Speaking of the desk, Zoe decided to perch there for a while yesterday.
You’ll notice she’s wearing the new red and black boots.
Of all my girls, Zoe most reminds me of me as a child. I had thick brown hair, bangs, big dark brown eyes, and I was a serious kid who worried a lot. My hair was long, which is the only difference.
I guess Zoe is my “mini me.”
Waving hello to all of you.
I finished Cloud Cuckoo Land last night. Simply extraordinary. Anthony Doerr is an incredibly gifted writer. There’s no way I could summarize the plot here, as it’s complex, but suffice to say, it’s an ode to books and libraries and the human spirit, which spans generations, countries, space, and time. A book to savor and take your time reading for the sheer pleasure of it. I still can’t stop thinking about it. I spoke about nothing but that book to Don this morning during our coffee time on the sofa. I couldn’t stop!
I read a lot and, of course, you know I love mysteries. But if I had to sum up the most powerful and extraordinary books (and I’m talking new books) that I have read in the past 10 years, I would list these:
All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
Station Eleven – Emily St. John Mandel
A Gentleman in Moscow – Amor Towles
Hamnet – Maggie O’Farrell
Cloud Cuckoo Land – Anthony Doerr
And I have Towles’ newest, The Lincoln Highway, here in the den.
But first I’ll read Julia Dahl’s newest mystery, The Missing Hours, which I purchased at the Mysterious Bookshop when I was in NYC. I reviewed Dahl’s first three books and was an immediate fan. (She lives in Brooklyn, by the way.)
Which leads me to my favorite question for you (one I’ve neglected for too long.)
What are you reading?
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
It’s wind chill -17 here this morning in frigid Wisconsin, so it’s a good day to be snuggled under a comforter by the fireplace with a good book! Currently reading a new (to me) author’s first mystery – the delightful The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. It was a Christmas gift, along with the second book The Man Who Died Twice, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I love the characters and most of all I love that the protagonists are all my age (and older) and I can really relate to some of their dilemmas. I find myself laughing out loud every few pages, and right now, laughter is very welcome during this difficult winter!
I’ve seen that book out there in the world – I’ll have to put it on my list, Martha.
It sounds perfect!
Stay safe.
Cloud Cuckoo Land made me think of The Overstory. Both of them are written beautifully, and both of them took me some starts and stops to read. I got halfway through Cloud Cuckoo Land and had to stop–just the wrong space for me right now. Miss Benson’s Beetle was a fun read (partly because I managed to get a large print version from the library), and then I switched to epistolary novels and read Daddy-Long-Legs and Dear Enemy. Right now I’m looking for books written before we had cell phones and computers. It’s fun to see that life was just as busy and interesting without them.
Oh, darn! I should have added The Overstory to my list!
I hope you go back to CCL, because it is stunning and you’ll love the way everything comes together in the end.
Thanks Linda.
Stay safe!
Thanks for your list of favorite books to read. I have 2 of yours that I have not read so I have placed them on hold at my library. I just finished “Keeper of Lost Things” by Ruth Hogan and I enjoyed it very much. It is very, very cold here and so it is an inside day for me! Stay snug and safe, Claudia!
VERY cold here, as well. I haven’t stepped foot outside, Ellen!
Stay safe.
I held off commenting on Cloud Cuckoo Land until you had finished it…a truly amazing book, with so many themes intertwined. It took me quite a while to get into it, but I was so glad I persisted. Not an easy read, I took my time over it .
I just finished Old Filth, by Jane Gardam, which I believe you have mentioned, a similar book, in a way, with its many intermingled themes and timing. A very good read.
Yes, it took me a bit to get into it, mostly though, because my attention was scattered. But it’s so worth sticking it out because it is spectacular!
I have Old Filth in my TBR stack. I’ve only read one Jane Gardam in the past, but I was immediately smitten with her writing. I’m determined to read it this year, Melanie.
Stay safe!
I finished one and two of the Thursday Murder Club, can’t wait for the third. Checked out Elizabeth George’s new Lynley novel from the library yesterday.
