I love getting magazines in the mail. Today I got the latest issue of Bookmarks and Somerset Studio. I’ve already read through Bookmarks but I’m saving Somerset Studio for the weekend. For those of you who enjoy mystery novels or are participating in the Summer Mystery Reading challenge, this latest Bookmarks is a good issue to look through as it has a special focus on international mysteries. I know I’ve already added some new mysteries to my TBR list.
I have finished two books recently and both are challenge reads so yay me. First, I was transported to another time by Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (click on title for my review). Thanks to Dewey, who also recently reviewed one of Butler’s books, I found this interesting article on Octavia Butler. Yep, this author is one I need to read more from.
My other read was The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. This started off with a great premise but didn’t quite deliver for me. Why? Mainly because when I read a mystery I need clues, red herrings, and well a good mystery that needs to be solved. I wonder how the next one in the series will be like. You can read more of my thoughts on the book by clicking on the title.
I’ve started two new books, Brent Ghelfi’s Volk’s Game and Jim Michael Hansen’s Fatal Laws, both are mystery/thrillers and which I’m counting towards the Mystery Reading challenge. I think tomorrow I need to post more on challenge updates so stay tuned.
Bookmarks looks like it would be a very dangerous magazine for me to read. In the best possible way =)
Off topic-
Did you get any flooding from the rains on the weekend?
Thinking about you and your family.
I really think I need to read something by Octavia Butler. Thanks for the post!
The Sower does sound good. I’m adding this to my list. I’ve only read one book by Butler (Wild Seed – years ago), but I remember that her premise was fascinating, and I intended to read more by her.
I have not read anything by Butler. I guess that has to change.
I am overdue in posting about my mystery reads. SIGH! I have also sent more back to the library then I have read…..
I keep thinking of subscribing to Bookmarks, but never do. Is it really good? Do you get a lot of good recommendations from it? On their website I think you can order a whole stack of back issues and I really feel like doing that.
Tara – I know what you mean. It’s not helping the TBR list 🙂
Isabel – Well, I’m ready to build an ark but luckily we were fine! It’s just so much rain for June in Texas when there’s typically none.
Gentle Reader – You’ll have to keep me posted if you do.
Jenclair – Ooh, I’ll add Wild Seed to my list. I’m not sure which one to go to next.
Nancy – Don’t you hate it when that happens. You can be like me and just incur the fines – ha,ha.
Camille – Well, a lot of times I’ll already have heard about the books they mention but I like the bookish articles. Nothing terribly in-depth but still fun to read. I would say check it out at the bookstore first and see if you want to take the plunge.
Gosh you’ve been very busy with all your reading recently – well done!
I’ve had Octavia Butler on my “must read this author” list for ages; and, I keep forgetting whenever I’m around books. Methinks I need to get more organized. 🙂
I thought “Volk’s Game” sounds familiar. I had the Advanced Reader’s Copy sitting at my desk for a while now. Never got to it. The premise seems like it could be made into a movie starring Vin Diesel and Asia Argento. Maybe that’s why I was interested.;p
Do share if it’s any good.
Oh, “Spellman Files” – I glanced through it at random and it was funny!
Okay, need to read Octavia Butler soon. 🙂
Bummer! If I’d known you wanted Volk’s Game I would’ve sent it to you. I received an ARC of it, and I don’t really have any interest in reading it.
I finished The Night Watch by Sarah Waters, a literary suspense, that diverts a bit from the ongoing mystery reading challenge. But I’ll be back on track as I embark on the fourth title–Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie.
I’ve gotta check out Book Magazine. 🙂
heidijane – I have been 🙂
Nancy, aka Bookfool – I’ve given up on organization. I’m such a pack rat, it’ll never happen. Ha,ha.
Dark Orpheus – OMG, that’s exactly what I’ve been thinking as I’m reading the book. I can totally picture it on the Big Screen. Glad you are adding Butler to your TBR list!
Andi – It’s an ARC too. It’s not my typical book but I thought why not? Not sure how I feel about it really.
Matt – So you are still sticking with Christie then? What little I’ve read of hers I’ve liked. They are entertaining and all three have managed to surprise me with the endings so that’s a good thing.
I used to subscribe to Somerset Studios–I love that magazine, but as I have not had any time at all to work on any sort of paper arts, I stopped getting it. I have a huge pile of back issues in my closet (I can’t part with them). It is fun to do–but so many hobbies can get expensive (do you ever order from ArtChix–they were my favorite store!!).
Danielle – Oh I love ArtChix! I haven’t been doing any of my paper crafting so at least that’s good for my pocket book but I still love to look through Somerset Studios. Don’t know if I’ll renew though. I have so many projects I still want to do that I probably should try those out first before going all gaa-gaa over new projects 🙂
Ooo! I’ll have to see if I can get a copy of the latest Bookmarks issue. Thank you for the heads up.
Thanks for saying that! Sometimes I feel very alone in my packrat habits.:)
Literary Feline – Hope you’ll find some good books to add to your TBR list!
Nancy – Packrats Unite! ha,ha
I’m reading a non-challenge book, and I keep wondering how I can make it fit into one of the challenges. I think that’s a sign I have too many challenges! Does that happen to you?