The Bedside Reading Pile and Other Notes

I have been very remiss in my lack of posts here.  I have had so much to share of late, but other work keeps getting in the way.  So my apologies to a few publicists/authors who have sent books my way that have been sadly neglected but await my attention on the ever-growing bedside reading pile.  Just a few mentions now rather than waiting (longer) for forthcoming reviews.

I love the premise of Matrimony, Inc.: From Personal Ads to Swiping Right-A Story of America Looking for Love by Francesca Beauman.  I think this is a fascinating topic and as relevant today as it was when the first personal ad appeared in a newspaper in the 18th century!  I am looking forward to getting back to it as Beauman brings the history alive by incorporating the stories of real people into the historical narrative.  It's the sort of book that inspires a next (and maybe a next after that) read by way of the bibliography.  As a matter of fact I did make use of said bibliography and ILL'd one of her resources which I also dipped into for the short duration of the loan.

I was tempted a while back by a list of historical fiction, of which two called out very distinctly.  I love that author John R. Cammidge intertwines his own life story with that of the character in his novel as well as shares his love of birdwatching in She Wore a Yellow Dress.  It is a first person narrative set in Yorkshire, UK during the 1960s and 70s.  I have been interested in this period of late.  I have dipped into it and will enjoy the coziness of the storytelling which I imagine as a voice over in a movie, particularly as it is a coming-of-age tale which seems especially suited to the style.

Art, true crime, suspense all wrapped into a novel about the theft of thirteen works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in Carol Orange's A Discerning Eye.  Art dealer Portia Malatesta is called in to help create a psychological profile of the thieves who pulled off the heist.  It's a job that will take her all the way to Colombia where she will get pulled into the orbit of a family of drug runners.  It sounds scarily suspenseful, but I love a novel that has art at its center.  One of my very favorite bookish sites is CrimeReads and last month the author shared a list of her own favorite heist novels, which I (of course) took note of.

Onwards to the long weekend next week.  Just a few work days to get through and then the highlight of my holiday will be a few extra days away from work, some pumpkin pie and some long afternoons spent (only) reading!  However, I hope to post a few more times as I try and catch up a little bit here.

Comments

[janakay]

Very interesting pile Danielle, with lots of nice things to choose from! My pick would be A Discerning Eye, as I also like works involving art (I'll definitely have to check this one out). Speaking of art/literature, have you heard of Maria Gainza's Optic Nerve? I read it last summer and loved it but never got around to posting a review. It isn't a mystery/crime/thriller; rather, it's autofiction in which the protagonist, Maria, discusses works of art as they relate to various periods of her life. It reminded me very much of linked short stories, with a strong dose of fascinating art history.

[Kathy A Johnson]

Happy Thanksgiving to you, Danielle--may the pumpkin pie be tasty and the books un-put-downable :)

[Danielle]

Janakay--I don't think I have heard of Optic Nerve--I need to check it out now as it sounds really interesting. Just looked and my library has a copy so I will go in search of it today--thanks! I love books that have art as part of the story. Elizabeth Peters wrote a series of mysteries featuring Vicky Bliss who is an art historian--have you ever read any of those books? Ihave been thinking lately of picking up the first book--I know I have a copy somewhere....

[Danielle]

Hi Kathy--Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. Is your son coming home to celebrate--I hope you are able to have a safe and happy holiday! I am going to be reading the new Lisa Unger book, Confessions on the 7:45, as it will need to go back to the library in less than two weeks now and it looks perfect for a long weekend. Mine will be very quiet but I hope it will include some pumpkin pie! ;)

[Kathy A Johnson]

Hope you enjoy Lisa's book. It sounds really good, and I'm in line for it at the library.

We'll have a quiet day, I think, just the three of us. Our son had to move home for financial reasons, so he will definitely be here :)

[BuriedInPrint]

Are you interested in the '60s/70s in England specifically, or the era in general? I know what you mean about falling behind quickly: there are always so many things to think about and do.

[Danielle]

Kathy--Okay, so, library books are just not working for me very well this year. What I read I really enjoyed but the due date was approaching....although the library, due to quarantining, is not giving fines, I just felt bad about keeping it for longer than I should. So it went back and I will wait for the paperback (the line is a long one, which was part of the guilt involved in returning it). It's nice that your son is home even if under not so nice circumstances. I hope you had a good holiday!

BiP--In the era generally--although I tend to pick up a lot of British lit--but that era was sort of distinct depending on the locale, so it is interesting seeing how things were in different places--such a fast paced//major changes period. I have been behind in everything this year. You would think that working at home more would enable me to have extra time for my own stuff--not having to commute, etc, but in some cases--that commute or gym time was when I was able to read a lot. I have not adapted as well as I wish I had. Hoping for some sense of normalcy next year!