Yes, the newest George is on my list, as well, though I haven’t read the last two in the series, so I’m wondering if I should play catchup first.
Thanks, Melissa!
Stay safe.
I’m currently reading the latest Anthony Horowitz – A Line to Kill. It’s the third in which the author is also in the book which sounds odd but really works. Set on tiny Alderney in the Channel Islands which are nearer to France than Britain. I haven’t visited it but I have to three of the others (Jersey, Guernsey and Herm) for childhood holidays. If I could live anywhere else in the world then it would be the beautiful island of Jersey.
You asked about Babylon Berlin and as far as I am aware there is a Series 4😀 It’s been filmed, in post production and looks likely to be shown in Summer 2022. Germany will see it first through Sky TV which distributes throughout Europe so that’s how I will get to see it in the UK but it will be shown on Netflix in the USA.
Happy Wednesday
I’ve read all of Horowitz’s books except for this newest title. I’m a big fan.
Thank you so much for the Babylon Berlin update! I love that series and its absence has been felt. Thank you, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
Have to second Elizabeth George – somehow I’ve missed the last few of her books, but I’m catching up now. Enjoy
Yes, I have to catch up first. I have a couple here waiting to be read, then I’ll tackle the newest one.
Stay safe!
I find your list today very interesting. My top two in the past year are “A Gentleman in Moscow” and “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. I’ll be watching for your opinions on “The Lincoln Highway” once you read it to see if they match my own. I just finished “The Maid” by Nita Prose and liked so much about it.
I’ve heard great things about The Maid, Brenda.
Thank you!
Stay safe.
I am reading a biography of Dorothy Day by John Loughery & Blythe Randolph
She is truly one of my heroes. A true advocate for the poor. She really has me questioning my materialism and how can I be a better giver.
truly how much do I need?
I always wondered do you use your local library or do you purchase all of your books?
So very cold here, we are to have a large coastal storm this weekend.
Hunker in!
I do use my local library – it is very small – and will often order books through their inter-library system. But I haven’t used it since the pandemic started.
Yes, we’re to get that same storm, though there’s a lot of confusion as to how much snow we might get.
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
Our small town has a very tiny library, too. I use that one if they have a book I want, but I mostly use the library in a nearby town. It’s only a 10 minute drive and the library isn’t huge, but it’s a lot bigger than what our town has, and they have a great selection of books. All I had to do was register my library card with them. Just an idea for you, Claudia, if you have a bigger library nearby.
I have found the libraries are not crowded during the day, they have a strict disinfecting protocol, and everyone wears masks. You can also put a book on hold online and just pick it up right inside the door.
I will probably start using our library again. I noticed that our local library now has a pick up window that they built into the exterior.
Stay safe.
I totally agree with your 5 best novels. I would add American Dirt by Jenaine Cummins-very well written and Once there were Wolves and Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy-what a writer! Also, The Overstory by Richard Powers is one of my favorites from a couple years ago.
Cloud Cuckoo and Lincoln Highway are next up after I get finished with Elizabeth’s George’s latest, Something to hide, won’t comment until I’m finished.
I find that I often drop the older favorite books for the new ones I’ve read. Glad I keep a list so I don’t forget the oldies! :)
Yes, I forgot to add The Overstory which I raved and raved about on this blog.
Don’t comment about George yet. I have to play catchup before I can read her newest!
Stay safe, Betsy.
Zoe is adorable! She may be my favorite out of all your girls. I love when you share pictures of them. They make me smile.
I just finished reading The September Society by Charles Finch. It’s the second in a series but there are many more. I just discovered him.
My brother gave me All the Light We Cannot See for my birthday a few years ago and I loved it.
Did you see PBS is coming out with Magpie Murders? I’m not sure when it starts though.
I’ve read many of the Charles Finch books – they’re lovely.
As you know, I will probably not watch any adaptation of a book I’ve read and really like. I have the characters firmly fixed in my imagination and I don’t want somebody else’s choices in my head.
