Around the campfire Saturday night, my friend Judy asked me to send her the names of the books I had mentioned.
I am currently reading pretty much everything written by Ann Patchett. I first read Taft
, because it was one of the 15 books on my cousin’s Facebook note called 15 books. When I looked up Taft before reading it, there were all these references/raves about Bel Canto
. Since I enjoyed Taft, when I had run out of things to read, I picked it up. Oh. My. Goodness. Taft was good, but Bel Canto is one of the best books I’ve ever read. So unusual.
After reading a book that good you have to take a break in reading, out of respect. When I read again, I read other authors but I made a big mental note to return to Patchett. On a recent vacation I read in rapid succession: Run
, The Magician’s Assistant
, and I just started State of Wonder
. After that, the only Patchett novel I’ll have left, and I’ll save it for when I need a good book to read, will be The Patron Saint of Liars
.
Another author that my multi-generational reading sisters and I devoured earlier this year is Sarah Addison Allen. Krista, who cannot walk through an airport without buying a book, first brought home The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel
, which we all enjoyed. Light summer reading (ok it wasn’t summer but it should have been). Really delightful. So I got Garden Spells and it was so good I read it twice! I just read it too fast the first time and had to read it again. We read and enjoyed her other two (only two!!) books, The Sugar Queen
and The Peach Keeper: A Novel
, each special in its own way. We impatiently wait for her next novel.
Judy said she enjoys mysteries, so here are the mystery series that I’ve enjoyed in years past:
- Brother Cadfael mysteries (in order)
, by Ellis Peters. There was a PBS series made out of some of these, or the characters, I’m not sure which. Set in 11th century benedictine monastery!
- A is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries, No. 1)
and so on, through most of the alphabet so far, by Sue Grafton. Set in the 1980s I think.
- Edwin of the Iron Shoes (Sharon Mccone Mysteries)
, written in 1977 by Marcia Muller, set in current times. She is still writing, with the latest McCone mystery published in 2010. Yes I read it!
- The Cater Street Hangman: The First Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel (Mortalis)
, likewise published in 1979, by Anne Perry. Her William Monk series is equally good, and she seems to be still writing both those victorian series, plus a short series of three books set during WWI.
- Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody, Book 1)
, published in 1988 by Elizabeth Peters. Another late victorian, early 20th century series that is full of satisfyingly ridiculous adventure.
I think all of those series, except Grafton and maybe Muller, are the type of mysteries technically known as “cozies” as opposed to “hard boiled” which would refer to a more gritty read with grim details. Cozies are like Agatha Christi.
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