As November draws to a close, we’re reading some fun books!
Bill: This week, like so many others, was involved in travel and family. I did manage to finish the OK but overall disappointing Once Upon a River by Dianne Setterfield.
Marion: I read Alexandra Rowland’s A Conspiracy of Truths last week, and enjoyed it. Right now, I’m reading Mansfield Park, the one Jane Austen book I haven’t read before. Austen was an astute observer of human behavior and had lots of insight into her society and its mores, but I’m not enjoying it as much as I did Pride and Prejudice or some of the others.
Sandy: Moi? I am currently reading a book that I have long wanted to get my hands on, L. Ron Hubbard’s 1940 novel Fear. No less a figure than Stephen King has called it “a classic tale of creeping, surreal menace”; Ray Bradbury has called it “a true scare”; Tim Powers has called it “a terribly powerful story”; and Robert Bloch has deemed it “Hubbard’s finest work.” And me? I am enjoying it immensely so far, and look forward to reporting back to you on this one soon….
Terry: I’m reading long hours during the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, and having a blast. I’m revisiting my longstanding love for Tanith Lee by reading her collection Cold Grey Stones. The first story in the book, called “The Clockatrice,” is a killer — so good, so well-written. I’m also reading The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J. Harris, a mystery narrated by a teenager with multiple mental defects but also with synesthesia. It’s told from his point of view, and thus a bit emotionally difficult to read, but I think the book is something of a feat. Finally, I’ve just barely started My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, a fascinating and weird mystery.
Tim: This week, I began listening to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. A little late in the season, admittedly, but what can I say? I had a queue. Anyway, the novel is great so far, if a little dreamier than I expected. Can’t believe it took me this long to get around to reading it. I’ve also begun reading John Crowley‘s The Deep in print. It’s a little weird, as per Crowley usual, but fun so far.
I just listened to the audiobook of The Lies of Locke Lamora which was excellent. I had read the book way back in 2013 or so and enjoyed it muchly but while in search of my next audiobook decided to give it another go in audio form and boy am I glad I did. Michael Page did a fabulous job of reading it, making the story just that much extra.