I’ve got a few good books going on right now so I’d thought I’d write about those.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’m reading my first book for the Southern Reading Challenge and that’s The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell by Loraine Despres. It’s set in 1920s Louisiana at a time when prohibition was in full swing and getting your hair bobbed was all the rage. Belle is quite the character and knows that according to the Primer of Propriety, “a lady should not have inappropriate thoughts about strange men.” Too bad Belle seems to be having some of those. Good times!
Another book is Playing with the Moon by Eliza Graham which I received from the writer. Set in England, the story switches from present day to WWII and tells the story of two women who have faced some difficult times. I’m totally hooked by the character of Minna, who is working through her grief over a recent loss. The actions she takes seem so true and heartfelt.
My current mystery book for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge is Fatal Laws by Jim Michael Hansen. I’ve had this one going on for a while and although it’s a very readable mystery, I do need a break from it at times because it’s not for the faint of heart.
Finally, I had to start A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny because it’s a library book and it’s due soon. Her first novel, Still Life, was one of my favorite mystery reads last year so I’ve been looking forward to this book. Most of the characters are back although I’m at least 50 pages in and Inspector Gamache has yet to make an appearance. I hope he comes on the scene soon because I like him.
Oh yes, how could I forget, Don Quixote is still on my nightstand. I did read a bit more this past weekend and really I’m amazed at how many beatings Don Quixote and Sancho Panza have endured! What a tale.
Anyway, I’m off to a library book sale tomorrow so wish me luck! Hopefully I’ll find lots of goodies.
I’m thrilled you are reading BBoBC! This is an author who has flown under my radar. Thanks for pointing her in my direction. Now, how do I pronounce her last name? Dee-pree?
Quite a number of interesting reads on your nightstand! I feel like I’m so behind everyone else with my DQ progress!!! ah well.
Playing with the Moon sounds promising–I’ll have to see if my library is getting it. Poor Don Quixote. Once you get into the interpolated stories, he doesn’t get beat up so much–but I suppose only as the action switches to someone else! Have fun at your library sales–looking forward to seeing what you get.
Maggie – Good question and I’d go with your pronounciation. The book is really quiet a hoot.
Heather – We’ll both be behind on DQ then! I think everyone at Windmills is doing really well.
Danielle – I bet you’d enjoy the setting… At this point, I’d love to be in Dorset. It sounds so nice and relaxing. I’m counting the hours until the sale 🙂
I love book sales! Look forward to reading about your finds.
Good luck!
Day pray would be correct if she pronounces her name in the traditional French way, but it’s probably something horrifying like dess press.
Like you, I have multiple books going! I really need to stop blogging and start reading!!
What a wonderful site. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my novel, THE BAD BEHAVIOR OF BELLE CANTRELL. It took me three years to write and research and get the humor just right, so your words mean a lot to me. By the way, the name Despres is French. It means: of the meadows. Those of you who studied French will know it’s pronounced DAY PRAY. Dew, you got it right. If you’d like to set up a time or a day to “talk to the author” I could make myself available to answer questions about writing, about my books, or about reading like a writer. Congratulations again on a great site and thanks for choosing my quote for a “sense of place.”
Sometimes it’s hard to maintain the balance between blogging and reading. I try only to blog for a certain time and get back to the book. Now I write my posts one day ahead so when I take lunch I’d only read blogs.
Playing with the Moon sounds interesting – too bad Amazon doesn’t have any synopsis!
Ex Libris – I love library sales too. They always seem to have one or two gems 🙂
Dew – You’re absolutely right!
Stephanie – hee, I know, I need to hurry up with my reading.
Loraine Despres – Thank you so much for visiting! Wow, what a nice surprise. And, thank you for letting us know how you pronounce your name. I should have realized this – I did take French classes for years. Gah. I really, really like Belle. Let me finish the book and I’ll reach out to you.
Matt – Isn’t that the truth. The way I try to maintain some balance is by taking two/three days off from blogging during the week. I love it but I need to read and catch up with bloggy friends too.
Tara – Unfortunately the book jacket doesn’t have a quick description either but it is good. Maybe the Book Depository has more info on it as it’s a UK title.
Playing with the Moon synopsis from Amazon.co.uk:
………………………..
Shattered by a recent bereavement, Minna and husband Tom retreat to an isolated village on the Dorset coast, seeking the solitude that will allow them to cope with their loss and rebuild their foundering marriage. Walking on the beach one day, they unearth a human skeleton. It is a discovery which will plunge Minna into a mystery which will consume her for months to come. The remains are soon identified as those of Private Lew Campbell, a black American GI who, it seems, drowned during a wartime exercise in the area half a century before.Growing increasingly preoccupied with the dead soldier’s fate, Minna befriends a melancholy elderly woman, Felix, who lived in the village during the war. As Minna coaxes Felix’s story from her, it becomes clear that the old woman knows more about the dead GI than she initially let on. “Playing with the Moon” is an unforgettable novel about memory and loss, about the legacy of war, and the need to reconcile ourselves to our past in order to live with the present.
Camellia – Thank you for the synopsis!
Okay, I’ve got BBoBC around here, somewhere. I’ll have to dig. I’ll also have to look for Playing with the Moon. I love anything set during WWII.