I was like “WTF?” It IS Unrestricted Access but it’s by someone named James Robbins and it was also published last year. Buyers beware! Isn’t it illegal to publish with someone else’s title in the same year? Well, it should be. I don’t know, it might turn out to be a good book anyway, but I have my doubts. So, I’m still looking for the right book.

lounge_jam

(41 posts)
24. Two for now
Thu Apr 22, 2021, 04:18 AM
Apr 2021

After finishing 3 books last week, I've started with 2 books yesterday. The first is John Gardener's Grendel, a character from the epic poem Beowulf. The 2nd one is Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Fiction»What Fiction are you read...