Yesterday I mentioned that I’m involved in a little murder mystery in Venice. It had been a while since I picked up a Commissario Brunetti series but this was just the right mystery I needed. It’s always nice to go back and revisit with a favorite character isn’t it?
Acqua Alta starts off when an old friend of Brunetti’s is savagely beaten. Dottoressa Lynch is an American expert on Chinese pottery who now lives in Venice with the famous diva Flavia Petrelli, both characters which appeared in the first Commissario Brunetti book. Why was she attacked? Matters of art forgery and theft will have Commissario Brunetti busy as well as fighting the winter tempest that threatens to flood the streets of Venice.
I’m also spending some time in Iran with Azadeh Moaveni in her memoir, Honeymoon in Tehran. She’s a journalist who finds love and some danger when she returns to her parent’s homeland in 2005. Instead of finding a country headed for reform, she now sees the rise of President Ahmadinejad and wonders what it will mean to her, her friends and country.
One of my best friends is from Iran so I don’t feel as if I’m reading something completely foreign to me. She’s told me stories about her country – good and bad and we both understand what it’s like to have grown up in a country where you weren’t born. Still, what this book opens my eyes to is how a journalist who works for the American media can still make a career out of reporting the truth even if it means putting oneself at risk.
I was in the mood for a good women’s book. You know, the kind, big on relationships, family matters and maybe a bit of love. Just something that would be a bit of a comfort to read. So I picked up The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden as I’d heard some good things about it and plus isn’t the cover pretty? I wouldn’t mind being on a beach right now, gathering shells.
Anyway, back to the book. This story is about Joanna Harrison a woman who’s tired of what her life has become and runs off to Pawleys Island, South Carolina in order to fulfill a life-long dream and to find herself. I’m not very far into this story yet but I think I’ll enjoy it.
And, last but not least, I’m still making my way through Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende. I have enjoyed reading this book but I’ve noticed that she’ll depart from the story of the characters quite often to tell about the battles in South America. While I appreciate learning more about Latin American history, I don’t really like how it distracts me from the story in this instance.
So that’s what I’m reading, how about you?
The books sounds good, but I’m very intrigued with Honeymoon in Tehran as I’m interested to know more about Iran history and culture.
I can’t wait to read your thoughts on them, Iliana. I’m currently reading The Love Letter by Cathleen Schine; a story about a middle-aged woman finding an anonymous letter penned by an unknown lover. The fervor and mystery of the letter intrigued the woman and soon she is swept up in a fiercely affair with her store assistant who’s years younger than her. Though the plot may seems a little old to me, but I’m enjoying it so far.
I’ve been really wanting to read Donna Leon. Maybe I’ll see what the library has by her.
You are one busy girl! Honeymoon in Tehran has been on my radar for awhile…good reviews, recommended at the library etc. I am always fascinating by stories of life in places such as this. It tends to make you grateful for what we have in the US, even though it often isn’t all that great if you watch the news! I’ve read only one Isabel Allende and she did tend to wander off. You can sense the passion she has for her topics and I think she gets caught up in educating her readers!
I’ve been listening to the second book of the Outlader Series “Dragonfly in Amber”. This is for the Outlander reading challenge. The audio is 33 discs long (the series is over two hundred discs long) and I am growing antsy to move on! I love the story and the characters but this is like a career! Also I am reading “To My Senses” by Alex Weis. I received the book from the author, and it is a wonderful story about love and self-discovery in New orleans. I’m also reading The Graveyard Book to my kids, and am close to finishing!
These sound interesting. Right now I’m reading “An Obsolete Honor” about the German resistance to Hitler and plan Valkyrie. It’s very interesting, but it’s not something you can speed read. Or maybe it’s the cold I still have that’s making me slow down.
Do you think Leon’s books need to be read in order? I unfortunately have the 12th book in the series! I usually try to read mysteries in order, although in many cases it doesn’t matter that much.
I read (and reviewed) The Richest Season. I hope you enjoy it more than I did!
I have the first book in the Donna Leon mystery series waiting for me on my bookshelves – have been meaning to read it for a while now. I must admit the main reason for me getting it was that it is set in Italy!!
Thanks for your comments on the Allende book — I’ve been wanting to read more of her and trying to decide what to pick up. I just posted my list of current reading — mostly novels but also a few new and interesting blogs!
enjoy your reading, I have The Richest Season in my TBR.