Stay safe, Carol.
Oh Zoe and those tiny boots! As for what I’m reading, I just picked up from the library We begin at the end by Chris Whitaker. I was reading a Peter Swanson who I usually like, but it was about a serial killer and got to be too much at the moment.
I’ve only read one Peter Swanson and I really didn’t like it. I’m only speaking about one book, but it felt manipulative and I could see what was coming way ahead of time.
But I haven’t read any of this other books, so maybe it was just that book?
Thanks, Judy.
Stay safe.
I read several books a week most for Netgalley now
The book woman’s daughter was good…not as good as the first one but great story
Most of the books I read are not out yet
I love mysteries especially those set in U K
Have read tons of WWII historical fiction lately
I miss my fantastic library in Indiana but enjoy this one also
My granddaughter is loving living in Brooklyn
Sharing theee bedroom apt
She and roommates lucky to get lottery for Nrowdway
Seeing shows that are good for 35.00
Just saw Alladin
She is now working from apartment but hopes to go in office soon
WWNorton
Thanks for sharing your reads, Brenda!
Stay safe.
I have promised my family I will go and get new iPhone in February
This is one of the first ones
No matter how I type on it it does it’s own thing plus battery won’t last
Alas!!!
You’ll love your new phone! xo
My cousin just gave me The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah . I found it very well written but quite dark. It is a historical novel based on the dust bowl migration. Great character development but so sad to read how man exploits man . In these times of political hate I was shocked to see class and local tribal mentality have always been within society, However it gave me hope if society could come together after the great depression There is hope. IMHO this is best read when you are looking for enlightenment not a relaxing read.
Thank you for the recommendation, Patricia!
Stay safe.
LOVE these posts!!!! I recently read The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley, and it was good. The Music of Bees by Elileen Garvin was beautiful. I loved it!! Oh William was fantastic, I just love everything by Elizabeth Strout. The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson was fun, and Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty was pretty good. Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall was really good, I loved the little girl in the story. Waiting in my TBR pile is Rock, Paper, Scissors and The Second Mrs. Astor. Here is to reading in this crazy cold weather!! Take care.
Yes I read Oh William and loved it
Anything by Elizabeth Strout is great!
I love the way she writes. I get so caught up in each of her books!! Soooo good.
You’ve been reading a lot of books, Chris! They are the best medicine for winter and this insane world we’re living in.
Escape.
Stay safe.
I loved Oh William! My husband just finished reading Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again, both by Strout. He enjoyed those two books as much as I did.
All of those books were wonderful. I did love Olive in her many “interesting” ways and assessments of the world around her.
i enjoy hearing your lists and thoughts about books as well as everybody’s answers to the question (my “to be read” list is very long) so thanks for asking!
i am reading the Bible and the first of nine “little house on the prairie” books.
hope you are having a nice night, feeling better and stay warm and safe! same to don and everyone else here.
kathy
It is very cold here, so staying warm is a bit of a problem this morning in that it’s taking a long time for the house to warm up.
Thanks for sharing, Kathy.
Stay safe.
I love these posts…I always find new reads. I’m halfway through Louise Penny’s The Madness of Crowds.
Is the snowmageddon gonna clip you? ;)
I think we might get an inch or two – but it seems that the track is still up in the air. Hoping that forecast holds true as our snowblower needs repair.
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Months ago, when I joined in one of your What are You Reading? posts, I had been reading Jerusalem by Alan Moore. You asked me to let you know what I thought. Three months went by and I never answered. Because I was still plodding through it and frankly had no idea what to say. I’m sure it was me, not him, because it has received endless acclaim and he is a much loved author. I am not a fast reader and I love long books so I was determined I was going to finish. My sister had sent me a whole box of books at the start of the pandemic and I figured she must have liked it. Finally, the tenth time I told her I was still reading it, she checked her star rating for her books and told me it had rated a 0 because she gave up on it almost immediately. Acccck! She could have told me months earlier! Finally, when I was actually 200 pages away from the end of the almost 1200 pages, she sent me a British Victorian ghost story she knew I wouldn’t be able to resist. Thank goodness! It broke the spell and I never went back. Some of Jerusalem was pure brilliance. Some of it was painful. For me. Most people love it. But that’s why I never answered. Now I’m reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon. Or having it read to me because I’m trying Audible. DG is one of my favourite authors so all is well. Thanks to you, next up is Still Life by Louise Penny. I decided to start on novel one of the Inspector Gamache mysteries.
