One of the best things about visiting the library is finding something you weren’t even looking for right? The library closest to me is not too large but every once in a while they surprise me with a new display/installation and on my latest visit this was no exception. They had a small display of local artist Daniel Arredondo’s impressionist landscapes on cigar boxes. I just love how the library is a window to so many other things. It’s great isn’t it?
Anyway, I did pick up a few books on my visit. One was a hold for my upcoming book group meet up but the others were book I thought would be good reads.
Murder on the Quai by Cara Black. This is the book for my mystery group. I read one of in this series before and I didn’t enjoy it too much but I’m open to checking this one out and seeing if I change my mind. This is the 15th book in the series and of course it is set in Paris so at least I’m sure I’ll enjoy the setting.
The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera. In this #1 international bestseller, a young woman leaves everything behind to work as a librarian in a remote French village, where she finds her outlook on life and love challenged in every way. This sounds delightful doesn’t it?
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. It’s been years since I caught up with Inspector Gamache and his team so I’m looking forward to this one. This is the eighth book in the series and while the last couple of books weren’t my favorite I do like Gamache a lot and hope that this book will reel me back into the series.
Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson. Set in rural Oklahoma during the late 1980s, this is a startling, authentically voiced and lyrically written Native American coming-of-age story. I am really looking forward to this one.
Let me know if you’ve read any of these and what you think. Also, have you been to your library recently? What did you get?
Nice display! I haven’t read any of Cara Black’s books, but it’s another series that I keep meaning to try. I’m no so much of a big fan of Paris-set books, but I would like to meet the characters. The Beautiful Mystery is, of course, one I’ve read – the one set with the monks. It was very interesting in many ways and that’s all I’ll say. Book #9, the next one, is pivotal to the series.
Murder on the Quai is a kind of prequel to the series. I’ve enjoyed several book in the series, but this one was a “meh” for me. Did learn some interesting background, though. I haven’t read The Beautiful Mystery yet, but I will as I love the series. The other two books sound like I would like them–I mean a librarian and Native American coming-of-age story!
Our library is often singularly disappointing in its displays, not to mention the books it has in its shelves. There is not enough translated literature to suit me, their emphasis is more on best selling fiction such as the masses read. I like some of those books from time to time, but not a steady diet of them. Any way, your photos were interesting, and Cara Black has written some fun mysteries which always seem to capture a piece of Paris for me.
Fantastic art exhibit! I just picked up Michael Pollan’s new book from the library. Really looking forward to reading it!
Nice to see more library love! I haven’t read any of those, but I’ve read two in the Cara Black series and three in the Louise Penny series. The latter I intend to follow-up with, but I’m not sure about the Paris mysteries either; maybe I just never really connected with the character or maybe I needed to have more familiarity with Paris? Either way, I wouldn’t mind reading another, if it was for the kind of bookclub you’re in, but I’m not rushing towards another either. Although I do normally really like the mysteries from Soho Press!
I haven’t read any of these, but they all sound good! I so rarely use the library for my own purposes, although we do visit for my daughter. I have so many unread books in the house and on my e-readers, I feel guilty setting them aside for library books. I want to take more advantage of the library though. Even if it’s movies or audiobooks.
I haven’t heard of any of these! But they sound really interesting — The Awakening of Miss Prim does sound just delightful. Enjoy!
Very nice! And enjoy the books, I read Louise Penny years ago and enjoyed it. I haven’t been to my library in so long, I need to get back there.