What I'm Reading Now...

Over the weekend that wasn't much at all, but in the little time I did get to pick up a book it seemed most often to be of the creepy thriller/mystery persuasion.  I wonder what it says about a person who can spend endless hours reading these sorts of books?  Best not go there.  As long as they're not too violent anyway.

The Sister, Poppy Adams.  I mentioned this one before.  Set in England in the 50s it's about two sisters in an idiosyncratic family.  Early on we learn of a terrible accident that leaves one sister unable to have children.  This story is really sort of creepy, and it's made more so by the fact that the father and one of the daughters spends nearly all their time studying moths.  It's not that moths are inherently creepy, but the author writes about them (or the sister talks about them) in such vivid and sometimes uncomfortable detail that it adds to the overall weird effect Adams so successfully portrays.  And I'm intrigued by the narrator.  Something's not right with her, but I can't quite figure it out.  There have been clues and I have a few ideas, but we'll see if any of them pan out as I am ready for a few twisty turns in this story.

A Fatal Inversion, Barbara Vine.  I know I've gushed about Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine before.  I can't help myself--she's really that good.  This is less a whodunit than a whydonit.  I already know a woman and her child has been murdered.  Their skeletons have been discovered in a pet cemetery in what was once a great estate.  And I know who was living there for one, what seemed like perfect, summer in the 70s.  I think I even might know who pulled the trigger, though I could be wrong.  What I don't know is why any of it happened.  With her usual taut plotting Vine is slowly revealing what happened that summer ten years ago.  It's the psychological aspect that keeps me turning the pages of this novel, but knowing how Barbara Vine works, I am still expecting the unexpected to happen at the end.

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier.  I hadn't forgotten what a good book this is, but rereading reminds me of just how good of a writer Daphne du Maurier could be.  I know that she didn't want to be known only as a writer of Gothic romance but preferred to be respected for her more serious fiction, but there is nothing fluffy about Rebecca.  I think it may easily be one of my top ten reads this year and is certainly now going to be a favorite.  It's the first book by du Maurier I ever read, and that was ages ago.  Although I remember the major plot twists, I'm afraid the details faded long ago.  It's almost like reading it for the first time.  I'm trying hard to read this one slowly so I can savor it.

I only wish I could have escaped somewhere over the weekend for a few quiet hours of uninterrupted reading.  Now it's back to squeezing in book time here and there.  I am still working on my nonfiction and a couple other novels.  I need to pick up some of my short story collections that I'm supposed to be working on, as they seem to have been slighted of late.  Perhaps less computer time later?  I need a second set of eyes, or a few extra hours in the day.  Don't we all, though!   

Comments

[Dorothy W.]

I've never read any Du Maurier and that's a crime! We never get enough time to read, I'm afraid. I have more free time than usual right now, and yet still things get in the way. But perhaps it's better to be wanting more time to read than to be sick of reading?? (if such a thing is possible ...)

[Matt]

Du Maurier sounds very appealing and tempting. I agree with you that mysteries/thrillers are books that I like to (hopefully) finish all in one sitting, or least have few hours to savor. Last week my second class began so the two lectures now overlap and I have double the amount of work to do and papers to grade. I have to squeeze in an hour here and there to read.

[Katherine]

As for Rebecca and Barbara Vine, good choices! Both Vine and Du Maurier are great authors of suspense. As for The Sister, I have a copy of this book on hold at the library, so I can't wait until I actually have it in my hands. I'll be looking forward to when you post a review, when you're finished.

[Andi]

I haven't read anything of the creepy thriller/mystery persuasion in a very long time, so I just might have to pick up The Sister. I've been hearing about it everywhere, and it's just too much to pass up!

[Stefanie]

So many good books you are reading. I've never read Du Maurier and have always meant to. Now if only I can find those extra hours in the day...

[iliana]

I've read Rebecca years ago but what I'd really like is to try another of Du Maurier's books. And, I seriously need to try another Vine book to see how I like it. I think I'll have to add this one to my list!

[BooksPlease]

Rebecca was the first Du Maurier book that I read and I loved it straight away. It's been a while since I last read it and I'm itching to read it again. I expect the details will have faded as well.

The Sister sounds creepy - I'll look out for that one!

Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell is another favourite author, so readable. I sit down with one of her books and don't want to stop reading - two pairs of eyes would be a great help!

[Cath]

I really ought to read Rebecca, so many people love it. I have read other Du Mauriers, my favourites being Frenchman's Creek and The House on the Strand, but Rebecca has never appealed. I'm clearly missing something!

