As usual I’ve been juggling several books lately but what makes my current reading a bit different is that I’ve got three mysteries on the nightstand and typically I only do one mystery novel at a time. I always feel like I may start getting the bad guys or plots confused. Ha.
There’s no chance of that happening with my current reads though because they are all quite different in tone and setting.
The first one I want to mention is Voices by Arnaldur Indridason. I discovered this author several years ago when I was in Germany and his first book had just been translated in English. What really appeals to me about the books by this author is how his protagonist, Inspector Erlendur, is not just solving a mystery but also seems to be reconciling his current life with the decisions he’s made and with his past. The books always seem filled with some sorrow but yet I don’t find them depressing. This is the third book in the series and one that I’ll be discussing with my book group next week.
Next up is Goodnight, Irene by Jan Burke which is my last book for the First in a Series challenge. So far it’s a solid mystery, and while the characters aren’t totally standing out for me it’s definitely got the action going for it. Just a few pages in and there’s been a drive-by shooting and an explosion. Let’s see what happens next.
My last mystery is Payment in Blood by Elizabeth George and this one happens to be my last book for the 2nds Challenge. I really enjoyed A Great Deliverance so it’s good to be back to read more about Detectives Lynley and Havers, who seem so ill-matched to be partners. I wonder how they’ll work together this time around.
And, actually I am reading another book but it’s a non-fiction, Wife in the North by Judith O’Reilly. This memoir based on a popular blog is about a family who moves to Northumberland after living in London. I actually didn’t realize this was a book that first started out as a blog. It’s got some funny moments but the one thing that I don’t really like is that there are no names – just nicknames the author has given to friends, family and other people she meets. I understand doing so to keep things a bit anonymous but for some reason this just really bugs me.
Anyway those are my current reads. Hope you are all reading some great books and I look forward to catching up on my blog reading this week. I’ve been so busy with some other little projects that I’ve barely had any computer time.
a book that started as a blog? That sounds interesting
I love mysteries but am not familiar with the best authors so I tend to not read this genre as often.
a book from a blog…odd yet interesting…hmmm…
I have the same rule about reading mysteries.
I love a good mystery so will have to check these out. I don’t know how you do it with three at once. I’d be so confused by the end of the first few chapters. I can do two or three at once as long as they’re different genres. Right now I’m into David Field’s The Fairest Star, which is the final volume in his time travel trilogy. It’s a really entertaining read, and I’m sorry to see the series end.
Blog to book seems to be the thing these days. I’ve followed 3 blogs that now have published books. Oh, and I’m currently reading Wife In the North, too! I’m about 3/4 through. It started off very funny. I kept laughing out loud, applying post-it notes to passages for future reference, but now it seems to have calmed down. Almost to dullness. And I’m not sure how I feel about how she constantly whines and berates her husband. Might be a tough one to review…
Blog-made books are new ideas to me. I have followed a blog written in Chinese, from Beijing, that has evolved into a book published underground due to the sensitive subject on which the book is written. Now you pique the interest in Wife in the North. 🙂
I need to cram for the Booker Challenge, two more books to go before 12/31…
Jessica – I know… I’m waiting for someone to reach out to me about that – haha…
Paulina – Ooh I love mysteries and I try to check out a lot of different authors and different style mysteries so I’m always adding new series to keep track of. My favorite ones tend to be historicals and those set in foreign lands.
Serena – I’ve actually known of a couple of blogs that became books. Never read them though so I can’t say much about those. I’m curious to see how this one ends up. I’ll keep you posted.
Ruth – I know, I much prefer to read one mystery at a time but I’m in a time crunch 🙂 Thanks for posting about The Fairest Star. I’ll look into that.
Les in NE – Really? Wow, I think I’ve only found out about the blog after I heard about the book. And, I totally know what you mean about this one. I was smiling a lot at first. I’m getting a bit tired of all the whining. We’ll see… I look forward to your review!
Matt – Oh now that would be cool to read! I don’t know, I’ve read some good reviews of Wife in the North and apparently the blog is very popular (I guess it would have to be for there to be a book). I’m wondering if it’s better to read it as a blog though. And, go you on that Booker Challenge – you can do it! 🙂
Oh I just read a review abt Wife of the North at Bethany’s B&B Ex Libris. It is a positive and good review 🙂 i hope everyone like it, it sounds really good 🙂 link – http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/2008/12/wife-in-north.html
I don’t know, But i have noticed that whenever i m reading mystery/thriller/suspense… I only read one book. 🙂 But the first book you mention sounds really interesting 🙂
Three mysteries! Wow, I wish I’ve that ability to concentrate on reading more than two books! LOL. I’ve not heard any of the books you mentioned, maybe except Jan Burke’s as I thought his name sounds somewhat familiar to me. Wife in the North sounds interesting! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything which is based on a blog. Will have to check it out. 😉
Wife in the North is on my nightstand stack right now, but I haven’t started it. Thanks for the heads-up. 🙂
Congrats on almost finishing another challenge.
I need to find the Wife in the North. Sounds interesting.
Wife in the North was just a so-so read for me. I don’t know if the blogging format translated well into book form in this case. I was bothered by some of the silly situations she got herself into – why on earth did she keep running out of gas and blaming it on her husband?? Anyway. Will look forward to your final thoughts!
All those mysteries sound great! I think I’d have a problem keeping the plots straight, even if the books are dissimilar, but that’s just me and my bad memory. I’ve got to get around to read Elizabeth George!
veens – I did read that and glad she liked it. I’m a lot less enthusiastic about it but well I’ll see what happens in the end 🙂 I’d really recommend the Indridason books especially if you like more “literary” mysteries.
Melody – I don’t think I’ve read anything based on a blog either. I know of books out there but somehow I haven’t been to keen on reading those. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t realize this about this book until I was already into it.
Tiffany – I hope you enjoy it!
Isabel – I’m so close 🙂 I am curious what you would think of this book. I actually don’t think you’d like it much but who knows 😉
Tara – Yes, the gas thing has gotten old! I really can understand the appeal on a blog format and why it would be so popular but I think it definitely loses something going into a book. I can’t put my finger on what exactly but there’s just something that’s not working for me.
Dorothy W. – Oh I bet you’d enjoy Elizabeth George. She really goes for the characterization and setting the scene. You’ve enjoyed P.D. James right? I’d say Elizabeth George’s are pretty much in the same style as James.
I’ve read several of the Jan Burke mysteries and enjoyed them.
Adding Wife in the North to my list!
I’m fascinated by the book that started as a blog…will have to look that up.
I’m a huge fan of all the Elizabeth George mysteries – lucky you to have them all to discover 🙂
I hope you’re enjoying the Elizabeth George book. I plan on reading her newest over my holiday vacation from work!
jenclair – I thought sometimes the dialog was a bit clunky but oddly enough it was the first book I kept picking up! I finished it and did enjoy it. Now I just need to write a review 🙂
Ravenous Reader – I know it’s interesting isn’t it? I know that’s happened with some cooking blogs and a couple of others. This second George book is fantastic so far! 🙂
Danielle – I don’t even know how many books she’s up to now – a lot right? While part of me would love to rush through and be caught up, it’s nice to know I have a good long series ahead! 🙂