I’m not normally a doll person but am totally enamoured with your Blythe girls. And their clothes.
Thank you for the update, Colleen. I just googled the book to remind myself of the plot. It sounds fascinating – somewhat in the same kind of sprawling epic style of Cloud Cuckoo Land, although it looks like Jerusalem is twice as long.
I’m still tempted, but for now I have plenty of books to read right here.
Enjoy (I know you will) Louise Penny.
I’m not a doll person at all, but Blythes stole my heart, so I understand.
Stay safe.
She DOES look worried! But darling!
I wasn’t a fan of Station Eleven but certainly of Moscow and All the Light. Cuckoo is on my list, as is Hamnet.
I’m reading “Murder in Chianti,” the first in a new series (to me) by Camilla Trinchieri. So far, a pleasing mystery with wonderful food descriptions and beautiful “scenery.” I don’t think she’ll replace Donna Leon for me, but a nice trip to Tuscany no matter what!
Sounds like a good series, Jeanie!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, I know it’s been a long time since I’ve visited and commented, but I popped onto your blog tonight and saw this post…and being a book lover like you, thought I’d comment on this one.
You like the same type of books as Brian does. In fact, I learned about Louise Penny from you and passed that on to Brian, and now he’s read every one of her books! I loved All the Light We Cannot See, but I could not get into A Gentleman in Moscow, Hamnet, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and The Lincoln Highway. Of course, Brian loved them all! I guess we all like different genres.
I read several books at once. I have two books that I pick up daily (well, I try) to read that day’s blurb: Simple Abundance (which I read every year) and A Year of Miracles. I’m near the end of a fiction book, The Floor of the Sky and then two non-fiction books; one called Unfunc Your Gut and the other I can’t remember the name of, but it has to do with growing up with toxic/immature parents. Recommended to me by a friend who’s a therapist.
The look of your Zoe doll and how you described yourself reminds me a lot of myself growing up. In fact, I recently received a big pile of old photos that belonged to my aunt who passed away a couple of months ago. In one photo with me as a flower girl at another aunt’s wedding, I looked so stoic! In another photo with yet another aunt, I looked shy and was half turned from the camera. Even in some of my baby pictures, I look so serious.
I still am a serious person, but I love to laugh. Anyone who can make me laugh gets extra brownie points from me.
It was bitter cold the past few days here. Yesterday morning was -9. Today we had a warm up into the high 20’s. Felt balmy!
Brian and I sound like kindred spirits!
Oh, laughing is everything. Everything. Don makes me laugh constantly. I always said that a sense of humor was the most important trait in a potential partner and I was right.
Stay safe, Melanie.
Hi, Claudia, I don’t post very often, but am an avid reader and couldn’t resist sharing my latest reads. But I also love your girls, and love seeing Zoe perched on the desk.
I read Hamnet, all of Louise Penny and many others because of you. Loved Penny and Hamnet and more, so thank you! Just finished The Music of Bees (loved), The Refugees, The Dressmaker of Auschwitz, and the Lincoln Highway. Each had something really special about them and liked them all. A friend suggested an “oldie” of Nora Ephron, I Feel Bad About My Neck, and I’m reading and enjoying it immensely! Forgot how much fun she is to read. Also, started Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce. Read and enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club, but haven’t gotten the next one, yet. So many wonderful reads still await!
Thanks so much for sharing you recent reads with us, Caroline! I have the Nora Ephron and loved it. The Lincoln Highway is next in line, I think and I’ve heard so much about The Thursday Murder Club that I think I have to put that on my list!
Stay safe.