Books read in January and February

Books that I read in January and February~

When many people review a book, they leave a certain number of stars to rate a book- that’s too much thinking for me unless I loved a book (then an obvious 5 or didn’t like it at all which would be a one or two. The 3’s or 4’s? Nah, that’s too specific/ difficult to differentiate for me!!). For me, if I like a book, I want to read more books by the same author. That is the hallmark of a good book or a five if I were rating it one out of five. In contrast, if I read a book and have zero interest in reading anything else by the same author, then I would say that’s a one or a two. I also struggle to sometimes summarize well the plot. I will occasionally “lift” a plot summary from a review.  I wish that I had the ability to write succinct, well written summaries- I would certainly do so. Sometimes I find a review that captures really well what I liked or didn’t like about a book and I will copy that. My reason for a review post is to describe the book, not to just see myself write, if that makes sense. 

Darkwater by Dorothy Eden- I read my first Dorothy Eden book in December, really liked it and was pleased to see that she was a prolific writing with many books to her name. Unfortunately, the digital library that I use to load books onto my Kindle does not carry many by her at all. This book was one of the few.  An orphaned young woman lives with self centered relatives who make her feel poor and not always welcomed. She makes plans to move out of the house but decides to stay when two new young orphans come to live in the family’s mansion. There’s a handsome suitor, a mystery regarding murder and money. It’s written very well with a sustained air of foreboding. Really good! 

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Armin- this book was all right. Takes place in the 1920’s as four British women leave their depressing lives in England and spend three weeks in Italy. I didn’t care much for any of the characters or the plot. I wouldn’t read anything more by this author. It did, however, make me want to visit Italy!

Taft by Ann Patchet- not my favorite Ann Patchet novel but it was good because it was written by her! Looking forward to her newest becoming available (I’m on a wait list for it). The plot is a little different- it centers around a musician named Taft. Taft’s son’s mother took Taft´s son away (wait until you’re married to have kids, kids!) and he’s devastated. He manages a bar and meets a brother and sister who are reeling from the death of their dad. 

Manderly Forever- A Biography of Daphne Du Maurier- This was a really good book if you’re fan of the late writer Daphne Du. Maurier as I am. I´d read snippets about her life in the forwards of some of her books so I knew a little bit about her. But to find out in much more detail the history of her life including information about her famous family (her dad was an A list actor- just on the stage not the movie set due to when he was alive) and her uncle wrote Peter Pan), her early years and her fascination with the home that she lived in for much of her adult life (which was the inspiration for the home in Rebecca) was riveting! 

The Hike by Lucy Clark- I always enjoy Clark’s books and this one was no exception. Four friends decide to go on a hike together (ergo the title!) in Norway. The plot is well paced and tensions mount as it becomes apparent that secrets abound among the friends and that this hike might not end well for the women.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley- This book was ok. Sort of Agatha Christie(ish). The narrator was a twelve year old girl which I didn’t care for because she was quite precocious (which I  found annoying because it was so unrealistic) especially with regard to science. It is set in the 1950’s when a murder takes place on the grounds of the girl’s house where she lived with her widowed dad and two sisters. Her dad is accused of being the murderer and it’s up to our heroine (because of course) to solve the mystery. I will say that I enjoyed the second half of the book way more than the first half. I almost gave up on it but didn’t. I don’t plan to read anything more by this author. 

Big Sky by Kate Atkinson- Multiple sub plots make muddying through this book a bit difficult. It’s in a series of books featuring the same male detective as the main character. It’s a stand alone book though. I *think* that I´ve read another one in this series but I’m not sure. This book was OK. I won’t go out of my way to read more by this author. 

Deer Season by Erin Flnagan- I enjoyed this book quite a bit- it takes place in 1985 in a rural area of Nebraska. A couple who farms has befriended and hired a young man with intellectual disabilities. When a local teenage girl goes missing, he becomes a suspect. The book is told from multiple viewpoints including the brother of the missing girl. Filled with good insights and well written, what it lacks in a riveting, page turning plot, it makes up for by making you think (and be amazed when you recall what the lack of instant communication (ie cell phones) was like back in the dark ages that are the 1980’s).

Reasonable Doubt by Steve Vogel- this was based on a true story and there HAS to be a Dateline episode about this as well probably true time podcasts. Speaking of the 1980’s- this takes place in the 80’s in a small town in Illinois. A man is accused of murdering his wife and three young kids. But here is the thing- by literally every single account, this family was near perfect. The husband and wife never fought and appeared to love each other very much In fact, the woman’s family all testified for the defense when the man, the husband, was put on trial for the murders. A good motive was never established (though the prosecution did present one) and there was ZERO physical evidence that the man committed the crime. I found it crazy interesting (also, of course, horrifically sad) and the outcome of the trial and events after that are WILD!

Death is a Red Rose, Listen to Danger, Night of the Letter by Dorothy Eden- these books are all novellas really and I bought them for my Kindle (they came as a three pack)

I agree with everything from this Amazon review: (The reviewer name was entitled Amazon Customer)

Riveting stories, intriguingly original and finely-drawn characters and unique villains: these three suspenseful examples of Dorothy Eden's skill with mystery plots peopled with memorable folk show why her subtle writings have stood the test of time. A great pleasure to re-read Eden"s fine composition and excellent plotting, as opposed to in so many novels : so short on plot, meaty characters and good writing and heavily relying on those over-used and banal "crutches" of much modern writing (and film) : vile (and unimaginative) language, gratuitous gore and pointless descriptions of sexual "gymnastics" and perversions. If you're looking for something better, consider Dorothy Eden's writings.

It All Come Down to This by Therese Anne Fowler- Three sisters grapple with the death of their mom who bestows the family’s Maine cabin to them under the provision that they must sell it. An ex con is interested in buying it. The novel really focuses though on the inner thoughts and longings of the characters. I didn’t care for it too much though I generally like character driven books. One of the story lines was just so, so dumb. I won’t spoil it but I also wouldn’t recommend the book so maybe sharing a spoiler isn’t such a bad idea? Nah, I don’t want to take the time to do it ;).

Run River by Joan Didion- I think I got the idea to read a Joan Didion book from the above book (or maybe the book before that?). You know how sometimes novels mention real books/ authors and it makes you curious? I had heard of Joan Didion before and then read about her again so I decided to read one of hers. I did not care for this book much (it’s her first) and am undecided I will read more. It takes place in northern California in the 1950´s. The main characters are a husband and wife who are descendants of some of the first settlers in the area.  Their marriage seemed doomed from the start; the reader gets a first hand look at the dysfunction. The writing is good but the storyline is not so good.

Beware the Woman by Meg Abbott- This was a pretty good book- a pregnant woman Jacy and her husband travel to the UP in MI to visit her husband’s dad. Things from normal to not pretty fast with regard to the relationships of everybody to the pregnancy and health of the baby and Jacy. I like all of Meg Abbott’s books that I’ve read so far and will continue to read them. 

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle- A woman is devastated by the death of her mom and decides to go on the trip to Italy that they had planned on going together, by herself. Once in Italy, she meets... her mother? when her mom was young and in Italy for the first time. Whoa- weird, right? Yep but you’re reading fiction so you suspend reality and enjoy the impossible. I thought this book was pretty good, notwithstanding its weird premise. I liked In Five Years better than this one. I can’t decide if I will read another book by this author...