New Books and a Reading Update

Jo got her second Pfizer vaccination on Sunday so we both have now received our 2nd vaccinations. That makes us feel a bit more secure. We're still masking when we shop though. Let the numbers of vaccinations hit the 75% mark across Canada, then we'll think about it. Masking has become a matter of habit the past year. I don't mind wearing it at all. I can't understand the resistance of other people but that's their problem.

I've added to my library a bit the past few days. Had a visit to Nearly New Books in town to drop off some books and ended up buying a few. I also got a couple in the mail. So I'll provide synopses of those books. I also finished one book so will post my review and also the synopsis of the next book I'm starting. I won't do an entry on my ongoing theme as there is enough info in the above without adding to the post.

Just Finished

1. The Holy Thief by Ellis Peters (Cadfael #19). This was the last book in my annual 12 + 4 challenge. I've made up a new one, but just 12 + 0. 12 will be enough for the rest of the year.

"The Holy Thief: A Medieval Whodunnit is the 19th book in the Cadfael historical mystery series by Ellis Peters. While it wasn't my favorite book in the series so far, it was still an entertaining story and mystery.

Let's see... what's this one about. In the last book in the series that I read, The Potter's Field, a fellow Benedictine monastery at Ramsey was taken over by enemies of King Stephen. In this story, Stephen has relieved the area and the monks have returned to their monastery, found it defiled and severely damaged. The Abbot of the monastery has sent out monks to gather in the rest of the monks, scattered around England and also to try to obtain assistance in rebuilding Ramsey.

Two monks, Sub-Prior Herluin and novice Brother Tutilo arrive at Shrewsbury asking for help from Abbot Radulfus and his monks. In another reference, Herluin also wants to bring Selouin back to Ramsey. Selouin was another apprentice who in the last story came from Ramsey and decided he wasn't made out to be a monk. Also at Shrewsbury are a minstrel and his assistants, biding their time while there horses are rested. On the return trip to Ramsey, the wagon carrying lumber and monies is robbed. As well, Shrewsbury's holy artifacts are found to have disappeared; possibly stolen from their church.

So there you go with the very basics; there will be murder as well and the introduction of the Earl of Leicester, the neighboring 'county' to Shrewsbury. It's all very interesting; the story wandering from Shrewsbury to Leicester and back again. You've got a novice wondering about his vocation, a potential romance, religious intrigue, miracles, murder and robbery. What else could you ask for. The story does wander about a bit much at times but it is still a fun read. Cadfael does his normal forensic work and slowly comes to some conclusions on the murder, the robbery... all with a little help from a lovely female character, Daalny. I do wish that it hadn't wandered quite so much and got to the point a bit quicker, but it's still a quick, entertaining story. Always a fun series and it's neat seeing the historical perspective. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder (2021). This is the 1st book I'm reading in my new 12 + 0 challenge. Basically, I've picked 4 books that I've had amongst the longest on my bookshelf, 4 from the middle and 4 of the most recent purchases I've made.

"The inspiration for Chloé Zhao's 2020 Golden Lion award-winning film starring Frances McDormand.

From the beet fields of North Dakota to the campgrounds of California to Amazon’s CamperForce program in Texas, employers have discovered a new, low-cost labor pool, made up largely of transient older adults. These invisible casualties of the Great Recession have taken to the road by the tens of thousands in RVs and modified vans, forming a growing community of nomads.

Nomadland tells a revelatory tale of the dark underbelly of the American economy—one which foreshadows the precarious future that may await many more of us. At the same time, it celebrates the exceptional resilience and creativity of these Americans who have given up ordinary rootedness to survive, but have not given up hope."

New Books

1. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J.M. Barrie (1902). I've never read before and this was in excellent condition.

"The magical Peter Pan comes to the night nursery of the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael. He teaches them to fly, then takes them through the sky to Never-Never Land, where they find Red Indians, wolves, Mermaids and... Pirates. The leader of the pirates is the sinister Captain Hook. His hand was bitten off by a crocodile, who, as Captain Hook explains 'liked me arm so much that he has followed me ever since, licking his lips for the rest of me'. After lots of adventures, the story reaches its exciting climax as Peter, Wendy and the children do battle with Captain Hook and his band.

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is the magical tale that first introduces Peter Pan, the little boy who never grows any older. He escapes his human form and flies to Kensington Gardens, where all his happy memories are, and meets the fairies, the thrushes, and Old Caw the crow. The fairies think he is too human to be allowed to stay in after Lock-out time, so he flies off to an island which divides the Gardens from the more grown-up Hyde Park - Peter's adventures, and how he eventually meets Mamie and the goat, are delightfully illustrated by Arthur Rackham."

2. Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley (Flavia de Luce #5). I've enjoyed the 1st two books in this YA mystery series.

"When the tomb of St. Tancred is opened at a village church in Bishop's Lacey, its shocking contents lead to another case for Flavia de Luce. Greed, pride, and murder result in old secrets coming to light--along with a forgotten flower that hasn't been seen for half a thousand years."

3. Crimson Lake by Candice Fox (Crimson Lake #1). This is a new author for me. The book was chosen as a monthly group read for August by my Mystery, Crime group. I may read it for that.

"How do you move on when the world won't let you?

12:46: Claire Bingley stands alone at a bus stop
12:47: Ted Conkaffey parks his car beside her
12:52: The girl is missing . . .

Six minutes in the wrong place at the wrong time--that's all it took to ruin Sydney detective Ted Conkaffey's life. Accused but not convicted of a brutal abduction, Ted is now a free man--and public enemy number one. Maintaining his innocence, he flees north to keep a low profile amidst the steamy, croc-infested wetlands of Crimson Lake.

There, Ted's lawyer introduces him to eccentric private investigator Amanda Pharrell, herself a convicted murderer. Not entirely convinced Amanda is a cold-blooded killer, Ted agrees to help with her investigation, a case full of deception and obsession, while secretly digging into her troubled past. The residents of Crimson Lake are watching the pair's every move . . . and the town offers no place to hide."

4. Monsieur Quixote by Graham Greene (1982). I've been working my way through Greene's works the past few years. I hadn't seen this one before.

"With Sancho Panza, a deposed Communist mayor, his faithful Rocinate, an antiquated motorcar, Monsignor Quixote roams through modern-day Spain in a brilliant picaresque fable. Like Cervantes' classic, Monsignor Quixote offers enduring insights into our life and times."

5. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P.D. James (Cordelia Gray #1). I've enjoyed James' Inspector Dalgleish series very much. She wrote this short series as well. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

"Handsome Cambridge dropout Mark Callender died hanging by the neck with a faint trace of lipstick on his mouth. When the official verdict is suicide, his wealthy father hires fledgling private investigator Cordelia Gray to find out what led him to self-destruction. What she discovers instead is a twisting trail of secrets and sins, and the strong scent of murder."

6. Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus #18). Jo started me off with this series many Xmas' ago, buying me the first 12 or so books in the series. I've enjoyed it so much.

"A series of seemingly random disappearances - stretching back to the millennium.

A mother determined to find the truth.
A retired cop desperate to get his old life back...

It's been some time since Rebus was forced to retire, and he now works as a civilian in a cold-case unit. So when a long-dead case bursts back to life, he can't resist the opportunity to get his feet under the CID desk once more. But Rebus is as stubborn and anarchic as ever, and he quickly finds himself in deep with pretty much everyone, including DI Siobhan Clarke.

All Rebus wants to do is uncover the truth. The big question is: can he be the man he once was and still stay on the right side of the law?"

7. Think, Inc by Adam Diment (Philip McAlpine #4). This cult 60's spy series only consisted of 4 books and the author basically disappeared after the 4th. I've read the 1st two so far and have searched a long time for this 4th copy. 

"Switched -on, turned-on, pot-smoking, pop spy comes in from the cold for a hot number - Chastity, the coal-black sex-kitten."

8. The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper (1987). I've only recently discovered Tepper's Sci-Fi. I've enjoyed one book so far.

"Women rule in Women's Country. Women live apart from men, sheltering the remains of civilization. They have cut themselves off with walls and by ordinance from marauding males. Waging war is all men are good for. Men are allowed to fight their barbaric battles amongst themselves, garrison against garrison. For the sake of his pride, each boy child ritualistically rejects his mother when he comes of age to be a warrior. But all the secrets of civilization are strictly the possession of women. Naturally, there are men who want to know what the women know! And when Stavia meets Chernon, the battle of the sexes begins all over again. Foolishly, she provides books for Chernon to read. Before long, Chernon is hatching a plan of revenge against women!"

9. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie (The Age of Madness #1). Abercrombie is a new author for me.  This sounded neat.

"The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.

On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments.

Savine dan Glokta - socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union - plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.

The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another..."

So there you go, some reading ideas for you. See any that interest you?