[Smithereens]

Funny you mention Vine's Fatal Inversion, I got it through Bookmooch ages ago but got stuck with the very slow beginning. I should probably pick it up again.

[Danielle]

Dorothy--Whenever I have vacation I never read as much as I think I will either. I think I might feel a little overwhelmed if I had too much reading time (though I'd love to find out for sure). I bet there are moochable copies of Rebecca, it's a good read if you ever feel the inclination!
Matt--You are busy now! Summer classes are always so much more intense it seems. I hope you have time to squeeze in some reading. And I like having a little chunk of time when reading mysteries/thrillers as you usually don't want to put them down and it's awful when you know you Have to!
Katherine--I'm looking forward to actually finishing something, but will write about them when I do. At the same time I'm enjoying the books and don't want to rush through them either. The Sister is creepy, but intriguing, there's something weird about the narrator, but I can't quite tell what's going on.
Andi--I love these sorts of books and could probably read a steady diet of them if I let myself! :) Do try The Sister--there is lots about moths in the book, which I notice some people have criticized, but it seems really integral to the characters/story so I haven't been bothered by them.
Stefanie--I've read a smattering of du Maurier and would like to work through all her books. You should at least read her short story, "Don't Look Now"--it's great and wouldn't take too much time! When I was younger there were times I would be bored and wished time would speed up, now it's all the reverse!!
Iliana--Have you read The Dark Adapted Eye or Anna's Book? Both are favorites of mine by B. Vine. And you might like du Maurier's My Sister Rachel, if you've not tried it--it's also a sort of mystery.
BooksPlease--Rebecca was my first du Maurier, too. Then quickly followed by Jamaica Inn, which I think I need to reread, too. At this point I will pretty much read anything by Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell even so-so is still better than many other mystery authors (for me anyway).
Cath--You should at least give it a try--you might like it more than you think. I also loved Frenchman's Creek. I've not yet got to House on the Strand, which it seems is considered her best work (at least that's what I've read). I bet there are loads of used copies around.
Smithereens--I've owned my copy of A Fatal Inversion for a long time. I went through a huge phase where I read so many of her books--just flew through them. Like you I just couldn't get past the first few pages of this one, and I tried several times. It is a slow moving story, but this time around I decided I needed to stick out the first 20 pages and see how things go. It must be a matter of timing for me, as I don't want to put the book down. Strangely I don't think I even like any of the characters (and I usually need to be able to identify with Someone at least), but I am so into the psychological aspect of how these characters interact--it's set in a commune-like setting in the 70s--that it makes me want to keep reading. I think this was her second book under the Vine penname. I think I have a couple of other older ones that didn't appeal either, but I may have to tackle them next. I'd say hold on to the book and when you have more time to devote to it, give it another try. It does start slow, but once you get into the heads of the people you might just be hooked too.

[Lisa]

I've just gotten The Sister and hope to start it soon. It sounds sooo good. Rebecca is one of my all-time favorite books. But, I haven't many of her other books. I love a gothic novel.

[Tara]

I've been thinking I've been wanting to read a Vine book lately myself. A Fatal Inversion sounds good, and I already own it!

[katie]

I'm going to be reading Rebecca next. I've had this book on my TBR for over 8 months now, eek!

[Isabel]

You need to change the rotation of the Earth so the days are longer.

Or grow out quickly, so you can retire!

[Matt]

Summer classes are more intense in terms of the frequency of meeting--four days a week for 2 hours each. At least the reading is very interesting--The Master and Margarita, and discussing the book with the students makes it all the more fun. I picked up Savage Garden and hopefully I'll have a big chunk of time to read it later this week.

[Cam]

I've never read any of DuMaurier's novels, but I remember reading her memoir Myself When Young when I was about 19 and loved it. Don't remember much about the details now, other than I liked it at a time when I didn't read any non-fiction.

[Danielle]

Lisa--The Sister is good and I am at the point now of no return so to speak. I'm enjoying Rebecca the second time around, too. I love Gothic lit, too.
Tara--It's a bit slow starting, but stick with it, if yo do choose this one. I'm really getting into the story!
Katie--You'll have to let me know what you think. I hate to admit how long some of my books have been sitting on my shelves...!
Isabel--Or win the lottery!! :)
Matt--You make me want to read it now, too. I probably need to finish a few other books first, though. It must be hard reading other books while you're teaching other lit!
Cam--I think I have that one as well. I enjoyed the bio of Daphne, but it would also be nice to read her own words. She was a fascinating woman/author!