I’m nearly done with The Kingmaking, and have also been reading a short story called ‘The Willows’ 🙂
Now that reminds me of Reading Lolita in Tehran, which I still haven’t read! I believe Iran is more embracing, well, at least tolerant of foreign media than Iraq.
Melody – Honeymoon in Tehran is great in that it does give you a glimpse of modern life in Iran, especially how the young couples handle dating and just trying to find their freedom. I read The Love Letter long time ago and thought it was great. There’s a movie made out of that book but I don’t recommend it at all! 🙂
nik – Brunetti is a great character and of course the setting is to die for. I like that you don’t just get the typical tourist version (or what I imagine that must be) but the little rhythms of everyday life in Venice.
Sandy – I hope you’ll check out Honeymoon in Tehran. So far it is very good. And, yes, I think you are absolutely right about Allende – she has so much passion about her characters and country. I’ve heard those Outlander books are a lot of fun but they are long. One of these days I may get to it. And, I so want to read The Graveyard book!
Anna – Kudos to you for even reading something so weighty with a cold. At that point all I’d want to do is curl up with a fluffy book 🙂 Feel better!
avisannschild – I’m kind of a stickler for reading a series in order but honestly I don’t think you need to read the Brunetti series in order. The stories are really self-contained and for example this one those have some characters she introduced in the first book but it doesn’t really matter. So I’d say go ahead and jump in and see what you think. As far as Richest Season, well, it was very predictable and I did have some issues with the main character actually. At least it was a quick read!
Karen – Italy is definitely a plus 🙂 I love this series and you’ll like Brunetti – he’s a smart man and his wife is a professor. Very cool couple.
Mindy Withrow – I loved Allende’s earlier novels and this one is ok. I’m beginning to wander if it’s because mainly this one is set in California. Have you read House of the Spirits? My favorite.
bookworm – I hope you’ll enjoy The Richest Season. It left me a bit underwhelmed but in a way it was just what I needed at the time. Just a fast read set in a location I wouldn’t mind being at right now 🙂
Matt – I haven’t read Reading Lolita either – I was a bit put off by the writer to be honest. Although I would like to try it again one of these days. And, yes, Iran is definitely coming across as more tolerant of foreign media than I’d ever imagine.
I just finished Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and I think I may start Janet Evanovich’s Plum Spooky next.
Thanks, Iliana, that’s exactly what I was hoping you would say! I figure if I really love the book I own, I can then go out and invest in getting all the others.
As for The Richest Season, that was my problem with it too, that it was way too predictable. I saw almost every plot point coming from a mile away. It did have its moments though.
I LOVED Tomato Girl and The Richest Season. You read some good ones.
It sounds like you are reading some good ones. I believe that Honeymoon in Tehran is on my TBR list. I’m currently reading Her Royal Spyness and having a lot of fun with it. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts when you finish with these.
Ladytink – I’ve heard the Kate DiCamillo books are really good. I should check those out. Plum Spooky is one of the off-shoots from her Stephanie Plum books right? I used to like those but got a bit tired after book 10 or so and Stephanie is still blowing up cars and can’t decide on a guy 🙂
avisannschild – You’ll have to keep us posted on what you think of the book! Yep, that is so true about Richest Season. I think the thing I liked best about it was the setting. It sounded lovely!
Diane – Tomato Girl is really sweet despite everything that happens isn’t it?
Samantha – Oh I want to hear what you think of Her Royal Spyness. I had tried one of the Bowen books but was a bit let down with it. I’m hoping this series of hers is much better.
I really need to get back to Donna Leon’s mysteries. I discovered them when they were first published, and then the US publisher decided to drop them, so I had to look for UK editions. I’m so glad she’s doing really well now on both sides of the Atlantic! I think Honeymoon in Tehran sounds good, too, and look forward to hearing what you think of it!
The Richest Season sounds like my cuppa tea! That cover is wonderful!
I’ve heard great things about Donna Leon’s mysteries. Need to finish up with John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport’s books first then I’ll dive into a new series.
BTW, I LOVED Tana French’s The Likeness!!!!! Best book I’ve read this year. Review to come soon.
What a fun variety of books you’re currently reading. I’ve been meaning to try Donna Leon’s series for a while but haven’t yet. I wouldn’t mind spending a little time in Italy. Honeymoon in Tehran sounds good too. I’ve had Reading Lolita in Tehran for ages and it would be good to finally read it this year but we’ll see how it goes.